MNM (professional wrestling): Difference between revisions
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|image = MNM champ.jpg<!--Please do not replace this image with a fair use one. This image is free and free images are favored on Wikipedia. See "Wikipedia:Image use policy" for more information --> |
|image = MNM champ.jpg<!--Please do not replace this image with a fair use one. This image is free and free images are favored on Wikipedia. See "Wikipedia:Image use policy" for more information --> |
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|caption = Nitro (left), Melina (center), and Mercury (right) on an episode of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' in 2006 |
|caption = Nitro (left), Melina (center), and Mercury (right) on an episode of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' in 2006 |
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|members = [[Joey Mercury|Joey Matthews/Mercury]]<br />[[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny <!--This article is about their time in MNM, not what came after. Please don't "update" information with what happens after the teams break up-->Nitro]]<br />[[Melina Perez|Melina]] |
|members = [[Joey Mercury|Joey Matthews/Mercury]]<br />[[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny <!--This article is about their time in MNM, not what came after. Please don't "update" information with what happens after the teams break up-->Nitro]]<br />[[Melina Perez|Melina]] ([[Manager (professional wrestling)|valet]]) |
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|names = MNM |
|names = MNM |
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|former_members = [[Jillian Hall]] (valet) |
|former_members = [[Jillian Hall]] (valet) |
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|billed = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |
|billed = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |
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|debut = 2004 |
|debut = 2004 |
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|disbanded = 2017 |
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|years_active = 2004–2006<br>2006–2007 |
|years_active = 2004–2006<br>2006–2007<br>2017 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''MNM''' ('''M'''ercury, '''N'''itro, and '''M'''elina) were a [[professional wrestling]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] in |
'''MNM''' ('''M'''ercury, '''N'''itro, and '''M'''elina) were a [[professional wrestling]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] in World Wrestling Entertainment ([[WWE]]) and [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW) who consisted of [[Joey Mercury]] (previously Joey Matthews), [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]], and their [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] [[Melina Perez]]. |
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Mercury and Nitro first began teaming together in 2004 in OVW, WWE's developmental territory in [[Louisville, Kentucky]].<ref name="OWOW-MNM">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html|title=MNM|access-date=June 24, 2009|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Melina, who at the time was Nitro's actual girlfriend, joined them as their manager in February 2005. While working in OVW, Mercury and Nitro captured the [[OVW Southern Tag Team Championship]] on one occasion. |
Mercury and Nitro first began teaming together in 2004 in OVW, WWE's developmental territory in [[Louisville, Kentucky]].<ref name="OWOW-MNM">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html|title=MNM|access-date=June 24, 2009|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Melina, who at the time was Nitro's actual girlfriend, joined them as their manager in February 2005. While working in OVW, Mercury and Nitro captured the [[OVW Southern Tag Team Championship]] on one occasion. |
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MNM were called up to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] roster in April 2005, in which Mercury and Nitro went on to win the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]]. While in WWE, their [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|ring personas]] was that of a trio of [[Hollywood]] [[celebrity|celebrities]], complete with a [[red carpet]] ring entrance, that had them accompanied by "[[paparazzi]]". The duo [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|lost]] the title in July 2005. After their [[List of WWE Tag Team Champions|third]] and final reign ended in May 2006, Nitro and Melina blamed Mercury for the loss and attacked him, splitting the team. Nitro and Melina were let go from the SmackDown! roster and debuted on the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand. In November 2006, MNM reunited for a brief period, before Mercury was released from his contract in March 2007. |
MNM were called up to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] roster in April 2005, in which Mercury and Nitro went on to win the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]]. While in WWE, their [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|ring personas]] was that of a trio of [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] [[celebrity|celebrities]], complete with a [[red carpet]] ring entrance, that had them accompanied by "[[paparazzi]]". The duo [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|lost]] the title in July 2005. After their [[List of WWE Raw Tag Team Champions|third]] and final reign ended in May 2006, Nitro and Melina blamed Mercury for the loss and attacked him, splitting the team. Nitro and Melina were let go from the SmackDown! roster and debuted on the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand. In November 2006, MNM reunited for a brief period, before Mercury was released from his contract in March 2007. |
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==Concept== |
==Concept== |
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Partly inspired by [[Paris Hilton]], the concept behind the group was that they were [[Hollywood]] [[celebrity|celebrities]].<ref name="WWEMelinaBio"/><ref name="where?2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-joey-mercury-26309214/page-2 |title=Where Are They Now?: Joey Mercury |date=May 21, 2014 |last=Melok |first=Bobby |access-date=October 2, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]] |page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021131856/http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-joey-mercury-26309214/page-2 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 }}</ref> Upon their debut on ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', they claimed to be the " |
Partly inspired by [[Paris Hilton]], the concept behind the group was that they were [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] [[celebrity|celebrities]].<ref name="WWEMelinaBio"/><ref name="where?2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-joey-mercury-26309214/page-2 |title=Where Are They Now?: Joey Mercury |date=May 21, 2014 |last=Melok |first=Bobby |access-date=October 2, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]] |page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021131856/http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-joey-mercury-26309214/page-2 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 }}</ref> Upon their debut on ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', they claimed to be the "it team on the scene", because of their good looks and celebrity status.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/735/735016p1.html|title=SmackDown Countdown 2006: Johnny Nitro|date=September 28, 2006|last=Durham|first=Jeremy|access-date=June 24, 2009|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> |
