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  • TNA Impact Wrestling results: New TNA Hall Of Fame inductee, Maria vs. Dixie

    Previously on Impact:

    This past Sunday was one of TNA’s flagship PPV’s (Slammiversary) where Bobby Lashley defeating Drew Galloway to become the new TNA World Heavyweight champion. In other news, Billy Corgan is now a minority owner of TNA due to the company’s continuing financial issues.

    Tonight on Impact:

    Tonight’s show will feature the fallout and aftermath of Slammiversary. It shall be dubbed “Gold Rush” which means all the titles will be defended.  Also, the newest inductee into the 2016 TNA Hall of Fame will be announced.

    Show Recap:

    – Josh Matthews and The Pope welcome us to Impact and tell us that we’re live in the Impact Zone.

    – New TNA World Champion Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring. Lashley mentions this is live TV and anything can happen. He said he’s better than everyone in the wrestling business. This brought out Ethan Carter III. On commentary, they mention that EC3 beat The Miracle on Sunday.

    EC3 and Lashley went face to face and EC3 challenged him for a world title match. Lashley kept calling EC3’s entrance music “cute”. Of course, Lashley refused EC3’s title match. The former champion Galloway interrupts them, limping and moving very slowly. He’s in pain but wants his title back. Galloway is invoking his rematch clause and taking his rematch tonight. It’s official tonight’s main event is Lashley defending against Galloway in a rematch from Sunday.

    – Josh and The Pope are at ringside and run down the card for tonight. We get shots of all the champions in the back.

    – Yesterday, King of The Mountain Champion Eli Drake and Jeff Hardy argue backstage. They do agree on one thing and that’s a match.

    – Jeff makes his way down to the ring to go one on one with Eli.

    TNA King of the Mountain Champion Eli Drake vs. Jeff Hardy

    The crowd is solidly behind Jeff. The announcers discuss Jeff defeating Matt at Slammiversary and not being 100 percent. Eli gets control of the match after taking out Jeff with a vicious clothesline on the outside. Not sure what happen but it seems like Eli botched a spot but was able to recover and caught Jeff with a nice slam. Jeff hit the Twist of Fate and hit the Swanton Bomb. Jeff had the match won when Broken Matt Hardy ran in and stopped the count by biting Earl Hebner’s hand. Apparently, Matt even had blood in his mouth presumably from biting Hebner’s hand.

    – Back from commercial in the back, EC3 praises Galloway for being a fighting champion but questions if it’s too soon to invoke his rematch clause. EC3 tries to convince him to postpone the title shot but Galloway refuses.

    – Back in the ring, Jeff takes the mic and addresses the situation with Matt. Jeff points out that Matt is still deranged and out of his mind. Jeff calls out Matt to end it tonight. Matt is standing in the rafters where Jeff leaped off of with the Swanton that created Broken Matt. Matt is still talking with the slow and broken tone. Matt says Jeff tried to hurt his son Maxell by hurting Matt. Jeff says that Maxell is the youngest TNA star ever. Matt and Jeff fight high up in the rafters. Reby shows up with a fire extinguisher to give Matt the advantage. Josh says they’re 40 or 50 feet up.

    In a pretty creative spot, Matt slid Jeff down the rail of the steps and Jeff crashed into a table at the bottom. 

    – Back from commercial, Matt cut another promo in the back. Matt challenged Jeff to a Six Sides of Steel Cage Match next week. He was both great and creepy here. He put Rosemary to shame in terms of being creepy.

    TNA X Division Champion Eddie Edwards vs. Trevor Lee w/ Gregory Shane Helms

    Helms distracts Eddie which gives Lee the chance to jump him to start the match. Josh explains that Helms complained to TNA management about being banned from ringside at Slammiversary and that’s why he’s back. Eddie makes his comeback and runs wild on Lee. Helms grabbed Eddie’s leg but Eddie kicked him off. Eddie hits a dive onto Helms on the outside. Eddie hits the Boston Knee Party to win the match and retain the title.

    – Next, we get a recap of Sting, Kurt Angle, Team 3D, Jeff Jarrett and Earl Hebner being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame. Up next, we find out this year’s inductee.

    – Still in the back, EC3 and Lashley had another face-to-face confrontation.

    – In the arena, all the wrestlers are lined up for the Hall of Fame announcement. TNA President Dixie Carter comes out to announce the newest inductee. She thanked everyone and reflected on the previous inductees. Dixie announced the newest inductee as TNA Knockout Gail Kim.

    Gail seemed genuinely surprised and began to cry. She clearly had no idea it was going to be her. Even Lashley could be seen smiling approvingly in the background. They aired a video recapping her TNA career and title wins. The crowd broke into a huge “Thank You Gail” chant. All the wrestlers applauded her. Dixie credits Gail with making the Knockout Division the best. They’re going to celebrate and officially induct Gail into the TNA Hall of Fame at TNA’s Flagship event Bound For Glory. Gail takes the mic and thanks the fans and all the women she’s worked with.

    – In the back, Decay discussed their match for later. Rosemary regained her creepy title.

    – Earlier today, JBorash interviews Marti Bell. We get a recap of Marti Bell attacking Jade and costing her the title at Slammiversary. Marti talked about The Dollhouse being her and Jade regardless of who the leader were but then Jade won the title and changed. Jade showed up and attacked Marti and left her on the ground.

