The Impact Zone is going to be the home of NXT soon, so essentially yes.
Tonight, In This Very Ring: A Collection of Wrestling Timelines
- Thread starter Megafighter3
- Start date
The Impact Zone is going to be the home of NXT soon, so essentially yes.
The Reign of Punk: Destination X 2012
Destination X 2012
Venue: The Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 1400 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Mike Tenay/Taz
Venue: The Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 1400 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Mike Tenay/Taz
Marty Scurll/Rockstar Spud d. Rashad Cameron/Mason Andrews
We kick things off with Party Marty and Rockstar Spud getting a win over Sabian and Scorpio Sky (as they will be called when they go to New York) Gotta go with new blood in the opening tag match.
Gail Kim d. Brooke Tessmacher (c) for the TNA Knockouts Championship
This show is mainly driven by bringing the audience one last hurrah and with that, all the titles (barring the Knockouts Tag Titles) will be defended, starting with Gail Kim, the inaugural champion, winning the title for a third time with an Eat Defeat to Brooke. Our first new champion.
James Storm d. Bobby Roode
Just have a feel-good win here for the Cowboy, beating his former tag partner with the Last Call. After the match, Bobby offers a handshake and the James take it, the two hugging it out as the Beer Money theme plays.
Robbie E (w/Robbie T) d. Devon (c) for the TNA Television Championship
Robbie E reclaims the TV title thanks to interference by his bodyguard Robbie T, Bully Ray running down for the assist afterward. Team 3D are still working tonight, so we keep this short so Devon isn't too beat up. 3D to Robbie E to keep the crowd happy, but we also have another new champion.
Samoa Joe d. Kurt Angle
This show will also be a showcase of TNA's talent, despite the former WWE folks who are going to win, so we have Kurt work a good long match (give them twenty minutes, fuck it) to get Joe over. Coquina Clutch ends the match as Kurt passes out rather than tap.
Team 3D d. Christopher Daniels/Kazarian (c) for the TNA Tag Team Championship
3D to Kazarian gives it to the veteran tag team. Another set of inaugural champions now clocking in a third reign and our third new championship crowned. It's a hell of a night in the Impact Zone.
Jeff Hardy d. Zema Ion in an Ultimate X Match for the vacant TNA X Division Championship
Jeff Hardy, as the company comes to a close, makes it clear he has one goal in mind: Win the TNA Triple Crown and in order to do that, he has to win the X-Division Championship. That brings us to this match, a nice slice of bumpy flips with Jeff pulling down the title. Our fourth new champion and a major win for the Charismatic Engima.
AJ Styles d. Sting
And another veteran putting over the TNA original as Sting gets beaten by AJ Styles. Get as good as you can from the Stinger before putting him away with the Styles Clash, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing him at some point down the line...
Austin Aries d. Christian Cage (c) for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
And in a very poetic ending, it's a TNA original who wins the big belt, taking it off the WWE guy in the main event of the last ever TNA PPV. The Last Chancery gets the win, confetti raining down as the crowd in the Impact Zone starts up a TNA chant. The roster all steps out to the ring to give one last goodbye to the crowd as TNA goes off the air.
The Reign of Punk: Money in the Bank 2012
Money in the Bank 2012
Venue: US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 13,500
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler
Venue: US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 13,500
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler
Pre-Show Match: Hernandez/Hunico d. Kofi Kingston/R-Truth
Our first TNA PPV debut is on the pre-show as during the build-up to Money in the Bank, Camacho cost Hunico a tag match and Hunico decided to dump the fake Barrio boy, exposing him as not even being Mexican and bringing in Hernandez instead. The two get a win here with a combination sit-out powerbomb from Hernandez into a Falling Star by Hunico to R-Truth.
Ryback d. Curt Hawkins/Tyler Reks
The last PPV appearance of Tyler Reks as he eats the Shellshocked. Feed him more!
The Sisterhood (Natalya/Tamina Snuka) (w/Beth Phoenix) d. The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky/Madison Rayne)
A bizarre heel vs. heel, though I imagine the Sisterhood will get more cheers here, especially since Beth has been more controlling over them since losing her Women's Championship. After a successful win, Beth still berates them and the two have enough of this and kick her aside. Sisters are doing it for themselves here!
Samoa Joe d. Christopher Daniels, Chris Jericho, Chris Sabin, Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Frankie Kazarian in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Yeah, sorry Dolph, but this year it's going to Samoa Joe. It's a star-studded Money in the Bank, though and there's plenty of dudes to bring those ladder bumps that really bring this match alive. Also, I just realized I dodged a bullet by not putting Tyson Kidd in this match, but we do have a Muscle Buster to Ziggler in the finish.
Crimson d. Albert
So, Albert doesn't become Tensai. He just comes back as Albert. We use him here to put over new guys, such as Crimson. Red Alert to the big man, who will be built up as the next big opponent for Ryback. Yeah, I know.
Sheamus (c) (w/William Regal) d. Christian for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
We give Christian a shot here, but he gets leveled by the Celtic Warrior, hit with the White Noise for Sheamus to retain.
