Category: WWE News

WWE just announced what is likely the final match at Money in the Bank, which is the pre-show match with R-Truth vs. King Barrett.  At least it’s not R-Truth vs. Stardust for the 1,000th time.

Byron Saxton will join JBL and Michael Cole tonight on Raw as Booker T is working on Tough Enough right now.

Matches for Raw announced by WWE so far:

• Sheamus vs. Randy Orton
• Kofi Kingston vs. Roman Reigns
• Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler 

Submitted by The Fray Movement

Dolph Ziggler vs Sheamus

Sheamus wins in 13:20 with a Brogue Kick. He worked over Dolph’s knee early on, building to the Cloverleaf. Sheamus did five back breakers during the match, at one point using three in a row. He used a Liger Bomb and Ziggler kicked out at two. It took Sheamus two Brogue Kicks to put away Ziggler. Great match. Sheamus was phenomenal. 

Next was a pre-taped Kane promo on Ambrose. He wants Seth’s belt back.

Heath Slater vs. Neville

Tremendous 80s heel Memphis mic work by Slater throughout. I mean it was literally like something you’d see on any indie in Mississippi or Alabama these days. Neville wins in 5:30 with a school boy while Slater was cutting another promo. Red Arrow after the match for good measure. 

Stardust cuts a promo about the WWE Network. Then cuts a promo on Pensacola before teasing throwing out gimmicks to the crowd. 

R-Truth vs. Stardust

Truth wins in 6:08 with his finish. Truth threw out shirts to the crowd mid-match. Kids danced with Truth afterward. 

Kane vs. Dean Ambrose

Ambrose wore the WWE Title belt to the ring. Not much to the match but Ambrose was super over. Ambrose wins in 13:09 with Dirty Deeds. 

Intermission and then the show got weird. 

Emma came out to her normal main roster music. No dancing. She proceeds to bury the state of Florida and the United States in general. She calls all the fans dumb. Cuts another promo on #GiveDivasAChance and issues an open challenge. 

Emma vs. Summer Rae

Heel Emma is a lot of fun. Summer wins in 3:34 with a school boy. Emma decides the match didn’t count and wants another match. Alicia Fox comes out. 

Emma vs. Alicia Fox

Alicia Fox wins in ten seconds after an axe kick. So Emma starts going to the back when she’s attacked by Summer Rae who throws her back in the ring. 

Summer Rae beats Emma again

This time in six seconds with a falling leg drop across the chest. Emma tries to leave and one official on the floor actually tells her to get back in the ring. Alicia Fox comes out again. 

Alicia Fox beats Emma with an axe kick in twenty seconds

Maybe the strangest segment I have ever seen on a house show. I believe they did something similar in Salt Lake City last night but this was a downright burial. 

Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores vs. Harper/Rowan in a fan vote Elimination Tag Match

Sin Cara & a Matadore started out but the Matadores were eliminated at 5:10 after a 3D from Harper and Rowan. Shortly thereafter was a sick Kalisto spot where he climbed up Harper’s back and did a dive off his shoulders to Rowan on the floor. 
Lucha Dragons win at 13:32 after the Salida del Sol into a Swanton on Harper. 

They actually aired a promo video for the Big Show/Roman Reigns main event street fight. 

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show

Roman wins at 19:10 after a spear. Roman was crazy over in his hometown. Weapons came into play about five minutes into the match when Show threw Roman into the steps. Later there was a great spot where Big Show held the mic to Roman’s chest before chopping him. Then at another point Roman goes for the pin, Big Show kicks out, and Roman literally bumps from the middle of the ring through the ropes to the floor. Roman bumped all over the place during this match. 

At the ten minute mark, tables came into play when Roman blocked a choke slammed and gave Big Show a Samoan drop through the table for a two count. Multiple superman punches from Roman to take Big Show down. On the fourth one Show gets back up and chokeslams Roman. Kick out. Roman gets up. Hits a fourth Superman punch. Roman goes to spear Show through a second table table. Knockout punch from Big Show. Kickout at two. Show misses a spear and goes through the table. Both back up and Reigns hit the spear to win the match. 

