Unforgiven (2006)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Unforgiven (2006)


theme="Run" (Day of Fire)cite web|url= http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/september/2006.htm|title=Unforgiven 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=PWWEW.net|quote= They showed the exterior of Air Canada Center as the song "Run" by Day of Fire played.]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
date=September 17, 2006
venue=Air Canada Centre
city=Toronto, Ontario
attendance=16,105cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/unforgiven.html#2006|title=Unforgiven 2006|accessdate=2007-12-22| publisher=Pro Wrestling History]
lastevent=SummerSlam (2006)
nextevent=No Mercy (2006)
event=Unforgiven
lastevent2=Unforgiven (2005)
nextevent2=Unforgiven (2007)

Unforgiven (2006) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which took place on September 17, 2006 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/venue/|title=Unforgiven (2006) Venue|accessdate=2008-08-12|publisher=WWE] It was the eight annual Unforgiven event. Professional wrestling is a type of sports entertainment in which theatrical events are combined with a competitive sport. The buildup to the matches and the scenarios that took place before, during, and after the event were planned by WWE's script writers. The event starred wrestlers from the Raw brand: storyline expansions of the promotion where employees are assigned to wrestling brands under the WWE banner.

The main event was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship between Edge and John Cena, which Cena won after retrieving the belt suspended above the ring.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/288175811/results/|title=The Champ is back|accessdate=2007-12-23|date =2006-09-17|publisher=WWE] One of the predominant matches on the card was D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) versus The Big Show, Vince and Shane McMahon in a Handicap Hell in a Cell match.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/28817581/results/|title=Billion-dollar embarr-ASS-ment|accessdate= 2007-12-21|date=2006-09-17|publisher=WWE] Triple H and Michaels won the match after Triple H pinned Vince following a sledgehammer shot to his back. Another primary match on the undercard was Lita versus Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship. Stratus won the match after forcing Lita to submit to the sharpshooter, thus becoming a record setting seven time WWE Women's Champion. [cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/uf06.html|title= Unforgiven 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-12-18|publisher=Hoffco]

As many of the existing feuds ended following the event, some did not. Notably, Jeff Hardy continued to feud with Johnny Nitro, facing off against him for the WWE Intercontinental Championship throughout September. The feud between D-Generation X (DX) and The McMahons ended after the event, as DX began an angle with Edge and Randy Orton. Following his win against Edge, Cena began an angle with Kevin Federline, which started the proceeding month at Cyber Sunday and lasted throughout the year.

Background

The main feud heading into Unforgiven was between Edge and John Cena over the WWE Championship. Edge had defeated Cena twice prior to the event, at "Saturday Night's Main Event" and SummerSlam. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/060715.html|title=Saturday Night's Main Event - July 15, 2006|accessdate= 2007-12-14|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2006/matches/294449011/results/|title=Edge retains the WWE Championship| accessdate=2007-12-14|date=2006-08-20|publisher=WWE] On the August 21, 2006 edition of "Raw", Lita, Edge's girlfriend, threw Cena's customized belt, which had a spinning center plate of the WWE logo, into the Long Island Sound. Afterwards, Edge proclaimed that it was the end of the "Cena era" in his life.cite web|author=The Rick|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/raw/20060821.shtml|title=Crash TV. Literally.|accessdate=2008-01-23|date=2006-08-22|publisher=Online Onslaught] Edge went on to unveil a new version of the belt, which had a spinning center plate of his "Rated-R Superstar" logo.cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060821.html|title=Raw results - August 21, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-14| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Later in the evening, Edge had a match with the returning Jeff Hardy; however, the match ended in a no-contest after Cena interfered and attacked Edge. After the match, the two fought outside the arena, and Cena tossed Edge into the Long Island Sound. On the August 28 2006 edition of "Raw", Edge demanded that Shane McMahon, who was in charge of "Raw" that night, fire Cena for his actions the week before.cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08282006/|title=DX death sentence?|accessdate=2007-12-22|date=2006-08-28|publisher=WWE] Cena, however, interrupted and told Edge that if he got another WWE Championship match and lost, he would sign a contract with SmackDown! and leave Edge's life.cite web|author=The Rick|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/raw/20060828.shtml|title=Replays are good|accessdate=2008-01-23|date=2006-08-29|publisher=Online Onslaught] Edge agreed to it, but said that he would be deciding when, where, and what type of match it would be. After Cena defeated Chris Masters later that night, Edge hit Cena with a chair, a ladder, and later put him through a table. Following his attack, Edge told Cena that the match was going to be a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at Unforgiven in his hometown of Toronto.

