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The Last Bionic Elbow

The Last Bionic Elbow

Posted: Sep 29th 2015 By: Cody Rhodes

I loathe Buffalo.I love Buffalo.

In just about four hours I will be walking into an arena where every step I take reads like a photo-album in my minds eye of one of the greatest nights of my life.

The First Niagara Center hosted the site, the locale, the setting for the very last ?Bionic Elbow?. It was October 6th 2013?it was WWE Battleground.

-but before I speak to the event, let me provide you with a little bit of exposition. I never wanted or had the tag-team encounter that took place in mind. When I was fired during an episode of RAW and had a bit of a ?Freudian? moment(as I was being escorted from the premises) with a backstage interview; I selfishly left that arena, suit slacks over a pair of rasslin? boots, thinking I had reached my brass-ring. I thought I would be returning as the competitor I always envisioned?a seasoned, finally properly trained, ?battle born? solo competitor vying for the richest prize in the game. I even pondered that maybe I would return in a vigilante manner?a modern-day Midnight Rider(had a mask commissioned inspired by Wildstorm/DC Comics? Grifter and everything) or like my childhood hero Sting did in 1996. As I transitioned to voyeur over the next few weeks, I realized the ship was now at the mercy of the sea and who knew what would happen next. My Half-Brother Dustin, as Goldust, walked down the ramp to a welcoming Air Canada Centre and captured the imagination of a whole new generation of fans with his match against Randy Orton. People may not agree with my attitude-shift at this point, but during all the magic and noise?I was silent as a mouse. Silent and selfishly angry. I love Dustin Runnels. Know that. He and I are sixteen years apart, grew up in different households, and spent very little time together throughout my informative youth. So I dreaded the idea of a tag-team match. What was I gonna? take on Seth Rollins and The Shield by myself?? Madness. I look at the current WWE programming and usually discourage nostalgia and most moments relying on some of the industries? greats and legends. Not because it isn?t wonderful pageantry, but because lose-or-win I want the success of all pro-wrestling to be this generation of talent?s fight. Without going into detail, my Father had a very high-tolerance for pain. Not in a bravado tough-guy sense, genuinely he was able to shrug off most things as a minor inconvenience of his nemesis, aging. Where as a lot of folks would be seeking specialists and monitoring ones self cautiously.

My Dad was sick.

I think of when I got my first big break in pro-wrestling. February 2nd 2011. Smackdown. A public apology to future WWE Hall Of Famer Rey Mysterio. Dad tried to appeal to Rey, setting the scene to ensnare the master of the 6-1-9?and somewhere as those two stood in the ring and before my music hit I remembered what he said to me privately and would say several more times on WWE programming??there?s nothing a father wouldn?t do for his son?.

?Nothing?.

That statement still looms in the air. Distorted slightly but undeniable.

Fast-forward to Autumn 2013. Once I had stopped bitching and realized the unique and real opportunity before me, I think I took that flush statement of his and pushed him. Pushed him to fly to Biloxi(in coach), pushed him to remember my stats for his face-off with Stephanie, just pushed him?the nerve. Yet he would tell any soul that would listen, this is ?whatever Cody wants and envisions?. We often joked he was like Anthony Hopkins in Legends Of The Fall. A lion in winter.

And when levity meets the callous rusty constraints of reality, guess what?? He was a lion in winter. He was a God Damn lion. Throughout that day I caught him several times standing by the steps and propping a single one of his famous hunting boots on the steel?saw him talking privately to various superiors of mine. He was concerned about getting in the ring and didn?t want to fall?he disliked when legends would return with gray hairs, broken bodies, or just a shell of their former-selves, because he always wanted the fans to remember his peers and himself as he was when he/they moved you?and here he is making sure he doesn?t fall. Dammit. All the while I am slightly complaining that I wasn?t coming out to ?smoke and mirrors? but instead we would be coming out to his legendary cowbell laced theme. I always wanted the crown, but I wasn?t the king.-

So onto today. A day where I am gonna? stand in the spot?the exact spot where the very last ?Bionic Elbow? would happen. The spot where almost 12,000 fans voluntarily or even involuntarily provided a thunderous bellow to accompany said elbow when it hit a young Dean Ambrose?s head. The spot where a 67 year old, masking a concerning amount of pain, man did what none of us in that ring had yet to do in the encounter, bring the people to their feet. Bring them to a frenzy. Steal the show. For the last time.

I am going to stand in that spot and remember. I am going to look in that ring and wonder?is the fire ever gonna? come back?? Is it gonna? rise in my gut and burst through my retinas and provide an unmistakable hue?? What in the blue Hell am I doing??
And I am going to stand in that spot, the same boy who complained about using my Dad?s music, and now I?d be willing to cut off both my legs just to hear said music one more time and see him walk out to it. It?s like that song you liked?keep on dreaming, even if it breaks your heart

I even packed his old Tumi as my gear bag these past few weeks. I can hear you saying ?tighten-up those abs? or ?get you a tan?. Can even see you on this bag?s bag-tag where you just used a trading card that says ?wrestling legend?.

As I wrap this up, I want fans of his to know?we had a memorial service for Dad. A memorial service, not a funeral. I wouldn?t?my family wouldn?t allow that. Because what he stood for isn?t gone. How he stood for it isn?t gone. The idea that you can do anything, no matter what deficit you begin at?that your critics and naysayers can stand in your way?but you can clench that fist and raise it to the sky and deliver your own ?Bionic Elbow? and keep moving down your path. It?s not an idea, it?s a dream. Virgil Runnels passed away. ?The American Dream? still lives.

Always.

 

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-20
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th Today!
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th Today!
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th Today!
  • Boz Sep 20th Today!
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th Today!
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th Today!
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th Today!
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th Today!
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th Today!
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th
  • Ben Miller Sep 27th
  • Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
  • Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th
  • Scott Lee Sep 28th
  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
  • Tommy Prince Sep 28th
  • Rip Tyler Sep 28th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
  • David Sammartino Sep 29th
  • Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
  • Seth Coburn Sep 30th
  • Lady Starwind Sep 30th
  • Raymon Downey Sep 30th
  • Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
  • Fred Urban Sep 30th
  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
  • James Southard Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
  • Funnybone Oct 2nd
  • Don Fargo Oct 3rd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
  • Johnny TV Oct 3rd

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