-The 2012 WWE Over The Limit pre-show opens up with Todd Grisham and The Coach as fans are still filing into the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Grisham and Coach hype tonight's matches.
-Justin Roberts has the call in the ring and announces that the opening contest tonight will be the Shane McMahon Invitational to determine who will receive a shot at the WWE Champion tomorrow night on RAW. 25 Superstars from RAW, Smackdown and ECW have responded to the invite and start to make their way to ringside. Each has drawn a number and will enter the match accordingly one-by-one.
Shane McMahon Invitational featuring Superstars from RAW, Smackdown and ECW (Winner gets a WWE Championship Match on Tomorrow Night's RAW)
The ring is quickly surrounded and we eventually discover that Santino Marella has the unfortunate distinction of drawing #1 and his first opponent is JOHN CENA. The bell rings to get us started and Santino reluctantly meets Cena in the middle of the ring. Santino tries to trick Cena into looking the other way and comes up with a Santino Stunner, but Cena doesn't even leave his feet. Cena rubs his jaw and decks Marella in the face with a stiff right hook. Cena shrugs it off and makes the cover for a three count.
Santino Marella is eliminated.
In steps BRODIE LEE and this might be more of a challenge. The Big Rig and Cena begin exchanging heavy blows and Brodie sets up for a Half Nelson Suplex. Cena fights out and comes back with a Spin Out Powerbomb and connects with a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena preps for The FU and Brodie answers with a Truck Stop for two.
Brodie sets up for a Package Piledriver and Cena fights out and goes for a Gutwrench Suplex. Brodie counters back and connects with a Brodie Bomb and Cena kicks out at 2 1/2. Brodie strangles Cena with an Overhead Choke Bomb, but he battles out yet again and drops the Big Rig with a Spinebuster. Cena climbs to the top rope and connects with a devastating dropkick. The Cenation Leader attempts a bulldog, but Brodie blocks it and answers with a Double Underhook Suplex for another nearfall. Brodie primes up for a Big Rig Boot, but Cena ducks under and trips the other leg, locking in the STFU. Brodie drags Cena to the bottom rope, but JBL pulls back the rope from the outside and Brodie has no choice but to tap.
Brodie Lee is eliminated.
JBL jumps in next and drops an elbow to the back of Cena’s head and goes to work. Bradshaw backs into the corner and waits for Cena to return to his feet before decapitating a groggy Cena with a Clothesline From Hell to pick up a shocking elimination.
John Cena is eliminated.
THE GREAT KHALI climbs over the top rope and drops JBL with a scoop slam. Khali helps The Wrestling God back to his feet and sets up for a short-arm clothesline, but JBL catches him with a thumb to the eye. JBL drills Khali with an UNBELIEVABLE powerbomb and picks up the three.
The Great Khali is eliminated.
MVP slides into the ring and begins trading fists with JBL. Mr. 305 knocks JBL off balance with a Spinning Capoeira Kick and drops him with the Playmaker to pick up the three count.
JBL is eliminated.
In comes ELIJAH BURKE. More back and forth fists. Burke stuns MVP with 4-Up and drives him to the corner before connecting with the Elijah Express to pick up a quick three count.
MVP is eliminated.
In next is the Celtic Warrior SHEAMUS. The Great White catches Burke between the eyes with a Double Axe Handle and drops him with a Rolling Fireman’s Carry. Sheamus goes to the top and blindsides The Silver-Tongued Pugilist with a Battering Ram and goes into a frenzy of slaps before concluding with a nasty spinning backfist. Burke crawls to the outside and Sheamus captures him for a barrage of forearm clubs to the chest. Burke rolls from the ring, deciding he’s had enough and walks away, taking the ten count.
Elijah Burke is eliminated.
Evan Bourne tries to climb into the ring and Sheamus catches him with a Knee Trembler to the head on his way in. Bourne flops to the mat and Sheamus plants the defenseless Bourne with a Fiery Red Hand for the three count.
Evan Bourne is eliminated.
BOOKER T steps in and goes toe-to-toe with Sheamus, trading lefts and rights before The Celtic Warrior regains the upper hand and drops Booker with White Noise for two. Booker comes back with a Russian Leg Sweep and connects with a Harlem Hangover for a VERY close near fall. Booker backs Sheamus into the corner and works over him with backhand strikes until The Celtic Warrior comes back with an Irish Curse Backbreaker for 2 1/2.
Sheamus sets up for a High Cross, but Booker drops down and comes back with a vicious spinebuster for two. The Irish Madman hoists Booker up for a Running Powerslam but Booker escapes again and connects with a Superkick. Booker gets two before The Great White gets his foot on the bottom rope. Booker sets up for the Book End, but Sheamus fights out of it. Sheamus whips Booker T off the ropes in an attempt for a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker, but Book answers with a kick to the gut and sets up for the Scissors Kick. Sheamus dodges and comes back with a Brogue Kick that nearly takes Booker’s head off his shoulders. Sheamus makes the cover and gets the three.
Booker T is eliminated.
R-Truth jumps into the ring and Sheamus beats him down in the corner before connecting with a Fallaway Slam. The Celtic Warrior sets up for a short-arm clothesline, but Truth ducks under and stuns Sheamus with Little Jimmy and picks up the HUGE upset three count.
Sheamus is eliminated.
In comes MR. ANDERSON. The Head Asshole comes in and hits Truth with a Side Slam Backbreaker for two. Truth answers back with an Inverted Sitout Suplex Slam and gets another nearfall. Truth climbs to the top and goes for a 450 Splash, but Anderson dodges, sending Truth crashing into the canvas. Mr. Anderson returns to his feet and drills Truth with a Spike DDT to pick up the duke.
R-Truth is eliminated.
ABYSS is next in the ring and he takes Anderson off his feet with a Spear and plants him with a Chokeslam before rocketing him off the ropes for a vile Black Hole Slam for three.
Mr. Anderson is eliminated.
SAMOA JOE enters next and begins brawling with Abyss before catching him with a Dragon Suplex for two. Joe drills Abyss with a Samoan Drop. Abyss rolls to the outside and Joe connects with an Elbow Suicida, taking the Monster out of the equation. JOHN CENA returns to the scene and begins brawling with Joe to the back. The referee rules a double count-out on both men.
Samoa Joe and Abyss are eliminated.
SHELTON BENJAMIN and MARK HENRY climb into the ring and another contest begins. Benjamin springboards and attempts a Diving Clothesline, but Henry is a wall and Benjamin collapses to the mat. Henry connects with an Elbow Drop and moves in for the kill. Henry crushes Benjamin with a World’s Strongest Slam and picks up the three.
Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.
Ten superstars remain and in comes MUHAMMAD HASSAN. Hassan attempts an inside cradle, but Henry collapses on top of him and picks up another three count.
Muhammad Hassan is eliminated.
Hassan begins to protest to the referee about biased officiating and security has to drag Hassan to the back. The distraction enables DAMIEN SANDOW to sneak into the ring and mount an offensive. Sandow connects with a series of Underhook knee lifts and a Russian Leg Sweep for two. Sandow drops the Cubito Aequet and Henry kicks out with authority. Sandow hits a Swinging Neckbreaker and Henry kicks out again. Henry staggers The Intellectual Savior to the Masses with a Fallaway Slam and locks him in a Bearhug. Sandow jams his thumb knuckle deep into Henry’s eye and as The World’s Strongest Man reels, Sandow locks in a straightjacket and connects with the Illumination for another stunning upset.
Mark Henry is eliminated.
Sandow celebrates, but fails to notice that TENSAI has climbed into the ring behind him. Tensai crushes Sandow with a Train Wreck and picks up the three count.
Damien Sandow is eliminated.
SIN CARA jumps in next and goes for a Handspring Back Elbow, but Tensai won’t be budged. Cara falls to the mat and Tensai drops an elbow to the back of his head. Tensai scoops Cara back up and hits a Chokebomb for the pinfall.
Sin Cara is eliminated.
Only six superstars remain and in comes ALBERTO DEL RIO. Tensai beats him down and goes for a Double Underhook Suplex, but Del Rio answers with a Bridging German Suplex for two. Del Rio summons Tensai back to his feet and connects with a Step Up Enziguri for another nearfall. Tensai fights back in and goes for a Pumphandle Slam, but Del Rio slides out the back and hits a Single Arm DDT for two.
Alberto connects with a Double Knee Armbreaker and cinches in the Cross Armbreaker, refusing to let go. After several minutes of struggle, Tensai finally taps out.
Tensai is eliminated.
In comes JAMES STORM who takes Del Rio off his feet with a brutal spear. Storm locks in the Sharpshooter and Del Rio escapes to the bottom rope. Storm goes for a Double Knee Backbreaker, but Del Rio grabs the ropes for leverage. Del Rio comes back with a Diving Senton for two. Del Rio lifts Storm back to his feet and The Cowboy connects with Closing Time to pick up the three count.
Alberto Del Rio is eliminated.
CARLITO is next with the number of superstars at ringside dwindling. Storm catches a charging Carlito with the Last Call and picks up the three count.
Carlito is eliminated.
JEFF HARDY flies into the ring next and begins throwing hands with Storm. James gets the upper hand and sets up for the Eight Second Ride, but Hardy lands on his feet and comes out of NOWHERE with Whisper In The Wind. Hardy picks Storm up off the mat and hits a Twist of Fate, planting Storm’s skull into the canvas before drilling him with a Swanton Bomb for the three count.
James Storm is eliminated.
Only BOBBY ROODE remains. The “It Factor” slides into the ring and the final war is under way. Roode sets up for the Pay Off, but Hardy counters with a Sitout Jawbreaker. Hardy goes for a Diving Clothesline, but Roode dodges, sending Hardy to the mat. Roode goes for a Spear, but Hardy hits a Baseball Slide that sends Roode flying across the ring. Hardy comes back with a Twist of Fate, but Jeff lands in a way that re-aggravates the injuries suffered at the hands of Jeff Jarrett two weeks ago. In a haze, Hardy crawls to the cover with the last of his energy and picks up the three.
Winner and NEW #1 Contender for the WWE Championship: JEFF HARDY
-After the match, Hardy staggers to the back before collapsing on the stage. Officials have to help The Enigma to the back to examine him and determine if he can even be cleared to compete tomorrow night.
-We go to replays before Grisham and Coach go back to hyping tonight's card. They air a promo video for Triple H versus Brock Lesnar in the Street Fight.
-Paul Heyman is backstage with ECW officials putting the polish on the smashed up Hardcore Title in easily one of the most HILARIOUS damn things on WWE television in recent memory. Heyman instructs them to move the pedestal out to ringside for the Battle Royal next.
-We go back to the ring and Joey Styles walks out to the ring to an ENORMOUS pop to call the Hardcore Title Battle Royal as only Joey can. The bell rings and Bob Artese makes the call, announcing that the following contest is for the Hardcore Championship and will be contested under "Bring Your Own Weapon Rules", which of course means there are no rules; other than those regarding elimination.
Out first comes Eddie Edwards brandishing a crutch. Suddenly the sounds of a car wreck go off throughout the arena and the crowd EXPLODES as MICK FOLEY comes out as a surprise entrant in tonight's contest, Barbie in hand. Foley chants are now echoing throughout Raleigh. Out next is Ryback to a mixed reaction, but he appears unarmed. He begins pacing the ramp and the stage before finally setting his eyes on the car propped in the corner. He walks over and rips the car door right from its hinges, drawing an audible gasp from the crowd.
Rellik enters next carrying a cheese grater, followed by Steven Richards armed with a stop sign. Muhammad Hassan is out next to MASSIVE heat and he's armed with piano wire. Tajiri enters and he appears strangely unarmed. Hardcore Holly hits the ring and stops at ringside, pulling out and setting up tables at every end of the ring before sliding in. Sabu comes out next carrying a Steel Chair wrapped in barbed wire. Kevin Thorn enters, spitting blood and toting his staff. Out next is Raven with his Shopping Cart of Horrors, but it's only carrying a basket of Singapore Canes. Raven grabs one for himself and throws the entire basket into the ring. Tyler Reks enters with his fists wrapped in an iron chain.
Davey Richards hits the ring carrying a fire extinguisher and Rhyno follows him out with a steel garbage can. Mikey Whipwreck is out next with a Leather Strap and Paul Burchill comes out armed with a lead pipe. Elijah Burke hits the ring unarmed, goes to the ringside area and grabs the ring bell.
Out next is William Regal to a HUGE pop with his brass knucks. Abyss comes out carrying Janice and finally Tazz hits the stage carrying a gigantic bag over his shoulder. The Human Suplex Machine rolls into the ring as the others look on. Tazz opens the bag and dumps MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of THUMBTACKS onto the ring canvas. Tazz spreads them with his feet until the majority of the canvas is now thumbtacks. WOW. Since Burke has the ring bell, the brawling begins and here we go.
Everyone goes at it and with everyone armed, it gets ugly quick. Burke clobbers Whipwreck with the bell, opening a gash above his right eye and eliminates him. Rellik slices Burke’s face with the Cheese Grater, drawing blood. An outraged Burke buries the bell in Rellik’s ribs and dumps him to the floor with a shot to the head. Kevin Thorn and Steven Richards begin dueling in the corner while Eddie Edwards duels his crutch against Rhyno’s trash can.
The still bizarrely unarmed Tajiri lurks in the corner and sneaks up behind Hassan before blasting the Poison Mist into his face. Hassan falls to the canvas and ends up with hundreds of thumbtacks in his back and arms. Hassan screams out in agony, unsure which hurts worse. Burke clobbers Tajiri with the ring bell and in a stunning turn of events, Abyss helps Burke dump Tajiri from the ring. Stunned that he was betrayed by his fellow Unholy Alliance member, Tajiri climbs back onto the apron and Abyss buries Janice into The Japanese Buzzsaw’s ribs. HOLY SHIT. Tyler Reks bashes Ryback in the face with a steel chain and tries to eliminate him, but Ryback fights back in. Abyss helps several others to eliminate Kevin Thorn. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ABYSS?
Tyler Reks is eliminated. Eddie Edwards is out next. Abyss and Mick Foley begin go at it now, trading blows between Janice and Barbie. Tazz and Burchill double team Burke, but Burke fights back with the bell, and eliminates Tazz, then Burchill. Steven Richards bends his Stop Sign around Burke’s head and slams him into the thumbtacks. Holly sneaks up behind Steven and throws him over the top, crashing through one of the tables. Raven clubs Holly over the head with a Kendo Stick and tosses him over the to through another one.
Regal and Raven go at it in the center of the ring. Raven flogs Regal about seven times with two Kendo Sticks at once. Regal takes a swing out of desperation and clocks Raven with the brass knucks, dropping Raven into the thumbtacks. Raven returns to his feet and fights Regal to the ropes, before both fall over the top to the floor. The pro-Regal/pro-Raven crowd boos loudly, greatly displeased with this outcome. Foley and Abyss continue brawling. Foley bodyslams Abyss into the thumbtacks, then Hassan again. Foley goes after Davey Richards and hits a Double Arm DDT, dropping Richards face first into the thumbtacks.
After several minutes of brawling, Foley slips on Mr. Socko, wraps him in barbed wire, and locks the Mandible Claw on Burke. Abyss and Foley go at it again, and Abyss gains the upper hand with a Black Hole Slam into the thumbtacks. His face pouring with blood and riddled with thumbtacks, Richards grabs the fire extinguisher and blasts it into Foley’s face. Sabu throws the barbed wire steel chair in Ryback’s face, Abyss clubs him with Janice and Richards smacks him upside the head with the extinguisher and Ryback is a bloody mess. SOMEHOW Ryback fights back in and takes Richards out with a brutal Meat Hook Clothesline over the top rope. Ryback drives Foley into the thumbtacks with Shell Shocked but Abyss catches him with Janice. Abyss tries to dump Ryback, but he holds on.
Ryback fights back in and smashes the car door over Abyss’ head, breaking the window and hog-tying him in the process Ryback pushes him over the top and sends him crashing through the third table. Burke bashes the ring bell into the back of Ryback’s head and eliminates him. Rhyno charges for the Gore, but Burke dodges and comes back, dropping Rhyno face first into the thumbtacks with the Elijah Experience. Hassan tries a diving cross body, but Burke knocks him from the top rope, sending him crashing through the barricade. More Holy Shit chants. Sabu throws the barbed-wire chair at Burke’s face and goes to dump Burke, but Foley surprises both of them and sends them to the floor.
We’re down to Rhyno and a very bloody Foley. Rhyno charges again, but Foley catches him with a powerslam back into the thumbtacks. Foley stomps Rhyno deeper into the tacks and sets up for a Double Arm DDT. Rhyno slips out and goes for the Gore, but Foley comes back with Socko. Rhyno fights out and hits a Rhyno Driver. Rhyno tries for another Gore, but Foley dodges, sending him crashing into the ring post shoulder first. Foley rolls under the bottom rope, pours MORE thumbtacks onto the one remaining table, douses it in lighter fluid and sets it ablaze. Foley climbs back onto the apron and Rhyno slingshots him back into the ring and drops him over the top to the ring apron. As Foley returns to his feet, Rhyno comes back with a rib-shattering Gore that sends Foley off the apron and through the flaming, thumbtack-laden table.
Winner and NEW WWE Hardcore Champion: RHYNO
-After the match, Paul Heyman comes down and rewards Rhyno with the Hardcore Title and the Man Beast celebrates the victory. Chants of “HE’S HARDCORE” rain down upon the new champion.
-We get the opening video package featuring the Championship Scramble Matches and the bad blood between Triple H and Brock Lesnar that led to tonight’s Street Fight. The pyro goes off inside the arena and Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show.
SHANE McMAHON hits the ring and The Chairman of the Board has a few announcements to make regarding the direction of the WWE roster and recent events involving the Nexus. Shane O’ tells them that since the return of Jeff Jarrett, the retirement of Goldberg and the brand-switching of Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam. The rosters of RAW and ECW in particular, have been thrown out of balance. As a result, at midnight tonight, ALL THREE rosters will undergo what Shane is calling “Brand Re-Alignment”. The chairman says each brand’s former World Champions will be largely unaffected, as will the Diva’s Division. However, some mid-carders and low-carders will be switching brands tonight. As it concerns the Nexus, Shane says he understands that they initiated a boycott of the show tonight, but he knows better than to take them at their word. Therefore, he has placed extra security in and around the arena, flooded the backstage area with black shirts and has sentries outside the building to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Shane tells everyone to enjoy the show and hands the mic back to Lilian Garcia for the call. Lilian announces that tonight’s opening contest is The Championship Scramble Match for the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. The crowd erupts into a shocked pop and here we go.
World Heavyweight Championship Scramble Match: CM Punk versus Chris Jericho versus Jeff Jarrett versus Randy Orton versus The Miz versus The Undertaker
Out first comes The Miz to a HUGE pop. The newly fan favorite Miz slides to the corner and awaits his randomly selected first opponent. The lights go down and the crowd ERUPTS as the lightning flashes and the gong sounds and THE UNDERTAKER has been selected to start this match against an understandably beleaguered Miz. The Deadman and Miz move toward the center of the ring and stare each other down as the bell rings to get the Scramble under way.
Determined, Miz takes the first swing, but Taker beats him back with a flurry of lefts and rights and a Big Boot to the face. Taker wears down the Miz with a blatant chokehold and hits a Sidewalk Slam. Taker goes for a Heart Punch, but Miz ducks out of the way and comes back with an Irish Whip to the buckle and follows in with a Turnbuckle clothesline before letting Taker fall to the mat. Miz goes up for a Diving Double Axe Handle, but Taker catches him by the throat and tosses him over the top rope to the ring apron. Taker goes to the outside and hits a Guillotine Leg Drop. The Deadman goes for a running DDT, but Miz counters with a kick to the face and hits a springboard bulldog. Miz goes for a Discus Punch, but Taker catches him by surprise with a Drop Toe Hold and locks in Hell’s Gate. Miz struggles and gets his foot on the bottom rope.
Taker begins clubbing Miz in the back, when Miz grabs hold for a Snapmare and drills The Deadman face first into the canvas for two. Taker returns to his feet and Miz answers back with a Big Boot of his own for two. Taker gets back to his knees and Miz hits a Snap DDT for another two count. Miz is clearly getting visibly frustrated as we approach the six-minute mark.
The buzzer goes off and out next is JEFF JARRETT. The King of the Mountain goes right to work, going at it with The Miz. Jarrett goes for a Double Underhook Facebuster, but Miz counters out and moves into position for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Jarrett rolls him off. Miz charges and Jarrett locks in a Sleeper Hold. Miz begins fading but Undertaker charges and takes Jarrett out with a Big Boot before chokeslamming both of them. Miz and Jarrett roll down to the outside and Taker hits a Suicide Plancha that sends all three through the ringside barricade. More “Holy Shit” chants. Taker rolls them back in and hits Snake Eyes on both men from opposite corners of the ring. The Undertaker is the only man standing as we approach the 12-minute mark in the contest.
The buzzer sounds again and here comes CHRIS JERICHO. Y2J comes charging to the ring after Taker, but the Deadman telegraphs it and sends Jericho crashing back to the outside with a Back Body Drop. Taker turns his attention back to his opponents in the ring and Jarrett stuns him with a Diving Cross Body for two. Taker crawls to the ropes and Jarrett hits a Leapfrog Guillotine, landing on his feet outside the ring. Jarrett rockets Jericho back into the ring and goes for a DDT, but Miz comes from out of nowhere and catches Jarrett with a neckbreaker from behind. Miz hits a Reality Check on Taker and Jericho comes from the top with a Missile Dropkick for two. Jericho goes for a Tiger Suplex on Miz, but Jarrett chimes in and hits Jericho with a Belly to Belly Piledriver for 2 1/2.
Jarrett rolls to the outside and grabs El Kabong. Jeff splinters the guitar over Miz’ head and goes for the cover, but Taker hits a leg drop to the back of Jarrett’s head to break up the count. Taker scales to the top rope and goes for a Missile Dropkick, connecting with Jarrett and drawing a HUGE applause. Taker hits a Running Flying Clothesline on Miz. The Deadman sets up for a Tombstone Piledriver on Jericho, but Jericho fights out and slips down Taker’s back. Jericho locks in an Armbar and drops Taker with a Flashback. As we approach the 18-minute mark, Jericho hits Jarrett with a series of powerbombs. Jericho turns the tables and drops Miz with a Breakdown. Jericho screams “THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE, JUNIOR!” as the buzzer goes off.
Out comes RANDY ORTON. The Viper comes flying down to the ring and goes after his opponents like a house of fire. Orton dazes Jericho with a European Uppercut, catches Jarrett with an Angle Slam which draws a HUGE pop (considering the circumstances), drops The Miz with a Lou Thesz Press and starts working over his face. Undertaker shows up behind Orton and Randy senses him. The two begin trading blows in the center of the ring and Taker whips Orton to the buckle, but Orton counters, sending The Deadman to the corner instead. Orton scales to the top rope and drops Taker with a massive Superplex.
The Viper stuns Jarrett with a picture perfect Dropkick and hits Jericho with a Knee Drop before catching a charging Miz the most VIOLENT snap powerslam he’s ever administered. Orton returns to his feet and is FIRED UP. We’ve not seen this much intensity from The Viper in a LONG time.
Orton climbs to the top and goes for a Diving Crossbody, but Taker captures him mid-leap and drills The Viper with a Tombstone Piledriver. Taker makes the cover and gets a three count. THE UNDERTAKER is the current champion.
The Undertaker goes for Old School on Chris Jericho, but Y2J has it scouted and nails Taker with a DEVASTATING Codebreaker on the descent. Jericho crawls to the cover and gets the three. CHRIS JERICHO is the current champion.
Jericho hits a Double Underhook Backbreaker to the Miz and hits a Spinning Wheel Kick to Jarrett. Jericho goes for a One-Handed Bulldog on Orton, but Randy blocks and comes back with his signature backbreaker. Orton hits a Belly to Belly on Taker and an Gutwrench Neckbreaker on Miz. Orton backs into the corner and Punts Jarrett in the head, sending him to the outside. We are getting down to the 24-minute mark and everyone is patiently awaiting the arrival of CM Punk.
