1937 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Ali Baba beat Nanjo Singh by dq, Bill Lee beat Chris Zaharias, Lou Thesz beat Gene Bowman, Walter Podolak beat Eddie Newman and Beppo Vitale beat Steve Nenoff
1964 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Steve Bolus and Richard Moody beat Bob Geigel and Charlie Triggs, Pat O’Connor beat Mongolian Stomper via dq, Moose Evans beat Tokyo Tom, The Lawman beat Harley Race.
1966 – In Minneapolis, Minnesota; In a No Time Limit Match with Special Referee, Joe Blanchard; AWA Tag Team Champions Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat Larry Hennig & Harley Race in 2 out of 3 falls, The Alaskan beat Billy Red Cloud, Wilbur Snyder beat Moose Cholak, Chris Markoff beat Juan Zendajas and Eddie Sharkey won an 8 man battle royal. Attendance was 4,593.
1970 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; Roger Kirby defeated Frank Hester, Pat O’Connor defeated Scandor Akbar, Bob Geigel defeated Baron Von Raschke via DQ and in an Indian Strap Match: Danny Little Bear defeated Harley Race.
1971 – In Chicago, Illinois; In a Loser Leaves USA match, Dick the Bruiser beat Strong Kobayashi, Hans Schmidt & Baron Von Raschke beat Moose Cholak & Wilbur Snyder and Nick Bockwinkel beat Bull Bullinski by count out.
1977 – In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Billy Robinson beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel in a non Title Match, Super Destroyer & Angelo Mosca beat Ray Stevens & Pedro Morales and Jim Brunzell & Billy Francis & Bob Backlund drew Black Jack Lanza & Mad Dog Vachon & Bobby Duncum. Attendance was 4,276.
1979 – In Memphis, Tennessee; Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka to win the Southern Tag Title and Robert Fuller defeated The Mongolian Stomper in a “loser leaves town vs. title” match to win the Southern Title.
1984 – In Memphis, Tennessee; Phil Hickerson & The Spoiler beat Tommy Rich & Eddie Gilbert via DQ, Jim Neidhart beat Austin Idol via DQ, Southern Champ Jerry Lawler beat Kimala (later Kamala) via countout.
1992 – In Tazwell, Virginia at a SMW house show; Dixie Dynamite pinned Killer Kyle, Hector Guerrero defeated Buddy Landel via disqualification, SMW Heavyweight Champion Brian Lee defeated the Dirty White Boy, Brad & Bart Batten defeated Jimmy Golden & Dutch Mantell, Robert Gibson & Tim Horner defeated The Heavenly Bodies, Stan Lane & Tom Pritchard and Robert Gibson won a battle royal
2002 – Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo defeated Rico & Rikishi for the WWE World Tag Team Titles in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Quick summary: The Blackzilians are now up 150-50 after Marcelo Alfaya lost a majority decision to Jason Jackson.
The American Top Team coaches and Dan Lambert give an impassioned speech to the fighters telling them to start over from scratch and fight like they WANT to win. Dana White tells the viewers that because it’s the halfway point of the show the coaches can drop two fighters and replace two. Meanwhile for the Blackzilian team Andrews Nakahara has a 30 day suspension from the state athletic commission following his knockout loss to Hayder Hassan which makes him an easy choice to be replaced.
Alexandre “Pulga” Pimentel is chosen to take Nakahara’s place. “This is my opportunity. Nobody can stop me now.”
Cristiano “Soldado” Souza is chosen to take Steve Montgomery’s place on ATT, who was disqualified from the show due to having a seizure in the TUF house. Dana White is disappointed he didn’t make two swaps and only went with the one where his hand was forced by UFC and the athletic commission. “That’s his personality though. Those are his guys.”
Dan Lambert wants Nathan Coy to take the next fight. Coy: “I’m gonna give these (expletive) hell. Nothing’s gonna stop me.” Coy talks about how he’s wanted this opportunity for a long time. “I have a beautiful wife. I have two great kids. I’m a go-getter. I bust my ass. I lay it on the line every day.” Lambert: “He commands respect and if he doesn’t get it he’s gonna take it.”
Meanwhile the Blackzilians are debating about putting Vicente Luque in there next. They actually come to the TUF house to tell him the good news. Luque: “I’m going to show in those ten minutes what I have. I was born in New Jersey but I grew up in Brazil. My father has played rugby all his life, my mother is a black belt in karate. I’ve been fighting since I was 17. My dream is to be a champion. I’m here to be one of the greatest of all time.”
Weigh-in day has arrived for this season’s seventh fight. Coy is 170.25, Luque is 170 even. Coy tries to get into his head a little bit during the staredown. Luque says nothing.
* Vicente Luque (Blackzilians) vs. Nathan Coy (American Top Team)
Luque is in the black trunks, Coy the blue. There’s a half hour left so the odds are this fight is going to sudden victory. Coy shoots for a single leg almost immediately but doesn’t get it and gets his right eye busted open in the process. The ref calls for work as Coy puts Luque on the fence and drops levels. Once again Luque is able to fend it off and land shots to Coy’s face. Glenn Robinson is screaming “FINISH HIM” over and over again. Coy makes yet another takedown attempt but Luque’s wide stance is hard to beat, at least while he’s still fresh. Coy finally manages to throw him to the ground, but Luque lands on his knees and pops up immediately. First round to Luque 10-9.