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As part of their in-ring personas, MNM had a distinctive ring entrance. They walked to the ring on a red carpet, while members of the "[[paparazzi]]" took photos of them.<ref name="IGN"/> The male members of MNM usually wore [[Fur clothing|fur coats]] to the ring. As they took them off, Melina suggestively rubbed their [[Rectus abdominis muscle|abs]] while removing the title belts from their pants, where they hung in an exaggerated [[phallic]] fashion. Melina had a signature entrance which involved her doing a [[Split (gymnastics)|split]] on the ring apron—from the floor—then bending forward and crawling under the bottom rope.<ref name="WWEMelinaBio"/> |
As part of their in-ring personas, MNM had a distinctive ring entrance. They walked to the ring on a red carpet, while members of the "[[paparazzi]]" took photos of them.<ref name="IGN"/> The male members of MNM usually wore [[Fur clothing|fur coats]] to the ring. As they took them off, Melina suggestively rubbed their [[Rectus abdominis muscle|abs]] while removing the title belts from their pants, where they hung in an exaggerated [[phallic]] fashion. Melina had a signature entrance which involved her doing a [[Split (gymnastics)|split]] on the ring apron—from the floor—then bending forward and crawling under the bottom rope.<ref name="WWEMelinaBio"/> |
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===Ohio Valley Wrestling (2004–2005)=== |
===Ohio Valley Wrestling (2004–2005)=== |
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MNM was formed in the former |
MNM was formed in the former World Wrestling Entertainment ([[WWE]]) "[[Farm team#Professional wrestling|farm territory]]" [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW). Melina Perez, Johnny Nitro's [[Legit (professional wrestling)|real-life]] girlfriend, was introduced into the company in 2004 as his ex-girlfriend, an ally of [[Matt Cappotelli]] with whom Nitro was engaged in a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|scripted rivalry]]. Almost immediately, however, Perez [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|betrayed]] Cappotelli and sided with Nitro. Together they introduced Joey Matthews to become MNM.<ref name="OWOW-Melina">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/melina-perez.html|title=Melina Perez|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> While in OVW, Nitro and Matthews won the [[OVW Southern Tag Team Championship]] once, holding it for over two months.<ref name="WT-OVW">{{cite web|url=http://www.ovwrestling.com/titles#southern_tag_team |title=OVW Southern Tag Team Championship |access-date=April 3, 2011 |publisher=[[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405184334/http://www.ovwrestling.com/titles |archive-date=April 5, 2011 }}</ref> |
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===Tag Team Championship reigns (2005–2006)=== |
===Tag Team Championship reigns (2005–2006)=== |
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MNM was called up to WWE's [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]] roster in April 2005, with Matthews undergoing a name change to "Joey Mercury".<ref name="MNMOwWProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html|title=MNM profile|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> They made their debut during [[ |
MNM was called up to WWE's [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]] roster in April 2005, with Matthews undergoing a name change to "Joey Mercury".<ref name="MNMOwWProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html|title=MNM profile|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> They made their debut during [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]]'s [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Promo|interview segment]] ''[[WWE SmackDown#Recurring segments|Carlito's Cabana]]'', where they interrupted an interview between Carlito and [[Rey Mysterio]], and attacked Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|first=L. Anne|last=Carrington|date=April 14, 2005|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1113537509.shtml|title=SmackDown Results −4/14/05 -Chicago, IL (Kurt Angle vs. Guerrero)|access-date=August 23, 2008|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/15/998048.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713151402/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/15/998048.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Smackdown: Wilson/Dawn Marie classic steals show|date=April 15, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> This provoked a feud between MNM and Mysterio and his partner, [[Eddie Guerrero]], over the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]]. Two weeks later, in their debut match on the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]], they defeated Mysterio and Guerrero to win the WWE Tag Team Championship after Guerrero refused to tag into the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/29/1018341.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714100422/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/29/1018341.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Smackdown: JBL still No. 1 (contender)|date=April 29, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> While Nitro and Mercury held the championship, Melina was placed in an [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]] with [[Jon Heidenreich|Heidenreich]]. She publicly mocked him and was the impetus for an attack on him by Nitro and Mercury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/16/1091810.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630052120/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/16/1091810.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Smackdown: Sweet revenge for Orton in Hershey|date=June 16, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In July, MNM were scheduled to face Heidenreich in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|two-on-one handicap match]], but attacked him before the match started.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/15/1132138.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630181550/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/15/1132138.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Smackdown: A legend returns, Bash takes shape|date=July 15, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> [[Road Warrior Animal]] saved Heidenreich from the attack and as a result, Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal challenged Mercury and Nitro for the WWE Tag Team Championship at [[The Great American Bash (2005)|The Great American Bash]]. MNM lost the match and the championship to Heidenreich and Animal at The Great American Bash.<ref name="illustrated118">{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|page=118}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/25/1174130.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131211082115/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/25/1174130.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 11, 2013|title=JBL reigns at a dull Bash|date=July 25, 2005|last=Kapur|first=Bob|access-date=December 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
