undefined
Author:
-
Adam & Mike: Bryan Danielson memories, THE GREAT TITUS DEBATE
Getting back on the horse with the first of two shows in the next few days, the original alternate is back with topics that include, but aren’t limited to: Titus O’Neil’s suspension, Bryan Danielson warm and fuzzy water-colored memories of the way he (and the mid-00’s midwest indie scene) was, What Brauny the Strowman’s gimmick would have been if he had come around in the 70’s, NOAH’s Helen Keller Memorial Show on 1/31, some New Japan notes, and more. It’s the show that puts the second B in BxB Hulk; It’s the Adam and Mike BIG AUDIO NIGHTMARE; Proudly here at F4WOnline.com.
-
WWE Smackdown results: AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho – the rematch
– Air Date: February 11, 2016 (Feb 10 in Canada)
– Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR– The Big News:
Chris Jericho beat AJ Styles in a great match.
– Show Recap:
No fireworks to start Smackdown this week, unless you count Chris Jericho’s entrance. Jericho said he respects AJ Styles but doesn’t like him after Styles punched him in the face on Raw. Jericho wondered who would call themselves phenomenal on their very first night, which has to be a reference to his own WWE debut. Jericho recalled having one his best matches in this building in Portland – the World Title ladder match with Shawn Michaels. Finally, he called out Styles for their match. The crowd liked Jericho but booed when he put down Styles.
Chris Jericho NC AJ Styles
The bell rang but the Social Outcasts, minus Bo Dallas, came out immediately. Heath Slater said Dallas was still making his rap album. Adam Rose did some bad comedy, called the team the “Social Housecats” and made cat noises. Axel wanted the two of them to be called “Axel Rose.” They all bickered until Jericho called them idiots and told them to shut up. He punched Slater with the mic and the Outcasts bailed. Jericho said he and Styles would still wrestle later, but right now they’re teaming up.
Chris Jericho & AJ Styles beat Curtis Axel & Adam Rose (w/Heath Slater) via pinfall
The story early on was Jericho and Styles took turns doing moves on Axel. Jericho hit a delayed vertical suplex, so Styles hit a snap suplex. Styles hit a chop, so Jericho hit a chop. They got into an argument in the ring however, allowing Rose to knock down Styles for the heat.
Styles came back quickly with a Pele kick and strikes. He made the hot tag to Jericho, who hit a double axe handle and Lionsault. Styles tagged himself in and hit a springboard forearm for the pinfall win on Rose. Jericho smirked as he stared down Styles. The referee raised their hands, but Jericho nailed Styles with a Codebreaker. The crowd booed.
I initially didn’t like the opening segment because you could smell angle as soon as Jericho came out for what advertised as the main event. However, the match told a story and it was good by the end. This was probably done to stretch things out thanks to a light crew at Smackdown, but they made the most of it.
The announcers talked about Daniel Bryan. Jerry Lawler said it felt like Bryan was only around a short time but it was unforgettable. Mauro Ranallo said there wasn’t a dry eye in the building on Raw. They showed tweets from Brie Bella, Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns. They also announced Bryan would be thanking the fans tonight. Anyone who watches Smackdown regularly would realize this meant they’d be showing a replay from Raw, but I could see more casual viewers thinking this meant Bryan would be there live.
They announced Brock Lesnar would be on Smackdown next week.
The Dudley Boyz came out in street clothes with tables surrounding the ring. Bubba said they made a statement on Raw, but it seemed like people only want to hear about Daniel Bryan. The crowd cheered and chanted Yes. Bubba said they’re sick of hearing about Bryan and sick about a lot of things around here. D-Von said they’re not nostalgia act, they’re the baddest team around.
Bubba told the crowd to take a good look at the tables because it’s the last time we’re going to see them. He called for some stagehands to take the tables away. Bubba wanted the fans to chant for them, not the tables. “What about us? What about the Dudley Boyz?” There was one table left, so Bubba and D-Von folded it up nicely and took it away. This was good.