The buzzer sounds and THE NEXUS comes sprinting down the entranceway and the participants in this Scramble Match are in SERIOUS trouble. The eight members of Nexus quickly spread to double team each of the four conscious participants (excluding the punted Jarrett) and the brawling begins. Finally, CM PUNK hits the stage and burns a path to the ring to join the fray. Punk revives Jarrett and the six members of the scramble match begin fighting with the members of Nexus. The numbers game evens up as NIGEL McGUINNESS and WWE CHAMPION BRYAN DANIELSON come down to even the odds. Eventually, the eight men involved in title matches tonight drive The Nexus into a retreat from the ring and back through the crowd. Danielson and McGuinness leave the ring and the Scramble begins to wind down.
With three minutes remaining, the rush for the title REALLY intensifies. Still barely conscious, Jarrett sneaks in and drops Taker with The Stroke and picks up the three count. JEFF JARRETT is the current World Champion. Time winds down even faster as Orton clobbers Jarrett with a falling clothesline, sending him rolling to the apron. Randy hits an IEDDT and primes up for the RKO. Orton connects, makes the cover and gets the three. RANDY ORTON is the current World Champion.
All SIX begin brawling in and around the ring. Jericho takes Taker to the outside and they begin fighting over the barricade while Punk and Jarrett begin exchanging rights and lefts on the ramp. Punk clocks Jarrett with a Roundhouse Kick, leaving him unconscious on the walkway. Orton sets up for the RKO in the ring, but Miz blocks and hits the Skull Crushing Finale, picking up the three with 30 seconds to spare. THE MIZ is the current World Champion.
Miz celebrates and tries to leave the ring, only to get back to his feet and walk into another Roundhouse Kick. Punk hoists the staggering Miz onto his shoulder and hits the GTS. Rushing to the cover, Punk collects a three count with THREE seconds to spare. The time limit expires and the bell rings.
WINNER and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: CM PUNK
-After the match, CM Punk celebrates with The World Title in hand as Orton and Miz pull themselves to opposite corners and icily stare down Punk. Jericho looks on in disbelief from the crowd and Taker has a look of exhausted frustration as CM Punk rolls to the outside and walks up the ramp to where the unconscious Jarrett lies. Punk hoists the gold above his head in defiance of everything Jarrett said about him three weeks ago and stands above him as STILL the World Heavyweight Champion.
-We go backstage to Shane McMahon discussing matters with the GM's and reassuring them that for the most part, all World Champions, former and current will remain unaffected by the midnight transition. However, there IS a 1 in 100 probability that someone could be moved.
-We get a video package of the building feud between "The Rated R Superstar" Edge and Kurt Angle.
Inferno Match: Edge versus Kurt Angle
We go back to the ring and Justin Roberts has the call. Kurt Angle hits the ring first to a mixed reaction--mostly boos and the classic serenade of "YOU SUCK". Out next is Edge to a MASSIVE pop from the Raleigh crowd. Edge quickly realizes that he can't slide into the ring as the inferno trough is in the way and elects to go over the top rope into the ring instead. The Rated-R Superstar tosses his ring jacket to the timekeeper and the flames flare up to get the match started and here goes the bell.
At the outset, Angle looked like a trapped rat that wanted no part of Edge--repeatedly searching for an exit, but the flames prevented a safe evacuation. Angle finally resigned himself to fighting being the only alternative and came at the Ultimate Opportunist with a furious barrage of European Uppercuts. After another escape attempt, Angle attempted a Top Rope Moonsault, but was brought back to the canvas with an Electric Chair Drop, sending the flames shooting to the top rope. Edge continued the beatdown with a battery of forearms to the face and a beautiful dropkick. The heat at ringside by this point was drawing sweat from everyone in the first three rows.
Angle reverses the momentum, blocking a Spinning Heel Kick and locking in the Ankle Lock. Edge struggles for the bottom rope to break the hold, but quickly realizes that reaching for the flames would be counter-productive. Edge somehow manages to escape the hold and send Angle to the ropes, quickly recoiling to the opposite side of the ring after realizing how close he came to the fire. Furious, Angle wraps Edge up in an iron-fisted waistlock and repeatedly drops Edge on the surgically-repaired neck with German Suplex after German Suplex until he reaches about 15 and releases the hold.
Angle rockets Edge over the flames and to the outside of the ring before scaling to the top rope and launching himself at Edge with a Frog Splash, but The Rated-R Superstar has it scouted and plucks Angle out of mid-air with a picture perfect Spear. With Kurt unconscious on the arena floor, Edge scoops up The Olympic Gold Medalist and delivers an Edgecution, dropping Angle legs first on the inferno trough, setting the knee pads and boots ablaze. Angle writhes in agony trying to snuff the flames out as the bell rings.
WINNER: EDGE
-After the match, EMT's and technicians swarm in to extinguish the barbecuing Angle. Edge heads up the ramp and salutes the fans while facing the stage. Dr. Rios and others help Angle onto a stretcher and wheel him to the back.
-We go backstage with Triple H and Stephanie, the RAW GM is trying to loosen The Game up for his Street Fight tonight by working on his neck and shoulders. Shawn Michaels hobbles into the room on crutches, leg in a cast and tells The Game to be careful out there tonight and says he expects Triple H to tap into that dark side he remembers from all of the times they beat the hell out of each other nearly a decade ago. Batista steps in with his arm in a sling and tells Hunter that if he weren't working with one arm, that he knows DAMN WELL he'd be in there ripping Brock apart as well. Ric Flair rolls in to a chorus of WOOOS in a wheelchair and arm in a cast and tells Triple H to get the job done tonight, not just for himself, not just for his family and not just for the three of them, but for the welfare of EACH and every man and woman in that locker room that draws a paycheck, because as long as Brock Lesnar is allowed to run roughshod over RAW, no one in WWE is safe. The Game steps up, sledgehammer in hand and walks out the door, determined look on his face.
ECW Championship Scramble Match: John Morrison versus Kane versus Big Show versus Jack Swagger versus Rob Van Dam versus Matt Hardy
Out first comes Rob Van Dam to a MASSIVE POP from the pro-ECW crowd. Rob Van Dam awaits his first opponent as the pyro explodes and the stage bursts into flames as KANE enters second. Kane reaches the ringside area and Van Dam runs to the opposite ropes and launches over the top with a Springboard Cross Body. Kane catches him and throws him into the barricade. The Big Red Monster locks in a Clawhold on the outside and the match still hasn't officially started. Kane rips up the protective mat on the floor and hits a brutal sidewalk slam on the concrete. Kane rolls Van Dam back into the ring and the bell rings to get the clock started.
The Devil's Favorite Demon strikes with a DDT and goes to the cover, but Van Dam kicks out at two. Kane goes for a powerbomb, but Van Dam rolls through and comes up with a Sunset Flip for two. Kane charges and Van Dam answers back with a Step Over Spinning Wheel Kick. RVD scales to the top rope and hits the Five-Star Frog Splash. Van Dam makes the cover and gets 2 1/2. In disbelief, RVD argues the call with the ref and walks directly into a Tilt-A-Whirl Side Slam. Kane makes the cover, but Van Dam kicks out at two. Kane hits a Big Boot and follows up with a Scoop Slam.
The Big Red Machine hoists RVD up for a Tombstone, but Rob escapes from behind and comes back with a Roundhouse Kick and a Guillotine Leg Drop. Van Dam summons the strength for a Northern Lights Suplex, but Kane kicks out at one. RVD rolls to the outside and grabs a steel chair. RVD throws it at Kane's face, but he catches it and The Whole Dam Show answers with a Van Daminator to knock Kane senseless. RVD goes for the cover and gets another nearfall. We are nearing the six-minute mark and the entrance of another participant.
The buzzer sounds and out comes MATT HARDY. Hardy grabs a chair from under the ring and starts swinging wildly, taking out both Kane and RVD in the process. Matt scales to the top rope with chair in hand and hits a Chair-Aided Top Rope Leg Drop to Kane. Matt grabs RVD and lands a Side Effect for two. Hardy begins working over Kane again and goes for a Diving Elbow Drop from the second rope to the back of Kane's head, but The Big Red Monster recovers and drops him with a swift uppercut. Kane lifts Hardy up and drills him with a Tombstone Piledriver. Kane makes the cover, but Van Dam breaks up the pin with Rolling Thunder.
Van Dam hoists Matt up for a Lifting Double Underhook Facebuster, but Hardy comes back with a Back Body Drop and plants RVD with a Russian Leg Sweep. Matt goes back up for a Diving Clothesline, but Kane catches him and blasts Hardy with a Chokeslam. Kane climbs up to the top and hits RVD with a Diving Clothesline of his own. Kane slams Hardy and comes back with a running seated dropkick for two. The twelve minute mark is fast approaching as Kane awaits his next victim.
The buzzer sounds and here comes THE BIG SHOW. The World's Largest Athlete is met at the ropes by the Big Red Monster and they begin trading MASSIVE punches. Big Show locks in a Bearhug and Kane desperately tries to power out. Kane starts boxing Show's ears to break the hold and Big Show answers with a gargantuan Sidewalk Slam for two. Show locks Kane into an Abdominal Stretch and nearly forces a submission, but Van Dam and Matt Hardy break the hold with a double con-chair-to. RVD, Hardy and Kane triple-team Show and dump him over the top rope to the floor with a back body drop. RVD hits a Diving Plancha that staggers the Giant, Hardy hits a Diving Cross Body that gets the Big Show wobbling and Kane caps it off with a Diving Clothesline that takes him off his feet.
Kane throws Show back in and hits a Backbreaker before dropping Hardy with a Front Powerslam. Kane goes for a Chokeslam on Van Dam but RVD counters out and sends Kane reeling into the corner. RVD grabs the chair again and goes Coast to Coast on Kane with a Van Terminator. Chants of "THIS IS AWESOME" as all four men are left lying. Big Show returns to his feet and crushes RVD with a Showstopper Leg Drop. Show primes up and gets ready to deliver WMD, just waiting for the first man to return to his feet, and it's Hardy. Show LEVELS Hardy with a shot that by all accounts, should have broken Matt's jaw. Show makes the cover and picks up the DECISIVE three count.
Big Show is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Big Show continues his dominance, helping Kane back to his feet in the corner and begins lighting him up with lung-collapsing chops to the chest. Show continues the beatdown with stiff fists to the ribs. Show sets up for the Final Cut on Van Dam, but RVD counters with a Pele Kick as the clock reaches 18 minutes.
The buzzer goes off and here comes the DEFENDING ECW Champion, John Morrison. Morrison hits the ring and immediately goes to work on Show with a Corkscrew Moonsault. Morrison takes out Van Dam with an Enziguri and blindsides Kane with a Springboard Elbow Drop. Morrison hits a Superkick just as Hardy is returning to his feet. The Guru of Greatness wows the WWE Universe with a Corkscrew Plancha to RVD on the arena floor. Morrison rolls back into the ring and hits a Leg Lariat on Kane. John goes for a Moonsault Side Slam on Kane, but gets caught with a Chokeslam instead. Kane goes for the cover, but Show breaks up the fall with a Leg Drop.
Big Show regains control, dropping Hardy with a Military Press Slam to the outside and locks Kane into the Colossal Clutch. Morrison breaks up the hold with a European Uppercut and an STO Backbreaker to the Giant. Morrison hits a Wheelbarrow Facebuster to Van Dam and a Pele Kick to Kane. Morrison follows up with a Standing Shooting Star Press for two. The defending champion goes after Hardy with a Capoeira Leg Drop and gets another near fall. We are nearing the twenty four-minute mark and the clock begins to count down.
The buzzer sounds for the final time and here comes Jack Swagger. Swagger almost gets to the ring, but Morrison blows the crowd away with a BEAUTIFUL Shooting Star Plancha to the outside. Lots of Morrison chants at this point. Morrison rolls back in and goes for Moonlight Drive on Hardy, but Matt fights out and comes back with Northern Lights for another nearfall. Matt catches RVD in the corner with a clothesline and rebounds with a Bulldog. Hardy goes for a Moonsault on Kane, but Kane moves out of the way, sending him crashing to the canvas. Kane hits a clothesline on Morrison in the corner and stuns the crowd with a Chokeslam on the Big Show. Kane makes the cover and gets the three with only minutes to spare.
Kane is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Swagger gets back into the match, clipping Kane's knees out from under him. Swagger hits an Oklahoma Stampede on Hardy and attempts a Red, White and Blue Thunder Bomb on Morrison, collecting a two. Swagger attempts Northern Lights, but Morrison counters back out with a Capoeira Kick, a Flying Chuck and Starship Pain. Morrison makes the cover and regains his title as the clock continues to tick down.
John Morrison is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Morrison has little time to celebrate as Hardy answers with an Ice Pick and a Twist of Fate. Hardy makes the cover and gets three.
Matt Hardy is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Swagger meets Hardy with a Big Boot and a Wheelbarrow Suplex. Swagger takes the still dazed Hardy and drops him with a Gutwrench Powerbomb for three. Only 1:30 remains in the contest.
Jack Swagger is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Show regains control with a Headbutt to Swagger and a Chokeslam to Kane. Big Show goes for a Spear on Van Dam, but RVD dodges, sending the World's Largest Athlete crashing into the buckle. Van Dam follows up with Rolling Thunder. As Van Dam is lying on the mat, Morrison sets up for Starship Pain, but RVD is able to move at the last possible split second, sending Morrison crashing into the mat. RVD leaps to the top rope and plasters Morrison with a Five-Star Frog Splash. RVD collects the three count with :15 remaining on the clock.
Rob Van Dam is the Provincial ECW Champion.
With bodies strewn everywhere, the final fifteen seconds tick off the clock and the match is over.
WINNER and NEW ECW CHAMPION: ROB VAN DAM
-After the match, RVD body-surfs the ever loyal ECW crowd as chants of "EC-DUB" nearly drown out Van Dam's music. Morrison lies in the ring, clutching his ribs in disappointment. As opponents return to their feet, a LIVID Big Show levels Hardy, Morrison, Swagger and lastly Kane one-by-one with WMD. Big Show examines the carnage, shaking his head out of frustration and yells out in rage before leaving the ring in disgust.
-Jeremy Borash is backstage with A.J. Styles and asks him why Lance Storm has targeted him and the United States Championship. Styles says he still has no clue as to why Storm attacked him at Extreme Rules but has no problem putting him away and retaining the gold tonight. JB asks him about the knee and A.J. says it's still a little shaky, but it's in good enough condition to kick Lance Storm's ass tonight and get the job done. Lance Storm walks in and sneers at Styles. Lance tells A.J. that he's sick and tired of the illustrious history of the belt being sullied by a pathetic West Georgia yokel like him and speaks on the irony of class, dignity and prestige being brought back to the UNITED STATES TITLE by a CANADIAN. Storm heads toward the ring as A.J. looks on.
WWE United States Championship Match: A.J. Styles versus Lance Storm
Back to the ring and Justin Roberts announces the U.S. Title Match. Out first is Lance Storm to a decent pop. The United States Champion A.J. Styles enters next and gets a standing ovation from southeastern crowd. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get this one started.
Storm got the early jump to keep the high-flying Styles grounded. The former Impact Player threw the champion off his game with a Springboard Crossbody and began working the leg to set up for the Maple Leaf, but A.J. was able to negotiate his way out. Storm hit a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Mr. Excitement wore out Styles with a rush of punches and kicks that worked the champion into the corner. Styles reversed the momentum after dodging a Diving Reverse Elbow from the top. The U.S. champion rebounded with a Stylin' DDT and picks up a near fall.
The action spilled to the outside when Storm attempted to knock Styles off the apron with a Baseball Slide, but A.J. would dodge again and send him to the arena floor with an Asai Moonsault. The champion throws Lance Storm back into the ring and connects with a top rope Flying Forearm. Storm tries to get back into the match with a running lariat, but Styles evades the assault and comes back with a flawless dropkick for two.
Storm dug deep into his repertoire, lighting Styles up with a flurry of Shoot Kicks and a POWER-PLEX for 2 1/2. Storm made one last effort to finish the contest with a top-rope Spinning Heel Kick, but Styles knocked him from his perch and connected with a GORGEOUS Pele' Kick. A.J. scales to the top rope and CRUSHES Storm with a Styles Clash. The maneuver appears to have re-aggravated Styles' knee injury suffered a couple of weeks ago at the hands of the Canadian Maple Leaf.
Styles climbs back to his feet and notices that Storm has rolled 3/4 of the way across the ring. Styles gets a wild look in his eyes and scales to the top rope. Looking at the distance between him and Storm across the ring, Styles develops a glossy stare and begins laughing maniacally, almost as though even HE can't believe that he's about to do what he's about to do. Planting off his feet, trying to get as much thrust as possible, Styles LAUNCHES himself across the ring and hits a STAGGERING Spiral Tap from COAST TO COAST. Holy Shit chants ensue. Styles crawls to the cover and gets the three.
WINNER: A.J. STYLES
-After the match, the ref helps Styles back to his feet and presents him with the gold as the WWE Universe is ON THEIR FEET. Styles thanks them all and limps toward the back as Lance Storm is helped to his feet in the ring.
-Backstage with Shane McMahon, who is suddenly surrounded by the Nexus. Ziggler tells Shane that he understands that most World Champions will be unaffected by this midnight re-alignment, but in case he hadn't noticed, the majority of the Nexus is composed of ignored talents who haven't been put in position to "grab the brass ring yet". Barrett warns Shane that he had better not be planning on separating members of the Nexus. Shane insists that he's "rooting for them" to stick together, because he would rather see them fall as a collective unit rather than being split up on a technicality. Barrett sneers at the Chairman and leads the troops away.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Rey Mysterio versus Christian
We go back to the ring out first comes Christian to a decent pop and he has a mic. Captain Charisma says that this whole week has been a feeling of nostalgia for him. Christian points out that RAW was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last Monday when he qualified for this match; the site of his first time winning the IC Title back in 2001. He continues, saying it was just a few miles down the road in Charlotte, North Carolina where he won his second IC Title in a Battle Royal at Judgment Day, just a little over 9 years ago this week. Christian says history has a tendency of repeating itself and vows to begin his NEXT reign as champion here tonight. Christian tells Rey it's nothing personal, it's just about the title. Rey Mysterio comes out next to a slightly larger pop.
The bell rings and they go at it. They lock up and after a series of hammer locks and wrist locks, Rey tosses Christian to the outside with an arm drag. Christian slaps the apron out of frustration and slides back in. Christian charges and Mysterio meets him with a Dragonrana. Christian gets back to his feet first and clubs Rey with a lariat to the back of the neck. The Pontiff of the Peepulation scales to the top and comes up with a Diving Reverse Elbow for two. Christian hits an Inverted DDT Backbreaker and follows up with a neckbreaker. Mysterio rolls into position for an inside cradle and gets a VERY close two count. Rey rolls through and locks in an Inverted STF, but Christian is able to get to the bottom rope.
Mysterio goes to the top for a Diving Moonsault, but Christian gets back to his feet and knocks him from his perch. Christian climbs to the top and takes Rey down with a Spinebuster from the top rope. Christian crawls to the cover and gets two. Christian cinches in a Cloverleaf and the Intercontinental Champion crawls to the bottom rope to break the hold. Mysterio moves toward the corner and up the turnbuckle and begins exchanging lefts and rights with Christian. Rey gets the upper hand and sends him to the mat. Mysterio springboards from the top rope and hits a spinning wheel kick. Rey goes for a Wheelbarrow Bulldog, but Christian blocks and hits a Facebuster instead. Christian climbs to the top and hits a Flashpoint uppercut.
Christian whips Mysterio to the buckle and lands a Tornado DDT for another two count. Mysterio fights back in as Christian lifts him back to his feet and locks in an Armbar. Christian escapes and tosses Mysterio to the outside. Christian hits a springboard in the corner and leaps over the top rope to the outside with a Diving Cross Body. Christian throws Mysterio back into the ring and sets up for a Frog Splash, but Rey rolls away at the last minute, sending Christian back to the arena floor. Mysterio crawls to the ring apron and launches with a Diving Hurricanrana that sends Christian head first into the barricade. Christian escapes to the ring again and surprises a charging Mysterio with a Sunset Flip, but Rey rolls through and goes for a Buzzsaw Kick, but Christian ducks and goes for a schoolboy roll up for two. Mysterio rolls through and comes up with a roll-up of his own for another two. Both men return to their feet and we get a standoff and a standing ovation.
Christian whips Mysterio to the buckle, but Rey counters and sends Christian instead. Mysterio charges and Christian comes back with a Pendulum Kick. With Rey dazed, Christian charges for a Spear, but Mysterio catches him with a Drop Toe Hold and a 619. Rey connects with a West Coast Pop and Christian kicks out at two. The Master of the 619 goes for a DDT, but Christian counters into a Fireman’s Carry and drops him with a Gutbuster for two.
Mysterio goes for a Headscissor Takedown, but Christian beats him to the punch again with an Implant DDT. Christian drapes Rey over the middle rope and steps on his back to choke him out. Christian goes to the top for a Diving Headbutt, but Mysterio rolls out of the way and Christian falls to the floor. Mysterio gets back to his feet and hits a Springboard Corkscrew Plancha to a huge pop. Both men crawl back into the ring and Mysterio sets up for a Mysterio-Rana, but Christian has it scouted and falls into position for a roll up and a two count.
Mysterio rebounds and Christian catches him with a flapjack. Christian springboards out of the ring and smacks Mysterio across the face before sliding back in. Christian nearly decapitates Mysterio with a Dropkick and gets two. Captain Charisma attempts a Twisting Sunset Flip out of the corner, but Mysterio rolls through again and catches him with a Buzzsaw Kick. Rey makes the cover and gets 2 1/2. Rey goes for Mysterio Express, but Christian answers with an Alabama Slam for two. Rey trips Christian up again and hits the 619 again. Mysterio springboards from the top rope and Christian catches him from out of NOWHERE with a Spear. Christian makes the cover at Mysterio kicks out a split second before the three and the #1 contender is beside himself.
Christian runs to the timekeeper’s pit and grabs the belt, but Mysterio hits a Suicide Dive that sends both crashing into the barricade. The referee reaches 9 before Christian gets back into the ring. Rey goes for an Irish Whip, but Christian counters into the Killswitch and connects. The ref makes the count, but Mysterio gets his foot on the bottom rope just before three and Christian buries his face in his hands out of frustration.
Mysterio hits a drop toe hold and sets up for 619, but Christian ducks out of the way and ends up in position for the Killswitch again. Mysterio blocks with a double Mule Kick that sends Christian back to the ropes and Rey connects with the 619 this time. Rey scales to the top rope and hits a Diving Splash from three-quarters of the way across the ring. Mysterio makes the cover and gets the three count.
WINNER and STILL INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: REY MYSTERIO
-After the match, Mysterio celebrates the title win with Angie, Aalyah and Dominik at ringside while a visibly frustrated Christian pulls himself back to his feet in the ring. Christian moves toward the ramp to head to the back, but has a sudden change of heart and returns to assault Mysterio in front of his family. Christian whips Mysterio head first off the ring post, sending him ricocheting in the opposite direction. Christian rips up the mats by the barricade where Mysterio's family are seated and proceeds to drop the champion face first onto the concrete with a Killswitch. Christian smacks his chest in defiance and storms toward the back to a chorus of boos.
-We see The McMahon family, HBK, Flair and Batista setting up shop to watch tonight’s main event from the Luxury Box.
-We see the Wolves gearing up backstage. Richards is pretty banged up, but still game for tonight's Tag Title Match.
-We get a video package for the next match.
Tag Team Championship Match: The Fortunate Sons versus The American Wolves
We go back to ringside and Bob Artese has the call. DiBiase and Hennig hit the ring first and look extremely confident that the belts will be leaving Raleigh with them tonight. Howling Wolves puncture the arena and the crowd EXPLODES as The American Wolves hit the stage. Eddie and Davey look PISSED heading into this match and considering the circumstances of how they lost the tag titles, they have every right to be. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get us started.
The champions once again tried to get the jump on the Wolves, but Eddie and Davey were ready for them this time. The Wolves dragged the champions to opposite corners and Richards picked Hennig apart with forearms to the face while Edwards lit DiBiase up with a blizzard of shoot kicks and chops. Hennig fought off the onslaught with a Dropkick that sends Richards to the floor.
