Some notes from the April 22nd TNA Impact TV tapings:
Jeff Hardy was out performing his entrance music song when Decay came out. They laid out Jeff and were told they were paid to attack him but didn’t say who paid them. James Storm made the save, and said he wanted his tag title rematch with Jeff as his partner. TNA Tag Champions Abyss & Crazzy Steve then beat Hardy & Storm in a tag title match when a fake Willow distracted Jeff.
Jade went to a no-contest with Gail Kim when Sienna laid out both of them.
Al Snow did an interview heeling on the fans and said he was the Donald Trump of pro wrestling and would build a wall and decide who got in. Mahabali Shera then beat Snow when Grado interfered.
Mike Bennett said he wanted a match with Earl Hebner as a future Hall of Famer against a current one. Bennett then beat Earl Hebner, but EC 3 made the save so Bennett vs. EC 3 will continue.
Tyrus then attacked EC 3 which led to EC 3 beating Tyrus in a last man standing match.
DJ Zema Ion & Eddie Edwards beat Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett when Ion pinned Everett.
Fake Willow was out and Jeff Hardy attacked him. Hardy then beat Willow and went for the mask, but two more guys in Willow masks attacked Hardy. Of course, one of the Willows was Matt Hardy.
Sienna beat Velvet Sky in her final match with the company. They gave Sky a farewell live and posted on the website that she was leaving. It was described as a mutual departure.
Eli Drake interviewed Bram. He wanted Bram to just hand over the King of the Mountain title rather than even bother with a match. Bram refused, and Drake said he can cash in his briefcase and win it at any time. Bram attacked him and he ran away.
TNA World Champion Drew Galloway beat Bobby Lashley via DQ in a lumberjack match for the title due to outside interference.
Kids were into chanting ‘Lucha’ and not much else. Decent match with no heat whatsoever beyond ‘Lucha’ chants.
– Darren Young & Zack Ryder beat the Social Outcasts (Slater & Dallas)
Ryder pinned Bo with the rough Ryder. Comedy tag match. Basic and short.
– Cesaro beat Rusev
This was a long match Cesaro won after a 10 rep swing and a sharpshooter. Lot of power moves as one would expect. Cesaro worked over Rusev’s leg Bret Hart style to set up for the sharpshooter. Probably the best match on the show.
– WWE Tag Team Champions New Day beat Dudleys & Usos in a triple threat tag match to retain
End came when the Dudleys hit a 3D and Xavier stole the pin. New Day and Dudleys were super over initially. Dudleys did the whole tease the table and don’t deliver gimmick to get heat. Usos were booed surprisingly.
> During the interval, Jo Jo and generic announcer were hyping the rest of the card. Massive boos at the mere mention of Roman Reigns which was contrary to what I expected but it might simply have been a reaction to the fact that he was facing Sheamus later and he is the home town guy.
– Jack Swagger beat Tyler Breeze with the ankle lock in a short match
Neither guy was particularly over save for when Tyler did ‘the worm’. That got a babyface pop. A dad who had brought his kids that was sitting behind me asked ‘Is that Scotty 2 Hotty?’ which may be an indictment on the degree to which older fans are keeping up to date with the product today.
– WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte (w/ Ric Flair) def. Becky Lynch vs Sasha Banks to retain
Charlotte pinned Lynch with a rollup after a long match. Becky was over like crazy as the hometown girl. I was amazed that there was barely any pop for Flair but they didn’t announce him so that was probably a factor. Decent match but I had hoped for better. Lots of athletic spots from Charlotte (she really is a step above as far as being an athlete goes). Finish was Becky had Sasha in the disarmer, Ric grabbed Sasha, pulled her out of the ring and Charlotte rolled up Becky.
– WWE Champion Roman Reigns def. Sheamus
Sheamus came out first to huge cheers. Roman came out to THUNDEROUS boos. I have no idea why they booked Roman against Sheamus in Dublin. It was guaranteed that he would not be cheered against the local boy (there was an audible ‘You’re from Cabra’ chant at one point during the match). Sheamus did a LONG promo trying to make himself the heel. He insulted the crowd over a myriad of things, including the fact that we haven’t had a government for 7 weeks (this actually got a few cheers).