    TNA Tag Team Champions The Decay (Abyss & Crazy Steve) w/ Rosemary vs. The Tribunal (Bassille Baracca & Baron Dax) w/ Al Snow vs. BroMans (Robbie E. & Jesse Godderz) w/ Raquel vs. Grado and Mahabali Shera

    Grado & Mahabali Shera and The BroMans are in the ring with The Tribunal at ringside as Decay makes their way to the ring. This was a fast paced match with lots of action. Each team got a turn in the ring and there were loads of blind tags. Jesse came in and run wild on the heels. Abyss took out Jesse with a choke slam. Grado climbed to the top but Snow pushed him off. Abyss choke slammed Steve on Grado. Decay picks up the win and retains the title.

    -Backstage, Maria is upset that TNA is inducting Gail into the Hall of Fame. She yelled out Allie and sent her away. The Miracle said he had the bags packed and they should leave. Maria said no and that they should go to the ring.

    – In the back, Jeff agrees to the Six Sided of Steel Cage match next week.

    -In the arena, The Miracle and Maria make their way to the ring and they’re not happy. The Miracle is upset with the way the fans and TNA treat him despite him being so great and the hero TNA needs. They claimed that TNA management doesn’t want to see them succeed. Miracle demands Dixie come out and strike his loss on Sunday from the record books. Instead of Dixie, they get Billy Corgan who comes out wearing a snappy suit and shades. Miracle and Maria are happy to see Billy and Billy says they’re the future.

    Maria calls out Dixie again and she comes out. Dixie cuts off Maria and tells her to shut up. Dixie says they’re wasting precise live TV time when instead they should have wrestling, which gets a big pop from the crowd. Maria claims that Dixie is the problem and that Maria could run TNA better the Dixie. Maria says herself, The Miracle and Billy work well together and have great ideas.

    Dixie removed Maria as leader of the Knockouts. Maria got really intense and started shoving Dixie until Dixie finally snapped and slapped Maria across the face. Maria sold this huge and Dixie left immediately.

    Seems like they’re setting up an angle, which will result in Maria running TNA. Maybe it’s just me, but Billy seemed to be siding with the heels.

    TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley vs. Drew Galloway

    EC3 is joining Josh and The Pope on commentary. Galloway is doing a great job selling his injuries, which is a nice touch because we don’t see that often nowadays. Lashley targets Drew’s tapped up ribs. The Pope points out that unlike Sunday this match can end by pin fall.

    Back from commercial, Drew and Lashley are brawling around ringside. Lashley gave Drew a backbreaker on the apron. EC3 mentions that he thinks Drew should have postponed that match. Lashley sends Drew to the outside in front of EC3 and taunts EC3, but this gives Drew the advantage briefly. Lashley went for the spear but Drew caught him in a submission however Lashley made it to the ropes. Drew hit a beautiful looking pile driver for a near fall. Drew hit the Celtic Cross of the second rope but only got a near fall.

    Drew went for the Claymore but Lashley moved and he hit official Brian Hebner. Lashley hit two spears on Drew as the crowd chanted for “EC3”. Lashley brought in a steel chair but EC3 came in and took it away from him. EC3 and Lashley brawled and EC3 got a hold of the chair. EC3 accidently hit Drew with the chair after Lashley moved. Lashley took out EC3 with a spear and used a submission to win in a really good match.

    Next Time on Impact:

    Next week, Jeff Hardy goes one on one with Broken Matt Hardy in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match.

  • NXT Dublin, Ireland, live results: Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode; Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor

    Submitted by Robert O’Sullivan

    – Tye Dillinger v Hugo Knox 

    Local crowd promo before match. Great reaction to Tye. Mid promo, it turned into cheap heel ‘your sports team sucks’ promo, but crowd still loved him. Knox wins with split legged moonsault. Knox looked very green, but is massive with a great look and moves incredibly well.

    – Wesley Blake v Andrade Cien Almas

    Blake’s ring gear is a weird combination of Bayley and Ultimate Warrior. Crowd more into mocking Blake than the actual match, though liked Andrade’s flashy offence. Andrade wins with double knees in the corner.

    – Goldberg video game ad plays on the screen. Fans notice that Drake Younger is the referee.

    – Sawyer Fulton & Alexander Wolfe v American Alpha

    Mad Max style gimmick for the former. Couldn’t believe it was actually Fulton. Alpha are massively over, with the ‘no limit’ & ‘angle theme’ chants before the bell. Chad Gable may be the best pro wrestler I have ever seen. Just so quick,
    so smooth in his movements. Seemed even quicker on this house show than he did on television. USA Chant for Alpha in Dublin. That’s how over they were. Alpha win with Grand Amplitude.

    The Revival run in afterwards, cut a promo, tease a title match then go to leave. Dash Wilder tries to ambush Alpha, is caught, get him in double ankle lock (each man had an ankle). Heels run to the back.

    – No Way Jose v Austin Aries

    Aries; ribs still taped. Crowd split on who to like. Aries was as good as he has been in the last few years, seems to have settled into NXT finally. Brief dance off spot to Jose’s music, Aries interrupts & ambushes Jose but gets massive cheers and ‘Thank you Aries’ chants. Any attempts to turn the crowd fail. Aries in control most of the match. Jose does his closing sequence (baseball swings, bulldog etc) for a near fall. No Way Jose wins with schoolboy roll up after Aries missed his discus elbow finish.

    – Ad for Mania 33 on the big screen. Described Orlando as a “magical place where anything can happen”. Seemed weird they would play that promo so close to the shooting.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Asuka v Peyton Royce

    Asuka’s gonna kill you chant. Back and forth match. Asuka does her hip attack then pose sequence early. Peyton still a little rough but has improved immensely. Asuka is much better against someone her own size. Asuka wins with crossface chicken wing. 

