Pinfall Recall
The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard

WWE

Shawn Michaels considers retirement, JR now a color commentator

- F4WOnline.com is reporting that Shawn Michaels is seriously considering either retiring or reducing his schedule from full-time to occasional appearances following Wrestlemania 26. HBK has said recently that he wants to spend more time with his wife and children, and although he might not be fully retiring, he will be reducing his schedule with WWE pretty significantly after next year’s PPV.

- Todd Grisham and Jim Ross were the announcers during the Smackdown! tapings this past Tuesday night (scheduled to air this Friday). It a bit of a weird note, Grisham was doing the play-by-play and Jim Ross was doing the color commentary (the Jerry Lawler role, etc.). 

According to JR’s blog, he will continue this role at least for the time being.

Credit: wrestlezone.com

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JBL does a shoot interview, No Way out buyrate

- Don’t miss part one of a 50+ minute sitdown Studio Shoot Interview with WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield! After invading an MWF Board of Directors meeting, JBL joins Dan Mirade in studio to discuss his new energy drink company Layfield Energy, his career in WWE, his history at WrestleMania & much more!

- The buyrate information is in for WWE’s No Way Out PPV which took place back in February, and they show the event drawing 164,000 domestic buys and 274,000 worldwide, which is a 25% and 32% drop in buys domestically and worldwide, respectively, from last year. 

Credit: wrestlezone.com

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WWE hypes new show on WGN

- WWE sent out the following press release today:

EXPECT EVERYTHING WHEN WWE® SUPERSTARS ENTERS WGN AMERICA’S RING ON APRIL 16  

NEW ONE-HOUR EXCLUSIVE SHOW TO FEATURE WWE PERFORMANCES

NEW YORK, NY and STAMFORD, CT, April 9, 2009—Beginning April 16, WGN America and World Wrestling Entertainment® (NYSE: WWE) will team up for WWE Superstars, a first run, original program airing exclusively on WGN America, Tribune Broadcasting’s national Superstation.

The action-packed WWE Superstars will be produced by WWE and will feature WWE performances by Superstars and Divas from the entire WWE roster. The hour-long weekly program will provide WGN America viewers the chance to see WWE Superstars and Divas from all three WWE brands — RAW®, SmackDown® and ECW® — in one program.  WWE Superstars will be available in HD and air on Thursday nights in prime time at 8 PM and 11 PM ET (5 PM and 8 PM PT) with an additional airing on Sundays at 12 PM ET (9 AM PT).

Credit: PWinsider.com

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TNA

Kurt Angle admits to steroid use in interview

- The Philadelphia Inquirer is running a big article on Kurt Angle, discussing his career and next weekend’s Lockdown PPV, here are thehighlights…

On Taking Steroids and Being Suspended by WWE: “Have I used steroids before? Yes, I have, after I broke my neck and lost three inches in this arm and 21/2 in the other from loss of circulation. But I paid the price, both financially - I got fined $125,000 - and reputation-wise. I was a pure athlete, an Olympic champion. And all of a sudden, I’m like Kurt Angle the cheater? It really sucked. You can test me right now. I’ll come up clean. But there was a time when I did it.”

On the TNA Schedule: “It’s very grueling. There’s no time off. We don’t have an off-season. That’s why it’s so difficult on wrestlers. That’s why they break down physically. They try to rotate them in and out so nobody gets burned out. Except for me.”

On Who He Liked to Watch: “Roddy Piper intrigued me. He was always funny. The other wrestler I liked was Paul Orndorff. If those two weren’t on, I really wouldn’t watch.”

- You can read the whole article here.

Credit: 411mania.com

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That’s all for today’s Wrestling News Digest. Be sure to come back tomorrow for another easy to digest batch! Or, subscribe to our blog feed to get the latest Wrestling News, as well as our columns and podcasts, delivered right to your favorite feedreader. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact the Pinfall Recall team on the forums or by emailing them directly through the links below. 

Cliff Karklin (CK) - CK@PinfallRecall.com

Joshua George (JG) - JG@PinfallRecall.com

Robby Boydstun (RDB) - RDB@PinfallRecall.com

Milo Taibi (Milo) - Milo@PinfallRecall.com

Ed Battes (Ed) - Ed@PinfallRecall.com

Danny Charisma (DC) - DC@PinfallRecall.com

CK and JG are back to bring you more of “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard.”  We brought in team members Milo and Ed to join us in our crazy analysis of what was possibly one of the worst Wrestlemanias in years.  We talk about all the matches, tell you what they SHOULD’VE done, and then we continue to just have fun as per usual.  Get mind fucked and listen to the new shit

If you’d like to talk to other folks about the things you’ve heard, it’s very easy.  All you have to do is visit OUR FORUMS!

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WWE

WrestleMania sets WWE event revenue record

- WWE issued this press release today:

WrestleMania(R) Record Sellout

HOUSTON, Apr 05, 2009 — World Wrestling Entertainment(R) set a new record tonight at Reliant Stadium in Houston for the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, grossing $6.9 million in revenue. This is the highest grossing live event in WWE history. With 72,744 in attendance, the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania surpassed SuperBowl XLIII in Tampa (70,774 attendance). WWE(R) fans from all 50 states, 24 countries and 7 Canadian Provinces attended the pop culture extravaganza.

“The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania proved that everything is indeed bigger in Texas,” said John Saboor, Senior Vice President, Special Events, World Wrestling Entertainment. “The great city of Houston welcomed WWE fans from around the world and helped make WWE history as the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was our biggest ever.”

WrestleMania XXVI will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ on Sunday, March 28, 2010. Ticket information will be announced later this year.

Credit: 411mania.com

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Backstage thoughts on WrestleMania, JBL posts his farewell

- The feeling backstage to WrestleMania was that HBK vs. The Undertaker stole the show, Ricky Steamboat looked great at his age, and that HHH vs. Randy Orton came off “poorly”. Some feel that they will work to get the title to Orton tonight. Overall management was happy with attendance and gate figures, and the backstage mood was described as “good”. 

- JBL posted a WWE Universe blog after WrestleMania last night, with the title “JBL No More, Thank You.” The full blog can be read here, the following are some highlights:

“I don’t know what the future holds, never say never in life. But I have wrestled my last match. Months ago, I picked out this match. If Eddie Guerrero couldn’t be here for it then my dear friend Rey was the obvious choice, and I’m proud he was. I want to thank the WWE for a great career, for taking a chance on me and allowing me the keys to the car for a while. I will always represent the WWE wherever I go, I am proud of my 13 ½ years with the WWE. And, I am proud of the WWE for cleaning up a great sport to make it more healthy to everyone that is a part. However, I have no current plans on doing anything in the future on a professional level with WWE. I don’t plan on doing commentary, in fact; it hasn’t even been brought up to me. I don’t plan on being an on air character. I plan on starting the next chapter in my life, and closing the door on this one.”

Credit: 411mania.com

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WrestleMania buyrate could be affected by PPV glitch

- PWInsider.com is reporting that there was a problem with the HD feed (and possibly the SD feed) of the WrestleMania 25 pay-per view for all Comcast users. Comcast is the nation’s biggest pay-per view provider so this means anyone who ordered it and experienced that problem will get a refund and that could effect the final buyrate.

Credit: wrestlezone.com

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ROH

Ring of Honor bringing Flair to TV

- ROH issued the following press release:

Ring of Honor is happy to announce that Ric Flair has been added to the big ROH-HDNet National Television Taping this Thursday night in Philadelphia.  This will be a can’t miss event as the “Nature Boy” steps into the former ECW Arena in South Philadelphia for the first time.

Don’t miss the action this Thursday night at The Arena (former New Alhambra Arena), 7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148.  Bell time on Thursday is 7 PM.

Already announced is:

Main Event #1- Special Challenge Match
Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong

Main Event #2- Return Match
Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black

Main Event #3- World Tag Team Title Match
Kevin Steen & El Generico defend vs. Kenny King & Rhett Titus

Also signed to appear:

-”Nature Boy” Ric Flair
-NEW ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn
-Nigel McGuinness
-The American Wolves of Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney
-SHIMMER Champion MsChif
-The Necro Butcher
-Claudio Castagnoli
-Kenny Omega
-Jimmy Jacobs
-Dark City Fight Club
-Chris Hero
-Brodie Lee
-Prince Nana
Plus more!!!

Tickets for Thursday and Friday’s events can be purchased here: http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?1=1&catid=163&keyword=&alKeyword=&iCurrentPage=2

Credit: wrestlezone.com

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That’s all for today’s Wrestling News Digest. Be sure to come back tomorrow for another easy to digest batch! Or, subscribe to our blog feed to get the latest Wrestling News, as well as our columns and podcasts, delivered right to your favorite feedreader. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact the Pinfall Recall team on the forums or by emailing them directly through the links below. 

Cliff Karklin (CK) - CK@PinfallRecall.com

Joshua George (JG) - JG@PinfallRecall.com

Robby Boydstun (RDB) - RDB@PinfallRecall.com

Milo Taibi (Milo) - Milo@PinfallRecall.com

Ed Battes (Ed) - Ed@PinfallRecall.com

Danny Charisma (DC) - DC@PinfallRecall.com

ROH

PPV Results

Credit: Mike Johnson and Pwinsider.com/ 411mania.com

After several pre-show bouts, ring announcer Bobby Cruise announced there would be some changes due to injury and further updates would be coming.

Ace Steel vs. Colt Cabana.
There was lots of silliness early in the bout as both played to the crowd. They did a lot of counter wrestling. Cabana called for the flying a**hole. Cabana then caught Steel out of nowhere with a submission to get the win. Short but OK.

Your winner, Colt Cabana!

Both shook hands after the bout.

Rhett Titus vs. Bushwhacker Luke Williams
Yes, Bushwhacker of Honor has come to PPV. Titus was none too pleased and the crowd got all over him. Titus whipped Luke into the corner but was clotheslined. Titus begged off. They went back and forth with some silliness before Titus schoolboyed Williams and hooked the tights.

Your winner, Rhett Titus!

The crowd clapped to Luke’s music as he left.

Chris Hero & Incognito & The American Wolves vs. ROH Tag Team champions Kevin Steen & El Generico & Magno & Jay Briscoe.
The babyfaces stormed the ring before the bell. Magno and Incognito went into a nice Lucha exchange, which the crowd liked. Magno nailed a rana and then reversed a backbreaker attempt into a Lucha armdrag. Incognito nailed a dive. Kevin Steen and Eddie Edwards then officially started the bout. They began exchanging chops in the center of the ring. Generico tagged in and hit several kicks on Edwards, who tagged out to Davey Richards. Generico maintained control, pummeling him in the corner with punches. Hero tagged in but Generico retained control. Hero came back with a forward roll and tagged in Richards. The Wolves began tagging in and out as they worked over Generico.

Hero tagged in and kicked Generico in the face. The crowd tried to rally Generico. His partners led them in an Ole Ole chant. Generico fired back with a DDT and made the hot tag to Steen. The Tag champions cleaned house and then hit stereo flip dives over the top to the floor. Generico then hit an awesome springboard moonsault to the floor. Magno hit a twisting moonsaulty to the floor. Steen and Generico double teamed Edwards. Briscoe went to the top and nailed a splash for a two count on Edwards.

The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Hero went to the top but was cut off by Steen. Generico grabbed him and teased a brainbuster off the top but was fought off. Hero put on his loaded forearm pad and drilled Generico with it, but Generico evaded the shot. He went again for the brainbuster but this time, Hero nailed him. Generico fell backwards into the ring but kicked up at two.