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The loss of the WWE Tag Team Championship was seen as "bad publicity" by Melina so she introduced [[Jillian Hall]], a [[Kayfabe|storyline]] [[spin doctor]] to repair their image.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/29/1151574.html|title=Smackdown: Who's your papi?|date=July 29, 2005|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050728.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 28, 2004|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hall got them a cover article in ''SmackDown!'' magazine, and began to introduce the team before and aid them during matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/741/741342p1.html|title=SmackDown Countdown 2006: Jillian Hall|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=[[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]|work=[[IGN]]|quote=Using her PR magic, Jillian secured the cover of ''SmackDown'' Magazine for the duo as well as "fixing" a problem Melina had with Torrie Wilson, aiding Melina in defeating the Diva on SmackDown.|last=Dunham|first=Jeremy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/12/1169324.html|title=Smackdown: Matches galore|date=August 12, 2005|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/19/1179870.html|title=Smackdown: Set for SummerSlam|date=August 19, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In September 2005, Hall left the group to join [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL), who had lost a match to Rey Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/18/1222550.html|title=Smackdown: Taker takes down Orton|date=September 18, 2005|last=Sokol|first=Chris|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
The loss of the WWE Tag Team Championship was seen as "bad publicity" by Melina so she introduced [[Jillian Hall]], a [[Kayfabe|storyline]] [[spin doctor]] to repair their image.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/29/1151574.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630181456/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/29/1151574.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Smackdown: Who's your papi?|date=July 29, 2005|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050728.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 28, 2004|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hall got them a cover article in ''SmackDown!'' magazine, and began to introduce the team before and aid them during matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/741/741342p1.html|title=SmackDown Countdown 2006: Jillian Hall|access-date=July 2, 2007|publisher=[[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]|work=[[IGN]]|quote=Using her PR magic, Jillian secured the cover of ''SmackDown'' Magazine for the duo as well as "fixing" a problem Melina had with Torrie Wilson, aiding Melina in defeating the Diva on SmackDown.|last=Dunham|first=Jeremy|date=October 24, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/12/1169324.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213084525/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/12/1169324.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Matches galore|date=August 12, 2005|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/19/1179870.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630181619/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/19/1179870.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Smackdown: Set for SummerSlam|date=August 19, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In September 2005, Hall left the group to join [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL), who had lost a match to Rey Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/18/1222550.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213084453/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/18/1222550.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Taker takes down Orton|date=September 18, 2005|last=Sokol|first=Chris|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Joey Mercury, Johnny Nitro, & Melina Perez entering the ring (Augusta, Georgia - December 3 2005).jpg|thumb|left|[[Joey Mercury]] (left), [[Melina Perez|Melina]] (bottom), and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] during their ring entrance at December to Dismember (2006)]] |
[[File:Joey Mercury, Johnny Nitro, & Melina Perez entering the ring (Augusta, Georgia - December 3 2005).jpg|thumb|left|[[Joey Mercury]] (left), [[Melina Perez|Melina]] (bottom), and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] during their ring entrance at December to Dismember (2006)]] |
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On the October 28 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Mercury and Nitro were placed into a tag team title [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal four-way]] match against the teams of |
On the October 28 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Mercury and Nitro were placed into a tag team title [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal four-way]] match against the teams of the [[Mexicools]] ([[Super Crazy]] and [[Psicosis]]), [[William Regal]] and [[Paul Burchill]], and the WWE Tag Team Champions [[The Road Warriors#L.O.D. 2005 .282005-2006.29|Legion of Doom 2005]] (Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal). During the match, Mercury and Nitro were able to perform the [[#In wrestling|Snapshot]] on Heidenreich, to win the championship for a second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1130560753.shtml|title=Lights out|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=October 28, 2005|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/28/1282961.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630181514/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/28/1282961.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Smackdown: A gimmick-filled night|date=October 28, 2013|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> MNM successfully defended the championship against Eddie Guerrero and [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] on the November 4 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/04/1292475.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213105448/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/04/1292475.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Melina feels the splash|date=November 4, 2011|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In December, they began a feud with the Mexicools, who earned the right to face MNM at [[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon]] for the WWE Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/03/1335038.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716093840/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/03/1335038.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: Hey babe, you wanna boogey?|date=December 3, 2005|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/09/1346008.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724092214/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/09/1346008.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=Smackdown: Mind games galore|date=December 9, 2005|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Before Armageddon however, on the December 16 episode of ''SmackDown!'', MNM lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Batista and Rey Mysterio. A storyline was begun before the match, where Melina attempted to seduce Batista into forfeiting the match.<ref name="december 16">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1134797928.shtml|title=SmackDown Results – 12/16/05 – Springfield, MA (NEW Tag Champs)|last=Benjamin|first=Charlie|date=December 16, 2005|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/16/1356098.