SamoaRowe

Aww, and here I was planning to buy it at work tonight. Ah well, I'll just save my 13 bucks.

Oops, I forgot about Rico because I was so busy marking out over Gangrel. Glad to see Rico back too

GANGREL IS BACK?!?!?!?!?! :: MARKS THE FUCK OUT!!!::

History of the World Heavyweight Championship Even though I should be working on my literature homework, I feel like relaxing and bringing you the history of the World Heavyweight Championship from my diary’s universe. When my game started, Triple H was the champion, and had just defended it in the Elimination Chamber match against Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, and Randy Orton. Starting in September of 2003, everything changed… October 30th 2003: Goldberg defeat World Champion Triple H on Raw. Notes: They first met at Unforgiven, but Triple H was able to sneak out the victory against “Da Man.” The rematch took place on Raw and Goldberg was able to win the big one. November 17th 2003: World Champion Goldberg defeat Booker T on Raw. Notes: This was one of Booker T’s last WWE matches and his final shot at the World title. Booker T retired from his back problems shortly after. In a match that was unusual for Goldberg, he let Booker have a lot of offense and took a good sized beating himself. After the match, Goldberg raised Booker T’s arm. November 30th 2003: Rhyno defeat World Champion Goldberg at Survivor Series. Notes: The main reason why Goldberg won the title in the first place was because it was in his contract. New booker, Ernie Rowe, felt that with the new stars he was creating, Goldberg was no longer needed. Goldberg lost the title to Rhyno in a surprisingly short match, as Goldberg had been losing overness with live crowds since before he won the title. December 14th 2003: World Champion Rhyno defeat Raven in a Hardcore match at Armageddon. Notes: On this infamous pay-per-view (it only had two weeks to build after Survivor Series) Rhyno and Raven had the match of their lives. This turned out to be a hardcore classic as they bloodied each other during the match. Scott Keith named this match to be the best of Raven’s career and it cemented Rhyno as a main-eventer. December 22nd 2003: World Champion Rhyno defeat CM Punk on Raw. Notes: This was a taped Raw that aired on Christmas Eve. It was also CM Punk’s first ever shot at the World title. The two ended the year on a high note, but receiving a **** rating. March 21st 2004: Chris Jericho defeat World Champion Rhyno and CM Punk in a triple-threat match at WrestleMania XX. Notes: CM Punk had been a surprise contender for the match, and added quite a lot to the bout. In the end, Jericho was given the World title as a way of capitalizing on Jericho while they still could, as Jericho had made it clear that he was not going to resign with WWE after his contract expired. April 11th 2004: World Champion Chris Jericho defeat Rob Van Dam at Unforgiven. Notes: This was RVD’s last night with Raw, before leaving for Smackdown. Y2J pulled out every heel trick in the book, and it paid off as he was able to retain his title in a ****1/2 match. August 29th 2004: World Champion Chris Jericho defeat Ric Flair at Summerslam. Notes: Ric Flair had everything on the line. A previously announced stipulation said that if Ric Flair failed to win the World Heavyweight title in the main event, he would have to retire. The end result was a match full of brilliant cheating techniques from both Jericho and Flair, but in the end it was Jericho who was just a tad craftier. August 30th 2004: CM Punk defeat World Champion Chris Jericho on Raw. Notes: This was the night after Summerslam. After Punk won the belt, the retiring Ric Flair came out for one last appearance and raised Punk’s arm in victory. September 28th 2004: World Champion CM Punk defeat Chris Jericho at Unforgiven. Notes: Y2J was furious over losing his title to Punk on the Raw after Summerslam. Jericho was quite proud of being the one to retire Ric Flair and felt that Punk took away his moment of glory. Punk also had to prove to the fans that he was capable of being the champ, and he tore down the house with Jericho, delivering a classic performance and retaining the belt in the process. December 5th 2004: World Champion CM Punk defeat Triple H at Armageddon. Notes: It was only a matter of time before The Game went after Punk. Most were predicting that Triple H was going to soundly beat Punk and send him back to the mid-card, but quite the opposite happened. Punk retained his championship, and it was Triple H who ended up spending the majority of 2005 in mid-card feuds against members of the Gathering and others. January 25th 2005: Eddie Guerrero defeat World Champion CM Punk at the Royal Rumble. Notes: Eddie Guerrero had been traded to Raw as a way to try and boost Eddie’s morale, which had been lacking on Smackdown. It worked for a little while, as Eddie was happy to hold a World title again. March 27th 2005: CM Punk defeat World Champion Eddie Guerrero, Randy Orton, and John Cena in a fatal four-way elimination match at WrestleMania XXI. Notes: This match was a huge disappointment and pretty much ended John Cena’s shot at being a main-eventer in WWE. The match was about **1/2 and was totally overshadowed by Smackdown’s AJ Styles vs Rob Van Dam title match from earlier. Eddie Guerrero left WWE shortly afterwards, Cena toiled in the mid-card for months afterwards and eventually left, and Randy Orton wouldn’t get another shot at a main event for about ten months. April 17th 2005: World Champion CM Punk defeat Triple H and Lance Storm in a triple threat match at Backlash. Notes: Triple H and Lance Storm had been feuding for months, and while trading victories had found themselves as contenders for the World title. Punk was able to capitalize on the two enemies being distracted by each other and pulled off another huge victory. June 27th 2005: World Champion CM Punk defeat Rico at Bad Blood. Notes: The team of Rico and Lodi (the New Rainbow Express) had set out to take out Punk and Julio Dinero. Quite a lot of build-up went into this match as the Rainbow Express picked up a tag victory over Punk and Dinero, but Punk was able to pin Lodi a week later. Rico had the momentum going into this match, but Punk once again proved why he was the champion and decisively pinned Rico in the main event of Bad Blood. August 29th 2005: Raven defeat World Champion CM Punk at Summerslam. Notes: This match came during a time where the Gathering was splitting apart. Raven and CM Punk both wanted to be World Champion, and this lead to Julio Dinero and Alexis Laree siding with CM Punk while Seven (who we haven’t seen in this diary due to injury) sided with Raven. It all boiled down to this match, where Raven won the title with some help from Seven. September 25th 2005: Triple H defeat World Champion Raven, CM Punk, and Stevie Richards in a Fatal Four-way match at Unforgiven. Notes: This four-way was special because it featured two Evolution members and two Gathering members. At this point, Raven and CM Punk were mending their differences and Triple H didn’t consider Richards to be a viable threat to the title, so there was little tension. In the end, Triple H used his trusty sledgehammer to win himself his final World title. December 18th 2005: World Champion Triple H defeat Shawn Michaels at Armageddon. Notes: Sort like in real life, Triple H and HBK had been feuding off and on. Unlike in real life, they were hardly ever one on one encounters. Triple H usually had Evolution with him, while Michaels would team up with other top baby-faces. This was their first singles match since 2003. In a good main event, Triple H would go on and pin Michaels once and for all, and the two never competed in another singles match again. January 25th 2006: CM Punk defeat World Champion Triple H at the Royal Rumble. Notes: The match was lackluster as Triple H’s ring skills were winding down. It was still a big night for CM Punk, who celebrated with Raven after his win. March 29th 2006: World Champion CM Punk defeat Rhyno in a Hell in the Cell match at WrestleMania XXII. Notes: Rhyno left for Smackdown shortly after this bout, but it was a brutal blood-bath of a match. Punk was considered the underdog going into this match due to the sheer aggressiveness that Rhyno had displayed in the weeks going into this match. Rhyno had spent most of 2005 as half of the tag team champions with John Cena, so when Rhyno won the Royal Rumble two months earlier, a fire was re-lit inside him. It still wasn’t enough, as Punk retained the title. April 30th 2006: World Champion CM Punk defeat Austin Lee at Backlash. Notes: Raw was going through a stage of starting over around this time. Top players were starting to wind down and not enough young stars had been elevated. So at Backlash, CM Punk put his title on the line against the winner of a tournament, Austin Lee. It was a good competitive match (about ***3/4) and Punk made a decisive win, though it was anti-climatic since no one really expected Austin Lee to win. June 27th 2006: Chris Benoit defeat World Champion CM Punk at Bad Blood. Notes: Chris Benoit made a long-awaited return to the WWF just a few months earlier, and started his comeback by attacking random superstars on both Raw and Smackdown. Eventually, Benoit settled down on Raw and earned a shot at the World title and made the most of the situation. July 24th 2006: World Champion Chris Benoit defeat CM Punk on Raw. Notes: New GM Shawn Michaels made this match, and it was the blow-off to the Punk/Benoit feud. Benoit wrestled a violent match and retained the title over the man who had dominated the World title scene for the past couple of years. Benoit had waited his entire career to win a World title and he wasn’t going to hand it over just yet! August 20th 2006: World Champion Chris Benoit defeat Randy Orton and Simon Diamond in a triple threat elimination match at Summerslam. Notes: Randy Orton was just returning from Raw, and Shawn Michaels wanted to use Orton to take apart Evolution (which Benoit was now a part of). Simon Diamond had been an Evolution member, but betrayed Benoit going into this match as a way of gaining some momentum. It didn’t matter, as Benoit retained his title (after an assist from Triple H). October 16th 2006: World Champion Chris Benoit defeat Steve Corino, Randy Orton, and Lance Storm in a fatal four-way match on Raw. Notes: This match really tested Benoit, as Orton and Storm had been gunning for his belt for months now. He had made an enemy out of Corino the previous week, so the deck was stacked against the champ. It didn’t matter though, as Benoit fought tooth and nail and made Corino tap out to the crossface.