Jay Briscoe grabbed Hero and pulled him into the ring. He nailed the Jay-Driller on Hero and scored the pin.

Your winners, Steen & Generico & Magno & Briscoe!

A fun eight man tag with some cool dives to the floor. Best thing on the show thus far.

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Necro Butcher
They began brawling and went right to the floor immediately. They went over the guard rails into the crowd. Necro slammed a trash can over Jacobs’ head. They brawled up the bleachers. Jacobs nailed Necro but Necro came back with another trash can shot, sending Jacobs down the bleachers. They returned to the ring, where Necro was busted open and bleeding heavily. Jacobs went for a chair shot but Necro stopped him, then slammed Jacobs on the chair. They brawled onto the floor again. Jacobs went to the top but Necro threw a chair at him. He grabbed Jacobs to bodyslam him off the ropes to the floor but Jacobs battled back. Necro and Jacobs battled atop the top rope. Necro tried to suplex Jacobs to the floor but Jacobs reversed it and Necro took a suplex straight off the ropes to the floor. That was insane.

They returned to the ring, where Jacobs tried to pin Necro. Necro kicked up at two. Necro caught Jacobs with a bulldog for a two count. Necro nailed Jacobs hard with the edge of a chair, creating a sickening clanging noise. They battled on the apron and Necro hit a death valley driver through a table at ringside.

Butcher brought him back into the ring and hit a top rope cross bodyblock for a two count. This is a fun match. Gotta love the plunder.

Jacobs nailed Necro with a low kick. He locked the choke submission on Necro as the fans chanted for Butcher not to tap. Butcher’s arm was dropped twice by the referee but he fought his way to his feet. Butcher nailed a sitdown tiger driver and scored the pin.

Your winner, Necro Butcher!

Now, THIS is how you use Necro Butcher. A fun, fun brawl.

They announced the next match was now going to be a Three-Way match.

Bobby Cruise introduced former ROH champion Nigel McGuinness. McGuinness was openly favoring his injured arms. The crowd chanted his name and then “Thank you Nigel.” He said it’s really difficult to stand in the ring and say what he has to say tonight. He noted he wasn’t dressed to wrestle tonight. He said he wanted to apologize that he couldn’t wrestle tonight. He said the last 17 months, he’s abused his body and soul to preserve the integrity of the ROH championship. He said that sometimes, that means he has the type of matches he has last night. He said that if anyone has something to say about that, they can meet him after the show for a little chat…and it will be the last chat they ever have.

Claudio Castagnoli made his way to the ring. He took the ring mic. Claudio shook Nigel’s hand after Nigel wished him luck in the three-way bout. Castagnoli then attacked him from behind. As he was beating on Nigel, Bret Albright’s music hit and he came to the ring. Blue Demon Jr. then came to the ring.

NWA champ Blue Demon Jr. vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright
Castagnoli and Demon went back and forth as Albright watched from the apron, so I guess they will tag in and out. Claudio nailed a tiltowhirl backbreaker on Demon, then antagonized Albright. Claudio slammed Demon into the turnbuckle. Claudio turned his attention to Albright, which gave Demon the chance to nail him from behind. Demon tagged in Brent, who nailed a twisting neckbreaker. He drilled Claudio with an uppercut, then ducked when Claudio went for a dive. Claudio went over the top to the floor. Albright followed and as they battled on the floor, Demon nailed a tope.

Albright went to the top and dove into the ring but was nailed with an uppercut. He set up the Ricola Bomb but Demon distracted him. Brent hit a German suplex from behind on Claudio and scored the pin.

Your winner, Brent Albright!

OK match but again like last night, I would have wanted to see Demon work more in his element and see what he had to offer. This really felt like just as it started to get going, it was done, sadly.

Alex Kozlov vs. Roderick Strong.
They started out fast with some good back and forth wrestling. String caught Kozlov with a Fall Away Slam. They battled to the outside, where Strong nailed a flying forearm off the apron. Kozlov took control on the floor and began kicking at Strong when they returned to the ring. They began battering each other with chops. They battled on the top rope and Kozlov superplexed Strong into the ring.

They continued to assault the hell out of each other with chops. Strong came back with a gutbuster and a superkick for a two count. Strong hit a running leg lariat. He then locked on the Stronghold Boston Crab variation for the submission.

Your winner, Roderick Strong!

Short but fun match. They packed a lot into the bout.

ROH champ Jerry Lynn vs. Erick Stevens vs. D’Lo Brown vs. Bryan Danielson
Brown and Danielson went face to face, nose to nose when Stevens and Lynn got involved. It settled down into Danielson and Stevens. Danielson went for a leapfrog but was caught in a Fireman’s Carry. Brown and Lynn had a quick exchange. Danielson got involved and they teased a confrontation with Brown. Brown got tossed outside. Lynn and Danielson faced off, then opted to hit stereo dives outside on their opponents instead.

Danielson and Stevens returned to the ring and went back and forth. Lynn nailed a tornado DDT on Brown. Lynn nailed a German suplex on Danielson. Lynn and Danielson went back and forth on the mat and Lynn cinched in an armbar. Brown came off the top with a frog splash for a two count. Stevens lifted Brown into the air, then nailed a lariat. He placed Stevens on the top rope. Lynn came from behind and powerbombed Brown into the ring. Stevens went for a splash but missed. They ended up on the outside, where Danielson hit a springboard splash into the crowd.

Lynn surprised Stevens and scored the pin.

Your winner and still ROH champ, Jerry Lynn!

Tyler Black & KENTA vs. Austin Aries & Katsuhiko Nakajima
Black and Aries faced off but Aries tagged out to Nakajima before anything major went down. Black evaded a kick and slapped Nakajima. He rebounded off the ropes but caught a dropkick to the legs. KENTA tagged in and the place went nuts. KENTA kicked Nakajima in the face and it was on as they started striking and kicking each other in the chest. Awesome! When they finished, the place erupted and chanted for ROH.

ENTA ducked under a kick and hit a running leaping leg lariat to the face. Aries tagged in and tried to dissuade KENTA from kicking him. They went to the mat for a nice exchange. Black and KENTA worked over Aries. Black went to hit a springboard but was shoved off the ropes to the floor. Nakajima nailed an elbow off the top on KENTA. They continued to go back and forth with lots of great wrestling.

KENTA hit a series of kicks in the corner. Nakajima nailed a flying forearm into the corner. KENTA went for a tornado DDT but Nakajima escaped and hit a spinning kick to the face in the corner. Nakajima went for a superplex but was slapped down and hit with a double stomp.

They continued going back and forth. Black caught Aries with a package piledriver variation for the pin.

Your winner Is Tyler Black

Discuss on our forum!

WWE

Hall of Fame Report

-Live from Toyota Center in Houston, TX

-WWE.com portion Hosted by Todd Grisham

-Todd Grisham welcomes the crowd, and introduces the WWE superstars in attendance to the live crowd.
Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr.

-A video package highlights the career of the Funk Brothers

-Dusty Rhodes handles the induction for the Funks, and comes to the stage getting funky like a monkey with Kelly Kelly. Dusty mentions Dory holding the NWA World Title for four years, second only to Lou Thesz. Dusty has kind words for Dory, but can’t say the same for Terry. Dusty says Terry always brought the fight to you. Dusty says Terry was extreme even before ECW. Dusty mentions that they were legendary all over the world even getting statues in their honor in Japan. Dusty mentions their wars, and how they both always called him an “egg sucking dog.” Dusty talks about the respect they have for each other and the fans. Dusty calls Dory a “shootist” and calls Terry “the last surviving outlaw in captivity.” And with that he introduces the Funks.

-Terry says after an intro like that he’ll never call Dusty an overbearing, obnoxious, egg sucking dog again. Dory thanks his father Dory, Sr. for training him, and tells about his father telling him after he won the World Title he had now accomplished the best a man can do. Dory says he has driven over 2 million miles, and flown over 3 million. Dory says he wrestled over 330 matches per year for several years. He says if he had the chance he absolutely would do it again, and that he loves pro wrestling. Dory says he loves working with love talent, and helping them accomplish their goals. Dory thanks the promoters, his peers, his family, his doctors, his attorneys, and both of his wives. He specifically thanks The Guerrero Family, The Hart Family, and Gene Kiniski who put him over the World Title. Dory thanks his children, and grandchildren. He brings up the six wrestlers who are wrestling in Wrestlemania who he trained Edge, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Christian, Mark Henry, and Mickie James. He thanks the Briscos, Keiji Muto, and to the WWE who had the sense to hold Wrestlemania in Texas. He says Texas is the only place to hold an event of this magnitude. Terry thanks his family, his wife, his children, and in-laws, and then thanks his grandkids. He says the grandkids want to be WWE superstars, but they have to get an education first because there is no room for dummies in the WWE. Terry thanks his mentors and peers, and then specifically ECW. He says he and his brother wrestled thousands of guys in front of large crowds and small crowds. Terry says he wants to go to heaven in a wrestling ring where he can have a battle royal that lasts for eternity. He’s gonna invite all of his wrestling friends, and all the wrestling fans because in heaven all the seats are front row ringside, but its BYOB. Terry thanks the fans, and tells them he loves them.

Koko B. Ware

-Video Package highlights the career of “The Birdman”

-The Honky Tonk Man handles the induction, and naturally shows up in the Elvis suit rather than a tux. Honky says he met Koko 30 years ago in a barn when he strolled in and saw a young athletic person having a person by himself. Koko asked Honky if he was here to work out, and asked him to get in the ring. Koko beat the heck out of Honky for the next nine months. Honky talks about Koko sending him to a horse trough to get a drink, and it was the same trough that the animals drank out of. Honky says Koko had the key elements of a superstar. Desire, dedication, and work ethic. Honky talks about JBL’s clothesline from hell, but Honky lets JBL know that Koko had a dropkick from hell. Honky says Koko taught him to take it, but he didn’t ever get taught how to give it. Honky says he thought he had it rough carrying a guitar around, but then he saw Koko with a bird. Honky tells a story about a promoter who didn’t want Frankie to appear. Koko told Honky he would never do another show without Frankie, because the fans didn’t care about him only the bird. Honky says tonight isn’t about the bird, but its about him and brings out Koko.

-Koko comes out with Frankie in hand and his trademark sunglasses. Koko says it’s good to be back in the WWE one more time. He thanks Honky for the kind words, and then thanks God. Koko says it’s so good to be walking on the ground rather than the ground walking on him. Koko says he was born in a small town of Union City, TN and how much it has grown. He played baseball and football, but was a big wrestling fan. Koko says he went to the wrestling matches every Thursday night in Union City. He says it was what he always wanted to do. He met Plyboy Frazier (Uncle Elmer), and he told Jerry Lawler about him. He met Lawler at a Friday Night event and that started his career. He was in Memphis for five years before moving out of the territory. He then got a call from the WWE, and it was Howard Finkel. He says he didn’t believe it, but Howard told him Vince McMahon wanted to talk to him about being in the WWE. He accepted the invitation, and Vince asked if he wanted to add anything to his name. He showed Vince a picture of him and a bird, and that’s when he became the Birdman. He thanks his wife and kids. He thanks the wrestlers, managers, and promoters who helped him during his career. He thanks all of his friends and family in Tennessee, and finally thanks the WWE for giving him the opportunity to share his wrestling talent with all of the fans. It should be mentioned the real star of this speech was Franky who squaked the whole time and actually walked right over Koko’s speech papers. Funny stuff.