AJ Styles d. Austin Aries (c) for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
And a big selling point for this show is seeing the TNA World title defended on a WWE PPV. And tonight, it's the Phenomenal One who takes the gold, winning with the Styles Clash. AJ is now a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
CM Punk (w/Brodus Clay) (c) d. The Miz for the WWE World Championship
And in the one-year anniversary of CM Punk's historic title win, we put him against the Miz. We let the two do some shooty promos of Miz saying he still has a WrestleMania main event under his belt and Punk shooting back hard about Miz being one of the most pathetic champions in the title's history. Just stuff that plays to the behind the curtain because that's where Punk shines and while Miz is a few years off from his really good run of little hand-grenade promos, I think he can handle here. As for the match, Punk brings back Brodus because he knows Miz will try and cheat and he wants an insurance policy for that we have some Brodus Clay spots. Punk wins after the GTS, now two days off from a full year as WWE World Champion.
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The Reign of Punk: RAW 1000
July 23, 2012
WWE RAW 1000
Venue: Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Attendance: 18,724 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Jim Ross/Jerry Lawler
WWE RAW 1000
Venue: Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Attendance: 18,724 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Jim Ross/Jerry Lawler
Tonight's three-hour RAW begins with a video packaging, showing highlights from the twenty-year history of WWE's flagship program, followed by Vince McMahon thanking the audience at the arena and from their TVs for watching before throwing over to Shawn Michaels and Triple H
D-Generation X Reunion
This goes the same as OTL with the same sort of crude DX fun and Sandow berating them before taking a Superkick and a Pedigree. It's a good bit of fun to start off the show, so no problem with keeping it.
Jeff Hardy/The Dudley Boyz (w/Christian) d. The Empire (Sheamus/Wade Barrett/Drew McIntyre) (w/William Regal) in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
And for an opening match, we got a helluva match-up as the TNA X and Tag Champions meet up against the WWE IC and Tag Champions. Also, it's the return of Jeff Hardy and the Dudleyz, plus they're working together so you know we're gonna get some clips before showing their rivalry with each other and Edge & Christian. Screw it, have Christian at ringside for Jeff and the Dudleyz. This is a wild match to start off with as we get Jeff getting rag-dolled by the Empire while Regal keeps the Dudleyz and Christian distracted. Give them fifteen minutes. We got three hours, don't we? Let's make them count. Then the Dudleys get involved and no matter which combo they're going up against, we've got a brawl going on. The match ends with a 3D to McIntyre followed by Jeff landing a Swanton for the fall. There's a lot of talk of the possibility of the Empire losing their titles when they go up against these same men at SummerSlam.
Backstage: DX Attacked
In place of the Trish Stratus yoga segment, we get a backstage segment where Shawn and Hunter are hanging out, chatting like old friends and wondering when the rest of DX is gonna show up. They go to look for them and find X-Pac and the Outlaws were beaten up in their locker room, which has been trashed.
AJ Lee (c) (w/Layla) d. Lita (w/Trish Stratus) for the WWE Women's Championship
Come on, give me this one. Ten minutes of AJ/Lita is too good to pass up. It's the four-time women's champion facing the girl who idolized her and is now champion herself. We got Trish there too, so this is sure to bring in some ratings. The match I imagine is alright, but if there are any serious health concerns with Lita, we have AJ go light. She'll be fine to sell until getting the Shiranui, followed by a Moonsault for the win. Big hug in the middle of the ring, it's a feel-good night on RAW 1000.
Triple H Challenges Brock Lesnar
As you could probably guess, Hunter's figured out who went after D-X and calls out Brock Lesnar for a match. He gets Heyman instead, the two exchange words and then Brock comes out and F5s Triple H before he and Paul leave.
Matt Hardy d. Heath Slater
Keeping up the jobbing to veterans Heath Slater run, and we get the return of Matt Hardy. It's a trifecta of Team Extreme! We let them go under ten minutes and end it with a Twist of Fate. He gets joined by his brother Jeff and the two celebrate and pose in the ring.
Kane vs. Jinder Mahal (No Contest)
This goes about the same with Jinder calling in help. He's got Zeke, but he also brings in Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks, Donny Marlow (formerly Camacho) and Gunner (because you gotta do something with Gunner) who get leveled by the Brothers of Destruction. As the two stand tall, the lights suddenly go out... when they come back on...
Sting.
Sting has Kane in position for the Scorpion Death Drop and hits it. Undertaker moves to go for him, but Sting holds up the bat to the Deadman. They stare each other down and then lights go out. Lights back on. Sting is gone. Lights out again. Gong. Gong. Lights on again. Undertaker and Kane both gone.
CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Championship goes to a No Contest (Special Ref: The Rock)
Main event time, folks! Give these guys twenty minutes and let them tear the roof down. Rock's here because it's RAW 1000 and he's the People's Champion here for the millions (and millions!) watching this historic night, you know the drill. The finish comes when Samoa Joe barrels down with his briefcase and clocks CM Punk then he clocks Daniel Bryan, maybe even gives Rocky a briefcase shot while demanding another ref come out here. As the ref comes down, here comes John Cena! Cena and Joe start clubbing each other, but then in runs Kurt Angle! Angle Slam to Cena and he's on top of Cena! Before Joe can get back to Punk, D-Bry's going after him with kicks! AJ Styles goes to save Cena, readies a springboard but Punk catches him! Anaconda Vice to the TNA Champion! Cena's in the Ankle Lock! Samoa Joe's got a Coquina Clutch on Daniel Bryan! Pandemonium! Security's running out to break everything up as RAW 1000 comes to a close.