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716211811/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/16/1356098.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: Can Batista capture double gold?|date=December 16, 2005|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The storyline played over to the December 30 episode of ''SmackDown!'' when, before MNM invoked their rematch clause, Melina held a press conference in the ring where she claimed that Batista had sexually harassed her. During the tag team match, [[Mark Henry]] aided MNM in winning back the WWE Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/30/1373410.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143618/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/30/1373410.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Smackdown: Sexual accusations and Chocolate|date=December 30, 2005|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref name="december 30">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1136052376.shtml|title=SmackDown Results – 12/30/05 – Uncasville, CT (New Tag Champs...)|last=Benjamin|first=Charlie|date=December 30, 2005|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref> The following week, MNM defeated Batista and Mysterio in a [[steel cage match]] to retain the championship, Henry's aid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/06/1381706.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715220143/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/06/1381706.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Smackdown: Mark Henry tames the Animal|date=January 6, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Henry was only with the group a short time before his contract was sold to [[Shawn Daivari|Daivari]] in storyline.<ref name="illustrated118"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006|work=Arena Reports|date=May 2006|page=132|publisher=Kappa Publishing}}</ref> They went on to successfully defend the championship against The Mexicools and the team of [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Tatanka (wrestler)|Tatanka]] in early 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/03/1424512.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213105534/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/03/1424512.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Orton derides Eddie for cheap heat|date=February 3, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/24/1460567.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213105448/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/24/1460567.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Mysterio's dream comes true|date=February 24, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
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===Dissolution (2006–2007)=== |
===Dissolution (2006–2007)=== |
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In April 2006, MNM were placed in an angle in which they found themselves in a losing streak against the team of [[Paul London and Brian Kendrick]]. In non-title tag team matches, singles matches, and even a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches|six-man tag match]], London and Kendrick defeated the duo every time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/07/1524534.html|title=Smackdown: Undertaker faces a giant problem|date=April 7, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/14/1534551.html|title=Smackdown: Angle crowns Orton|date=April 14, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/28/1555122.html|title=Smackdown: Angle-Mysterio do it again|date=April 28, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At the [[Judgment Day (2006)|Judgment Day]] [[pay-per-view]] in May 2006, MNM lost the tag team championship to London and Kendrick. After the match, Nitro and Mercury started brawling, disbanding the group.<ref name="JD06">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/05/22/1592086.html|title=Rey wins, MNM splits at Judgment Day|date=May 22, 2006|last=Elliott|first=Brian|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Later that night, Melina lost a singles match against Jillian Hall and after slapping [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General |
In April 2006, MNM were placed in an angle in which they found themselves in a losing streak against the team of [[Paul London and Brian Kendrick]]. In non-title tag team matches, singles matches, and even a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches|six-man tag match]], London and Kendrick defeated the duo every time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/07/1524534.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143619/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/07/1524534.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Smackdown: Undertaker faces a giant problem|date=April 7, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/14/1534551.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213105530/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/14/1534551.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Smackdown: Angle crowns Orton|date=April 14, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/28/1555122.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143619/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/28/1555122.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Smackdown: Angle-Mysterio do it again|date=April 28, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At the [[Judgment Day (2006)|Judgment Day]] [[pay-per-view]] in May 2006, MNM lost the tag team championship to London and Kendrick. After the match, Nitro and Mercury started brawling, disbanding the group.<ref name="JD06">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/05/22/1592086.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213105517/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/05/22/1592086.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Rey wins, MNM splits at Judgment Day|date=May 22, 2006|last=Elliott|first=Brian|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Later that night, Melina lost a singles match against Jillian Hall and after slapping [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General manager]] [[Theodore Long]] in anger, she and Nitro were fired from the SmackDown! brand in storyline.<ref name="JD06"/><ref name="firedfromSD">{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling's historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|page=121}}</ref> Off-screen, Nitro and Mercury did not get along, and WWE management decided to split the tag team and send Nitro and Melina to the [[WWE Raw|Raw]] brand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Injuries shelve Benoit, HBK|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 28, 2006|page=A70|quote=Because partners Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury could not get along on the road and backstage, management decided to split them up. Thus, Nitro and Melina are on their way to ''Raw.''}}</ref> In addition, Mercury was about to begin serving a suspension for violating the [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Drug testing and wellness program|WWE Wellness program]].<ref name="MNMOwWProfile"/> |
||