The Von Erich Family

-Video Package highlights The Von Erichs

-Famous Von Erich family rival Michael “P.S.” Hayes handles the induction, and his ridiculous cowboy hat must be noted. Hayes says with all due respect to the iconic and legendary families of Texas, the Guerreros and The Funks, that no family had more of an impact in the transition from wrestling to sports entertainment than the Von Erichs. Hayes talks about the transformation from Jack Adkisson to Fritz Von Erich. He talks about the boys athletic accomplishments in school, but they weren’t satisfied with that. They wanted to follow in their father’s footsteps, and become stars in wrestling. Hayes talks about the evolution of WCCW, and how Fritz got heat for featuring his sons. He says that all changed Christmas Night in ‘82 when the Freebirds turned on Kerry which set up “the greatest tag team rivalry in wrestling history.” Hayes’s words not mine. He says the Von Erich’s were loved by fans all over the world, and they loved the fans right back just as much. Hayes then brings out Kevin Von Erich.

-Kevin says “God Bless Texas” and then thanks Michael Hayes. Kevin says if it looked fun to do that’s because it was. He says wrestling provided some of the finest memories of his life. Kevin talks about making $35 a night wrestling in Houston. Kevin talks about wrestling being the best form of entertainment in the world, and says he is in amazement at how much the business has grown. Kevin says he wishes his brothers and father was here, but don’t think he’s alone. His fellow wrestlers are like his family. Kevin talks about his final wrestling tour in Africa and how he didn’t want to do it as it was right after Kerry’s death. The wrestlers treated him family and helped him through that time. He talks about Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy, and how beating on someone every night brings you closer. Kevin says a lot of people say “poor Kev” but they should say lucky Kev because of the fantastic memories he has. He says the Von Erich’s live through his sons, and also thanks his daughters. He also thanks his wife of 31 years Pam. Kevin says he wishes he had more time, but he can’t name names because he’d leave someone off. Kevin says he’s proud to be apart of the WWE, and tomorrow we’ll see a show like no other.

Howard Finkel

-Howard gets a hilarious highlight package.

-Mean Gene Okerlund is out to handle the induction. Gene says he wants to talk about a man who made his career holding a mic, and is adored by fans worldwide. But enough about him. Oh that Okerlund. Gene talks about Fink being the longest tenured WWE employee, and how he came up with the phrase “Wrestlemania.” Okerlund says Fink is a walking encyclopedia, and how he uses his knowledge to contribute to wwe.com. That brings out Finkel.

-Howard starts out of with a big “GOOD EVENING HOUSTON!” Fink says this is the highlight of his career. He says he never thought he would take his voice, and combining it with his love of the business to become a ring announcer. Fink says he can’t count all of the matches he’s done, but he treated them all as if they were the main event. Howard talks about his first appearance in 1977, and how that evolved into a fan telling him in the early 80’s that a fan told him the world was soon going to know what they already do. That he was the best in the world at what he does. Finkel talks about how he never thought he was the star of the show, but rather just a cog of the wheel. Fink says there is no better group of athletes and entertainers in the world than the WWE superstars. Fink says he was a Bushwacker, an APA member, Jericho’s lackey, and Harvey Whippleman’s opponent. He calls it his greatest match, and then remembers it was only his one. Finally he says it has been the time of his life, and how he’s announced some of the greatest of all time as New World Champion. Howard then gives himself that same thrill, by announcing that he is the NEW inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.

“Cowboy” Bill Watts

-Highlights of the career of Watts as both a wrestler and promoter.

-Jim Ross handles the induction of his fellow Oklahoman. Ross says it’s always good to hear “Boomer Sooner” in Texas. He says it’s always an honor to induct a boyhood hero and mentor into the hall of fame. JR talks about Watts’ career at OU, and his NFL career with the Vikings and Oilers. Wahoo McDaniel talked Watts into trying wrestling, and three years later he was main eventing MSG for Vince, Sr. JR talks about the different territories that Watts worked for. He talks about a Navy SEAL that Watts got into a fight with in California, and how the SEAL lost his eye and Watts ATE IT!?! Ross moves on to Watts’s career as a booker with Mid South, and then later on the owner. He brings up Watts’ fines, and how he was famous for them. He says a rule was no breaking up fights in the locker room, and talked about how if you went to the bar and lost a fight to a civilian you were fired. Ross says every day he worked for Bill he demanded perfection. He had to give 100% to the business and to the fans. Being okay or average was not acceptable. He says his first six months in the business he thinks Watts gave him a wrestling name of Dumb Ass. Ross says he’s a better man for having worked for Bill Watts. He says Watts was Vince Lombardi or Bill Parcells-like in his approach. That brings out Watts.

-Watts says he hired Jim out of college, and he started at rock bottom putting up the ring and refereeing. He says he’s very proud of JR, and how hard he worked to earn his position. Watts says he’ll be 70 on May 5th and this is a great birthday present. Watts introduces his daughter, and her children. Then he introduces son Erik Watts and his children. Watts talks about how WWE is becoming the historian of wrestling history, and how happy he is to be involved. He asks what took them so long to get him here. Watts says wrestling is in great hands with the current group of WWE superstars and the company itself. He talks about being Sooner born, and how OU and Texas is the greatest rivalry in the business. He talks about Danny Hodge, and his amateur accomplishments. He talks about the Brisco Brothers. He talks about how his first partner Wild Red Berry confused him for Dick Hutton, and how he called him “Big Dick Watts” on national TV. Watts says Berry went back to Vince, Sr. and told him he was going to be a star. He says since he was from Oklahoma he had to be a cowboy and all he needed was a hat. Watts talks about wrestling Kowalski and Sammartino. Watts says Sammartino was the strongest man in wrestling at the time, and says that his bench press was 585 at the time and he didn’t even know what a steroid was. Watts goes on to talk about several more WWWF wrestlers he worked with, and how he met Ernie Ladd. He talks about Ladd being one of his closest friends, and how he cried for four days when he died. He goes in to his promoting career, and talks about Simmons winning the World Title being one of the proudest moments of his career. He talks about JYD, and how he never realized how much he loved him until he was dead. He mentions several more African American stars that he worked with. He talks about the men who he worked with as a promoter. Gordon Solie, Dusty Rhodes, Paul Boesch, Eddie Graham, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Dick Murdoch, and Jim Duggan. He tells a story about Duggan having blood poisioning from a bump into the ringpost, but still making his bookings because Watts insisted until Hacksaw’s wife intervened. He mentions Andre who he thinks is having a drinking contest with Dick Murdoch somewhere. He says anyone can do it if they do it their way. Watts says this is the highlight of his career, and thanks the fans who he calls the real hall of famers. He says this will remain the highlight until he dies, and he gets to meet his hero Jesus Christ. He closes by telling the fans to watch out for flying chairs.

-USA Network Segment Hosted by Jerry “The King” Lawler

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

-Lawler brings out Ric Flair to handle the induction of Ricky Steamboat. Flair shows off his rolex, so I guess Jericho didn’t break it after all. Flair talks about what an honor it was to be inducted last year, and calls tonight a great honor as well. He calls Steamboat his greatest opponent of all time.

-Video Package for Steamboat

-Flair says over his 36 year career he stepped inside the ring with the greatest stars in wrestling, but his greatest opponent was Ricky Steamboat. Flair calls him a fans wrestler, and says he embodied what a true good guy should be. He says Steamboat always signed autographs for fans, and looked great. He says the girls loved Steamboat, and that he was a great performer in the ring. Flair says guys like Steamboat are what made him a legend, and they wrestled close to 2000 times without a bad match. Flair says the 1989 matches were good, but the 70’s matches were even better. Sadly with no cameras those matches are confined to the fans in the arena. He says Steamboat was an unbelievable performer. He says they shared blood, sweat, and tears and loved every minute of it. Both men settled down in Charlotte and raised their families. Both men now have sons who are training to be wrestlers and continue the great Flair-Steamboat rivalry. Flair again calls Steamboat the purest good guy who ever walked the aisle, and brings out Steamboat.

-Steamboat hugs Flair, and then they lock up one more time to the delight of the crowd. He fights back tears as he begins his speech. He says he’s humbled with what he’s been blessed with. He talks about a young man who he spoke with on a plan who was about 6-3 or 6-4 and very respectful of him. He always checked on him to ensure that Steamboat was comfortable. He talked to Ricky about a variety of things and impressed him to the point where he knew the kid had it. Steamboat says he had it then, and he has it more so now, and points out that the kid was Triple H. He says his rewards are not measured in wins and losses, but in the performance. He says every time he worked with Flair he was pushed to the limit because there was no other way. Flair took him to school every night. He brings up Greg Valentine, Blackjack Mulligan, The Briscoes, Sgt. Slaughter, Don Muraco, Jake Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, and Roddy Piper. He pauses to call out Jericho and says Piper, Snuka, and himself will take Jericho to school tomorrow. He goes back to the thank you’s to Bret Hart, Randy Savage, Harley Race, Arn Anderson, and the guy who he had his final match with Steve Austin. Steamboat says he pushed those guys, but they all pushed back. Steamboat thanks Jim Ross for the commentary on his match. He says a carpenter is only as good as the tools he has to work with, and he had some great guys to work with. Steamboat thanks all of the superstars who he worked with over the years. He calls out to Mickey Rourke in the audience and says tonight is his Oscar. He says he is proud and humbled to be a hall of famer, and gives one final thank you to the fans.

-Lawler calls out Shawn Michaels, and then we get a video preview of tomorrow night’s Undertaker-HBK match courtesy of the “Legends of Wrestlemania” video game. Lawler then brings out Mean Gene Okerlund introduces a recap of the previous inductees we saw on wwe.com.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

-Lawler says our final inductor needs no introduction, but if he doesn’t give him one he’ll get fired. He then hilariously pulls a piece of paper out of his jacket, and introduces Vince as the “Best boss anyone could ever work for.” Vince says Austin and he have a strange relationship. It’s a love-hate relationship. Vince loves Austin, and Austin hates Vince. Vince goes through all of the different things that Austin has done to him over the years. Vince calls Austin the greatest WWE superstar of all time. Take THAT Hogan!

-Video package highlighting the career of Austin

-Vince busts out the old announcer Vince voice and brings out Austin. They even share a handshake on the stage. He should have stunned him. Long standing ovation for Austin and it was most likely edited down for the TV broadcast like Flair’s last year. Austin says he doesn’t like to get dressed up, and he got his suit from The Men’s Warehouse in Los Angeles. He says the commercials say “you’ll like the way you look,” but he had a button pop off so now he’s going into the hall of fame in front of all these people and his button popped off because of the Men’s Warehouse. Austin says its very easy for him to go into an arena and cut a promo, and the business has been a big part of his life. He says he watched the intro video at least 50 times trying to find the words to express how he feels. He wants everyone to know if he fails in conveying those feelings that to every person who came to see Steve Austin thank you for sticking with him. He says as high as he went, or he’d get an injury, or a divorce, or take his ball and go home the fans always took him back. He says its been a pleasure and a privilege to make a living in the squared circle. Crowd chants “one more match” and Austin casually says “I dunno about that.” He brings up his family, and what they did when he was growing up. He always wondered what he’d be, and when he took his aptitude test in high school his test told him he’d make a real swell Park Ranger. Austin says that wasn’t going to work for him so he became a wrestler. He says he’s met some of the greatest people he’s ever met in wrestling, and by that token he’s met some bad ones too. Austin says he wants to close the door on his wrestling career, but he doesn’t want to close the door on his fans. He says as he moves on to the movie industry he wants the fans to be able to support him, and he’ll do whatever he can to entertain the fans as best he can. He says he could talk for another hour, but he needs to wrap it up so the superstars and divas can get a good night’s rest or get started on a cold drink. He thanks the fans one last time and tells them he loves them. And that’s the bottom line ‘cause Stone Cold said so. Austin then downs a couple cold ones on stage, and then possibly symbolically tosses one to John Cena as confetti flies and we’re out. Any doubt on if Austin is ever wrestling again should have been settled in that speech.

credit: 411mania.com

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Wrestlemania 25 Results!

Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker steal the show while John Cena wins the World Title and Triple H holds on to the WWE Title! Get all the details on WWE’s biggest show of the year with our full report!

Greetings, humanity! Welcome to the WRESTLEMANIA edition of 411’s PPV Report. I’m Chris Lansdell and I am STOKED. It’s MANIA, BABY! Let’s get it on!

PYRO!

They have the Fink doing the ring annoucing! We’re off to an epic win! Nicole She’sahumdinger butchers America the Beautiful and…guess what? IT’S MANIA BABY!

Money in the Bank Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay

Two years in a row huh? My boy Punk jerks that curtain. Boo-urns, Fink only did the opening. Henry has “SHS” on his signet, Sillsby High School maybe? Finlay appears to have robbed the Mad Max prop closet for his ring jacket. I hope the ladders are reinforced or Mark Henry may just die.

We’re underway! Early on we get Henry and Kane are slugging it out in the ring while everyone else is outside. Avalanche by Henry and he poses, only to get taken out with a laddere shot from Christian and Shelton. Another for Kane! They try to get Kofi but he jumps OVER the ladder and takes them both out! BIG boot from Kane to Finlay. Henry and Kane are the first to climb (REINFORCED LADDER!) but a gang bang stops that. We have 5 men on ladders! Kane and Henry put a quick end to that and drop both ladders, then go back to hurting each other. Kane throws Henry out then throws an extra ladder after him. Kane tries to climb but Henry takes the ladder down. He tries to throw the ladder at Finlay’s head, but mercifully Finlay ducks and takes Henry out. TOPE to the outside by Finlay, taking out Kane and Shelton! CHRISTIAN flies! MVP with a somersault senton to the outside into the crowd! Punk and Kofi confer, then both hit topes to the outside! SHELTON IS ON TOP OF THE FUCKING LADDER!!!!! SWANTON BY SHELTON and Jesus H Christ Shelton is dead. He either landed on his head or on Kofi’s leg, neither result is preferable. HENRY IS CLIMBING TO THE TOP! No, dear God no! Finlay saves everyone’s life with a shillelagh shot to Henry, and now Hornswaggle has a ladder! A short one, of course. TADPOLE SPLASH to the outside off the back of Henry! Finlay fetches a ladder and he’s all alone! Kofi tires to come back in, his leg seems OK thank God. Finlay cuts him off and tries to climb, but Kofi jumps THROUGH the ladder with a dropkick, then rams it into Finlay’s head! Kofi charges but Finlay gets the short ladder up into his face. Finlay takes the short ladder to everyone and once again he’s alone. Kofi crawls over and gets kicked off by Kofi. Kofi climbs but Henry just tips the ladder over. Headbutt to Kofi. Henry goes to set up the ladder and KOFI CLIMBS IT WHILE HENRY HOPLDS IT! Beautiful! Henry tips the ladder and Kofi turns it into a splash…CAUGHT by Henry! WORLD”S STRONGEST SLAM TO THE LADDER!!! Kofi dead. MVP uses a ladder as a spear on Henry, and then takes it to Benjamin. A ladder gets wedged horizontally, Benjamin tries a springboard rana off the horizontasl ladder but MVP catches him with a powerbomb! MVP climbs and is taken out by Punk! Punk is close! Christian intercepts but Punk regains control…No way! GTS on the ladder…no! UNPRETTIER off the ladder!!! MVP climbs again…hot damn Benjamin runs up TWO ladders from the floor to take MVP out! Botched sunset bomb off the ladder, but who cares. POWERBOMB by Shelton to MVP, over the top rope and into a crowd on the outside! Christian and Shelton are battling over the ladders now, both men had their hands on it, the ladder tips and Shelton goes to the outside!!! Christian keeps his balance with one foot on the top rope, then rights the ladder! THAT WAS AWESOME. He’s there PUNK!!!! Springboard to the ladder and takes Christian out! No, Christian has Punk dangling like last year!!! KANE saves the day again, now Kane climbs. Punk is up! GOOZLE to Punk! Punk kicks him off, and HE HAS IT!!! YES!!!

Winner: CM Punk

KID KASH IS ON WRESTLEMANIA! Oh, my bad. Kid Rock. This could be the tag title match. I used to be indifferent to Kid Rock, and now I dislike him intensely.

25-Diva “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal: Known Participants - Melina, Maryse, Mickie James, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, Maria, Eve Torres, Katie Lea Burchill, Beth Phoenix, Layla El, Rosa Mendes, Candice Michelle, Natalya Neidhart, Jillian Hall, Tiffany, Sunny, Torrie Wilson, Molly Holly, Victoria and Jackie Gayda-Haas

Santino is clearly in the ring in drag. Mae Young and Candace are at ringside. Rosa is first out, and…I have no idea who’s who. They didn’t announce anyone and they’re not calling the match. Neiither am I, they’re just catfighting. Sunny and Torrie are gone, confirmed by JR. VICTORIA eliminated Maria, just to make Sforcina happy. Gail Kim eliminates Jillian and fucks up to eliminate herself too. Beth takes Kelly out after a beautiful handsrping. MOLLY HOLLY is gone too! Beth is dominant, throwing everyone out, and it’s obvious Santino will take her out last. Maryse is gone, last 5 are Mickie, Michelle, Beth, Melina and Santina. Mickie and Michelle are slugging it out on the top rope, they fall off to the outside! Beth takes Melina over to eliminate her, Santino tips them both over, and the bullshittery continues.

Winner: Santina Marella

For the love of God. It’s gyrating.

Chris Jericho vs. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Rowdy Roddy Piper (w/Ric Flair)

Sign of the night: Y2J vs The Golden Girls. Rourke is nice and close to the ring so he can come and interfere. Jericho is out first, followed by Steamboat, Snuka and Piper. I hope they keep their shirts on. Steamboat looks incredible for his age. Piper charges early and takes Jericho to the floor, then rolls him back in. Jericho reverses a whip, Piper goes over in a sunset flip for 2. DROPKICK by Piper! No, you didn’t read that wrong. Shots in the corner by Piper. Snuka wants Jericho rammed into Snuka’s head, Piper tags him instead. Headbutt by Snuka, series of chops, then a whip and a knife edge. Tag to the Dragon, VINTAGE STEAMBOAT chop from the top! Arm drag! Arm drag! Hold number 4 – ARM BAR. Takedown by Steamboat and then a tag to Snuka for a double team chop. Well, it was a little off, but they old. WALLS out of nowhere on Snuka and he taps! 2 on 1 now and Jericho takes Steamboat out and to the floor. Whip by Piper and a stiff running kick to the gut. VINTAGE PIPER eye poke and sleeper hold! Jeircho escapes and hits a shining wizard for 3! Steamboat is on the top! CROSSBODY!!! 1…2…2.7! Jericho regains control and they exchange chops, a boot from Jericho has him win the exchange. Snap mare and a spine kick from Jericho. Half nelson applied, Steamboat fights out and takes down Jericho with a shoulder block. Jericho reverses a whip and throws Steamboat out…HE SKINS THE CAT!!! NO WAY! Jericho to the outside, CATAPULT CROSSBODY BY STEAMBOAT!!! Where is he getting this!???Top rope chop!!! 1…2…NO! Jericho reverses a whip, Steamboat goes up and over, rollup! 1…2…no! Damn! This guy is nuts! Bulldog by Jericho, LIONSAULT misses! Jericho stays in control with a kick, he charges and POWERSLAM BY DRAGON! 1…2…2.81! Walls applied! Steamboat rolols through into an inside cradle! This is how he won the NWA title!!! 1…2…2.8569!!! German try, Steamboat flips over! CODEBREAKER!!! 1…2…3! Jericho wins!

Winner: Chris Jericho via pinfall (last pinning Steamboat, Codebreaker)

Flair charges the ring! He chops seven shades of Hell out of Jericho! Whip gets reversed and Jericho hits the Codebreaker on Flair! Jericho grins and kicks Flair to the floor, and he has a mic. Jericho calls out Rourke, trying to get him in the ring. He calls him a coward and THAT does it. OK if this happens, I forgive them for bumping the tag match. Rourke is in the ring, the crowd is on edge, you can feel they are expecting Austin or SOMETHING. Rourke offers a few left jabs and Jericho is having second thoughts. They shadow box, Rourke catches him with a stiff left hook and DOWN GOES JERICHO! No Ram Jam? Boo-urns.

Extreme Rules Match: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

Oh my GOD Matt Hardy is wearing tights.

BITCHSLAP and we’re underway! To the outside early and Matt gets a poster to the head, followed by a trashcan and then gets taken to the steps. POETRY IN MOTION off the ring steps! Promising start. Matt is rolled back in and Jeff fetches a chair. He sets it up and goes for another Poetry, Matt moves and Jeff hits hard in the corner. Jeff goes for a Whisper in the Wind…DAMN chairshot to the knees!!! Another chair shot! 2 count only. Matt to the outside and he has…a VACUUM CLEANER? Vacuum cleaner shot (never thought I would type that!) from Matt and he gets 2. In the ring, Matt charges into a mule kick but catches Jeff in a Side Effect onto the chair! Matt lays in the boots and shots to Jeff then bends him around the cornerpost. Matt goes looking for more PLUNDAH and he has a table. He sets it up on the outsideand tries to suplex Jeff off the apron on to the table. Jeff blocks and knocks Matt down, then hits a SWANK twisting clothesline off the apron! Matt gets mule kicked into the steps and Jeff has a crutch and a kendo stick. Of course he does. Shots from the stick, then he fetches a garbage can. He places it over Matt’s head then CREAMS him with the crutch. Dropkick by Jeff, face-first suplex and up he goes for the Swanton. Matt moves! Kick wham Twist of Fate! 2 count only for Matt. Matt goes to the top and calls for the Swanton, but Jeff intercepts and stes for a superplex…connects. The crowd are pretty dead between moves. Jeff measures and connects with a chairshot flush to the head. Matt rolls to the outside and Jeff follows to put him on the table. He lays the chair on his chest and goes plunder-hunting…he has another table. He positions this one on the first, over Matt. Jeff to the top…SPLASH THROUGH TWO TABLES!!! Both men are down and quite possibly out. 2 count for Jeff before Matt gets to the rope, and Jeff has a ladder. No, two ladders. He positions the chair and jumps off it with a leg drop, then sets up both giant ladders. One is easily 15 feet, the other maybe 12. Slingshot leg drop MISSES! BAH GAWD KANG HE BROKE HIS ASS RIGHT IN HALF! Matt wraps the chair around Jeff’s neck…TWIST OF FATE!!! HOLY FUCKING FUCKERY OF OUCHTASTIC GOD DAMNS! 1…2…3 forget about it.

Winner: Matt Hardy via pinfall (chair-assisted Twist of Fate)

IC Title Match: JBL © vs. Rey Mysterio

JBL talks his way to the ring. It’s all in the name of cheap heat. JOKER MYSTERIO! Greatest outfit ever. We get super-special ring announcing for this one. Mysterio is sporting green suspenders with his mask. JR estimates JBL’s weight at 250…FAIL. JBL connects with a STIFF kick during instructions, the ref pulls JBL off and asks if Rey wants the match to star…he nods and there’s the bell…ENZIGUIRI! 619!!! Splash! New Champ! WTF???

