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  • NXT Columbia, SC, live results: Nakamura bleeds; Finn Balor & Austin Aries team up

    Submitted by James Gates

    No Way Jose d. Steve Blake

    Jose got the crowd going with chants early on. He and Blake worked the crowd for a good 3 minutes before they locked up. The crowd chanted Jose to the tune of Sami Zayn’s Ole, and “Hey, we want some Jose”. Jose was a good comedy character and did some comedy spots with Blake. The match was good for an opening match to get the crowd going. Jose won with a wind up baseball pitch punch to Blake’s head.

    Riddick Moss d. John Skyler

    Riddick came out with the mic and cut a generic “this town sucks” promo. Skylar came out and is from Columbia, SC, apparently. He was mildly over throughout the match. No mention of why Patrick Clark got swapped out. The match was very bare bones like a tryout match. At the start, Riddick wanted the ref to take his vest off. He turns his back and Skyler takes it off for him, then poses with it. He then teases a toss the vest to the crowd spot, then tosses it to Riddick and dropkicks him to start the match. The match was very basic, but Riddick got the majority of the offense in. Riddick pinned Skyler while holding onto the ropes. I don’t know how the ref didn’t see it, since from my angle it looked like he was looking right at it. 

    Carmella d. Peyton Royce

    Carmella cut her standard promo before the match. She said that she wasn’t the Queen of Staten Island today, but the Queen of Columbia. This match was slow and painful. Crowd wasn’t really into it. Lots of holds, lots of slow kicks from Royce. Carmella eventually won in a short match.

    Elias Sampson d. Alex Riley

    Elias comes in from the crowd to boos. He gets in the ring and cuts a short promo about the city. He then starts playing for a couple of seconds before being interrupted by Alex Riley. This match had the longest chinlock spot ever: at least 8 minutes of Samson putting a chinlock on Riley. They teased Riley breaking from it multiple times to no avail. The crowd was really turning on the match until the very end of the chinlock spot where they started getting into it. Then, Riley broke out and the crowd really didn’t react that much. It was like they wanted to see how long the chinlock was gonna last. This match was decent and Samson gets a lot of heat. Riley is overlooked by the crowd. Samson wins with his neckbreaker finisher.

    NXT Tag Champions American Alpha d. The Revival

    This was by far the best match and the one the crowd reacted to the most. AA come off as stars and were so hot with the crowd throughout the entire match. The match itself was almost like a repeat of the Takeover match, with the same spots being repeated, like Dash and Dawson holding onto each other while they get German Suplexed. It was still very fun.

    During the match, either Dash of Dawson inside cradled Gable and pinned him. The crowd was stunned silent for about 3 seconds until Drake reversed his decision when he realized the wrong Revival member was in and kept the match going. AA then did their spots and hit Grand Amplitude for the win. Crowd is ecstatic.

    NXT Women’s Champion Asuka d. Eva Marie

    Eva was booed coming out, but during the match, she was cheered quite a bit. However, it felt more like the crowd was cheering Eva to spite the fans who were booing her. There was a “You Can’t Wrestle/Yes She Can” dueling chant going on with both sides equally loud. Eva worked heel throughout the match. She got a lot of offense in, it was pretty much evenly split. The match was decent. Eva didn’t botch any moves. Asuka put a lot of work in though wrestling circles around eva. Asuka won when she transitioned the armbar into the Asuka lock.

    Shinsuke Nakamura d. Manny Andrade

    Manny came out first and got a pretty mild reaction while Nakamura came out like a star, People overwhelmingly cheered Nakamura. The match was really good but was short because it was a house show. I think it went no longer than 12 minutes. As the match went on, there’s blood on the side of Nakamura’s head, and the match is stopped. The doctors came out to work on Nakamura causing the crowd to chant “PG Sucks” among other things.

    They worked on Nakamura for a long time, and I thought he might actually not be okay. Then Nakamura started thumping his foot against the ring to get the crowd going and then he went after Manny. He didn’t seem affected by his time on the ground. Manny did a lot of lucha moves that got under Nakamura’s skin throughout the match. When Manny would hit a lucha move, Nakamura would immediately go outside and sell for a bit.