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The Reign of Punk: SummerSlam 2012
SummerSlam 2012
Venue: Staples Center in Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 21,000 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler
Venue: Staples Center in Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 21,000 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler
Pre-Show: AJ Lee (c) (w/Layla) d. Gail Kim (c) to unify the WWE Women's and TNA Knockout Championships
What does it tell you about a PPV when I gotta put this match on the pre-show? Tonight is a fucking stacked show. Give them ten minutes to work a good match ending with another successful defense. Now onto the main show.
Zack Ryder (c) d. Robbie E (c) in a Lumberjack Match to unify the WWE United States and TNA Television Championships
And to kick off the show proper we have a battle of the Jersey Shore knock-offs. It's a Battle of the Bros. We use the lumberjacks to get people on the show without matches. Miz, Del Rio, Mysterio, Kane, Big Show, Brodus, Ryback, Jericho, whoever ya got. Zack wins the Rough Ryder to retain.
Samoa Joe d. Daniel Bryan
Not for the Money in the Bank Briefcase because Joe's not stupid enough to risk it, but we have this match. Hell yeah, SummerSlam! Just give them fifteen minutes of pure ROH action. Coquina Clutch wins it for Joe as he chokes the life out of D-Bry, leaving him out on the mat.
The Empire (Wade Barrett/Drew McIntyre) (c) (w/William Regal) d. The Dudley Boyz (c) (w/Christian) in a Tables Match to unify the WWE and TNA Tag Team Championships
Just let the teams go all out with the brawling. The Dudleys are the vets looking to claim the tag titles once again and the incumbent champs are looking to fix their wounded pride after RAW 1000. Christian's there to add to the bumps. Wasteland through the table to D-Von keeps the tag belts in the Empire.
Brock Lesnar d. Triple in a No Disqualification Match
And Brock Lesnar murders Triple H here tonight at SummerSlam. Just demolishes him just like he did to Cena, taking him out of the ring for good. Breaks his arm in the Kimura and Hunter needs to be stretchered out.
Sheamus (w/William Regal) (c) d. Jeff Hardy (c) (w/Matt Hardy) in a Ladder Match to unify the WWE Intercontinental and TNA X Division Championships
And the Celtic Warrior tosses Jeff around, Matt trying to help but getting thrown for his troubles too. High Cross through a ladder finishes Jeff off and leaves Sheamus to climb the ladder and claim both belts while Regal knocks Matt out with brass knuckles. The Empire remains strong.
Kurt Angle d. John Cena
We don't have much left for Kurt, but we use him here in a big return match against Cena, who made his debut challenging the Olympic Hero. Plus it's Cena's first PPV match since Extreme Rules, so that really helps the buyrates. Both give it their all but tonight the Angle Slam gives it to Kurt.
CM Punk (c) d. AJ Styles (c) to unify the WWE and TNA World Heavyweight Titles
CM Punk, now over a year as WWE Champion. AJ Styles, the man many would call the Icon of TNA. A crowd of 21k people on their feet to see this contest. Yeah, they go twenty minutes of hard-hitting wrestling action, ending with a GTS to the Phenomenal One as Punk holds his belt up high to end SummerSlam. Best in the World.
The Reign of Punk: Night of Champions 2012
Night of Champions 2012
Venue: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 19,580 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Venue: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 19,580 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Pre-Show Match: Antonio Cesaro last eliminates Albert in a 20-Man Battle Royal to determine the #1 Contender for the WWE United States Championship
Entrants: Albert, Antonio Cesaro, Darren Young, Elijah Burke, Epico, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, Joey Ryan, JTG, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston, Michael McGillicutty, Primo, R-Truth, Robbie E, Santino Marella, Sin Cara, Ted DiBiase, Titus O'Neil, Tony Nese, Tyson Kidd.
We start off with the Swiss Superman winning a shot at Zack Ryder's US title later on tonight, showing off his amazing strength in tossing Albert like he's nothing. We then kick off the show... with a ten bell salute for Jerry Lawler, who passed away in his Memphis home of a heart attack on September 10, six days before the pay-per-view. He is survived by his sons Brian and Kevin. Long live the King.
Ryback d. Gunner
Ryback destroys Gunner because you gotta do something with Gunner. Shellshocked victory, less than three minutes. Feed him...
Antonio Cesaro (w/Aksana) d. Zack Ryder (c) (w/Eve Torres) for the WWE United States Championship
And we wrap up the Ryder Revolution here. He gets outwrestled and outpowered by Cesaro, finished off with the Neutralizer as he gets strapped up with US gold.
Beth Phoenix d. Natalya Neidhart
After putting Tamina on the shelf after SummerSlam, Beth looks to take out Natalya on her way to reclaiming her Women's title. The two put on a solid mat presentation, ending with the Glam Slam Stretch with a stretcher job.