    – Bobby Roode v Shinsuke Nakamura 

    Roode had generic theme & Titantron still. Great reaction for Roode, and there’s no other way to put this, lose their sh*t for Nakamura. ‘Holy sh*t’ and ‘this is awesome’ chants for the entrance alone. F*ck TNA chants. Crowd behind Roode as well, but Nakamura clearly the favourite. Beer Money chants throughout the match. Near fall with the spinebuster from Roode. Dublin crowd are normally appreciative but dead, but not here. Red hot throughout.
    Nakamura wins with the Kinshasa.

    – Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax v Bayley & Carmella

    I never have seen grown men fight so fiercely over pink wristbands in my life. Great chicken fight spot to start off. Great heel facials from Alexa. Same headlock & guillotine spots on Nia as in all of her matches. Bayley wins with Bayley-to-Bayley on Jax.

    – NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor

    Crowd red hot with chants for Finn. Joe hated with a passion. Back and forth match, everything looked great. Muscle Buster blocked, 1916/Bloody Sunday blocked. Joe gets Balor in his choke finish, Finn powers out. Balor closing sequence (sling blade, dropkick etc). Misses the double footstomp, and as he rolls through Joe grabs him & rolls him up for the win. Finn thanked the crowd for all their support.

    Notes:

    – Nakamura sold out almost immediately. Balor merch sold second to him, though they obviously had a lot of stock.

    – Nakamura had the biggest reaction of the night. Some people around me were in tears during his entrance. Balor had a massive reaction
    as well, and it was more sustained than Shinsukes, but Nakamura had the better reaction out of the gate.

  • Gail Kim announced as newest member of the TNA Hall of Fame

    TNA announced tonight that Gail Kim is the newest member of their Hall of Fame.

    Kim has been the key player in TNA’s Knockouts division from being with the company in a manager/valet like role in its early days, starting in 2005 after being cut by WWE in late 2004.  Kim started doing occasional matches in 2006.  In late 2007, when TNA started its Knockouts Division and featured women’s matches regularly on television, the division was built around Kim, the first champion, and Awesome Kong, in a long rivalry.

    TNA’s womens’ division, largely due to Kim and Kong, was considered superior to WWE for the early years.  In 2008, WWE signed Kim away from TNA and she stayed until quitting when her contract expired in 2011.  She returned to TNA at that point and for most of the past five years has been the company’s key women’s performer, most notably having some great matches with Taryn Terrell.

    She has been Knockouts champion five times, tag team champions once and was also WWE women’s champion in 2003, winning the title in her television debut.

  • Daily Pro Wrestling History (06/14): Highflyers win AWA Tag Team Titles; Fritz Von Erich retirement; Steiner Brothers win WWF Tag Titles

    1909 

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Frank Gotch defeated former United States champion Tom Jenkins 2 falls to 0

    1922 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Ed “Strangler “Lewis beat John Freberg in 2 out of 3 falls match

    1936 

    Waterloo, Iowa:
    – Bronko Nagurski beat Ivan Vacturoff

    1948

    Wichita, Kansas;
    – World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown and Lord Albert Mills went to a draw at 1 fall a piece

    1961

    Duluth, Minnesota:
    – In a Texas Death Match: AWA US Champion Gene Kiniski beat Wilbur Snyder
    – Leo Nomellini beat Bob Geigel

    1971

    Duluth, Minnesota:
    – The Crusher beat Strong Kobayashi in a Death Match
    – Nick Bockwinkel beat Paul Diamond
    – Bobby Heenan beat Bull Bullinski 
    – Big K beat Lars Anderson

    1973 

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – The Crusher & Wahoo McDaniel beat Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson dq 
    – Rene Goulet defeated Bob Bruggers

    1974 

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Dick the Bruiser & Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff
    – Ivan Putski beat Superstar Billy Graham via dq 
    – Chris Taylor beat Ray Stevens

    1978 

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Russ Francis beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq
    – Hawaiian Tag Title Match John Tolos & Steve Strong beat Buddy Rose & John Studd to win tag title
    – Little John & Cowboy Lang beat Little Tokyo & Lord Littlebrook
    – Don Muraco beat Rocky Tomayo
    – Chris Markoff beat Mickey Doyle 
    – Bill Francis beat Duke Savage

    Miami Beach, Florida:
    – Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated Mr. Saito and Mr. Sato to win the Florida tag-team titles

    Duluth, Minnesota:
    – Verne Gagne & Rufus R Jones beat Super Destroyer Mark II & Pat Patterson
    – Evan Johnson beat Lord Alfred Hayes
    – Bob Orton Jr beat Jim Brunzell
    – Steve Olsonoski beat Blackjack Lanza dq

    1980 

    Rockford, Illinois:
    – Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Greg Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon
    – In a Loser Leaves Town Match; Bobby Heenan beat Lord Alfred Hayes
    – Dino Bravo beat Jerry Blackwell 
    – Super Destroyer Mark II drew Steve Olsonoski

    1981 

    Green Bay, Wisconsin:
    – The Highflyers (Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne) defeated The East-West Connection (Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura) for the AWA World Tag Team Titles 
    – Baron Von Raschke ddq Jerry Blackwell 
    – AWA Light Heavyweight Champion Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe

    1982 

    Dallas, Texas:
    – The Spoiler defeated Frank Dusek
    – Bill Irwin defeated Ken Mantell    
    – Lola Gonzales defeated Irma Gonzales    
    – Andre the Giant defeated Bugsy McGraw via disqualification    
    – El Solitario defeated Rene Guajardo to win NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship
    – Andre the Giant defeated Frank Dusek, Bill Irwin, Al Madril, Ken Mantell, Bugsy McGraw, The Spoiler and T John Thibedeaux in a Bodyslam battle royal     
    – The Great Kabuki and Magic Dragon defeated David and Kevin Von Erich to win the WCCW All-Asian Tag Championship
    – Kerry Von Erich defeated Harley Race in a No Disqualification match
    – In Fritz Von Erich retirement match; Von Erich defeated King Kong Bundy to regain the America’s Title in a falls count anywhere match