Great main event. Probably better than their match at Extreme Rules. Show closed with Roman cutting a promo about growing up in Pensacola. Great show all around.

Submitted By Derek Hubbard

Neville vs. Heath Slater

Slater used in-match mic work to generate additional heel heat. Neville produced a set of audible NXT chants. Neville won the match with a school boy and hit the Red Arrow after fending off a Slater post match attack. The crowd loves the Red Arrow.

Stardust vs. R Truth

Stardust faked giving out free merchandise to generate his heel heat. The crowd taunted him with “Cody” chants. I must admit, R Truth’s act comes across much better at a live event than it does on television. R Truth won with his flat liner move after a basic match.

Elimination tag team match: The Lucha Dragons vs. El Matadors vs. Harper and Rowan.

The “Lucha” chant and dance is over big time with the kids. The timing between the Matadors and the Dragons was off. Matadors were eliminated first after a 3D delivered by Harper and Rowan. The highlight of the match was the exchanges between Kallisto and Harper. The Dragons pinned Harper after a Sin Cara Swanton Bomb.

Kane vs. Dean Ambrose

This was every Kane and Ambrose match we have seen on WWE television, except slower and much gentler. It was long and pretty bad. Ambrose won with the Dirty Deeds. Ambrose made the rounds around the crowd after the match.

Summer Rae vs. Emma

Summer cut a pre match promo. Emma answered the challenge and defeated Emma after a basic 5 minute match. Emma worked face. Summer played the town jobber, losing a subsequent match to Alicia Fox.

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler

Good effort from both guys and a good match with a number of false finishes. Probably, the match of the night. Sheamus won with his pump kick. Ziggler received the post match appreciation pop.

Street Fight: Big Show vs. Roman Reigns

Reigns was over big with the Utah crowd. His entrance generates quite the buzz in the area. Little kids and adults alike rushed to the side of the arena where he was set to come down to the ring. The match was actually very good. Show is an underrated house show performer. They teased the table use nicely and wrestled a smart, and very well laid out match. Reigns scored the pin fall after a spear.

***** 

Loudest Pops: Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler

Most Heat: Big Show, Sheamus, Kane

Notes: This was the first time they have used the Energy Solutions Arena for a WWE Event in many years. It is a larger arena that hosts the NBA’s Utah Jazz. 

Submitted by Wayne Mason

Saturday night wrestling fans converged on Largo for another night of intense NXT action. It was a capacity crowd and a new attendance record for the Minnreg Hall.

The evening starts with the very animated Mojo Rawley taking on the wrecking ball Bull Dempsey. Like he often does Rawley begins by dancing around the ring. Bull is unamused, still yet it still becomes a dance off. Mojo busts out his very best hyped dance moves, Dempsey answers with his very best Jason “Sweet T” Alberts dance moves, complete with the same theme music. Rawley laughs and answers with some more dancing before Dempsey attacks. Rawley comes back with a few atomic drops and a series of punches. Bull comes back quickly, pummeling Mojo before settling into a chin lock. Later, Dempsey misses and elbow allowing Rawley to mount a comeback. He flattens Dempsey with a series of corner splashes and finishes with his hellacious shoulder tackle that sends Dempsey crashing to the mat and giving Mojo the pinfall victory. After the match Ty Dillinger comes out and scores the match a 7.  I’m hoping to see Bull Dempsey get some much needed direction soon. I still think he has a good face run in him and he’s a funny guy but I feel he is treading a fine line in matches like this.

Next up is Becky Lynch taking on Jessie McKay. Despite some early flurries of offense from McKay, Becky takes charge early on. Lynch quickly goes for an armbar but Jessie wisely grabs the ropes. Lynch follows with a series of beautiful arm drags followed by a dropkick. But using the referee as a shield, McKay manages to nail Becky in the face with a big boot. McKay slows down the pace eventually putting Lynch into a seated surfboard. Lynch breaks free and fires back culminating with a trifecta of perfect leg drops. She follows with an overhead suplex and locks on her armbar for a submission victory. This was a short but sweet match that showcased the versatility of Becky Lynch. Crowds are taking note as well, Lynch seems more and more over at every show.