After the team split, Nitro, alongside Melina, was quickly placed into the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] picture, winning the title twice. In November, after serving his suspension and a brief stint back in OVW, Mercury returned to WWE, reuniting MNM to answer an open challenge put out by [[Hardy Boyz|The Hardys]] ([[Matt Hardy|Matt]] and [[Jeff Hardy|Jeff]]) for the [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]] pay-per-view.<ref name="Reunite">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/28/2530992.html|title=Raw: The return of the Hardys|date=November 28, 2006|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At December to Dismember, MNM lost to the Hardys.<ref name="illustrated122">{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling's historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|page=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/04/2621429.html|title=Lashley has a December to remember|date=December 4, 2006|last=Mackinder|first=Matt|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> MNM and the Hardys met again at [[Armageddon (2006)|Armageddon]] as part of a four-way [[ladder match]], which also included the teams of [[The Blue Bloods#World Wrestling Entertainment|Dave Taylor and William Regal]] and Paul London and Brian Kendrick.<ref name="illustrated122"/> During the match, which saw London and Kendrick retain the WWE Tag Team Championship, Mercury was [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] injured when he was struck in the face with a ladder, necessitating a trip to the [[emergency room]] where his broken nose received 15 stitches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Update on Joey Mercury |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2006/exclusives/38575801 |date=December 18, 2006 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124052854/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2006/exclusives/38575801 |archive-date=November 24, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/18/2859159.html|title=Unexpected ladder contest steals Armageddon|date=December 18, 2006|last=Elliott|first=Brian|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The facial injury was worked into the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]], and when Mercury returned wearing a protective covering on his face, the rivalry between the teams intensified with MNM actively seeking to injure one or both of the Hardys, even going so far as to attack and perform a [[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Flapjack DDT|Snapshot]] on Matt on exposed concrete following a match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2007|page=130}}</ref> MNM lost to The Hardys at the [[Royal Rumble (2007)|Royal Rumble]], and again at the [[No Way Out (2007)|No Way Out]] pay-per-view in February, which concluded the feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|title=Old guard dominates Rumble|date=January 28, 2007|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/02/19/3645251.html|title=No Way Out an exercise in monotony|date=February 19, 2007|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
After the team split, Nitro, alongside Melina, was quickly placed into the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] picture, winning the title twice. In November, after serving his suspension and a brief stint back in OVW, Mercury returned to WWE, reuniting MNM to answer an open challenge put out by [[Hardy Boyz|The Hardys]] ([[Matt Hardy|Matt]] and [[Jeff Hardy|Jeff]]) for the [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]] pay-per-view.<ref name="Reunite">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/28/2530992.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721084202/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/28/2530992.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2012|title=Raw: The return of the Hardys|date=November 28, 2006|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On the 4th episode of ""Raw"", MNM and [[Rated RKO]] defeated [[D-Generation X]] and [[Hardy Boyz]]. At December to Dismember, MNM lost to the Hardys.<ref name="illustrated122">{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling's historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|page=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/04/2621429.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715033227/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/04/2621429.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Lashley has a December to remember|date=December 4, 2006|last=Mackinder|first=Matt|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> MNM and the Hardys met again at [[Armageddon (2006)|Armageddon]] as part of a four-way [[ladder match]], which also included the teams of [[The Blue Bloods#World Wrestling Entertainment|Dave Taylor and William Regal]] and Paul London and Brian Kendrick.<ref name="illustrated122"/> During the match, which saw London and Kendrick retain the WWE Tag Team Championship, Mercury was [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] injured when he was struck in the face with a ladder, necessitating a trip to the [[emergency room]] where his broken nose received 15 stitches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Update on Joey Mercury |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2006/exclusives/38575801 |date=December 18, 2006 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124052854/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2006/exclusives/38575801 |archive-date=November 24, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/18/2859159.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213110528/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/12/18/2859159.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 13, 2013|title=Unexpected ladder contest steals Armageddon|date=December 18, 2006|last=Elliott|first=Brian|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The facial injury was worked into the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]], and when Mercury returned wearing a protective covering on his face, the rivalry between the teams intensified with MNM actively seeking to injure one or both of the Hardys, even going so far as to attack and perform a [[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Flapjack DDT|Snapshot]] on Matt on exposed concrete following a match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2007|page=130}}</ref> MNM lost to The Hardys at the [[Royal Rumble (2007)|Royal Rumble]], and again at the [[No Way Out (2007)|No Way Out]] pay-per-view in February, which concluded the feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724024349/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=Old guard dominates Rumble|date=January 28, 2007|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/02/19/3645251.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630063921/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/02/19/3645251.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=No Way Out an exercise in monotony|date=February 19, 2007|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=December 13, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> |
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===Post-breakup=== |
===Post-breakup=== |
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After their feud with the Hardys was over, Nitro and Melina continued to team on ''Raw'', while Mercury wrestled in singles competition on ''SmackDown!''. On March 26, 2007, through WWE's official website, it was announced that Mercury had been released from his contract.<ref name="Mercury release">{{cite web|title=Joey Mercury released|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/joeyreleased|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 26, 2007|access-date=July 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515102132/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/joeyreleased|archive-date=May 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/03/26/3843758.html|title=Mercury released by WWE|access-date=March 1, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> |