I think it would be great if Chris Jericho, or some other mid-carder who isn't getting pushed all that well, were to win the poll and send a serious message to WWE about how their shows are being written. If they are smart, they will have a wide range of superstars in the poll and they will pay close attention to who gets how many votes. For example, if very few people vote for Orton, they might finally get the message that they need to rethink their plans.

I'd feel really sad to lose Mean Gene

History of The WWF Championship! While I'm sorting out ideas for Survivor Series, I'll try and post some more of the history of my game. As you know, the current story takes place in 2006, but when I started the EWR game, it was in September 2003. So I shall start with the history of Smackdown's WWF Championship belt! When my game began, Kurt Angle was the WWE Champion, winning the belt at Vengeance 2003, in the triple-threat with Brock Lesnar and Big Show. The last WWE PPV from real life that counts in my game was Summerslam 2003, so forget everything that happened since. Here is a list of every WWF Championship title change since the beginning of my game, and included are some significant title defenses along the way. October 19th 2003: WWE Champion Kurt Angle defeat John Cena at No Mercy. Notes: Basically imagine the actual No Mercy match these two had, but imagine the belt had been on the line. That would be this match. November 30th 2003: Eddie Guerrero defeat WWE Champion Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar in a Triple-Threat match at Survivor Series 2003. Notes: This was Brock Lesnar’s final main event. After this, he was demoted to the upper-mid-card where he became angry at no longer carrying the Smackdown brand. December 18th 2003: WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero defeat Spanky on Smackdown! Notes: This was an absolutely huge match for Spanky. Eddie sold like a pro for Spanky, and even made it look like Spanky was on his way to a title win for a while. However, in the end, Latino Heat cheated his way to yet another victory. March 21st 2004: Kurt Angle defeat WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero in the main event of Wrestlemania XX. Notes: By this point, Angle’s morale was at an all-time low, and main-eventing WrestleMania did not help. The match was a big disappointment, only garnering about ***1/2. May 16th 2004: Shelton Benjamin defeat WWE Champion Kurt Angle at Judgment Day. Notes: When this match was made, it was planned that Angle would be a long-term champion and reign for several months. Benjamin was just going to be Angle’s first successful title defense, and though he was a mid-carder, head booker Ernie Rowe had enough faith in Angle’s drawing abilities that this would be a successful main event. However, Angle continued to be difficult backstage and pissed everyone off. As a result, on the day of the Pay-Per-View, Rowe changed the outcome of the match, and Shelton Benjamin became the most unexpected WWE Champion in history! July 18th 2004: Rob Van Dam defeat WWE Champion Shelton Benjamin at Vengeance. Notes: Just two weeks after his title win, RVD went to WWE officials and admitted that he was addicted to painkillers and needed to spend some time in rehab. Not wanting to strip RVD of the title, Rowe gave him a maximum of two months off to rehab, before he would be stripped. During this time, United States Champion AJ Styles was promoted as the top guy on Smackdown, and carried the show in RVD’s absence. RVD returned after only a month and a half and was able to resume his duties in September. October 31st 2004: WWE Champion Rob Van Dam defeat Shelton Benjamin at No Mercy. Notes: This match came about as a result of Benjamin’s anger that RVD could disappear for over a month and then come back and still be champion. The rematch didn’t quite live up to the first encounter, but it briefly established Shelton Benjamin as a main-eventer. February 27th 2005: WWE Champion Rob Van Dam defeat Chuck Palumbo in a ladder match at No Way Out. Notes: In what the internet fans stated was “atrocious booking” RVD feuded with Chuck Palumbo, as a way of getting him ready for WrestleMania. The No Way Out match was surprisingly good, and it did it’s job of putting RVD over. A month later, Rob Van Dam walked into WrestleMania as the WWE Champion, and Chuck Palumbo was nowhere to be seen on the card. March 27th 2005: AJ Styles defeat WWE Champion Rob Van Dam at WrestleMania XXI. Notes: The match was a ***** classic, yet wasn’t the main event of the show. Raw’s World title match was given the main event spot, with Eddie Guerrero defending the World Heavyweight title against CM Punk, Randy Orton, and John Cena. May 29th 2005: WWE Champion AJ Styles defeat Rob Van Dam at Judgment Day. Notes: This rematch from WrestleMania only achieved a ****1/2 rating, but many thought it was due to the interference of Rodney Mack. Mack had just been traded to Smackdown and was looking to start a fight with the brand’s big shot. July 24th 2005: WWF Champion AJ Styles defeat Rey Mysterio at Vengeance. Notes: This match came as a response to overwhelming fan support for Rey Mysterio. Much to the dismay of many, Styles retained his title once again, but gave a ****1/2 performance in the process. August 29th 2005: WWF Champion AJ Styles defeat Rob Van Dam at Summerslam. Notes: This was the third match between the two, and the third loss for RVD. This was the first clean loss out of the three however, as this match ultimately put over AJ Styles as champion. Not only that, but another ***** classic had been delivered. November 20th 2005: WWF Champion AJ Styles defeat J.R. Ryder in a Last Man Standing match at Survivor Series. Notes: Styles and Ryder had been feuding for about three months at this point. They had a match at No Mercy, which ended with a dusty finish DQ, allowing AJ Styles to remain champion. This time, Styles was able to hold on to his title, when Ryder could no longer make it to his feet. This was the third ***** match of Styles’ reign. March 29th 2006: Chad Collyer defeat WWF Champion AJ Styles in the main event of WrestleMania XXII. Notes: During Styles’ reign as champ, World Wrestling Entertainment was allowed to become the World Wrestling Federation once again. Styles also became the first man to reign as champion for an entire year since Diesel. May 4th 2006: WWF Champion Chad Collyer defeat Matt Stryker on Smackdown! Notes: This is one of the few successful title defenses Collyer has to his credit. Collyer and Stryker tore the house down and were able to spike the ratings in a time where the business was going down. May 16th 2006: Matt Hardy defeat WWF Champion Chad Collyer at Judgment Day. Notes: After Styles had reigned for an entire year, there were several Smackdown superstars who had been denied a chance with the title. Matt Hardy’s match with Collyer was a huge disappointment, however, as Hardy had flourished as a mid-carder throughout the past couple of years. June 8th 2006: Chad Collyer defeat WWF Champion Matt Hardy on Smackdown! Notes: With the overwhelming negative reaction to Hardy’s title win, the belt was immediately given back to Collyer. Hardy’s morale now resembling the past problems with Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero, Rowe had no other choice. This was also Hardy’s first title defense on television, Rowe had been disgusted with Hardy’s performances on house shows. July 16th 2006: Rhyno defeat WWF Champion Chad Collyer at Fully Loaded. Notes: Rhyno had recently been traded back to Smackdown, after three years on Raw. Rhyno shocked the world by pinning Chad Collyer in the main event, but what was even more shocking was the attack on Rhyno by Paul London after the match. August 20th 2006: WWF Champion Rhyno defeat Paul London at Summerslam. Notes: Rhyno agreed to defend the title once a month, and this was his first defense since winning the belt. London had beat Rhyno in a couple of non-title matches leading to this contest, but Rhyno was able to avoid a shooting star press and use London’s momentum against him. September 14th 2006: WWF Champion Rhyno defeat Alex Arion on Smackdown! Notes: With no Smackdown pay-per-view in September, Rhyno was allowed to choose himself an opponent for a Smackdown title defense. He chose Arion, who had rarely won any singles matches on Smackdown in his entire career. Arion took advantage of the situation and gave Rhyno a run for his money. October 22nd 2006: WWF Champion Rhyno defeat Chad Collyer in an “I Quit” match at No Mercy. Notes: You know the story, this just happened

I've been meaning to go to one for ages, yet I never do. Too late to make plans for tomorrow's ppv, but someday... someday, I shall watch wrestling at hooters.

C'mon, Maven is harmless. He isn't being pushed and hardly gets significant wins, so no harm done. It's not like he's beating Jericho like Tomko is, or winning a tag title like Kenzo Suzuki did .