AJ Lee (c) (w/Layla) d. ODB for the WWE Women's Championship
ODB, being a former Knockouts Tag Team Champion, was allowed a shot at the Women's title, so we play the David and Goliath card here, let her toss AJ around before AJ mounts the comeback, winning with the Shiranui.
The Hardy Boyz d. The Empire (Wade Barrett/Drew McIntyre) (c) (w/William Regal) for the WWE Tag Team Championship
And we have the feel-good victory here as the veteran tag team win the tag titles, become seven-time champions and knocking off the Empire. Whisper in the Wind to McIntyre wins it for the Hardyz, the brothers hugging and celebrating in front of the Boston crowd.
Sheamus (c) d. Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler and Randy Orton in a Fatal Four-Way Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
However, Sheamus continues to dominate as IC champion. It's a pretty standard four-way to get all the major names on the card. Brogue Kick to Ziggler finishes after Barrett and McIntyre take del Rio and Orton out of the picture. The Empire shifts its focus from holding gold to protecting Sheamus' belt. Long live the Empire.
CM Punk (c) (w/Brodus Clay) d. John Cena for the WWE World Championship
And this is a big match. The first one-on-one title match on PPV between Punk and Cena since Money in the Bank 2011. Every other title match was a multi-man match, but this is just Punk vs. Cena going at it. It's a Punk/Cena match, so it's a contender for Observer's Five-Star ranking, especially given how it's been over a year since so it's not been watered down. Brodus actually gets taken out midway by Samoa Joe, who chokes him out before motioning that he's gonna cash in... then walks off. He's gonna wait on this one. He's got time. Eventually, Punk wins with the GTS to keep.
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The Reign of Punk: Hell in a Cell 2012
Hell in a Cell 2012
Venue: Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 14,119
Announce Team: Jim Ross/John Bradshaw Layfield
Venue: Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 14,119
Announce Team: Jim Ross/John Bradshaw Layfield
Rey Mysterio/Sin Cara d. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young/Titus O'Neil) (w/Elijah Burke)
Same match from OTL, but we replace the recently suspended (and probably fired) A.W. with the Pope as the man at ringside. But the luchadors win out.
AJ Lee (c) (w/Layla) d. Beth Phoenix in a Submission Match for the WWE Women's Championship
And we wrap up Beth Phoenix's run with the company with her last shot at the Women's title. On the way here, she sent Kelly Kelly out of the company and now plans to do the same to AJ. The two have a tidy match, ending with an Octopus Stretch and breaking Beth's arm once again. AJ is left panicked... but also laughing a bit. Layla eventually slaps her to break her out of it and AJ calms down... but something's funny about little AJ.
Antonio Cesaro (c) d. Justin Gabriel for the WWE United States Championship
Same match as OTL.
Ryback d. Kane
And Ryback goes up against the Big Red Monster. Just destroys Kane with the Shellshocked in a match that goes below ten minutes. Feed. Him.
The Hardy Boyz (c) d. Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes/Damien Sandow) for the WWE Tag Team Championships by disqualification
We bring in the arrogant heel champions to take on the veteran babyfaces and while they're good, the Hardyz are seven-time tag champions and have wrestled since they were teens. The match ends when after a Swanton to Sandow, Cody runs in and clocks Jeff with the ring bell, drawing out the DQ. Rhodes Scholars make a break for it after that.
Sheamus (c) (w/William Regal) d. Zack Ryder (w/Eve Torres) for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ryder, after a long reign as the US champion, takes on Sheamus for the IC title. Zack fights from underneath as the Celtic Warrior manhandles him. However, the ref becomes distracted by the constant arguing at ringside, with Eve jumping onto Regal's back to attack him. This gives an opening for Drew McIntyre to roll in for a quick Future Shock, rolling out while Sheamus covers. The two then beat down on Zack while Regal keeps Eve at bay.
Samoa Joe d. John Cena
I was gonna put Orton here, but I realized that if Cena was sitting out for two months, then he's probably had time to get the arm surgery that sidelined him at this time in OTL (if he needed it still) and so we put him here to get killed by Joe. These two go back to UPW, so they're good to put on a good match for the crowd with Cena game to take some riskier bumps. Muscle Buster puts Cena down for the count as Joe continues his destructive run through the roster, walking out with his Money in the Bank briefcase.
CM Punk (c) d. Wade Barrett in a Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE World Championship
Two former Nexus leaders go at it for the main event. Barrett won a shot at the title in the build-up and there's a bit of heat, but it's an okay match at best. Though Barrett does have momentum from his tag run with McIntyre to make this hot enough for a b-level PPV. We get some Cell spots, but it's honestly pretty tame. It's one of the weaker showings from Punk during this reign, unlikely to make any compilation DVDs unless WWE wants to do the full run. Anaconda Vice finishes.
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The Reign of Punk: Survivor Series 2012
Survivor Series 2012
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Attendance: 17,000
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Attendance: 17,000
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Pre-Show Match: 3MB (Heath Slater/Justin Gabriel) (w/Curt Hawkins) d. Primo and Epico
It's 3MB, bay-bay! We're going with a face 3MB, replacing Mahal and McIntyre with Gabriel and Hawkins. And hey, we reunite Slater and Gabriel! The two beat the Colons in the pre-show to kick things off.