After their feud with the Hardys was over, Nitro and Melina continued to team on ''Raw'', while Mercury wrestled in singles competition on ''SmackDown!''. On March 26, 2007, through WWE's official website, it was announced that Mercury had been released from his contract.<ref name="Mercury release">{{cite web|title=Joey Mercury released|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/joeyreleased|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 26, 2007|access-date=July 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515102132/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/joeyreleased|archive-date=May 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/03/26/3843758.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629113715/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/03/26/3843758.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Mercury released by WWE|access-date=March 1, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> |
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Melina and Nitro's association began to fizzle out when Melina became the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Champion]] and began garnering attention as a singles performer. Melina was released from her contract in 2011. |
Melina and Nitro's association began to fizzle out when Melina became the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Champion]] and began garnering attention as a singles performer. Melina was released from her contract in 2011. |
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**[[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]]) – Johnny Nitro |
**[[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]]) – Johnny Nitro |
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**[[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WWE Tag Team Champions|3 times]])<ref name="WWE1sttitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329952 |title=History of the WWE Tag Team Title: MNM |access-date=July 2, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219183910/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329952 |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> |
**[[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WWE Raw Tag Team Champions|3 times]])<ref name="WWE1sttitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329952 |title=History of the WWE Tag Team Title: MNM |access-date=July 2, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219183910/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329952 |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> |
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**[[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/|access-date=June 23, 2009|title=WWE Women's Championship official title history|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> – Melina |
**[[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/|access-date=June 23, 2009|title=WWE Women's Championship official title history|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> – Melina |
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<!--This article is about their time in MNM, not what came after. Please don't "update" information with what happens after the teams break up--> |
<!--This article is about their time in MNM, not what came after. Please don't "update" information with what happens after the teams break up--> |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist|group=note}} |
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{{clear}} |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html MNM's Online World of Wrestling profile] |
*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mnm.html MNM's Online World of Wrestling profile] |
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*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/joey-matthews.html Mercury's Online World of Wrestling profile] |
*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/joey-matthews.html Mercury's Online World of Wrestling profile] |
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*[http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/mercury-joey.html Mercury's Slam! Sports bio and story archive] |
*{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120715192845/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/mercury-joey.html Mercury's Slam! Sports bio and story archive]}} |
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*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/johnmorrison/ Johnny Nitro's WWE profile] |
*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/johnmorrison/ Johnny Nitro's WWE profile] |
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*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/melina/ Melina's WWE profile] |
*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/melina/ Melina's WWE profile] |
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{{ |
{{World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 2024–present)}} |
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{{OVW Tag Team Championship}} |
{{OVW Tag Team Championship}} |
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[[Category:WWE teams and stables]] |
[[Category:WWE teams and stables]] |
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[[Category:Independent promotions teams and stables]] |
Latest revision as of 09:42, 22 September 2024
MNM | |
---|---|
Stable | |
Members | Joey Matthews/Mercury Johnny Nitro Melina (valet) |
Name(s) | MNM |
Billed heights | Mercury: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Nitro: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] Melina: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[2] |
Combined billed weight | 555 lb (252 kg) (Mercury, Nitro and Melina) |
Billed from | Los Angeles, California |
Former member(s) | Jillian Hall (valet) |
Debut | 2004 |
Disbanded | 2017 |
Years active | 2004–2006 2006–2007 2017 |
MNM (Mercury, Nitro, and Melina) were a professional wrestling stable in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) who consisted of Joey Mercury (previously Joey Matthews), Johnny Nitro, and their manager Melina Perez.
Mercury and Nitro first began teaming together in 2004 in OVW, WWE's developmental territory in Louisville, Kentucky.[3] Melina, who at the time was Nitro's actual girlfriend, joined them as their manager in February 2005. While working in OVW, Mercury and Nitro captured the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on one occasion.
MNM were called up to the SmackDown! roster in April 2005, in which Mercury and Nitro went on to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. While in WWE, their ring personas was that of a trio of Hollywood celebrities, complete with a red carpet ring entrance, that had them accompanied by "paparazzi". The duo lost the title in July 2005. After their third and final reign ended in May 2006, Nitro and Melina blamed Mercury for the loss and attacked him, splitting the team. Nitro and Melina were let go from the SmackDown! roster and debuted on the Raw brand. In November 2006, MNM reunited for a brief period, before Mercury was released from his contract in March 2007.
Concept
[edit]Partly inspired by Paris Hilton, the concept behind the group was that they were Hollywood celebrities.[2][4] Upon their debut on SmackDown!, they claimed to be the "it team on the scene", because of their good looks and celebrity status.[5]