Great No Mercy too man, thought the finish to Collyer/Rhyno was great and the Acid/O'Haire storyline is interesting too I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the feedback I just returned to college yesterday, so I'm really not sure how often I can get myself to updating this. I was very inconsistent over the summer, but last spring I posted a lot. I have a theory that this diary thrives when I have something more important that I should be doing instead (like homework). I have some big matches envisioned for Survivor Series 2006, and it will be fun having both brands getting ready for the same PPV again. Hopefully I'll do a new Raw over the weekend.

Yes, this happened on a Sunday Night Heat in 2001, I forget when exactly. It was during Rhyno's time as Hardcore champion, so I think that would be in the months following WrestleMania X7. Spike had not been in the WWF all that long and wasn't too established yet.

Well, Bischoff does have a black belt Besides, would it be any worse than when Lita beat Spike Dudley in a match on Heat, and then later that week Spike challenged Rhyno for the Hardcore title and was well on his way to beating Rhyno before Edge and Christian interfered? With that logic, Rhyno would be no match for Lita, so I could buy Vince being beat up by Bischoff

Hehe, I actually WORK at a Best Buy and I didn't know it was coming out either until I came in one morning and it was sitting their right by the computer I use to punch in. My reaction to it was more or less the same as your's.

The Great American Bash didn't even have half of the card announced until the day before the PPV. Neither did Judgment Day. This PPV had a match announced for it weeks ago (La Res vs Tajiri/Rhyno), but the feud has sucked. Triple H vs Orton started building the night after Summerslam, so it hasn't been THAT rushed. Sure, it's the type of big match that SHOULD have been drawn out more, but at least Triple H didn't get named the number one contender until two weeks before the ppv like Orton did with Summerslam. Bad Blood and Vengeance were both solid, yet extremely dull. I expect no less or more from this one.

Bischoff's debut should have been hugging Vince, and then immediately attacking him seconds later. This would have kick started a huge storyline that would have drawn in viewers. Of course, Vince's ego doesn't allow for anything GOOD to happen these days.

The ratings don't rise and fall so much based on who is champion, but what the top storyline was. Throughout the majority of Benoit's title reign, the top story lines were Triple H vs Shawn Michaels and then Triple H vs Eugene. If I remember correctly, Raw was doing better ratings than they are now while Benoit was still the focus point of a feud with both Triple H and HBK, and then later on with just HBK.

I find it difficult to grasp that anyone thought "WWE is using the new Saliva song, I'm soooo not buying that album." Considering the lack of hype the new Saliva album has gotten, it's more likely that WWE using the song actually boosted sales from being even more low.

But the media thread sucks.

It amazes me how so many people are so upset that they saw a breast for a handful of seconds. It was just a breast, everyone, let's just move on.

Looks like RD Reynolds will have found something perfect for his next "Somebody Bought This!" entry