Winner: Rey Mysterio via pinfall (splash)

I smell Austin. JBL has the mic and looks speechless. He has something to say, but first he’s going to kill the crowd by standing there looking dumb. “I QUIT!” - JBL. Houston likkes that idea. Good, Smackdown needs an announcer. Well, maybe I didn’t smell Austin.

These video packages are a godsend. Cider number 4 GO!

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels has toppped his WM XII entrance, as he descends from the set in his NegaTaker garb to the music he used for thast promo, in an arms-spread pose. I wonder which developmental territory the druids will be from this year. Taker comes up from under the stage Gangrel-style, and we are already drowning in symbolism. Wait, no druids? Shenanigans! We still get a 4+ minute entrance.

Shawn opens up with his speed, ducking some rights and hitting some chops. The third dodge leads to some rights in the corner but Taker blocks the next one and literally throws HBK over the top. HBK tries to play possum and gets the mount, but Taker throws him off. Taker finally catches Shawn and here come the soup bones. Shots in the corner from Taker. Michaels blocks a whip and stars with the chops, Taker whips him to the corner. HBK does the flip bump and gets hit with a HIGH backdrop. Military press slam by Taker followed by an elbow drop for 2. Taker goes to the arm with shoulder blocks, and it’s time to ring the bell…OLD SCHOOL connects. Taker charges and tries a Yakuza kick, Michaels moves and Taker gets tangled in the ropes. Shinbreaker by HBK, followed by a chop block. Basement dropkick by HBK and he locks in the modified figure four. Taker punches his way out but has trouble standing, and HBL compounds the trouble with a dropkick to the knee. Michaels charges but Taker catches him in a bear hug, remembers to sell the knee and rams HBK to the corner. Shots in the corner, whip and a charging clothesline. A second charging clothesline, snake eyes and a big boot from Taker, followed by a leg drop for 2. Taker is setting for the chokeslam…goozle! CROSSFACE BY MICHAELS! Taker turns into it to relieve the pressure then triues to roll Michaels up, he gets 2. HBK maneuvers and gets into the prime crossface position, Taker gets to his feet with HBK still holding on…side slam breaks the grip and gets 2 for Taker. Whip by Taker but he drops his head and gets kicked…no-sold by Taker. HBK ducks some shots and comes back with chops. Flying forearm by HBK! Kip-up! Inverted Atomic, chop, inverted atomic, chop, clothesline by Michaels. HBL goes to the top for the flying elbow…Taker is up! HBK comes off for an axehandle…GOOZLE! HBK escapes, goes for chin music but Taker drops under it! HBK goes back to the legs…HELL’S GATE! He’s got it in good! HBK struggles and writhes and gets to the ropes. Both men on the outside briefly, Taker takes HBK to the steps and rolls him back in. Kick to the head of HBK, then the patented leg drop on the spron MISSES! HBK moved! Someone did their homework. Baseball slide to Taker on the outside. HBK goes to the top backwards…MOONSAULT misses!!! He hit HARD. Taker is back in the ring while the ref checks with HBK. ZOMBIE SIT-UP and Taker is going to fly…..HBK pulls the camerman in the way and OH MY GOD ON HIS HEAD! TAKER LANDED ON HIS HEAD! Watching the replay he may have tucked in time but he went almost full vertical into the floor like a lawn dart. Shawn checks on the ref, who he had previously shoved out of the way, and brings him into the ring, imploring him to count. The crowd is in a shocked silence. The ref is at 9 and Taker is still stumbling around…he gets back in the ring! HBK is tuning the band…Taker is up…Goozle! Chokeslam! 1…2…2.807! Wow. He got some serious height on that. HBL escapes the Tombstone, Taker catches Sweet Chin Music, goozle is blocked…MUSIC CONNECTS!!! 1…2…NO! HBK goes after Taker, Goozle from the floor! Last Ride! HBK escapes! Taker has him again…LAST RIDE connects! 1…2…2.935!!! Taker is…going to the top? HBK looks down and out. ELBOW FROM THE TOP misses and both men are down again. They get up, HBK charges and Taker sidesteps and sends him over…HBK skins the cat! He catches Taker in a headscissors…Taker drags him into Tombstone position! He nails it! What a great counter. 1…2…2.993!!! That’s it, ny heart can’t take any more. Taker’s face looks priceless. Down come the straps, Angle Slam maybe? Taker pulls HBK up and goes for another Tombstone…countered to a sloppy DDT! Ugh. HBK tries to drag himself to the top, elbow drop connects. Both men are worn right out. Strike up the band! FLUSH on the jaw with Sweet Chin Music! 1…2…2.974! Paint me gold and call me Oscar. We have a “This is Awesome chant”, don’t hear those much in WWE. They slug it out with stiff chops and punches, treading blows that would fell mortals men. Boot to the face by Taker ends the exchange! Damn, how would you like to follow this? HBK escapes another Tombstone and lays in more chops. Hard whip by Taker, he charges into another boot by HBK. Michaels tries a moonsault! CAUGHT! TOMBSTONE! THREE!!!!! Wow.

Winner: The Undertaker via pinfall (Tombstone)

World Title Match: Edge © vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena

I wonder what Cena will do this year? OK, his old music hits and about 300 Cena clones come down to line the ramp. The REAL Cena comes out to his correct music and walks sown a line of Cenarmy members doing the “You can’t see me” gesture. OK I guess that was pretty cool.

Cena starts quick on Edge and tries to attack Show with a flying shoulder block. That works about as well as you’d imagine. Show and Edge make like they’re going to collude, then Show dumps Edge crotch first on the top rope. Ow. Show whips Edge into Cena who gets him up for the Attitude Adjustment…and gets Show’s foot in his face. Show is dominating early with body shots on Cena while Edge is on the outside. Cena tries to fight back but gets flapjacked. He charges Cena who sidesteps and show gets caught in the ropes. Cena sends him over, Edge dropkicks the stairs into Show and HOLY MACKEREL Rocker Dropper from the top to the outside on Show! Edge rolls Cena in, Cena goes for the FU out of nowhere but Edge counters into an Impaler for 2. Cena punches Edge to the outside then turns into a side slam by Big Show for 2. Cena makes a comeback but Chavo trips him from outside. Cena is displeased and hits the FU on Cena on the outside. Back in the ring, Show gets caught up in the ropes! Cena takes it to Edge! Blue Thunder Bomb! You are unable to visually perceive me! FU attempt, Edge escapes, Vickie is on the apron and Edge shoves Cena at her. Cena puts on the breaks, Edge charges and SPEARS VICKIE! The ref finally frees Show and he charges both men in opposite corners with an avalanche, then whips Edge into Cena and hits another one. DOUBLE GOOZLE! Edge goes for the ride, Cena escapes! FU TRY by Cena on Show, but Show escapes and NAILS Cena with a big right. Show gets DDT’d on the outside by Edge, who drags the ring steps over to the opposite corner. Edge charges, leaps off the steps and tackles Show through the barricade! Edge tries to drag Show back to the ring but can’t move him. Cena is still out on the floor, Edge rolls him into the ring and goes for the cover…1…2…no! Edge sets for the Spear, Cena gets the drop toehold and the STF! Edge crawls for the rope, Cena breaks the hold and drags Edge back to the middle of the ring. Show is up and drags Edge to the ropes, than hauls Cena to the floor. Show climbs the ropes…NO WAY! OK, it’s a Vader Bomb and it misses. Cena back in, he sets for a suplex and can’t get Show up, but Edge helps and they take Show over. Edge and Cena nod to each other and charge Show, taking him to the outside. Kick to the face by Edge and he gets 2 on Cena. Throwback by Cena and he climbs the ropes. Show shoves him off RIGHT INTO A SPEAR! Nice spot. Edge drags him to center but Show breaks the cover and WAFFLES Edge with a slap. Back inside and a headbutt by Show. Whip to Edge, Show charges into the boots of Edge. Sleeper applied by Edge, Show tries to break it by backin Edge into the corner and just manages to do so…OH MY GOD CENA HAS THEM BOTH UP FOR THE FU!!!! Edge wriggles off, FU connects to Show! FU to Edge onto Show! Cover on Show! New champ!!!

Winner: John Cena via pinfall (on Big Show, FU)

Time for the Hall of Fame dudes. Austin gets a huge pop, despite allegedly needing to be in Brazil. Austin has gone backstage for some reason. GLASS! He has the quad! And the old school Austin 3:16 shirt! We get a good old fashioned beer baash as the announcers make it abundantly clear that this is Austin’s last appearance.

WWE Title Match: HHH © vs. Randy Orton

It is announced that the title will change hands on DQ or count out. It had better not, I say. Orton looks completely focused. HHH does a weird entrance where he uses Sledgie to shatter a mirror. 7 years bad luck! He also misses his water-spitting cue, and somewhere RVD is laughing. It was probably a one-shot deal though. HHH is intense.

They circle, the HHH takes Orton down and lays in the rights. Shots in the corner followed by stomps and more stomps. The ref warns HHH about being disqualified and RKO!!! Orton doesn’t go for the cover! Ah, he wants the punt. HHH dodges…KICK WHAM PEDIGREE! Both men are recovering on the outside until HHH levels Orton with a clothesline. HHH steals a bottle of water and pours it over himself to get back to his senses, then goes back to the ring to pummel Orton. Orton gets outside, HHH follows and takes Orton to the post. Orton tells HHH to wait, and not surprisingly HHH doesn’t listen. More shots, then a slingshot into the bottom rope by HHH. Kneedrops to the back of the head by HHH. So far, so mediocre. Forearm to the back of Orton’s head, and a hangman’s neckbreaker by HHH. Maybe he was serious about breaking Orton’s neck. Orton reverses a whip and sends HHH to the steps. A second whip sends HHH over the barricade and he’s down. Orton rolls back inside and the ref starts the count. HHH is back in at 8 only to be stomped into the mat. Know it’s Orton’s turn for the neck attacks, a high leaping kneedrop to the neck of HHH. Mounted punches by Orton. Orton applies a chinlock but gets taken over by HHH with the back suplex. HHH charges but gets powerslammed for 2. Chinlock again by Orton, just in case the crowd wasn’t dead enough. HHH escapes and gets the high knee, followed by the jawjacker. HHH tries for the Pedigree but Orton reverses it and catapults Orton into the corner, then catches him coming in with a huge clothesline. 2 only. HHH tries the 10-spot punches but Orton gets Snake Eyes and goes up top…into the boot of HHH! Orton blicks the Pedigree and gets the jacknife pin for 2! SPINEBUSTER by HHH! Another Pedigree try is countered and Orton hits the chinlock backbreaker. 1…2…2.804! Orton is stalking again, HHH shoulders him and goes up top…DROPKICK meets HHH on the way down! That was nice, but this is still too slow for me. Orton measures for the punt but HHH catches his foot! HHH throws Orton by his foot over the top to the outside! Exterior beatings ensue. HHH goes to use the monitor on Orton but thinks better of it after persuasion from the ref and just kicks Orton instead. HHH sets Orton up on the announce table and sets for a Pedigree…ORton backdrops him onto the Spanish table! It DOES NOT BREAK!! Orton gets that look in his eye and sets for the elevated DDT on the floor….CONNECTS! That should do it. HHH makes it in at 9.7, only to get stomped even more. Orton stomps him for a good long while then lays a vicious beating on HHH in the corner. HHH fights back briefly until Orton causes a ref bump! RKO!!! This could be over now! Silly Orton. Orton goes under the ring and HE has a sledgehammer. Orton gets in the ring PUNT BY HHH!!! Now Trips has the Hammer, the ref is still down…sledgehammer to the chest of Orton! Mounted punches aplenty, and Orton appears to be out. Pedigree! 1…2…3!