    Manny did a moonsault off the stage ramp onto a standing Nakamura on the floor. Manny didn’t much of a reaction until he did the Kota Ibushi spot. The moonsault off the rope that misses and then follows up with another moonsault. It got a nearfall and the crowd popped and chanted for Manny. Nakamura then quickly cut him off and hit the Kinshasa for the win. It was a good match that could’ve been a lot better if given the time.

    NXT Champion Finn Balor and Austin Aries d. Baron Corbin and Tye Dillinger

    Tye comes out first and starts talking about Columbia and himself and how he’s a perfect ten. He hypes up Corbin as his partner. Corbin comes and keeps his shirt on. He kept his shirt on for the entirety of the match despite the pleas from the crowd to take it off. Finn and Aries hit the ring and Finn cuts a promo hyping up Corbin on his debut and winning the Battle Royale. He then says that he’s gonna throw Corbin over the rope tonight in Columbia.

    The match starts and it revolves around whether Corbin or Finn will throw the other over the top rope. Corbin throws Aries over very early on, grabs the mic and says to Finn, “See how easy it was for me to throw that little guy over the top rope, now im gonna do it to you”. The match is good, Tye takes around 70% of the offense for Finn/Aries. Finn and Aries trade getting the heat from Corbin throughout the match. Then Finn hits slingblade on Corbin and Corbin staggers to the rope. Finn then finally clotheslines Corbin over the rope. Aries dives outside onto Corbin.

    Finn hits the Sling Blade on Tye, then hits the Blood Sunday for the win. Finn then gets the crowd to sing Nah Nah Nah Nah Wave Goodbye to Corbin. After the match, Aries and Finn get the ref (not drake) to toss Tye over the rope and he does to much applause. This was a really good show overall, wish some matches got more time than others.

  • Shinsuke Nakamura suffers possible injury during WWE NXT live event

    After a scare, Shinsuke Nakamura seemed to be okay and finished his match tonight.

    Nakamura was wrestling Manny Andrade, the former La Sombra, in Columbia, SC tonight during a WWE NXT Live Event. Andrade did a moonsault off the top rope to the floor and Nakamura was down.  The match was stopped for two minutes as medical officials were attending to him.

    Nakamura was able to get up and finish the match.

    We’re waiting for an update but I believe he did suffer a significant cut during the move.

    Nakamura and Sombra had a program together in both Japan and Mexico in 2013 where Nakamura lost the IWGP IC title to Sombra at Arena Mexico, but regained it later in the year.  The program established Sombra as a star outside of Mexico.

  • WOL: WrestleMania week wrap-up, Smackdown, tons more!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA including tons of thoughts on Raw, Smackdown, the Vaudevillains, WrestleMania, calls, emails, texts and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • WON Preview: WrestleMania 32 weekend, NXT Takeover

    Subscribers click here to read:  April 11, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A look at a historic Wrestlemania weekend, NXT Takeover

    WrestleMania 32 business, the records set, legit numbers, WWE network business analysis and what the benchmarks should be given the free month gimmick.  How the weekend was much different from the year before, legit attendance, is the company more profitable than before the network, what Wall Street thought of the company after WrestleMania set records, numbers for the previous biggest shows in company history, the largest crowds in wrestling history, how badly the gate record was broken, and a rundown of the show.

    Key matches, TV ratings on USA, WWE history regarding all-time greats, angles started post-WrestleMania, wrestlers debuting on the main roster as compared to those passed over, how WrestleMania is promoted compared to the past, stories related to the show and future of some of the competitors.

    Match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

    Rundown of the NXT show, including the value of Nakamura, NXT newcomers, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

    The background of Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, including Cormier’s injury, Jones arrest and legal situation, Ovince Saint Preux, the interim title, and how each has gone after the other.

    The career of Sting, from his start in Southern California working at a gym and being discovered, career beginnings in Memphis and Mid South, rise to prominence in WCW, TNA years and his career in WWE.

