The New Japan Jan. 4 Tokyo Dome complete lineup was just announced on the acompany’s web site:
1) New Japan Rumble – This is basically getting everyone in the promotion not in the match on the card along with a bunch of surprises and legends for cameos 2) Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for IWGP Jr. tag titles 3) Toru Yano and two mystery partners vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga 4) Jay Lethal vs. Michael Elgin (this has not been announced as an ROH title match yet, probably will be after 12/18) 5) Kenny Omega vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title 6) Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma for the IWGP tag team titles 7) Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito 8) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata for Never Open weight title 9) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. A.J. Styles for IC title 10) Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for IWGP heavyweight title
The matches should be very good, well, with the exception of the Yano match, and that’s fine. But the show is lacking in punch, with no special outsiders.
Tomorrow starts three UFC events in three nights. Starting with UFC Fight Night 80 which features Paige VanZant vs Rose Namajunas in the main event tomorrow night, UFC’s new golden boy Sage Northcut is also on the card. Friday night is the finale of TUF 22, with the main event between featherweight contenders Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes. Then of course, Saturday night features UFC 194 with interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor vs. featherweight champion Jose Aldo for the undisputed title while current middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on #1 contender Luke Rockhold — two very competitive title fights headline what is also a very stacked card. Uriah Faber headlines the FS1 portion of the card against Frankie Saenz. Gunnar Nelson takes on jiu jitsu master Damien Maia. Really is a must see card.
NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network is headlined by Finn Bálor & Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe & Baron Corbin. This is the go-home show for next week’s NXT TakeOver: London.
UFC Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2 (not a typo; everything else is on Fox Sports 1 tonight) is the last show before this week’s triple header. Hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier break down and preview the epic weekend featuring THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE and two title fights at UFC 194. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani provide reports.
UFC Ultimate Insider at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is the show that premiered earlier in the week. Watch Randa Markos’ story of her remarkable journey from war torn Baghdad, Iraq to Montreal, Canada where she now trains under the tutelage of legendary coach Firas Zahabi and UFC icon Georges St-Pierre. Then, ride along with Myles Jury as he returns to his hometown outside Detroit, Michigan for hard hitting memories, while adding fuel to his championship dreams. Next, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is mic’d up at UFC 190, as teammate and top strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha attempts to dispatch Jessica Aguilar and solidify a title shot. Finally, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman sits down with Jon Anik at his gym in Long Island, New York to discuss future plans and upcoming opponent Luke Rockhold’s pre-fight antics.
UFC Fight Flashback at 9:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is a rerun of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II episode to hype this weekend’s main events.
The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is titled “Here For Myself.”. Moving into the semifinals, one squad’s training session turns a little more intense. Urijah surprises Team USA by bringing in UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo as a guest coach, who shows the fighters some jiu-jitsu. In the final Team McGregor training session, Conor reflects on his experience, being grateful for the opportunity. As the fighters arrive for the fight, Conor is shocked Aldo is in attendance. A few words are exchanged before the focus shifts to the fights. After two exciting semifinals, the final is set, and fighters square off. Then, McGregor and Aldo have their own face-off, ready to do battle in their title fight.
ROH at midnight ET/PT on COMET has a main event of Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. The Young Bucks. Reminder: If you don’t get COMET, ROH puts the TV show up for free on their website on Thursday.
Mick Foley’s talk on WWE creative and a look at all the new moves WWE tried this week on television is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at the changes WWE attempted after a week of record low ratings, as well as the fan questionnaire sent out, what can be learned from it, and why they are asking exactly the wrong people.
We also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current WWE business, as well as why the ratings may be important, but other factors are probably more important,when it comes to WWE’s next television deal. We look at the different potential changes in the landscape look at what aspects of business are and aren’t improving, as well as WWE’s business in the big picture.
He also update the situation with A.J. Styles, and the New Japan tag team tournament with standings and notes on the tournament matches over the past week.
We also look at the TLC PPV update, more on La Sombra in WWE, questions about all the shoulder injuries, WWE security at live shows, Cena movie release, Brad Maddox firing, Maddox’s WWE history, talents WWE has shown interest in, WWE overseas tour lineup and WWE weekend live event notes and business.