Hennig rolls to the outside and follows up with a series of mounted punches to the head. This created enough of a distraction for DiBiase to rebound with an Inverted Atomic Drop and a falling lariat that sent Eddie Edwards reeling. Hennig tries for a Snapmare on the outside, but Davey counters with a Snap DDT to the arena floor that eliminates Hennig from the equation. Davey flies back in with a Springboard Dropkick and the Wolves go to work.
Davey drills DiBiase with a Shoot Kick and Eddie hits a Frankensteiner to send Ted to the floor. The Wolves partner their attack on the champions with a Flying Forearm Smash and a Diving Crossbody to the outside. Eddie throws DiBiase back into the ring and tears him apart with more knife-edge chops. The Wolves get into another bout of one-upsmanship as Richards tries to collapse Hennig's rib cage with more shoot kicks in the opposite corner.
Davey cinches in a German Suplex and Edwards hits a Superkick that sends Hennig into the Suplex and flying out of the ring. DiBiase slides back into the ring and tries to lock in a Million $ Dream, but Edwards counters. Eddie throws another stiff kick to the ribs. Eddie sets up for a Powerbomb and Richards caps it off with a Backcracker before crawling to the cover and getting the three.
WINNER: THE AMERICAN WOLVES
-After the match, the Wolves celebrate their newly won Tag Titles and play to the crowd before heading to the back.
-We go backstage and Brodie Lee has found his way into Teddy Long’s office. Teddy tells Brodie that he’s been impressed with his work over the last several weeks and apparently so has WWE brass. Teddy says that Shane McMahon has a HUGE announcement concerning tomorrow night’s RAW and that a series of names came up, including his specifically. Teddy says he has NO IDEA what Shane has planned, but that it definitely includes Brodie and several others. Brodie seems pleased with this revelation.
-Jeremy Borash is backstage with The Sandman. We see footage of Dreamer’s Singapore Cane incident with Steve Blackman from Tuesday and the subsequent beatdown Dreamer administered to The Sandman during his attempted attack. The Sandman says that the depths of Dreamer’s threshold for pain never ceases to amaze him. But there IS one thing that will amaze the WWE Universe tonight. The depths that he, The Sandman, will sink to to ensure that Tommy Dreamer never sets foot in a WWE ring again. Sandman walks away toting the Singapore Cane.
“I Quit Match”: Tommy Dreamer versus The Sandman
We go to the ring and out first is Tommy Dreamer to a huge pop. The Sandman makes his way through the crowd next, greeted by floods of boos. Sandman goes through his beer bash ritual and stands on the ringside barricade, brandishing his Singapore Cane at Dreamer, who's holding one of his own in the ring. Sandman rolls into the ring and into the corner, but Dreamer's not waiting for the bell and starts laying into Sandman with his cane. The bell rings and here we go.
Sandman fights back out with a few good cracks from his cane until Dreamer puts one right between the eyes. Dreamer goes under the ring and tosses a garbage can FILLED with Kendo Sticks into the ring. Dreamer grabs the trash can and bends it over Sandman's head. Dreamer removes the turnbuckle pad and drags Sandman to the corner, bashing his skull against the metal ring about twenty times until a great deal of blood comes dripping from an ugly cash in his forehead. Dreamer grabs the mic and shoves it into Sandman's face, but Sandman grunts a negative response, so the match continues.
Dreamer grabs a handful cookie sheets and wraps them one by one over Sandman's face. Tommy produces a TASER from his pocket and goes to stick it to Sandman, but Sandman greets him with a low blow and tases Dreamer with a shot to the knee cap. As Tommy writhes in agony, Sandman lays into him with shot after shot after shot with the Singapore Cane. Sandman grabs the mic but Dreamer won’t quit. Sandman grabs a cowbell and blasts Dreamer in the temple with it. The corner of the bell catches Dreamer and he bursts open like a bloody grape.
Sandman slides a Shopping Cart on its side and into the ring and delivers a bulldog to Dreamer on top of it. With blood pouring down his face, Dreamer is starting to look like his signature t-shirt. Sandman produces some brass knucks from his own pocket and takes a swing but Dreamer ducks and comes back with an Inverted DDT. Dreamer grabs a two-by-four from under the ring and once again reaches into his pocket for a matchbook. Dreamer douses the wood in lighter fluid and sets it ablaze. Tommy lays the wood to Sandman’s back and sets his shirt on fire. Dreamer grabs an extinguisher and puts him out before clubbing him with the tank upside the head. Dreamer hits a falling neckbreaker and grabs the ring bell.
Dreamer takes a swing, but Sandman dodges and answers with a Drop Toe Hold that sends Dreamer face first into the bell. Sandman hits Rolling Rock and picks up a Stop Sign and plants it in Tommy’s face. Sandman produces a rag from his back pocket and douses it in ether. Sandman winds up and tries to plant to rag in Tommy’s nose, but Dreamer moves and Sandman gets the ref instead. The ether-soaked rag is so highly concentrated that the ref is out within seconds. Sandman breaks a beer bottle over Dreamer’s forehead, but with no ref, no decision can be reached.
Sandman finds Foley’s Barbie and sets up to take a swing, but Dreamer answers with a low blow. Dreamer hoists Sandman up and hits a Fallaway Slam and he lands on the bat. More “Holy Shit” chants. Tommy rolls to the outside and dismantles the announce table. Dreamer grabs one of the closed-circuit TVs and bashes it into the back of Sandman’s head. Dreamer grabs a FORK from his pocket and digs it into Sandman’s forehead, drawing out even MORE blood. Chants of “THIS IS AWESOME” from the bloodthirsty ECW crowd. Dreamer wraps his fist in a steel chain, but Sandman answers with a low blow with the Singapore Cane. Sandman strangles Dreamer with the chain and lays him out on a table. Sandman hits a Bitchin’ Leg Drop through the table.
Sandman rolls Dreamer back into the ring and slides ring steps in after him. Sandman lays Dreamer’s head across the top step and bashes his skull with the Singapore Cane repeatedly but Tommy STILL won’t quit. Sandman sets Dreamer up on the top rope for a Heinekenrana, but Dreamer shifts the momentum and hits a top rope powerbomb onto the ring steps. Dreamer throws Microphone Cords into the ring and begins strangling Sandman before setting up for a TommyHawk on top of the ring steps. Dreamer sets up for the Dreamer Driver, but Sandman fights out and slams Dreamer into the ring steps with a flapjack.
Dreamer grabs a Singapore Cane wrapped in Barbed Wire and begins choking Dreamer out with it before hitting a White Russian Leg Sweep. Upon landing Sandman mercilessly grinds the cane into Dreamer’s throat, but with mic in hand, Dreamer gurgles a “NO”.
Sandman and Dreamer both retreat to the outside and produce more unique weapons. Sandman takes a swing with a bullhorn but Dreamer dodges and DRILLS Sandman with a cinder block in the ribs, watching him crumble to the mat. Tommy hits the Dreamer Driver, but Sandman refuses to die. Dreamer produces a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire and begins slamming it over Sandman’s back and head, but Tommy decides he isn’t done. Somehow, Dreamer finds even MORE thumbtacks left over from the pre-show and scatters them over the mat. Waiting for Sandman to return to his feet, Tommy takes a swing with a crutch, but Sandman kicks him in the gut and takes a swing of his own, shattering the crutch and lodging YET ANOTHER butterfly screw in Dreamer’s elbow. Tommy collapses into the thumbtacks and begins convulsing on the mat. Sandman grabs the mic, but Dreamer STILL says “No”.
Sandman lifts Tommy back to his feet and he comes from out of NOWHERE with a Dreamer DDT into the thumbtacks. Tommy sets Sandman up for a Piledriver on the ring steps, but Sandman hits a Back Body Drop, sending him into the thumbtacks again. Sandman sets up for a Piledriver of his own on the steps and BEULAH comes flying down the ramp BEGGING Sandman not to go through with it. She catches Sandman’s attention and he grabs her by the hair and drags her into the ring before shoving her down to the mat.
Sandman produces a pair of HANDCUFFS from his pocket and chains Dreamer to the ring ropes. Sandman picks up a Singapore Cane and goes to work. Sandman swings as hard as he possibly can into Dreamer’s back. Sandman grabs a mic and Dreamer continues to refuse. Five more lashes to the ribs, STILL, a barely conscious Dreamer says “No.” Sandman takes four more lashes, the fourth shattering the Singapore Cane across Dreamer’s head. Sandman grabs the mic, shoves it in Dreamer’s face and Tommy spits blood into his face before screaming “THANK YOU SANDMAN, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?!!!” This draws a HUGE POP from the ECW crowd, but unfortunately for Dreamer, that’s EXACTLY what Sandman has in mind.
Noticing Beulah is coming to, Sandman grabs her by the back of the head and picks up the Barbed Wire Steel Chair. Sandman sets it in position and locks Beulah in for a DDT attempt. A screaming Dreamer begs Sandman not to do it, but Sandman says he’s gonna need Tommy to speak a little louder into the microphone. He hands Dreamer the mic and Tommy relents; “If it’ll keep you from doing that to Beulah, then I’ll do it. I QUIT.” The bell rings and the ref raises Sandman’s arm in victory.
WINNER: THE SANDMAN
-After the match, Sandman takes the mic and tells Tommy that he appreciates the humility, but that he never gave his promise that he’d let Beulah go. Dreamer’s pupils dilate in UNMITIGATED HORROR and begins SCREAMING at the top of his lungs as he watches Sandman DDT Beulah face-first onto the barbed wire steel chair. HOLY SHIT. Dreamer breaks down sobbing as he can only watch helplessly as Beulah lies motionless in the ring. Dreamer looks Sandman in the eye and calls him a “Miserable Son of a Bitch” as the victor leaves the ring. Officials finally release Dreamer and he collapses in front of Beulah just weeping.
Bloody, Battered and out of a job, the physical damage pales in comparison with the emotional blow dealt to Tommy Dreamer as he scoops his blood-drenched wife up in his arms and carries her to the back as the crowd gives him a STANDING OVATION and respectful chants of “THANK YOU TOMMY”. Joey Styles says it best when he points out that the name of the show may be “Over The Limit”, but tonight The Sandman went “Over The Line”.
-We get replays of this EPIC match and the SHOCKING finish that transpired just moments ago. Sandman steps back onto the stage with a beer in hand and downs it to a cascade of boos.
-Cameras head backstage and A.J. Styles is still limping around in the back when he spots Delirious devouring a Happy Meal while rambling on and on about it. A.J. just shakes his head and walks away. While rambling, the Hurricane swoops in and lectures Delirious on his poor nutritional choice. After a brief exchange of words, a frustrated Delirious throws the bag of French fries at Hurricane’s face and splatters a number of ketchup packets on his costume before storming off.
-We go backstage and Triple H is psyching himself up for tonight’s Street Fight when SABLE walks up behind him and wishes him luck in the main event before walking off. Hunter tells her to wait and says it’s good to see her again. The Game is conversational for a few more moments before the mood changes and tells her that he’s not stupid. He knows damn well why she’s here and he knows damn well who she’s married to.
Hunter analyzes the situation and says that 15 years makes a WORLD of difference. He says that fifteen years ago, he started with her, then moved to Chyna and ultimately ended up with Steph. He then points out that SHE started with him, then moved to Marc Mero and now she’s married to BROCK LESNAR. Hunter says clearly one of them married up and the other one worked their way down the Douchebag Ladder and settled; and since his wife’s maiden name is McMAHON, he’s pretty sure it’s not him. Hunter tells Sable to go find her husband and make sure he knows that the ONLY way he’s leaving the ring tonight is in an AMBULANCE at best and a BODY BAG at worst. Sable storms off and The Game looks UNBELIEVABLY focused.
-We get a video package of the Danielson/McGuinness feud over the WWE Title, tracing back to the Elimination Chamber Match at last month's Extreme Rules.
2 of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Championship: Bryan Danielson versus Nigel McGuinness
Back in the ring and Justin Roberts has the call. He explains that the first fall can only be won by pinfall, the second fall can only be won by submission, and should the match carry to a third fall, there will be a 30-Minute Iron Man Match to determine the winner and WWE Champion. Out first comes Nigel McGuinness to a HUGE ovation from the Raleigh crowd. Out next is the WWE Champion Bryan Danielson. The champion looks ready for war and as the crowd serenades him with "The Final Countdown" chants of "Best In The World" and "YES!". A chant of "You're Gonna Get Your F@#%ing Head Kicked In" rains down on Danielson and a glimpse of confidence flashes in his eye and in the form of a sly grin. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get us under way.
The match starts off with the two men in the middle of the ring, locked in a staredown. Chants of "Let's Go Nigel" and "Let's Go Dragon" go back and forth for several moments before they begin exchanging European Uppercuts. Nigel works Danielson into the corner and connects with a Running European Uppercut to the temple that puts him on the ropes. McGuinness goes to work with a series of headbutts that compromises Danielson's equilibrium. Nigel whips the champion to the opposite corner, but The American Dragon is able to regroup and rebound with a backflip out of the corner and over an oncoming McGuinness. Danielson returns the favor with a barrage of forearms of his own. The champion connects with a running dropkick that sends Nigel to the outside and hits a Springboard Suicide Senton to the arena floor.
Danielson rolls Nigel back into the ring and goes to work with STIFF shoot kicks to the chest and about the shoulders, all while screaming YES in his face. On the kick to the head, McGuinness blocks and answers with a cross chop to the throat. The challenger is able to catch a breather after a Snap DDT in the center of the ring. The referee begins the 10 count and Nigel returns to his feet at 8 to stop the count. The challenger begins working over Danielson's arm with an arm ringer and repeated elbows to the right shoulder. The champion fights out and whips Nigel to the buckle, but he rebounds with a top-rope headstand. The American Dragon charges in and gets dropped with a Mule Kick.
Danielson tries to go after Nigel with a running lariat, but the challenger dodges and responds with a hammerlock into a Northern Lights Suplex. Bryan kicks out at two, but the shoulder is clearly in trouble. Nigel preys on the injured wing with another hammerlock and a Snap DDT. The game plan clear, McGuinness goes for the hammerlock again, but Danielson shoves him off and connects with a Roundhouse Kick out of desperation that drops Nigel like a ton of bricks. The champion scales the top turnbuckle trying to shake some feeling back into his arm and drills the challenger with a Missile Dropkick. The Dragon goes for the cover and gets two. Bryan goes back to the top for a Diving Headbutt, but Nigel beats him to the punch and trips him on the top turnbuckle. In perfect position, Danielson falls victim to a devastating Tower of London. Nigel makes the cover and gets the three count.
Winner of the Fall: NIGEL McGUINNESS (1-0)
The ref helps Danielson back to his feet and the bell rings to get the second fall under way. Nigel tosses Bryan to the buckle and follows up with a shoot kick to the back and a falling lariat to knock the wind out of the champion. McGuinness attempts to continue the assault, but Danielson refuses to roll over and die, fighting back with another series of forearms. Danielson hits a trifecta of German Suplexes before floating into a Northern Lights Suplex for two. The American Dragon wows the Raleigh crowd with a beautiful Danielson Special that forces Nigel to scramble for the bottom rope.
Danielson went to work with a surfboard and a Dragon Sleeper, but Nigel rolls to the side and begins throwing elbows to break the hold. The champion hits a running clothesline, sending McGuinness back to the floor. The American Dragon follows up with a running high knee from the ring apron and moves in for the kill with a Flying Forearm Smash, but Nigel ducks and throws Bryan over the barricade into the crowd. Nigel flings Danielson back into the ring and follows in, but gets caught with a European Uppercut. The WWE champion locks in an Indian Deathlock, but McGuinness is able to reach the ropes again. Danielson whips Nigel to the buckle, but the momentum shifts and the Dragon heads to the corner instead. Bryan hits another backflip out of the corner and hits the challenger with another clubbing forearm before knocking him senseless with a running dropkick to the face.
Like a shark that smells blood, Danielson pounces and locks in the YES! Lock. McGuinness struggles valiantly for about two minutes, trying to break the hold. Nigel is able to turn Danielson on his back and break the hold. The challenger transitions seamlessly into London Dungeon, but before he can seat himself into position, Danielson slides out of the hold and surprises McGuinness with Cattle Mutilation from behind, locking the hold in airtight in the center of the ring. Left with no escape route, Nigel is forced to tap out.
Winner of the Fall: BRYAN DANIELSON (1-1)
So begins the Iron Man Match. The bell rings and the clock gets started. Danielson goes back to work, attempting to lock in the YES Lock again. McGuinness has it scouted and returns to his feet with a crushing sidewalk slam, taking the wind out of both of them. Nigel returns to his feet first, but Danielson catches him with a shoot kick to the back of the leg and returns to the shoot kicks, knocking McGuinness back into another lifetime. The American Dragon goes for the head again, but Nigel dodges and comes back with a series of knife-edge chops.
Unfazed, Bryan Danielson comes back with a kick to the shoulder and kicks him all the way back to the turnbuckle and wears him out with a foot choke to the throat. The ref begins the count and Danielson screams “I HAVE ‘TIL FIVE”. Danielson continues the onslaught with a Danielson Special in the center of the ring, but before he can lock in the hold, Nigel wriggles free and comes back with a dropkick to the side of the head. Nigel attempts to capitalize with a running big boot, but Danielson ducks out of the way and comes from out of nowhere with an inside cradle for the stunning three count.
Danielson pinfall. (Danielson leads 1-0 at 5:57)
Danielson goes for another roundhouse kick, but Nigel comes back with another cross chop to the throat. The match degenerates into a mid-ring shoot kick contest as the pair exchange shots. Danielson finally establishes the upper hand with a shoot kick to the back of the knee and a Release German Suplex that sends McGuinness flying halfway across the ring. The champion applies a double wrist lock and tries for a foot stomp, but Nigel counters with a Mule Kick that sends Danielson reeling into the corner.
Nigel crushes the champion with a running European Uppercut. Unsatisfied, Nigel goes for a running clothesline, but the champion comes back with a big boot to the face. Danielson climbs to the top for another Missile Dropkick, but Nigel sidesteps with an Artful Dodger. Nigel rockets off the ropes and nearly decapitates Danielson with a Jawbreaker Lariat. The three count is academic.
McGuinness pinfall. (Score tied 1-1 at 10:00)
Nigel works the champion back into the corner and continues the beating with a combination of punches, kicks and headbutts. Danielson tries to fight back out, but McGuinness jams a thumb in the eye when the official isn’t looking. The ref pulls Nigel out of the corner to break up the melee. Nigel charges back in and walks into a discus elbow to the face. Danielson won’t quit. The American Dragon hits a Tiger Suplex for two. Danielson follows with a snap underhook suplex and Nigel has to retreat to the outside to formulate a new game plan.
Danielson takes to the air with a Suicide Dive into a Flying Forearm smash that sends both men THROUGH the barricade. More Holy Shit chants. Both men beaten and barely able to move, the champion returns to his feet first and fires Nigel back into the ring. As Danielson climbs back onto the apron, McGuinness plasters Bryan with a running forearm and drags the champion into the ring, feet hooked on the top rope. Nigel sets up for another London Dungeon, but Danielson fights out, shoving an elbow into the bridge of McGuinness’ nose, knocking him to the mat. Danielson leaps and stuns the WWE Universe with a Springboard Diving Headbutt. The champion crawls to the cover and gets the three.
Danielson pinfall. (Danielson leads 2-1 at 12:45)
WADE BARRETT and THE NEXUS make a beeline to the ring for the second time tonight, surround the ring and beat the living hell out of McGuinness, drawing a DQ.
McGuinness wins by DQ (Score tied at 2-2 at 18:57)
Barrett and the Nexus exit the ring as quickly as they came, leaving Danielson perplexed and McGuinness unconscious. Danielson goes for a cover, but Nigel kicks out at 2 1/2.
In disbelief, Danielson argues the call with the ref, and Nigel finds an opening to go back to work on the damaged arm with an arm wringer to the canvas and a Hammerlock-Aided Powerslam. By this point, Danielson’s arm is all but gone as the time continues to wind down.
The champion kicks it into high gear as we get down under the five-minute mark and stuns the challenger with a one-armed Northern Lights Suplex for two. Danielson goes back to the kicks and wears out McGuinness some more. The final two minutes begin to tick away as champion and challenger begin to panic. Danielson with a small package for two. The champion tries to take Nigel out of the equation permanently with a series of elbows to the back of the head. Danielson cinches in the YES Lock with under a minute left, and after several seconds of struggle, the challenger forces himself back to his feet. With Danielson still locking on the facelock, Nigel backs into the corner and propels himself off the buckle into a victory roll to collect a surprise three count.
McGuinness pinfall (McGuinness leads 3-2 at 29:57)
The final three seconds melt off the clock and the bell rings. WE HAVE A NEW WWE CHAMPION.
WINNER and NEW WWE CHAMPION: NIGEL MCGUINNESS
-After the match, McGuinness collapses into tears as the WWE Title is handed to him. Confetti begins to fall as the new WWE Champion celebrates in the corner. Seated in the opposite corner, a stark contrast to the Elimination Chamber Match, Danielson transitions between stunned silence and quiet contemplation in the corner. Nigel comes down off the turnbuckle and meets Danielson in the center of the ring, where the former champion offers a handshake. The new champion appears skeptical, following the events of prior weeks and refuses to reciprocate. Incensed, Danielson smacks the hell out of McGuinness’ face and leaves the ring. Danielson screams from the ramp “If you don’t respect me enough to shake my hand after that match, then I’ve got NO respect for you, either.”
-We go backstage and Jeremy Borash has caught up with Wade Barrett and asks for an explanation about what just happened. Barrett says that he and the Nexus were just following orders put forth by their new guiding force. JB asks for a name, but Barrett asks what business it is of his and departs the area.
-We get another promo video for the Street Fight and how this tale of bloody vengeance came about.
STREET FIGHT: Triple H versus Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar hits the ring first for tonight's main event. Lesnar looks extremely confident heading into this contest. Brock steps into the ring, glares up at Batista, Michaels, Flair and Stephanie in the skybox and points the finger at Steph saying he's dedicating this match to her. The lights go down and one of the fixtures jars loose, falling from the rafters into the audio tech area, setting off every last pyrotechnic and concussion in the arena. The overabundance of fireworks creates a MASSIVE blaze at the top of the stage.
Suddenly, The King of Kings intro hits the titantron and Triple H's theme begins to play. The GAME rises up from under the stage through the flames to an EXPLOSIVE POP. The Cerebral Assassin looks prepared for war as he heads to the ring. Hunter goes through his entrance routine and casts Lesnar a death glare from the middle rope to the floor.
Lesnar returns to the opposite corner and we get a nose-to-nose staredown in the middle of the ring as Lilian gives us formal introductions. The bell rings and the icy staredown continues. Lesnar tries to throw the first punch, but Trips blocks and comes back with a STORM of lefts and rights, hooks, crosses and uppercuts until he works Brock into the corner.
The Game and Lesnar continue exchanging blows in the corner until Brock begins fighting out with a succession of knee lifts to Hunter's ribs. Lesnar tosses Triple H to the opposite corner with such force that Lesnar comes off his feet and The Game crumbles to the mat. Lesnar helps him back into the corner and follows up with a devastating Superplex that lands both men on their neck.
Lesnar rolls to his feet first and retreats to the announce table area and grabs the bell. Lesnar goes to the corner to bury it in Hunter's skull, but a seated Game sweeps Lesnar's feet out from under him, sending Brock face first into the bell instead. The Purveyor of Pain returns to his feet with blood dripping from a puncture wound in his temple. Lesnar unleashes his frustration and adrenaline-fueled rage on Triple H, beating him senseless in the corner with heavy meat hook fists to the face. Lesnar grabs another street sign from under the ring and leaves it's imprint on The Game's face. Lesnar goes for the cover, but The Game kicks out at two. Hunter surprises Brock with a Drop Toe Hold and applies a Figure Four Leg Lock which draws a HUGE POP, lots of WOOOS and a smile of approval from the Nature Boy in the skybox.
Lesnar throws punches until Trips breaks the hold and both men return to their feet. Brock charges and Triple H is there with a running neckbreaker. Hunter makes the cover and gets two. The Game rolls to the outside and picks up a baseball bat. Lesnar gets back to a vertical base and with all the form of David Wright, Triple H takes a nasty swing and connects with Brock's neck, sending him crumpling back to the mat. Hunter drops the bat and kicks the ring steps loose before throwing them into the ring. Hunter returns to the ring and is met by Lesnar with a Repeating Powerbomb, culminating with a Powerbomb on the ring steps. Brock makes the cover and gets 2 1/2 and looks on in disbelief as the blood drips down his chest and is now staining his MMA-style trunks.