Sasha Banks beat Naomi (w/Tamina) via submission
Becky Lynch did commentary. The crowd chanted “Let’s Go Sasha” and they went to commercial two minutes into the match. Naomi got the heat after yanking Banks off the apron and she landed back-first against the edge of the ring. Yikes. Banks made her comeback but was tripped by Tamina with the referee distracted. Naomi followed with a leg scissors driver for a near fall.
Tamina and Lynch brawled on the outside. Naomi missed a split-legged moonsault, allowing Banks to go out and knock down Tamina with a big boot. Naomi tried a roll up as Banks reentered the ring, but Banks reversed into a crossface for the win. This was good, and Banks in particular came off really well. Not only did the interference not work, but she took out Tamina and still won the match.
Backstage, Styles told Jo-Jo he might be a redneck, but he’s no rookie. He called Jericho one of the best in the world, and knows what he’s trying to do, but Styles would show Jericho tonight why he’s the Phenomenal One.
Bray Wyatt and his friends came out for a promo. Bray said men got sent into battle but never returned. He’s the king of gods. Each Wyatt member was given a line, including Braun Strowman saying the earth will shake and the oceans will boil. That’s bad. Bray said the apocalypse is all around us and the war against our gods has just begun.
6-Man Tag Match: Neville & Lucha Dragons beat Stardust & The Ascension via pinfall
This match was like 3 minutes, and consisted mostly of the babyfaces doing their high spots. The bad guys attacked the good guys before the match started, allowing them to get the heat on Neville immediately. Neville quickly made a hot tag to Kalisto who ran wild on the Ascension. Ranallo confused Konnor and Viktor so Saxton had to correct him. Kalisto hit Konnor with Salida Del Sol, Sin Cara followed with a senton, and Neville finished it off with Red Arrow for the win. It was a fun 3 minutes.
They showed more tweets about Daniel Bryan, this time from Becky Lynch, Christian, Jerry Lawler and Stephanie McMahon. They aired a video package of his speech from Raw and spliced it together with his career highlights, as well as the roster doing the Yes chant. They came back to the Smackdown audience doing the Yes chant. Lawler said Bryan’s announcement was the most emotional moment he’s ever seen in wrestling.
Chris Jericho beat AJ Styles via pinfall
Ranallo put this over as a classic battle and the match started with loud dueling chants. Ranallo put over Styles’ past accomplishments, calling him a former IWGP Champion and NWA Heavyweight Champion. They went back and forth early, but Jericho cut off Styles with his springboard dropkick and they went to commercial. During the break, Jericho launched Styles shoulder-first into the barricade.
Jericho very briefly had the heat after the break, but this was mostly a back and forth match. Jericho used a backbreaker and tried the Walls, but Styles countered with strikes. Jericho hit an enziguri and went to the top, but Styles caught him with a dropkick. They traded strikes and Jericho hit a Lionsault for a near fall.
Styles hit a neckbreaker and went for the Styles Clash but Jericho reversed it into a Walls. Styles crawled towards the ropes but Jericho pulled him to the middle of the ring. Styles countered into the Calf Crusher. Jericho was about to tap out but was able to grab the bottom rope. “This is awesome” chants broke out.
Styles dropkicked Jericho to the outside and followed with a flying forearm. There were more dueling chants, but the Styles chants seemed louder. Styles tried for another springboard move, but Jericho tripped him off the rope. Jericho then whipped Styles into the corner and nailed a Codebreaker for the clean win. Great match, which went about 17-18 minutes.
They plugged Lesnar on Smackdown next week one more time to end the show.
– Final Thoughts:
I cringed when I heard Smackdown would have a skeleton crew, but they still pulled off a good show considering. The main event was excellent. I don’t agree with the finish, but we know how this goes.
Also, for whatever reason, this was a much hotter Smackdown crowd than usual.
-
Titus O’Neil’s WWE suspension reduced to 60 days
Titus O’Neil got some bittersweet news Wednesday as he learned that his absence from WWE has gone from 90 days to 60 days.