We have a look at the debut of the new Rizin promotion, major announcements for the first weekend of shows, the tournament, just how big Bob Sapp vs Akebono was the first time.
We also have a story on the domestic abuse claims by the girlfriend of Tomoaki Honma, and his response.
We look at the realities of the free agency of Benson Henderson, judging of the key fights, as well as full rundown of UFC’s debut in South Korea this past week.
We’ve got notes of TNA’s canceled tour of India, notes on the death of Tommy Gilbert and El Bello Greco, along with a feature on Stan Holek, a member of two of the most decorated tag teams of the 50s and 60s, the Lisowski Brothers with Crusher and the Neilson Brothers with Art Neilson. We look at the unique reason why all of his success was as a tag team wrestler, his biggest rivals, and his 13 runs as world tag team champion.
We’ve got a feature on the retirement of Act Yasukawa and the sad reason it happened.
We’ve also got the awards ballot for the 2015 awards and information on how well Hell in a Cell did this year on PPV.
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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. 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.
Sting said on Ric Flair’s newest podcast episode (ep #32) that he needs neck surgery. Key quote (h/t Geno Mrosko at Cageside Seats for the transcription): “Yeah, MRI’s and neurologists have been looking at it, Dr. Maroon out of Pittsburgh, he’s looked at it. He’s telling me that I’ll have to have a surgery. The dust only in the last couple weeks has kind of started to settle a little bit for me, just trying to get so much done in life but now it’s time to go get this thing taken care of. No, I’m hoping [they don’t have to do a fusion surgery]. I know that’s one of the techniques that they use and I’m not sure if Dr. Maroon will have to do that or not. I’ve got two spots in my neck that are troublesome. I guess it’s called cervical spinal stenosis. That’s what it is. I have two areas in my neck where the spinal canal, which holds the spinal cord, it’s kind of choked off in two different locations. Lucky that a catastrophe didn’t happen that night, long story short. I’ve gotta go get it fixed. I guess John Cena had something very similar, he had his fixed, and Dr. Maroon has done several of the WWE guys up there and all with great success.”
Jimmy Snuka’s trial date was set yesterday for March 22, 2016. Coincidentally, it’ll start right as the Hulk Hogan/Gawker civil trial ends.
The White House’s official response to the Nick Diaz petition is every bit as useless as you’d expect. This is the key portion: “The federal government plays no role in the disciplinary actions taken by state athletic commissions, so we are not in a position to address the specific request raised in your petition. State authorities — in this case, the Nevada Athletic Commission — will generally be the best source for information about those kinds of issues.”
Rizin Fighting Federation announced today that the Bob Sapp-Akebono match on New Year’s Eve will be held under shoot boxing rules (kickboxing with takedowns and standing submissions, but no groundfighting). This release also gives an opponent for King Mo and explains some of the other whacky matches/fight taking place on the Rizin shows.
On the same day as UFC 194 in Vegas, there will be a World MMA Expo in New York. They are advertising Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Eddie Alvarez from UFC all appearing at the show. WSOF figurehead Ray Sefo will make an announcement regarding company plans in 2016. WSOF Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion David Branch will host a one hour Q and A and there will be amateur MMA fights held at the end of the expo, which will be held at the Jacob Javits Centre. More information is available at http://mmaworldexpo.com/
Combate Americos, the new MMA organization featuring Latino fighters, announced today that Rey Misterio will serve as an “ambassador”, seemingly filling the role previously held by Alberto Del Rio. In addition, Konnan will be doing color commentary for their next show, which airs on NBC Universo next Wednesday, December 16th at 11 pm eastern/8 pacific.
Bill Goldberg, in a rare live appearance, leads a cavalcade of Legends and current pro wrestling stars coming to South Florida for a Fan Fest and Live Event on Saturday, January, 23, 2016 at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming’s Entertainment Dome brought to you by Legends of Wrestling. Joining Goldberg is TNA Wrestling’s Kurt Angle, “Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley, “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash, Ricky Steamboat, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, Koko B. Ware, Butchwacker Luke, “Leaping” Lanny Poffo, Tommy Dreamer, Chavo Guerrero, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Mr. Anderson, Gagrel, and Legendary tag team, The Nasty Boys with more to be announced. There will be a Meet & Greet Experience at 4pm with an extremely limited amount of tickets available. This is sure to sell out. You will receive a photo AND one signed item of your choice with ALL of the Legends and Stars at this event. At 7:30 the Live Event will begin with 6 matches with appearances by ALL the Legends and Stars of the Event. Tickets start at $35.