    WWE scoring another court victory in a lawsuit, the nature of the suit and how WWE got the suit eliminated.

    The 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter, with background notes on the previous season with a title shot at stake.

    The life and career of Kris Travis, who succumbed to cancer at a young age. The career of Geoff Portz, a U.K. star who wrestled in North America for years.

    Detailed looks at the ratings for all the pro wrestling and MMA shows from the past week.  We also look at what type of audience watches these shows.

    Subscribers click here to read: April 11, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A look at a historic Wrestlemania weekend, NXT Takeover

    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

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    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.

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    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: March 1, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW ratings cause panic, Super Brawl  The biggest ratings gap between Raw and Nitro causes panic within WCW, a full rundown of WCW Super Brawl, plus tons of news.

    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    Also in this issue:

    • Notes on Lucha Libre Elite starting on television
    • Notes on the Lucha Libre Elite title tournament featuring well known names
    • CMLL with another tournament
    • Update on La Parka
    • Update on New Japan’s biggest show since the Tokyo Dome
    • Notes from New Japan’s weekend show in Tokyo
    • Funaki & Suzuki form a tag team
    • Notes on the business of WrestleMania weekend with the smaller promotions
    • A look at the biggest matches of the weekend
    • A look at matches worth seeking out to watch
    • A look at the changing Evolve business with its relationship with WWE
    • Also a look at the direction of the Evolve product
    • A look at the ceremony for Terry Funk
    • Former star dropping weight and planning a comeback
    • A look at WaleMania
    • Podcast One expanding its wrestling shows
    • Top women stars coming to U.S. this week
    • Ex-wife of pro wrestling legend writing a book
    • Earliest users of entrance music
    • Arrest of former TNA star
    • A look at one of the oldest living wrestlers
    • Former ECW star comes out of retirement to face MMA star
    • Old promotion talking about restarting
    • Thoughts on Lucha Underground
    • More on upcoming ROH PPV shows and house show
    • Notes on a new ROH signing
    • Notes on the two ROH shows in Dallas
    • Notes on the next TNA tapings
    • More on the McGregor vs. Nate Diaz fight
    • Update on UFC 200
    • UFC sells out stadium show
    • Story behind the sellout
    • Lots of  new UFC fights
    • What title fights make no sense
    • Update on Yoel Romero’s suspension
    • This week’s UFC show
    • What UFC release tells about company mentality
    • Rampage Jackson returns to fight gold medalist
    • One of the all-time greats in Japan comes out of retirement for shoot bout
    • Highest paid WWE performers
    • How WWE fighters compare in pay with other sports stars
    • More on the Hogan Gawker case
    • Changes for Total Divas next season
    • Notes on upcoming Raw shows
    • Update on Daniel Bryan
    • A.J. Styles talks TNA negotiations and what happened
    • Original Mania plan
    • Update on Global cruiserweight tournament and who the people involved are
    • Update on Neville
    • New WWE signings
    • Update on Anderson & Gallows

    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.

    New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    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.

  • DragonKingKarl Show: Mail bag! Continental Wrestling talk and Dawn of Justice RAGE!

    DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show: Mailbag show… sort of. I take a few mailbag questions but talk a little bit about Continental wrestling. Why I like Lucha Underground and I actually have good things to say about Vince Russo… sort of! Also on this show is my review of Batman vs Superman DAWN OF JUSTICE! I suppose I should spoiler warn this review but it is more of a complete evisceration of this CRAP of a movie than a spoiler filled review.  Even if I do spoil it for you you’ll probably thank me for it.

    On this show:

    • July Classic Wrestling Marathon content.
    • The evolution of wrestling isn’t what it seems. How VINCE RUSSO may have been on the right track… sort of.
    • Lucha Underground love.
    • Superfans from ECW, Jim Crockett, and other promotions.
    • Continental tape library.
    • More late starters in pro wrestling.
    • The Iron Sheik.
    • Jerry Jarrett and other promoters as a pro wrestler.
    • Then a possibly spoiler filled RAGE at the terrible Superman vs. Batman: Dawn of Justice movie.  The worst thing you ever saw.

