Monday 23^rd May 2011 – Rose Garden. Portland, OR.

A graphic comes up on screen with an image of ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, with simply his name and the years ‘1952 – 2011’ underneath. This then leads us into a recap of last night’s KWF pay-per-view, ReBirth. We see clips of what happened in the TNA RAW main event, as Wade Barrett took on Triple H for the WWE Title. The match went back and forth with both men getting some offense in. As it was a No-DQ match, soon enough the rest of the World Elite made their way to the ring to gang up on The Game. However, for once they weren’t allowed to get away with it as a number of TNA RAW superstars, including Kurt Angle and the returning Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles, came racing to Hunter’s aid, taking down the World Elite one by one. Eventually once the ring had been cleared of obstructions, Triple H nailed Barrett with an earth shattering Pedigree, getting the pin and claiming his fourteenth World Title. The Game was hoisted onto the shoulders of Matt Hardy and Shelton Benjamin as the KWF fans celebrated the defeat of the World Elite. With that we pan and zoom into the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, where we are introduced to the night’s proceedings as always by Michael Cole and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. They run over how amazing last night’s pay-per-view truly was, with action from both shows blowing the roof off the Key Arena in Seattle. If you haven’t read the show yet then be sure to do so by clicking right HERE now! The comms say they are hoping to keep that level of competition going tonight, and what better way to start than with the X-Division! The music of new X-Division superstar Suicide hits, and he flies into the ring on a zip-wire.

Suicide vs. Shannon Moore

As this one gets underway, Cole reminds us that Justin Gabriel retained his X-Division Title against Daniel Bryan last night after Bryan smacked his head on an exposed turnbuckle. The match begins in typical high-tempo fashion, with Suicide getting the better of the early exchanges. However, Moore is soon able to hit a dropkick, which forces Suicide to fall back into the corner. As he holds onto the ropes, the Prince of Punk runs up and hits a spinning heel kick. Before coming off the ropes and taking Suicide down with a spike DDT. Moore is impressing here, and goes for a cover, but the newcomer kicks out. Cole reminds us that Suicide came to the KWF as one of Hulk Hogan’s first signings just a few weeks ago, and we start to see why as he gets back into things. He hits Moore with a dropkick after Shannon tries a high-risk maneuver, getting a near fall. He hits Moore with a dropdown elbow across the chest, and races Shannon face first into the middle turnbuckle, before going for the DOA, but before he can hit it he hears the fans boo, then looks up to the stage. The World Elite are making their way to the ring. Suicide tries to stand his ground. Shannon Moore gets up and sees the World Elite coming and it looks as if he and Suicide are going to take them on, but Shannon is cowardly, pushing Suicide toward an oncoming Brogue Kick from Sheamus. Vladimir Kozlov starts toward Shannon, but smartly, he exits the ring and backs away completely. Rob Terry throws Suicide over the top rope. Moore smiles to himself as he walks past Suicide’s body as the official throws this opening contest out.

No contest.

Wade Barrett is handed a mic, and looks far from happy. He bemoans his loss to Triple H last night, and talks about what a travesty it was that Hunter used backup to win the Belt. He claims that Hogan must have been in on the whole thing, and that this is a classic case of xenophobia. “The World Elite has always faced adversity and prejudice, but we rise above it.” The fans continuously boo Barrett’s proclamations. “Well Hulkster, you got what you wanted, your poster boy Champion. Congratulations.” Soon enough Barrett is interrupted by ♫Real American♫ and TNA RAW interim General Manager Hulk Hogan steps out onto the stage. The fans go wild and chant Hogan’s name. He gets straight to business and tells Barrett to stop whining and making excuses. “Your guys got exactly what they deserved last night brother! You and them have been ganging up on people and using the numbers game for too long. Now you know how it feels dude, but last night wasn’t the end of it. I have decided that each and every member of the World Elite is going to be in action tonight against various superstars they have crossed! Including you Wade!” Barrett and the Elite look horrified, clearly having been looking forward to a night off. Hogan says he hopes they all enjoy their matches, and he’ll pin them up on the board backstage for them to peruse, but Rob Terry might as well stay out there, as he’s first up! “Oh and Justin Gabriel, you kid have got a problem on your hands because tonight, Rey Mysterio gets his rematch for X-Division Gold brother!” Wade Barrett: “No wait, Hulk you can’t do that, Justin just defended last night against Daniel Bryan. This is an outrage!” Hogan: “Can it dude, does it look like I care?!” The fans applaud as Hogan exits and Wade Barrett talks off-mic to the World Elite. What a night this is set to be, the entire World Elite in action plus the X-Division Title on the line with Justin Gabriel defending against Rey Mysterio!