    1984

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Antonio Inoki defeated Hulk Hogan for the IWGP Heavyweight Title

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – In a Non Title Match, King Kong Brody & Abdullah The Butcher beat AWA Tag Team Champions The Crusher & Baron Von Raschke
    – Nick Bockwinkel beat Curt Hennig
    – Fabulous Ones beat Steve Regal & Chris Markoff
    – Blackjack Lanza drew Larry Zbyszko
    – Steve O beat Kevin Kelly 
    – Stan Lane beat Sheik Adnan

    1989 

    WCW Clash of the Champions VII: Fort Bragg, North Carolina: 
    – The Freebirds defeated The Midnight Express in a tournament final for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
    – The Varsity Club (Mike Rotunda and Kevin Sullivan) defeated The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott; with Missy Hyatt)
    – Sting defeated Bill Irwin to retain the NWA Television Title
    – Ricky Steamboat defeated Terry Funk by disqualification

    1993 

    Columbus, Ohio:
    – The Steiner Brothers defeated Money, Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) for the WWF World Tag Team Titles

    1998 

    WCW Great American Bash: Baltimore, Maryland:
    – Booker T defeated Chris Benoit in the finals of the Best-of-Seven series to earn a WCW World Television Championship match
    – Kanyon defeated Saturn
    – Chris Jericho defeated Dean Malenko via disqualification to win the vacant WCW Cruiserweight Title 
    – Juventud Guerrera defeated Reese (with Lodi)    
    – Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Eddie Guerrero    
    – Booker T defeated Fit Finlay to win the WCW Television Title
    – Goldberg defeated Konnan (with Rick Rude and Curt Hennig)    to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
    – Hollywood Hogan and Bret Hart (with The Disciple) defeated Roddy Piper and Randy Savage    Tag team match
    – Roddy Piper defeated Randy Savage    
    – Sting defeated The Giant to gain control of the WCW World Tag Team Championship

    2015 

    WWE Money in the Bank: Columbus, Ohio:
    – R-Truth defeated King Barrett    
    – Sheamus defeated Dolph Ziggler, Neville, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton in a Money in the Bank ladder match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match contract
    – Nikki Bella defeated Paige to retain the WWE Divas Championship
    – Big Show defeated Ryback by disqualification, Ryback retained the WWE Intercontinental Championship
    – John Cena defeated Kevin Owens
    – Prime Time Players defeated Big E and Xavier Woods to win the WWE Tag Team Titles 
    – Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose in a ladder match to retain the WWE Title

  • WWE RAW ratings dip below 3 million viewers

    Photo: WWE.com

    It finally happened. Thanks, in part, to going head-to-head with Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the June 13th edition of WWE Raw fell below the 3 million viewer mark for the first time outside of football season.

    The show did 2.96 million viewers — the second lowest for a non-holiday episode of the show since 1997, as there was a show in November that did 2.95 million viewers. The prior seasonal record low was 3.12 million viewers, and while the rating isn’t out as of this writing, it should equate to a 2.1 or 2.2 rating.

    The Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game on ABC did 20.53 million viewers.

    Raw was fourth for the night on cable, trailing Rizzoli & Isles on TNT, Major Crimes on TNT, and The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News.

    The show opened weak, even though it started before the NBA game, and had a fairly significant third hour drop.  

    The three hours were:

    • 8 p.m. 3.04 million viewers
    • 9 p.m. 3.11 million viewers
    • 10 p.m. 2.76 million viewers

  • WWE RAW Hits & Misses: Strong top-of-the-hour segments highlight a dull go-home show

    Three entertaining top-of-the-hour promo exchanges just about managed to save Monday night’s Money in the Bank go-home edition of RAW from being a total dud. Here, as always, are the show’s highlights and lowlights:

    — The Hits —

    Cena and Styles sign on the dotted line

    Although I could have done without John Cena’s laboured Bullet Club references, the promo exchange between he and AJ Styles at the top of the third hour was very impressive. Cena delivered the goods as usual, namedropping PWG and ROH in an effective monologue, designed to get Styles over.

    Styles’ bitter rejoindre, delivered forcefully with convincing fire, was even more impactful as it further banished the notion that the former IWGP champion can’t hang with the best on the stick. Cena goading AJ into banning The Club from ringside was another big positive as it tied into the insecurity of AJ’s character, and ensured that we should get a wonderful, shenanigan-free, match between the two this Sunday.

    The Ambrose Asylum

    I certainly never anticipated that this segment would ever appear in the Hits column, and yet here we are. Ambrose’s jarring wackiness aside, this was another example of two talents delivering on the microphone when it mattered.

    Admittedly, the primary goal of the segment, and the first-hour ‘Shield Revisited’ clips, failed. Despite the constant reminders of Rollins’ responsibility for the breakup of that popular faction, the crowd still cheered Seth and booed Roman Reigns throughout the Ambrose Asylum.

    Having said that, we must still credit both performers’ delivery. Rollins’ superiority complex-driven promo was excellent, as was Roman’s confident reply. And, although the Dirty Deeds from Ambrose to Reigns to close the segment was a bit off-kilter, I thought the Money in the Bank tease worked well too, building some much-needed anticipation for that match.

    The New Day meets The New Era

    This segment really belongs in both halves of the column, as the solo contributions from the New Day, The Club and the Vaudevillains all fell flat.