No Mercy October 22nd 2006 Before the pay-per-view, Josh Matthews and the returning Stacey Kiebler host Sunday Night Heat, live! They go over: -Extended history between AJ Styles and Paul London -Events leading up to Nunzio vs Orlando Jordan -Profile Sean O’Haire and Johnny Stamboli and what to expect from their match. -Feud between Rhyno and Chad Collyer -Hype video for Bashams vs SARS that aired on Smackdown. The sold-out arena is about full, so the special Heat match begins! Michael Cole and Tazz have taken their place at ring-side. Jay Briscoe vs Reno Match Background: Special Heat match designed to warm the crowd up and try and get viewers at home who haven’t ordered the PPV yet to call their cable providers. The Match: Standing leg lariat by Jay Briscoe on Reno. Jay Briscoe strikes Reno. Spin kick by Jay Briscoe to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. J.Briscoe uses a basement dropkick to the knee and it looks like it might be TIME TO GO TO SCHOOL~! Reno once again takes the advantage after blocking a few punches and connecting with some forearms. Flying shoulder tackle by Reno sends J.Briscoe CRASHING to the mat. Spinebuster by Reno. Hooks the leg for a two count. J.Briscoe counters a sleeper with a jaw breaker and is able to get free! Flying reverse elbow by Jay Briscoe. Hooks the leg for a two count. Reno walks into a face crusher variation. Has anyone's face ever really been crushed by one though? Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! I would have bought that as the finish! Reno counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. STIFF~! chop lights up J.Briscoe who covers up to try and stop the agonizing PAIN! Jay Briscoe fights out of a grapple. Hard back suplex on Reno. Come to think of it, that move had WAY too much power in No Mercy for N64. Reno can barely stand. J Driller!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! My Opinion: A wise man once said 'Can I get a side of bland with that bland'. He's dead now, though. That's what this match was...bland. ** Tazz: Great showing from the young Jay Briscoe! Cole: I’ve been saying it for a while, Tazz, Jay and Mark Briscoe both have bright futures ahead of themselves in the World Wrestling Federation. Winner at 4:17: Jay Briscoe With that, a hype video for the Chad Collyer vs Rhyno match plays, set to a hot new single by TRUST Company (who are still around in 2006). NO MERCY BEGINS! The pyro goes off and Michael Cole and Tazz welcome everyone at home and thank them for joining them on Pay-Per-View! #1 Contendership for WWF Tag Team titles: Jimmy Rave and Nova vs Shamrock and Diamond vs Kai En Tai vs Haas and Benjamin Match Background: This will be an elimination bout. Kai En Tai are one of the most experienced teams in the promotion. Haas and Benjamin are one of the most experienced teams in the promotion. The Match: Nova hits a dropkick on Ken Shamrock and gets right back up. Spinning bulldog in the corner and Shamrock is down! Nova tags out to TAKA Michinoku. Flying elbow from TAKA Michinoku connects. Shamrock walks into a high dropkick from TAKA Michinoku, almost losing several teeth in the process. TAKA tags out to Funaki. Shamrock walks into a high dropkick from Funaki, almost losing several teeth in the process. THERE IT IS! A legdrop to the BACK OF THE HEAD! I swear, that makes any match just a little bit better. I don't mind telling you that every time I see it, that's for sure. Shamrock blocks a punch. Hard impact Russian Leg Sweep by Shamrock. According to some other reviewers around here, 'legsweep' is one word. Tag to Simon Diamond. Delayed BRAINBUSTAH~! by Diamond who held onto that one for ages. ONE...TWO...THREE. Diamond defeats Funaki. Diamond tastes a high angle back suplex. If Spike Lee can sue TNN over the Spike TV nonsense, then Kurt Angle should be able to sue SOMEONE for that. Blind lariat by Shelton was downright NASTY! Diamond never...saw...it coming! Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! Tag to Charlie Haas. Haas and Benjamin hook up Diamond, then hit a double suplex. Flying reverse elbow by Charlie Haas. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Diamond powers out of a headlock. Diamond tags out to Jimmy Rave. Spin kick by Jimmy Rave to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. Vicious kick to the teeth from Jimmy Rave. Tag between Jimmy Rave and Nova. Jimmy Rave and Nova whip Haas into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. The ref gets into position, administers the three count, and it's over. Nova pins Haas. Implant DDT by Nova! I will always and forever mark out for that move. Shamrock takes a NICE hurrancarana from Nova. Shamrock reverses a Nova hammerlock. Ken Shamrock with a badly-executed spinning neckbreaker on Nova. One more performed that badly and this match will end on a bad note, if you get my drift. Ken Shamrock hits a stalling suplex on Nova. Covers for a quick two count. Shamrock tags out to Simon Diamond. Doctor Bomb connects and Nova landed hard. Nova blocks a punch. Nova tags out to Jimmy Rave. Power drive elbow by Jimmy Rave. That sounds like a feature on a 4 x 4, doesn't it. Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! Hard back suplex on Diamond. Come to think of it, that move had WAY too much power in No Mercy for N64. Diamond blocks a punch. Rave gets caught with a belly to belly suplex from Diamond! Jimmy Rave can barely stand. Belly To Belly! 1....2....3. My Opinion: I'd love to see a rematch and see if they can top this. **** Tazz: That’s it, Cole! Ken Shamrock and Simon Diamond are the #1 Contenders for the WWF Tag Team championship! Cole: They got their tag team victory over Rave and Nova, as they were the final two teams remaining. Winners at 17:18: Ken Shamrock and Simon Diamond Johnny Stamboli (with Erik Watts) vs Sean O'Haire (with Trent Acid) Match Background: This is a Special Order match. Mike Sanders took two wrestlers who had not faced each other on television yet and booked them in a match, with the stipulation being that they could not interact leading up to the pay-per-view. The Match: O'Haire takes a headbutt from Johnny Stamboli. Stamboli goes for a splash but O'Haire puts the knees up. O'Haire hits a right hand. Sean O'Haire misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee accidentally! Massive lariat! Stan Hansen would approve. Cover, but there's no one to count for Sean O'Haire! Stamboli blocks the suplex attempt and is able to hit the suplex instead! Stamboli slams Sean O'Haire down and motions to the crowd. Arn Anderson-like Spinebuster by Johnny Stamboli, executed to perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Flying clothesline by Stamboli. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. O'Haire flips out of a Johnny Stamboli bodyslam attempt. Full nelson slam on Stamboli. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! O'Haire goes for a splash but Stamboli puts the knees up. Johnny Stamboli moves in for the kill. Fugettabout It!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! My Opinion: Let me practice my math. 13 quarter stars equal a ***1\4 rating, right? Yeah, it does. That's what you get. Cole: Stamboli did what many were starting to think was impossible, he defeated Sean O’Haire! Tazz: Hold up, Cole. Looks like Trent Acid is giving O’Haire some instructions. O’Haire and Acid are locked in eye contact, and Acid points out towards Stamboli and Erik Watts, who are making their departure. O’Haire nods his head in agreement. Cole: That’s chilling, what do you suppose he’s telling O’Haire to do? Tazz: I don’t know, but if I were Johnny Stamboli, I’d be watching my back. Winner at 8:53: Johnny Stamboli Cruiserweight Championship: Jamie Noble © vs Frankie Kazarian Match Background: This match is for the WWF Cruiserweight title. Jamie Noble has been WWF Cruiserweight champion since 28 September 2006. Trent Acid, Sean O’Haire, Scoot Andrews, and even Ultimo Dragon have been banned from ring-side for this match. The Match: Double arm suplex by Jamie Noble connects as Kazarian hits hard. Trying to channel the spirit of Misawa, Jamie Noble ends up chanelling Lex Luger instead and nails a running forearm to the face, minus the steel plate, of course. Big dropkick by Jamie Noble, who got a ton of air on the move. Frankie Kazarian takes a butterfly suplex from Noble. Noble drops an elbow...but Frankie Kazarian moves out of the way. Flying elbow from Frankie Kazarian connects. Flying cross body off the top rope! Hooks the leg for a two count. Noble kicks Frankie Kazarian in the gut to reverse the momentum. Kazarian takes a NICE hurrancarana from Jamie Noble. There's a two count on the pin. Northern Lights Bomb very nearly crushes the spine of Kazarian! Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! I would have bought that as the finish! Kazarian counters a sleeper with a jaw breaker and is able to get free! Frankie sends Noble flying over the ropes, and Noble lands hard on the outside mat. Kazarian climbs to the top turn-buckle and goes for a HUGE cross-body onto Noble, who is standing up. Noble sees Kazarian coming, and directs him into the guard rail! Kazarian is in pain. Noble lifts up Kazarian and sends him back into the ring. He plays to the crowd for a minute, while Kazarian barely makes it to his feet. STIFF high kick on Noble by Frankie Kazarian. Jamie Noble pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Bodyslam by Noble. Frankie Kazarian is in trouble. Huge Powerbomb! 1....2....3. My Opinion: A ****3/4 rating for a great match. Close, but not 5 stars. Cole: What a war that was! Tazz: I thought Kazarian was going to kill himself! Jamie Noble is handed the Cruiserweight title and poses with it. He turns around and finds Kazarian, holding his hand out for a handshake. Noble pauses for a minute, and then accepts the shake. Cole: Wow, great sportsmanship from both these competitors. Tazz: I’m not surprised that Kazarian would be, but Noble? That’s very, um, “noble” of him. Winner at 19:01 and STILL Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble WWF Tag Team Championship: Doug and Danny Basham © vs Bill DeMott and Chuck Palumbo Match Background: Basham Brothers are one of the most experienced teams in the promotion. This match is for the WWF Tag Team titles. Basham Brothers have been WWF Tag Team champions since 20 August 2006. The Match: Palumbo gets slammed down hard and winces in pain. Rude Awakening neckbreaker on Chuck Palumbo by Danny. Remember when that was a legit finish? There's a two count on the pin. Danny tags out to Doug Basham. Basham Brothers whip Palumbo into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Running knee lift from Doug Basham. Chuck Palumbo powers out of a Doug Basham headlock. Big piledriver on Basham. Hooks the leg for a two count. Palumbo tags out to Bill DeMott. Bill DeMott hits a sloppy double axe handle off the top. Pin, but Basham is out just before the three count. Running clothesline from Bill DeMott was actually MIGHTY sloppy. DeMott walks into a drop toe hold. Basham slams Bill DeMott down and motions to the crowd. Basham tags out to Danny Basham. Trying to channel the spirit of Misawa, Danny Basham ends up chanelling Lex Luger instead and nails a running forearm to the face, minus the steel plate, of course. Tag between Bill DeMott and Chuck Palumbo. Danny Basham with a spinning neckbreaker on Palumbo. Chuck Palumbo is in big trouble...Double DDT!! 1....2....3! Basham Brothers go into the crowd, where they celebrate their win. My Opinion: Oh, look out...almost ***, but not quite. **3/4. Cole: The Bashams might have been bruised up going into this match, but they pulled off the big win and retained their titles! Tazz: I wouldn’t want to be Palumbo or DeMott right now, having to go back into the SARS locker-room and face the group. Winners at 5:59 and STILL WWF Tag Team champions: Doug and Danny Basham United States