    (Continental Wrestling photo of Mr. Wrestling II, The Bullet, and Scott Armstrong by Karl Stern)

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  • Daily pro wrestling history (04/08): Larry Zbyzsko wins AWA World Title; Eddie Guerrero wins ECW TV Title

    1908

    Baltimore, Maryland:
    – Gus Schoenlein defeated Fred Beell for the American Middleweight Title 

    1946

    Denver, Colorado:
    – The Swedish Angel defeated Everett Marshall to win the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title

    1953

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
    – Paul DeGalles and Tarzan Potvin defeated Bronko Lubich and Bud Rattal for the vacant Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1954

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
    – US Champion Verne Gagne beat Sky Hi Lee 
    – Fritz Von Erich beat Johnny Balbo

    1957

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Rito Romero defeated Danny McShain to win the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title

    Albuquerque, New Mexico:
    – Danny Plechas defeated Juan Garcia for the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title 

    1960 

    Houston, Texas:
    – Torbellion Blanco defeated Pete Managoff for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title

    1964

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Neff Maivia defeated Hard Boiled Haggerty to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title 

    1966

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Al Costello defeated Alex Perez to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title 

    1967

    San Francisco, California:
    – Pepper Gomez and Pedro Morales defeated Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens for the American Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Titles 

    1970

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Pantera Negra and Tony Rocco defeated Karl Heisinger and Kinji Shibuya for the NWA Americas Tag Team Titles

    1971

    Amarillo, Texas:
    – Bobby Duncum and Woody Farmer defeated The Beast and Bulldog Brower to win the NWA Western States Tag Team Titles

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bob Orton & Baron Von Raschke defeated Bobby Whitlock & The Viking
    – Rufus R. Jones defeated Ronnie Etchison 
    – Danny Little Bear & Bob Geigel defeated John Tolos & Baron Von Heisinger
    – The Stomper defeated Harley Race by winning the only fall of a scheduled three (60:00)

    1972

    Griffin, Georgia:
    – Buddy Colt defeated El Mongol for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title

    1972 

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Kinji Shibuya won the NWA Beat the Champ Television Title from Don Carson

    1976

    Amarillo, Texas:
    – The Mighty Canadian (Gene Kiniski) defeated The Super Destroyer to win the Amarillo NWA International Heavyweight Title 

    1978 

    Caguas, Puerto Rico:
    – Ox Baker defeats Carlos Colón to win the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title 
    – Invader I won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title from Pierre Martel

    1979 

    Toronto, Ontario:
    – Greg Valentine defeated Dino Bravo for the Toronto NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title 

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – Astro Rey defeated Dos Caras to win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title 

    1981

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dory Funk, Jr. won the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title from Barry Windham

    1982

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Mark Romero (Youngblood) defeated Gene Lewis for the NWA Central States Television Title 

    1985

    Montreal, Ontario, Canada:
    – Dino Bravo & Rick Martel beat AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors dq
    – Jos Leduc beat Leo Burke
    – Gino Brito Sr. & Tony Parisi beat King Tonga & Richard Charland dq
    – Raymond & Armand & Jacques Rougeau Jr. beat Sailor White & The Samoans
    – Tonga Kid beat Mad Dog Lefebvre
    – Rick Steiner & Scott Duran defeat Gino Brito Jr & Sunny War Cloud
    – Mr. Samu beat Reggie Rapone
    – Cuban Assassin beat Antonio Ricco

    1986 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler defeated Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    1988

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – John Tatum and Jack Victory defeated Shaun and Steve Simpson for the World Class Texas Tag Team Titles

    1989

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Chris Benoit and Biff Wellington defeated Makhan Singh (Mike Shaw) and Vokkan Singh (Gary Albright) to win the Stampede International Tag Team Titles