When we come back from commercials Michael Cole and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler recap Hogan’s announcement that each member of the World Elite will be in action tonight against someone they have crossed at one time or another. They talk up Rey’s comeback and also state that they hope to see AJ Styles back in action Live here tonight. We’re told that Triple H, the new WWE Champion will be interviewed by Cole and King via Satellite. And later, Wade Barrett will be main eventing, but against who?!

Backstage we see that Maryse is pacing up and down the World Elite locker room looking worried. She is freaking out because she has just been told she will face Awesome Kong. She asks Panther why, saying she has never crossed Kong, she’s never even met her before. Panther replies “Actually, that’s not quite true. Remember a couple of weeks ago when you weren’t looking where you were going and bumped into a production truck and then kicked out at it in frustration, baby that was Kong.” Maryse just huffs and storms up and down some more. She screams at Panther in French, presumably asking him to do something. He just claims that short of dressing up in drag and taking on Kong himself there’s nothing he can do, and he’s not doing that, “…not after last time!”

We cut back to the ring where Cole and King are chuckling and a patient Rob Terry is waiting for his opponent. The music of Kurt Angle hits and the crowd cheer the Olympic Gold Medalist.

Rob Terry vs. Kurt Angle

The match begins with Terry trying to use his power game to beat down Angle early, but Kurt’s too quick of mind and body to let that happen, and his superior wrestling skills give him a large spell of dominance in this one. He takes Terry down, before administering a front headlock. As Terry seems like he’s about to power out of that, Angle moves round and puts on a waistlock, before Terry is able to get to his feet and Angle goes for a German suplex, but Terry blocks it and lifts his heel for a low blow. The ref didn’t see it and Angle crumples in a heap. Terry begins to get back into things, hitting a big backbreaker onto his knee followed by a bodyslam. He tries for a submission of his own as he applies a bear hug. He locks it on tight and tries working on the back of Angle. He tries to squeeze the life out of the Olympic Gold Medalist, but eventually Angle elbows Rob Terry in the head and as Angle turns round Terry grabs him from behind, but Angle reverses this for a go behind on Terry, and successfully hits the three German suplexes. Angle gets up and pulls his straps down, before setting up for a huge Angle Slam. He slams Terry down and then applies the Ankle Lock, grapevining on it and soon enough Rob Terry is forced to tap out!

Winner: Kurt Angle.

Angle celebrates as King points out that no World Elite members got involved when Terry was in trouble. Cole says its probably Hogan’s plan, that they’re all concerned with their own matches to get involved in each other’s as well. “Impressive win for Angle King, only Rob Terry’s second ever loss in the Keystone Wrestling Federation.”

At ringside Michael Cole recaps that last Friday on Impact SmackDown, we saw the shocking return of the legendary tag team, Harlem Heat! Stevie Ray came to the KWF under Kevin Nash and the Wolfpac. He teamed with his brother Booker T. to take on the TNA World Tag Champions Styler and Drew McIntyre and Harlem Heat took it to the British Invasion’s young Champs. Also on Impact SmackDown Dolph Ziggler was handed the Intercontinental Title, but after protests from everybody from The Pope to Why So Serious, Impact SmackDown General Manager Ric Flair decided to put together a tournament which will start this coming week. The first two matches for the tournament have just been announced. This Friday on Impact SmackDown we’ll get to see ‘Black Machismo’ Jay Lethal take on his former tag partner Gambit, plus R-Truth will take on Alberto Del-Rio! Be sure to catch the show folks, and to read Harlem Heat’s return, be sure to read last Friday’s Impact SmackDown by clicking right HERE.