    It was only when Enzo and Cass arrived in the ring to confront the New Day that this tag team championship build clicked in a big way. The Jersey boys taunting Xavier Woods about a promiscuous “Frannie”, culminating in the Woods line “I’m the only one who blows my girl!”, was fantastic. As was Cass comparing Kofi Kingston’s shoes to those of Jerry Seinfeld, the only one of many footwear-based insults that even raised a smile from this columnist.

    Life Lessons

    Look, the Darren Young and Bob Backlund vignettes have been awful from day one, but who among us did not laugh at Bob’s “This is my only pair of clothes!” line? Great delivery.

    — The Misses —

    The 50/50 booking-laced MITB ladder match build

    Thank God that the Money in the Bank ladder match is this Sunday, lest we have to sit through another weekly five-hour serving of pointless matches involving the six participants.

    Backstage bickering segments with Sami Zayn/Cesaro and Kevin Owens/Alberto del Rio at least showed that the company is aware of the problem. But it was still impossible to care about either of the two matches involving the four — Zayn’s spectacular Code Red victory aside.

    The stipulation that Owens and Del Rio were putting their spots in Sunday’s match on the line against the Lucha Dragons certainly didn’t help as it was completely unbelievable. Plus, Kalisto and Sin Cara looked like even bigger geeks for losing to two guys who couldn’t get along at all.

    Speaking of geeks, the 50/50 booking that has permeated throughout all in-ring interactions between the six is pretty much the professional wrestling equivalent of socialism. (Some level of inequality is necessary to get people over, you know!) Nowhere was that more obvious than in the main event, where Ambrose avenged his pointless loss to Jericho on last week’s Smackdown. Meanwhile, Owens saved the segment with his sarky commentary, while Zayn, Del Rio and Cesaro all looked like jabronis. Terrible.

    Paint-by-numbers lower card booking

    The build-up to Rusev’s US Championship defence against Titus O’Neil has been incredibly basic and incredibly dull. After weeks of Titus run-ins, the Bulgarian Brute attacked O’Neil from behind on Monday before he could compete in what I was assume was supposed to be a match.

    This ambush got little reaction from the live audience, and I’m sure the audience at home didn’t appreciate the immediate post-commercials replay either. All I could do was sympathise with Titus, as Jack Swagger clearly wasn’t interested in returning last week’s favour and saving his ass. Harsh.

    Elsewhere, in a reprise of that Swagger segment from last week, Apollo Crews ran in to save Zack Ryder from a post-match beatdown at the hands of Sheamus. Yawn. Sure can’t wait to watch that pre-show.

    Bickering McMahons

    I just don’t care! Every time Stephanie and Shane are onscreen with their weird incestuous sexual tension, I just want to shut off my television. It is literally impossible to care about who runs what show; the outcome will be the same regardless. Even Corporate Kane with his arson and testicle electrocution callbacks couldn’t save the segments involving these two from getting my dander up.

    The Divas Devolution

    Far from the lofty heights of top-of-the-hour segments and long matches upon its glorious inception, the so-called Divas Revolution is now reduced to a tag team program that no-one cares about on one of the biggest PPVs of the year.

    ​

    Attempts to build tension between Charlotte and Dana Brooke are also doomed to fail, as the latter is far from ready for a program of that magnitude. Although, given that the Women’s champion got just three minutes to lose to Paige on Monday night, that magnitude may not be so great.

  • WOL: Shayna Baszler, Slammiversary, Smackdown & Sempervive~!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive is back to start your week off right. We talk last night’s Slammiversary, SmackDown only pay-per-views possibly being added, the NXT CWC, and more. Plus, a conversation with “The Queen of Spades” Shayna Baszler as she continues on her path in  pro wrestling!

    Right click save

  • Figure Four Weekly 6/13/2016: Gawker files for bankruptcy

    Depending on your point of view, Hulk Hogan went one step further towards either succeeding or failing in his lawsuit against Gawker Media last Friday when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the type that allows the company to continue operating. 

    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • NXT Belfast, Ireland, live results: Nakamura & Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe & Austin Aries; Bobby Roode

    Submitted by Matt Sterling from The SSE Arena

    – Hugo Knox b Alexander Wolfe w/Sawyer Fulton

    Knox is a former soccer player from England who looked decent but needs work. Tremendous body. Crowd chanted for Bailey during the match – didn’t care much about the in-ring action here.

    – No Way Jose b Wesley Blake

    Jose is super over. He got the crowd to do a Mexican wave after he won, and danced with the referee.

    – Bayley & Carmella b Nikki Storm & Peyton Royce

    Sloppy match. Bit disappointing from the NXT women. Lots of botched spots. Bayley was the best in-ring trying to cope with three girls who need a lot of work.

    – Bobby Roode b Angelo Dawkins

    Bobby played the heel, lots of stalling & running away from Angelo. Crowd did the stupid spot where they chant a different number than the referee. Longest match on the show so far. Roode won with a spinebuster — a finish that came out of nowhere.

    – NXT Tag Champions The Revival b American Alpha to retain

    The Revival worked over Gable for a long time. When Jordan finally tagged in, it was easily the biggest reaction for a hot tag I’ve seen live. All four of these guys have so much talent. Dawson got the pin after knocking Gable into an exposed turnbuckle.

    Intermission

    – Andrade Almas b Tye Dillinger

    Great, fast paced match. Great showing for the former La Sombra.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Asuka b Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss to retain

    This felt like this had the potential to be great but it was sloppy at times. Seems like they weren’t on the same page. Asuka made Alexa tap with the Asuka lock.