As part of their in-ring personas, MNM had a distinctive ring entrance. They walked to the ring on a red carpet, while members of the "paparazzi" took photos of them.[5] The male members of MNM usually wore fur coats to the ring. As they took them off, Melina suggestively rubbed their abs while removing the title belts from their pants, where they hung in an exaggerated phallic fashion. Melina had a signature entrance which involved her doing a split on the ring apron—from the floor—then bending forward and crawling under the bottom rope.[2]
History
[edit]Ohio Valley Wrestling (2004–2005)
[edit]MNM was formed in the former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) "farm territory" Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Melina Perez, Johnny Nitro's real-life girlfriend, was introduced into the company in 2004 as his ex-girlfriend, an ally of Matt Cappotelli with whom Nitro was engaged in a scripted rivalry. Almost immediately, however, Perez betrayed Cappotelli and sided with Nitro. Together they introduced Joey Matthews to become MNM.[6] While in OVW, Nitro and Matthews won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship once, holding it for over two months.[7]
Tag Team Championship reigns (2005–2006)
[edit]MNM was called up to WWE's SmackDown! roster in April 2005, with Matthews undergoing a name change to "Joey Mercury".[8] They made their debut during Carlito's interview segment Carlito's Cabana, where they interrupted an interview between Carlito and Rey Mysterio, and attacked Mysterio.[9][10] This provoked a feud between MNM and Mysterio and his partner, Eddie Guerrero, over the WWE Tag Team Championship. Two weeks later, in their debut match on the SmackDown! brand, they defeated Mysterio and Guerrero to win the WWE Tag Team Championship after Guerrero refused to tag into the match.[11] While Nitro and Mercury held the championship, Melina was placed in an angle with Heidenreich. She publicly mocked him and was the impetus for an attack on him by Nitro and Mercury.[12] In July, MNM were scheduled to face Heidenreich in a two-on-one handicap match, but attacked him before the match started.[13] Road Warrior Animal saved Heidenreich from the attack and as a result, Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal challenged Mercury and Nitro for the WWE Tag Team Championship at The Great American Bash. MNM lost the match and the championship to Heidenreich and Animal at The Great American Bash.[14][15]
The loss of the WWE Tag Team Championship was seen as "bad publicity" by Melina so she introduced Jillian Hall, a storyline spin doctor to repair their image.[16][17] Hall got them a cover article in SmackDown! magazine, and began to introduce the team before and aid them during matches.[18][19][20] In September 2005, Hall left the group to join John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), who had lost a match to Rey Mysterio.[21]
On the October 28 episode of SmackDown!, Mercury and Nitro were placed into a tag team title fatal four-way match against the teams of the Mexicools (Super Crazy and Psicosis), William Regal and Paul Burchill, and the WWE Tag Team Champions Legion of Doom 2005 (Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal). During the match, Mercury and Nitro were able to perform the Snapshot on Heidenreich, to win the championship for a second time.[22][23] MNM successfully defended the championship against Eddie Guerrero and Batista on the November 4 episode of SmackDown!.[24] In December, they began a feud with the Mexicools, who earned the right to face MNM at Armageddon for the WWE Tag Team Championship.[25][26] Before Armageddon however, on the December 16 episode of SmackDown!, MNM lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Batista and Rey Mysterio. A storyline was begun before the match, where Melina attempted to seduce Batista into forfeiting the match.[27][28] The storyline played over to the December 30 episode of SmackDown! when, before MNM invoked their rematch clause, Melina held a press conference in the ring where she claimed that Batista had sexually harassed her. During the tag team match, Mark Henry aided MNM in winning back the WWE Tag Team Championship.[29][30] The following week, MNM defeated Batista and Mysterio in a steel cage match to retain the championship, Henry's aid.[31] Henry was only with the group a short time before his contract was sold to Daivari in storyline.[14][32] They went on to successfully defend the championship against The Mexicools and the team of Matt Hardy and Tatanka in early 2006.[33][34]
Dissolution (2006–2007)
[edit]In April 2006, MNM were placed in an angle in which they found themselves in a losing streak against the team of Paul London and Brian Kendrick. In non-title tag team matches, singles matches, and even a six-man tag match, London and Kendrick defeated the duo every time.[35][36][37] At the Judgment Day pay-per-view in May 2006, MNM lost the tag team championship to London and Kendrick. After the match, Nitro and Mercury started brawling, disbanding the group.[38] Later that night, Melina lost a singles match against Jillian Hall and after slapping General manager Theodore Long in anger, she and Nitro were fired from the SmackDown! brand in storyline.[38][39] Off-screen, Nitro and Mercury did not get along, and WWE management decided to split the tag team and send Nitro and Melina to the Raw brand.[40] In addition, Mercury was about to begin serving a suspension for violating the WWE Wellness program.[8]
After the team split, Nitro, alongside Melina, was quickly placed into the Intercontinental Championship picture, winning the title twice. In November, after serving his suspension and a brief stint back in OVW, Mercury returned to WWE, reuniting MNM to answer an open challenge put out by The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) for the December to Dismember pay-per-view.[41] On the 4th episode of ""Raw"", MNM and Rated RKO defeated D-Generation X and Hardy Boyz. At December to Dismember, MNM lost to the Hardys.[42][43] MNM and the Hardys met again at Armageddon as part of a four-way ladder match, which also included the teams of Dave Taylor and William Regal and Paul London and Brian Kendrick.[42] During the match, which saw London and Kendrick retain the WWE Tag Team Championship, Mercury was legitimately injured when he was struck in the face with a ladder, necessitating a trip to the emergency room where his broken nose received 15 stitches.[44][45] The facial injury was worked into the angle, and when Mercury returned wearing a protective covering on his face, the rivalry between the teams intensified with MNM actively seeking to injure one or both of the Hardys, even going so far as to attack and perform a Snapshot on Matt on exposed concrete following a match.[46] MNM lost to The Hardys at the Royal Rumble, and again at the No Way Out pay-per-view in February, which concluded the feud.[47][48]
Post-breakup
[edit]After their feud with the Hardys was over, Nitro and Melina continued to team on Raw, while Mercury wrestled in singles competition on SmackDown!. On March 26, 2007, through WWE's official website, it was announced that Mercury had been released from his contract.[49][50]
Melina and Nitro's association began to fizzle out when Melina became the WWE Women's Champion and began garnering attention as a singles performer. Melina was released from her contract in 2011.
During the 2007 supplemental draft, Nitro moved to the ECW brand, was renamed John Morrison and would go on to capture the ECW World Championship.[51] Morrison formed a partnership with The Miz, capturing both the WWE Tag Team Championship and the World Tag Team Championship, as well as becoming a two-time Slammy Award winner. He also gained his third WWE Intercontinental Championship shortly after his alliance with The Miz, before leaving WWE in 2011.