Fire Pro Podcast this week looks at Slamboree 2000, a dull show highlighted by a stupid main event angle here.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night 80: Namajunas vs. VanZant weigh-ins from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada kicking off at 7 PM eastern time. The event airs on Thursday on UFC Fight Pass at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 6:45 PM eastern time. This kicks off the biggest fight week in UFC history with the first of three straight nights of fights in Las Vegas.
The event will be headlined by a five-round bout in the women’s strawweight division as Rose Namajunas takes on rising star Paige VanZant in VanZant’s first headline spot. It will also mark the first non-title womens’ bout to headline a UFC event. In the co-main event, it will be a lightweight bout as UFC veteran Jim Miller takes on former “TUF” winner Michael Chiesa. Also on the card is 19-year-old Sage Northcutt taking on Cody Pfister.
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT): Rose Namajunas (115.5) vs. Paige VanZant (115.5) Jim Miller (155.5) vs. Michael Chiesa (156) Sage Northcutt (155.5) vs. Cody Pfister (156) Elias Theodorou (185) vs. Thiago Santos (185)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:45 PM ET/3:45 PM PT): Tim Means (170) vs. John Howard (170) Omari Akhmedov (170) vs. Sergio Moraes (171) Antonio Carlos Junior (185) vs. Kevin Casey (185) Aljamain Sterling (135.5) vs. Johnny Eduardo (135) Santiago Ponzinibbio (170) vs. Andreas Stahl (171) Danny Roberts (169.5) vs. Nathan Coy (170) Zubaira Tukhugov (145) vs. Phillipe Nover (145) Kailin Curran (115) vs. Emily Kagan (115)
*Everyone made weight with no issues, and everything was cordial when it came to the staredowns.
Here’s five things you should know about the week in British pro wrestling.
1) PROGRESS hits the north.
After three and a half years of sold out shows in London, PROGRESS promoted their first card outside the capital on Sunday, making the two-hundred mile journey to England’s third city, Manchester, for Hit The North. Headlined by a successful title defence by PROGRESS champion Will Ospreay (over Origin scoundrel Zack Gibson and 2015 Natural Progression Series winner Flash Morgan Webster), the show at the 650-capacity Ritz also featured a match of the year candidate between Zack Sabre Jr and Tomasso Ciampa, who has become a regular visitor to the UK this year. The show sold out, and the promotion has already announced a further half-dozen shows for 2016 at the same venue. England’s north west is one of the most hotly-concentrated areas of the country for wrestling action but PROGRESS just proved there’s always room for more if there’s a great show in the offing.
2) There’s always something different going on.
Also in the north west, a little further north and west in Hindley, on the outskirts of Wigan, is Grand Pro-Wrestling. Starting out in 2003, as Garage Pro-Wrestling, at the grandly-titled Monaco Ballroom in Wigan, the promotion evolved into Grand-Pro by 2010 and has presented its own brand of weirdness ever since, with their latest show – Double Jeopardy – taking place last Friday. Amongst the storylines spinning out of Hindley this year have been the purchase of the promotion by a wealthy Arab Sheikh, and a unique spin on a loser-leaves-town match between Martin Kirby and Ashton Smith, where Kirby had to sell his house if he lost, and Smith would be banned from his local supermarket if Kirby won (Smith got the win and a homeless Kirby was found living under the ring at the next show).
Last week’s show – one of their regular outings at the Rose Club – was headlined by a four-man, double-championship match, with Bubblegum winning the GPW British title from T-Bone in the first fall, and T-Bone returning the favour in the second to win the GPW Heavyweight title. Also on the show, the wealthy Arab Sheikh teamed with Martin Kirby against the Midnight Bin Collection, a tag-team of a garbage man and a party animal, and suspiciously-Caucasian Pacific Islander Tabu was reunited with his estranged brother, and former tag-team partner, Rio. The UK is dotted with promotions that occupy their own little worlds, and is all the stranger (and better) for it.
3) Girls wanted to have fun, and did.