    – Shinsuke Nakamura & Finn Balor b NXT Champion Samoa Joe & Austin Aries

    This was quite the spectacle to see so much talent in the ring at once, especially at a house show in Ireland. Match of the night. Balor got worked over for a while until the hot tag to Shinsuke. Place went nuts. Shinsuke pinned Aries with the Kinshasa. After the match, Finn and Nakamura did each other’s poses.

    Overall, this was an excellent show with great wrestling and a good environment. Arena was taped off – around half the attendance of a WWE show.

  • WWE RAW live results: Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins

    The Big Takeaway: Mainly tying up loose ends for the Money in the Bank PPV. While Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns had a faceoff to build their main event match, Dean Ambrose teased potentially winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and cashing it in that night to beat one of his former Shield mates. The relationship between Shane and Stephanie McMahon is growing more prickly as they bickered throughout the show. Charlotte and Dana Brooke are teasing a breakup after a whole month together. Last half of the show was driven by the six Money in the Bank participants. Really, the program was focused on trying to get Ambrose to be taken seriously again instead of a comedy figure. 

    Show Recap: 

    As trivial as it may seem at a time like this, Raw will have its go-home show for Money in the Bank tonight in New Orleans. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are expected back for the final push for their main event match at the PPV. After the curious decision to air that Rollins video last week, the question isn’t how much will he be cheered, but how much? Was last week any indication that they’re finally willing to give up the ghost on Reigns being a babyface?

    This is also another show going head-to-head with the NBA Playoffs. Last time that happened was two weeks ago and it led to a wrestling-oriented program where Shane and Stephanie McMahon were limited to cameos. Last week was full of interviews, so perhaps they’ll even it up tonight. 

    Our coverage starts at 8 ET. 

    To open the show, the entire roster lined up on the ramp for a moment of silence to honor the 49 killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting. Again, Vince and Stephanie McMahon appeared but no HHH, who was in England over the weekend at the Download Festival hosting an NXT show. He also was the first recipient of the “Spirit of Lemmy Award” in honor of Lemmy Kilmister. 

    The New Day came out and discussed their title defense in a Fatal Fourway. Xavier Woods noticed that Kofi Kingston was wearing Stephen Curry’s Under Armour’s ridiculed shoes. Kingston joked Kingston was wearing the “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up 12s.”

    Enzo and Big Cass showed up. When Enzo Amore asked “How you doin’?,” New Day muttered they were doing fine. Cass said they were going all-in in Vegas and walking out with the WWE Tag Team titles. Cass asked Kingston if he was serious with those “Jerry Seinfeld joints” he had going. Cass talked about Francesca 2, the trombone, and asked where was Woods’ girl last night? Cass said Francesca 2 was with Enzo last night, and he had his lips all over her. Enzo said he had Franny on Bourbon Street, where he played her like Louie Armstrong. He said “Enzo Satchmo had her going all night long.” Basically, Amore was dropping lots of double entendres straight from 1980s Ric Flair promos, except this was about a musical instrument. Woods said “I’m the only one who blows my girl.” 

    Enzo and Woods teased a verbal showdown before the Vaudevillains interrupted them. Aiden English sang like the leader of a barbershop quartet about how they were going to be the new champions. Then Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows finally came out to say they were going to be the new champions. Gallows said it would be easier than scoring a touchdown on the New Orleans Saints. This built up an eight-man tag for the night’s opening match. 

    Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and the Vaudevillains defeated The New Day and Enzo & Cass (13:27)

    Gallows pinned Kingston after a Magic Killer. Kingston tried an O’Connor Roll on Karl Anderson, but Gallows had just made a blind tag. Action spilled out to the floor at the finish, where Big E gave English a belly-to-booty suplex. The highlight was Kingston doing a spectacular flip tope over the post onto English and Simon Gotch that the crowd loved. First spot was English trying to flip Kingston, who landed on his feet and he pointed to the Curry shoes for a pop. Pretty good match, but this crowd was dead most of the way and we still have 2.5 hours to go. 

    Tonight’s series of flashback clips feature the rise of the Shield. They opened with the Shield’s debut at Survivor Series 2012, which they also aired last week during the Seth Rollins profile. 

    Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Backlund asking how Young was going to celebrate many of his upcoming wins. Young said he was going to bring back the Millions of Dollars dance. Backlund said his next lesson would be about saving money. Young asked Backland how he saved money. Backlund said this was his only pair of clothes. Young asked if that was his only pair of underwear? Backlund screamed “You gotta want it!” 

    Shane McMahon walked in with Stephanie talking on the phone. Tensions are rising again. They argued over who would get Raw and who would get SmackDown. Stephanie wanted both. Shane said she and HHH ran both into the ground. Corporate Kane showed up and offered his services, and handed him his resume and a letter of recommendation from the Undertaker. Stephanie left Shane alone to talk to Kane, who dropped as many references to fire as possible to let us all know he’s also the Demon Kane. 

    Zack Ryder talked to some unknown backstage visitors about Apollo Crews hitting Sheamus from behind on Smackdown when Sheamus walked up. Sheamus said he would give Crews a Sheamus kick and make him a joke. Ryder blurted out “Hey Apollo!” Sheamus turned his head in concern, but Crews wasn’t there. When he turned around, Ryder was gone. Sheamus vowed to kick Ryder’s head off tonight while the visitors chuckled at him. 

    The next Shield flashback was their face turn against HHH, Randy Orton and Bautista from 2014. 

    The Shining Stars did a vignette saying they take care of the beaches of Puerto Rico and don’t litter, unlike the trash infected beaches of America. 