Greg Hamilton is out next and introduces Jason Jordan. Hamilton asks him about his search for a tag team partner the last few weeks. Jordan concedes that he has been looking for a partner, but is starting to wonder if he should be a singles wrestler. He is interrupted by Mike Rawlis who tells Jordan to make up his mind. Jordan asks “Who are you?” Rawlis continues stating that Jordan doesn’t have what it takes to make it. He says that he is Mike Rawlis and he is going to the top. Jordan challenges him to a match right then and there. Rawlis suckers him with a cheap shot and pummels him in the corner. Chad Gable’s music hits and he walks out causing enough of a distraction for Jordan send Rawlis packing with a huge Olympic Slam. Jordan and Gable stare each other down before Gable heads back.

The action continues with Angelo Dawkins taking on Sawyer Fulton. The two evenly matched opponents start off with grappling with Fulton getting the advantage each time. Fulton offers a handshake but Dawkins shoves Fulton. The two battle back and forth until Dawkins finally takes charge with a sucker punch and slows the pace first with a front chancery and then a side headlock. Fulton mounts a comeback and executes a series of perfect suplexes. He goes for an elbow off the ropes but Dawkins rolls to safety. Dawkins then nails Fulton with a spear for the win. I’m hoping this was a one-time thing and they will be back to teaming together. They have gelled well together and make a nice addition to the tag team roster. These two athletic big guys were previously struggling for direction as singles wrestlers, I don’t see the advantage of breaking them up yet.

Women’s tag action is next with Bayley and Charlotte taking on the team of Sasha Banks and KC Cassidy. The action starts off fast paced with old adversaries Charlotte and Sasha vying for control. Charlotte sends Sasha to mat with a beautiful head scissors. Sasha quickly tags in KC, but Charlotte easily takes control of the match. Later Bayley lays out KC with a one handed bulldog and follows with another for Sasha. Bayley and Charlotte then pay homage to Scotty Too Hotty with a dance, the worm and finally chops to their prone opponents. Eventually Banks and KC take control isolating Charlotte. Sasha slows the pace locking Charlotte into a straightjacket. Later Charlotte manages to make a hot tag to Bayley who comes in and nails KC with a series of signature moves culminating with a back elbow of the turnbuckle and followed with a Belly-To-Bayley for the win. Ty Dillinger comes out and scores the match a 9. This was a really fun match with Bayley, Charlotte, and Sasha all looking as great as we’ve come to expect. KC Cassidy proves to be a valuable addition to the roster, is charismatic and looked at home in the ring with the NXT veterans.

Tag team action continues as The Vaudevillians take on Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. Early on Gotch and English take charge with their usual theatric and antics. Dawson and Wilder manage to turn things around quickly though. The two roughnecks so easily transition from brawling to pure wrestling as Dawson illustrates with a picture perfect bridging suplex. The two wear down Gotch with frequent tags and tandem moves before he makes the hot tag to English. Moments later Dawson is laid out with an uppercut from Gotch followed by a running spinning neckbreaker from English giving the Vaudevillians the pinfall victory. This was another entertaining tag match with two teams that have developed quite a chemistry together. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it is a travesty that Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are not doing on television what they do every night at the house shows and that is steal the show.

Ty Dillinger is out next and seems to be playing up to the crowd. He says so far the show has been a 7.8 which is pretty good, but we are about to see a perfect 10 performance. Unfortunately, his opponent for the evening is the mountainous Braun Stowman. Undeterred Dillinger proudly hoists his 10 sign above his head, but Stowman grabs the card and throws it to the outside. Ty pulls another smaller card from the back of his trunks and unamused Stowman does the same. Finally Dillinger produces a 3rd tiny sign from his waistband. Stowman attempts to grab it but Dillinger slaps his hand, admonishing him and telling him “No!” Moments later the action begins and Dillinger unwisely unloads a series of ineffective chops. He follows with a crossbody but simply bounces off the 6’8’ 375lb Stowman. He downs Ty with a massive headbutt and tosses him around the ring before clamping on a shoulder claw. Dillinger eventually mounts a comeback with a superkick followed by a series of punches and knees. He continues with a DDT and climbs the ropes, diving off but is met with a big boot from Stowman. He hoists Dillinger onto his shoulder and slams him down to the mat for a pin. Win or lose, I am glad to see Dillinger picking up momentum and being more over at every single show.