AJ Lee (c) (w/Layla) d. Kaitlyn for the WWE Women's Championship
AJ's been making a slow descent into heeldom, but tonight she finally snaps. Sure, she and Kaitlyn are friends, but the constant pressure of keeping her championship, the attacks from the Sisterhood and the fear of going off the edge all boils over and AJ finally cuts loose when it looks like Kaitlyn could win. AJ wins with the Octopus... and doesn't let go on purpose. She snaps Kaitlyn's arm to put her on the shelf (kayfabe injury) and when Layla starts yelling at her, AJ slaps Layla across the face and makes use of the shock to tackle Layla and claw at her. Security has to drag AJ off while she gives her best Pillman smile to the camera. Welcome to TTL, crazy chick AJ! Good to have you here.
Antonio Cesaro (c) d. R-Truth for the WWE United States Championship
Same match from OTL.
The Hardy Boyz (c) d. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young/Titus O'Neil) (w/Elijah Burke) for the WWE Tag Team Championship
And the Hardyz keep once again, but they do make sure to make the Players look good, bumping around for Titus like only they can. Swanton to Darren Young finishes the match.
Sheamus (c) (w/William Regal) d. Eric Young in a No Holds Barred Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
And we have the other TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion (yes, seriously. Do you see why I opted to kill TNA now?) Young calls out Sheamus for a title shot and while Sheamus taunts that he had a women's belt, Young goes all sorts of Eric Young crazy on the Empire in the build-up. Young plays scrappy underdog here and brings all sort of plunder, fighting off the Empire but a chance Bull Hammer from Barrett leaves Young open for a Brogue Kick. Sheamus keeps once again.
Team WWE (Randy Orton/Dolph Ziggler/Daniel Bryan/Big Show/Zack Ryder) d. Team TNA (AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels/Bobby Roode/James Storm/Kazarian) in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match
We milk the WWE vs. TNA angle a bit more even without the belts and really, this is a bit of Survivor Series fun. Zack Ryder is the first one to go, taken out by Kazarian. However, Kazarian gets sent packing with a Chokeslam by the Big Show. The double-team efforts of Beer Money wear him down, but a WMD knocks Storm out and leaves him to eat a pin from Big Show. However, a springboard forearm from Styles finishes Big Show off. D-Bry and Ziggler work together to take out Roode, who falls to a Zig-Zag. And as if the Team TNA wasn't already at a disadvantage, Daniels walks off on AJ, hitting him with Angel's Wings and leaving him for dead. However, AJ kicks out of Ziggler's pin and begins fighting back. He manages to hit Ziggler with the Styles Clash, putting at two-to-one. However, Orton and D-Bry manage to keep it together and after an RKO, Team WWE wins.
CM Punk (c) d. John Cena and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE World Championship
And in the main event, we have three big names and it's a huge match, everyone giving 100% until the finish. After an Attitude Adjustment to Angle, Cena gets jumped by three men in riot gear (not turtlenecks!) who start pummeling him. Cole and Tazz start freaking out as they recognize the three men. Seth Rollins! Dean Ambrose! Kassius Ohno! Wait, Kassius Ohno? But where's Ro- Oh wait! Triple Powerbomb to Cena! Punk sneaks in a GTS to Angle in the distraction, pinning him to keep as the Shield has arrived in the WWE.
Yes, instead of going with Roman, we have Chris Hero taking his spot in the Shield. He'll be tagging with Ambrose while Seth runs as the solo star of the Shield. They're all here to aid Punk in keeping his title as Brodus Clay got taken out by Samoa Joe. The Era of Indie Wrestling has come to the WWE.
Please let Roman end up pulling an Okada on Punk by the end of this story.
Oh no, I have plans for Roman. Whether or not I'll have a chance to implement them is really up to what cards I'm given.
The Reign of Punk: TLC 2012
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2012
Venue: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
Attendance: 16,000 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Venue: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
Attendance: 16,000 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Pre-Show Match: The Usos (Jimmy/Jey/Joey) d. 3MB (Heath Slater/Justin Gabriel/Curt Hawkins) in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
Wait, Joey? Who the hell is Joey? Well, he's "Big" Joey Uso! Jimmy and Jey's cousin. You folks in OTL might know him as Roman Reigns. Yep, instead of joining the Shield, we bring Roman in as the third Uso, the powerhouse of the Usos. And he shows that here, running through all of 3MB and spearing the Bajeesus out of Slater to get the Usos the win here.
AJ Lee (c) d. Eve Torres for the WWE Women's Championship
Eve, who never became a Hoeski or turned heel, looks to take the belt off of AJ, but she also falls to the Black Widow (as her Octopus is now known and it also becomes her moniker "The Black Widow" AJ Lee) and gets her arm broken. That sends Eve off on a stretcher, Layla running in to brawl with AJ after the match.
Ryback d. Crimson
Ryback, still undefeated, meets up against TNA's failed Goldberg clone, Crimson. And Crimson eats a Shellshocked, continuing his reign. Feed him MORE!
Antonio Cesaro (c) d. Kane in a Tables Match for the WWE United States Championship
Cesaro continues to Superman his run as United States Champion, putting Kane through a table with a Neutralizer.