Winner: Triple H via pinfall (Pedigree)

credit: 411mania.com

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WWE

Final Wrestlemania Card

Here is the final WWE WrestleMania XXV card:

* Chris Jericho vs. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Rowdy Roddy Piper w/Ric Flair For Chris Jericho to win, he has to defeat all three of the legends. For the legends to win, they have to defeat Chris Jericho just one time.

* The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

* Extreme Rules Match: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

* 25-Diva “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal: Known Participants - Melina, Maryse, Mickie James, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, Maria, Eve Torres, Katie Lea Burchill, Beth Phoenix, Layla El, Rosa Mendes, Candice Michelle, Natalya Neidhart, Jillian Hall, Tiffany, Sunny, Torrie Wilson, Molly Holly, Victoria and Jackie Gayda-Haas

* Money in the Bank Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay

* Winner Takes All – WWE Tag Team Titles vs. World Tag Team Titles – Unified Tag Team Title LUMBERJACK Match: The Miz and John Morrison © vs. Carlito and Primo Colon ©

* IC Title Match: JBL © vs. Rey Mysterio

* World Title Match: Edge © vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena

* WWE Title Match: HHH © vs. Randy Orton

credit: 411mania.com

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Raw Quarter By Quarter Ratings Breakdown

The following are the quarter hour breakdowns for Monday night’s episode of WWE Raw. The show scored a 3.55 cable rating overall.

* 9:00: 3.28 (Diva Tag, Orton vs. HHH Video, Lawler Entrance)
* 9:15: 3.29 (Lawler vs. Jericho, Aftermath, Hall of Fame Video)
* 9:30: 3.45 (Cena Interview, HBK Shows Up In Casket, Rey vs. JBL)
* 9:45: 3.41 (Rey vs. JBL, WrestleMania Video Package)
* 10:00: 3.86 (John Cena vs. Big Show, )
* 10:15: 3.73 (HBK’s Funeral For Taker’s Streak)
* 10:30: 3.49 (Various Video Packages, Legacy Prepares for Orton’s Address, MITB Battle Royal)
* 10:45: 3.64 (MITB Battle Royal, Orton’s Address)
* Overrun: 4.08 (Vince, Shane, HHH vs. Legacy Brawl)

credit: 411mania.com

TNA

Impact Ratings

TNA Impact did a 1.3 rating last night and drew its largest audience ever with just under 2 million viewers.

Credit: WrestlingObserver.com

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Lockdown PPV Card

#  Here is the updated TNA Lockdown PPV Card, all matches are held in the six-sides of steel:

- Danny Bonaduce vs. Eric Young
- TNA Knockouts Queen of the Cage Match: ODB vs. Madison Rayne vs. Daffney vs. Sojo Bolt
- Doomsday Chamber of Blood Match: Abyss vs. Matt Morgan
- Lethal Lockdown: Team (Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Jeff Jarrett and () vs. Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Scott Steiner, Booker T and Kevin Nash)
- TNA Knockouts Title Match: Awesome Kong © vs. Angelina Love vs. taylor Wilde
- IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title Match: The Motor City Machine Guns © vs. No Limit vs. LAX
- X-Division Title Xcape Match: Suicide © vs. Kiyoshi vs. Jay Letha; vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Consequences Creed
- Winner Takes All – TNA World Tag Team Titles vs. IWGP Tag Team Titles Match: Beer Money © vs. Team 3D ©
- TNA World Title Match: Sting © vs. Mick Foley

credit: 411mania.com

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ROH

Card For HDNet Show

The following matches are scheduled for tonight’s edition of ROH on HDNet:

- Erick Stevens vs. Sterling James Keenan
- The Dark City Fight Club (Kory Chavis and Jon Davis) vs. Cheech and Cloudy
- The Necro Butcher vs. Chris Hero
- Bryan Danielson vs. Austin Aries

credit: 411mania.com

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JG and CK continue to bring you yet another mind-blowing episode of their wrestling podcast, Pinfall Recall.  We give great analysis of Monday Night RAW and help you understand who brings you “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard.”  Listen while we pull it apart and maybe piece it back together better than creative would.

If you’d like to talk to other folks about the things you’ve heard, it’s very easy.  All you have to do is visit OUR FORUMS!

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WWE

Updated Wrestlemania Card

Here is the updated WWE WrestleMania XXV card:

* Chris Jericho vs. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Rowdy Roddy Piper w/Ric Flair

* The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

* IC Title Match: JBL © vs. Rey Mysterio 

* Extreme Rules Match: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

* Winner Takes All – WWE Tag Team Titles vs. World Tag Team Titles – Unified Tag Team Title LUMBERJACK Match: The Miz and John Morrison © vs. Carlito and Primo Colon ©

* 25-Diva “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal: Known Participants - Melina, Maryse, Mickie James, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool, The Bella Twins, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, Maria, Eve Torres, Katie Lea Burchill, Beth Phoenix, Layla El, Rosa Mendes, Candice Michelle, Natalya Neidhart, Jillian Hall, Tiffany

* Money in the Bank Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay

* World Title Match: Edge © vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena

* WWE Title Match: HHH © vs. Randy Orton

credit: 411mania.com

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TNA

Impact Ratings

TNA Impact did a 1.3 rating last night.

Credit: WrestlingObserver.com

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ROH

Latest ROH Newswire

Three HDNet main events are announced! 

- March 27th: ROH officials are happy to announce the first three of the next 6 television main events to be filmed for Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet. The next National Television taping will take place on April 9th and 10th at The Arena in South Philadelphia. Tickets are on sale now and available at ROHWrestling.com. These three main event matches will take place on April 9th.

- Roderick Strong was on a very successful tour of Pro Wrestling NOAH when ROH filmed its first 6 weeks of television, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone that could dispute either his importance or dedication to Ring of Honor. ROH officials are very happy that Strong will be at the next tapings, and not only that, he’ll be main-eventing one of the first 3 weeks to be filmed. ROH officials decided that his opponent should be one that will bring the best out of Strong. The ROH Booking Committee has decided that that man is none other than Austin Aries. The history between these two is well-documented, and we can’t think of a better match to show the world the style that made ROH famous. These two just tangled on March 20th in Pittsburgh, with Aries getting the duke with some help from his new found friends, Titus and King. Will that trend continue on National TV?

- The second of the first 3 main events to be filmed is a rematch from the 6th week to be filmed at the inaugural television tapings on March 1st. It is match-up of arguably the two most popular competitors in ROH at this time, and without question, two of the most talented athletes in all professional wrestling. One of these men has been World Champion the other aspires to accomplish the same thing. Once more, it will be Bryan Danielson and Tyler Black one-on-one for the world to admire. There is no hype necessary anytime these two step into the ring.

- The final of the three main events to be filmed on April 9th will feature the first time that the ROH World Tag Team Champions will appear together on Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet. During the first set of tapings, El Generico was conspicuously absent to the dismay of many. Now he will be at the side of “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen, and they will oppose one of the best up-and-coming tag teams in wrestling in a rematch from Indianapolis on March 14th– Kenny King and Rhett Titus. King and Titus fell short in Indy, but now they’re apparently under the tutelage of Austin Aries. That alone could make a huge difference in this contest.

- The “Triple Savings Sale” returns this weekend at www.rohwrestling.com. The first part of the sale is 30% Off All Live Event Tickets. This is a great opportunity to save on tickets for Ring of Honor live action in your area. The second part of the sale features over 60 DVD’s priced at $5 Each (or less). Includes in the sale are many Straight Shootin’ titles, FIP DVD’s, and ROH Best of DVD’s. The third part of the sale allows you to save 15% Off Your Next Order. You can use this part of the sale to save even more money off the previous deals mentioned, or you can save on almost everything else we sell. Complete details on the sale can be found here:http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/article.aspx?id=2151.

- ROH is poised to return to the wonderful fans in Dayton and Chicago on April 24th and 25th. Already signed for both events: Bryan Danielson, Kevin Steen, El Generico, Jerry Lynn, Chris Hero, and making their Dayton and Chicago debut, The Dark City Fight Club. Tickets for both events are on sale now at ROHWrestling.com. We’ll have more talent announcements soon right here in the Newswire!

- You can catch Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet Saturday night at 8:00 PM. In action will be Kevin Steen vs. Eddie Edwards, Sara Del Rey vs. Daizee Haze, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Alex “Sugarfoot” Payne, and the main event features ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Jay Briscoe. For more information visithttp://www.hd.net/ringofhonor.html. HDNet is available in the U.S. and Canada on Bright House Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Charter Communications, Comcast (Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, & Minneapolis), Insight Communications, Mediacom Communications, Time Warner Cable, NCTC Affiliated cable systems, Verizon Fios, Bell Express Vu, Star Choice, Shaw, and Cogeco.

- Don’t forget that Ring of Honor is happy to be working with Booker T and the Booker T Fights for Kids Foundation in support of the “Legends of Wrestling” Fanfest, taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center on April 3rd in Houston from 1-8pm. General Admission Booker T Fanfest tickets are free to anyone who has already purchased a ticket to “Supercard of Honor IV”, taking place that night at the Convention Center! For more information on this great event, please visit www.bookertlow.com.

- This week’s version of the ROH Video Wire can been viewed here: http://www.rohvideos.com/watch?v=sM4itgq2IPA. You’ll hear comments from the returning Colt Cabana, Davey Richards, Bryan Danielson, Julius Smokes, plus see highlights from last weekend’s live event in Elizabeth, PA.

- We’ll be back next week with the first look at the cards for Montreal on April 17th and Toronto on April 18th, as well as news on the second three TV main events to be filmed on April 10th in Philly!

credit: 411mania.com

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Other

12 Rounds Update

- Reviews for 12 Rounds are mixed so far. The film is projected to do about $10 million at the box office this weekend. If it does that, it’ll be the most successful WWE Films opening ever.

credit: 411mania.com

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Weekend Schedules

A pretty busy weekend! 

- Friday night March 27th at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN [TNA House Show]:
* Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett
* TNA Legends Champion AJ Styles © vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir
* ODB vs. Sojo Bolt
* Also scheduled: Team 3D, TNA X Division Champion Suicide, TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money, Inc., Chris Sabin, The Latin American Xchange, No Limit

- Saturday night March 28th at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer, Iowa [TNA House Show]:
* Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett
* Tables Match: TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money, Inc. © vs. Team 3D
* TNA X Division Champion Suicide © vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir
* Also scheduled: TNA Legends Champion AJ Styles, LAX, ODB, Chris Sabin, Sojo Bolt, No Limit

- Saturday night March 28th at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas [RAW House Show]:
WWE Title Match: Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
Rey Mysterio vs. Kane
ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger vs. Christian
Cryme Tyme vs. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes
CM Punk vs. Mike Knox
WWE Women’s Title Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Melina ©
Also Appearing: Evan Bourne, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Tony Atlas and Tiffany

- Saturday night March 28th at the Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas [SD House Show]:
* Triple H and The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton and Big Show
* Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov.
* US Title Match MVP © vs. Shelton Benjamin

- Sunday Night March 29th at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas [RAW House Show]:
WWE Title Match: Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
Rey Mysterio vs. Kane
ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger vs. Christian
Cryme Tyme vs. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes
CM Punk vs. Mike Knox
WWE Women’s Title Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Melina ©
Also Appearing: Evan Bourne, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Tony Atlas and Tiffany

- Sunday Night March 29th at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas [SD House Show]:
* Triple H and The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton and Big Show
* Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov.
* US Title Match MVP © vs. Shelton Benjamin

- Monday night March 30th at the Impact Zone in Orlando Florida [TNA Impact Taping]
* Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde
* The Latin American Xchange and Lethal Consequences vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir, Kiyoshi and No Limit

- Monday night March 30th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. [WWE Raw, ECW, SD Taping]

- Tuesday night March 31st at the Impact Zone in Orlando Florida [TNA Impact Taping]

credit: 411mania.com

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

CK and JG are proud to come back this week and podcast about RAW from 03.23.09.  We’re going to give you “The Best Wrestling You’ve Ever Heard” as we usually do and at the same time we’re going to impregnate you with awesomeness.  Listen to our wrestling podcast now!