We go backstage to join TNA RAW interviewer Jeremy Borash. He looks nervous as he’s joined by the WWE Tag Team Champions, LAX. Homicide and Hernandez act all cocky as JB asks them about last night, where they appeared to get purposefully disqualified against The Dudley’s, before Hernandez Border Tossed Bubba Ray through a table in a huge insult to the 26-time Tag Champs. LAX say they don’t understand why The Dudley’s are so respected, and that they didn’t get DQ’d on purpose, they just got bored with fighting clean. JB starts to roll off The Dudley’s achievements, and LAX get impatient and so Homicide grabs him by the head launches him over a table and through a big pile of refreshments. Homicide cackles as Hernandez whistles and the reigning WWE Tag Champs leave the scene. Poor JB.

As we come back Maryse is making her entrance, while King bemoans JB’s actions. “Senseless Michael, just senseless. What a waste of food and drink.” “King, what did you expect Borash to do, ask to be thrown into a wall instead?!” “JB just crashed through about $300 worth of drinks Michael, don’t act like you’re not thirsty! Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to console myself with puppies!”

Maryse vs. Awesome Kong

As Kong makes her intimidating entrance, Maryse looks scared beyond her means. With no Panther by her side, she panics and tries to escape, but Kong steps in her way time and again. Maryse tries to distract her, and then kicks Kong in the stomach, but it doesn’t achieve anything, so she goes to run again. Kong gets a big handful of blonde hair, and pulls Maryse back before going to work on the World Elite Mistress. She tosses her around like a ragdoll, and soon enough nails her with the Implant Buster, getting a routine 1, 2, 3.

Winner: Awesome Kong.

Maryse lays motionless in the ring, while Kong just looks over her. Cole says that’s two down for the Hulk Hogan, and it does appear that once you isolate the World Elite they do fall. King says its ridiculous that someone as pretty as Maryse had to go up against something as monstrous as Kong. Cole asks if King marries her would they become known as ‘King Kong’? King tells him to shut up. “And what if you had a kid called Bundy?” “I said shut up Michael!”

We are in Hulk Hogan’s office, and he is scratching his head, saying to himself he can’t figure out who to put Wade Barrett up against tonight. He is soon interrupted by Mr. Anderson. Ken gets in his face and says that after what he did last week, he should be next in line for a U.S. Title match. Hogan is furious and he tells Ken that he thought they had an understanding when he said that Ken had his chance and that he should now back off until he gets a second chance in the future. Anderson: “Oh come on Hulk, what am I supposed to do, stand there and watch while somebody else wins the Belt?! Wait in line, what huh?!” Hogan: “Shut up Ken. You looked me in the eye and agreed, you said okay to backing off and waiting your next turn!” The two argue until Hogan grins. “You know what brother, you did prove yourself. In fact, I’m going to give you a chance to show everyone just how amazing Mr. Anderson is tonight.” Anderson looks satisfied as Hogan then drops the bomb: “Tonight you’re facing Wade Barrett!” Anderson doesn’t look quite as pleased as he was hoping for a U.S. Title shot, but does realize that he can really show his worth by beating a man who just 24-hours ago was WWE Champion. Anderson goes to shake Hogan’s hand, but Hulk just looks at it. Anderson smiles and holds up his hands before making to exit and saying “Thanks for that Hulkster! Thanks a lot!” The main event is set!

We are backstage with JB again, a little messed up from his hurting earlier. He is standing by for an interview with The Phenomenal, Mr Money In The Bank, AJ Styles. JB asks him what its like to be back on TNA RAW after more time out with injury? AJ says he’s been unlucky so far this year, picking up two separate injuries, but now he wants to make up for lost time. He has the Money In The Bank briefcase and can cash it in whenever he chooses, even tonight. He realizes that wouldn’t make much sense though as Triple H isn’t in the arena, but that’s beside the point. Borash asks him about his upcoming match, mentioning he will not only be teaming up with former WWE Champion Christian Cage, but also for the first time in months, he will tag with his former Thundercat tag partner Shelton Benjamin. AJ says he’s excited to be teaming with Shelton again, and also with his good friend Christian, and that he’s had enough grief with the World Elite in the past couple of years that he’s looking forward to this match as much as he has any before. He exits all fired up as JB hands it back to ringside. The bell rings and the lovely Lillian Garcia announces that the next match is a six-man tag team contest.