The 38-year-old O’Neil was originally suspended for 90 days following “unprofessional conduct” stemming from his grabbing Vince McMahon in what appeared to be a playful manner on Monday night. The grab happened just as the wrestlers were dispersing at the end of the Daniel Bryan retirement segment. The 70-year-old McMahon, unaware, reacted by shoving O’Neil.
Upon arriving in Portland, Oregon, Tuesday for the Smackdown tapings, O’Neil was told that he was being sent home for 90 days. Sources within WWE have said that at some point Wednesday, the duration was cut. However, the 60 day suspension would still mean he would miss WrestleMania in Dallas, TX.
O’Neil was just named “Celebrity Dad of the Year” in the Mega Dad Awards which was promoted on WWE TV frequently.
-
Lucha Underground results: Last Luchador Standing; Joey Ryan debuts
Last week, PJ Black and Rey Mysterio made their debuts. Rey debuted in a vignette with El Dragon Azteca Jr, while PJ Black lost against The Mack. The show opens with a recap of season two so far. We see King Cuerno winning the Gift of the Gods Title from Fenix, and Ivelisse’s match against Muertes is recapped with only the finish. Pentagon Jr. snaps the arm of Mil to close out the video, and we go to the Temple. Vampiro rattles off how great Pentagon Jr. is while turning red. Bengala comes out while Striker talks about focusing on the feet of the man beneath the mask showing that he’s a veteran. He faces Kobra Moon, who debuted last week in a vignette. She comes out in a fancy headdress while Vamp talks about the significance of the serpent in Spanish culture. Kobra slithers around the ring while the crowd chants “mamacita”.
Bengala vs. Kobra Moon
Kobra sends him to the floor and dives onto him. She rests on the ropes seductively before axe kicking Bengala as he enters the ring. He retaliates with a boot out of the corner and a flying standing headbutt. He gets 2. Kobra wraps her legs around his leg to avoid a suplex, but gets flipped over and eats a sick basement superkick for 2. Bengala dives onto her knees, but is locked in a dragon sleeper and she wins after applying a bodyscissors alongside it. Backstage, Catrina says she gets a tingle of excitement when Fenix comes in. He wants King Cuerno and she tells him that 1,000 deaths are coming.
A vignette tells us that a millennia ago, the man from the stars returned. We see a tribal leader say that the Gods will be at war, and Aerostar blasts off saying that he must return and unite the tribes. So basically, Aerostar is now a time-traveling spaceman and is the one sent by the Gods of the tribes mentioned throughout the show to unite them once again. Cuerno works out with this title belt in the background. Catrina comes in and says that he won the title, but didn’t destroy the man. Catrina tells him that he may be a hunter, but the best hunter will fall to Mil Muertes. She wants him to kill Fenix in his specialty – Last Luchador Standing, and he won’t even have to put the title on the line. He tells her the hunt is on and she disappears. Jack Evans flips around in the ring before Drago comes down to a huge round of applause.
Drago vs. Jack Evans
Striker says that this match is what the sport is all about in 2016. Well, that sure is a bold statement that could have used some elaboration. They tie-up a bit in the ropes before Evans goes for a basement dropkick, misses, and then misses a standing corkscrew splash. Evans eats a basement dropkick and goes to the floor. Evans ducks a lariat and hits a forearm before a punch exchange breaks out. Drago armdrags Evans down and goes for a submission, but Evans bites the thumb to escape. Evans lands a flipping kick and gets 2. Evans sends him into the corner for a double backflip eye gouge. Evans hops up to the top rope and talks smack, but eats a superkick that gets 2.