Lesnar finds the handcuffs left over from Dreamer and Sandman's bloody battle earlier and restrains his opponent with both hands behind his back. Lesnar sets up the helpless Triple H for an F-5 and drops him across the ring steps, sending him to the arena floor. Overzealous, Lesnar now lounges on the top turnbuckle and wipes the blood from his face. Lesnar rolls to the outside and throws Triple H into the barricade with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Lesnar hangs Triple H's cuffs around the top of the ringpost and grabs a Singapore Cane. Lesnar slowly and methodically wears The Game out with the Kendo Stick until the restraints on the cuffs break, sending Triple H crashing face first to the arena floor.
Brock grabs some more microphone cables from behind the announce table and begins choking Triple H out. Lesnar wraps his fists with a chain and begins bashing it into Triple H's head, drawing blood. Brock grinds the chain into his wound to create a larger blood flow and both men are now bleeding profusely. Lesnar rolls a crimson-masked Triple H into the ring and at this point, Stephanie Mcmahon has left the skybox and is at ringside, checking on her husband's condition. Brock Lesnar has found a STAPLE GUN. OH MY GOD. Stephanie is BEGGING Lesnar not to go through with it as he holds it to the Game's temple. Brock isn’t buying her sincerity and pulls the trigger. WOW. The Game writhes in excruciating anguish as Lesnar shrugs it off.
Lesnar sets up a table, but Triple H catches him from out of nowhere with a Chop Block and begins punching Lesnar in the face out of desperation and won’t let up. Brock fights back to his feet and connects with a Backbreaker. Lesnar cinches in the Brock Lock and drags Hunter to the center of the ring, but Trips won’t quit. The Game ACTUALLY manages to counter the hold, rocketing Lesnar into the table and draping him over it.
Hunter locks in an Abdominal Stretch, but Brock is still too strong for it, hip tossing Triple H through the table and getting a two count. Lesnar follows Triple H to the outside and attempts to throw him over the barricade with a German Suplex, but Hunter has reached under the ring and produced a fire extinguisher, bashing it into Lesnar’s face and blasting him with its contents.
The two warriors brawl through the crowd and into the electrical area. Hunter throws Brock into the control panel and an electric charge briefly electrocutes him, sending him to the floor. Triple H throws him back over the barricade and into the ring, but the time taken in doing this has helped Lesnar to recover and he kicks out at two. Triple H rolls down to the outside and rips up the mats around the ring and sets up for a Pedigree, but Lesnar counters with a Back Body Drop and clambers back into the ring.
Hunter comes to and spots a lead pipe and crawls to it, but Lesnar beats him to the punch and steps on the pipe as Triple H puts his hand on it. Lesnar grabs the pipe and drives it into Hunter’s back. Brock goes to the announce table and tears it apart grabs a TV and pastes The Game with it before rolling him onto the table. Lesnar tries to get him back to his feet and Hunter hits a desperation snap DDT, sending both through the announce table. Triple H rolls back in and meets Brock with a Sleeper, but he counters out and throws Triple H into the corner with a series of shoulder thrusts, dropping him to the mat. Lesnar scales to the top and successfully connects with a Shooting Star Press. Triple H kicks out on sheer will and Brock is getting pissed.
The Game answers with a High Knee that staggers the beast and a Knee Facecrusher that takes him off his feet. Hunter goes back to choking Lesnar out, but Brock struggles to the bottom rope and out of the ring. Hunter goes out after him and throws him back in, hits a HUGE Double A Spinebuster and a PEDIGREE. Certain that the match is over, The Game crawls to the cover and places an arm over, but SOMEHOW Lesnar kicks out at 2 1/2. In disbelief, Hunter charges with a Running Clothesline, but Brock catches him and drops into position for the KIMURA LOCK. Lesnar wrenches and torques relentlessly, but The Game refuses to quit on behalf of everyone he’s fighting for and finally Lesnar just breaks the arm. UNBELIEVABLE.
Triple H rolls around in misery, clutching the forearm and elbow as Brock moves in to pick the bones. Lesnar hoists up The Game for an F-5, but with the last bit of energy he had left, Hunter fights out with elbows from the good arm and stuns him with, of all things, an RKO. The ENTIRE crowd is on their feet chanting “THIS IS AWESOME” and “PLEASE DON’T DIE”. Triple H sets up for another Pedigree, but realizes he can’t put any sort of pressure on the arm for a Double Underhook and Brock quickly hits a Back Body Drop from the ring to the arena floor through another waiting table.
Lesnar shoots Triple H back into the ring and sets up for another F-5, but The Game slides out again and pulls another one out of thin air, connecting with a seemingly spontaneous Sweet Chin Music. HBK flashes a grin from the skybox and vacates, headed toward the ring on his crutches. Shawn crawls over the barricade and toward the carnage. Hunter lays Brocks head across the ring steps, almost execution-style and grabs his sledgehammer. He goes to take a swing and realizes that the broken arm will keep him from lifting the shaft above his head.
Shawn Michaels crawls into the ring and tells Triple H to hold Lesnar up and Hunter complies. Michaels winds up and takes a swing with his crutch SHATTERING it across Brock’s broken, bloody face. As Lesnar wobbles, The Game invites Stephanie into the ring and places one very swift kick into “No Man’s Land” dropping him back to his knees. Hunter slams his head back onto the steps and somehow manages to wield the steel chair properly enough to hit a sloppy Con-Chair-To.
This is almost definitely a done deal, but a determined Cerebral Assassin decides he’s not quite satisfied with this finish. Trying one more time to hoist the sledge, the Game has a sudden revelation and reverses his hold on the hammer, grabbing it with his good arm by the HEAD of the hammer instead. Trips raises the hammer upside down and PLUNGES it SQUARELY into the back of Brock’s head. Lesnar goes limp, slides from the ring steps down to the mat and Trips collapses into the cover and the referee makes the DECISIVE three count.
WINNER: TRIPLE H
-After the match, Hunter drags himself to the corner on his side, careful not to do further damage to the broken arm. Stephanie and Shawn help him back to his feet and they lead him to the entrance ramp. Shawn trips along the way, losing his grip on the Game and he faceplants into the floor out of exhaustion, but they quickly help him back up. With the entire evening’s pyro depleted, a SEA of black and green confetti begins falling from the rafters. Batista and Flair have left the luxury seats and meet the trio onstage and examine the carnage.
EMTs rush down to the ring to tend to Brock Lesnar, who is lying motionless in the middle of the ring. They strap him to the flat board and load him onto the gurney before rolling him upstage to the ambulance waiting to take him from the arena. They wheel Brock past Triple H and the group looks down on his fallen adversary before watching him get hoisted into the back of the ambulance. They close the doors on the vehicle and sound the siren as Hunter looks on with a stoic satisfaction on his face. He kept his promise that Lesnar would leave in an ambulance. The EMTs roll out of the arena and The Game and company celebrate a hard-fought victory as confetti continues to fall and Over The Limit goes off the air.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
WWE Smackdown Results 05.18.12
Tonight's WWE Smackdown comes to us live from the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania as we get the opening pyro and Josh Matthews and Matt Striker welcome us to the show.
A table is set up in the ring for the WWE Championship Contract Signing. Teddy Long makes his way down to the ring with the contract in hand. Long grabs a mic and tells the crowd that he has A LOT to get to tonight, so he wants to address the contract signing as quickly as possible and calls both Nigel McGuinness and the WWE Champion to the ring.
Nigel hits the ring first to a respectable pop followed by Bryan Danielson to a slightly mixed reaction following last week's actions, but a slightly larger pop nonetheless. Teddy catches both men off guard by informing them that the 2 out of 3 Falls Match will have individual stipulations. The first fall can only be won by pinfall, while fall number two will be a Submission Match. Teddy says that should the match go to a third fall, the WWE Championship will be determined by a 30-Minute IRON MAN MATCH. Danielson is INCENSED with this ruling and tells Teddy that it's WAY out of line for him to make Danielson defend the WWE Title this way.
Teddy tells him that he has one of two choices, either shut up and defend the gold or he can strip him of the WWE title and hand it to Nigel right now. Danielson begrudgingly sits back down to sign the contract. The WWE Champion throws the clipboard at Nigel and he signs it immediately. Nigel grabs the mic and tells Danielson that he may have come up on the short end of the stick a couple of times, but to rest assured that he will be leaving Raleigh as the NEW WWE Champion.
Teddy grabs the mic and tells them that before they start a brawl, he has one more order of business for the both of them tonight. Tonight is "Pick Your Poison Night", therefore we will see both men in action with their opponent on Sunday choosing their opponent TONIGHT. A smirk comes across both men's face as Nigel overturns the table and Danielson holds the belt over the challenger's head as we head to break.
Back from break and Damien Sandow is making his way to the ring with mic in hand and continues to lament the fans' blind devotion and contentment with mediocrity. Sandow's sermon persists until the lights go down. The lights come back up and STING rappels down from the rafters into the ring behind Sandow, startling the Intellectual Savior of the Masses. Sting grabs the mic and tells Sandow that if he wrestled the way he lectured, he would be WWE Champion by now. Sting tells him to put up or shut up tonight and the bell rings to get the match started.
STING def. DAMIEN SANDOW
Sandow got the jump on Sting with a series of knee lifts, but Sting counters on the second flurry with a Dragon Screw. Sting goes to work on the knee for a large portion of the contest. The finish comes as Sandow attempts a top-rope Diving Elbow, but the knee buckles, sending him to the canvas. Sting capitalizes with a Stinger Splash and drags Sandow to the center of the ring to lock in the Scorpion Death Lock. Sandow taps out to end the match.
After the match, Sting helps Sandow back to his feet and sets up for a Scorpion Death Drop, but Sandow escapes to the announce table. Sting follows in hot pursuit and Sandow blasts him with a Steel Chair. Sandow grabs the mic and says he is sick and tired of being disrespected by Teddy Long and the Smackdown locker room and tells the WWE Universe that there's no saving them. Sandow says until he's traded he's refusing to compete under protest.
We go backstage and Lance Storm is in the back stretching in preparation for action tonight. Theodore Long shows up and informs the #1 contender that he will be in one-on-one action tonight with Mr. Anderson next. We go to commercial.
Back from break and Lance Storm makes his way to the ring, being serious for just a moment and clearly ready for a fight. The lights go down and the microphone feedback kicks in as Mr. Anderson makes his way to the ramp. Anderson goes through his usual "Assholes Anonymous" routine before making his way to the ring and here we go.
LANCE STORM def. MR. ANDERSON
Storm was able to conquer a VERY game Mr. Anderson on this night. Anderson pushed Storm to the limit, even picking up a two-and-a-half count after a Green Bay Plunge. A minor miscalculation on a Kenton Bomb allowed Storm to move out of the way, capitalize and work over Anderson's leg for the remainder of the contest.
Finish came when Anderson went for a Mic Check, only to have Storm roll through with a Drop Toe Hold and cinch in the Canadian Maple Leaf for a submission victory.
We go backstage and Teddy Long is on the phone in his office when Bill Goldberg walks in. Teddy asks him how he can help and Goldberg says he wants to see some action. Teddy says he'd love to put him in a match, but reminds him that he lost a CAREER THREATENING MATCH against the Undertaker on RAW just around a month ago.
Goldberg says he understands the circumstances, but was hoping Teddy could find a way to work around it. Teddy thinks for a moment and informs him that he'll have to clear it with Shane McMahon, but that he's got a guy named Brodie Lee here on Smackdown, and should Goldberg triumph tonight, he'll negotiate with the Chairman to sign him to a new, full-time contract. Goldberg walks out with a grin on his face as we head to break.
Back from commercial and Goldberg's music hits as the War Machine marches out to ringside. Goldberg paces the ring like a caged animal as The Big Rig makes his way to the ring. A titanic clash of two massive bulls is about to commence as the bell rings to kick this one off.
BRODIE LEE def. GOLDBERG (Goldberg fails to earn a contract)
Goldberg got the jump in this match with a succession of kicks and shoulder blocks, throwing Brodie off his game. Brodie battles back in and nearly catches Goldberg with a Truck Stop, but only gets two. Goldberg struggles back to his feet and stuns Brodie with a bone-crushing Spear, but The Big Rig gets his extra-long leg on the bottom rope at 2 1/2. Finish came as Goldberg set up for another Spear, but Brodie came from out of NOWHERE, sending Bill charging full speed into a Big Rig Boot. Brodie falls into the cover and gets the three.
We go backstage and see Nigel McGuinness warming up for his Pick Your Poison Match. Nigel looks confident, but you can see the uncertainty in his eyes as he heads to the ring going into our next break.
Back from commercial and we go to Striker and Matthews hype up Smackdown's portion of Sunday's show, including an INFERNO MATCH between Edge and Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles versus Lance Storm for the United States Championship, DiBiase and Hennig defending Tag Team gold against The American Wolves and The 2 of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Championship.
We go to Teddy Long informing the Tag Team Champions that their title match with the Wolves will be under careful surveillance and that the other six members of Nexus will be BANNED from ringside, boycott of the PPV or not.
Back to the ring and Justin Roberts introduces Nigel McGuinness for the Pick Your Poison Match. The WWE Champion shows up on the titantron and informs Nigel that he faces INSURMOUNTABLE odds at Over The Limit, but that tonight--He has the WORLD'S LARGEST ISSUES--. THE BIG SHOW hits the ring from ECW and the bell rings to get this match under way.
NIGEL MCGUINNESS def. THE BIG SHOW via DQ
McGuinness tried holding off the War Ship as long as possible, but it was a losing battle. Show used his distinct size advantage throughout the contest. Nigel tried to mount an offensive with a series of Shoot Kicks, but Show captured his leg and drilled him with WMD. Not content to win the match, Show rolled to the outside and grabbed a steel chair. The ref admonishes Show as he proceeded to unfold the chair and plant McGuinness with a Showstopper through the chair, drawing the DQ.
After the match, Danielson runs down to the ring and locks the Yes! Lock onto a helpless, unconscious #1 contender and pours on the pressure. Officials come down to break the hold, but Danielson releases and jumps through the crowd just in time. The champion looks pretty confident as we head toward Sunday.
We go backstage and Samoa Joe is walking the halls when he's confronted by John Cena. Cena isn't pleased with Joe and for good reason as Joe was nowhere to be found at the end of the match last week. Cena demands an explanation and Joe says he doesn't owe him or anyone else anything. Joe says he has his reasons and if Cena knew what was good for him he'd mind his own business instead of trying to pry into his. John's not having it though, and continues to push for answers. Finally, Joe snaps and tells Cena that the only way he's getting anything from him is if he beats it out of him. Cena smirks and says if he wants that can be arranged. Joe locks into a staredown with Cena and tells him that if he wants a match, just say the word.
We go backstage and Mistico is headed to the ring. A FATAL FOUR-WAY to determine Kaval's next #1 contender is up next. We head to commercial.
Back from break and we get a Smack of the Night highlight of Kaval defending the gold against Quackenbush last week.
Back to the ring as Kaval joins Striker and Matthews at the desk again. Out first is Mistico to a decent pop. Out next is Ultimo Dragon and Jay Lethal from RAW and finally, ECW’s representative Hallowicked. Hallowicked looks ready to make a splash on the big stage as the bell rings to get us started.
ULTIMO DRAGON def. JAY LETHAL, HALLOWICKED and MISTICO
Easily the match of the night. High spots everywhere. Hallowicked used his size-advantage to take Dragon out of the equation with the Iconoclasm. A blizzard of kicks ensues between Hallowicked and Mistico before Dragon regains his senses and takes both men out with a Corkscrew Moonsault back into the ring.
Hallowicked crushes Mistico with a Running Big Boot, and Dragon takes him out with a Rush Kick Combo as he returns to his feet. After a Dragon Bomb and a Moonsault Double Foot Stomp, Mistico has been decimated.
Lethal comes from out of nowhere and spikes Dragon with the Lethal Injection and goes for a Savage Elbow Drop on Hallowicked, but Wicked nails him with a Pele’ Kick before planting him with Go To Sleepy Hollow. Wicked tries for another one on Dragon, but Ultimo counters out with an Asai DDT and a Dragon Sleeper for the duke.
After the match, Dragon celebrates as once again Kaval climbs up on the announce table and hoists the belt high. The title match is set for next week.
Cameras head backstage and catch A.J. Styles heading to the ring. Styles/Walters next as we go to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of “The Phenomenal One”. John Walters makes his way to the ring first. Styles is out next to a HUGE pop as Striker and Matthews hype the U.S. Title match this Sunday. The bell rings and they’re off.
A.J. STYLES def. JOHN WALTERS
A solid twelve minute contest. Walters provided A.J. with a great challenge, earning an early advantage with alternating stiff kicks and chops. A.J. fights back with a Stylin’ DDT for two. Walters nearly picked up the upset after ducking a Discus Clothesline and coming back with a Lung Blower for 2 1/2.
Walters argued the count with the ref, allowing Styles to regain his senses and come up with a number of forearms and a BEAUTIFUL Pele’ Kick to the top of Walters’ head. Finish came as Styles dodged another assault and came up with a Styles Clash in the center of the ring for the three count.
After the match, LANCE STORM tries jumping Styles from behind again, but this time the U.S. Champion is ready for him. Storm enters the ring with a Diving Crossbody and Styles ducks out of the way, sending him to the canvas. Storm tries to roll to sanctuary outside the ring and regroup, but Styles has him scouted and staggers him with a gorgeous Shooting Styles Press to the outside before throwing a barrage of punches before being pulled off by security. Styles rolls back into the ring and grabs the mic to tell Storm that he will learn the definition of Phenomenal this Sunday.
We go backstage and Joe is warming up for his match with Cena up next as we head to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of the fallout from last week’s main event. John Cena makes his way to the ring first to a mixed reaction and goes through his pre-match ritual. The Anti-Cena crowd ERUPTS as Joe hits the ring. The bell rings and this war is under way.
SAMOA JOE def. JOHN CENA
Cena took the fight to Joe throughout the contest, but the Samoan Submission Machine was just too much on this night.
Cena got an early advantage with a series of Shoulder Blocks and a Throwback, but only got two. Cena attempted the Shoulder Blocks again, but a smug Joe dodged, sending Cena to the canvas. Joe connected with multiple suplexes that almost knocked Cena out of his pumps. Cena attempted a Top Rope Leg Drop, but Joe trips Cena up on the top turnbuckle and crushes the Leader of the Cenation with a Muscle Buster. Joe followed in with a Coquina Clutch and choked Cena out, forcing the referee to stop the match.
Joe grabbed a mic after the match and tells Cena that the next time he feels like playing the hero, just let him know and he’ll strangle his ass again. Joe tells Cena that the war is far from over before dropping the mic and heading to the back.
We go backstage and the WWE Champion is headed to the ring. The main event is NEXT
Back from break as Striker and Matthews run down the ENTIRE card for Sunday. We go to the video package from earlier in the evening as Big Show, then Danielson picked Nigel apart.
Back to the ring as Danielson makes his way down for his Pick Your Poison Match. The champion looks a little nervous having to contend with the unknown as Nigel McGuinness hits the top of the stage with a chair. Nigel unfolds the chair and takes a seat on the ramp. With a death glare in his eye, McGuinness produces a matchbook from his pocket and strikes a match, never taking his eyes off the WWE Champion. Nigel blows out the match and the pyro explodes as the Big Red Monster, KANE makes his way down the ramp.
The WWE Champion is beyond frustrated as his opponent sets off his corner pyro and the bell rings to get the match under way.
BRYAN DANIELSON def. KANE via DQ
Much like Big Show earlier in the evening, Kane clearly came in with no intention of winning the match. Finish comes as Danielson goes for the YES! Lock and Kane drops him with a Throat Thrust and a Chokeslam From Hell. Kane rolls to the outside and grabs a Steel Chair, but McGuinness runs in and takes a swing with his own chair, but Kane dodges and blasts Danielson as he gets back to his feet, drawing the DQ. Kane catches McGuinness and chokeslams him to the outside of the ring.
Kane picks up the WWE Championship and throws it at the unconscious Danielson before rolling from the ring and up the ramp. Kane sets off more pyro and glares at the carnage in the ring before heading backstage. Both men in the WWE Championship lie motionless at ringside as Smackdown goes off the air.
A table is set up in the ring for the WWE Championship Contract Signing. Teddy Long makes his way down to the ring with the contract in hand. Long grabs a mic and tells the crowd that he has A LOT to get to tonight, so he wants to address the contract signing as quickly as possible and calls both Nigel McGuinness and the WWE Champion to the ring.
Nigel hits the ring first to a respectable pop followed by Bryan Danielson to a slightly mixed reaction following last week's actions, but a slightly larger pop nonetheless. Teddy catches both men off guard by informing them that the 2 out of 3 Falls Match will have individual stipulations. The first fall can only be won by pinfall, while fall number two will be a Submission Match. Teddy says that should the match go to a third fall, the WWE Championship will be determined by a 30-Minute IRON MAN MATCH. Danielson is INCENSED with this ruling and tells Teddy that it's WAY out of line for him to make Danielson defend the WWE Title this way.
Teddy tells him that he has one of two choices, either shut up and defend the gold or he can strip him of the WWE title and hand it to Nigel right now. Danielson begrudgingly sits back down to sign the contract. The WWE Champion throws the clipboard at Nigel and he signs it immediately. Nigel grabs the mic and tells Danielson that he may have come up on the short end of the stick a couple of times, but to rest assured that he will be leaving Raleigh as the NEW WWE Champion.
Teddy grabs the mic and tells them that before they start a brawl, he has one more order of business for the both of them tonight. Tonight is "Pick Your Poison Night", therefore we will see both men in action with their opponent on Sunday choosing their opponent TONIGHT. A smirk comes across both men's face as Nigel overturns the table and Danielson holds the belt over the challenger's head as we head to break.
Back from break and Damien Sandow is making his way to the ring with mic in hand and continues to lament the fans' blind devotion and contentment with mediocrity. Sandow's sermon persists until the lights go down. The lights come back up and STING rappels down from the rafters into the ring behind Sandow, startling the Intellectual Savior of the Masses. Sting grabs the mic and tells Sandow that if he wrestled the way he lectured, he would be WWE Champion by now. Sting tells him to put up or shut up tonight and the bell rings to get the match started.
STING def. DAMIEN SANDOW
Sandow got the jump on Sting with a series of knee lifts, but Sting counters on the second flurry with a Dragon Screw. Sting goes to work on the knee for a large portion of the contest. The finish comes as Sandow attempts a top-rope Diving Elbow, but the knee buckles, sending him to the canvas. Sting capitalizes with a Stinger Splash and drags Sandow to the center of the ring to lock in the Scorpion Death Lock. Sandow taps out to end the match.
After the match, Sting helps Sandow back to his feet and sets up for a Scorpion Death Drop, but Sandow escapes to the announce table. Sting follows in hot pursuit and Sandow blasts him with a Steel Chair. Sandow grabs the mic and says he is sick and tired of being disrespected by Teddy Long and the Smackdown locker room and tells the WWE Universe that there's no saving them. Sandow says until he's traded he's refusing to compete under protest.
We go backstage and Lance Storm is in the back stretching in preparation for action tonight. Theodore Long shows up and informs the #1 contender that he will be in one-on-one action tonight with Mr. Anderson next. We go to commercial.
Back from break and Lance Storm makes his way to the ring, being serious for just a moment and clearly ready for a fight. The lights go down and the microphone feedback kicks in as Mr. Anderson makes his way to the ramp. Anderson goes through his usual "Assholes Anonymous" routine before making his way to the ring and here we go.
LANCE STORM def. MR. ANDERSON
Storm was able to conquer a VERY game Mr. Anderson on this night. Anderson pushed Storm to the limit, even picking up a two-and-a-half count after a Green Bay Plunge. A minor miscalculation on a Kenton Bomb allowed Storm to move out of the way, capitalize and work over Anderson's leg for the remainder of the contest.
Finish came when Anderson went for a Mic Check, only to have Storm roll through with a Drop Toe Hold and cinch in the Canadian Maple Leaf for a submission victory.