If you’d like to talk to other folks about the things you’ve heard, it’s very easy.  All you have to do is visit OUR FORUMS!

Do you want to SUBSCRIBE to Pinfall Recall on iTunes and you’re too lazy to look it up in the store? In that case, JUST CLICK HERE and it’ll do all the hard work for you!

WWE

3.22.09 House Show Results

- Good show, LOTS of kids, took a while to get everyone inside.

Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix w/Santino Marella
Solid opener, crowd was into it. Mickie got an impressive head scissors before Phoenix ended it with the double arm chickenwing slam. Around **.

Santino got on the mic and took up some time by talking, and gave an open challenge.

*Glass Shatters*….for Stone Cold Charlie Haastin! Huge pop, but the crowd was a little deflated when it turned out to Haas.

Charlie Haas vs. Santino Marella
Charlie did the mudhole stomps and Lou Thesz Press, while Santino did some basic cheating. Charlie hit an exploder before finishing with the Stone Cold Stunner. Crowd wasn’t into it very much, but it was solid. Around *.

After the match Beth carried Santino outside. Kelly Kelly was in the nosebleed seats, asked some kid what Wrestlemania was coming up and the kid and his family got front row seats for the show.

Kane vs. Kofi Kingston
Strange match due to the crowd being REALLLLY into Kane. Kane was motivated and did more than the checklist match he often does. Kofi wasn’t able to do much, but got a wheel nice Pele Kick, before we got an unexpected Wrestlemania series of nearfalls. The best one was an impressive sunset flip counter to a chokeslam, but Kane eventually got the real deal for the win to a good pop. Kofi got a good ovation after the match. Around **1/2.

Colons & Bella Twin 1 vs. John Morrison, the Miz & Bella Twin 2
Pardon me for not knowing which Bella was which, but they barely played a roll. Crowd was behind the Colons. These guys had the typical high energy match they’ve been having for the last few months, with Mizorrison working over Primo before Carlito got the hot tag. Lots of spots, but Carlito botched his Backstabber before getting the 3 count. Around ***1/2.

Belfast Brawl: Finlay w/Hornswoggle vs. Mark Henry w/Tony Atlas
Kids loved Hornswoggle. Very slow match for most of it, with Henry controlling and doing THREE nerveholds. There was also a bizarre spot where Henry used a kendo stick to poke at Finlay instead of smacking him as usual. Finlay finally made a comeback with some PLUNDAH, and Atlas ate a Tadpole Splash. Hornswoggle distracted Henry long enough for Finlay to use the shackilacki for the win. Long, mostly boring, but the antics and stiff shots made up for it a little. Around *.

After the match Finlay brought in some kids and Kelly Kelly gave them shirts. A little kid made my night when Kelly asked him who his favorite wrestler was. “The Hardyz.” “Which one?” “MATT!” “REALLY?” Huge boos but it made me laugh.

Intermission.

ECW Championship Match: Jack Swagger vs. Christian
Christian got a good amount of cheers and they worked smartly to get the crowd into it. Good, long match that was very similar to the one they had on ECW, minus the extended armwork and a few of the dives. Crowd was with them every step of the way, and bit hard on a nearfall after a tornado DDT. Swagger eventually sent Christian shoulder first into the post, which prevented an unprettier and allowed Swagger to hit the Doctor Bomb for the win. Christian got a standing ovation after the match. Extremely good match that was easily best of the night. Around ****.

Biggest mark out moment came when RICKY STEAMBOAT was introduced. Steamboat thanked the fans for coming, but was interrupted by Chris Jericho, who got a TREMENDOUS amount of heat. Jericho started tearing into him and said that there was nobody to save Ricky this time, which brought out CM Punk. Seeing Steamboat, Jericho and Punk in the same ring was SWEET.

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho
Somewhat slower match, with Jericho working over Punk for most of it. Punk did his stuff, Jericho did his stuff. The crowd was WAY into it, but more into booing Jericho than cheering Punk. Punk got the ropes to escape the Walls of Jericho, so Jericho got a chair. Steamboat made the save, which led to Jericho beating up Steamboat to more loud boos. Back in, Punk hit the Go To Sleep for the win. Nothing special, considering the talent, but these two can have a good match in their sleep. Around ***.

World Heavyweight Championship: Edge vs. John Cena
Cena came out to an earsplitting pop, as practically everyone was behind him. Edge got a mild reaction, more boos than cheers but no crazy heat. Edge worked a very old-school heel approach, and only hit like two or three actual moves, preferring to soak in the boos by keeping Cena outside and trying a count-out victory. It picked up near the end, with Cena trying the Super “Attitude Adjustment” but getting hit with an electric chair drop, Cena countering the Spear into the STF, and Edge getting a very close nearfall off of a Spear. Edge used the belt which drew a disqualification. Edge went for some chairs, but I was denied my conchairto and Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment to send the crowd home happy. Funny to note that a lot of the kids were still calling it the FU. Good match, but hurt by Edge’s stalling. Around **1/2.

Overall, the show was fantastic, and people who are going to RAW house shows can probably expect something similar.

Biggest Pops:
1) John Cena (By a large margin.)
2) Ricky Steamboat
3) CM Punk
4) Charle Haastin (Followed by apathy.)
5) Christian

Most Heat:
1) Chris Jericho
2) Jack Swagger
3) Edge
4) Miz & Morrison
5) Santino Marella

credit: 411mania.com

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Changes Coming to Smackdown’s Network

- Media Daily News has an article up on how MyNetworkTV is nullifying all their current affiliate deals as part of their change to airing only repeat programming outside of Smackdown. The previous five year affiliate deals will now be changed to annual deals. MyNetworkTV Executive Vice President Paul Franklin said he doesn’t expect to lose affiliates. Smackdown is the highest rated show on the network. The new format will see the network air Law & Order reruns, movies, and other syndicated programming in prime time.

credit: 411mania.com

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ROH

3.21.09 Results!

The return date is June 13th.

I guess attendance isn’t quite what they expected, they just broke down two sections of GA seating. I’m really bad at gauging attendance, but this place is nowhere near full.

Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens defeated Rhett Titus and Kenny King

While Titus was handing out his card with his numbers to the girls at ringside, one girl handed him a card with her number. Pretty funny. Roderick and Stevens are looking pretty badass tonight. Strong has improved a million percent, looks in great shape, and is so on the money tonight, I wish they’d find a direction for him. Stevens has gotten really lean and cut as well, the two of the look pretty intimidating. Strong and Stevens batter Titus to start, killing him with an endless series of chops, but a cheapshot from the outside by King on Stevens turns the tide. Fans start chanting HepaTitus at Rhett. King kills Stevens with a clothesline for two. Titus and King have gelled great as a team and are terrific at cuttin the ring off. Roderick makes the hot tag and cleans house, then it’s back and forth for several minutes until Stevens puts Titus away with the Doctorbomb.

Brent Albright defeated Claudio Castagnoli by DQ

Claudio has a new robe with the Swiss cross thing and is doing the tried and true heel European gimmick of having his weight announced in kilos rather than pounds. Albright is really over with the NY crowd. Claudio cheapshots him from behind to start and then they start trading blows. Claudio bails to the floor and Albright hits a tope and tosses him back in. Albright gets the (very) delayed vertical suplex for 2, but misses a crossbody and shish kebabs himself on the ropes to give Claudio control. Claudio’s looking a lot more cut tonight too. Did somebody hire these guys a dietician? Albright makes a comeback, but Claudio takes his head off with a big bicycle kick. Albright with an Air Raid Crash for 2 and gets him in the Crippler Crossface (drawing a surprisingly large Benoit chant) but Claudio makes the ropes so Albright does the Benoit snot blow. Albright comes off the top and Claudio catches him with a European uppercut for 2, then they go to the outside where Albright gets a wicked suplex. Both men beat the count and Claudio starts working him over, but Albright gets the Crowbar. Claudio escapes and hot shots him on the top rope, but Albright gets a big superplex with one minute left in the time limit, drawing a groan from the crowd. Toe to toe until the bell rings and they keep going after the match ends. The crowd starts chanting for five more minutes, which of course always works. Claudio grabs the mic and says he knows he can beat Albright if he has five more minutes, and for the first time in history we actually get it. Albright with the Crowbar, Claudio reverses into a Crowbar of his own, Albright escapes and tries to get the half nelson suplex, but Claudio kicks him low for the DQ. Claudio with the Ricola Bomb and then fights off security before delivering the headstomp with the chair. Great match with a fun ending that left you unsatisfied, but in a good way.

Bobby Dempsey defeated Adam Pearce

Some guy from NBC is the guest timekeeper. Okay. This is a “Sweet N Sour Challenge Match.” Okay. Adam does a bit with the NBC guy and threatens to John Stossel him, then shoves him into the ropes. Okay, I really can’t see Dempsey beating Pearce. Pearce looks way better than last time I saw him, maybe he’s preaching his secrets to the roster? Just to make me look bad, Dempsey hits the Death Valley Driver for the win in like 30 seconds, then parties in the ring with the NBC guy. The lights briefly went out in the middle of the match, the second time that happened. I figured the first was a mistake, but this makes me think it’s some kind of angle.

Jerry Lynn defeated Mike Quackenbush

This is gonna be good. Counter wrestling to start as they trade armbars and wristlocks. Lynn with a flying headscissors and corner clothesline, but Quack blocks a bulldog and counters to a leg lace. Quack with a beautiful springboard headscissors and a rolling fireman’s carry into a crossed leglock. Lynn with the springboard dropkick sends Quack to the floor, Quack dives over Lynn’s baseball dropkick attempt, but Lynn gets the guillotine legdrop on the ropes. Quack counters by sweeping Lynn off the apron, but Lynn then counters another headscissors by swinging Quack into the guardrail. Back in the ring Lynn hits a nasty German suplex and a tornado DDT. Quack counters another tornado DDT and gets a nice magistral cradle for 2. This is really awesome. Lynn with a backslide for 2, then a series of reversals ends with Lynn trying to slam Quack off the top, but Quack rolls through and goes for a superplex, but Lynn with a top rope sunset flip/ powerbomb for 2. Quack with his version of the Jig And Tonic for 2, but Lynn gets the cradle piledriver out of nowhere for the win. This was a counterwrestling fan’s Christmas present. They shake hands after and Lynn raises Quack’s hand.

Tyler Black, Necro Butcher, and Delirious defeated Jimmy Jacobs, Brodie Lee, and Austin Aries

This is elimination rules, with a different stip for each fall and the whole thing being No DQ. Aries now not only has the “strip club for lunch” mustache, but also a soul patch as well. Joey Ryan has nothing on this guy when it comes to sleaze. Delirious is back in the green and black.