Drago traps him in the corner for a huge chop. Evans flips some more and gets a double eye gouge before tossing him to the mat. Evans punches away, but eats a backdrop once Drago recovers. Big armdrag sends Evans to the floor. Drago goes up top and lands a flying crossbody. Drago lifts him up to the top strand of rope and spikes him with a draping DDT for 2. Evans lands some kicks to the leg and body while Muertes stares from his throne. Drago sends him to the mat for a La Magistrol cradle for 2. Drago lands the blackbuster DDT and goes for his cradle, but Evans backslides him out of that and flips out of it before also using the ropes. Evans tells Melissa Santos to shut up and does his own ring announcing and declaring himself to be the Dragon Slayer.
Texano is shown on his ranch and we get a recap of him both in LU and AAA. We see Chavo, Blue Demon, and the Crew attack him and then Texano beats up some goons in a bar. He beats them up with his hands, feet, and bullwhip before we see that he will return next week. Prince Puma stares in the mirror while Catrina walks in and asks who he prays to. She heard Konnan praying as his life was drained in the casket, and she tells him his last words were “forgive me” and she wondered if he was asking God to forgive his sins, or Puma for failing him. Catrina makes Puma vs. Pentagon Jr. next week. Melissa Santos introduces the Last Luchador Standing match – our main event.
Fenix vs. King Cuerno – Last Luchador Standing
Striker says that Fenix is young and a match like this isn’t the best idea for him at this stage in his career. Striker says he has no idea why the title isn’t on the line, but then says that it’s in Catrina’s best interest to not have Fenix as the GotG champion since he took the fight to Muertes more than anyone else. A forearm exchange starts things off before Fenix lands a Tajiri-esque handspring elbow. Cuerno gets crotched and then Fenix hits a double-jump rana off the second rope. Cuerno gets up at 5 and hits a big boot alongside a flying European uppercut. A flying single-leg dropkick hits Fenix flush and the ref’s count gets to 4. Fenix hits a giant backdrop and sends Cuerno to the floor, but he evades a flip dive and a count begins and ends at 4.
Fenix punts his face off and throws him into the post, resulting in a goofy bonk sound effect. They fight into the crowd and Fenix is tossed three rows deep for a 6 count. Cuerno tosses Fenix into the gated wall, and he gets up at 7. Fenix stands tall, but is sent down with a hard lariat on the floor. Fenix rises and eats another kick. Fenix rises with the aid of the ring skirt and gets tossed back into the ring. Fenix lands a big dropkick and sends Cuerno to the floor. Fenix lands a triangle corkscrew dive to the floor while the crowd chants “lucha!” loudly. Cuerno gets up from that only to fall once again to a top-rope leaping corkscrew dive to the floor. Cuerno gets up at 9 and eats a forearm shiver.
Fenix hits Wasteland and slowly climbs to the top. Cuerno kicks him up top and sends him to the floor before hitting a corner to corner Arrow of Death dive. Cuerno grabs a gigantic ladder from behind Vamp and Striker and hits Fenix right in the face with it. Cuerno climbs the ladder as it stands against the wall and tells the ref to stop counting. Cuerno gets a table from beneath the ring and attacks the kidney area. Fenix avoids a pair of Germans with a pair of superkicks and sets him on the table. Fenix and Cuerno climb to the top of the office area, but Cuerno is on the ladder and Fenix shoves him off through the table. This gets a “holy shit” chant from both the fans and the announcers. Fenix gets the win with this crazy stunt.
Muertes stands on his platform looking pissed and we go to an office building. A female officer named Captain Vasquez is told that The Crew and Chavo are together, while Blue Demon Jr. has retired. No one has seen Dario Cueto, and the officer wanted to see Cueto brought to justice when Bael was murdered by Matanza. Joey Ryan debuts with his lollipop and they’re told to go into the Temple undercover and bring down Dario Cueto. Well, that was sure an unexpected twist in the story. Given that Joey Ryan already looks like a sleazy male stripper, him playing a cop seems like a natural move.
To see every screenshot for the show, just click here.
-
F4D: Lance Storm on Daniel Bryan, Titus O’Neil, tons more!
Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm returns today with tons to talk about: Daniel Bryan, his retirement and concussions, Titus O’Neil’s suspension, retro Raw and Nitro, what Lance will be doing at WrestleCon, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
-
Daily Update: Punk’s UFC debut delayed, Daniel Bryan on ESPN
CM PUNK’S DEBUT DELAYED
By Dan Velten
CM Punk’s UFC debut has been delayed again. After signing with UFC in December of 2014, it looked as if Punk would be debuting in June of 2016. But that’s not going to happen as Phil Brooks underwent back surgery today to repair a herniated disc. The injury occurred during his career as a professional wrestler, and had been nagging him recently to the point that it was greatly hindering his training. The disc repair suregery will put him on the shelf for at least four to six weeks, and his debut date is uncertain at this point.
A side note in this whole thing: Punk’s opponent was determined only four days ago. Debuting UFC fighter Mickey Gall was given the chance to win one match against Michael Jackson (making his pro AND MMA debut) to earn the shot at Punk. Gall easily handled Jackson this past weekend, submitting him in 45 seconds. After the match, Punk and Gall had a polite meeting in the cage and neither man said much. Perhaps since Punk knew the surgery was looming, he did not want to make too much of the match just yet. Gall will still be the guy at this point, but if Punk’s return / debut is postponed much longer, one would think perhaps Gall would want to fight again. We have more information here.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Figure Four Weekly
Figure Four Weekly 2/1/2016: Weekly Hogan/Gawker update
A look at the past weeks developments in the Hulk Hogan and Gawker lawsuit.Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 8, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer, Nakamura’s final NJPW match
The new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter looks at Bret Hart’s battle with cancer, his discussions about it, and updates on the situation. The most detailed coverage of the last month of Lucha Underground’s second season, backstage news, season three, lots of business notes. Full coverage of all the Ultima Lucha 2 matches and direction. Nakamura’s final day with NJPW, where Nakamura and New Japan go now, his background and building the IC title, the next two New Japan PPV shows to this weekend’s biggest event.
Fast Lane and WrestleMania, what’s up with Undertaker, WWE injury updates, the next WWE Network special, Licensing issue with new WWE signees, notes on the next NXT Takeover show, a look at all the TV building the next Takeover show, who led to a huge increase in demand for WWE tickets, next WWE show in Madison Square Garden update, Nakamura updates, WWE performer wants to compete in the Olympics and what former pro wrestler went back to the Olympics to medal, Lesnar’s schedule, Tough Enough winner starts out, Other Tough Enough competitors start out, change in Rumble plans, New WWE Network series based on wrestling matches, new WWE movie, WWE’s tour of Germany this coming week, more on The Rock’s segment on Raw.
A detailed look at the Awesome Kong-Reby Hardy situation in Manchester, England. Benson Henderson’s decision to leave UFC for Bellator and take a championship fight, why he made the decision, what both Dana White and Henderson said. We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s last major event and where it’s storylines are going.
A huge look at the life and career of Archie “The Stomper” Gouldie, one of the most memorable wrestling characters of his generation, stories about him, his gimmick, how big a star he was in his heyday, his incredibly long career title history, how he was two very different successful characters, and his most famous angles and biggest bouts. We also have a lot of comments from people who knew him, including how he changed the life and career of J.J. Dillon. The life and career of the original Espectrito, the best heel mini of his generation including when he main evented the Los Angeles Sports Arena, a rarity for a mini.
We also look at Saturday’s UFC , what’s next for the winners, thoughts on Sage Northcutt, as well as business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage.
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE – February 15, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A Tale of Two Hebners: All the details on Hulk Hogan losing the WWF title to Andre the Giant in a historic angle, plus tons of news and notes.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE:
Besides CM Punk’s fight being delayed, the big news of the day is Daniel Bryan’s appearance on SportsCenter last night. Bryan revealed specifically that he had been hiding “post-concussion seizures” (it seemed like the implication was he was still having them) and his most recent tests revealed a ‘small sub-acute or chronic lesion’ in the temporoparietal junction of his brain. That can cause seizures, and that’s why he was able to be relatively at peace with retirement. We wish Bryan Danielson and his family the best in whatever comes next for this incredibly talented young man.