We go backstage and Teddy Long is on the phone in his office when Bill Goldberg walks in. Teddy asks him how he can help and Goldberg says he wants to see some action. Teddy says he'd love to put him in a match, but reminds him that he lost a CAREER THREATENING MATCH against the Undertaker on RAW just around a month ago.
Goldberg says he understands the circumstances, but was hoping Teddy could find a way to work around it. Teddy thinks for a moment and informs him that he'll have to clear it with Shane McMahon, but that he's got a guy named Brodie Lee here on Smackdown, and should Goldberg triumph tonight, he'll negotiate with the Chairman to sign him to a new, full-time contract. Goldberg walks out with a grin on his face as we head to break.
Back from commercial and Goldberg's music hits as the War Machine marches out to ringside. Goldberg paces the ring like a caged animal as The Big Rig makes his way to the ring. A titanic clash of two massive bulls is about to commence as the bell rings to kick this one off.
BRODIE LEE def. GOLDBERG (Goldberg fails to earn a contract)
Goldberg got the jump in this match with a succession of kicks and shoulder blocks, throwing Brodie off his game. Brodie battles back in and nearly catches Goldberg with a Truck Stop, but only gets two. Goldberg struggles back to his feet and stuns Brodie with a bone-crushing Spear, but The Big Rig gets his extra-long leg on the bottom rope at 2 1/2. Finish came as Goldberg set up for another Spear, but Brodie came from out of NOWHERE, sending Bill charging full speed into a Big Rig Boot. Brodie falls into the cover and gets the three.
We go backstage and see Nigel McGuinness warming up for his Pick Your Poison Match. Nigel looks confident, but you can see the uncertainty in his eyes as he heads to the ring going into our next break.
Back from commercial and we go to Striker and Matthews hype up Smackdown's portion of Sunday's show, including an INFERNO MATCH between Edge and Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles versus Lance Storm for the United States Championship, DiBiase and Hennig defending Tag Team gold against The American Wolves and The 2 of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Championship.
We go to Teddy Long informing the Tag Team Champions that their title match with the Wolves will be under careful surveillance and that the other six members of Nexus will be BANNED from ringside, boycott of the PPV or not.
Back to the ring and Justin Roberts introduces Nigel McGuinness for the Pick Your Poison Match. The WWE Champion shows up on the titantron and informs Nigel that he faces INSURMOUNTABLE odds at Over The Limit, but that tonight--He has the WORLD'S LARGEST ISSUES--. THE BIG SHOW hits the ring from ECW and the bell rings to get this match under way.
NIGEL MCGUINNESS def. THE BIG SHOW via DQ
McGuinness tried holding off the War Ship as long as possible, but it was a losing battle. Show used his distinct size advantage throughout the contest. Nigel tried to mount an offensive with a series of Shoot Kicks, but Show captured his leg and drilled him with WMD. Not content to win the match, Show rolled to the outside and grabbed a steel chair. The ref admonishes Show as he proceeded to unfold the chair and plant McGuinness with a Showstopper through the chair, drawing the DQ.
After the match, Danielson runs down to the ring and locks the Yes! Lock onto a helpless, unconscious #1 contender and pours on the pressure. Officials come down to break the hold, but Danielson releases and jumps through the crowd just in time. The champion looks pretty confident as we head toward Sunday.
We go backstage and Samoa Joe is walking the halls when he's confronted by John Cena. Cena isn't pleased with Joe and for good reason as Joe was nowhere to be found at the end of the match last week. Cena demands an explanation and Joe says he doesn't owe him or anyone else anything. Joe says he has his reasons and if Cena knew what was good for him he'd mind his own business instead of trying to pry into his. John's not having it though, and continues to push for answers. Finally, Joe snaps and tells Cena that the only way he's getting anything from him is if he beats it out of him. Cena smirks and says if he wants that can be arranged. Joe locks into a staredown with Cena and tells him that if he wants a match, just say the word.
We go backstage and Mistico is headed to the ring. A FATAL FOUR-WAY to determine Kaval's next #1 contender is up next. We head to commercial.
Back from break and we get a Smack of the Night highlight of Kaval defending the gold against Quackenbush last week.
Back to the ring as Kaval joins Striker and Matthews at the desk again. Out first is Mistico to a decent pop. Out next is Ultimo Dragon and Jay Lethal from RAW and finally, ECW’s representative Hallowicked. Hallowicked looks ready to make a splash on the big stage as the bell rings to get us started.
ULTIMO DRAGON def. JAY LETHAL, HALLOWICKED and MISTICO
Easily the match of the night. High spots everywhere. Hallowicked used his size-advantage to take Dragon out of the equation with the Iconoclasm. A blizzard of kicks ensues between Hallowicked and Mistico before Dragon regains his senses and takes both men out with a Corkscrew Moonsault back into the ring.
Hallowicked crushes Mistico with a Running Big Boot, and Dragon takes him out with a Rush Kick Combo as he returns to his feet. After a Dragon Bomb and a Moonsault Double Foot Stomp, Mistico has been decimated.
Lethal comes from out of nowhere and spikes Dragon with the Lethal Injection and goes for a Savage Elbow Drop on Hallowicked, but Wicked nails him with a Pele’ Kick before planting him with Go To Sleepy Hollow. Wicked tries for another one on Dragon, but Ultimo counters out with an Asai DDT and a Dragon Sleeper for the duke.
After the match, Dragon celebrates as once again Kaval climbs up on the announce table and hoists the belt high. The title match is set for next week.
Cameras head backstage and catch A.J. Styles heading to the ring. Styles/Walters next as we go to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of “The Phenomenal One”. John Walters makes his way to the ring first. Styles is out next to a HUGE pop as Striker and Matthews hype the U.S. Title match this Sunday. The bell rings and they’re off.
A.J. STYLES def. JOHN WALTERS
A solid twelve minute contest. Walters provided A.J. with a great challenge, earning an early advantage with alternating stiff kicks and chops. A.J. fights back with a Stylin’ DDT for two. Walters nearly picked up the upset after ducking a Discus Clothesline and coming back with a Lung Blower for 2 1/2.
Walters argued the count with the ref, allowing Styles to regain his senses and come up with a number of forearms and a BEAUTIFUL Pele’ Kick to the top of Walters’ head. Finish came as Styles dodged another assault and came up with a Styles Clash in the center of the ring for the three count.
After the match, LANCE STORM tries jumping Styles from behind again, but this time the U.S. Champion is ready for him. Storm enters the ring with a Diving Crossbody and Styles ducks out of the way, sending him to the canvas. Storm tries to roll to sanctuary outside the ring and regroup, but Styles has him scouted and staggers him with a gorgeous Shooting Styles Press to the outside before throwing a barrage of punches before being pulled off by security. Styles rolls back into the ring and grabs the mic to tell Storm that he will learn the definition of Phenomenal this Sunday.
We go backstage and Joe is warming up for his match with Cena up next as we head to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of the fallout from last week’s main event. John Cena makes his way to the ring first to a mixed reaction and goes through his pre-match ritual. The Anti-Cena crowd ERUPTS as Joe hits the ring. The bell rings and this war is under way.
SAMOA JOE def. JOHN CENA
Cena took the fight to Joe throughout the contest, but the Samoan Submission Machine was just too much on this night.
Cena got an early advantage with a series of Shoulder Blocks and a Throwback, but only got two. Cena attempted the Shoulder Blocks again, but a smug Joe dodged, sending Cena to the canvas. Joe connected with multiple suplexes that almost knocked Cena out of his pumps. Cena attempted a Top Rope Leg Drop, but Joe trips Cena up on the top turnbuckle and crushes the Leader of the Cenation with a Muscle Buster. Joe followed in with a Coquina Clutch and choked Cena out, forcing the referee to stop the match.
Joe grabbed a mic after the match and tells Cena that the next time he feels like playing the hero, just let him know and he’ll strangle his ass again. Joe tells Cena that the war is far from over before dropping the mic and heading to the back.
We go backstage and the WWE Champion is headed to the ring. The main event is NEXT
Back from break as Striker and Matthews run down the ENTIRE card for Sunday. We go to the video package from earlier in the evening as Big Show, then Danielson picked Nigel apart.
Back to the ring as Danielson makes his way down for his Pick Your Poison Match. The champion looks a little nervous having to contend with the unknown as Nigel McGuinness hits the top of the stage with a chair. Nigel unfolds the chair and takes a seat on the ramp. With a death glare in his eye, McGuinness produces a matchbook from his pocket and strikes a match, never taking his eyes off the WWE Champion. Nigel blows out the match and the pyro explodes as the Big Red Monster, KANE makes his way down the ramp.
The WWE Champion is beyond frustrated as his opponent sets off his corner pyro and the bell rings to get the match under way.
BRYAN DANIELSON def. KANE via DQ
Much like Big Show earlier in the evening, Kane clearly came in with no intention of winning the match. Finish comes as Danielson goes for the YES! Lock and Kane drops him with a Throat Thrust and a Chokeslam From Hell. Kane rolls to the outside and grabs a Steel Chair, but McGuinness runs in and takes a swing with his own chair, but Kane dodges and blasts Danielson as he gets back to his feet, drawing the DQ. Kane catches McGuinness and chokeslams him to the outside of the ring.
Kane picks up the WWE Championship and throws it at the unconscious Danielson before rolling from the ring and up the ramp. Kane sets off more pyro and glares at the carnage in the ring before heading backstage. Both men in the WWE Championship lie motionless at ringside as Smackdown goes off the air.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
ECW LIVE in Philadelphia Results 05.15.12
Tonight's ECW comes to us live from the site of the ORIGINAL ECW Arena in Philadelphia, as Joey Styles and Tazz welcome us to the show. Joey explains that WWE has rented out the space that was once the GREATEST VENUE for Hardcore Wrestling in the country for a very special outdoor show. The block has been barricaded off from traffic and the perimeter is strictly standing room only. PAUL HEYMAN makes his way to the ring and the crowd erupts into a raucous pop.
Heyman approaches a podium set up in the center of the ring which is covered in a velvet shroud. Heyman explains that it has come to his attention in recent weeks that there are a number of superstars on ECW who are displeased with being excluded from the Over The Limit PPV. Paul says what lies underneath the velvet covering will change ALL of that. Heyman removes the slip to reveal the newly re-introduced WWE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP and the crowd EXPLODES.
Heyman says that through the powers of persuasion and some meetings with the Higher-Ups, he convinced them to bring back the Hardcore Title and FINALLY give it a fitting home where it belongs, where it will be defended THE RIGHT WAY. Paul says that the Hardcore Title will be on the line during the Over The Limit pre-show in a 20-Man Over-The-Top Battle Royal. Heyman says there is an addendum--the match will be BRING YOUR OWN WEAPON.
Paul reminds them that the belt was originally introduced and simply handed to Mick Foley, because he introduced a brand of wrestling that the boys in Connecticut had never seen before. Heyman says to be fair, if you're going to just hand the HARDCORE title to anyone, Mick Foley is a fine choice, but that's not how we operate here in ECW; you win titles in the ring. Heyman says that 10 names have already been placed in the Battle Royal and the other ten will qualify tonight, STARTING RIGHT NOW.
Bob Artese steps into the ring and has the call. He introduces the next contest as a Three-Way Tag Team Match with BOTH MEMBERS of the winning tag team qualifying for the Hardcore Title Battle Royal. Out first are The Briscoe Brothers followed by The American Wolves. Bombs drop as The Dudleyz make their way out next and make their way to the ring. The bell rings and the match immediately explodes into chaos.
THE AMERICAN WOLVES def. THE DUDLEYZ and THE BRISCOES to qualify
The ref went insane attempting to keep this match in order. Bodies flying everywhere, weapons all over the place. All three teams collected nearfalls as the Wolves connected with a Powerbomb/Backstabber combo on D'Von Dudley and the Briscoes would later hit a Redneck Boogie on Edwards.
The Dudleyz got REAL close toward the end of the contest after dropping Jay Briscoe with the 3D, but Davey Richards breaks up the fall. Finish came as the Dudleyz set up for the Wazzup Headbutt on Jay Briscoe, but Eddie Edwards stuns D’Von from the opposite side of the ring and executes a seamless Spanish Fly from the top rope. Davey Richards follows up with a Shooting Star Press and makes the cover to give the Wolves the win and two spots in the Battle Royal.
Joey and Tazz run down the Over The Limit card to this point. An update comes in on Shawn Michaels and he has a broken fibula, and will be unable to compete in the Championship Scramble. As a result, The Undertaker will refill the spot he lost last night. The official anthem for Over The Limit is "Burn It Down" by Linkin Park.
We get an Extreme Retrospective of Shane Douglas winning the NWA Title and tossing it to the ground in defiance, signifying a REVOLUTION that carries a CULT following to this day. We go to break.
Back from commercial and we get another Extreme Retrospective of Bam Bam Bigelow tossing Spike Dudley into the audience and the match between he and Tazz that saw Bam Bam drive The Human Suplex Machine through the canvas of the ring itself.
Back at ringside and Tazz briefly discusses his feud with Bam Bam, joking that he’s still sore from that spot and says he’s very proud to have had that feud with the big man.
Kevin Steen hits the ring and says if anyone deserves a spot in the Battle Royal for the Hardcore Championship, it’s Mr. Wrestling himself. Steen says he wants a challenge tonight so he can demonstrate what he’ll bring back to the Hardcore Division. COLT CABANA steps out and Steen scoffs. Steen asks him if he’s serious about his challenge. Colt shakes his head and says he’s just here to help someone else qualify. Steen asks who, not realizing that a referee has already rang the bell.
TAZZ def. KEVIN STEEN to qualify
Steen gets surprised from behind by a locked in TAZZMISSION. With nowhere to go, Steen taps out and TAZZ qualifies for the Hardcore Championship Battle Royal at Over The Limit. After the match, Colt gets on the mic and apologizes to Steen, saying that Tazz promised him the first title shot once he won the Battle Royal.
We get another Extreme Retrospective of the Infamous “Chair Incident” featuring Terry Funk, Cactus Jack and Public Enemy. We go to break.
Back from commercial and another Extreme Retrospective of the BRUTAL First Ever Stairway To Hell Match between Sabu and The Sandman.
Spike Dudley is in the ring DEMANDING a spot in the Battle Royal. Spike points out that his half-brothers were unable to qualify tonight and wants to hold it over their heads that he was the only Dudley to qualify. It doesn’t take long for RYBACK to answer the call.
RYBACK def. SPIKE DUDLEY to qualify
Spike attempts a Frankensteiner and it goes poorly. After a series of about seven powerbombs, Ryback drills ECW’s Iron Man with a Jackhammer, drawing a blizzard of boos and intensifying GOLDBERG chants. Ryback connects with a vile Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex and a nasty Meat Hook Clothesline. The beating continues with a hideous spinebuster and a Body Avalanche in the corner. Ryback hits a running splash and nearly kicks Spike’s head off with a Big Boot. Ryback drops Spike to the outside with a Military Press Slam and rolls him back into the ring before FINALLY hitting Shell Shocked and collecting the three count.
After the match, the crowd is booing FURIOUSLY and beginning to toss garbage into the ring, when THE DUDLEYZ jump the barricade into the ring and stun Ryback with a 3D. Bubba shoves D’Von and doesn’t say a word and the crowd EXPLODES into chants of “WE WANT TABLES”. D’Von makes the retrieval and the duo sets it up. Spike comes back into the ring and helps D’Von hoist Ryback into position in the corner. Bubba goes ALL THE WAY UP to the top rope and DRILLS Ryback with a BUBBA BOMB through the table. Bubba has that Million-Mile stare on his face as D’Von helps Spike out in the corner. The crowd is going nuts; “EC-DUB” chants all over the place.
We get another get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s Tommy Dreamer versus Brian Lee in the Scaffold Match.
Backstage with Tommy Dreamer and Paul Heyman watching the footage himself and looking nostalgic. Dreamer tells Paul that he’s thinking of re-creating a memory here tonight especially for his opponent at Over The Limit. We go to commercial.
Back from break and we get another pair of Extreme Retrospectives of The Barbed Wire Death Match between Sabu and Terry Funk and Raven’s feud with the Sandman, including the crucifixion and the brainwashing of his son, Tyler, into joining Raven’s Nest.
Back at ringside as Masato Tanaka and The Lethal Weapon Steve Blackman await their opponents. Raven hits the ring with his Shopping Cart of Horrors and throws a Stop Sign at Tanaka’s face. The lights go down and Sabu pops up in the ring. Weapons start flying out of Raven’s cart and from under the ring as this brawl for two more spots in the Battle Royal gets under way.
RAVEN & SABU def. MASATO TANAKA & STEVE BLACKMAN to qualify
Downright brawl. The ref never really had control of the match until the pinfall. Finish came as Tommy Dreamer stepped into the ring and clubbed Tanaka in the back of the head with a Kendo Stick, sending him spiraling into Even Flow from Raven and a Triple Jump Moonsault by Sabu. Sabu makes the cover and the ECW Originals seal up two more spots in the Battle Royal.
After the match, Tommy Dreamer grabs a mic and says that he needs a tune-up for Sunday’s “I Quit Match” with the Sandman. The crowd begins to roar as Dreamer says if it’s O.K. with Mr. Blackman here, he’d like to re-create a classic moment from the company that these psychopaths in the audience love so DAMN much.
Dreamer hands Blackman his Kendo Stick, leans over the top rope with the mic in hand and invites The Lethal Weapon to strike at will. Blackman obliges with the LOUDEST CRACK heard in a ECW ring in YEARS. Dreamer collapses to the canvas, but pulls himself back up and says “Thank You, Mr. Blackman, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?” Blackman continues, striking Dreamer another 19 TIMES. THE CROWD LOVES IT. Dreamer pulls himself to his feet in defiance and tells Sandman that come Sunday, HE WILL NOT QUIT. Sandman comes from out of nowhere and buries his own Kendo Stick in Dreamer’s ribs and takes another wild swing, but Dreamer ducks and comes back with one of his own. Dreamer proceeds to flog Sandman about 10 times before he can escape the ring. Dreamer stands on the top rope with cane in hand, pointing it directly at Sandman on the outside.
We get another Extreme Retrospective of The Taipei Death Match. Arguably the bloodiest match in ECW, maybe wrestling history. We go to commercial.
Back from break with another Extreme Retrospective of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s legendary shoot promo on WCW upon arriving in ECW.
In the ring with Paul Burchill and Justin Credible both looking to qualify for spots in the Battle Royal.
PAUL BURCHILL def. JUSTIN CREDIBLE
Decent match. Credible attempts an InCredible Kick, but Burchill ducks and comes back with a Rolling Discus Forearm that sends Justin to the mat. Burchill applies a surfboard and crushes Credible’s head with a Curb Stomp. Burchill makes the cover and gets the three count.
Backstage with John Morrison, Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam. RVD is meditating between two unfolded chairs and Morrison is warming up for Parkour. Hardy looks at both perplexed. Morrison asks him how HE focuses and warms up for a match. Morrison runs and turns a backflip up a wall before cartwheeling up a pile of crates and somersaulting over the production truck before going on a free run across the city block. Hardy shakes his head out of pure confusion and walks away while Van Dam continues in his trance-like state.
We get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn for the ECW World Television Title at Living Dangerously 1999. Lynn asking for the five-minute extension on the time-limit draw and losing via Five-Star Frog Splash. We go to commercial.
Back from break with another Extreme Retrospective and it’s the “Final” Episode of ECW back in 2009, with Ezekiel Jackson pinning Christian to become the “Final” ECW champion.
Back at ringside and Ezekiel Jackson is in the ring looking to qualify for a spot as ELIJAH BURKE heads down as his opponent. The bell rings and here we go.
ELIJAH BURKE def. EZEKIEL JACKSON
Jackson dominated the early going, until Burke SOMEHOW countered The Book of Ezekiel into a Jumping Armbreaker and whipped Jackson to the buckle to connect with the Elijah Express. Burke drops Jackson out of the corner with the Elijah Experience and picks up the three count. After the match, Burke celebrates in the ring and promises to walk away from Over The Limit with the Hardcore Title.
We get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s ECW’s ORIGINAL Invasion of RAW back in 1997. We go to break.
Back from commercial and another Retrospective, this time of ECW’s THIRD Invasion of RAW AND Smackdown in 2005.
Back in the ring with 2 Cold Scorpio awaiting his chance to qualify and out comes WILLIAM REGAL to a HUMONGOUS pop from the crowd. The bell rings and here we go.
WILLIAM REGAL def. 2 COLD SCORPIO
Pretty good match. Scorpio used the speed and aerial game to his advantage throughout much of the early going, but Regal fought back in with a sound, mat-based technical background. After an attempted Scorpio Splash that saw Regal move out of the way, the finish came when Regal produced Brass Knucks and connected with the Power of the Punch and a Knee Trembler before locking in the Regal Stretch for the duke.
We get another retrospective and this time we get a highlights package of ECW One Night Stand 2005, including Heyman’s worked shoot against, and Austin’s Stone Cold Stunner of, Eric Bischoff. We go to commercial.
Back from break and we get another Retrospective showing how “The Crippler” Chris Benoit (Oops, said his name) earned his moniker against Sabu.
We go back to ringside and Lashley is making his way to the ring for the final qualifying match against Tyler Reks. The bell rings and here we go.
TYLER REKS def. LASHLEY
Reks goes directly after the ankle damaged last week. An effectively defenseless Lashley fights valiantly, but the finish comes as Reks gets Lashley up for the Burning Hammer and connects for the three count. Tyler Reks becomes the 20th member of the Battle Royal and the pre-show match is set.
We get another Retrospective, this time of the farewell address set in motion by the Dudleyz, Rhyno winning the ECW Title during their final PPV before closing their doors leading to ECW’s Invasion (THE Invasion) of 2001. We go to our final break of the evening.
Back from break as we get one FINAL Retrospective on the evening, and it may well be ECW’s Crowning Moment, One Night Stand 2006, where at long last, The WWE Championship came to ECW. Rob Van Dam, with a HUGE Assist from Edge and Paul Heyman himself, took the WWE Championship from a DECIDEDLY unpopular (at least on this night) John Cena. Joey Styles’ cry of “ECW LIVES!” rings through the rafters as we go back to ringside.
Out first is Kane as the pyro goes off. He’s followed by Jack Swagger and then the Big Show. Out next is Matt Hardy followed by the ECW Champion John Morrison and finally, Rob Van Dam enters to EASILY the biggest pop of the night from this Philadelphia crowd.
JOHN MORRISON, ROB VAN DAM and MATT HARDY versus JACK SWAGGER, KANE and THE BIG SHOW ended in a no-contest when EVERYONE interfered.
Total bedlam. All six participants brawled for most of the match all around the ringside area. Finish came as Big Show ended up surrounded, Morrison connects with a Flying Chuck, Hardy drops him with a Twist of Fate and RVD comes off the top with the Five-Star Frog Splash. Van Dam gets a two count before the ring floods with everyone in the Hardcore Title Battle Royal this Sunday, drawing the bell.
After the match, the scramble participants fight off all of the Battle Royal entrants and eventually Big Show is dumped from the ring by the other five. They continue to brawl among each other until it boils down to Van Dam and Morrison. The two have a staredown until Paul Heyman makes his way down to the ring and shoos them both out of the ring. Paul grabs a mic and thanks EVERYONE in the Philadelphia area who took the time to come out and watch them bust their ass on the corner of SOUTH SWANSON and WEST RITNER. Heyman concludes by saying as long as there are some drunken maniacs at any WWE show to chant “PLEASE DON‘T DIE”, “HE’S HARDCORE” and of course, “EC-DUB”, ECW will live on forever. Heyman thanks them all once again and departs the ring to a Humongous POP and chants of “THANK YOU PAUL”.
Before leaving ringside, Heyman gets back on the mic and asks the question: “COULD SOMEONE PLEASE THROW ME A CHAIR?” With that said, EVERY LAST CHAIR in the blockaded area comes FLYING over the barricade and into the ring. Once the audience has cleared the seating area, the fans come FLOODING over the retaining wall and start climbing into the ring to party. The party rages as one by one, the entire crowd climbs into the ring and onto the apron. The ring starts the shake, quake and buckle before finally, the ring just COLLAPSES to the ground under the weight of the humanity in and around the ring. An Extreme mosh pit continues to party where the ring once stood as the chants of “EC-DUB” continue to ring into the night and ECW goes off the air!