Eventually after a solid 5-7 minutes of Sheamus trying to make himself the heel, the crowd cottoned on and started to boo him but their heart wasn’t really in it. All it served to do was make the match a complete damp squib. A steady stream of people started to leave at about the 2 minute mark (which I’ve never seen at a WWE live event in Dublin before). The remaining crowd wasn’t really into either guy. I have no idea why they couldn’t just let Sheamus work babyface in Dublin. The crowd wanted to cheer him anyway and at least if they’d booked it that way, the match might have had some heat rather than a mass exodus of bored parents and children.
Submitted by Pierre Froide from the Accors Hotel Arena
– WWE Intercontinental Champion MIz (w/ Maryse) def. Dolph Ziggler
– Alberto Del Rio def. Damian Sando
ADR won with the cross armbreaker in a squash. After the match, ADR asked for a better opponent and issued an open challenge. Well…
– Fandango def. Alberto Del Rio via roll up in approximately 60 seconds
– Natalya, Alicia Fox, Eva Marie and Paige def. Team BAD (Naomi and Tamina), Summer Rae and Lana
End came when Paige got the pin on Tamina
– AJ Styles def. Chris Jericho with the Styles Clash
– Goldust def Curtis Axel
Accompanying Axel tonight? “Honorary Social Outcast member” Viktor. After the match, Outcasts attacked Goldust. R-Truth made the save and offered a handshake to Goldust, who accepted it.
– Big Show and Kane def. Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman
Strowman recieved a double chokeslam after the match.
– WWE US Champion Kalisto def. Ryback with the Salina del Sol
– Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn def. Triple H & Kevin Owens
Bellator 153 : Koreshkov vs Henderson is on Spike TV Friday night at 8 pm eastern from Connecticut. The show airs one hour earlier than usual and features the Bellator debut of former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson. He challenges Bellator welterweight champion Andrei Koreshkov in the main event. Bellator mainstay Patricio “Pitbull” Freire fights in the co-main and the show also features the return of “MVP” Michael Venom Page. Mr Cyborg even makes an appearance!
Show opens with a video package with clips of various MMA media talking about the signing of Benson Henderson, including Ariel Helwani, Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice. They made the signing feel very important. This led to footage of Andrey Koreshkov just destroying dudes. Really good opening that made the main event of tonight’s show feel like a big deal.
Like last week’s show, they are airing the fighter walkouts, which is a nice touch that separates Bellator from UFC. Sean Grande even talks about the MVP “character” but also puts over his fighting ability and style, saying that he vows to do something that fans have never seen before.
Welterweights Michael Page (9-0) vs Jeremie Holloway (7-1) (John McCarthy – ref)
Page has a huge height and reach advantage, as he usually does a 6 ft 3 welterweight. Holloway rushes MVP and gets floored with a punch flush on the face but he recovers quickly. Page with his hands down at his knees and throwing wild punches while Grande says he’s part Anderson Silva and part Bugs Bunny, which gets a chuckle from Jimmy Smith. Holloway clinches up on the cage and the fans boo so Big John breaks them up. Actually it was a low blow by Holloway during the clinch. MVP with a huge right and then throws Holloway to the floor. MVP with a reverse ankle lock and gets the quick tap. He then gets in Holloway’s face trash talking him after he releases the hold.
WINNER – MICHAEL PAGE (10-0) by submission (toe hold) at 2:15
Page gets some interview time after the fight. Says he’s working on his all around game. Jimmy Smith announces that it will be MVP vs Fernando Gonzalez on July 16th in London, which is the undercard of the Kimbo Slice/James Thompson fight.