Uhaa Nation is out next. He tells us about is Nigerian decent and his humble beginnings. He tells us that he came from nothing and learned to fight hard and work for everything he has ever had. That has led him to NXT, but he is not done fighting. He tells us that he will not stop until he is at the top of NXT. These Uhaa promos have been good, but the anticipation of his in-ring debut is even greater.

Next is six person tag action as Enzo, Cass, and Carmella take on Blake, Murphy, and Alexa Bliss. The girls start but a fired up Carmella quickly sends Bliss to her corner. Next in is Blake but Enzo takes sends him flying with a nice headscissors take down. Before too long though the match breaks down with everyone in the ring until Enzo, Cass, and Carmella eject their enemies from the ring. Back in the ring Murphy distracts the ref and Bliss trips up Amore on the ring apron thus turning the tide of the match. They take their time wearing down the underdog Amore. Eventually he makes the hot tag to Carmella. She lays into Bliss with some kicks and a headscissors of her own before another tag. Cass rushes in and lays out Blake with a big boot and a side slam. He finishes off by tossing Amore onto Blake with an assisted splash for the victory. This was a fun match, but unfortunately ring time for the ladies seemed limited. Enzo Amore, while still playing the underdog, is showing a lot of improvement in the ring.

The main event of the evening is Tyler Breeze taking on Baron Corbin. The match starts slow as Breeze wisely looks for the best approach to take on the big man. He evades Corbin, leaving the ring several times before coming back in and surprising Corbin with a neckbreaker. Corbin halts his momentum quickly with a hell of a punch. Corbin begins taking apart Breeze and looks so devastating doing so. Corbin has developed a mean streak that suits him well, and executes even the simplest punch with such aggression. Later, Breeze comes back with a superkick and a flurry of punches of his own. Corbin comes back with a famasser, but moments later is halted by a running ensiguri. The match continues like this back and forth until Corbin sends Breeze to the mat with a gigantic side slam, followed by a vicious beat down. The resilient Breeze fights back landing a superkick, followed by a Beauty Shot for a victory seemingly snatched from out of nowhere. This was a good main event featuring two guys who are poised to become fixtures of the NXT main event scene.

Submitted By Wilson Capps

Jimmy Uso over Bo Dallas

Dallas cut a promo before the match to get some early heat.  Uso went over in a fairly quick match.

Fandango over Adam Rose

We had to witness a few Rose/Rosa make out sessions.  Rosa did a lot to taunt the crowd.  Didn’t realize how good of a valet she was until watching live.  She could be used better.

Jack Swagger over Miz with the Ankle Lock

Miz cut a promo before the match asking everyone if they missed him.  His current act is great.  Swagger got a good reaction, huge USA chants with Miz screaming back at the crowd that he is from the US.  After the match, Miz argued with the ref that he wasn’t tapping out.  Crowd with loud you tapped out chant.  Miz said he wanted another opponent that isn’t Swagger. Out came Sandow as Macho Mandow.  Quick and painless with Mandow winning with the Figure Four.

Divas Champion Nikki over Paige and Naomi

Divas were up next. Twitter vote to determine singles or triple threat match.  Obviously triple threat was the winner. Naomi took the fall.  They got a decent amount of time.  The match was much better than their chamber match last Sunday.

U.S. Champion John Cena beat King Barett

Cena’s open challenge was next.  He did his little speil about the champ is here and what not.  Crowd really wanted Owens, but got King Barrett instead.  Match wasn’t anything special.  Nobody expected Barrett to have a chance.  It was disappointing with no Kevin Owens.  He was advertised until today.  His merchandise was being sold at the vendor too.

Intermission.  Jojo gave some stuff away.