Heyman approaches a podium set up in the center of the ring which is covered in a velvet shroud. Heyman explains that it has come to his attention in recent weeks that there are a number of superstars on ECW who are displeased with being excluded from the Over The Limit PPV. Paul says what lies underneath the velvet covering will change ALL of that. Heyman removes the slip to reveal the newly re-introduced WWE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP and the crowd EXPLODES.
Heyman says that through the powers of persuasion and some meetings with the Higher-Ups, he convinced them to bring back the Hardcore Title and FINALLY give it a fitting home where it belongs, where it will be defended THE RIGHT WAY. Paul says that the Hardcore Title will be on the line during the Over The Limit pre-show in a 20-Man Over-The-Top Battle Royal. Heyman says there is an addendum--the match will be BRING YOUR OWN WEAPON.
Paul reminds them that the belt was originally introduced and simply handed to Mick Foley, because he introduced a brand of wrestling that the boys in Connecticut had never seen before. Heyman says to be fair, if you're going to just hand the HARDCORE title to anyone, Mick Foley is a fine choice, but that's not how we operate here in ECW; you win titles in the ring. Heyman says that 10 names have already been placed in the Battle Royal and the other ten will qualify tonight, STARTING RIGHT NOW.
Bob Artese steps into the ring and has the call. He introduces the next contest as a Three-Way Tag Team Match with BOTH MEMBERS of the winning tag team qualifying for the Hardcore Title Battle Royal. Out first are The Briscoe Brothers followed by The American Wolves. Bombs drop as The Dudleyz make their way out next and make their way to the ring. The bell rings and the match immediately explodes into chaos.
THE AMERICAN WOLVES def. THE DUDLEYZ and THE BRISCOES to qualify
The ref went insane attempting to keep this match in order. Bodies flying everywhere, weapons all over the place. All three teams collected nearfalls as the Wolves connected with a Powerbomb/Backstabber combo on D'Von Dudley and the Briscoes would later hit a Redneck Boogie on Edwards.
The Dudleyz got REAL close toward the end of the contest after dropping Jay Briscoe with the 3D, but Davey Richards breaks up the fall. Finish came as the Dudleyz set up for the Wazzup Headbutt on Jay Briscoe, but Eddie Edwards stuns D’Von from the opposite side of the ring and executes a seamless Spanish Fly from the top rope. Davey Richards follows up with a Shooting Star Press and makes the cover to give the Wolves the win and two spots in the Battle Royal.
Joey and Tazz run down the Over The Limit card to this point. An update comes in on Shawn Michaels and he has a broken fibula, and will be unable to compete in the Championship Scramble. As a result, The Undertaker will refill the spot he lost last night. The official anthem for Over The Limit is "Burn It Down" by Linkin Park.
We get an Extreme Retrospective of Shane Douglas winning the NWA Title and tossing it to the ground in defiance, signifying a REVOLUTION that carries a CULT following to this day. We go to break.
Back from commercial and we get another Extreme Retrospective of Bam Bam Bigelow tossing Spike Dudley into the audience and the match between he and Tazz that saw Bam Bam drive The Human Suplex Machine through the canvas of the ring itself.
Back at ringside and Tazz briefly discusses his feud with Bam Bam, joking that he’s still sore from that spot and says he’s very proud to have had that feud with the big man.
Kevin Steen hits the ring and says if anyone deserves a spot in the Battle Royal for the Hardcore Championship, it’s Mr. Wrestling himself. Steen says he wants a challenge tonight so he can demonstrate what he’ll bring back to the Hardcore Division. COLT CABANA steps out and Steen scoffs. Steen asks him if he’s serious about his challenge. Colt shakes his head and says he’s just here to help someone else qualify. Steen asks who, not realizing that a referee has already rang the bell.
TAZZ def. KEVIN STEEN to qualify
Steen gets surprised from behind by a locked in TAZZMISSION. With nowhere to go, Steen taps out and TAZZ qualifies for the Hardcore Championship Battle Royal at Over The Limit. After the match, Colt gets on the mic and apologizes to Steen, saying that Tazz promised him the first title shot once he won the Battle Royal.
We get another Extreme Retrospective of the Infamous “Chair Incident” featuring Terry Funk, Cactus Jack and Public Enemy. We go to break.
Back from commercial and another Extreme Retrospective of the BRUTAL First Ever Stairway To Hell Match between Sabu and The Sandman.
Spike Dudley is in the ring DEMANDING a spot in the Battle Royal. Spike points out that his half-brothers were unable to qualify tonight and wants to hold it over their heads that he was the only Dudley to qualify. It doesn’t take long for RYBACK to answer the call.
RYBACK def. SPIKE DUDLEY to qualify
Spike attempts a Frankensteiner and it goes poorly. After a series of about seven powerbombs, Ryback drills ECW’s Iron Man with a Jackhammer, drawing a blizzard of boos and intensifying GOLDBERG chants. Ryback connects with a vile Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex and a nasty Meat Hook Clothesline. The beating continues with a hideous spinebuster and a Body Avalanche in the corner. Ryback hits a running splash and nearly kicks Spike’s head off with a Big Boot. Ryback drops Spike to the outside with a Military Press Slam and rolls him back into the ring before FINALLY hitting Shell Shocked and collecting the three count.
After the match, the crowd is booing FURIOUSLY and beginning to toss garbage into the ring, when THE DUDLEYZ jump the barricade into the ring and stun Ryback with a 3D. Bubba shoves D’Von and doesn’t say a word and the crowd EXPLODES into chants of “WE WANT TABLES”. D’Von makes the retrieval and the duo sets it up. Spike comes back into the ring and helps D’Von hoist Ryback into position in the corner. Bubba goes ALL THE WAY UP to the top rope and DRILLS Ryback with a BUBBA BOMB through the table. Bubba has that Million-Mile stare on his face as D’Von helps Spike out in the corner. The crowd is going nuts; “EC-DUB” chants all over the place.
We get another get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s Tommy Dreamer versus Brian Lee in the Scaffold Match.
Backstage with Tommy Dreamer and Paul Heyman watching the footage himself and looking nostalgic. Dreamer tells Paul that he’s thinking of re-creating a memory here tonight especially for his opponent at Over The Limit. We go to commercial.
Back from break and we get another pair of Extreme Retrospectives of The Barbed Wire Death Match between Sabu and Terry Funk and Raven’s feud with the Sandman, including the crucifixion and the brainwashing of his son, Tyler, into joining Raven’s Nest.
Back at ringside as Masato Tanaka and The Lethal Weapon Steve Blackman await their opponents. Raven hits the ring with his Shopping Cart of Horrors and throws a Stop Sign at Tanaka’s face. The lights go down and Sabu pops up in the ring. Weapons start flying out of Raven’s cart and from under the ring as this brawl for two more spots in the Battle Royal gets under way.
RAVEN & SABU def. MASATO TANAKA & STEVE BLACKMAN to qualify
Downright brawl. The ref never really had control of the match until the pinfall. Finish came as Tommy Dreamer stepped into the ring and clubbed Tanaka in the back of the head with a Kendo Stick, sending him spiraling into Even Flow from Raven and a Triple Jump Moonsault by Sabu. Sabu makes the cover and the ECW Originals seal up two more spots in the Battle Royal.
After the match, Tommy Dreamer grabs a mic and says that he needs a tune-up for Sunday’s “I Quit Match” with the Sandman. The crowd begins to roar as Dreamer says if it’s O.K. with Mr. Blackman here, he’d like to re-create a classic moment from the company that these psychopaths in the audience love so DAMN much.
Dreamer hands Blackman his Kendo Stick, leans over the top rope with the mic in hand and invites The Lethal Weapon to strike at will. Blackman obliges with the LOUDEST CRACK heard in a ECW ring in YEARS. Dreamer collapses to the canvas, but pulls himself back up and says “Thank You, Mr. Blackman, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?” Blackman continues, striking Dreamer another 19 TIMES. THE CROWD LOVES IT. Dreamer pulls himself to his feet in defiance and tells Sandman that come Sunday, HE WILL NOT QUIT. Sandman comes from out of nowhere and buries his own Kendo Stick in Dreamer’s ribs and takes another wild swing, but Dreamer ducks and comes back with one of his own. Dreamer proceeds to flog Sandman about 10 times before he can escape the ring. Dreamer stands on the top rope with cane in hand, pointing it directly at Sandman on the outside.
We get another Extreme Retrospective of The Taipei Death Match. Arguably the bloodiest match in ECW, maybe wrestling history. We go to commercial.
Back from break with another Extreme Retrospective of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s legendary shoot promo on WCW upon arriving in ECW.
In the ring with Paul Burchill and Justin Credible both looking to qualify for spots in the Battle Royal.
PAUL BURCHILL def. JUSTIN CREDIBLE
Decent match. Credible attempts an InCredible Kick, but Burchill ducks and comes back with a Rolling Discus Forearm that sends Justin to the mat. Burchill applies a surfboard and crushes Credible’s head with a Curb Stomp. Burchill makes the cover and gets the three count.
Backstage with John Morrison, Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam. RVD is meditating between two unfolded chairs and Morrison is warming up for Parkour. Hardy looks at both perplexed. Morrison asks him how HE focuses and warms up for a match. Morrison runs and turns a backflip up a wall before cartwheeling up a pile of crates and somersaulting over the production truck before going on a free run across the city block. Hardy shakes his head out of pure confusion and walks away while Van Dam continues in his trance-like state.
We get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn for the ECW World Television Title at Living Dangerously 1999. Lynn asking for the five-minute extension on the time-limit draw and losing via Five-Star Frog Splash. We go to commercial.
Back from break with another Extreme Retrospective and it’s the “Final” Episode of ECW back in 2009, with Ezekiel Jackson pinning Christian to become the “Final” ECW champion.
Back at ringside and Ezekiel Jackson is in the ring looking to qualify for a spot as ELIJAH BURKE heads down as his opponent. The bell rings and here we go.
ELIJAH BURKE def. EZEKIEL JACKSON
Jackson dominated the early going, until Burke SOMEHOW countered The Book of Ezekiel into a Jumping Armbreaker and whipped Jackson to the buckle to connect with the Elijah Express. Burke drops Jackson out of the corner with the Elijah Experience and picks up the three count. After the match, Burke celebrates in the ring and promises to walk away from Over The Limit with the Hardcore Title.
We get another Extreme Retrospective and it’s ECW’s ORIGINAL Invasion of RAW back in 1997. We go to break.
Back from commercial and another Retrospective, this time of ECW’s THIRD Invasion of RAW AND Smackdown in 2005.
Back in the ring with 2 Cold Scorpio awaiting his chance to qualify and out comes WILLIAM REGAL to a HUMONGOUS pop from the crowd. The bell rings and here we go.
WILLIAM REGAL def. 2 COLD SCORPIO
Pretty good match. Scorpio used the speed and aerial game to his advantage throughout much of the early going, but Regal fought back in with a sound, mat-based technical background. After an attempted Scorpio Splash that saw Regal move out of the way, the finish came when Regal produced Brass Knucks and connected with the Power of the Punch and a Knee Trembler before locking in the Regal Stretch for the duke.
We get another retrospective and this time we get a highlights package of ECW One Night Stand 2005, including Heyman’s worked shoot against, and Austin’s Stone Cold Stunner of, Eric Bischoff. We go to commercial.
Back from break and we get another Retrospective showing how “The Crippler” Chris Benoit (Oops, said his name) earned his moniker against Sabu.
We go back to ringside and Lashley is making his way to the ring for the final qualifying match against Tyler Reks. The bell rings and here we go.
TYLER REKS def. LASHLEY
Reks goes directly after the ankle damaged last week. An effectively defenseless Lashley fights valiantly, but the finish comes as Reks gets Lashley up for the Burning Hammer and connects for the three count. Tyler Reks becomes the 20th member of the Battle Royal and the pre-show match is set.
We get another Retrospective, this time of the farewell address set in motion by the Dudleyz, Rhyno winning the ECW Title during their final PPV before closing their doors leading to ECW’s Invasion (THE Invasion) of 2001. We go to our final break of the evening.
Back from break as we get one FINAL Retrospective on the evening, and it may well be ECW’s Crowning Moment, One Night Stand 2006, where at long last, The WWE Championship came to ECW. Rob Van Dam, with a HUGE Assist from Edge and Paul Heyman himself, took the WWE Championship from a DECIDEDLY unpopular (at least on this night) John Cena. Joey Styles’ cry of “ECW LIVES!” rings through the rafters as we go back to ringside.
Out first is Kane as the pyro goes off. He’s followed by Jack Swagger and then the Big Show. Out next is Matt Hardy followed by the ECW Champion John Morrison and finally, Rob Van Dam enters to EASILY the biggest pop of the night from this Philadelphia crowd.
JOHN MORRISON, ROB VAN DAM and MATT HARDY versus JACK SWAGGER, KANE and THE BIG SHOW ended in a no-contest when EVERYONE interfered.
Total bedlam. All six participants brawled for most of the match all around the ringside area. Finish came as Big Show ended up surrounded, Morrison connects with a Flying Chuck, Hardy drops him with a Twist of Fate and RVD comes off the top with the Five-Star Frog Splash. Van Dam gets a two count before the ring floods with everyone in the Hardcore Title Battle Royal this Sunday, drawing the bell.
After the match, the scramble participants fight off all of the Battle Royal entrants and eventually Big Show is dumped from the ring by the other five. They continue to brawl among each other until it boils down to Van Dam and Morrison. The two have a staredown until Paul Heyman makes his way down to the ring and shoos them both out of the ring. Paul grabs a mic and thanks EVERYONE in the Philadelphia area who took the time to come out and watch them bust their ass on the corner of SOUTH SWANSON and WEST RITNER. Heyman concludes by saying as long as there are some drunken maniacs at any WWE show to chant “PLEASE DON‘T DIE”, “HE’S HARDCORE” and of course, “EC-DUB”, ECW will live on forever. Heyman thanks them all once again and departs the ring to a Humongous POP and chants of “THANK YOU PAUL”.
Before leaving ringside, Heyman gets back on the mic and asks the question: “COULD SOMEONE PLEASE THROW ME A CHAIR?” With that said, EVERY LAST CHAIR in the blockaded area comes FLYING over the barricade and into the ring. Once the audience has cleared the seating area, the fans come FLOODING over the retaining wall and start climbing into the ring to party. The party rages as one by one, the entire crowd climbs into the ring and onto the apron. The ring starts the shake, quake and buckle before finally, the ring just COLLAPSES to the ground under the weight of the humanity in and around the ring. An Extreme mosh pit continues to party where the ring once stood as the chants of “EC-DUB” continue to ring into the night and ECW goes off the air!
WWE RAW Supershow Results 05.14.12
Tonight's WWE RAW Supershow opens up with Triple H walking backstage. The Game is clearly conflicted in his impending decision. He doesn't want to reward Lesnar for his actions by giving him what he wants, but by the same token if he refuses, Lesnar will mercilessly decimate everyone close to him and the perception will be that Triple H is uncertain if he can get the job done anymore.
Stephanie McMahon enters the room and asks what he plans to do about Lesnar tonight. The Game looks her in the eye and tells her that he's going to the ring to address the situation right now.
We get the usual RAW opening video.
Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to RAW from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We go right to the ring and out comes Triple H.
The Game grabs a mic and says that it doesn't matter if Brock Lesnar is here tonight or not, because he's not getting anywhere near ringside. Hunter says that tonight there will be a series of matches between members of Nexus and participants in the Championship Scramble match on Sunday, and he won't have Lesnar jeopardizing their welfare, so he's TRIPLED the security detail in and around the arena tonight. Triple H says he won't be bullied into a Street Fight at Over The Limit just to satisfy Lesnar's ego.
SHAWN MICHAELS hits the ring and takes the Game to the side for a heart-to-heart chat. HBK tells Hunter that he understands the position that Lesnar has put him in and wants nothing more than for The Game to eradicate the threat of Brock endangering the entire RAW roster. However, Shawn tells his longtime friend that he thinks that Lesnar has pushed him to a level of paranoia in him that even Shawn hasn't seen before and he's genuinely concerned that Triple H has gone over the edge.
Hunter tells Shawn that he's already watched Lesnar snap Batista's and Ric Flair's arm in half and shatter Flair's kneecap against the ring post. He won't allow, nor can he fathom what Brock Lesnar inevitably has in store for HBK. The Game tells Shawn that the security will surround the ring and run the length of the entrance ramp for his match later on tonight.
Shawn asks him if that is what this is REALLY all about; He's concerned about "Poor Shawn Michaels' safety"? HBK says he's not buying it because first of all, despite his age, he can still handle his business in the ring. Secondly, if Hunter remembers correctly, it was H-B-K who put Lesnar away in the Elimination Tag Match at Extreme Rules. HBK asks what this is really about and Triple H explodes at him saying that he wants nothing more than to go into Over The Limit and rip Lesnar apart, but he has his own future to think about: HIS WIFE, HIS DAUGHTERS, RUNNING THE BUSINESS AND THE FACT THAT BROCK LESNAR DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HIS OWN PERSONAL WELFARE, LET ALONE ANYONE ELSE'S....HELL, HE DOESN'T EVEN CARE ABOUT WINNING THE MATCH, HE JUST TAKES PLEASURE IN BEATING THE HELL OUT OF PEOPLE, ENDING CAREERS, PERMANENTLY DISFIGURING THE HUMAN BODY. Triple H says he will NOT risk all of that, throw all of that away for a man whose only goal is mutilation.
Shawn Michaels hangs his head in disappointment and tells Triple H that he doesn't recognize this Triple H. He's not the Game that he has come to know over the last twenty years. HBK tells him that when he finds that Triple H, to tell him to get into Brock Lesnar's face and accept the challenge for a Street Fight at Over The Limit. Until then, Shawn tells him to go back to your ivory towers and think about the guy who would have accepted this challenge in a heartbeat. HBK drops the mic and walks away from the ring as Trips looks on helplessly and the crowd boos.
-We get a look back at Christian winning the 20-Man Over The Top Battle Royal to become Rey Mysterio's new #1 contender at Over The Limit. Rey Mysterio & Christian versus The Fortunate Sons is also announced. A breaking announcement comes through that says Triple H is also expected to meet face-to-face with Brock Lesnar later on tonight.
We go to the ring and out comes Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio for his tag team match. We go to commercial.
REY MYSTERIO and CHRISTIAN def. THE FORTUNATE SONS (non-title)
A very entertaining fifteen-minute tag match with great back and forth action and a flurry of quick tags. Finish came as DiBiase attempts to lock in Dream Street, but Christian backs him into the corner and Mysterio makes the blind tag. Mysterio hits a drop toehold and connects with the 619 and Christian catches him on the rebound with a Spear. Mysterio scales to the top rope and connects with a Frog Splash to collect the three count.
-After the match, Mysterio and Christian celebrate the victory and Christian surprises the champion by dropping him with the Killswitch. Captain Charisma stares down at his opponent, picks up the IC belt and drops it on top of Mysterio before leaving the ring alone.
-Still to come tonight, The Nexus will compete in matches with Scramble Participants spots on the line. Shawn Michaels is scheduled to be in action tonight and a face-off between Lesnar and Triple H. Back to commercial.
Back from break and The Nexus is standing in the ring waiting for their first Scramble Qualifying Match as Lilian Garcia reads off an edict handed down from Stephanie McMahon that says all other members of Nexus will be BARRED from ringside during each respective qualifying match. Barrett and Ziggler seem ESPECIALLY disgusted with this ruling, but begrudgingly comply with the order. Out comes CHRIS JERICHO. The bell rings and here we go.
CHRIS JERICHO def. DOLPH ZIGGLER to secure his spot
A fantastic, near-twenty minute match. Lots of "LET'S GO ZIGGLER" and more than plenty of Y2J chants. Finish comes as Ziggler goes for a Fisherman Carry Gutbuster from the second rope, only to have Jericho counter mid-toss with a Codebreaker. Jericho crawls to the cover and picks up the three to remain in the Scramble and send Ziggler packing.
-After the match, The Nexus storms back down and batters an still sore Jericho, leaving him lying in the middle of the ring. Barrett grabs a mic and tells the WWE Universe that they fully intend to boycott the PPV, but if Shane McMahon and company want to give us an open window to sabotage their main event by injecting members of the Nexus into the match, so be it. Barrett shoves McIntyre and tells him that he's up. JEFF JARRETT hits the ring for his qualifying match and we go to commercial.
JEFF JARRETT def. DREW McINTYRE to secure his spot
A decent match. McIntyre looked impressive against the King of the Mountain. The finish came as McIntyre goes for Future Shock, but Jarrett forces McIntyre into the corner. Drew attempts a short-arm clothesline, but Jarrett rolls through and comes back with The Stroke for the duke. After the match, Jeff Jarrett looks around to notice that the remainder of Nexus has gone missing. Cameras cut backstage to reveal that Nexus has migrated to the locker room and are mercilessly beating on Mason Ryan. Barrett tosses Ryan through a plate glass window, stares at the camera and tells the crowd that former, incompetent members of Nexus need not apply. Nexus leaves a bloody Ryan lying on the floor.
-Still to come tonight, Triple H to confront Brock Lesnar and security begins pouring out into the ringside area as SHAWN MICHAELS versus THE UNDERTAKER for the Deadman's spot in the Scramble is up next.
Back from break as Stephanie McMahon is backstage, knocking on the door to CM Punk's private dressing room and asking passersby if anyone has spotted Punk in the arena tonight. No one seems to have seen him.
SHAWN MICHAELS def. THE UNDERTAKER in a NO DQ Match to take a spot in the Championship Scramble
Match of the night. Going easily 25 minutes, this one came close to rivaling their Wrestlemania 25 encounter. Undertaker kicked out of Sweet Chin Music and a Diving Elbow Drop through a table and Michaels kicked out of the Tombstone. TWICE. HBK counters Hell's Gate for a very NEAR 2 1/2 count. Finish came as Taker sets up for the Last Ride, but Michaels lands on his feet behind Taker and stuns the Deadman with a desperation Sweet Chin Music from out of NOWHERE and picks up the three count. Michaels has STOLEN The Undertaker's spot in the Championship Scramble.
-After the match, HBK celebrates the victory and sets his sights on Punk's World Title. As the celebration continues, THE NEXUS storms down the ramp and BULLDOZES through security, throwing various guards into the barricade and off the stage into electrical areas. The Nexus moves down to ringside quite violently and surrounds Michaels, who still stands in the ring and the beatdown commences. Barrett drills Michaels with Wasteland in the center of the ring and Kingston hits a top-rope Boom Drop before Nexus leaves Michaels to waste in the ring.
BROCK LESNAR'S music hits and Michaels is utterly helpless, lying in the center of the ring. The Anomaly eyes his prey and tosses him from the ring to the floor. Brock hoists Michaels up on his shoulders and throws him to the ring post with an F5, shattering the knee. Michaels screams and flails on the floor, clutching at the knee. Lesnar rolls Michaels back into the ring and locks the KIMURA on the same leg.
The crowd roars as Triple H runs down to the ring with Sledgehammer in hand, but before he can reach the canvas, Lesnar snaps the leg in half at the shin and Michaels is in outright agony. The Game rages and swears over the fallen Michaels and grabs a mic telling Lesnar that his challenge at Over The Limit is accepted and promises that only one of them will walk from the ring under their own power. Hunter brandishes the Sledge and tells Lesnar that "Sunday at Over The Limit, you're not stepping into the ring with the Cerebral Assassin, not the King of Kings, not the COO, not even the GAME. Quite frankly, Sunday at Over The Limit, Brock Lesnar steps into the ring with the MEANEST SON OF A BITCH THAT HE'S EVER SET FOOT IN A RING AGAINST; WWE, OCTAGON OR OTHERWISE. AND I PROMISE YOU THIS, BROCK...ON BEHALF OF BATISTA, ON BEHALF OF SHAWN MICHAELS, ON BEHALF OF "THE NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR, ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE, HIS DAUGHTERS AND THIS WHOLE DAMN BUSINESS, I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS MATCH ANY WAY OTHER THAN AN AMBULANCE." Triple H stares down Lesnar from the turnbuckle as Brock has by this time jumped the barricade into the crowd as we go to commercial.