Mercury returned to WWE in 2010, first as a member of CM Punk's Straight Edge Society, and later began working as a trainer in Florida Championship Wrestling (later renamed NXT). He most recently appeared on television alongside The Authority and as part of J&J Security, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins's "personal security".[citation needed]
Nitro and Melina had a brief reunion when Melina made an appearance in Lucha Underground at Ultima Lucha, attacking Alberto El Patron during his match with Nitro, now known as Johnny Mundo, allowing Nitro to pick up the win.
On September 22, 2017, Nitro, under his John Morrison ring name, and Mercury reunited for the first time in ten years at an All Pro Wrestling event, defeating Reno Scum.[52]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Tag Team of the Year (2005)[53]
- World Wrestling Entertainment
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times) – Johnny Nitro
- WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times)[54]
- WWE Women's Championship (1 time)[55] – Melina
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Johnny Nitro's WWE Profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Melina's WWE Profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
- ^ "MNM". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (May 21, 2014). "Where Are They Now?: Joey Mercury". WWE. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Durham, Jeremy (September 28, 2006). "SmackDown Countdown 2006: Johnny Nitro". IGN. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
- ^ "Melina Perez". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ a b "OVW Southern Tag Team Championship". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 5, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "MNM profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ Carrington, L. Anne (April 14, 2005). "SmackDown Results −4/14/05 -Chicago, IL (Kurt Angle vs. Guerrero)". WrestleView. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
- ^ Plummer, Dale (April 15, 2005). "Smackdown: Wilson/Dawn Marie classic steals show". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale (June 16, 2005). "Smackdown: Sweet revenge for Orton in Hershey". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 118.
- ^ Kapur, Bob (July 25, 2005). "JBL reigns at a dull Bash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Waldman, Jon (July 29, 2005). "Smackdown: Who's your papi?". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "SmackDown! results – July 28, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ Dunham, Jeremy (October 24, 2006). "SmackDown Countdown 2006: Jillian Hall". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
Using her PR magic, Jillian secured the cover of SmackDown Magazine for the duo as well as "fixing" a problem Melina had with Torrie Wilson, aiding Melina in defeating the Diva on SmackDown.
- ^ Waldman, Jon (August 12, 2005). "Smackdown: Matches galore". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Tylwalk, Nick (August 19, 2005). "Smackdown: Set for SummerSlam". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Sokol, Chris (September 18, 2005). "Smackdown: Taker takes down Orton". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Martin, Adam (October 28, 2005). "Lights out". WrestleView. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (October 28, 2013). "Smackdown: A gimmick-filled night". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (November 4, 2011). "Smackdown: Melina feels the splash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Waldman, Jon (December 3, 2005). "Smackdown: Hey babe, you wanna boogey?". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (December 9, 2005). "Smackdown: Mind games galore". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Benjamin, Charlie (December 16, 2005). "SmackDown Results – 12/16/05 – Springfield, MA (NEW Tag Champs)". WrestleView. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (December 16, 2005). "Smackdown: Can Batista capture double gold?". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (December 30, 2005). "Smackdown: Sexual accusations and Chocolate". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Benjamin, Charlie (December 30, 2005). "SmackDown Results – 12/30/05 – Uncasville, CT (New Tag Champs...)". WrestleView. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (January 6, 2006). "Smackdown: Mark Henry tames the Animal". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006". Arena Reports. Kappa Publishing. May 2006. p. 132.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (February 3, 2006). "Smackdown: Orton derides Eddie for cheap heat". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (February 24, 2006). "Smackdown: Mysterio's dream comes true". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (April 14, 2006). "Smackdown: Angle crowns Orton". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McNamara, Andy (April 28, 2006). "Smackdown: Angle-Mysterio do it again". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Elliott, Brian (May 22, 2006). "Rey wins, MNM splits at Judgment Day". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling's historical cards". Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 121.
- ^ "Injuries shelve Benoit, HBK". Chicago Sun-Times. May 28, 2006. p. A70.
Because partners Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury could not get along on the road and backstage, management decided to split them up. Thus, Nitro and Melina are on their way to Raw.
- ^ Plummer, Dale (November 28, 2006). "Raw: The return of the Hardys". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling's historical cards". Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 122.
- ^ Mackinder, Matt (December 4, 2006). "Lashley has a December to remember". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Update on Joey Mercury". World Wrestling Entertainment. December 18, 2006. Archived from the original on November 24, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ Elliott, Brian (December 18, 2006). "Unexpected ladder contest steals Armageddon". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007". Arena Reports. Kappa Publishing. May 2007. p. 130.
- ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (January 28, 2007). "Old guard dominates Rumble". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (February 19, 2007). "No Way Out an exercise in monotony". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Joey Mercury released". World Wrestling Entertainment. March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ Waldman, Jon. "Mercury released by WWE". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "2007 Supplemental Draft results". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ Zane, Brian. "MNM back together for the first time in 10 years at @allprowrestling . @legendbaby81 @Thornstowe_Scum @TheRealMorrison @WWEMercurypic.twitter.com/zoeCzkZExw".
- ^ "Tag Team of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ "History of the WWE Tag Team Title: MNM". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ "WWE Women's Championship official title history". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
External links
[edit]- MNM's Online World of Wrestling profile
- Mercury's Online World of Wrestling profile
- Mercury's Slam! Sports bio and story archive[usurped]
- Johnny Nitro's WWE profile
- Melina's WWE profile