Tag Champions New Day over Prime Time Players & Ascension

After the break, we got the New Day.  They are the best act on TV, no questions asked.  Before the match, they cut a promo, ripping Jackson, but commending them for staying positive for being trash.  After that, they sang ‘We are the Champions’ and that might be the best thing ever.  I got it on video.  As for the match, it was a triple threat between the Prime Time Players and the Ascension.  Good reaction for PTP.  Nothing much for Ascension.  Loud New Day sucks chants.  Finish came when Titus had one of the Ascension beat, but Kofi pushed him out of the ring and scored the win.  After the match, PTP beat down New Day and stood tall with the gold.

Ryback over Bray Wyatt

Such  a shame to see Wyatt where he is now.  His entrance is amazing though.  ‘Fireflies’ everywhere.  Great reaction for Ryback.  Loud ‘Feed Me More’ chants.  Ryback went over in a decent match with Shellshock.

WWE Champion Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton cage match (non-title)

Earlier in the show Rollins said it wasn’t for the title because he didn’t have it because of Ambrose.  It was a great match, probably the best of the night.  Orton won with a great RKO off the cage.  It’s amazing how good he makes it look.  Kudos to Rollins to for great selling.

Overall, it was a great show.  It was my first live event in a few years.  The only disappoint was no Kevin Owens, but he’s just beginning, they’ll be plenty of time to see him in the future.  WWE works hard with their house show matches, wish it could reflect more on TV, especially with the divas.

Announced Wednesday, here’s the full match listing for the WWE Network July 4th live special from Tokyo’s Sumo Hall:

– Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores

– Nikki Bella vs. Paige vs. Naomi for the Divas title

– WWE Tag Team Champions New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro. (Note that this may change due to Tyson Kidd’s injury discussed on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio)

– Chris Jericho vs. Neville

– NXT Champion Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor

– Brock Lesnar vs. Kofi Kingston

– U.S. Champion John Cena & Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane & King Barrett

By Steve Khan, WrestlingObserver.com

– Air Date: June 4, 2015 (June 3 in Canada)
– Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

The Big News:

Kevin Owens won his first (non-PPV) TV match in WWE, Paige cut an interesting promo, and Kane stood tall at the end of the show.

Show Recap:

Seth Rollins came out without the title or his backup. He held up a steel chair and reminisced about dismantling The Shield one year ago. Rollins said he broke them up because his goal from day one was to be the best, not one of the best, and was tired of sharing the spotlight.

He validated The Authority’s decision to anoint him the future by winning MITB by himself and by defeating both Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar at the same time. He said Lesnar is off licking his wounds and Reigns is trying to follow in his footsteps.

Rollins said Dean Ambrose is trying to convince everyone that stealing the belt makes him the champion, but Rollins said he would beat Ambrose and doesn’t need need J&J Security, Kane or Triple H to do it. As Rollins spoke, Ambrose interrupted from the screen.

Ambrose called Rollins a liar because everyone saw Ambrose beat Rollins in the middle of the ring and that makes him the rightful WWE Champion. Ambrose has spent the last year trying to survive the world that The Authority has created because every time he steps in the ring, he’s on the endangered species list. Ambrose said he would walk in and out of MITB as champion or die trying. Good segment.

#1 Contendership Triple Threat Tag-Team Match: Prime Time Players beat The Ascension and Lucha Dragons

Darren Young tried to start a “Prime Time Players” chant. It didn’t work. Titus O’Neil picked up the win after a pump handle slam on Viktor. Basic match. The crowd did like O’Neil.

After the match, Renee Young interviewed New Day backstage. They said they would retain the tag titles at MITB and Kofi Kingston would win the MITB briefcase. Kane interrupted and put Kingston in a match with Neville. New Day was negative about this.

They aired another backstage segment to promote [corporate sponsor] milkshakes. This vignette included the Prime Time Players, Miz and Big Show.

Intercontinental Champion Ryback beat Stardust via pinfall (Non-title)

Ryback won quickly with a clothesline and Shell Shocked.