Lightweights Brent Primus (6-0) vs Gleristone Santos (27-5) (Bryan Miner – ref)
No walkouts aired for these two. Ref Miner bears a slght resemblance to Scott Coker. Santos gets a couple early knockdowns and Primus seems to want to keep it on the ground but Santos stands up to get it back to the feet. Primus has 3 first round subs in Bellator so that would explain it. Primus does get it to the ground at 1:15 and working for a sub from his back. Santos to his feet and landing kicks to the body so Primus gets up as well. Santos is defintely landing more on the feet. Primus misses a takedown attempt badly at 2:30. Santos already tired 4:00 in as he’s been throwing a lot of punches. Primus starting to connect with leg kicks. 10-9 Santos but close
SAntos controlling the cage to start the round and still more active early. Primus hit with a low blow 2:30 in but doesn’t seem to want to stop fighting. Ref warns Santos and they start fighting again right away. Both guys throwing a ton of shots on the restart. Primus with a takedown attempt but defended well by Santos at 4:00. Primus with a nice punch combo, his best of the fight, at 4:15. Santos with a nice combo right before the bell. That was almost a 10-10 round but I’d give the slight edge to Primus so 19-19 after 2
Jimmy Smith has Santos up two rounds. Primus pulls guard early in round 3. Santos stands up and Primus tries to grab his foot but Santos gets away and they’re both standing again. Primus starting to land more punches and connects with a spin kick. Santos with a punch combo of his own at 1:45 that staggers Primus. Primus stuffed on another takedown attempt at 2:45. Santos lands a couple hard rights followed by a body kick and Primus is stumbling. Santos lets up, giving Primus time to recover and Primus gets a takedown at 3:45 and Primus takes his back. Santos rolls out but Primus still in his guard. Primus landing punches and elbows. Santos with a heel hook attempt but Primus escapes and postures up and then lands a hammer fist before going back into Santos’ guard. Primus ends the round on top to take the round definitively. 10-9 Primus, 29-28 overall but either guy could take it.
WINNER – BRENT PRIMUS (7-0) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)
Jimmy Smith scored all 3 rounds for Santos, which is questionable. Primus gets some mic time and asks for a top 10 fighter to help him move up in the rankings. He thanks God and Scott Coker for believing in him and letting him fight on the main card. Charisma isn’t exactly his strong suit.
Good pre-fight video package for the next fight. Ward is promising a quick explosive fight in front of his hometown fans. Bellator is back in this venue in October and Ward will get a title shot with a win tonight.
Welterweights Brennan Ward (13-3) vs Evangelista Santos (20-16) (Todd Anderson – ref)
These guys are big enough stars to get televised walkouts. Santos is better known as Mr Cyborg and is the ex-husband of Cristiano Justino aka Cris Cyborg. He is a former Strikeforce fighter making his Bellator debut and he once fought Nick Diaz. He’s also fought in Pride. Ward is a big star to the locals and comes out to Irish folk music with Irish flags everywhere like he’s on a Conor McGregor undercard. When Bellator did their UK vs USA tentpole show last year, he was on the UK “team” before turning American in his post-fight interview. This should end quickly as between the two of them, they’ve got 28 stoppages in 33 career wins, most of those coming in the first round.
Ward catches a Santos kick and takes him down right away. Cyborg with a heel hook and gets the quick tap.
WINNER – EVANGELISTA SANTOS (21-16) by verbal submission at 30 seconds (heel hook)
Cyborg says he’s after the belt and not much more in his post fight promo.
The “Fighters First” promo from last week aired again and it’s still great. Matt Mitrione’s debut was announced for Dynamite 2 in June against a Samoan fighter that I’ve never heard of. They are running tentpole shows in each of the next 3 months with regular shows mixed in as well so it’s going to be a big few months of fights for Bellator as well as UFC.