Panther, Sheamus & Kozlov vs. AJ Styles, Christian Cage & Shelton Benjamin

Panther has an intense staredown with AJ and Shelton as they all enter, with the former Thundercat partners still sharing ill feeling toward one another. The bout kicks off with the United States Champion against Christian. Panther enjoys the early going as his agility and speed take Cage down, showing just why he is U.S. Champ. He nails a chop bloc, and then a running leg drop. He goes high risk early on, but this costs him as Christian jabs him in the stomach as he jumps off. Cage is able to turn things around now and shows why he is a former WWE Champ. He has Panther on the ropes and jumps to the outside, before slapping the black cat across the face. Panther backs up and tags in Sheamus, who comes in and lays into Cage. He uses his power to get the upper hand, hitting an Irish Curse backbreaker. He gestures to the crowd, which proves sloppy as Cage is able to tag in Shelton, who comes in and springboards off the top rope, nailing a back elbow to the head of Sheamus. Benjamin is impressive as he works the Celtic Warrior over. He hits a Dragonwhip Kick, and forces Sheamus to tag in Kozlov. Benjamin continues well against Kozlov and tags in AJ. The crowd roars as Styles comes in and picks up where Benjamin left off. The comms mention how Styles and Benjamin are no strangers to Sheamus and Kozlov after having fought them many times for Tag Title Gold in the past. In the ring AJ Styles throws Kozlov from pillar to post, until he springs off the top rope and gets hit in the sternum with a headbutt. Kozlov is able to dominate from here, powering Styles against the corner, and hitting him with some devastating strike moves. He tags Panther in and we finally have former Thundercat vs. former Thundercat. Panther shows no mercy on his former friend as he works him over, hitting the ‘Trip-ya, Flip-ya, Kick-ya’. He sets up for the Sword of Omens, but AJ gets too close, and struggles with Panther in the corner, before hitting him with a Pele! The fans love it as they cheer on the 2011 Money In The Bank winner and AJ signals for the Styles Clash, which is Christian and Shelton’s signal to rush across the ring and take out Sheamus and Kozlov, as Styles nails his main move and lays out the U.S. Champ; One! Two! Three!

Winners: AJ Styles, Shelton Benjamin & Christian Cage.

The trio celebrate in the ring as Sheamus and Kozlov pull Panther out. They carry him to the back while Kozlov collects his U.S. Title. Cole and King mention what a big win this is, and that AJ and Shelton got the bragging rights over their former buddy tonight.

We are backstage with The Beautiful People, who are congratulating themselves after Angelina Love successfully retained against Beth Phoenix last night. Love says she was relieved, but Velvet says it was inevitable, as the universe doesn’t allow ugly people like Beth be Knockouts Champion. As they are walking through the back they bump into Hulk Hogan. He stops and says congratulations, although not very sincerely as he knows full well it was due to outside interference from Velvet. He smiles at them though, and promises them that he has a big surprise for them next week. Angelina and Velvet don’t look too excited about this ‘surprise’.