Renee interviewed Paige on the stage. Paige said it seems like things were never going to change. The Bellas have been doing twin magic forever. They claim to be giving divas a chance but they’re really holding them back, specifically mentioning Emma, Summer and Naomi.

Paige said the Bellas are more concerned with being on magazine covers, but Paige has always been about what happens in the ring. Paige said she doesn’t conform, she has always been herself. If you don’t like the world the way it is, you have the power to change it, and she’s about to.

Well, that was interesting. This was a complete turnaround from the promo Paige did two weeks ago. Even if this is an angle to play into Total Divas, it’s still an improvement, and Paige is perfect for this role. The only negative is that the Bellas *just* did twin magic on Raw for the first time in a while, and they’re not really heels yet (after recently “turning” babyface). They should’ve held off on this promo for another week or two.

Funny enough, after Paige spoke about not fitting in, they cut to Luke Harper backstage who spoke about he and Erick Rowan not fitting in. Harper said he and Rowan were family.

Kevin Owens came out for the top-of-the-hour segment.

Owens said Michael Cole isn’t here to introduce him this week because we all know who he is now. He’s the guy who beat John Cena in his first match and would do it again at MITB.

Owens said Cena has him confused with a little kid wearing a Cena shirt, like his son, but his son is 7 years old and doesn’t know better. Owens listened to Cena ramble on Monday and realized that Cena is delusion. Owens used to think it was an act, but Cena really believes what he says.

After Cena said Owens isn’t a real man, Owens can’t let his son be influenced by someone who is so delusional and whose catchphrases are utter garbage. Owens said he was the real man and real role model and invited someone to accept his NXT Championship Open Challenge. Owens was great here and the crowd got more and more into it as he talked.

NXT Championship: Kevin Owens beat Zack Ryder via pinfall

Ryder got some offense early, so Owens bailed to the outside and took advantage. Ryder tried to make his comeback once they got back in the ring, but Owens cut him off quickly with a superkick and pop-up powerbomb for the win. After the match, Owens attacked Ryder with a cannonball and another powerbomb.

Backstage, Sheamus told Renee that Roman Reigns was not the favourite to win the briefcase. Sheamus, who just lost a match for the IC Title, said he will win MITB and become WWE Champion.

Neville beat Kofi Kingston w/The New Day via pinfall

Kingston tossed Neville to the outside and distracted the referee, allowing Big E to destroy Neville with a clothesline. Neville came back using a missile dropkick and standing moonsault. Neville hit a tornado DDT and went up for Red Arrow, but Big E pulled Kingston out of the ring, so Neville hit them both with a moonsault to the outside. Neville then knocked Xavier Woods off the apron and used a cradle on Kingston for the win.

Miz brought out Lana for MizTV. Miz thought Rusev was being sincere, but Lana said he didn’t deserve her. Miz accused Lana of using Rusev but Lana said she really did care about him. Lana basically told Miz his questions were dumb and threatened to slap him.

Miz called out Rusev (on crutches) as a surprise guest. Rusev said he was raised differently and didn’t think he needed Lana, but he realized he was wrong. He said he can’t stand without his crutches, but he put them aside and asked for Lana to be his crutch to lean on.

Lana told him where to stick his crutches and Rusev snapped, yelling, “You stupid woman cow!” Dolph Ziggler came out, took Lana by the arm, and they left as Rusev yelled at Lana for being useless.

Roman Reigns beat Sheamus via DQ

Reigns sold his protective vest ribs after taking a beating on Monday. Sheamus tossed him over the announce table and worked over his midsection, but Reigns came back with clotheslines, an apron dropkick and Samoan drop.

Reigns got ready for a spear but Kane and J&J entered. Sheamus used the distraction for a roll up but Reigns kicked out. Sheamus hit a backbreaker but Reigns came back with a superman punch.

Kane jumped in the ring and gave Reigns a big boot for the DQ. Sheamus gave Reigns a Brogue kick, and Kane gave Sheamus a chokeslam. Kane named himself as the final participant in the MITB ladder match.

Final Thoughts:

With another quick turnaround before a PPV, this was a much more angle-heavy edition of SmackDown with not much wrestling.