Women’s wrestling can often be little more than an add-on, a titillating sideshow whose competitors are seldom booked for their athletic ability. Thankfully, though, the UK has a strong women’s wrestling scene, with the distaff sections of PROGRESS and Lucha Britannia – to name just two of the promotions who take it very seriously – putting on matches the equal of anything presented by their penis-endowed colleagues. In addition to the matches on male-dominated cards, the UK also has two female-only promotions – Empress Pro-Wrestling and Bellatrix, and the latter ran their latest show last weekend.
An offshoot of WAW, which has been run by WWE-star Paige’s dad, Ricky Knight, since the late 1990s, Bellatrix is obviously centered around Paige’s mum, Saraya, but has built a roster of British girls and European and American imports, with a talent exchange arrangement with both Shimmer and Shine. On their latest show, Bellatrix 16, champion Sammi Baynz was unable to defend her title through injury and Saraya installed Lady Lory in her place, making the main event against Destiny (a thirteen-year veteran trained by Saraya, as was Baynz) a non-title match. Earlier in the show, Saraya lost to Liberty, and Queen Maya retained her RQW European title over Erin Angel.
4) A good hand hung up his boots….somewhat.
Greg Burridge – also known as Darren Burridge and Baxter Burridge – had his last match on Saturday. Kind of. At Future Pro-Wrestling’s Jingle Bell Brawl, in Sutton, south London, Burridge faced Rob Cage in his farewell match, and won. Two hours later, however, at Lucha Britannia’s Season’s Greetings, Season’s Beatings (part 1), Metallico (who very much resembles Burridge) took on Steakley Bakewell (who has never been seen in the same room as Rob Cage), as part of a lucha three-way with Marduk Malik, and thus proved that Terry Funk doesn’t have the monopoly on odd retirements. The RetroFutureVerse aside, though, Burridge is very much retired, and can look back on a career blemished by injuries and poor timing.
With good genetics, height, and great natural ability, if he’d stayed fit – and started five years earlier, or five years later – he’d have had the opportunities that the likes of Sheamus O’Shaugnessy, Drew Galloway, and Stu Sanders got but sometimes things don’t go your way. As it is, Burridge was a big part of 1PW, and has appeared for just about every UK company worth noting in the last decade and a half. With an acting career, which also included stunts for the Harry Potter movies, taking off, and still being very much involved in the London School of Lucha Libre and the Lucha Britannia promotion, he’ll not be short of things to occupy his time.
5) There’s still so much going on!
If Burridge and Cage did make it through to the weird alternate universe occupied by Lucha Britannia, they might have been dragged there by Lucha Britannia champion Fug, who definitely did do double-duty on Saturday night, defending his title against Lagarto de Plata at the Resistance Gallery just hours after competing as part of Team Windsor for Future-Pro in Sutton. Also on that show were PROGRESS regulars Paul Robinson and Pastor William Eaver. North of the border, ICW held a TV taping for their OnDemand channel and British Championship Wrestling pulled a double shot, in Kilmarnock and East Kilbride, and brought in Carlito & MVP, but the real attractions were Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll, making rare visits to Scotland. Scurll put over local guys both nights, while Ospreay beat BT Gunn but lost in a mouth-watering three-way against Noam Dar and BCW Openweight champion Kenny Williams.
Chikara-Pro affiliate, Fight Club: Pro staged their Infinity 2015 tournament, which featured Zack Sabre Jr alongside the regulars. Pete Dunne, who competed in this year’s King of Trios tournament, emerged victorious from a field which also included Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Dave Mastiff successfully defended his FCP title against MK McKinnan on the same show. As well served as the north west, Scotland, and London are for professional wrestling, so too is Bristol, the UK’s tenth largest city. At least four promotions regularly run shows there, and one of those, Chaos Pro-Wrestling, drew almost 500 to Yate Leisure Centre for Rhynos, Boars, Birds & Beards. Alongside Rhyno, Wild Boar, Mike Bird, and the bearded Big Grizzly were Mark Andrews, Flash Morgan Webster, Mikey Whiplash, and Martin Kirby pretending to be a woman. Well, it is pantomime season.
The long-awaited NXT tour rolls into the UK next week, and most of the bigger promotions are (understandably) laying quiet, but there’s still lots going on. Join me next week for all the happenings!