The other main match on the card was D-Generation X (DX) (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) versus The McMahons (Vince and Shane) and The Big Show in a Hell in a Cell match. At SummerSlam, DX defeated The McMahons in a tag team match. [cite web|url= http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/august/2006.htm|title=SummerSlam 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-12-15|publisher=PWWEW.net] On the August 21, 2006 edition of "Raw", as part of the storyline, DX vandalized the WWE headquarters and Vince McMahon's personal jet plane and limousine. [cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08212006/|title=Broken down?|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=2006-08-21|publisher=WWE] On the August 28 edition of "Raw", The McMahons viciously attacked DX after their 3-on-2 handicap match with their SummerSlam opponents, Mr. Kennedy, Finlay and William Regal. But before Vince and Shane proceeded to attack DX, Big Show attacked DX, giving the advantage to The McMahons. Moments after the assault, Vince booked a match at Unforgiven, where he teamed up with Shane and Big Show to take on DX in a 3-on-2 handicap Hell in a Cell match.

One of the main undercard matches was between Lita and Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship. Lita engaged herself in a feud with Trish Stratus, after Lita and Edge interrupted Stratus' title match with Mickie James. Lita and Edge then went onto attack Stratus', only to involve Carlito, who was in an on-screen relationship with Stratus, to brawl with Lita and Edge.cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060807.html|title=Raw results - August 7, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-15| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08072006/|title=Divide and Conquer|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=2006-08-07|publisher=WWE] A scheduled tag team match between Lita and Edge versus Stratus and Carlito occurred, in which Edge and Lita were the winners. On the August 28, 2006 edition of "Raw", Lita revealed that Stratus would retire following Unforgiven, which was later confirmed by Stratus. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060828.html|title=Raw results - August 28, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-15|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|first=Steven|last=Schiff|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/divasontrish|title=Divas dish on Trish|accessdate=2007-12-15|date=2006-09-06|publisher= WWE] On the September 4 edition of "Raw", Stratus challenged Lita to a match at Unforgiven for the WWE Women's title, for her retirement match, in which Lita accepted. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060904.html|title=Raw results - September 4, 2006|accessdate= 2007-12-15| publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

Event

The event unofficially began with a dark match between Super Crazy and Shelton Benjamin. Crazy pinned Benjamin for the win.

Preliminary matches

The first match was between Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro for the Intercontinental Championship. In the start of the match, Hardy gained the advantage over Nitro by countering his attacks. Hardy performed the Swanton Bomb, but Nitro put his foot on the rope to break a pinfall attempt by Hardy. Melina, however, hit Hardy with her boot, giving the upper hand to Nitro as he pinned Hardy and retained the title.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/28817582/results/|title=Nitro escapes Toronto with the gold| accessdate=2007-12-18|date=2006-09-17|publisher=WWE] cite web|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|url= http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=17392&OP=anyWords&SF=Unforgiven+2006|title=WWE Unforgiven PPV match-by-match coverage|accessdate=2007-12-26|date=2006-09-17|publisher=Wrestling Observer]

The match that followed was between Kane and Umaga. The match was taken to the outside of the ring. Kane performed a clothesline on Umaga into the crowd for a double countout called by the referee.cite web|first=Jen|last=Hunt|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/28817585/results/|title=And the monster is....|accessdate=2007-12-18| date=2006-09-17|publisher=WWE] The third match was for the World Tag Team Championship between the Spirit Squad (Kenny and Mikey) and The Highlanders. back and forth action was seen by both teams. The members of the Squad, who were at ringside, interfered in the match and gave the upper hand to their teammates, as Mikey was able to pin Rory after a Facebuster, thus able to retain the World Tag Team Championship.cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/28817584/results/|title=Strenth in numbers|accessdate=2007-12-20|date =2006-09-17|publisher=WWE]