    1990

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – Special Referee: Nick Bockwinkel: Larry Zbyszko beat Mr Saito to regain the AWA Title
    – Non Title Cage Match: Paul Diamond & the Trooper beat AWA Tag Team Champions Destruction Crew Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom
    – Nord The Barbarian beat Kokina Maximus 
    – Tully Blanchard beat Tommy Jammer
    – Baron Von Raschke (sub Junkyard Dog) beat Colonel DeBeers COR
    – Texas Hangmen beat Brad Rheingans & DJ Peterson
    – Jake Milliman beat Todd Becker

    1991 

    Fridley, Minnesota:
    – The Lightning Kid won the Pro Wrestling America Light Heavyweight Title by defeating Jerry Lynn

    1995

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – Eddie Guerrero defeated 2 Cold Scorpio for the ECW World Television Title

    1995

    Johnson City, Tennessee:
    – Buddy Landel defeated Bobby Blaze to win the SMW Heavyweight Title 

    1999

    Dundalk, Maryland:
    – Headbanger Mosh defeated Romeo Valentino for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title 

    2000 

    Buffalo, New York:
    – Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Little Guido and Super Crazy in a three-way dance to win the ECW World Television Title

    Guaynabo, Puerto Rico:
    – Bouncer Bruno and Dutch Mantel defeated Black Boy and José Rivera, Jr. for the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    2002 

    Phoenix, Arizona:
    – Spike Dudley pinned WWF European Champion William Regal to win the title

  • NXT Concord, NC, live results: Finn Balor & Nakamura team up

    Submitted by Jason Sitek

    No Way Jose defeated Riddick Moss

    Both guys are pretty green, but this was a prelim house show match. Jose got some solid chanting, and has a Latin baseball player’s walk-up music. Lots of dancing and then he won the match with a baseball pitching wind-up punch.

    Elias Samson defeated John Skyler

    As soon as Samson’s music hit, the place starts booing. He cut a promo and sang a song but the sound at floor level was not great, so you could not really make anything out. Skyler is from Concord but fans were more focused on booing Samson.  Lots of “drift away” and “you can’t wrestle” chants.

    Alex Riley defeated Blake

    No Murphy or Alexa with Blake who is pretty dead without them. Lots of “Where’s Alexa?” chants. Alex Riley smiled at the “young Triple H!” chants, commenting on his look, but that’s about the only good thing to say about this. Riley won the match, but I’m not sure anyone was the better for it.

    Eva Marie defeated Carmella

    Carmella out first to a huge pop. Eva came out to tremendous heat and boos, but you can tell the crowd loves booing her and she loves getting that reaction. Lot of knee-in-the-back rest holds from Eva to Carmella. Carmella got her comeback, but Eva got the win by keeping her feet on the bottom rope. Carmella left, but came back and hit her finisher on Eva to pop the crowd.

    NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha defeated The Revival

    Gable is great, but I was most impressed by Jordan, Dash, and Dawson. Revival got lots of heat on Gable and were bantering back and forth with the crowd.  They were sarcastic and heelish, and it was great. Jordan got his babyface comeback and took off the shoulder straps, then later in the match emphatically put them back on and immediately got fired up and took them back off — to the roar of the crowd. 

    Spot of the night was a new one for this match-up (from what I can tell) where Gable was in the corner and one member of Revival tries to schoolboy him, but Gable has his arms around the other Revival member and suplexes him. Alpha wins, but no signature finisher.

    – Short promo from Tom Phillips and Dasha Fuentes about merch & and then intermission.

    Austin Aries defeated Manny Andrade

    Manny out to generic Latin music and very little reaction — but that would change by the end of the match.  Most people, including NXT fans, may not know who Manny is/was and how good he is. Very quiet during the first half of the match, but some of the best wrestling of the night. Aries had the crowd support at first but credit to him for getting Manny over.  By the time this match was done, Manny was the star leaving the ring.  Aries pinned him but helped up him and pointed at Manny in a way that let the fans know the former La Sombra is the real deal.

    NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Peyton Royce

    Peyton Royce out with new heel music, attire, and heel mannerisms. She has a small flower she carries with her and smells from time to time.  Asuka was out but had no belt. Eva Marie came out before the match got underway, carrying the “belt” underneath a blanket, challenging Asuka to a match for the title at NXT Columbia the next night. 

    The crowd loved Asuka, and was really one of the best on this show tonight. Peyton got a lot of offense in, but Asuka tapped her out to the Asuka Lock.  Asuka then asked for a mic and in confident English said “Eva, I’m going to kick your ass.”

    NXT Champion Finn Balor/Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tye Dillinger/Baron Corbin

    Wildly entertaining man event. Dillinger out first and the “10” gimmick is over. He cut a promo about how this crowd/show is a 4 but since he’s a 10, he’ll give them a perfect match and perfect victory.  Corbin out next and the banter was excellent.  Nakamura out third and the crowd made known who they came to see. The entire arena could not have been more excited to see him live. Finn Balor still wildly popular as NXT champ and cheered but not as big as Nakamura. Corbin worked the match with his shirt on and bantered with the crowd, rubbing his fingers together to show the only way he’d take it off would be for money.

    Finn was up first and the crowd erupted when he tagged in Nakamura.  Tye and Baron tagged in and out to delay eventually facing him. Lots of the usual Nakamura spots like the vibrating stomp, knees and kicks, but you don’t even care if you’ve seen it before because it’s so great live. His facial features sell it even further.

    Since Concord is just outside of Charlotte, the Flair chops were used heavily. Finn hit Tye with chops and then went FULL-Flair and started strutting and WOO!-ing.  He sold it like he had dreamed of working the Carolinas as Flair as a kid. The Flair spots culminated in a perfect Flair-flop from Dillinger and the crowd laughed uproariously and applauded.  Nothing bad but nothing memorable from Corbin.  After some grappling, Nakamura hit Tye with a knee strike from the top rope and tagged Finn who hit the Bloody Sunday for the pin.

    Finn and Nakamura celebrated, and then Balor grabbed the mic and cut a promo. He was very passionate and said that after ‘Mania there were a lot of tired, sore, and even some homesick wrestlers, but crowds like tonight make them want to go out and not let anyone down.  The crowd appreciated the candor.  He then handed the mic to Shinsuke who said he only had one thing to say: “YEAOH!”  — and the entire crowd did it with him.

    Fun moment after the match: Finn grabbed a fan’s sign and held it up to all sides of the ring.  The sign read “WHERE ARE DOC AND KARL?” 

  • Wrestling Weekly: Blackjack Mulligan Memories, Roman, AJ, Y2J

    Les and Vic return this week with a ton of great stories about the late, great Blackjack Mulligan.  Les went back with Blackjack to his first run in the Carolinas and shares a lot about what made Mulligan great.  Les goes in depth on Blackjack’s promos, his ability to sell, an conversation that took place when Blackjack, Ric Flair and Jim Crockett bought into the Knoxville territory about something the opposition promotion nearly did that would’ve ended badly and some personal stories about socializing with Blackjack back in the day.  Near the end of the Blackjack talk, the conversation begins to shift towards WWE and why most guys today aren’t nearly as over as Blackjack but fully turns into a modern wrestling conversation when Les talks about the legends (28:35) who some felt stole the spotlight at Wrestlemania.  From there, we’ll discuss some of the things some casual fans were saying at the Mania viewing party Les attended, feeling bad for Charlotte during her promo Monday night and fans hijacking shows.  Vic jumps in (38:09) with his take on Roman/HHH, float a theory as to why the headscratching booking of AJ Styles and Chris Jericho took place this week, is AJ as over as he should be at this point and make a case that as good as Charlotte is, the wrong woman won the triple threat this past Sunday.  Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~! 

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  • UFC Fight Night 86 DFS Playbook: value picks, who to avoid

    The Octagon comes to Croatia for the very first time on Sunday with UFC Fight Night 86 airing on FOX Sports 1 from Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia. The main event will be a five-round heavyweight battle as Ben Rothwell puts his 4-fight win streak on the line against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid when making your line-ups for your Draft Kings team on Sunday.