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Verne Gagne & Bill Watts no contest Harley Race & Hard Boiled Haggerty – Dr X beat Rene Goulet – Handicap Match: Luke Brown beat Blackjack Daniels & Big K – Eddie Sharkey beat Kenny Jay – Steve Druk drew Mark Starr
1974
Tokyo, Japan: – Jack Brisco beat Giant Baba to win the NWA World Heavyweight title
1976
Tokyo, Japan: – Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Kintaro Oki & Kim Duk to win the JWA/NWA International tag team title
Denver, Colorado: – The Crusher beat Mad Dog Vachon dq – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Francis – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Moose Morowski & Pierre Poisson – Pat O’Connor beat Blackjack Lanza – Ray Stevens dcor Pedro Morales – Peter Maivia beat Roger Kirby
1977
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne beat Bobby Duncum & Bobby Heenan – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jim Brunzell – Super Destroyer & Lord Alfred Hayes beat Larry Hennig (sub Crusher) & George Gadaski – Ray Stevens no contest Angelo Mosca – Buddy Wolff beat Kenny Jay
1979
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel no contest The Crusher – Greg Gagne & Steve Olsonoski no contest Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura – Mad Dog Vachon beat Super Destroyer Mark III – Super Destroyer Mark II beat Dino Bravo – Buddy Wolff beat Ron Ritchie – Buck Zumhofe beat Peter Sandor Szabo
1986
Spartansburg, South Carolina: – Ronnie Garvin & Barry Windham defeated Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev to win the NWA United States Tag Team Championship
1988
Tokyo, Japan: – Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Kerry Von Erich for the World Class Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Title
Mexico City, Mexico: – Lizmark beat Fabuloso Blondie (Ken Timbs) to win the NWA Light Heavyweight title
1989
Tokyo, Japan: – Stan Hansen & Genchiro Tenryu defeated Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu winning the vacant Unified tag title
1990
Naucalpan, Mexico: – EL Canek defeated Vader to win the UWA title
1991
Tokyo, Japan: – Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto defeated Gregory Veritchev & Koba Krutanize in the finals of a tournament to win the FMW-based WWA World Martial Arts Tag Team Title
1995
Saitama, Japan: – Tarzan Goto & Mr. Gannosuke defeated Cactus Jack & Tiger Jeet Singh in the finals of a tournament to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – The Sandman defeated ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mikey Whipwreck and Steve Austin in a Three Way Dance to win the title
Louisville, Kentucky: – Bull Pain defeated Paul Diamond in Louisville, Kentucky to become IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
2000
Tokyo, Japan: – Mike Rotundo & Steve Williams defeated Toshio Kawada & Masa Fuchi
2001
San Diego, California: – Chris Jericho defeated the Rock to capture the former WCW World Title – Chris Jericho defeated Steve Austin to become undisputed WWF World Champion – The Undertaker defeated Rob Van Dam to win the WWF hardcore title
Tokyo, Japan: – Takeo Omori & Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Mitsuharu Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa to win the GHC tag team titles – Naomichi Marafuji defeated Tatsuhiko Takaiwa to win the Junior Heavyweight title
2012
Orlando, Florida: – Rob Van Dam defeated Kenny King to retain the TNA X Division Title – Austin Aires defeated Bully Ray – Tara defeated Mickie James to retain the Knockouts Title – Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles – Jeff Hardy defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World Title
A further update from yesterday’s report on the comeback of Sami Zayn is that his first match back will be a single match with Finn Balor for the NXT title tomorrow night in Newcastle, England.
Zayn returns from six months out due to shoulder surgery on the NXT U.K. tour which runs from 12/10 to 12/16 and will be in the main event of several shows on the tour including the opener.
He is not announced for a match on the live Takeover special on 12/16 in London, but is advertised as appearing on that show as well.
The World Tag League finals are nearing an end, as tonight we’ll finally see the winners of this two week tournament be crowned. Evil and Tetsuya Natio, a relatively new team, will fight against one who rarely teams up in Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma. With the aces of the tag division, Anderson and Gallows awaiting whichever team wins, who will make it past the finals and into the Tokyo Dome to face the dominant champions?
Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka vs. David Finlay and Juice Robinson
Really fun match. All four guys worked hard. Not given a ton of time, but looked really good with the time they were given. Robinson, as mentioned before, has really adapted to the style well and fit in here with the likes of Finlay, who is good, and Komatsu and Tanaka, who are great. Robinson and Finlay got the heat on Komatsu. Tanaka got the hot tag and ran wild, soon turned into a ruckus with everyone getting involved. Tanaka and Komatsu hit the dual boston crabs, with Komatsu submitting Finlay.
Jay White vs. Mascara Dorada
This is an interesting match as I don’t think White has had too many singles matches in the year he has been wrestling regularly for the promotion. He did some heel antics early, ripping Dorada’s mask. Dorada did this really cool spot where he walked back to the entrance, ran and gave a hurricanrana over the guardrail to White. They had some good back and forth, with Dorada winning after a springboard hurricanrana and the Dorada screwdriver. White looked good and held his own. He’s really athletic and is a surefire candidate for rookie of the year. Good match.
Bushi came to the ring after the match, wearing his Los Ingobernables hat. He offered it to Dorada. He signaled to the crowd he wasn’t interested, turning his back on Bushi. Bad mistake. He laid him out, then took his mask off to embarrass him. He exited the ring and stole Dorada’s CMLL Welterweight title, so looks like that’s a title program down the road.
Jushin Thunder Liger and Kushida vs. Ryusuke Taguchi and Tiger Mask
The focus here is between Liger and Tiger Mask, who are feuding over the NWA Jr. heavyweight title. Yes, this a repeat of a feud from last year, except Tiger Mask is now the champion. They went at it for a while. Taguchi and Kushida were tagged in and had some nice offense. It’s so hard to take Taguchi seriously with his new butt attack gimmick. I mean it’s fine for opening level matches but if they ever put him in a IWGP Jr. title situation again that’d feel like a waste of time. Tiger Mask and Liger were back in the ring, then Tiger Mask rolled him up out of nowhere with a crucifix for the win. It was fine.
Tencozy, Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata vs. Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi
Mao-chan was back with Yujiro selling her DVD as if she were Toru Yano. I don’t think their DVDs are the same genre. Typical eight man tag you’d see on a New Japan show. Nothing bad, just kind of there. It was decent overall. Anderson caught Nakanishi with the stun gun, then pinned him after a Magic Killer. Makes sense for them to get a win here as their next challengers are being crowned.
All of a sudden, Truth Martini appeared in a video, highlighting him and the House of Truth. That was random. He appeared with Jay Lethal, who said he will defend the ROH title at the Toyko Dome and questioned who will challenge him. Apparently he doesn’t check the internet I think most of us know who that will be by now (Elgin).
The Kingdom vs. The Addiction
Liger, who was on commentary, went completely crazy for Maria as they made their entrance. Good match but nothing out of this world. Very much a back and forth match. The Kingdom win with a spike piledriver on Kazarian.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano vs. Cody Hall and Bad Luck Fale
Not that interesting of a match. Nakamura worked a lot with Hall with Fale and Yano continued their feud. Yano taped up Fales ankle as Nakamura and Hall were in the ring. Hall went for the Razor’s Edge but Yano low blowed him, allowing Nakamura to hit the boma ye for the win.
After the match, Yujiro Takahashi and Tama Tonga ran in. Takahashi beat up Yano with a chair as Fale entered the ring again. Nakamura came back and cleared house, so I guess this sets up a Yano feud with the Bullet Club B squad.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto vs. Yoshi-Hashi, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazushi Sakuraba
They did some atypical eight man tag house show gimmicks, including the “everyone brawls out of the ring spot”. Elgin came in and took everyone out, which got him over big time with the crowd. He and Yoshi-Hashi have real good chemistry with one another. Okada and Tanahashi had their big moment that the crowd got into as well, chanting for Okada. Shibata and Ishii worked a lot in the end, doing their usual, stiff offense. Shibata had in in a sleeper and Ishii fought forever until finally being taken to the ground and was pinned after the penalty kick. Good match overall
Shibata dropped the NEVER title on Ishii after the match, so there is your NEVER title program. It’s been done, but then again when it was done those were incredible matches, so not much to complain about. Okada and Tanahashi posed in the ring after the match, the crowd 100% behind Okada.