Justin Gabriel vs. Rey Mysterio – X-Division Title

We come back to ringside and are treated to a second X-Division match of the night. Gabriel and the World Elite went crazy earlier as Hogan announced this match. The comms review Rey mysterio’s initial injury, reminding us that the World Elite took Mysterio out after Justin Gabriel defeated him at KWF’s Turbulence pay-per-view last month. As the fans chant for Rey and this match begins, Gabriel seems uneasy with having to defend his Title just 24-hours after beating Daniel Bryan, but he asserts himself well, getting the upperhand early on. However, Rey soon turns the tide as he comes off the ropes and hits a hurracanrana. Gabriel falls to the outside, and is soon landed on by Rey, who flip dives over the top rope and land right on top of the South African. The match continues on the outside for a while, with the referee more concerned with getting the action back in the ring than counting them out. Rey flips Gabriel into the barrier, before running at him and going for a low dropkick, but Gabriel moves and Rey crashes and burns. He clutches his knee straight away. Cole mentions that it looks like Rey has hurt his injury prone knee, and Gabriel sees to the weakness straight away, stomping down on the knee. The match continues back in the ring, with Gabriel working over the knee. He performs various submission moves, including draping Rey’s leg across the back of his neck. However, Rey is able to get his other leg up and flip Gabriel onto the middle rope. Rey hobbles at a fast pace and nails 6-1-9. He leaps off the apron and goes to springboard off the top rope, but his knee collapses and he falls down to the mat in a horrible way. Gabriel slowly recovers and sees Rey down, so climbs the ropes and comes down with a 450-splash!

Winner and Still X-Division Champion: Justin Gabriel.

Gabriel retains for the second night in a row, but he looked on the verge of losing it before Rey’s knee gave out. King says it matters not as it’s the result that counts, and it was probably because of Gabriel’s earlier punishment that Rey’s knee did give out, so technically he earned it.

A blank screen fades into a silhouette image of a man rising from a crouching position on the top rope. He raises both arms and leaps off. This fades into a slow motion image of the Macho Man, Randy Savage, dropping the elbow on his victim, before hooking the leg and getting the 1, 2, 3. “Ooooh Yeahhhh!!!” Is heard, kicking into a slow and somber piece of music. The video shows various clips from the career of *voiceover* “Randall Mario Poffo, erstwhile known as Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Savage was raised in Chicago. It was here he became a man, a real man, a Macho Man, and this led him to the world of professional wrestling. A second generation superstar, Randy followed in the footsteps of his father Angelo Poffo, who competed to great acclaim in the fifties and sixties. However, he never reached the heights his son would, as Randy worked through the independent circuit and was finally signed up to the World Wrestling Federation in 1985, where early on he selected the lovely Miss Elizabeth to be his manager. Together, they enjoyed great success, with Savage beating Tito Santana for the Intercontinental Title at the Boston Garden on February 24 1986. At WrestleMania 3 he would compete in a match with Ricky Steamboat, a match which many hold as the greatest of all time. With Elizabeth by his side, Savage would go on to win the vacant WWF Championship, defeating Ted DiBiase with the help of Hogan. However, problems would emerge between Hogan and Savage, as the Hulkster also wanted Elizabeth as his manager. Macho became angry, and a real bad guy, as he snubbed Hulk and Elizabeth, and employed the services of Sensational Queen Sherri and Zeus, and also taking on the moniker of the ‘Macho King’ after beating Hacksaw Jim Duggan in the King Of The Ring final. The Macho King would go on to have an epic feud with the enigmatic Ultimate Warrior. After costing Warrior the WWF Title at the Royal Rumble, Savage and Warrior had a retirement match at WrestleMania VII. Savage lost, and was attacked by Sherri after the match. He was soon saved by Elizabeth, who came racing down to take Sherri out and make up with her former man. Savage moved into broadcasting, but still found time to marry Elizabeth at SummerSlam ‘91. The wedding was ambushed by Jake Roberts, Sid Justice and The UnderTaker, which led to Savage being reinstated as a competitor to feud with Roberts. Savage enjoyed more years and success in the WWF, but left in 1994 to try and be the main event in WCW. He won the World Heavyweight Title in 95, winning a 60-man three ring battle royal, then won it again just a few months later, defeating Ric Flair on Nitro. Savage was an integral part of WCW, becoming a member of the nWo, and later on the nWo Wolfpac. He went on to win the World Heavyweight Title a further four times, and even managed to beat Dennis Rodman, before leaving the company in ‘99. Savage wouldn’t be seen for five more years, until he turned up at new company, TNA, confronting Jeff Jarrett at Victory Road. He teamed with Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles to beat Jarrett, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, but this was to be his only PPV match as he left TNA and professional wrestling altogether in 2005. The Macho Man Randy Savage left a legacy of highs, lows, success and surprises behind him. The in-pouring of positive and complimentary messages around the world since the sad news of his death on Friday has shown just how much he meant to everyone involved in the wrestling world. A true legend, and a true Champion, Randy Savage was one of the great ones, and last night, the Keystone Wrestling Federation dedicated ReBirth, to the memory of Randall Mario Poffo.” An image of the Macho Man comes up with his name and ‘November 15 1952 – May 20 2011’ underneath.