The Shield (Seth Rollins/Dean Ambrose/Kassius Ohno) d. John Cena/Randy Orton/Dolph Ziggler in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
And we have the Shield's coming out party. The story is the indie darlings taking on the corporate creations and decimating them through the combination of their individual skills and good teamwork. Triple Powerbomb to Ziggler wins it after almost 23 minutes of six-man chaos.
Sheamus (c) (w/William Regal) d. The Big Show in the Chairs Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Yeah, we have this mistake of a match, with some added run-ins from the rest of the Empire to help down the Big Show and a Brogue Kick to win.
The Hardy Boyz d. Kofi Kingston/R-Truth, Rey Mysterio/Sin Cara and Team Rhodes Scholar (Cody Rhodes/Damien Sandow) in a Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Just have ourselves are car crash match with bodies all around. Jump off ladders, jump onto ladders, just pure insanity in front of us. Jeff dives off a ladder at the end to wipe out as many people as he can before Matt climbs up and unhooks the belts to keep once again.
CM Punk (c) d. The Miz and Alberto del Rio in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match for the WWE World Championship
It's the match from OTL's 2011 show, which was alright, but it actually breaks the streak for main events by Punk because it's a bit of a throwaway compared to the headliner.
Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles for the WWE Money in the Bank Briefcase
Because this is some good shit. Give them as much time as we got to put on an amazing main event. AJ wants the briefcase and Samoa Joe just wants to kill Styles. Joe puts him out with the Muscle Buster, keeping his briefcase. He's waiting for the right moment to cash in.
The Reign of Punk: Wrestling Observer Awards
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards
Gonna do both the 2011 and 2012 editions in the same post because while not much was changed from 2011, it's still worth noting.
2011
- Wrestler of the Year: Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW)
- Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable: Georges St-Pierre (UFC)
- Most Outstanding Wrestler: Davey Richards (ROH/PWG)
- Most Outstanding Fighter: Jon Jones (UFC)
- Tag Team of the Year: Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard/Karl Anderson) (NJPW)
- Best on Interviews: CM Punk (WWE)
- Promotion of the Year: Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Best Weekly TV Show: Friday Night Smackdown (WWE)
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year: CM Punk vs. John Cena (WWE)
- MMA Match of the Year: Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua (UFC)
- Best Box Office Draw: The Rock (WWE)
- Feud of the Year: John Cena vs. CM Punk (WWE)
- Most Improved: Dolph Ziggler (WWE)
- Most Charismatic: The Rock (WWE)
- Best Technical Wrestler: Daniel Bryan (WWE)
- Best Brawler: Kevin Steen (PWG)
- Best Flying Wrestler: Ricochet (Dragon Gate/PWG)
- Most Overrated: Crimson (TNA)
- Most Underrated: Dolph Ziggler (WWE)
- Rookie of the Year: Daichi Hashimoto (Zero-1)
- Best Non-Wrestler: Ricardo Rodriguez (WWE)
- Best Television Announcer: Joe Rogan (UFC)
- Worst Television Announcer: Michael Cole (WWE)
- Best Major Wrestling Show: Money in the Bank (WWE)
- Worst Major Wrestling Show: Victory Road (TNA)
- Best Wrestling Maneuver: Ricochet's Double Rotation Moonsault (DGUSA/PWG)
- Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic: Blatant mistreatment of Jim Ross despite WWE's anti-bullying campaign (WWE)
- Worst Television Show: Impact Wrestling (TNA)
- Worst Worked Match of the Year: Sting vs. Jeff Hardy (TNA Victory Road)
- Worst Feud of the Year: Sting vs. Jeff Hardy (TNA)
- Worst Promotion of the Year: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- Best Booker: Gedo and Jado (NJPW)
- Promoter of the Year: Dana White (UFC)
- Best Gimmick: CM Punk (WWE)
- Worst Gimmick: Michael Cole (WWE)
- Best Pro Wrestling Book: Undisputed by Chris Jericho
- Best Pro Wrestling DVD: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries (WWE)
2012
- Wrestler of the Year: Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW)
- Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable: Anderson Silva (UFC)
- Most Outstanding Wrestler: Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW)
- Most Outstanding Fighter: Anderson Silva (UFC)
- Tag Team of the Year: The Empire (Wade Barrett/Drew McIntyre) (WWE)
- Best on Interviews: CM Punk (WWE)
- Promotion of the Year: New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Best Weekly TV Show: Monday Night RAW (WWE)
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW)
- MMA Match of the Year: Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier (UFC)
- Best Box Office Draw: The Rock (WWE)
- Feud of the Year: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW)
- Most Improved: Kazuchika Okada (NJPW)
- Most Charismatic: The Rock (WWE)
- Best Technical Wrestler: Daniel Bryan (WWE)
- Best Brawler: Kevin Steen (ROH/PWG)
- Best Flying Wrestler: Kota Ibushi (DDT)
- Most Overrated: Ryback (WWE)
- Most Underrated: Tyson Kidd (WWE)
- Rookie of the Year: Dinastía (AAA)
- Best Non-Wrestler: Paul Heyman (WWE)
- Best Television Announcer: Jim Ross (WWE)