World Tag League Finals: GBH (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma) vs. Evil and Tetsuya Naito
They set up a table at one point and Honma set it up like he was going to piledrive Honma through the table but Bushi interfered and instead Naito gave him a neckbreaker on the table. Makabe had a chair wrapped around his neck and Evil grabbed another chair and smacked the two chairs together at one point. Not a fun spot. Bushi came in at one point and gave the mist to Makabe, who took him out while Naito gave Honma a top rope hurricanrana for a nearfall. They worked over Honma for a long time after this. Makabe came back and gave the lairat to both Evil and Naito. Honma came back and helped set up the King Kong Knee drop by Makabe, then followed with a top rope kokeshi for the win. The match was good in spots but overall didn’t feel like a big deal until the ending, which was actually pretty great and heated.
Here’s spoilers from the Tuesday, December 8th Jacksonville, FL, Smackdown tapings:
– The Lucha Dragons beat WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day in a non-title match
– Ryback beat The Ascension in a handicap match
– There was a contract signing for the Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose Intercontinental title match. Owens attacked Ambrose, but Ambrose came back, Owens bailed, and then Ambrose signed the contract.
– Dolph Ziggler beat Tyler Breeze
– Becky Lynch beat Paige via submission due to distraction from WWE Divas Champion Charlotte
– Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose beat WWE Champion Sheamus & Kevin Owens
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, and STAIRS… Oh My! Part 6
By: PeachMachine (@hendosfoodblog)
This week…
TLC 6: December 15, 2014; Cleveland, Ohio, Quicken Loans Arena
(39,000 PPV Buys, lowest number since the network)
An excellent video package opens the PPV comparing the TLC show to a demolition derby. It was pretty rad.
Pre Show Match: The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) (with Xavier Woods) defeated Gold and Star Dust.
JBL, Cole, and King on the cans.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper (c) in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
In TLC 4, Dolph was in the main event against Cena. In TLC 5 he was in the pre show match jobbing to Fandango, and tonight he’s in the opener for the Kiss of Death belt.
Something like 20 ladders had been set up at one point.
Harper had about 90 seconds alone in the ring and just sort of didn’t do anything. I feel like I personally could put up a ladder and climb it and grab the title in no more than 15 seconds.
Luke pushed Dolph off the ladder twice.
Dolph took a Power Bomb on a ladder suspended on the second rope.
Dolph countered the Power Bomb and gave Harper a face buster on a ladder.
Harper has a gash on his arm.
Ziggs tosses a ladder into Harper’s face who then took a bump across another ladder set up off the apron to the announce desk.
“This is awesome chants,” and I agree.
Dolph super kicks Harper off the ladder and wins the belt.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) vs. The Miz and Damien Mizdow (c) in a Tag Team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Has anyone made more out less than The Miz? He was a reality TV dork. Then a reality TV star. Then a pretend reality wrestler. He’s been WWE Champ, Headlined WrestleMania, Made a bunch of movies. Made millions of dollars, and is married to Maryse. Unbelievable!
Everyone wants Mizdow to tag in. How can they possibly get any heat?
Double Rikishi ass spots by Jimmy Uso.
An interesting parade of finishers leading to Jimmy Uso hooking up a Tequila Sunrise.
Miz and Mizdow grab their belts and leave, and in doing so, Miz lays out one of the Usos for the DQ. So the Usos win by DQ, but no title change.
Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins (with J and J Security (Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble)) talks about Sting, and then how he’s going to make John Cena pay tonight. This is the storyline where Cena has the ability to bring back The Authority.
We’re getting an anatomy cut away view of the Steel Stairs. They weigh 288, and can withstand an impact of 22,000 lb.
Big Show vs. Erick Rowan in a Stairs match
A loss for Rowan could really hurt his wine sales this season.
This was a bad idea on paper, and an even worse idea in execution.
Big Show Speared Rowan through a stack of chairs.
Big Show Choke-Slammed him on the stairs and then gave him the Knock Out Punch, and then pinned him with the stairs.
Mediocre at best.
We get an awesome video package explaining the stips of the next match, which are if Cena loses; he also loses his number one contendership to the WWE Championship.
John Cena vs. Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins with (J and J Security (Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury)) in a Tables match
Paul Heyman came to the announce booth, but is just standing near it.
J and J jump in and just start putting the boots to Cena. It turns out no DQ applies to others entering the ring as well.