Titus O’Neil is getting a lot of fan support stemming from his suspension. If he gets fired, maybe they can sign Tatum O’Neal.
13 years ago today, Curt Hennig was found dead in a Florida hotel room at the age of 44 years young. Curtis Axel has been pretty active on Twitter today with RTs and such from people helping him get through which is still very tough on him.
WWE/Pro Wrestling
- Toronto Batman loves him some Daniel Bryan.
- Scott Armstrong (or his car) was the victim of a smash and grab in Portland.
- Here’s a Forbes column on why the O’Neil suspension sends a bad message.
- ROH TV Champion Roderick Strong talks about his past with Daniel Bryan. Roddy failed to bring up his most famous and most important interaction with Daniel Bryan which was when Roddy cornered PeachMachine in the Grappling Battel~! against Bryan “Chico” Alvarez, who was cornered by Bryan Danielson.
- Bob Backlund was named as the latest inductee into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame this July, joining WO founder Dave Meltzer, Chael Sonnen, JJ Dillon, Lex Luger, and Joe Blanchard.
- House of Hardcore returns to Canada with a show at Niagara Falls, ONT, on 5/7, with Tommy Dreamer, Bobby Roode, Rhino, Colt Cabana, and more.
- Colt Cabana has launched a new audio series, Colt Cabana’s Pro Wrestling Fringe, for the Howl.fm subscription service Coupon code COLT gets you a free month, so make sure to use that when you sign up. The first three episodes include stories by Cabana with an assist from David Bixenspan (on Sputnik Monroe) and Rob Naylor (on El Gigante/Giant Gonzalez) as well as a special appearance by Dave Meltzer (on Tom Magee).
- Here’s a video look at Preston City Wrestling with comments from Billy Gunn and Ken Anderson… Anderson.
UFC/MMA
- Bellator will debut a feature about Royce Gracie on SPIKE TV on Monday, February 15th at 11 PM EST.
- Wanderlei Silva is now scheduled to attend Bellator’s Fan Fest in place of Randy Couture in Houston on February 18th.
MISCELLANEOUS
- For those into TV talk, there’s some shakeups at NBC Universal and at USA Network.
- As part of the promotional tour for FITE.tv, Jim Ross did an interview with Ring Rust Radio.
- Here’s what you missed from Philly’s Wing Bowl 24 and a CZW tie-in.
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Terry Funk wins Missouri state title
-
WOL: Daniel Bryan, Titus O’Neil, CM Punk, plus Kimber Lee interview!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA including more on Daniel Bryan, the suspension of Titus O’Neil, CM Punk getting back surgery, and more, plus Kimber Lee appears to talk Chikara! A fun show as always so check it out~!
-
Titus O’Neil suspended for grabbing Vince McMahon on air
In a surprising move, WWE’s Titus O’Neil was immediately sent home upon arriving to last night’s Smackdown tapings in Portland, Oregon, suspended for “unprofessional conduct” according to PWInsider.com. WWE has confirmed that the suspension is 90 days.
For those who watched the Daniel Bryan retirement segment as it transitioned to the WWE Network, you saw the incident occuring just before the screen went to black as Bryan and his wife went backstage. O’Neil grabbed CEO Vince McMahon as he was heading backstage. The grabbing is not being reported as malicious. but rather “playful”. Nonetheless, McMahon didn’t appreciate the gesture, and over the years, we have learned what that means.
The YouTube video has been edited to remove what happened, but here’s a GIF of what happened.
The 38-year-old O’Neil has been with WWE since 2009. After a two-year-stint in Florida Championship Wrestling, he was featured on the second season of NXT and had Zack Ryder as a mentor. It didn’t help as he was eliminated first, but returned for the show’s fifth season.
He moved up to the main roster in 2012, teaming with fellow NXT talent Darren Young to form the Prime Time Players. He and Young won the WWE tag team titles once — his only title in WWE.