The Hell in a Cell match between Shane, Vince McMahon, and the Big Show versus D-Generation X (DX) (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) was next. At first, DX was able to get the upper hand over the McMahons and Big Show. Back and forth action took place between the teams. During the match, Triple H wrapped a chair around Shane's neck, which followed with Michaels hitting an elbow drop onto the chair, which resulted in Shane being kayfabe injured. Michaels proceeded to perform Sweet Chin Music on Big Show. DX then pulled Big Show's trunks down and shoved Vince's head up Big Show's buttocks. DX won the match, after Michaels performed Sweet Chin Music, which was followed by Triple H hitting McMahon with a sledgehammer and covering him for the win.

Main event matches

The match that proceeded the Hell in a Cell match was between Trish Stratus and Lita for the WWE Women's Championship. Stratus gained control early in the match, but Lita took it from her after she threw Stratus from the top rope. Stratus won the match after she locked in the Sharpshooter on Lita, who submitted to the move, and Stratus became Women's Champion for the last time in her career. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/243982611|title=Trish Stratus' seventh reign as WWE Women's Champion|accessdate= 2007-12-21|publisher=WWE] cite web|first=Steven|last=Schiff|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/28817583/results/|title=Trish bows out on top|accessdate=2007-12-22|date=2006-09-17|publisher=WWE] The sixth match was between Randy Orton and Carlito. As the match came to a start, Carlito spat on Orton and momentarily was followed by a dropkick. Mid-way in the match, Carlito springboard moonsaulted from each side of the ring. His elbow caught Orton in the mouth on the second moonsault causing Orton to bleed from the mouth. After back and forth action, Carlito attempted an aerial maneuver, only to be countered into a mid-air RKO and pin by Orton.cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/matches/2881758/results/|title=Orton overpowers Carlito|accessdate=2007-12-22 |date=2006-09-17|publisher=WWE]

The final match of the night was for the WWE Championship between Edge and John Cena in a TLC match. At the start of the match, Cena took the advantage over Edge. Edge, however, countered Cena's moves with a neckbreaker. The match saw Cena sandwich Edge in a ladder, as he applied the STFU hold on Edge, to which Edge tapped out. At one point, Cena began to climb the ladder, as he was moments away from retrieving the title, Lita, who interfered on behalf of Edge, tipped the ladder over, making Cena fall off the ladder and crash through a table at ringside. Lita's interference was short, as Cena performed an FU on her. Cena then began to make his way up the ladder, as did Edge when he re-entered the ring. The two exchanged right-hands, until Cena lifted Edge for the FU and dropped Edge through two tables that were stacked together by Cena. Cena then grabbed the belt down from the loop and became champion for the third time.

Aftermath

On the October 2, 2006 edition of "Raw", John Cena was scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Edge in a Steel cage match, after Edge invoked his rematch clause for the title. [cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09252006/|title=SmackDown beatdown|accessdate=2007-12-26|date=2006-09-25|publisher=WWE] Cena defeated Edge to retain the title, as he was able to perform an FU for the win.cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10022006/|title=Checkmate|accessdate=2007-12-26|date=2006-10-02|publisher=WWE] Thus ending the feud between the two. Edge, however, would begin a feud with D-Generation X (DX) (Triple H and Shawn Michaels), after Edge blamed DX for costing him the title match against Cena, due to interference from DX the previous week. The following week, Edge used an edition of "The Cutting Edge" to join forces with Randy Orton to form a team and began a feud against DX. Edge cited Randy Orton's lack of success after being kicked out of Evolution by Triple H and DX's "stale" antics "taking up TV time" as reasons to join forces.cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10092006/|title=Cyber Sunday Blockbuster|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=2006-10-09|publisher= WWE] The duo dubbed themselves Rated-RKO. At Cyber Sunday, Edge and Orton became the first team to finally defeat DX since their reunion in June. [cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/raw2006.htm|title=WWE Cyber Sunday 2006| accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=PWWEW.net]