Featherweights Patricio Freire (24-3) vs Henry Corrales (12-2) (Kevin MacDonald – ref)
Both guys get walkouts with Pitbull getting AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as his song, preceded by barking pitbulls. Pitbull controlling the cage early. Corrales landing single punches from distance but neither guy doing much through 2 minutes. Pitbull with a takedown attempt at 2:15 and ends up taking the back of Corrales standing. He completes it at 2:30 and into mount quickly. Pitbull working for an arm triangle but gives it up quickly. Corrales works him back into guard but eats some elbows. Corrales to his feet at 3:45. Crowd booing heavily at 4:30 as neither guy has done a thing since they stood up. They have a quick punch exchange right before the bell. 10-9 Pitbull
Carl Seumanatafa is the name of Mitrione’s opponent in June. Announcers saying that Pitbull may have suffered a rib injury in the first round. He does seem to be very tentative. Nice punch combo from Corrales at 1:30. Crowd booing again at 1:45. Pitbull with cage control but neither guy doing much of anything, much like the main event of last week’s show, although this one has slightly more action. Pitbull connects with a flying knee at 3:00. Pitbull with a nice punch combo at 3:15 and then gets a takedown. Pitbull landing light punches to the body from the top but then stands up and locks in a standing guillotine and gets the quick tap.
WINNER – PATRICIO FREIRE (25-3) by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:09 of the 2nd round
In his post-fight interview, Pitbull says he was a “little hurt” after round 1 but he took his corner’s advice and submitted his opponent in Round 2. Says he’s the most complete fighter in the division and vows to take his belt back from Daniel Straus.
A prelim fight between Djamil Chan and Richard Patishnock aired next. Chan moves to 13-2 with a first round KO and looked really good.
Main Event for the Bellator Welterweight Championship – Champion Andrei Koreshkov (18-1) vs Benson Henderson (23-5) (John McCarthy – ref)
Henderson got to take his “Awesome God” entrance music with him from UFC and Koreshkov is out to the Russian national anthem followed by what sounded like the Imperial Death March. It would’ve been a great entrance song for Rusev when he was a Russian sympathizer. After bringing in Road Warrior Hawk a couple years ago, I was very disappointed that Nikolai Volkoff was nowhere to be found. Henderson is the huge crowd favorite and his “notable wins” record is the best lineup I’ve ever seen in Bellator.
Henderson giving up a lot of size here, although it’s not as bad as when he fought Brandon Thatch last year. Henderson staying on the outside, landing body kicks from distance. Koreshkov pushing the pace early. Henderson connecting with leg kicks as well. Koreshkov catches a kick and pushes Henderson to the ground at 2:15 but lets him back up. Koreshkov lands a hard body kick right after that. Koreshkov with a punch combo that backs Henderson up at 3:15. Henderson misses badly on a takedown attempt. Henderson continuing to connect with leg kicks, which could come into play later. Koreshkov knocks Henderson down with 10 seconds left and all over him with punches as the round ends. 10-9 Koreshkov
Koreshkov advancing again and Henderson with his back to the cage early. Koreshkov lands a spinning head kick and Henderson misses on another takedown attempt. Flying knee by Koreshkov and then a punch combo but Henderson weathers it. Another weak takedown attempt by Henderson. Henderson continuing to land leg kicks, but that’s all he’s connecting with. Another failed takedown attempt from Henderson at 3:15. That one was closer. Henderson missing wildly on his punches as well. Henderson with a body punch that seemed to hurt Koreshkov a bit and he gains cage control for a short bit. Body kick by Koreshkov staggers Henderson at 4:30. Cage clinch with 10 seconds left and Koreshkov landing punches to the body and head. 10-9 Koreshkov, 20-18 overall
LETS GO BENSON chants from the crowd to start round 3. Left hook staggers Henderson and he shoots for a takedown. Koreshkov landing elbows and punches to the head but Henderson won’t let go of his waist. Koreshkov with his back on the cage and Henderson just holding him there, not landing anything. Henderson with a couple of elbows to the head that connect. Koreshkov sprawls and landing hard knees to the body. They separate at 3:30. Koreshkov landing hard leg kicks as the crowd starts a USA chant. Spinning head kick from Koreshkov with 10 seconds left. Another round for Koreshkov, 30-27.