Cena goes and gets a piece of guardrail and lays out the baddies.
Noble takes the Suplex from Cena on the guardrail.
Seth sets up two tables on the outside.
Now Cena tosses in some more tables.
Rollins brings in the MITB case and starts whacking Johnny.
Ref bump and it gets crazy leading to Cena giving Seth the AA off the top through table.
J and J run in and clean the crime scene and pay for it with a Double AA.
Cena and Seth fall through a table together and Chiota comes back just in time to see it. They take a long time to debate the results. Chiota restarts the match. Let’s start the 90 second clock… The announce table did NOT break but it was supposed to and that was like at 45 seconds.
Cena tosses another table in the ring. It is all improv at this point.
Out comes Big Show and he starts punching Cena and sets up a Choke Slam, just as Roman Reigns’ music hits. Reigns gets in and delivers a Spear to Big Show through a table. Cena jumps in and hits an AA on Rollins for the win.
Heyman and Cena make goo goo eyes at each other.
Nikki Bella (c) (with Brie Bella) vs. AJ Lee for the Divas Championship
This is pre revolution, so it’s pretty boring. That’s sarcasm.
Nikki did a surfboard with AJ’s spine around the post.
A nice tornado DDT by AJ.
AJ hits a pop up bulldog for a two count, and follows it up with the Shining Wizard, but Brie saves Nikki by putting her foot on the rope. Then Brie gets booted for interfering.
Nikki sprayed something in AJ’s face then hits the Rack Attack for the win. They actually send a fake doctor down to check on AJ’s eyesight, because like I said, doctors don’t mess around with life, limb, or eyesight.
Roman Reigns cuts a promo about doing something awesome at the Royal Rumble. Did that ever happen?
Ryback vs. Corporate Kane in a Chairs match
Ryback’s outfit makes him look like a guy grilling meat.
Kane is in control and drops Ryback’s face on a chair.
This match is garbage. Just really rough spots and nothing going on.
Kane gave a seated Ryback the Big Boot.
Ryback with a step out spining belly to belly, a la the great Scott Steiner.
Kane throws 15 chairs in the ring.
Kane took half a Spine Buster through half a chair, and then Ryback started whipping him with chairs.
Kane throws a fastball with a chair right at Ryback’s face then hits him with the Chokeslam, but Ryback kicked out.
Ryback wins with the Shell Shock
Rusev (c) (with Lana) vs. Jack Swagger
Rusev hooked on the Accolade, right in the middle. The ref checks Swagger to see if he’s conscious. A lot of times I type conscience when I mean conscious. Swagger makes a crazy comeback and grabs the Ankle Lock.
Rusev fights it off and hooks on the Accolade again, and the ref calls for the bell.
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match with nothing on the line, so it’s basically a weapons match
Ambrose section shown in the crowd.
It’s just bad booking to not give them a reason to climb for something even if it’s just a box that contains Scott Hall’s 8×10.
Ambrose starts it off with a ladder launch at Bray. Immediately they start crowd brawling.
Ambrose in control after tossing in Kendo sticks.
Bray comes back with a big punch that knocks Dean off the corner through a table.
Wyatt rams Dean’s eye into the point of the kendo stick.
Just a lot of wild brawling and some junk spots. It’s a watered down hardcore match.
They did one of the weakest table spots ever, where Dean dropped an elbow on Wyatt on a table, from the 3rd rung of a ladder.
Well, now he’s making up for it by doing it again from farther away on a higher ladder. Is it farther or further?
Dean goes and gets a twenty-foot ladder and lays Bray on the Spanish Announce team’s desk. He hits a third elbow from really high up.
This got weird. Ambrose had uncovered a TV from under the ring that was plugged in and showing the PPV for some reason. He tried to use the TV on Wyatt but the chord got caught, so he yanked at it and as he yanked, it exploded, like an electrical burst or fuse blowing. This gave Bray the opportunity to hit Sister Abigail on Dean for the pin.
Yes, a pin ended a TLC match.
In summary, this was a good show but not the best of the TLC’s. It was near the top. My TLC picks would go in this order 4, 5, 6, 3, 1, 2. Let’s hope this Sunday we get something that tops the first 6. The bar is set fairly low, but with the current match line-up, it doesn’t look good. However, I will still be reviewing this year’s offering.