Fall #1

Brodie lays out Tyler and Delirious then calls out Necro, which ends badly for him. Jimmy winds up alone in the ring with all three opponents and gets destroyed. I guess the first fall is tornado rules? All six men end up brawling on the floor. Necro goes for the dive to the floor, but Brodie yanks him down and hits the big boot. All six men back in the ring as Aries and Jacobs continue to snipe at each other even as they try to work together. Tyler with the big dive to the floor and then Necro hits his to a big pop. Now Daizee goes for hers but Aries grabs her, drawing Delirious in to the rescue. Aries misses the corner dropkick, Brodie comes in but Delirious takes out both men. Delirious gets Jacobs in the Cobra Stretch, but Brodie with the Black Hole Slam and Aries with the brainbuster to eliminate Delirious.

Fall #2

This fall cannot be won by pinfall. Aries and Jacobs start their repressed love thing again, allowing Black to come back, but Brodie comes in and shuts him down. Heels triple team Tyler until Necro comes in and cleans house. Everyone’s back to the floor where Necro and Brodie end up brawling through the crowd and to the back, and the ref used that excuse to DQ both men. This whole fall got TNA chants.

Fall #3

No stip announced for this fall. Jacobs and Aries double team Black but spend as much time shoving each other around. Jacobs blocks Aries from hitting the missile dive to the floor so Aries attacks him and they start brawling. Black uses the distraction to try a comeback, but quickly gets shut down. I guess Aries and Jacobs are working together again. Jacobs gets 2, so I guess pinfalls count again. Aries misses a corner dropkick and kills Jacobs with it, but hits a second one for 2. Black and Aries go back and forth until Black gets the corner powerbomb and superkick, then locks in the End Time to eliminate Aries.

Fall #4

This fall can’t end by submission. That may be the least creative stip of all time. This match has gone beyond boring chants and now the crowd is just laughing. Jimmy gets the spike out, Tyler gets ahold of it, but misses and buries the spike in the top turnbuckle. Jimmy gets the Contra Code for 2, then locks in the End Time but there’s NO SUBMISSIONS! Tyler reverses the End Time to God’s Last Gift to mercifully end this one.

Not only did this not get over at all, but this may have been one of the worst matches in ROH history.

Bryan Danielson and Colt Cabana defeated Bison Smith and Jimmy Rave

Prince Nana came out in a Barack Obama shirt and made stimulus remarks to a girl at ringside. This guy’s hilarious. He announces Jimmy Rave as Bison’s mystery partner, which got a big pop from the crowd. Rave gets a big welcome back chant. Danielson ran into the ring before he could even be announced and got destroyed. Grizzley Redwood came out to make us think he was the mystery partner and was quickly disposed of, then the real partner came out…Colt Cabana! He got an even bigger reaction than Rave did. This match has gotten the biggest reaction of the night so far and they haven’t even started wrestling yet. Cabana and Rave start and the crowd starts a “die Jimmy die” chant. This match is bringing me right back to 2005. Danielson and Cabana take turns working Rave over until Rave tags to Bison, who presses Danielson into the corner. Heat segment on Danielson, but Cabana tags in after only a couple of minutes, but Bison no-sells everything and hits a big shoulder block. Danielson comes in and together they’re able to turn the tide, but Danielson tries a dive to the floor, and Bison catches and slams him. Bison with the claw slam onto Jimmy’s knee, and then tries another claw slam, but Danielson comes in and together they send Bison to the floor where Danielson hits the big dive. Rave catches Cabana in the heel hook, but Cabana reverses into a rolling press for the win. After the match Cabana calls for the Final Countdown and it begins playing over the sound system. This came totally unglued, but was still pretty good. I was a bit bummed that Bison didn’t get into total destruction mode.

D’Lo Brown defeated Jay Briscoe

D’Lo gets on the mic before the match and thanks WWE for releasing him and wishing him luck in his future endevours, because his future endevours are right here in ROH. Brown overpowers Jay to start and does the head thing, but Jay with a Frankensteiner and a dropkick and they do the indy stalemate. Jay with a series of legsweeps frustrates Brown, but Brown distracts the ref and gets a low blow to take control, then hits a big short clothesline. Brown working a very methodical style here, measuring Jay before getting a big running clothesline in the corner and a vertical suplex for 2. I want to see someone try a horizontal or, even better, diagonal suplex someday. Jay tries to go toe-to-toe with Brown but that doesn’t end well for him. They go chop-for-chop, but Brown goes to the eyes and catches him in a top wristlock/half nelson combo. Jay escapes, but eats the flying heel kick. Brown with a series of stiff short clotheslines gets 2. Brown with a springboard dropkick sends Jay to the floor and fakes a dive, but Jay caught him with a dropkick to the face when he did the dive for real. Dueling chants start as both men get back in the ring and Jay hits an inverted STO into the turnbuckle, big boot, and clothesline for 2. Brown with the Sky High for 2, then a Death Valley Driver for another two count. Brown moves out of the way of the top rope legdrop and rolls up Jay with the tights for the win. Crowd was asleep, but it was fun to watch D’Lo play the grizzled veteran who doesn’t mind doing whatever he has to to win.

Kevin Steen and El Generico defeated the American Wolves to retain the ROH World Tag Team Title.

I will be very surprised if the Wolves don’t get the straps tonight. This is no DQ. Good for Eddie Edwards, who first appeared as an occasional undercard guy two or three years ago and is now working the semi-main on one of ROH’s big four events. Steen and Generico run in before their announcement and attack the Wolves, sending them to the floor where Steen hits the big dive. Generico throws a bunch of chairs in the ring and Steen gets a flipping legdrop/conchairto on Edwards. Richards drags Steen to the floor and launches him into the rail, then gets in the ring and Tomvstones Generico on the chairs. Wolves start working Steen’s knee over with a chair. Crowd is dead for this one. I just noticed Edwards seems to be sporting a shiner. Wolves are pretty brutally working Steen over while Generico’s on the floor. They tie Steen’s knee in the ropes and take a run, but Steen moves and they go to the floor, where Generico hits a top rope somersault on both opponents. Back in the ring, Generico kills Edwards with a chairshot then gets a top rope splash on Richards for 2. Steen brings out a ladder and rams it into Edwards’ face in a pretty brutal display. Now it’s Steen and Generico’s turn to double team Richards, beating him up in the corner before Irish whipping him into the ladder and suplexing him on it. Generico with a split legged moonsault for 2. Edwards runs in and nails Steen, but eats a corner Yakuza kick from Generico. Generico misses a dive and audibly crunches onto the ladder as the crowd finally comes alive. Wolves with the double team alarm clock and a sick chairshot to Generico, but Steen breaks up the fall and takes out both men, then hits the corner cannonball. Steen places the ladder over the Wolves and Generico hits the coast to coast somersault dropkick, but that only gets 2. Great match. Steen gives Edwards a Fisherman’s Buster on a chair for 2. Richards takes out Generico on the floor then pushes Steen off the top rope and he lands on the knee. Richards with a chairshot to the knee and a Texas Cloverleaf, but he toughs it out until Generico makes the save. Generico misses a chairshot and nails Steen and Richards tosses Generico to the floor. Richards misses a shooting star press and Steen starts working Richards’ knee over with a chair then traps him in the Sharpshooter for the win. So much for my theory. Wolves attack after the match and Edwards just kills Steen with a chairshot, then put Generico through a table in the ring. Steen still tries to fight back, but they tape him to the ropes and work over his knees with a couple of chairs before finally finishing with a conchairto and walking off with the belts.

ROH Champion Nigel McGuiness vs. KENTA.

Nigel looks awful, he’s got both arms taped up. KENTA gets a lukewarm welcome back chant, and Nigel doesn’t get much reaction either. How does KENTA always end up wrestling badly injured ROH World Champions in New York? KENTA goes right to work with a pair of big kicks to Nigel’s arms that drop him immediately. KENTA continues kicking away on the arm and rams him shoulderfirst into the ringpost before putting Nigel in an armbar. KENTA is just mercilessly kicking away at Nigel, getting some big cheers from the strongly anti-Nigel crowd. KENTA with a big running boot for 2 and a key lock, but Nigel makes the ropes. Ref keeps checking on Nigel after each barrage to see if he wants to continue. Finally Nigel gets in some offense by moving out of the way of a kneedrop and getting a Tower of London to the floor. Back in the ring, Nigel starts working on KENTA’s arm. You’d think he’d go after the legs since kicks have been KENTA’s main offense, but what do I know? Anyway, Nigel gets 2 off of an arm-assisted suplex and gets a chickenwing, then catches KENTA with a surprise dropkick, which we never see him do. KENTA comes back with a vertical suplex and a flying clothesline for 2, then it’s back to the key lock, but Nigel makes the ropes. More vicious kicks from KENTA, but Nigel with a big forearm in the corner. He’s dramatizing it, but Nigel is obviously in pain. Nigel knocks KENTA off the ropes to the outside and then whips him into the rail, but misses a charge and eats the rail himself. KENTA drapes Nigel over the rail and hits a top rope kneedrop to the outside. Nigel just beat the count, and KENTA started killing him with kicks and a fisherman’s buster for 2. Flying clothesline gets 2 on Nigel, series of pinfall reversals ends with Nigel catching KENTA in the London Dungeon. He makes the ropes, so Nigel hits another Tower of London for 2. He tries a third, but KENTA blocks, so Nigel goes for a superplex instead. KENTA turns that into a top rope Falcon Arrow for 2 then another series of reversals into a German Suplex for 2 by KENTA. KENTA finally hits Go To Sleep, butNigel gets his foot on the rope. Crowd didn’t like that one. They battle on the apron and Nigel hits a Tower of London to the apron. Both men again just beat the count and Nigel reverses out of the Go To Sleep and hits one of his own for 2, then gets KENTA in the London Dungeon again, but KENTA reverses to a cradle for 2. Nigel catches him in the London Dungeon yet again and bridges all the way back until KENTA taps. Awesome match, on the level of KENTA-Danielson from 2006. Some idiot fan got a little overzealous after the match and Zack had to eject him.

Well, there were two awesome matches and two good matches, but the rest was moderate to really bad, and the crowd was dead. It was good, but not as good as it looked on paper.

credit: 411mania.com

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Other

Ricky Steamboat Update

- Ricky Steamboat appeared at the WWE house show in Topeka, Kansas. He spoke briefly before being confronted by Chris Jericho. Jericho talked bad about Steamboat until CM Punk came out to wrestle Jericho. Punk went on to beat Jericho.

credit: 411mania.com

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Lashley Wins Another Bout

At tonight’s boxing and MMA show, “March Badness”, Bobby Lashley took his pro MMA record to 2-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Jason Guida.

Lashley easily won all three rounds and his conditioning looked very good in the 15:00 fight. Guida had Lashley in trouble at one point in the third round, locking in a tight guillotine, but Lashley was able to escape and held on for the victory.

After the fight, Lashley admitted that the guillotine was tight, that he had to dig deep and that he went into the fight with the wrong plan and frame of mind. He promised to go back, watch the tape, learn where he could have finished the fight, and go on from there.

- Here are the MMA results from the card:

# Bobby Lashley defeated Jason Guida via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Across The Cards)
# Jeff Monson defeated Roy Nelson via Unanimous Decision (29-28 Across the Cards)
# Din Thomas defeated Gabe Lemley via RD1 TKO
# Dennis Hallman defeated Danny Ruiz via RD1 Submission

credit: 411mania.com

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