    STUDS

    Mairbek Taisumov ($11,400)

    Mairbek Taisumov has the highest salary and is the top play on this slate of fighters, and he is also our biggest stud for the fight card. He is a solid 4-1 inside the Octagon, and he has won three straight, all by stoppage. He is also facing an opponent making his UFC debut in Damir Hadzovic. Taisumov deserved a better opponent, but visa issues have limited him to fighting exclusively overseas, and it has hurt his growth inside the division. However, he should be too much for Hadzovic to handle. Hadzovic is a striker at heart while Taisumov mixes a well-rounded approach, and he can score a lot of takedowns and has a lot of power. I expect Taisumov to make easy work of Hadzovic, and with three straight finishes and 23 finishes in his 24 wins, Taisumov is a good bet to add to that. He is at the top of my play list.

    Francis Ngannou ($9,800)

    There are a lot of heavyweight fights on this card, five in total out of the thirteen fights. That could equal a good number of finishes, or could bring a lot of lackluster action to Zagreb. One heavyweight fighter I like to score a finish is Francis Ngannou. He has a low salary, but his UFC debut was very impressive, and he is facing an opponent in Curtis Blaydes making his UFC debut on short notice. The biggest question facing Ngannou is if he will be able to handle the wrestling of Blaydes, who was a junior-college champion. On the feet, with his striking ability and reach, Ngannou should get the win. He isn’t excellent on the mat, though, and it could pose trouble. I do think the fight will be primarily on the feet and that Ngannou’s power will come out early. I like him to get an early stoppage win.

    VALUE PLAYS

    Derrick Lewis ($9,100)

    At the time of this writing, Derrick Lewis is a betting favorite over Gabriel Gonzaga, yet his salary is very low, that of an underdog, and is in a big contrast to Gonzaga. His salary makes Lewis an excellent value play. Lewis is a big striker with heavy hands and is a finisher. All 14 of his wins have come by stoppage, 13 by knockout. Gonzaga has lost a step and isn’t the same fighter he was, and his chin isn’t what it once was. He can be finished as eight of his ten losses have come by knockout. Gonzaga would be best served to try and grapple with Lewis, but Lewis has excellent defense. Lewis is taking this fight on short notice, but he has been impressive. With it being a heavyweight battle, there is still power on both sides, but Lewis is bigger, more explosive and hard to wear down. I see him getting a big finish.

    Nicolas Dalby ($9,000)

    Nicolas Dalby is another value play, and it is surprising that he is an underdog against Zak Cummings. Cummings has a lot of experience and is 3-1 inside the Octagon, but he is also taking the fight as an injury replacement without a full training camp. Meanwhile, Dalby is undefeated in 15 career fights, but he is coming off a draw with Darren Till in his last bout. This is a solid striker against wrestler fight as Dalby is very good and fluid on his feet. Cummings does have good power but he will likely lose a striking battle with Dalby, so he will be looking to get the fight to the mat. Dalby lands with a lot of volume, and those strikes will add up if it goes the distance. If it doesn’t go the distance, it likely ends with Dalby getting a finish. His salary makes him a very solid value play.

    FIGHTERS TO AVOID

    Lucas Martins ($10,200)

    Lucas Martins seemed like a blossoming prospect early in his career, starting off with a 15-1 record. His loss came on short notice in his UFC debut to Edson Barboza, but he won three straight after that. He bounced between weight classes, and has fought in three weight classes so far in the UFC, but he has found a home at 145 pounds. Unfortunately, he has since dropped two straight fights. They came to solid foes in Mirsad Bektic and Darren Elkins, and now he takes a step down in competition to take on Robert Whiteford. Whiteford is 2-2 in his UFC career and is also coming off a loss to Elkins. Martins is the better finisher of the two, but Whiteford can hold his own. Martins has been disappointing recently, and though he is favored to win, I don’t see a finish happening here, and there are a lot of potential finishes on this card. I suggest avoiding Martins on this card.