Kane and Umaga continued their feud, as both individuals interfered in one another's matches.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060918.html|title=Raw results - September 18, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060925.html|title=Raw results - September 25, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-27| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the October 9, 2006 edition of Raw, Kane and Umaga were scheduled in a "Loser Leaves Raw match"; Umage defeated Kane and sent him to the SmackDown! brand. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061009.html|title=Raw results - October 9, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-27| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Despite their separation into different brands, Umaga and Kane had one final match at Cyber Sunday. Umaga won again, after fans selected him to be Umaga's opponent instead of Chris Benoit and The Sandman.cite web|first=Brian |last=Elliott|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/11/06/2253314.html|title=K-Fed costs Cena at Cyber Sunday|accessdate=2007-12-30|date=2006-11-06|publisher=CANOE] The angle between Johnny Nitro and Jeff Hardy continued, as the two were involved in another Intercontinental Championship match where Nitro retained the title. [cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler| url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09182006/|title=Winning the war|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=2006-09-18|publisher=WWE] Nitro, however, lost the title to Hardy, on the October 2 edition of "Raw".

The WWE Women's Championship was vacated on September 18, 2006, following Trish Stratus' win at Unforgiven. On the September 25 edition of "Raw", a Women's title tournament began, and the first match was won by Lita, after she defeated Candice Michelle. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060925.html|title=Raw results - September 25, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-29| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] The second tournament match was a Lingerie match between Mickie James and Victoria, which James won. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061002.html|title=Raw results - October 2, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] On the October 9 edition of "Raw", Melina defeated Torrie Wilson in a Lumberjill match to advance in the tournament match. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061009.html|title=Raw results - October 9, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] The following week, Maria won a Fatal Four-Way Bra and Panties match against Victoria, Candice Michelle, and Torrie Wilson to advance to the semi-finals. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061016.html|title=Raw results - October 16, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-29| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] cite web|title=Zack|last=Zeigler|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10162006/|title=Let the voting begin| accessdate=2007-12-30|date=2006-10-16|publisher= WWE] On the October 23 edition of "Raw", James defeated Melina to advance in the semi-finals. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061023.html|title=Raw results - October 23, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher =Online World of Wrestling] The following week on "Raw", Lita advanced in the tournament, after she defeated Maria. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061030.html|title=Raw results - October 30, 2006| accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Cyber Sunday, Lita and Mickie James advanced to the seventh match of the tournament. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/2439826111|title=Lita's reign as Women's champion|accessdate=2008-04-17|publisher=WWE] Lita won the vacant Women's title, after she pinned James with a Swinging snap DDT. [cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/history/2006/matches/329344211/results/|title=Champion again|accessdate=2007-12-30|date= 2007-11-05|publisher=WWE]

John Cena was placed in an inter-brand angle to determine the "Champion of Champions" – or who was the most dominant champion in WWE's three brands. Cena, King Booker (SmackDown!'s World Heavyweight Champion), and Big Show (ECW's World Champion) engaged in a feud leading to a Triple Threat match at Cyber Sunday in November; viewers chose which championship would be placed on the line. At the same time, Cena became involved in a storyline with non-wrestler Kevin Federline when he began appearing on "Raw" with Johnny Nitro and Melina. After getting into a worked physical altercation with Federline on "Raw", After Federline appeared on a worked physical altercation on "Raw", he helped King Booker retain his title at Cyber Sunday by hitting Cena with the World Heavyweight Title belt during the main event Triple Threat match. [cite web|first=Jen|last=Hunt|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/history/2006/matches/3293442/results/|title=True champion of champions|date=2007-11-05| accessdate=2007-12-31|publisher=WWE]

Results

Notes

References

*(2006). "Unforgiven [DVD] . World Wrestling Entertainment".

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com:80/shows/unforgiven/history/2006/ Unforgiven Official Website]