Koreshkov advancing to start again and landing leg kicks early. Henderson with a takedown attempt and Koreshkov sprawls out. Henderson ends up on his back and just misses with a hard upkick and Koreshkov backs off, forcing Henderson to his feet. Henderson wtih a takedown attempt that ends up in a cage clinch at 2:00. Henderson landing a lot of leg kicks from the clinch. Koreshkov gets seperation at 3:00. Koreshkov continuing to advance. Koreshkov knocks Henderson down with a punch but stays on his feet, landing punches while Henderson is sitting on the canvas. Koreshkov with a standing guillotine at 4:30 and drags him to the canvas but lets go quickly. Henderson to his feet at 4:45. 10-9 Koreshkov, 40-36
Benson’s corner told him “we’re down a lot” between rounds. Henderson with leg kicks to open and connects with a head kick. Henderson landing more this round as he has to go for it. Koreshkov looks as fresh as he did in the first and lands another spinning head kick. Henderson with a takedown attempt and Koreshkov sprawls out again. Koreshkov with a massive body kick as Henderson was shooting for a takedown. Henderson stayed down but Koreshkov backed off, forcing him to his feet. Henderson with another weak takedown attempt. Henderson landed a couple of kicks from his back and Koreshkov backed off. Henderson misses wildly with a punch and then drops to his back but Koreshkov having none of it and backs off. Koreshkov still advancing at 4:00 and lands a spinning back fist. Koreshkov drops Henderson with a punch but doesn’t go to the ground with him. Henderson connects with an upkick but Koreshkov in with a vicious knee to the body with 10 seconds left. Koreshkov with a guillotine right before the final bell. 10-9 Koreshkov, 50-45
WINNER – ANDREY KORESHKOV (19-1) by unanimous decision (50-45 x 3)
Both guys get interview time. Koreshkov says that his coach told him that he would win every round and he did. Henderson says he’s sad cause he doesn’t like losing. When asked what’s next, he was supposed to say he’s going back to 155 but instead said “I dunno, whatever the bosses say”. Announcers were pushing potential fights with Josh Thomson and Michael Chandler. Koreshkov will probably get the Koscheck-Daley winner next.
It’s been that kind of week for the UFC, publicly dealing with one of their biggest stars retiring and then un-retiring, and announcing they were pulling him out of July’s UFC 200 event due to him not showing up for today’s press conference and other promotional events. (That’s Conor McGregor, by the way.)
Without a main event and with Nate Diaz floating in the wind without an opponent, who knows what will be said at Friday’s UFC 200 press conference? Well, you will know if you watch the stream below.
Emanating from Las Vegas, NV, you’ll see women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and challengers Amanda Nunes, strawweight champion Joanna Jedrezejczyk and challenger Claudia Gadelha, lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and Eddie Alvarez, interim featherweight title contenders Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar, and heavyweight opponents Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne.
Action kicks off at 5 PM EST/2 PM EST. You never know what surprises are in store, especially during this week.
Here’s some notes for those watching this late via Dave Meltzer:
– The first major news is that White announced that Nate Diaz will fight on UFC 200 and have a new opponent. White said you have to show up for the press conferences and shoot the commercials, and said everyone here has better things to do. He said they gave McGregor every opportunity to be here.
– White said they don’t have an opponent yet for Diaz.
– White brought up that Jose flew in the day his sister got married, stayed here, and fighters have done this, said appearing at the press conferences is part of the job.
– Diaz said he came to fight McGregor and isn’t interested in anyone else.
– White said the fight is three months away which is why they did this this early. He said he wants Conor to fight but you can’t not show up. White said he’s ruling out Conor at this point.
– When the rumor of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP at UFC 200 was brought up, White said as far as he knows that’s completely inaccurate.
– Nate Diaz said that if he doesn’t get McGregor, he’s going on vacation.
– Dana White said they’re spending $10 million on promotion and shooting a commercial and said the production crew has been shooting the commercial the last few days and McGregor didn’t come.