Championship: Rodney Mack © vs Alex Arion vs Low Ki Match Background: This will be a triangle bout. This match is for the WWF United States title. Rodney Mack has been WWF United States champion since 14 September 2006. Low Ki assaulted Alex Arion, simply for challenging for the U.S. title at all. The Match: Mack is a glutton for punishment and just continues to take it during this match. Low Ki gets up and gives a Belly to belly suplex to Low Ki. Low Ki goes for a splash but Mack puts the knees up. Fallaway slam by Rodney Mack puts down Low Ki. Mack takes a NICE hurrancarana from Alex Arion. Pin, but Mack is out just before the three count. Vertical suplex by Low Ki. Arion ducks a wild right hand. Mack \ Arion whip Low Ki into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. High Angle DDT by Rodney Mack just SPIKES Low Ki down! Mack walks into a high dropkick from Alex Arion, almost losing several teeth in the process. Mack powers out of a headlock. BIG clothesline on Low Ki. As he powers out, he is vulnerable to Alex Arion charging from the side. Mack falls out of the ring, leaving Low Ki and Alex Arion to themselves. Low Ki flattens Arion to the matt, and repeatedly kicks Arion in the back in the head. He lifts Arion up and is looking for the Ki Krusher. Arion counters out of it and lands a reverse vertical suplex. Low Ki is out! Arion is about to go for a cover, when Rodney Mack makes it back in and throws Arion out to the mat. Mack goes for the cover and Low Ki and gets the pinfall. My Opinion: All it gets is a ***1\2 rating from me. Deal with it. Cole: That’s not right! Arion had Low Ki beat, but Rodney Mack took the victory for himself! Tazz: It’s triple threat rules, Cole. He simply capitalized on the situation and it paid off. Cole: Still, I think there could be a strong case made that Alex Arion deserves another shot at the United States championship! Winner at 8:07 and STILL U.S. Champion: Rodney Mack Orlando Jordan vs Nunzio Match Background: This match has been building up for months now. It all started when Nunzio felt like having some fun at Jordan’s expense. From there, it has become more serious, as Nunzio has bruised up Jordan’s mid-section with a garage door, while Jordan responded a couple weeks later by power-bombing Nunzio onto a desk. Jordan has been demanding a match with Nunzio for months, but this is their first one on one encounter. The Match: Double arm suplex by Orlando Jordan connects as Nunzio hits hard. Orlando Jordan gets up and gives a Belly to belly suplex to Jordan. Fallaway slam by Orlando Jordan puts down Nunzio. Nunzio tastes a high angle back suplex. If Spike Lee can sue TNN over the Spike TV nonsense, then Kurt Angle should be able to sue SOMEONE for that. Nunzio flips out of a Orlando Jordan bodyslam attempt. Orlando Jordan takes a butterfly suplex from Nunzio. Tiger bomb by Nunzio, executed to perfection. We don't see too many good looking Tiger bombs. Covers for a quick two count. Jordan counters a sleeper with a jaw breaker and is able to get free! Nunzio takes a quick lariat. Covers for a quick two count. Orlando Jordan plants Nunzio with an EXPLODAH~! suplex. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Nunzio once again takes the advantage after blocking a few punches and connecting with some forearms. Nunzio snap suplexes Jordan. Jordan blocks the suplex attempt and is able to hit the suplex instead! BAAACK Body drop by Nunzio gets a bit of a pop from the crowd. Nunzio gets knocked to the ground by Jordan, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Off the top - Moonsault hit hard. Tracy Smothers quickly comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Orlando Jordan turns around. Tracy Smothers spins Jordan around. Tracy Smothers hits the Swinging Neckbreaker! The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Smothers! Nunzio and Smothers beat away on Orlando Jordan, leaving him spread-eagled on the canvas. My Opinion: A badly blown spot prevents me from giving out more snowflakes. ***3/4 Cole: Damn it, no! Jordan finally gets his match with Nunzio, and THIS happens!?! Tazz: Hey, he won the match. Cole: Yeah, but DQ! He doesn’t look like much of a winner right now. Smothers is holding Jordan still, while Nunzio stiffly punches away at Jordan’s face. Jordan is busted open. Finally, Smothers lets go of Jordan and he collapses. Smothers and Nunzio raise their arms in personal victory and exit. Winner by DQ at 10:16: Orlando Jordan No Disqualifications: AJ Styles vs Paul London Match Background: These two have battled in the past, but the rivalry came back when AJ Styles started noticing the success Paul London was enjoying. Styles believes in his heart that he is the top Smackdown superstar and deserves all the title shots and main event opportunities, which London had been getting. The Match: Don Callis is absent for this match. AJ Styles hits a rolling kick on London. Konnan has ruined any chance for me ever enjoying this maneuver again with his shitty execution of it. Styles crushes London with a running senton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Paul London pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Paul London connects with a back heel kick on Styles and gets back up quickly. Styles takes a flying neckbreaker from Paul London. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tiger suplex on Styles. No Misawa references from me, I swear. Oh, Bloody Hell! Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! Styles takes a flying neckbreaker from Paul London. Styles backdrops Paul London out of a piledriver attempt. That took a lot out of AJ Styles. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Styles. There's a two count on the pin. Vicious chokeslam byAJ Styles! I'd compare it to Akira Taue, but then that would start another argument on the TSM Forums. Pin, but London is out just before the three count. Hard back suplex on London. Come to think of it, that move had WAY too much power in No Mercy for N64. Styles hits a HARD spinning kick to the jaw. AJ Styles misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Paul London hits a rolling kick on Styles. Konnan has ruined any chance for me ever enjoying this maneuver again with his shitty execution of it. Tiger suplex on Styles. No Misawa references from me, I swear. Oh, Bloody Hell! Paul London floors AJ Styles...and climbs the turnbuckles. London Calling!!! 1....2....NO!! It's not over. London is beside himself. He tries to lift Styles up, but Styles counters with a low-blow. The referee cannot do anything about it, so Styles goes for a chair at ringside. London follows him, though a bit wobbly from the low blow. Styles lunges at London with the chair, but London pulls a drop kick out of desperation and the chair is smacked right into the face of AJ Styles. Now, Styles is busted open. London unfolds the chair and puts it into the corner by the guard rail. He sits Styles right into it. London then climbs onto the guard rail and gets a running start. He nails a missile drop kick to Styles who is still sitting in the chair! London rolls Styles back into the ring, and goes for a second London Calling. He connects and goes for another cover. 1….2….3! Paul London wins the match! My Opinion: Consider yourself lucky, a ****1\4 is hard to get and it was earned every step of the way. Let's see if you can do better now. Tazz: What an amazing match! They wrestled, they flew, they tore each other apart! What a match! Cole: Better yet, I think Paul London proved to AJ Styles that he does deserve to be a top superstar here on Smackdown! London beat Styles without anyone’s help. Winner at 21:40: Paul London WWF Championship: Rhyno © vs Chad Collyer Match Background: This will be an I Quit bout. This match is for the WWF World title. Rhyno has been WWF World champion since 16 July 2006. Rhyno initially won the WWF Championship from Chad Collyer at Fully Loaded in July. From there, Rhyno made a deal with his manager (and Smackdown GM) Mike Sanders that stated he only had to defend his title once a month. Collyer's contract grants him a rematch for the title, under a stipulation of his own choosing. The Match: STIFF~! chop lights up Collyer who covers up to try and stop the agonizing PAIN! BAAACK Body drop by Collyer gets a bit of a pop from the crowd. BIG clothesline on Collyer. Collyer counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Collyer. Rhyno counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face and hit a clothesline! Rhyno hits a bulldog off the ropes. Flying spear out of the corner! Collyer nearly got crushed into little bits! Chad Collyer elbows Rhyno in the face to break a hammerlock. Chad Collyer strikes Rhyno. Rhyno ducks a wild right hand. Chad Collyer charges into the corner, but EATS BOOT and staggers backward. Rhyno floors Chad Collyer and goes for a chair. He brings the chair in the ring and nails Collyer over the head with it. He then patiently awaits for Collyer to stand up. When he does, Rhyno lands another vicious chair shot over the head of Collyer, who is now bleeding! Collyer uses the ropes to get to his feet again, as Rhyno charges over to go for a third shot. Collyer dodges, and Rhyno comes extremely close to hitting himself as the chair bounces off the top rope. Collyer, expecting Rhyno to be down, turns around right into another chair shot! With Collyer on his back, Rhyno pins him down with the bottom part of the chair. The referee asks Collyer if he’s ready to quit, to which Collyer screams “NO!” Rhyno lifts up the chair and unleashes a serious of chair shots to Collyer, who is still on the ground. Rhyno orders the referee to ask Collyer again if he’s ready to quit, to which Collyer just spits. Rhyno decides to try something else. He walks over to a turnbuckle and removes the protective cushion, exposing hard steel. He goes to Irish Whip Collyer into the corner, but Collyer reverses it and Rhyno’s head bounces off the steel. Collyer grabs the chair that Rhyno was using on him to try and take a shot at Rhyno. Rhyno ducks and goes running off the ropes. Rhyno goes for a surprise gore, but Collyer lowers the chair and Rhyno goes into it head-first! With Rhyno in a complete daze, Collyer drops the chair and DDT’s Rhyno right onto it! That is three hard hits to the head Rhyno has taken in the past 60 seconds! The referee asks Rhyno if he’s ready to quit, and Rhyno just growls! Collyer, his adrenaline wearing off, slouches into the corner. He and Rhyno are now circling each other once again. Collyer lunges first, but Rhyno jumps back and grabs Collyer. Rhyno locks in a STF! The referee asks Collyer if he wants to quit. Collyer shouts “not” once again. Rhyno refuses to unleash the hold. The referee asks Collyer several more times, but Collyer refuses each time. Finally, Collyer passes out from the pain, right as he was an inch away from making it to the rope. The referee calls for the bell. My Opinion: Great match, it deserves every snowflake its getting. ****1\4 Cole: What the hell? Collyer never quit! Tazz: It doesn’t matter, he could no longer go on with the match! The entire SARS group floods into the ring. Reno and Bill DeMott lift Rhyno up over their heads, while Rodney Mack and Chuck Palumbo clap on. Sanders looks particularly happy, and he kicks an unconscious Collyer onto the floor. Rhyno is in a complete daze and looks like he might have a concussion from the blows to the head he took. Cole: I wouldn’t be surprised if both men need to go to the hospital now. That match displayed brutality like I’ve never seen! Tazz: I think Rhyno proved himself to the world tonight. He can hold that WWF title proudly. Cole: He still needs to defend that belt more than once a month before he gets any respect from me. Winner at 35:19 and STILL WWF Champion: Rhyno The show ends with Mike Sanders and Rodney Mack helping Rhyno exit the arena, while EMTs attend to Collyer at ringside.