Back from commercial as Triple H continues to pace like a caged animal as Michaels is wheeled from the ring on a stretcher. In the midst of his rage, Triple H has hunted down and trapped The Nexus' Alex Riley, grabbing him by the back of the head. The Game screams "GET ME A REFEREE" and one comes running down the ramp.
TRIPLE H versus ALEX RILEY ended in a No Contest
Before he can even ring the bell, Triple H strikes Riley between the eyes with the Sledgehammer, busting him open. Hunter rolls to the outside and grabs a chair, plastering it over Riley's head. Trips violently tosses Riley to the arena floor and the Nexus' newest member crawls to the announce table for refuge. The Game isn't having it, though as he repeatedly bashes the ring bell over the back of Riley's head. Hunter smashes the television monitor into Riley's face and rolls him onto the now damaged announce table. Hunter sets up and yells "GET ME SOME EMTs" before plunging Riley through the announce table with a Pedigree. It appears Lesnar has awakened the dark side, the cold-blooded warrior that lay dormant in Triple H for nearly six years. Does Lesnar realize what he may have gotten himself into? The Game stands over Riley, shaking furiously.
We go backstage and The Nexus appears unfazed by what The Game has done to Alex Riley, as they are currently inflicting upon Heath Slater. Ziggler shoves Slater into the backseat of a car in the parking lot and Cody Rhodes peels across the parking lot from the opposite side, in reverse. The cars collide, leaving a wrecked, mangled mess and a helpless Slater almost certainly badly injured in the back. Barrett directs traffic and sends Kingston to the ring for his qualifying match NEXT.
Back from commercial as Kofi Kingston stands stoically in the ring. Out next comes RANDY ORTON and The Viper looks ready to do some inflicting of his own. The bell rings and here we go.
RANDY ORTON def. KOFI KINGSTON to secure his spot
Great back and forth match. Kofi actually held his own impressively for several minutes, even blocking the RKO and coming back with Trouble In Paradise. The ref was incapacitated from an earlier collision, however. Kofi tries to log the three count himself, but it's all for naught. Kofi scales to the top rope and connects with a Diving Cross Body, but Orton captures him, rolls through and comes up with a scoop slam attempt, but tosses Kofi over his shoulder with a STUNNING RKO. Orton covers Kingston and collects the three count.
-After the match, Orton backs into the corner and sets up for the Punt, Barrett and the Nexus frantically run down to the ring, but they're too late as Orton kicks Kingston's head off his shoulders. Orton stares them down from the ring apron as Barrett and company back off and drag the prone Kingston from the ring.
We get a vignette for Sunday's Over The Limit PPV. Stephanie McMahon is backstage still looking for the World Champion. Where is CM Punk?
-Still to come tonight, Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes of the Nexus with a chance to qualify.
TENSAI def. SANTINO MARELLA
Quick match. Santino squares away for the Cobra, but Tensai answers with a Choke Bomb and a Clawhold STO. Tensai connects with a Running Senton and picks up the three. After the match, Tensai continues the beatdown with the Poison Mist Clawhold. Santino squirms in pain as JBL comes down and nails the Clothesline From Hell. David Otunga, Epico and Primo join in on the beatdown when EVAN BOURNE, MVP, SHELTON BENJAMIN and R-TRUTH run down to make the save. They help Santino back to his feet and out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Back from break and J.R. and King begin discussing what has become of CM Punk.
We go backstage and Nexus is beating the hell out of Otunga. Former Nexus members, take heed. Cody Rhodes is in the ring as THE MIZ hits the ring for his qualifying match.
THE MIZ def. CODY RHODES to secure his spot.
A very bizarre occurrence in this match. Cody and Miz lock into a staredown and after several minutes, Cody develops a hypnotized grin on his face and throws his arms skyward. Perplexed, Miz locks in the Full Nelson and drops Rhodes with a Skull Crushing Finale. The referee logs an uneasy three count and The Miz picks up the victory. Having sacrificed himself to the cause, Rhodes lies motionless in the ring as the rest of the Nexus storms the ring YET AGAIN and begins beating down The Miz.
Barrett grabs a mic and says that they have obeyed orders all night and kept their distance from the ring for the duration of each contest tonight, only descending to pick the bones AFTER the match is over. Barrett says they're through following orders and that every member will be present at ringside for this final contest. Barrett demands that CM Punk show himself for the main event, so that he can take away the World Heavyweight Championship now.
CULT OF PERSONALITY blasts through the speakers and it's shortly accompanied by the blaring sound of a truck horn. Barrett and the Nexus look to each other nervously as an ENORMOUS TRACTOR TRAILER--A PEPSI TRUCK comes rolling down the ramp and Punk's riding shotgun with the World Title in tow. The truck crashes into the ring apron, rocking it off its foundation. Without warning, Punk dismounts the truck, grabs a GIGANTIC hose and turns it on full blast ANNIHILATING The Nexus with a powerful stream of PEPSI. J.R. and King are clear across the ring getting SOAKED. Ziggler, Kofi, Rhodes, McIntyre, the tag champions and yes, Barrett, himself are slipping, tripping, falling, just trying to remain on their feet as the ring FILLS with Pepsi. Ziggler and company eventually fall out of the ring and limp over the barricade, drenched in carbonated beverage. Punk leaves the hose blasting as he steps into the ring. Unbeknownst to Barrett, the ref steps in and rings the bell.
CM PUNK def. WADE BARRETT to secure his spot and remain World Champion
A dripping, waterlogged and sticky Barrett staggers directly into the path of a waiting GTS. Punk makes the cover and gets the surprising three count.
-After the match, Nexus is clearly in retreat as Punk turns off the hose. The World Champion climbs up on top of the Pepsi truck and holds the belt high above his head. The ring lies in ruins and the entire ringside area smells of Pepsi as the World Champion stands tall and RAW goes off the air!
Stephanie McMahon enters the room and asks what he plans to do about Lesnar tonight. The Game looks her in the eye and tells her that he's going to the ring to address the situation right now.
We get the usual RAW opening video.
Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to RAW from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We go right to the ring and out comes Triple H.
The Game grabs a mic and says that it doesn't matter if Brock Lesnar is here tonight or not, because he's not getting anywhere near ringside. Hunter says that tonight there will be a series of matches between members of Nexus and participants in the Championship Scramble match on Sunday, and he won't have Lesnar jeopardizing their welfare, so he's TRIPLED the security detail in and around the arena tonight. Triple H says he won't be bullied into a Street Fight at Over The Limit just to satisfy Lesnar's ego.
SHAWN MICHAELS hits the ring and takes the Game to the side for a heart-to-heart chat. HBK tells Hunter that he understands the position that Lesnar has put him in and wants nothing more than for The Game to eradicate the threat of Brock endangering the entire RAW roster. However, Shawn tells his longtime friend that he thinks that Lesnar has pushed him to a level of paranoia in him that even Shawn hasn't seen before and he's genuinely concerned that Triple H has gone over the edge.
Hunter tells Shawn that he's already watched Lesnar snap Batista's and Ric Flair's arm in half and shatter Flair's kneecap against the ring post. He won't allow, nor can he fathom what Brock Lesnar inevitably has in store for HBK. The Game tells Shawn that the security will surround the ring and run the length of the entrance ramp for his match later on tonight.
Shawn asks him if that is what this is REALLY all about; He's concerned about "Poor Shawn Michaels' safety"? HBK says he's not buying it because first of all, despite his age, he can still handle his business in the ring. Secondly, if Hunter remembers correctly, it was H-B-K who put Lesnar away in the Elimination Tag Match at Extreme Rules. HBK asks what this is really about and Triple H explodes at him saying that he wants nothing more than to go into Over The Limit and rip Lesnar apart, but he has his own future to think about: HIS WIFE, HIS DAUGHTERS, RUNNING THE BUSINESS AND THE FACT THAT BROCK LESNAR DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HIS OWN PERSONAL WELFARE, LET ALONE ANYONE ELSE'S....HELL, HE DOESN'T EVEN CARE ABOUT WINNING THE MATCH, HE JUST TAKES PLEASURE IN BEATING THE HELL OUT OF PEOPLE, ENDING CAREERS, PERMANENTLY DISFIGURING THE HUMAN BODY. Triple H says he will NOT risk all of that, throw all of that away for a man whose only goal is mutilation.
Shawn Michaels hangs his head in disappointment and tells Triple H that he doesn't recognize this Triple H. He's not the Game that he has come to know over the last twenty years. HBK tells him that when he finds that Triple H, to tell him to get into Brock Lesnar's face and accept the challenge for a Street Fight at Over The Limit. Until then, Shawn tells him to go back to your ivory towers and think about the guy who would have accepted this challenge in a heartbeat. HBK drops the mic and walks away from the ring as Trips looks on helplessly and the crowd boos.
-We get a look back at Christian winning the 20-Man Over The Top Battle Royal to become Rey Mysterio's new #1 contender at Over The Limit. Rey Mysterio & Christian versus The Fortunate Sons is also announced. A breaking announcement comes through that says Triple H is also expected to meet face-to-face with Brock Lesnar later on tonight.
We go to the ring and out comes Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio for his tag team match. We go to commercial.
REY MYSTERIO and CHRISTIAN def. THE FORTUNATE SONS (non-title)
A very entertaining fifteen-minute tag match with great back and forth action and a flurry of quick tags. Finish came as DiBiase attempts to lock in Dream Street, but Christian backs him into the corner and Mysterio makes the blind tag. Mysterio hits a drop toehold and connects with the 619 and Christian catches him on the rebound with a Spear. Mysterio scales to the top rope and connects with a Frog Splash to collect the three count.
-After the match, Mysterio and Christian celebrate the victory and Christian surprises the champion by dropping him with the Killswitch. Captain Charisma stares down at his opponent, picks up the IC belt and drops it on top of Mysterio before leaving the ring alone.
-Still to come tonight, The Nexus will compete in matches with Scramble Participants spots on the line. Shawn Michaels is scheduled to be in action tonight and a face-off between Lesnar and Triple H. Back to commercial.
Back from break and The Nexus is standing in the ring waiting for their first Scramble Qualifying Match as Lilian Garcia reads off an edict handed down from Stephanie McMahon that says all other members of Nexus will be BARRED from ringside during each respective qualifying match. Barrett and Ziggler seem ESPECIALLY disgusted with this ruling, but begrudgingly comply with the order. Out comes CHRIS JERICHO. The bell rings and here we go.
CHRIS JERICHO def. DOLPH ZIGGLER to secure his spot
A fantastic, near-twenty minute match. Lots of "LET'S GO ZIGGLER" and more than plenty of Y2J chants. Finish comes as Ziggler goes for a Fisherman Carry Gutbuster from the second rope, only to have Jericho counter mid-toss with a Codebreaker. Jericho crawls to the cover and picks up the three to remain in the Scramble and send Ziggler packing.
-After the match, The Nexus storms back down and batters an still sore Jericho, leaving him lying in the middle of the ring. Barrett grabs a mic and tells the WWE Universe that they fully intend to boycott the PPV, but if Shane McMahon and company want to give us an open window to sabotage their main event by injecting members of the Nexus into the match, so be it. Barrett shoves McIntyre and tells him that he's up. JEFF JARRETT hits the ring for his qualifying match and we go to commercial.
JEFF JARRETT def. DREW McINTYRE to secure his spot
A decent match. McIntyre looked impressive against the King of the Mountain. The finish came as McIntyre goes for Future Shock, but Jarrett forces McIntyre into the corner. Drew attempts a short-arm clothesline, but Jarrett rolls through and comes back with The Stroke for the duke. After the match, Jeff Jarrett looks around to notice that the remainder of Nexus has gone missing. Cameras cut backstage to reveal that Nexus has migrated to the locker room and are mercilessly beating on Mason Ryan. Barrett tosses Ryan through a plate glass window, stares at the camera and tells the crowd that former, incompetent members of Nexus need not apply. Nexus leaves a bloody Ryan lying on the floor.
-Still to come tonight, Triple H to confront Brock Lesnar and security begins pouring out into the ringside area as SHAWN MICHAELS versus THE UNDERTAKER for the Deadman's spot in the Scramble is up next.
Back from break as Stephanie McMahon is backstage, knocking on the door to CM Punk's private dressing room and asking passersby if anyone has spotted Punk in the arena tonight. No one seems to have seen him.
SHAWN MICHAELS def. THE UNDERTAKER in a NO DQ Match to take a spot in the Championship Scramble
Match of the night. Going easily 25 minutes, this one came close to rivaling their Wrestlemania 25 encounter. Undertaker kicked out of Sweet Chin Music and a Diving Elbow Drop through a table and Michaels kicked out of the Tombstone. TWICE. HBK counters Hell's Gate for a very NEAR 2 1/2 count. Finish came as Taker sets up for the Last Ride, but Michaels lands on his feet behind Taker and stuns the Deadman with a desperation Sweet Chin Music from out of NOWHERE and picks up the three count. Michaels has STOLEN The Undertaker's spot in the Championship Scramble.
-After the match, HBK celebrates the victory and sets his sights on Punk's World Title. As the celebration continues, THE NEXUS storms down the ramp and BULLDOZES through security, throwing various guards into the barricade and off the stage into electrical areas. The Nexus moves down to ringside quite violently and surrounds Michaels, who still stands in the ring and the beatdown commences. Barrett drills Michaels with Wasteland in the center of the ring and Kingston hits a top-rope Boom Drop before Nexus leaves Michaels to waste in the ring.
BROCK LESNAR'S music hits and Michaels is utterly helpless, lying in the center of the ring. The Anomaly eyes his prey and tosses him from the ring to the floor. Brock hoists Michaels up on his shoulders and throws him to the ring post with an F5, shattering the knee. Michaels screams and flails on the floor, clutching at the knee. Lesnar rolls Michaels back into the ring and locks the KIMURA on the same leg.
The crowd roars as Triple H runs down to the ring with Sledgehammer in hand, but before he can reach the canvas, Lesnar snaps the leg in half at the shin and Michaels is in outright agony. The Game rages and swears over the fallen Michaels and grabs a mic telling Lesnar that his challenge at Over The Limit is accepted and promises that only one of them will walk from the ring under their own power. Hunter brandishes the Sledge and tells Lesnar that "Sunday at Over The Limit, you're not stepping into the ring with the Cerebral Assassin, not the King of Kings, not the COO, not even the GAME. Quite frankly, Sunday at Over The Limit, Brock Lesnar steps into the ring with the MEANEST SON OF A BITCH THAT HE'S EVER SET FOOT IN A RING AGAINST; WWE, OCTAGON OR OTHERWISE. AND I PROMISE YOU THIS, BROCK...ON BEHALF OF BATISTA, ON BEHALF OF SHAWN MICHAELS, ON BEHALF OF "THE NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR, ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE, HIS DAUGHTERS AND THIS WHOLE DAMN BUSINESS, I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS MATCH ANY WAY OTHER THAN AN AMBULANCE." Triple H stares down Lesnar from the turnbuckle as Brock has by this time jumped the barricade into the crowd as we go to commercial.
Back from commercial as Triple H continues to pace like a caged animal as Michaels is wheeled from the ring on a stretcher. In the midst of his rage, Triple H has hunted down and trapped The Nexus' Alex Riley, grabbing him by the back of the head. The Game screams "GET ME A REFEREE" and one comes running down the ramp.
TRIPLE H versus ALEX RILEY ended in a No Contest
Before he can even ring the bell, Triple H strikes Riley between the eyes with the Sledgehammer, busting him open. Hunter rolls to the outside and grabs a chair, plastering it over Riley's head. Trips violently tosses Riley to the arena floor and the Nexus' newest member crawls to the announce table for refuge. The Game isn't having it, though as he repeatedly bashes the ring bell over the back of Riley's head. Hunter smashes the television monitor into Riley's face and rolls him onto the now damaged announce table. Hunter sets up and yells "GET ME SOME EMTs" before plunging Riley through the announce table with a Pedigree. It appears Lesnar has awakened the dark side, the cold-blooded warrior that lay dormant in Triple H for nearly six years. Does Lesnar realize what he may have gotten himself into? The Game stands over Riley, shaking furiously.
We go backstage and The Nexus appears unfazed by what The Game has done to Alex Riley, as they are currently inflicting upon Heath Slater. Ziggler shoves Slater into the backseat of a car in the parking lot and Cody Rhodes peels across the parking lot from the opposite side, in reverse. The cars collide, leaving a wrecked, mangled mess and a helpless Slater almost certainly badly injured in the back. Barrett directs traffic and sends Kingston to the ring for his qualifying match NEXT.
Back from commercial as Kofi Kingston stands stoically in the ring. Out next comes RANDY ORTON and The Viper looks ready to do some inflicting of his own. The bell rings and here we go.
RANDY ORTON def. KOFI KINGSTON to secure his spot
Great back and forth match. Kofi actually held his own impressively for several minutes, even blocking the RKO and coming back with Trouble In Paradise. The ref was incapacitated from an earlier collision, however. Kofi tries to log the three count himself, but it's all for naught. Kofi scales to the top rope and connects with a Diving Cross Body, but Orton captures him, rolls through and comes up with a scoop slam attempt, but tosses Kofi over his shoulder with a STUNNING RKO. Orton covers Kingston and collects the three count.
-After the match, Orton backs into the corner and sets up for the Punt, Barrett and the Nexus frantically run down to the ring, but they're too late as Orton kicks Kingston's head off his shoulders. Orton stares them down from the ring apron as Barrett and company back off and drag the prone Kingston from the ring.
We get a vignette for Sunday's Over The Limit PPV. Stephanie McMahon is backstage still looking for the World Champion. Where is CM Punk?
-Still to come tonight, Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes of the Nexus with a chance to qualify.
TENSAI def. SANTINO MARELLA
Quick match. Santino squares away for the Cobra, but Tensai answers with a Choke Bomb and a Clawhold STO. Tensai connects with a Running Senton and picks up the three. After the match, Tensai continues the beatdown with the Poison Mist Clawhold. Santino squirms in pain as JBL comes down and nails the Clothesline From Hell. David Otunga, Epico and Primo join in on the beatdown when EVAN BOURNE, MVP, SHELTON BENJAMIN and R-TRUTH run down to make the save. They help Santino back to his feet and out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Back from break and J.R. and King begin discussing what has become of CM Punk.
We go backstage and Nexus is beating the hell out of Otunga. Former Nexus members, take heed. Cody Rhodes is in the ring as THE MIZ hits the ring for his qualifying match.
THE MIZ def. CODY RHODES to secure his spot.
A very bizarre occurrence in this match. Cody and Miz lock into a staredown and after several minutes, Cody develops a hypnotized grin on his face and throws his arms skyward. Perplexed, Miz locks in the Full Nelson and drops Rhodes with a Skull Crushing Finale. The referee logs an uneasy three count and The Miz picks up the victory. Having sacrificed himself to the cause, Rhodes lies motionless in the ring as the rest of the Nexus storms the ring YET AGAIN and begins beating down The Miz.
Barrett grabs a mic and says that they have obeyed orders all night and kept their distance from the ring for the duration of each contest tonight, only descending to pick the bones AFTER the match is over. Barrett says they're through following orders and that every member will be present at ringside for this final contest. Barrett demands that CM Punk show himself for the main event, so that he can take away the World Heavyweight Championship now.
CULT OF PERSONALITY blasts through the speakers and it's shortly accompanied by the blaring sound of a truck horn. Barrett and the Nexus look to each other nervously as an ENORMOUS TRACTOR TRAILER--A PEPSI TRUCK comes rolling down the ramp and Punk's riding shotgun with the World Title in tow. The truck crashes into the ring apron, rocking it off its foundation. Without warning, Punk dismounts the truck, grabs a GIGANTIC hose and turns it on full blast ANNIHILATING The Nexus with a powerful stream of PEPSI. J.R. and King are clear across the ring getting SOAKED. Ziggler, Kofi, Rhodes, McIntyre, the tag champions and yes, Barrett, himself are slipping, tripping, falling, just trying to remain on their feet as the ring FILLS with Pepsi. Ziggler and company eventually fall out of the ring and limp over the barricade, drenched in carbonated beverage. Punk leaves the hose blasting as he steps into the ring. Unbeknownst to Barrett, the ref steps in and rings the bell.
CM PUNK def. WADE BARRETT to secure his spot and remain World Champion
A dripping, waterlogged and sticky Barrett staggers directly into the path of a waiting GTS. Punk makes the cover and gets the surprising three count.
-After the match, Nexus is clearly in retreat as Punk turns off the hose. The World Champion climbs up on top of the Pepsi truck and holds the belt high above his head. The ring lies in ruins and the entire ringside area smells of Pepsi as the World Champion stands tall and RAW goes off the air!
WWE Smackdown Results 05.11.12
Tonight's WWE Smackdown comes to us live from the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, VA as Matt Striker and Josh Matthews welcome us to the show. We get a recap of Nigel McGuinness becoming the #1 contender last week and the subsequent assault on the Smackdown locker room by the Nexus.
Teddy Long makes his way to the ring to address a few orders of business including the fallout of last week's main event. The GM says that tonight there will be a DOUBLE MAIN EVENT that includes a 10-Man Tag Team Match between The Nexus and Brodie Lee, Samoa Joe, John Cena, Nigel McGuinness and the WWE Champion Bryan Danielson. The other main event will see KURT ANGLE go head-to-head with The Rated "R" Superstar EDGE; and to ensure that Kurt doesn't get any ideas about high-tailing it from the arena, the match will be contested inside a 15-FOOT HIGH STEEL CAGE.
Teddy announces that the Cruiserweight Title will be on the line tonight, a rematch from RAW between Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy will be taking place and after getting clearance from the GM's of RAW and ECW, we will be determining a new #1 contender for the Tag Team Titles in a TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL here tonight.
Damien Sandow cuts Teddy off. The "Self-Professed Intellectual Savior to the Masses" is supremely disenfranchised with the pathetic state of affairs that the WWE Universe is subjected to on a weekly basis, being convinced that this is "Entertainment". Teddy offers to head backstage and find Sandow an opponent if he wants to educate the unwashed masses so badly. Teddy tells him to stay put because his match is next as we head to commercial.
Back from break and Sandow is pacing in the ring like a caged animal awaiting his opponent and out come DDP to a RAUCOUS ovation. Page grins slyly at Teddy and heads down to the ring and the match gets under way.
DDP def. DAMIEN SANDOW
Solid opening contest. Sandow gets the jump on DDP as he rushed the ring, drilling him with a flurry of underhook knee lifts. Page regains control with a Discus Clothesline. Page feeds off the crowd’s energy, the WWE Universe firmly behind him in this match. Finish came as Sandow sets up for The Enlightenment and DDP counters PERFECTLY into a Diamond Cutter for the three.
After the match, DDP grabs a mic and tells Sandow to give him a call the next time he wants to feel the BANG. Page tells Sandow “You’re Welcome” and drops the mic, leaving Sandow lying before heading to the back.
Cameras head backstage and find Sami Callihan heading to the ring as we go to break.
Back from commercial and Callihan makes his way to the ring, in a foul mood due to his absence from WWE TV since before Extreme Rules and vows to get back into the hunt starting tonight. Callihan’s night goes from bad to worse as pink lights flood the arena as Teddy Hart makes his way to ringside.
TEDDY HART def. SAMI CALLIHAN
A very entertaining contest with high spots all over the place. Callihan stuns Hart with a Double Axe Handle and a pair of Boing Splashes that throw the Hart Dungeon Alumni briefly off his game. Teddy fights back in with Hart Attack 2.0 but can only get two. Callihan tries a third Boing Splash, but Teddy dodges and comes back with the Stu Hart Special in the center of the ring. Finish comes as Hart connects with Open Hart Surgery for the duke.
We head backstage and Jeff Hardy is in Teddy’s office, looking a bit confused, asking why Jeff Jarrett would be open to another beating tonight. Jeff Jarrett storms in and tells Hardy that he embarrassed him on Monday and that he plans to do the same to Hardy here on his home turf tonight. Jarrett leaves the office as quick as he entered as a bewildered Hardy looks on and we go to break.
Back from break and Jeff Hardy hits the ring first to a HUGE ovation. The Enigma hatches a plot to sneak an attack on Jarrett before the match begins. The referee looks on baffled as Hardy hides behind the ring steps. Jarrett swaggers to the ring and is met by Hardy as he springs to the barricade and staggers Jarrett with a flying clothesline from the guard rail. Hardy tosses Jarrett into the ring and the match gets started.