    Titus O’Neal made his ring entrance for a match when Rusev jumped him from behind. As Lana watched on from the background, Rusev put him in the Accolade several times before a group of referees ordered him off. Rusev screamed over a fallen O’Neal that he was the champion. 

    Next Shield highlight was Rollins turn on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. This was to set up the Ambrose Asylum with Reigns and Rollins, and really to reestablish Rollins as the heel again in the program. 

    They showed a tweet from HHH congratulating the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be sent a gorgeous WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt with the Penguins logo on it. 

    Ambrose came out and said the Ambrose Asylum was back by popular demand. He put over the entire Money in the Bank card then brought out Rollins and Reigns. Rollins got roundly cheered despite Ambrose calling him the “scum of the Earth.” Reigns got mostly booed, and Ambrose had to clap into the microphone for him to drown out the jeers. 

    Ambrose was smiling and clapping as Reigns and Rollins stared at each other. Ambrose asked Rollins how his knee was doing? Rollins curtly said if Ambrose had seen his documentary on the WWE Network? He said his knee was fine. Ambrose asked how was Rollins’ face? Rollins didn’t know what he was talking about. Ambrose said Rollins’ face was killing him. 

    Reigns spoke up briefly but was drowned out by booing. He said it was fun on Bourbon Street last night. Rollins looked wary of Ambrose and Reigns, and Ambrose called him a party pooper. Rollins brought up past memories of beating Team Hell No and the New Age Outlaws. Rollins smiled and brought up seeing Ambrose passed out beside a dumpster one night in Salt Lake City. 

    Rollins said the best times inside the ring came with the Shield. He even brought up beating Bautista, and Dave hasn’t been seen since. Then Rollins said his best ever moment in the ring was when he took a chair and hit Ambrose and Reigns to end the Shield. That was supposed to get him booed. It didn’t. 

    Ambrose asked Reigns what we can expect on Sunday. Reigns said the big dog would walk in as champ and the big dog would walk out as champ. Rollins said he was never defeated as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose tried to keep the two from fighting. Reigns said if Rollins was the champion, why does he have the belt? Actually, he said “this.” 

    Rollins said Reigns has the championship because he beat Ambrose. He beat Sheamus and he beat HHH. But Reigns has never beaten Rollins. Rollins said Reigns would have never won the championship without him. On the other hand, Rollins said everything he’s accomplished, he’s done on his own. And he will win the championship on his own. Ambrose brought up J&J Security, the Authority, Kane, etc. 

    Reigns said Rollins was right. Rollins broke up the Shield on his own. But the Shield had Rollins’ back, the only ones who did. And for what reason? So he could hog the spotlight. After Sunday, fans would call Reigns “the guy” not because he’s the champ, but because he beat Rollins. Ambrose wrapped up the segment by saying he could win the Money in the Bank contract on Sunday, and whether it’s Reigns or Rollins, he could cash in on Sunday to walk out as champion. 

    As Ambrose’s music played, Rollins pushed Ambrose into Reigns. Rollins punched Ambrose. Reigns gave Rollins a Superman Punch. Then Ambrose gave Reigns a kick to the stomach and Dirty Deeds and ended the segment looking up at the Money in the Bank briefcase. Good segment with the best mic work from Reigns since he became champion. 

    John Cena was shown talking to Shane backstage. Cena will have a contract signing with A.J. Styles later tonight. 

    Stephanie met Ambrose in the back. She mentioned that Shane was the one who brought back the Ambrose Asylum. Stephanie said that Ambrose would face Chris Jericho later tonight. It led to Ambrose saying that Stephanie had a lot of hatred and bile flowing through her veigns. Stephanie said having hatred within you can be a good thing if you know how to use it. 

    Paige defeated Charlotte (C) in a nontitle match (2:28) 

    Charlotte went for the Figure Eight, but Paige kicked her out of the ring. Dana Brooke threw Charlotte right back in the ring, where Paige gave her the Rampage for the pin. They’re already teasing a Brooke-Charlotte breakup. Natalya and Becky Lynch were at ringside on commentary. This leads to Charlotte & Brooke vs. Natalya & Lynch on Sunday. Charlotte took the face first Flair flop, which the crowd enjoyed.

    Cesaro did an interview with Renee Young. Sami Zayn walked in, which made Cesaro mad.  Cesaro said he was acting like a child. Zayn said, as far as he was concerned, they were equals. Cesaro said he’s been in the WWE for four years, while Zayn has been in the WWE for four months. He said Zayn still has a lot to prove and he should start tonight. 

    Backstage, Charlotte chewed out Brooke for costing her the match. Charlotte said she gave Brooke a chance to be part of her legacy, but if she makes the same mistake again on Sunday, there will be no room for her in the history book she’s writing. 

    Sheamus defeated Zack Ryder (1:54)

    Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick. He put punches and boots to Ryder until Crews ran out. Crews scored a double-leg takedown, knocked him out of the ring with a forearm and Sheamus ran out through the crowd. 

    Another series of flashbacks, this one featurin famous monents from Money in the Bank. The opener was from 2010 Kane winning the briefcase, then cashing it in to defeat Rey Mysterio 50 minutes later. He’s still the only man to win the briefcase and the world championship on the same night. 

    O’Neal was shown in an Ad Council PSA paying Go Fish with his kids. 

    Kane talked with Shane backstage when Kevin Owens showed up. Owens wanted to see Stephanie, but when he heard she wasn’t around, he said that Alberto Del Rio only showed up to the building 20 minutes ago. Owens felt Del Rio should be taken out of the Money in the Bank match. Del Rio then walked in and said someone called airport security on him, which caused him to be held up for five hours. Del Rio blamed Owens. The two started jawing at each other with Del Rio speaking Spanish and Owens speaking French. Finally, Kane spoke up and ordered them to team together tonight against the Lucha Dragons. If the Lucha Dragons won, they would get Owens and Del Rio’s spot in the Money in the Bank match. Owens didn’t like the idea, but Shane did and it was done. 