- Worst Television Announcer: Michael Cole (WWE)
- Best Major Wrestling Show: King of Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- Worst Major Wrestling Show: UFC 149 (UFC)
- Best Wrestling Maneuver: Kazuchika Okada's Rainmaker (NJPW)
- Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic: Having Christian Cage win the World Title (TNA)
- Worst Television Show: Impact Wrestling (TNA)
- Worst Worked Match of the Year: Ryback vs. Crimson (WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs)
- Worst Feud of the Year: John Cena vs. Kane (WWE)
- Worst Promotion of the Year: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- Best Booker: Gedo and Jado (NJPW)
- Promoter of the Year: Vince McMahon (WWE)
- Best Gimmick: CM Punk (WWE)
- Worst Gimmick: Michael Cole (WWE)
- Best Pro Wrestling Book: Shooters: The Toughest Men in Pro Wrestling by Jonathan Snowden
- Best Pro Wrestling DVD: CM Punk: Best in the World (WWE)
The Reign of Punk: Royal Rumble 2013, Part 1
Royal Rumble 2013
Venue: US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 18,422 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Venue: US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 18,422 (Capacity)
Announce Team: Michael Cole/Tazz
Pre-Show Match: Dean Ambrose (w/Shield) d. Antonio Cesaro (c) for the WWE United States Championship
Hope you like the Shield, because they're gonna run the whole of the non-Rumble show. Ambrose mostly gets thrown around, surprisingly, the referee keeping Seth and Ohno at bay. However, a surprise Dirty Deeds catches Cesaro off guard and Ambrose wins the US title, but Cesaro angrily throws him out of the ring to the Shield, storming off. Dean's exhausted, but isn't it odd how easily he got the title off the Swiss Superman... hm...
The Shield (Kassius Ohno/Antonio Cesaro) d. The Hardy Boyz (c) for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Surprise, fuckers! Cesaro was working with the Shield the whole time! He's teaming up with his old friend Kassius and together they tear up the Hardyz! Jeff takes a Doomsday Elbow as the Shield add the tag titles to their collection.
Seth Rollins (w/Shield) d. Sheamus (c) (w/Empire) for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Boy, I hope you guys aren't sick of the Shield yet, because they're taking one more belt tonight. Cesaro and Ohno get into a brawl with Barrett and McIntyre to hold them off while Ambrose makes his way back and goes right for Regal, cutting Sheamus off from his support. Seth is just too good to be beaten by Sheamus. Rollins wins with the Phoenix Splash and now we add the IC title to the Shield's collection. Commissioner Mick Foley, getting sick of the shenanigans from the Shield (Shieldnanigans?) warns them to stay out of the WWE World Title match coming up or they will be consequences.
CM Punk (c) d. The Rock for the WWE World Championship
And we fix this horrible mistake. The Shield come out again to cause havoc, but as they're coming down, they're suddenly cut off by a Spear to Ambrose! It's Joey Uso! The Usos are running out to stop the Shield! Jimmy and Jey just dove onto Ohno and Cesaro! Joey and Dean are brawling! The ref is distracted and in slides Seth. Avada Kedavra! The Rock is left reeling. GTS! Cover and 1-2-3! Punk remains champion! The Shield hurry to carry the world champion out as Foley barges in with security and demands a rematch. I told you guys, the Era of the Indie Wrestler. It's here. But who's gonna be winning the Royal Rumble? Find out in Part 2, coming soon.
Any chance we could get a certain Death Ray to join the Shield as their women's representative?
The Reign of Punk: Royal Rumble 2013, Part 2
The 2013 Royal Rumble Match
#1: Dolph Ziggler
#2: Chris Jericho
Start off with the OTL first two, though Dolp is now a face and Jericho's a heel ITTL.
#3: Cody Rhodes
Cody comes in to help the veteran Jericho, making a 2-on-1 on Ziggler.
#4: Kofi Kingston
Kofi comes in to help Ziggler in fighting Rhodes and Jericho.
#5: Eric Young
We have our first TNA entrant as EY jumps into things, putting it 3-2 for the faces.
#6: Drew McIntyre
And evening things up is the Sinister Scotsman. Things split off here with Ziggler/Jericho, Rhodes/Kingston, and Young/McIntyre.
#7: Titus O'Neil
Millions of dollars! Millions of dollars! Millions! Of! Dollars~
Titus runs in to go right after Kofi, Cody stepping back to watch the fireworks.
#8: Goldust
And here comes Goldust to go right for Cody, the two going at it. Fights are now Ziggler/Jericho, Kingston/O'Neil, Young/McIntyre, and Cody/Goldust
#9: Kurt Angle
And here comes the Olympic Hero! And he just gives the Germans to everyone! He gets the first few eliminations, taking out Eric Young (30, Young) Drew McIntyre (29, McIntyre) and Titus O'Neil (28, O'Neil) and tries for Kofi, but Kofi manages to land on Titus and bounces back. However, he jumps into the arms of ANgle and gets thrown from another side (27, Kingston)
#10: Heath Slater
HE'S JUST ONE MAN! And here comes Slater to take all of the finishers. Codebreaker into a Zig-Zag, followed by a Crossrhodes and then a Final Cut, Finally, Angle deadlifts into an Angle Slam followed by a German Suplex (26, Slater)
#11: Sheamus
And here comes the former IC champion to meet against Angle. Fights, as we head in, are Ziggler/Jericho, Cody/Goldust, and Angle/Sheamus.