I was just thinking the same thing. I swear, Smackdown has never been more depressing than it is now.

Smackdown October 19th 2006 The Smackdown! pyro explodes and Michael Cole and Tazz welcome us to the last Smackdown! before No Mercy! They announce that Mike Sanders made a huge 10 man tag team match for the main event, putting Rhyno, Rodney Mack, AJ Styles, Low Ki, and Nunzio against Chad Collyer, Alex Arion, Paul London, Orlando Jordan, and Johnny Stamboli. Enter The Dragon Trent Acid and Scoot Andrews come down to the ring to start off the show. Acid is clearly in charge and Tazz makes some jokes about how Trent “must be on acid.” Andrews takes a microphone. Scoot: Last week, our wise and fair General Manager ordered my master, Trent Acid, to bring forth the Ultimo Dragon. We have done so this very week. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our organization, allow me to reintroduce you to the Ultimo Dragon! Ultimo Dragon comes out, dressed completely in black. He solemnly climbs into the ring and stands before Acid and Andrews. Scoot: Now bow before your master, Dragon. Bow before the ever wise and powerful Trent Acid. Show your loyalty. Dragon bows before Acid, who is now visibly smiling. Acid: While it is your place to bow before me, do know that I bow before an even greater power. Though he must remain nameless, he is the provider of Sean O’Haire’s strength, the provider of my wisdom, and the source of Scoot Andrew’s loyalty. Our master shall now be your master as well, Dragon. He will provide you with… (Dragon stands up and nails Acid in the face with a vicious kick)! Cole: Dragon has interrupted Acid’s twisted little ceremony! He was able to resist the spell! Tazz: What the hell are you talking about, Cole?!? Trent Acid seems to be manipulating these other superstars but I wouldn’t call it a spell! Ultimo Dragon vs Scoot Andrews Match Background: Andrew’s “master” Trent Acid had Sean O’Haire abduct Ultimo Dragon so Acid could take part in a number one contender match for the Cruiserweight title. From there, Acid learned that he could easily influence and manipulate other superstars. He thought he had Ultimo Dragon wrapped around his finger, but he was wrong. The Match: Spinning back kick from Ultimo Dragon. Scoot pushes out of a Ultimo Dragon hold. Ultimo walks into a high dropkick from Scoot Andrews, almost losing several teeth in the process. Ultimo reverses an irish whip...and Scoot Andrews runs into the referee! Slingshot senton by Scoot, crushing the chest cavity of Ultimo. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is out and can't count to three! Ultimo Dragon comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Ultimo hits a dropkick on Scoot Andrews and gets right back up. Spinning bulldog in the corner and Scoot is down! There's a two count on the pin. Ultimo Dragon plants Scoot with an EXPLODAH~! suplex. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Scoot counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Scoot crushes Ultimo with a sweet running senton. Pin, but Ultimo is out just before the three count. Scoot Andrews misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Scoot Andrews is in trouble. Flipping Reverse DDT! 1....2....3. Ultimo Dragon climbs each turnbuckle in turn, working the crowd as he celebrates his victory My Opinion: I'd love to see a rematch and see if they can top this. **** Cole: What a victory for Dragon! He freed himself from his capturers and picked up a huge win as well! Winner at 14:32: Ultimo Dragon Rhyno’s Pride Rhyno makes his way to the ring, with his WWF Championship. He is holding onto the belt even tighter than usual. He takes a microphone. Rhyno: Chad Collyer thinks he is smart. He thinks he has me trapped. WELL HE IS WRONG! So, CHAD, old BUDDY, you think there is any chance that I WILL QUIT this Sunday at No Mercy? I WILL NEVER HAND THIS BELT OVER! I will FIGHT until my LAST, STINKING, BREATH! You have actually cornered YOURSELF! Just WATCH as I REFUSE to quit and you will have NO CHOICE but to quit if simply to end the TORTURE I will put you through. THIS IS NOT A GAME AND I AM NOT A JOKE! I AM THE WWF CHAMPION, AND YOU WILL NOT UNDERESTIMATE ME YOU POMPOUSE, SELF-RIGHTEOUS SON OF A BITCH! Rhyno throws down the microphone and leaves. Tazz: Strong words from Rhyno. Cole: The “I Quit” match at No Mercy is going to be amazing. I cannot imagine either Rhyno or Collyer quitting. The match could very well go on all night! Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin vs Jimmy Rave and Nova Match Background: Haas and Benjamin are one of the most experienced teams in the promotion. The Match: Rave hits a dropkick on Charlie Haas and gets right back up. Flying reverse elbow by Jimmy Rave. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Jimmy Rave and Nova. Jimmy Rave and Nova whip Haas into the corner. Nova whips Jimmy Rave in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Spin kick by Nova to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. Covers for a quick two count. Haas walks into a high dropkick from Nova, almost losing several teeth in the process. Haas blocks a punch. Powerbomb on Nova. Haas tags out to Shelton Benjamin. Stun Gun from Shelton Benjamin! I still can't believe that was Austin's finisher at one point. Doctor Bomb and Nova is hurt. Nova flips out of a Shelton Benjamin bodyslam attempt. Nova tags out to Jimmy Rave. Shelton takes a NICE hurrancarana from Jimmy Rave. Tiger suplex on Shelton. No Misawa references from me, I swear. Oh, dammit. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Dropkick connects to the BUTT of the jaw and Shelton goes down. Shelton Benjamin avoids a Jimmy Rave avalanche by getting out of the damn way! Shelton almost belly-to-belly suplexes Jimmy Rave through the mat. What? It's possible. Shamrock and Diamond come running down the aisle with chairs! Shelton whips Jimmy Rave into the ropes. Shamrock jumps onto the apron with the chair! Collision between Shamrock, Rave, and the chair! Jimmy Rave falls to the canvas. Jimmy Rave is in trouble. Super Kick! 1....2....3. Shamrock and Diamond are still in the ring doing a beat-down. Out from the crowd comes Funaki! He has a chair! Shamrock and Diamond bail out of the ring as Funaki slides in to the squared circle, unwilling to taste the steel. My Opinion: A ***1\2 rating for a great match. Keep on trucking...you'll get there. Shamrock and Diamond get back into the ring once Funaki has his back turned, and it’s on! The three tag teams, along with Funaki get into a huge brawl! Taka Michinoku comes running down to try and help out his friend, and gets sucked into the brawl. Nova and Simon Diamond fall out of the ring, still punching and kicking. This brings Mike Sanders out. Sanders: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Enough is enough! As much as it makes me happy to see four awesome tag teams in the midst of a war, I cannot have this sort of chaos on my show! So why don’t the eight of you have a four-way elimination match at No Mercy this Sunday! The winners get a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship next week on Smackdown, regardless of who wins the titles at No Mercy. Cole: Wow, that match is going to be off the charts! Tazz: You know something, Mike Sanders has made some surprisingly good calls lately. Cole: No kidding, they haven’t all been self-serving or biased. Winners at 5:55: Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin Sean O'Haire (with Trent Acid) vs Sonjay Dutt Match Background: Sean O’Haire thinks he’s getting his powers from a demon. He also has a scheduled match against Johnny Stamboli at No Mercy. The Match: Sean O'Haire connects with rights and lefts and Sonjay Dutt is down! Flying shoulder tackle by O'Haire sends Dutt CRASHING to the mat. There's a two count on the pin. Dutt reverses a Sean O'Haire hammerlock. Second rope flying axe handle, O'Haire goes down. One day, Dutt might even consider coming off the top with that. You know...for more impact and stuff. Sonjay Dutt kicks the leg, knocks O'Haire down, and goes to work on it. Dutt hits a dropkick on Sean O'Haire and gets right back up. Dutt walks into a drop toe hold. Full nelson slam on Dutt. Sonjay Dutt can barely stand. Prophecy! 1....2....3. Trent Acid starts shouting commands at Sean O’Haire. Acid states “He wants you to hurt him further!” Sean O'Haire slides to the outside and grabs a chair, then climbs back into the ring. Dutt turns around...and gets planted with a huge chair shot to the head! He is left down and out on the canvas. My Opinion: Solid bout, but they could do a lot better. *** Cole: This whole “Trent Acid is speaking for a demon” thing is starting to creep me out. I mean, I assume he’s making the whole thing up, but … Tazz: But what, you’re not suggesting you think there really is a demon calling the shots? Cole: Well, so far it’s been very effective! Tazz: Haha, Cole, you are becoming superstitious! Winner at 4:19: Sean O’Haire No Mercy Hard-Sell After the commercial, Michael Cole and Tazz enthusiastically run-down the card for No Mercy. A video is played, hyping the upcoming Basham Brothers vs DeMott and Palumbo match. This is mostly because the four of them are absent from the show tonight. Team Rhyno vs Team Collyer Match Background: Team Rhyno consists of Rhyno, Rodney Mack, AJ Styles, Nunzio, and Low Ki. Team Collyer consists of Chad Collyer, Alex Arion, Paul London, Orlando Jordan, and Johnny Stamboli. Rhyno is the reigning WWF World champion, and has been since 16 July 2006. Rodney Mack is the reigning WWF United States champion, and has been since 14 September 2006. Mike Sanders wanted this match to be the ultimate taste of what’s to come at No Mercy, since he is taking a lot of pride in this pay-per-view being the first of his time as GM. The Match: Nunzio walks into a high dropkick from Alex Arion, almost losing several teeth in the process. Spin kick by Alex Arion to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. Tag to Orlando Jordan. Jordan drives a HARD forearm into the chest of Nunzio. Tag between Orlando Jordan and Johnny Stamboli. Arn Anderson-like Spinebuster by Johnny Stamboli, executed to perfection. Covers for a quick two count. Stamboli tags out to Orlando Jordan. Orlando Jordan hits some punches. How generic. Tag between Nunzio and AJ Styles. Dropkick connects to the BUTT of the jaw and Styles goes down. Jordan tags out to Paul London. Jordan \ London whip Styles into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Flying cross body off the top rope! Covers for a quick two count. London tags out to Chad Collyer. Collyer hits a dropkick on AJ Styles and gets right back up. Flying cross body off the top rope! Tag to Alex Arion. Back heel kick off the second rope, Styles goes down. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Arion goes for a splash but Styles puts the knees up. Tag to Rhyno. Rude Awakening neckbreaker on Alex Arion by Rhyno. Remember when that was a legit finish? Arion gets hit with a HUGE clothesline. Covers for a quick two count. Rhyno tags out to Rodney Mack. Rhyno \ Mack whip Arion into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Powerbomb on Jordan. Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! I would have bought that as the finish! Tag to Low Ki. Vertical suplex by Low Ki. T-Bone suplex by Low Ki, Jordan got folded in half to the point that he was almost able to fellate himself. Mighty impressive, don't you think? Tag between Low Ki and Rodney Mack. Mack \ Low Ki whip Jordan into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Jordan flips out of a Rodney Mack bodyslam attempt. Spin kick by Orlando Jordan to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. Tag to Chad Collyer. Springboard reverse elbow by Chad Collyer. Excellent move. Looks like Muta has giving out lessons. Rodney Mack avoids a Chad Collyer avalanche by getting out of the damn way! Tag between Rodney Mack and Rhyno. Mack \ Rhyno whip Collyer into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Covers for a quick two count. Collyer reverses a waistlock. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Collyer. Chad Collyer moves in for the kill. Spinning DVD!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! My Opinion: Absolutely solid match. A few minor things brought it down, so I'm tacking on a **** rating. Cole: Chad Collyer beat Rhyno! He beat Rhyno! Could this be a foreshadow of what’s to come at No Mercy?!? Tazz: He may have pinned Rhyno, but he didn’t make Rhyno say “I quit!” That’s going to be the big challenge at No Mercy! Cole: It’s going to be unbelievable! Goodnight everyone, see you all at NO MERCY! Winners at 39:33: Chad Collyer, Paul London, Alex Arion, Orlando Jordan, and Johnny Stamboli