    Sami Zayn defeated Cesaro (8:11) 

    Very good match where Zayn won with the Code Red. Fans got into it after Cesaro did his suplex from the apron into the ring. Had the most crowd heat of the night. Cesaro knocked Zayn to the floor early, blocking a springboard move with an uppercut. Zayn had a look on his face after he scored the finisher that put over the importance of finally getting a win on Raw. 

    There was a new feature called WWE Technology, which showed off the company’s video production truck. They also put over using green power to energize the trucks. 

    Cena came out for the contract signing with Styles. Cena said Money in the Bank might as well be WrestleMania, which wasn’t the first time someone has made that comparison tonight. Cena said for 15 years, people have wondered what would happen if he faces Styles. He said he loved the WWE, but year after year, the decision makers in the company said Styles didn’t belong. But through Ring of Honor, PWG and New Japan (using those names on the air), Styles has proven he belongs. Cena said he’s won 15 world championships,  but Styles has won more over a 15-year span. Now, Styles has been given a chance thanks to Shane McMahon and that this would be a history making match. 

    Cena said the contract signing would be a little different tonight and told Michael Cole to leave. There was a table set up with a chair in the ring. Styles came out and there were the usual dueling chants. Styles said he turned Cena’s world around two weeks ago. At Money in the Bank, he would do it again. Styles said he would be the one saying “You can’t see me” because Cena couldn’t beat him. 

    Cena explained that there were two contracts on the table. One would guarantee a singles match between Cena and Styles with the Club barred from ringside. The other contract would have Cena vs. Styles with the Club allowed at ringside. If Styles signed the one that included the Club, it would prove how much of a bitch Styles truly is. But if he signed the one-on-one match with the Club barred from ringside. they would finally have an answer to the question of what if Styles faced Cena. 

    Styles brought up what would happen if Styles had been in the WWE 15 years ago? Then Cena wouldn’t have been a 15-time world champion, wouldn’t have won the Royal Rumble twice, wouldn’t be in movies and wouldn’t be on the cover of magazines. Cena screamed enough. He said he had heard the same routine from dozens of independent geeks for years and that Styles’ Club wasn’t full of bullets, it was full of bull. Cena said it was time for Styles to man up and try to prove him wrong. Cena said if Styles signed the contract with the Club, then they would need to put Styles on a fast track on Japan because he left his balls in Japan. Styles signed the contract for a one-on-one match with no Club at ringside and Cena followed.  

    Styles said this independent geek would beat Cena’s K-Mart shopping ass and prove it Sunday. 

    They aired highlights of the 2013 Money in the Bank, captured by Orton. He used it to defeat Daniel Bryan a month later. 

    Kevin Owens and Alberto Del Rio defeated Lucha Dragons to keep their spot in the Money in the Bank match (8:25) 

    Owens and Del Rio argued and nearly came to blows throughout the match. Kalisto used Salida del Sol on Del Rio, leading to the hot tag to Sin Cara. Owens was forced to use a save after Cara hit Del Rio with a Swanton, then dragged Del Rio to the corner for a tag. Kalisto attempted a tope on Del Rio, who threw Kalisto into the dasherboards. Owens pinned Cara with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. Del Rio gave Owens a Superkick afterwards and spit on him.  

    The Miz did another Facebook interview from the set of the Marine 5: Battleground. A stagehand gave him coffee, which Miz said was too cold.

    Owens complained to Stephanie about Del Rio giving him a cheap shot. Stephanie listened to him instead of burying him. Owens said Zayn was going to be a commentary for the Ambrose-Jericho main event and asked if he could join him. Stephanie approved it. Del Rio walked up, said Owens was kissing up to Stephanie and demanded to be on commentary, as well. Stephanie said Del Rio could be guest timekeeper instead. Del Rio and Owens argued some more. 

    Shane and Stephanie bickered about their respective decision making. Shane said Cesaro will be the guest ring announcer for the main event. Stephanie said that Kane would be the wrong choice to run SmackDown. Kane walked in and Shane broke the news to him that he would not be running SmackDown. Kane asked if Shane’s decision was based on the whole “Jumper cables to the testicles” thing. Shane said it didn’t. Finally, Shane said Stephanie could run Raw, but he was going to run SmackDown this Thursday.

    During Jericho’s ring entrance, Cesaro said he originally was from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, but currently lives in Stupid, Idiotville. He went on to say that Ambrose looked like he had just rolled out of bed. 

    Dean Ambrose defeated Chris Jericho (11:53) 

    Jericho got the Walls of Jericho but Ambrose made the ropes. After the elbow clothesline, Ambrose blocked the Codebreaker and won with Dirty Deeds. Owens largely stole the show on commentary putting down Byron Saxton. Del Rio held the bell hammer meancingly throughout the match, but never used it.  

    Owens ran in and jumped Ambrose afterwards. Zayn jumped on Owens, but Del Rio gave Zayn the back stabber. Cesaro ran in and gave Del Rio a springboard uppercut. Del Rio and Cesaro brawled around ringside. Meanwhile, Owens pulled out a ladder, but Ambrose gave him a baseball slide. As the four men fought, Zayn gave them a somersault plancha. As the only man not involved in the brawl, Jericho set up the ladder in the ring and climbed to get the Money in the Bank briefcase. He unhooked it and posed on top of the ladder cross-legged.