JEFF JARRETT def. JEFF HARDY
Hardy’s air game worked to perfection on Monday night, but it wasn’t as effective tonight. The downfall began as Hardy went for a Swanton, but Jarrett had it scouted and shoved Jeff from the top to the outside, sending Hardy’s skull ricocheting off the barricade. His balance and equilibrium disrupted for the remainder of the contest, the finish came when Hardy went for Whisper in the Wind and collapsed to the mat halfway up the turn post. Jarrett gathered Hardy up for the Stroke and picked up the three count.
Unfortunately for Hardy, the beating wasn’t over. After the match, Jarrett went outside the ring and picked up El Kabong. Double J takes a huge backswing and SHATTERS the guitar over Hardy’s skull, watching him crumble to the mat. Jarrett stands tall over the devastated Hardy with the splintered remains of his guitar raised high. EMTs immediately swarm to the scene to tend to Hardy.
We go backstage and get a split screen shot of Kaval and Mike Quackenbush walking to the ring for the Cruiserweight Title match as we head to break.
Back from break as we get the Smack of the Night featuring Quackenbush defeating Austin Aries and El Generico last week to earn this title match.
Justin Roberts introduces “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush for the next contest. Kaval enters next with the title locked firmly around his waist. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to kick things off.
KAVAL def. MIKE QUACKENBUSH to remain WWE Cruiserweight Champion
A HIGHLY entertaining match going a solid fifteen minutes or more. Chants of “THIS IS AWESOME” throughout the match. Quackenbush got the early start with a series of palm strikes and suplexes before Kaval dodges a Quackenbush kick and rebounds with a Tidal Wave. Quack connected with a QuackenSmash, but Kaval SOMEHOW kicks out at two.
Finish came as Quackenbush attempted Chain Lightning, but Kaval catches him and plants him on the top rope. Kaval answers with a shoot kick to the chest that drops Quack into the Tree of Woe and allows The World Warrior to connect with Warrior’s Wrath for the three count. After the match, Kaval helps a VERY game Quackenbush back to his feet in a tremendous show of respect and the duo gets another standing ovation.
Cameras head backstage and we see the Nexus setting up in their locker room for the ten-man tag match up next as we head to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of the path of destruction that Nexus carved through Smackdown last week.
We go back to the ring as Justin Roberts introduces the Nexus and Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre head to the ring. Nexus looks ready to create more carnage. Out next is Samoa Joe followed by John Cena, then Brodie Lee, Nigel McGuinness and finally the WWE Champion. A melee erupts at ringside with all ten men brawling at ringside as the bell rings to get this brawl started.
THE NEXUS def. TEAM SMACKDOWN
The ref finally restores order, leaving Kofi and Joe in the ring. Joe works over Kingston with an Exploder Suplex and an Ole Kick that sends Kingston flying across the ring. Joe tags to Cena who rockets across the ring with a series of shoulder blocks. All hell breaks loose again and the referee desperately tries to keep the match together.
Cena sets up for the Five-Knuckle Shuffle on Kofi, but gets jumped by McIntyre. Brodie jumps in and nearly kills Drew with a Big Rig Boot. Brodie assesses the damage, but Ziggler shocks Brodie with a ZigZag, eliminating him from the equation.
Before Ziggler can celebrate, Cena drops him with an FU. Kofi tags to Barrett, but Cena misses the blind tag and goes after Kingston with another FU instead. The ref informs Cena that Kofi is no longer the legal man and Barrett upends Cena with Winds of Change. Wade goes for the cover but McGuinness throws him off with Divorce Court.
Having seen enough from the outside, Cody Rhodes takes it upon himself to neutralize Cena on the outside and the two begin throwing fists on the floor. With the referee distracted by Cena and Rhodes, the action in the ring disintegrates into chaos. Nigel sets up for a Running European Uppercut on Barrett, but Danielson comes from out of NOWHERE with a beautiful missile dropkick from the top rope to the #1 contender. With Nigel left loopy in the ring, Barrett scoops him up and plants him in the center of the ring with Wasteland for the three.
As Nexus celebrates up the ramp, things get heated between their opponents. Cena accuses Joe of going AWOL during the most critical point of the match and a shouting match ensues. The war of words escalates to a shoving match and officials have to separate the two. Meanwhile, Danielson continues beating on Nigel and cinches in the YES Lock, but the #1 contender is able to escape the hold. Clearly favoring the wounded arm, it becomes an easy target for the bloodthirsty WWE Champion. Nigel begins exchanging haymakers with Danielson using the good arm and security has to break them up also.
Teddy Long storms to the entrance ramp and says he has seen enough of this nonsense. The GM tells them that there will be a contract signing for the WWE Championship next week and that at Over The Limit, Bryan Danielson will defend the title against Nigel McGuinness in a TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS MATCH. Bryan is LIVID with this ruling, but Nigel and the WWE Universe LOVE IT. We go to commercial.
Back from break and Teddy Long heads back to his office and is met by ZS3. Springate is furious about getting jumped by Finlay again last week and demands a rematch. A still riled Teddy Long yells at ZS3 and tells him that he knows DAMN WELL that Finlay is in no condition to compete this week, but that if he’s feeling Irish this week, he’s got just the opponent for him. Long demands that Springate get his ass out to the ring and get ready because he’s facing SHEAMUS next. Long storms into his office and slams the door behind him. ZS3 trudges frustrated to the ring.
We go to ringside and ZS3 makes his way down and Sheamus follows out next. The bell rings and here we go.
SHEAMUS def. ZAQUARY SPRINGATE III
Springate jumps Sheamus at the opening bell, but it’s a short-lived barrage. Sheamus battles back in and clubbers ZS3 with a blizzard of forearms to the chest and climbs to the top to deliver the Battering Ram. Finish came shortly thereafter as The Celtic Warrior connects with White Noise and the Brogue Kick for the victory.
After the match, Sheamus grabs a mic and tells a semi-conscious Springate that he’s more than welcome to start something up with Finlay again, just as long as he understands that it will always culminate on the receiving end of a Brogue Kick. Sheamus drops the mic on Springate’s face and walks out of the ring.
Cameras catch the New Age Outlaws heading to the ring for the Tag Team Battle Royal to determine new #1 contenders for the gold at Over The Limit. We go to commercial.
Back from break and the ring is quickly filling up with tag teams. The rules are simple, should any member of a tag team be eliminated from the match, both men are ineligible to continue. The last team left standing will be #1 contenders.
THE AMERICAN WOLVES win the Battle Royal to become new #1 contenders
Bodies flying everywhere. Match starts with a few early eliminations. Chris Hero hits a Hangman’s Elbow to send Frightmare to the outside and send Hallowicked to the locker room. Hero dodges a Superkick from Jimmy Uso and Claudio sends him to the floor with a Bicycle Kick.
Deuce N’ Domino attempt to make a statement by dumping the Dudleyz, but this doesn’t pan out. Domino falls to a Bubba Bomb and Deuce gets dropped with a picture perfect 3D before both men get tossed simultaneously. The Mexicools and LAX brawl in the opposite corner and manage to eliminate each other as Super Crazy tosses Homicide and Hernandez drops Psicosis from the match. Jigsaw superkicks Mark Briscoe to the floor and Jay Briscoe hits a Military Press into a Death Valley Driver to the outside. A four-way brawl ensues all the way up the ramp and backstage as we go to break.
Back from commercial and we’re down to six tag teams: Dudleyz, Kings, Wolves, Guns, Outlaws and Harts. The Harts are the first target, as all five teams hit their respective finishers. The Kings finally toss both Harts to the floor. The Dudleyz hit Sabin with a 3D and Bobby Roode drops Shelley to the floor with a Northern Lariat to eliminate MCMG. An old school brawl breaks out as the Dudleyz and the Outlaws go at it. All four men are simultaneously eliminated with clotheslines to the floor, leaving the Kings and the Wolves.
A game of one-upsmanship breaks out between Eddie and Davey as Edwards lights Hero up like a Christmas Tree while Davey tries to kick Claudio’s heart through his back. The Kings try for a Big Boot in Stereo, but Eddie ducks, leaving both straddled on the top rope. Finish comes as The Wolves Superkick both Hero and Claudio to the floor and become the #1 contenders for the tag team titles.
We go backstage as Melina heads to the ring for her match next as we go to break.
Back from commercial as Melina heads to the ring with her signature entrance. The A-List Diva hasn’t been seen since signing her new contract after Extreme Rules. Out next is The Glamazon Beth Phoenix. Phoenix looks ready for war as the bell rings and we get started.
BETH PHOENIX def. MELINA
Impressive showing by Melina in her first match back, gaining the upper hand with a Divastator. Finish comes as Melina sets up for the Primal Scream, but Beth somehow counters into a Glam Slam for the three and the victory.
After the match, Phoenix stands over her fallen opponent and appears to be right in the thick of the Women’s Title picture.
We go backstage as Kurt Angle is knelt in prayer, cradling his gold medals in preparation for the upcoming cage match. Cameras cut to Edge’s side of the arena as he rages around backstage and tears his way to the ring as we go to break.
Back from commercial and Teddy Long emerges, reading a prepared statement: “By order of WWE Chairman Shane McMahon, there will be an Invitational Showcase as part of the Over The Limit pre-show for former champions and non-champions alike. Participants will surround the ring and enter competition one-by-one until all other participants have been eliminated by pinfall or submission. The last man remaining will earn a shot at whomever holds the WWE Championship the following night on Monday Night RAW.”
The cage begins to lower as Edge hits the ring at blinding speed. The Rated “R” Superstar begins bouncing off the cage walls like a pinball, furiously awaiting Angle. Kurt hits the stage and hesitantly approaches the cage door, before finally stepping in. The bell rings and here we go.
EDGE versus KURT ANGLE ends in a No Contest
War. All out war. Edge started out beating the hell out of Angle in the corner and momentum shifted about ten times over the course of this Smackdown classic. Finish came as Angle attempted to exit through the door and Edge met him from across the cage with a CATACLYSMIC SPEAR that sent both men through the door, into the barricade and to the floor simultaneously. As both men lay unconscious, Teddy Long emerges and says that this feud will have a decisive winner, even if that means one of them has to go down in flames. Teddy books EDGE versus KURT ANGLE at Over The Limit--in an INFERNO MATCH.
Edge wearily crawls back to his feet and Spears Angle clear through the barricade with the last of his energy. Both men lie among the wreckage as Smackdown goes off the air.
Teddy Long makes his way to the ring to address a few orders of business including the fallout of last week's main event. The GM says that tonight there will be a DOUBLE MAIN EVENT that includes a 10-Man Tag Team Match between The Nexus and Brodie Lee, Samoa Joe, John Cena, Nigel McGuinness and the WWE Champion Bryan Danielson. The other main event will see KURT ANGLE go head-to-head with The Rated "R" Superstar EDGE; and to ensure that Kurt doesn't get any ideas about high-tailing it from the arena, the match will be contested inside a 15-FOOT HIGH STEEL CAGE.
Teddy announces that the Cruiserweight Title will be on the line tonight, a rematch from RAW between Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy will be taking place and after getting clearance from the GM's of RAW and ECW, we will be determining a new #1 contender for the Tag Team Titles in a TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL here tonight.
Damien Sandow cuts Teddy off. The "Self-Professed Intellectual Savior to the Masses" is supremely disenfranchised with the pathetic state of affairs that the WWE Universe is subjected to on a weekly basis, being convinced that this is "Entertainment". Teddy offers to head backstage and find Sandow an opponent if he wants to educate the unwashed masses so badly. Teddy tells him to stay put because his match is next as we head to commercial.
Back from break and Sandow is pacing in the ring like a caged animal awaiting his opponent and out come DDP to a RAUCOUS ovation. Page grins slyly at Teddy and heads down to the ring and the match gets under way.
DDP def. DAMIEN SANDOW
Solid opening contest. Sandow gets the jump on DDP as he rushed the ring, drilling him with a flurry of underhook knee lifts. Page regains control with a Discus Clothesline. Page feeds off the crowd’s energy, the WWE Universe firmly behind him in this match. Finish came as Sandow sets up for The Enlightenment and DDP counters PERFECTLY into a Diamond Cutter for the three.
After the match, DDP grabs a mic and tells Sandow to give him a call the next time he wants to feel the BANG. Page tells Sandow “You’re Welcome” and drops the mic, leaving Sandow lying before heading to the back.
Cameras head backstage and find Sami Callihan heading to the ring as we go to break.
Back from commercial and Callihan makes his way to the ring, in a foul mood due to his absence from WWE TV since before Extreme Rules and vows to get back into the hunt starting tonight. Callihan’s night goes from bad to worse as pink lights flood the arena as Teddy Hart makes his way to ringside.
TEDDY HART def. SAMI CALLIHAN
A very entertaining contest with high spots all over the place. Callihan stuns Hart with a Double Axe Handle and a pair of Boing Splashes that throw the Hart Dungeon Alumni briefly off his game. Teddy fights back in with Hart Attack 2.0 but can only get two. Callihan tries a third Boing Splash, but Teddy dodges and comes back with the Stu Hart Special in the center of the ring. Finish comes as Hart connects with Open Hart Surgery for the duke.
We head backstage and Jeff Hardy is in Teddy’s office, looking a bit confused, asking why Jeff Jarrett would be open to another beating tonight. Jeff Jarrett storms in and tells Hardy that he embarrassed him on Monday and that he plans to do the same to Hardy here on his home turf tonight. Jarrett leaves the office as quick as he entered as a bewildered Hardy looks on and we go to break.
Back from break and Jeff Hardy hits the ring first to a HUGE ovation. The Enigma hatches a plot to sneak an attack on Jarrett before the match begins. The referee looks on baffled as Hardy hides behind the ring steps. Jarrett swaggers to the ring and is met by Hardy as he springs to the barricade and staggers Jarrett with a flying clothesline from the guard rail. Hardy tosses Jarrett into the ring and the match gets started.
JEFF JARRETT def. JEFF HARDY
Hardy’s air game worked to perfection on Monday night, but it wasn’t as effective tonight. The downfall began as Hardy went for a Swanton, but Jarrett had it scouted and shoved Jeff from the top to the outside, sending Hardy’s skull ricocheting off the barricade. His balance and equilibrium disrupted for the remainder of the contest, the finish came when Hardy went for Whisper in the Wind and collapsed to the mat halfway up the turn post. Jarrett gathered Hardy up for the Stroke and picked up the three count.
Unfortunately for Hardy, the beating wasn’t over. After the match, Jarrett went outside the ring and picked up El Kabong. Double J takes a huge backswing and SHATTERS the guitar over Hardy’s skull, watching him crumble to the mat. Jarrett stands tall over the devastated Hardy with the splintered remains of his guitar raised high. EMTs immediately swarm to the scene to tend to Hardy.
We go backstage and get a split screen shot of Kaval and Mike Quackenbush walking to the ring for the Cruiserweight Title match as we head to break.
Back from break as we get the Smack of the Night featuring Quackenbush defeating Austin Aries and El Generico last week to earn this title match.
Justin Roberts introduces “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush for the next contest. Kaval enters next with the title locked firmly around his waist. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to kick things off.
KAVAL def. MIKE QUACKENBUSH to remain WWE Cruiserweight Champion
A HIGHLY entertaining match going a solid fifteen minutes or more. Chants of “THIS IS AWESOME” throughout the match. Quackenbush got the early start with a series of palm strikes and suplexes before Kaval dodges a Quackenbush kick and rebounds with a Tidal Wave. Quack connected with a QuackenSmash, but Kaval SOMEHOW kicks out at two.
Finish came as Quackenbush attempted Chain Lightning, but Kaval catches him and plants him on the top rope. Kaval answers with a shoot kick to the chest that drops Quack into the Tree of Woe and allows The World Warrior to connect with Warrior’s Wrath for the three count. After the match, Kaval helps a VERY game Quackenbush back to his feet in a tremendous show of respect and the duo gets another standing ovation.
Cameras head backstage and we see the Nexus setting up in their locker room for the ten-man tag match up next as we head to break.
Back from commercial and we get a video package of the path of destruction that Nexus carved through Smackdown last week.
We go back to the ring as Justin Roberts introduces the Nexus and Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre head to the ring. Nexus looks ready to create more carnage. Out next is Samoa Joe followed by John Cena, then Brodie Lee, Nigel McGuinness and finally the WWE Champion. A melee erupts at ringside with all ten men brawling at ringside as the bell rings to get this brawl started.
THE NEXUS def. TEAM SMACKDOWN
The ref finally restores order, leaving Kofi and Joe in the ring. Joe works over Kingston with an Exploder Suplex and an Ole Kick that sends Kingston flying across the ring. Joe tags to Cena who rockets across the ring with a series of shoulder blocks. All hell breaks loose again and the referee desperately tries to keep the match together.
Cena sets up for the Five-Knuckle Shuffle on Kofi, but gets jumped by McIntyre. Brodie jumps in and nearly kills Drew with a Big Rig Boot. Brodie assesses the damage, but Ziggler shocks Brodie with a ZigZag, eliminating him from the equation.
Before Ziggler can celebrate, Cena drops him with an FU. Kofi tags to Barrett, but Cena misses the blind tag and goes after Kingston with another FU instead. The ref informs Cena that Kofi is no longer the legal man and Barrett upends Cena with Winds of Change. Wade goes for the cover but McGuinness throws him off with Divorce Court.
Having seen enough from the outside, Cody Rhodes takes it upon himself to neutralize Cena on the outside and the two begin throwing fists on the floor. With the referee distracted by Cena and Rhodes, the action in the ring disintegrates into chaos. Nigel sets up for a Running European Uppercut on Barrett, but Danielson comes from out of NOWHERE with a beautiful missile dropkick from the top rope to the #1 contender. With Nigel left loopy in the ring, Barrett scoops him up and plants him in the center of the ring with Wasteland for the three.
As Nexus celebrates up the ramp, things get heated between their opponents. Cena accuses Joe of going AWOL during the most critical point of the match and a shouting match ensues. The war of words escalates to a shoving match and officials have to separate the two. Meanwhile, Danielson continues beating on Nigel and cinches in the YES Lock, but the #1 contender is able to escape the hold. Clearly favoring the wounded arm, it becomes an easy target for the bloodthirsty WWE Champion. Nigel begins exchanging haymakers with Danielson using the good arm and security has to break them up also.
Teddy Long storms to the entrance ramp and says he has seen enough of this nonsense. The GM tells them that there will be a contract signing for the WWE Championship next week and that at Over The Limit, Bryan Danielson will defend the title against Nigel McGuinness in a TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS MATCH. Bryan is LIVID with this ruling, but Nigel and the WWE Universe LOVE IT. We go to commercial.
Back from break and Teddy Long heads back to his office and is met by ZS3. Springate is furious about getting jumped by Finlay again last week and demands a rematch. A still riled Teddy Long yells at ZS3 and tells him that he knows DAMN WELL that Finlay is in no condition to compete this week, but that if he’s feeling Irish this week, he’s got just the opponent for him. Long demands that Springate get his ass out to the ring and get ready because he’s facing SHEAMUS next. Long storms into his office and slams the door behind him. ZS3 trudges frustrated to the ring.
We go to ringside and ZS3 makes his way down and Sheamus follows out next. The bell rings and here we go.
SHEAMUS def. ZAQUARY SPRINGATE III
Springate jumps Sheamus at the opening bell, but it’s a short-lived barrage. Sheamus battles back in and clubbers ZS3 with a blizzard of forearms to the chest and climbs to the top to deliver the Battering Ram. Finish came shortly thereafter as The Celtic Warrior connects with White Noise and the Brogue Kick for the victory.
After the match, Sheamus grabs a mic and tells a semi-conscious Springate that he’s more than welcome to start something up with Finlay again, just as long as he understands that it will always culminate on the receiving end of a Brogue Kick. Sheamus drops the mic on Springate’s face and walks out of the ring.
Cameras catch the New Age Outlaws heading to the ring for the Tag Team Battle Royal to determine new #1 contenders for the gold at Over The Limit. We go to commercial.
Back from break and the ring is quickly filling up with tag teams. The rules are simple, should any member of a tag team be eliminated from the match, both men are ineligible to continue. The last team left standing will be #1 contenders.
THE AMERICAN WOLVES win the Battle Royal to become new #1 contenders
Bodies flying everywhere. Match starts with a few early eliminations. Chris Hero hits a Hangman’s Elbow to send Frightmare to the outside and send Hallowicked to the locker room. Hero dodges a Superkick from Jimmy Uso and Claudio sends him to the floor with a Bicycle Kick.
Deuce N’ Domino attempt to make a statement by dumping the Dudleyz, but this doesn’t pan out. Domino falls to a Bubba Bomb and Deuce gets dropped with a picture perfect 3D before both men get tossed simultaneously. The Mexicools and LAX brawl in the opposite corner and manage to eliminate each other as Super Crazy tosses Homicide and Hernandez drops Psicosis from the match. Jigsaw superkicks Mark Briscoe to the floor and Jay Briscoe hits a Military Press into a Death Valley Driver to the outside. A four-way brawl ensues all the way up the ramp and backstage as we go to break.
Back from commercial and we’re down to six tag teams: Dudleyz, Kings, Wolves, Guns, Outlaws and Harts. The Harts are the first target, as all five teams hit their respective finishers. The Kings finally toss both Harts to the floor. The Dudleyz hit Sabin with a 3D and Bobby Roode drops Shelley to the floor with a Northern Lariat to eliminate MCMG. An old school brawl breaks out as the Dudleyz and the Outlaws go at it. All four men are simultaneously eliminated with clotheslines to the floor, leaving the Kings and the Wolves.
A game of one-upsmanship breaks out between Eddie and Davey as Edwards lights Hero up like a Christmas Tree while Davey tries to kick Claudio’s heart through his back. The Kings try for a Big Boot in Stereo, but Eddie ducks, leaving both straddled on the top rope. Finish comes as The Wolves Superkick both Hero and Claudio to the floor and become the #1 contenders for the tag team titles.
We go backstage as Melina heads to the ring for her match next as we go to break.
Back from commercial as Melina heads to the ring with her signature entrance. The A-List Diva hasn’t been seen since signing her new contract after Extreme Rules. Out next is The Glamazon Beth Phoenix. Phoenix looks ready for war as the bell rings and we get started.
BETH PHOENIX def. MELINA
Impressive showing by Melina in her first match back, gaining the upper hand with a Divastator. Finish comes as Melina sets up for the Primal Scream, but Beth somehow counters into a Glam Slam for the three and the victory.
After the match, Phoenix stands over her fallen opponent and appears to be right in the thick of the Women’s Title picture.
We go backstage as Kurt Angle is knelt in prayer, cradling his gold medals in preparation for the upcoming cage match. Cameras cut to Edge’s side of the arena as he rages around backstage and tears his way to the ring as we go to break.
Back from commercial and Teddy Long emerges, reading a prepared statement: “By order of WWE Chairman Shane McMahon, there will be an Invitational Showcase as part of the Over The Limit pre-show for former champions and non-champions alike. Participants will surround the ring and enter competition one-by-one until all other participants have been eliminated by pinfall or submission. The last man remaining will earn a shot at whomever holds the WWE Championship the following night on Monday Night RAW.”
The cage begins to lower as Edge hits the ring at blinding speed. The Rated “R” Superstar begins bouncing off the cage walls like a pinball, furiously awaiting Angle. Kurt hits the stage and hesitantly approaches the cage door, before finally stepping in. The bell rings and here we go.
EDGE versus KURT ANGLE ends in a No Contest
War. All out war. Edge started out beating the hell out of Angle in the corner and momentum shifted about ten times over the course of this Smackdown classic. Finish came as Angle attempted to exit through the door and Edge met him from across the cage with a CATACLYSMIC SPEAR that sent both men through the door, into the barricade and to the floor simultaneously. As both men lay unconscious, Teddy Long emerges and says that this feud will have a decisive winner, even if that means one of them has to go down in flames. Teddy books EDGE versus KURT ANGLE at Over The Limit--in an INFERNO MATCH.
Edge wearily crawls back to his feet and Spears Angle clear through the barricade with the last of his energy. Both men lie among the wreckage as Smackdown goes off the air.
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