Raw October 16th 2006 Mike Tenay and Jonathan Coachman welcome us to Raw! They hype up the huge World title match signed for tonight, as well as Al Snow’s return to Raw and tonight’s in-ring debut of Bryan Danielson. Coach mentions that this will be his last Raw as color commentator and that Al Snow will be taking his spot back next week. Johnny Jeter vs Johnny C. Match Background: Jeter made his long awaited return to Raw last week. The Match: STIFF high kick on Johnny by Johnny Jeter. Johnny blocks the suplex attempt and is able to hit the suplex instead! Johnny C. connects with rights and lefts and Johnny Jeter is down! The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Impaler DDT by Johnny C. just SPIKES Johnny Jeter down! Cover, but there's no one to count for Johnny C.! Johnny Jeter comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Johnny takes a flying neckbreaker from Johnny Jeter. Spinning bulldog in the corner and Johnny is down! Covers for a quick two count. Power drive elbow by Johnny Jeter. That sounds like a feature on a 4 x 4, doesn't it. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Johnny blocks a kick from Johnny Jeter. Jeter walks into a side slam. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Johnny C. gets taken down out of nowhere! Johnny Jeter has Johnny C. down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Through the air, Flying Spin Kick! 1....2....3. Stevie Richards comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Stevie Richards spins Jeter around. Stevie Richards hits the StevieT! Johnny Jeter has been left down on the canvas. My Opinion: Some blown spots really drag this match down a notch, so its ***1\2 for you. Coach: Yes, yes! Stevie Richards showed that little drug addict where he belongs! Tenay: Just because this is your last week on commentary doesn’t give you the right to make stuff up! Coach: Oh, I’d be making stuff up anyway. I hear Johnny Jeter and Trish Stratus are having a steamy love affair. Tenay: Knock it off, your unprofessional ways are embarrassing! Winner at 5:59: Johnny Jeter New World Champion? We fade to a shot of Steve Corino. He’s sitting alone in a studio. He looks solemn. Corino: Chris Benoit… I had no beef with you. As far as I knew, you and I were cool. We teamed up to take on a common enemy in Lance Storm, and a thorn in your side, Randy Orton. Then what did you do? You let your ego get in the way. Your ego cost us that match, not me. It’s sad, Chris. You and I could have been an awesome force. But you crapped on me, just like Lance Storm did. I’m not mad though. Why, you might be wondering? Because tonight I’m going to get even and take away the one thing that matters to you more than anything: the World Heavyweight Championship. That belt is leaving around my waist, and there is nothing you can do about it Chris Benoit. Your ego has screwed you. World Tag Team Championship: R & S Connection © vs Test and Christian Match Background: This match is for the World Tag Team titles. R & S Connection have been World Tag Team champions since 25 September 2006. Successful title defenses are key to J.R. Ryder, for if he loses the title, he will be sent back to Smackdown. The Match: Kendrick gets caught with a short powerbomb from Christian. Christian hits a bulldog off the ropes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Christian and Test. Test and Christian hook up Kendrick, then hit a double suplex. BAAACK Body drop by Kendrick gets a bit of a pop from the crowd. Hooks the leg for a two count. Trying to channel the spirit of Misawa, Test ends up chanelling Lex Luger instead and nails a running forearm to the face, minus the steel plate, of course. Brian Kendrick fights out of a grapple. Test walks into a face crusher variation. Has anyone's face ever really been crushed by one though? Tag to J.R. Ryder. THERE IT IS! A legdrop to the BACK OF THE HEAD! I swear, that makes any match just a little bit better. I don't mind telling you that every time I see it, that's for sure. Ryder crushes Test with a huge legdrop. Test is able to duck a clothesline attempt and connect with a counter clothesline. Tag between Test and Christian. Tiger bomb by Christian, which is nowhere near as cool as a botched Pedigree but gets the job done. Front legsweep slam aka The Stroke by Christian. Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Big forearm by Christian makes me want to go to the mirror and check MY teeth. Ryder pushes out of a Christian hold. Flying reverse elbow by J.R. Ryder. R & S Connection have Christian to themselves. Raw Smack! 1....2....3! It's over. My Opinion: A ***1/2 rating! Yay! Tenay: Another successful defense by Kendrick and Ryder! Coach: I suppose this means we have to put up with more J.R. Ryder. Tenay: Ryder is an awesome superstar, we’re fortunate to have him on Raw while we still can. Winners at 7:53: J.R. Ryder and Brian Kendrick Sparks are Flying Johnny Jeter is leaving the arena for the night, when he stops into Trish Stratus. Trish: Great job with your victory tonight. Sorry that Stevie Richards had to go and attack you afterwards. I wish I could have helped. Jeter: Thanks, but don’t worry about me and Richards. I can handle myself, I’ll get him next time. Good luck in your match up next. I wish I could stay for it, but my plane leaves in less than an hour. Trish: Then don’t be late. Jeter: I’ll see you next week? Trish: Definitly. Coach: See, they’re having an affair! Tenay: I think she meant “see you next Raw.” Stop making things out to be something they aren’t! Trish vs Gail Kim is next, after this commercial break! Trish Stratus vs Gail Kim Match Background: Trish came up short in her last attempt to win the Women’s title, so she’s working her way up the ladder again. The Match: Kim gets slammed down hard and winces in pain. Gail Kim is able to duck a clothesline attempt and connect with a counter clothesline. STIFF~! chop lights up Trish who covers up to try and stop the agonizing PAIN! Trish Stratus charges, Kim moves, and the referee is knocked silly! Death valley driver by Gail Kim! No one executes that move properly anymore. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out! Gail Kim misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Trish drives a thrust kick into the chest of Kim. BRAINBUSTAH~! by Trish Stratus! Hooks the leg for a two count. Brutal sit out powerbomb on Kim! Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! I would have bought that as the finish! Trish Stratus misses a clothesline. Kim hits a piledriver on Trish Stratus. That used to end matches, you know. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Trish Stratus elbows Gail Kim in the face to break a hammerlock. Gail Kim gets whipped into the turnbuckles by Trish. Stratusfaction!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. Trish Stratus climbs each turnbuckle in turn, working the crowd as she celebrates her victory My Opinion: Ohh, looky. A **3/4 match! Tenay: A victory by Trish! I’m amazed, I figured we’d see Stevie Richards and Victoria out here again, but they must have restrained themselves. Coach: I’m assuming they have lives, Mike. Winner at 4:12: Trish Stratus Adam Hastey and Austin Lee vs Shane Helms and Shannon Moore Match Background: This will be a special guest referee bout. Helms and Moore are one of the most experienced teams in the promotion. Al Snow will be the referee for this match. Helms, Moore, and Snow are all making their returns tonight. All three of them were taken down by vicious baseball bat attacks from Hastey and Lee The Match: Hastey hits a dropkick on Shannon Moore and gets right back up. VICIOUS lightning kick by Hastey on Shannon. Covers for a quick two count. Hastey tags out to Austin Lee. Hastey and Lee whip Shannon into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Shannon takes a flying neckbreaker from Austin Lee. Covers for a quick two count. Austin Lee connects with a back heel kick on Shannon and gets back up quickly. Shannon reverses a waistlock. Tor-NADO DDT from Shannon Moore, Lee got planted! Tag to Shane Helms. BIG clothesline on Lee. Flying cross body off the top rope! Lee counters a sleeper with a jaw breaker and is able to get free! Tag to Adam Hastey. Massive backbreaker on Helms and I get happy flashbacks to Bret Hart's Five Moves of DOOM. Springboard dropkick from Adam Hastey. Nicely done. Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! I would have bought that as the finish! Spinning back kick from Adam Hastey. Shane Helms avoids a Adam Hastey avalanche by getting out of the damn way! Nice piledriver on Hastey. Adam Hastey gets taken over with a headlock. 