We come back to ringside, where Cole and King pay tribute to Savage. They again remind us that KWF’s ‘Black Machismo’ Jay Lethal continues in his Macho Man style and we’ll get to see him in action against Gambit this Friday on Impact SmackDown. Cole then announces that joining them now via satellite, is the new WWE Champion, The Game, Triple H! The fans cheer as Hunter comes up on the titantron. Cole thanks The Game for agreeing to the interview, and starts by asking why he’s not in Portland tonight. Hunter answers that he’s taking part in a KWF promotion for the NHL’s Beard-A-Thon charity event to help underprivileged kids. He jokes that it was easy for him as he hasn’t shaved in years, but he implores the KWF fans to show their support for a great cause by sponsoring his good friend, and KWF writer at www.beardathon.com/flyers/farook112/profile.aspx. Triple H is involved in many good causes including the anti-bullying charity formed by WWE and the Creative Coalition. Michael Cole moves on and asks what it was like for Hunter to win his fourteenth WWE World Title last night. Triple H says it was up there with his best of nights, not just having the honor of carrying the WWE Title again, but that he was part of an uprising against the World Elite, who had been running things like they were actually in charge. He says he had his own reservations, like Stone Cold, when Hogan came in, but he concedes that the Hulkster has really cleaned things up. “Hogan’s made the locker room unite against bullies like the World Elite and I know I’m no one to talk when it comes to having backup, but against the World Elite, I’m glad the locker room spilled out and showed their disapproval for those bast*rds.” Hunter says now that he is WWE Champion, he has enjoyed seeing the World Elite get their just desserts tonight. He apologizes for not being here, but promises to be back next week, to show off his shiny new Belt. He finishes “Remember, don’t be a bully and pledge to the Beard-A-Thon.”

Wade Barrett w/ The Great Khali vs. Mr. Anderson

When we return the main event is upon us. Barrett and Anderson both enter to a poor reception, but the match itself is actually pretty good. King can’t understand it but Cole clarifies that Wade Barrett is leader of anti-American organization World Elite and although Ken Anderson was liked on Impact SmackDown, he’s made a nuisance of himself to Hulk Hogan and when you take Hogan and Anderson, the fans are on the side of Hulkamania rather than the a**hole. Anderson does well early on, taking Barrett down and showing he does have the ability for this level. However, Barrett soon gets back into it, nailing a big boot. He dominates for a while, working over Anderson and King starts to question Ken, wondering if maybe this was a step up too fast for him. But as Barrett goes for WasteLand, Anderson fights out of it and hits the Mic-Check! He gets up and goes to the top rope for a Kenton Bomb, but Khali reaches up and pushes him down to the mat. Anderson goes to go outside and square up to him, but thinks better of it. He goes back and picks Barrett up, before going for another Mic-Check, only to get elbowed in the side of the head. As they both run to one another, the lights suddenly go out… *BONG* darkness continues as we hear Cole and King whisper “Oh my” “What’s going on?!”… and then the lights go up. The UnderTaker and The Absolute Lashley are in the ring! “Uh oh!” shouts King. Lashley spinebusters Anderson and Taker chokeslams Barrett! Devastation in the main event, before The Great Khali gets in the ring and approaches them, but both Taker and Lashley hit a double-chokeslam on the Punjabi Giant! “Oh My God!”

No Contest.

The fans look on in shock as The UnderTaker and his protégé, The Absolute Lashley, have taken over. They stand menacingly in the ring, an eerie atmosphere takes over the arena. Lashley bows to Taker, doing Taker’s trademark one knee taunt as the lights lower on another episode of TNA RAW. Cole and King exclaim their shock at what has just occurred, and fear for what this means for Monday nights. “We thought things were bad with the World Elite running things, that might seem like heaven compared to what hell these two could bring!” TNA RAW fades out.