– He said Aldo vs. Edgar will fight and the winner will fight Conor.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to discuss: Samoa Joe is the next NXT Champion, Conor McGregor is still not back on UFC 200, Josh Nason has a live road report from the NXT show, Dr. Lucha talks, yes, lucha, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
St. Louis, Missouri: – Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Gus Sonnenberg – Dorv Roche beat Abe Coleman – Pat O’Shocker and Ray Steele drew – Warren Bockwinkel beat Tommy Marvin – Lou Plummer beat Pat Fraley
1946
Denver, Colorado: – Everett Marshall defeated The Swedish Angel for the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title
1947
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Cliff Gustafson defeated Sandor Szabo to win the Minneapolis World Heavyweight Title
1949
Houston, Texas: – Sonny Myers defeated Danny McShain for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
1952
Albuquerque, New Mexico: – Pierre LaBelle and Juan Garcia defeated The Golden Terror and Danny Savic to the New Mexico Tag Team Titles
1953
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: – Danno MacDonald and David Johns defeated Paul DeGalles and Tarzan Potvin for the Northwest Tag Team Titles
1958
Dallas, Texas: – Rip Rogers (Eddie Graham) and Johnny Valentine defeated Albert and Enrique Torres to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles
1964
Los Angeles, California: – Dick the Bruiser defeated Fred Blassie for the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title
Salem, Oregon: – Nick Bockwinkel and Nick Kozak defeated The Destoyer and Dan Manoukian (subbing for Art Michalik) for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1966
Mexico City, Mexico: – Rayo de Jalisco and Santo defeated René Guajardo and Karloff Lagarde in a tournament final for the Mexican National Tag Team Titles
1968
Montreal, Quebec, Canada: – Johnny Rougeau defeated Ivan Koloff to win the IWA International Heavyweight Title
Fort Worth, Texas: – The Spoilers (Don Jardine and Smasher Sloan) defeated Billy Red Lyons and Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Tag Team Titles
1969
Portland, Oregon: – Tony Borne and Moondog Mayne defeated Karl and Kurt Von Steiger for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1973
Pensacola, Florida: – The Mighty Mongol defeated Bob Kelly to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1977
Dothan, Alabama: – The Wrestling Pro defeated Ken Mantell to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
St. Louis, Missouri:
– NWA Champion Harley Race defeated Ernie Ladd to retain the title – Missouri State Champion Jack Brisco defeated Lord Alfred Hayes – The High Flyers defeated Bob Brown and Mitsu Hata – Dick the Bruiser & Pat O’Connor & Rocky Johnson beat Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff & Jimmy Valiant – Gino Hernandez beat Bennie Ramirez
1979
Greensboro, North Carolina: – NWA Champion Harley Race beat Dino Bravo – Jimmy Snuka beat Ric Flair COR – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Paul Orndorff – Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones (win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his TV Title) – Moose Morowski & BJohn Studd beat Pedro Morales & Abe Jacobs – Leo Burke beat Mr X I – Nick Decarlo beat Tony Russo – Don Kernodle beat Dave Patterson
1983
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: – Hulk Hogan & Mad Dog Vachon beat Jesse Ventura & Ken Patera – Baron Von Raschke & Brad Rheingans beat Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan – Jerry Lawler beat Bobby Heenan – Joyce Grable & Wendi Richter beat Judy Martin & Velvet McIntyre – Wahoo McDaniel beat Ed Boulder – Buck Zumhofe beat John Tolos
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Leo Burke – David Shultz & Bret Hart beat Cuban Assassin & Mike Miller – Jim Neidhart ddq Kerry Brown – Bruce Hart & Davey Boy Smith beat Goldie Rogers & Mike Hammer – Mr. Hito drew Keith Hart – Hubert Gallant beat Shunji Takano – Norman F. Charles III beat Athol Foley dq – David Morgan beat Don Kolov
1988
WWF Saturday Night Main Event: Springfield, Massachusetts:
– Jim Duggan defeated Hercules by disqualification – Brutus Beefcake defeated Danny Davis – WWF Champion Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned One Man Gang (with Slick) to retain the title – WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition (Ax and Smash (with Mr. Fuji)) defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) by disqualification – Ted DiBiase pinned Don Muraco – Rick Rude pinned Koko B. Ware
1989
Portland, Oregon: – Carl Styles defeated The Grappler for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1996
WWF Monday Night Raw: San Bernadino, California: – Goldust (with Marlena) pinned Savio Vega to win the held-up WWF Intercontinental Title – Vader (with Jim Cornette) pinned Fatu – The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas (with Hillbilly Jim)) defeated Ken Paterson and Yoshihiro Tajiri – Mankind defeated Aldo Montoya
WCW Monday Nitro: Albany, Georgia: – The American Males (Mark Bagwell and Scott Riggs) defeated Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) by disqualification – Chris Benoit pinned Eddie Guerrero – Jim Duggan pinned Meng – WCW World Tag Team Champions – WCW World Television Champion Lex Luger and Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair (with Miss Elizabeth and Woman) and The Giant (with Jimmy Hart) by disqualification
2000
ECW Cyberslam: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – Rhino defeated ECW World Television Champion Yoshihiro Tajiri to win the title – Tommy Dreamer defeated ECW World Heavyweight Champion Tazz to win the title – Justin Credible defeated Tommy Dreamer to win the title
Eldon, Missouri: – Trevor Rhodes defeated Meng to win the World League Wrestling Heavyweight Title
2001
Jeffersonville, Indiana: – The Disciples of Synn (Damian and Payne) defeated The Minnesota Stretching Crew (Brock Lesnar and Shelton Benjamin) to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Titles
2006
Midlothian, Illinois: – Darin Corbin defeated Arik Cannon to win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
TNA Impact Wrestling ran a set of TV tapings Thursday Notes in Orlando, FL, for Pop TV that will begin airing on Tuesday, May 3rd:
Eddie Edwards beat Caleb Konley. This may have been a dark match.
James Storm cut a promo that he’s now a singles wrestler.
Jeff Hardy and Mike Bennett had a confrontation that led to a match that Hardy won by DQ when Bobby Lashley ran in and speared Hardy.
James Storm beat Abyss who was accompanied by the rest of Decay who had new looks. Abyss now has face paint.
Sienna (aka the debuting Allysin Kay, a 28-year-old vet of AIW, Shimmer, Shine, etc.) debuted and laid out Jade.
X-Division Champion Trevor Lee beat Mandrews
King of The Mountain Champion Bram retained the title in a match against Eli Drake, Jessie Godderz, Robbie E, and Andrew Everett. Drake attacked Bram post-match
Jeff Hardy wrestled Lashley. Drew Galloway was ref. Bennett interfered and they had a four-way brawl.
In a cage match, EC3 defeated Rockstar Spud. Bennett was out supporting Spud.
Les is back from his training camp weekend in New Orleans at Luke Hawx’s Wildkat Sports and ready to talk all sorts of things, like the camp this past weekend and the passing of Prince and Chyna this week. Les and Vic are BIG music guys so Prince was a major deal for both of them; after discussing Prince, some good health news for Louie Tillet, and the New Orleans weekend, we’ll get into the WWE career of Chyna. (10:46) Specifically, her time with HHH because it skyrocketed both of them to major stardom. How big a role did she have in HHH becoming a major main event player, how she influenced the role of women in wrestling, thoughts on her interaction with the male stars of the attitude era and more. We’ll veer slightly onto Conor McGregor’s current situation with UFC (40:23). No, we’re not MMA experts and we’re not spending a ton of time on the subject, but the story did cause a question about issues between wrestlers and promoters to pop into Vic’s head, so he’ll ask Les about it. From there, we’ll talk a little Trish Stratus, (50:43) who was honored recently at Cauliflower Alley and sneak in a story about the great Lance Russell (57:09) as well. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back today and it’s packed! Granny is back from her new BROADCASTING COMMAND CENTER!~!, or, as she noted, FROM HEAVEN with her usual Q&A and THIS WEEK IN WWE. Then, full reviews of NXT, Lucha Underground and Raw from Monday night! A packed and fun show as alway so check it out~!