1.2.3! His shoulders were down just for a second, and that was all Al Snow needed to make a super fast count! Al Snow has grabbed a chair from outside, and slides back into the ring. Adam Hastey turns around, and gets floored with a brutal chair shot! Al Snow has knocked Adam Hastey out with a chair! Austin Lee, irate over just what happened, jumps out and grabs a baseball bat from under the ring. He slides back in and lunges after Snow, but Shane Helms jumps him. Moore joins him, and the two of them double-power bomb Lee to the mat. My Opinion: Almost got a **** match, but was lacking in certain areas, so i'm knocking off a quarter of a star. Yes, there is such a thing as a quarter star. ***3/4. Coach: No! No! No! This is disgusting! Someone should stop this! Tenay: I believe this is called justice! Snow raises Shane and Shannon’s arms in victory. Winners at 13:41: Shane Helms and Shannon Moore The Champion Speaks Todd Grisham is standing by with the World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit. Todd: Benoit, tonight you defend your title against three other men. How do you… (Benoit cuts him off). Benoit: It doesn’t matter, Todd. Randy Orton? I pinned him one on one. Lance Storm? The same! Steve Corino? Haven’t faced him yet, but he was the weak link in our tag match last week so I have very little fear of losing my belt to the likes of him. So what if I don’t have to be pinned to lose my title, I’m the best technical wrestler in the entire world. I will have all three of them on the mat before they can throw a single punch! Todd: How do you feel about the in-ring debut of Bryan Danielson tonight? Benoit: …. I will be very interested to see his performance tonight. That kid has some guts, it takes a lot to attack the World Champion in his very first in this company. He has my respect for that. However, that doesn’t excuse him from my wrath. Tonight, I defend my championship. But mark my words, I have not forgotten about this “American Dragon.” I hope he had some idea what he was getting himself into by attacking me, because I will not show him any mercy. I am the greatest technical wrestler in the world, and he is more than welcome to try and prove me wrong. Hardcore Championship: Raven © vs Justin Credible Match Background: This will be a hardcore bout. This match is for the WWF Hardcore title. Raven has been WWF Hardcore champion since 25 September 2006. The Match: Raven smashes a Playstation console over the head of Credible. Should have used an X-Box, they're much bigger. Weak bodyslam by Raven. Covers for a quick two count. Credible flips out of a Raven bodyslam attempt. A weak headbutt on Raven by Credible causes nothing but pain for both. Raven takes a right hand to the temple from Credible. Covers for a quick two count. Credible hits Raven with a plastic dinosaur! Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Credible slams Raven down. Raven is sure in trouble now. Raven pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Big clothesline from Raven. Hooks the leg for a two count. Raven scores with a poor standing spinebuster. Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! Raven hits a right hand on Justin Credible. Whip into an upright table by Raven. Justin Credible fights out of a grapple. Raven takes a right hand to the temple from Credible. Flapjack from Credible on Raven. Raven slugs Justin Credible, sending him down into the corner. While Raven fires up the crowd, Credible is removing the turnbuckle pad! Raven comes over...but Credible grabs him by the tights and uses the leverage to slingshot Raven face first into the exposed steel turnbuckle! Justin Credible rolls up the stunned Raven, and even puts his feet on the second rope to add insult to injury! 1....2...3! What a display of cheating from Justin Credible. CM Punk comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! CM Punk drops Credible to the canvas. CM Punk quickly locks on the Devil Lock! Justin Credible has been left down on the canvas. My Opinion: When I give out 3/4*, it means that I'm being REALLY nice about it. Coach: It’s funny to see what a has-been Raven has become. Tenay: Raven put up a fine effort, Justin Credible was just ruthless in that ring tonight! Coach: Of course, CM Punk just has to ruin everything. Winner at 5:09 and NEW Hardcore Champion: Justin Credible Bryan Danielson vs Matt Stryker (with Matt Hardy) Match Background: This will be Bryan Danielson’s WWF in-ring debut! The Match: Bryan Danielson kicks the leg, knocks Stryker down, and goes to work on it. Matt Stryker powers out of a Bryan Danielson headlock. Matt Stryker strikes Danielson. Bryan Danielson charges, Stryker moves, and the referee is knocked silly! Back heel kick off the second rope and Danielson goes flying! Cover, but there's no one to count for Matt Stryker! Danielson reverses a waistlock. Spin kick by Bryan Danielson to the face sends the opponent FLYING across the ring. SUPER frankensteiner on Stryker, who hit hard and is loopy as a result. Hooks the leg for a two count. DDT from the top rope by Bryan Danielson. That looked KILLER. Pinfall attempt: ONE...TWO...NO! Matt Hardy distracted the referee! The ref is shouting at Hardy, when Tommy Dreamer comes running into the arena. He has a kendo stick with him and he flattens Hardy out with it and then escapes through the audience! Meanwhile, Stryker reverses a Bryan Danielson hammerlock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Danielson counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Bryan Danielson has Matt Stryker down on the canvas. Matt Stryker gets locked in the Cattle Mutilation! Submission victory! My Opinion: A badly blown spot prevents me from giving out more snowflakes. ***3/4 Tenay: Danielson was impressive in his debut! However, Matt Hardy interfered in the match, so it will be interesting to hear what Shawn Michaels has to say about that. Coach: Argh, this is just what Raw needs: yet another superstar who opposes Evolution. Why does this have to be my last night on commentary? Why, oh why, oh why… Winner at 8:32: Bryan Danielson World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Benoit © vs Steve Corino vs Lance Storm vs Randy Orton Match Background: This will be a four corners bout. This match is for the World Heavyweight title. Chris Benoit has been World Heavyweight champion since 27 June 2006. The Match: Steve Corino with a spinning neckbreaker on Orton. Corino slams Randy Orton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Spinebuster by Steve Corino. Orton backdrops Steve Corino out of a piledriver attempt. That took a lot out of Randy Orton. Bodyslam by Orton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Spear by Randy Orton. There's a two count on the pin. Orton drops an elbow...but Steve Corino moves out of the way. Storm takes a headbutt from Steve Corino. Tag between Steve Corino and Lance Storm. Orton gets caught with a short powerbomb from Storm. T-Bone suplex by Storm, Storm got folded in half to the point that he was almost able to fellate himself. Mighty impressive, don't you think? Stun Gun from Lance Storm! I still can't believe that was Austin's finisher at one point. BURNING HAMMER~! from Lance Storm is executed with perfect brutally! Cover, ONE...TWO...NO! I honestly thought that match was going to end right then and there. Tag to Chris Benoit. Randy Orton charges into the corner, but EATS BOOT and staggers backward. Wicked suplex out of the corner from Chris Benoit, is executed so well, it hurt MY back. Hooks the leg for a two count. Benoit drives a thrust kick into the chest of Orton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Orton takes a quick lariat. Hooks the leg! ONE...TWO...NO! Tag between Randy Orton and Steve Corino. Full nelson slam on Benoit. Corino slams Chris Benoit down and motions to the crowd. Trying to channel the spirit of Misawa, Steve Corino ends up chanelling Lex Luger instead and nails a running forearm to the face, minus the steel plate, of course. Benoit blocks a kick from Steve Corino. Wicked suplex out of the corner from Chris Benoit, is executed so well, it hurt MY back. Chris Benoit has Steve Corino down on the canvas. Crippler Crossface!!! Steve Corino taps out! My Opinion: Great bout. In my estimation, it's about ****. Tenay: What a brutal war that was! Benoit made Corino tap out to the Crippler Crossface! Coach: At least one of my favorites won a match tonight. This was a good farewell match for me to call. Chris Benoit proudly poses with his World Heavyweight Championship. He pauses and sees that on the ramp stands Shawn Michaels, J.R. Ryder, Brian Kendrick, and Bryan Danielson. The four of them raise their arms as a sign of union. Benoit looks a bit shaky, but continues to celebrate in the ring regardless. Winner at 17:33 and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Benoit