#12: Abyss
TNA entrant #2 is the Monster, Abyss! He goes after everyone, wrecking whoever he sees.
#13: Brodus Clay
We gonna rip it up! And Brodus goes right for Abyss, adding Brodus/Abyss to the fights.
#14: Rey Mysterio
Lil Rey charges in just as Abyss eliminates Brodus (25, Brodus) and Abyss goes in, making a power vs. speed fight.
#15: Darren Young
Darren comes in, going after Angle but gets suplexed over the ropes and given the Brogue Kick right out. (24, Young)
#16: Bo Dallas
And here comes NXT's Bo Dallas. I really wanted to use Richie Steamboat here, but I wasn't sure of his condition, so we bring in Bo and have him go to save Rey from Abyss. Abyss levels him and heaves him out (23, Dallas) which allows Rey to make the comeback and send Abyss out (22, Abyss)
#17: Chris Sabin
TNA entry #3 is Sabin, who comes to meet Rey in a match of high-flyers. We still got Ziggler/Jericho, Cody/Goldust, and Angle/Sheamus, but we add Rey/Sabin to the mix.
#18: Wade Barrett
Barrett comes in to help Sheamus fight Angle while Cody finally tosses out his brother (21, Goldust) Rey and Sabin spit off, Rey turning to help a fellow legend against the Empire while Sabin takes on Rhodes.
#19: John Cena
And his name is JOHN CENA! Cena comes in there with forearms as Rhodes manages to eliminate Sabin (20, Sabin) before getting sent out by Cena (19, Rhodes) before helping Ziggler out with Jericho
#20: Damien Sandow
And the other half of Team Rhodes Scholars comes in to pull Cena away in revenge for what happened to Cody but he also gets sent out by Cena (18, Sandow) who goes back to Ziggler while Barrett tosses out Rey (17, Mysterio) leaving Angle alone with the Empire.
#21: Daniel Bryan
D-Bry decides to ally himself with Angle to send off the Empire. Fights are now Cena and Ziggler vs. Jericho and D-Bry and Angle vs. the Empire.
#22: AJ Styles
Because fuck it, why not? TNA entrant #4 is AJ Styles and goes right in on Jericho, helping to throw him out (16, Jericho) before mixing it up in a triple threat scenario with Cena and Ziggler
#23: Samoa Joe
And here comes Joe to kill some motherfuckers. He just goes in with suplexes, sending out Ziggler (15, Ziggler) and eliminates D-Bry and Barrett (14, Bryan) (13, Barrett) leaving Angle with Sheamus and rocking a two-on-one against Cena and Styles because he's Samoa Joe.
#24: Kane
Kane comes in with Chokeslams for everyone to give them a breather and letting them lay on the mat.
#25: Zack Ryder
And poor Zack Ryder goes up against Kane is Chokeslammed out for his troubles. Sorry, Zack. I love you. (12, Ryder)
#26: Randy Orton
Orton comes in and reverses the Chokslam with an RKO and sends Kane out (11, Kane) before helping out a few of the faces with their problems via RKOs to Sheamus, leading to him going out (10, Sheamus) and Samoa Joe before deciding to RKO Angle too and get back to where they left off.
#27: Christopher Daniels
TNA entrant #5 is Daniels, who peels off AJ Styles and leaving Joe with Cena.
#28: The Miz
Miz goes after Orton, the two duking it out for a bit. Fights, as we reach the end, are Joe/Cena, Orton/Miz, and Styles/Daniels with Angle on his own.
Sin Cara actually gets jumped on the ramp and beaten down by Hunico and Hernandez, forcing an emergency entrant.
#29: Brock Lesnar
And Brock comes in and wrecks everyone's shit. Suplex City, bitches! Out goes Miz (9, Miz) and out goes Orton (8, Orton) and then he goes right for Angle, sending him out (7, Angle) before suddenly dropping out himself (6, Lesnar) wait, why did he? But... he could've... wait, he's still attacking Angle! Security has to get Angle out of there and Lesnar won't stop!
#30: Ryback
FEED! HIM! MORE!
...Okay, he's a bit of a disappointment after Lesnar just showed up and wrecked shit, but he does come in with some promise, helping Cena eliminate Joe (5, Samoa Joe) while AJ sends Daniels out (4, Daniels) leaving AJ, Cena, and Ryback. Or well... Cena and Ryback because Jericho comes back in and pulls AJ out of the match (3, Styles) and then Cena manages to toss over Ryback (2, Ryback)
Ladies and Gentleman, one man is going to the main event of WrestleMania. One man is going to face CM Punk for the WWE World Championship.
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According to this article, Richie's didn't get the surgery for his back until June. Whether it was because he was trying to be old school or just he couldn't get the time and money to go, it ultimately ended up being too debilitating for him to continue wrestling.
Most likely the former as WWE tends to cover medical bills on injuries incurred in ring.