    Igor Pokrajac ($8,800)

    Igor Pokrajac being back in the UFC is kind of perplexing. He lost his last five fights inside the Octagon (though one got overturned to a no contest), and he won just four of his 12 UFC bouts. He hasn’t scored a UFC win in almost four years. He has won three fights since being cut from the UFC roster, all by first-round stoppage, and perhaps he’s being brought back just due to the event being in his native Croatia. He is 37-years-old, and his best days are behind him, and he doesn’t get an easy bout in his return when he takes on Jan Blachowicz. Blachowicz has his back against the wall with two straight losses, and he knows he needs to win here. The match-up favors him, and he throws a lot more strikes than Pokrajac does. Pokrajac will have a hard time scoring a win here, so I would avoid him at all costs.

    OUR LINE-UPS

    RYAN FREDERICK- Mairbek Taisumov ($11,400), Jared Cannonier ($10,700), Francis Ngannou ($9,800), Derrick Lewis ($9,100), Nicolas Dalby ($9,000)

    I like four of my fighters to score finishes on a show where they are a lot of chances for finishes with heavyweight bouts and not a lot of UFC experience inside the Octagon. Mairbek Taisumov is my top pick, and with three straight finishes and 23 total in his 24 wins, coupled with the fact he’s facing a UFC newcomer, he is set up for a big win. Jared Cannonier is a heavyweight with a lot of power, and while he hasn’t fought in over 15 months, he hits hard and faces a UFC newcomer as well. Francis Ngannou is a power house, and if he can avoid the ground with Curtis Blaydes, his power will lead him to a finish. Derrick Lewis is a beast, and Gabriel Gonzaga doesn’t have much left in the tank. Short notice or not, Lewis finishes Gonzaga. Nicolas Dalby rounds out my team. He is undefeated, but he is getting a tested veteran in Zak Cummings. Dalby should keep this fight on the feet and get the win, whether by knockout or by going the distance.

    PAUL FONTAINE- Mairbek Taisumov ($11,400), Maryna Moroz ($11,200), Ian Entwistle ($9,300), Derrick Lewis ($9,100), Igor Pokrajac ($8,800)

    Taisumov is a bonafide G and a certified stud and you…..can’t…..teach….THAT. Sorry, a little WrestleMania hangover. But I do like him and his 4-1 UFC record with 3 straight KO’s here. Pokrajac has something to prove and returns to UFC competition after 3 straight first round finishes and his opponent, Blachowicz, has looked pretty bad in his last couple of fights. Moroz is a sparkplug with a lot of power at 115. Her loss to Valerie Letourneau looks a lot better in hindsight after Letourneau went five rounds  with Joanna Champion. I like her to rebound here with a quick KO win. Speaking of quick KO’s, that’s what Derrick Lewis should get against Gabriel Gonzaga, who I truly believe is done. Rounding out my team is the Brit Ian Entwhistle, who has scored quick submission wins in 4 of his last 5 fights. Coincidentally, his opponent Perez was submitted in his only UFC loss. 

    PEACH MACHINE- Mairbek Taisumov ($11,400), Jan Blachowicz ($10,600), Junior Dos Santos ($9,700), Robert Whiteford ($9,200), Derrick Lewis ($9,100)

    This is the perfect team. I used all 50,000 exactly. JDS, while on his way out, is still much faster than Rothwell. Speed kills. Same argument for Lewis, and Gonzaga is done. I’ve always like Whiteford, and I like him more at middleweight than welterweight. Taisumov is a killer. He should finish. Blachowicz should be motivated to come out strong against a returning Pokrajac. Who could possibly care about this show…

  • B&V: Lucha Underground, post-Mania Raw, WrestleMania poetry, tons more!

    The Bryan & Vinny Show is back today with tons to talk about! Granny has a WrestleMania POETRY CONTEST plus her thoughts on the biggest show of the year, then we’ve got full reviews of Lucha Underground from the past two weeks and the post-WrestleMania Raw from Monday night! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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