Coy is fighting like he’s a round in the hole. Instead of going for the takedowns he’s standing, jabbing, and ducking Luque’s strikes. He catches a kick two minutes in and uses Luque being off balance to dump him on his butt, then take him down again. Luque stands up at 2:30 and the fighters are given a warning about grabbing the shorts. They spin back and forth as the ref calls for more work. It’s clear Luque is expanding a lot of energy trying to stop these takedowns, and Coy gets another at 3:48. Coy is landing some good strikes as they grind but nearly gives up his back going for another takedown. Luque tries to push off the fence with his feet for a dominant position but can’t get it. 10-9 Coy.
Sudden victory round begins with 12 minutes left in the show. It’s all about who has more gas left now. Luque lands a couple of good kicks and Coy responds… by going for a takedown. He gets it though at 1:18. Luque gets back up quick. Ref calls for work again. They throw knees and Coy slips to the ground. Luque is going for a choke off it and gets it – Coy taps at 2:26.
The Blackzilians go up 200-50, 6 wins to 1. That’s all for TUF this week!
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
They did some funny spots early where they shook each others hands, but went to jump each other after both handshakes, only for them to grab a leg and they had to explain themselves. Match was short, but solid. A lot of the match was Beretta, but Gedo made a brief comeback, only to be cut off again. When he didn’t get the pin with the knee strike, Beretta followed with the Omori driver for the win.
Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
Starts off with some mat wrestling early. Taguchi gets the early advantage with his hip attacks, but Liger cuts him off, including hitting his running senton off the floor. Once everyone gets back into the ring, this turns into a pretty fun back and forth contest. Taguchi goes for a la magistral cradle, but Liger shifts his weight and hooks Taguchi for a nearfall. They continue exchanging nearfalls until Taguchi catches Liger in a rollup and is pinned. Not much until the last few minutes.
Kushida vs. Rocky Romero
This was one of the longer matches of the tour, at least when it comes to these hard camera shows. Tons of back and forth. Romero started to mount a comeback and hit the dropkick while Kushida was draped on the top rope. Kushida slipped away and tried the kimura but Romero countered into a rollup for a nearfall. Romero missed the slice bread and Kushida hits the kimura. Romero tried to make the ropes, couldn’t, and tapped. A solid match.
Current Standings:
Block A:
Ryusuke Taguchi (10)
Kyle O’Reilly (8)
Chase Owens (6)
Jushin Thunder Liger (6)
Beretta (6)
Babaro Cavernario (4)
Gedo (4)
Yohei Komatsu (0)
Block B:
Kushida (10)
Rocky Romero (8)
Mascara Dorada (6)
Tiger Mask IV (6)
Nick Jackson (6)
Bobby Fish (6)
Alex Shelley (2) (Out of tournament due to injury)
David Finlay (0)
And here are recaps of the previous shows for quick reference:
– 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.
The Big News: It was announced that July 4, “live” from Tokyo on the WWE Network it would be Kevin Owens vs Finn Balor for the NXT Title.
Show Recap:
The show started with a video recapping Kevin Owens clean victory over John Cena at Elimination Chamber.
Tyler Breeze pinned Adam Rose
Breeze now has a fur cape that he wears to the ring. It really works for him. The fans with a dueling chant of “We Want Kruger/No We Don’t”, which is the first time the fans ever acknowledged they were the same person. This was a match between two heels, so when they weren’t doing half hearted dueling chants, the fans were mostly quiet.
The fans opened their mouths for a few seconds when Breeze did a springboard dropkick while Rose was on the apron, so Adam went crashing to the metal ramp, but it was soon back to nothing. Rose did a double thrust that sent Breeze flying halfway across the ring. Rose then did the Hideo Itami running kick that the announcers didn’t pick up on. Rose looked better than he has in over a year. Rose hit the Cactus Jack running elbow off the ring apron, but when they got back in the ring he was immediately clocked with the Beauty Shot and Breeze won.
– This week, it’s the Kevin Owens NXT Championship Open Challenge on SmackDown.
– Solomon Crowe told Devin she is not allowed to ask questions. He does not regret anything he did last week and it’s alright with him if Samoa Joe wants to go toe to toe with the champ. Crowe did vow to be in the ring with the NXT Champion.
– Dana Brooke went to Rio De Janero to take part in an Arnold Classic and will be going to Spain in September to do the same thing.
– Greg Hamilton introduced my brother’s favorite Diva, Eva Marie, for an interview on the stage. They did find one person clapping for her and found about 499 people booing her. There is always one.
Eva kissed the asses of everyone booing her, which caused them to boo more and chant “You can’t wrestle” at her. Marie lost her train of thought about a dozen times. She put over the woman’s match at Takeover and is here to help revolutionize the business. Oh God, between her and Dana Brooke I may finally have to quit this job.
-Go buy the Daniel Bryan DVD. I did.
– William Regal announced that on July 4 there will be a live special on the WWE Network, from Tokyo, Japan, with Kevin Owens defending the NXT Title against Finn Balor. I call shenanigans since I doubt that will air at 3:30am. Maybe it will, but I doubt it. Either way I smell title change.
Alexa has now dyed the tips of her hair red. I liked the blue better. There was nothing wrong with this match, but there was literally nothing to say about it. Alexa won with a roll up and a handful of ropes.
– Rhyno really enjoyed going to war with Baron Corbin, but he came to NXT to become the top competitor and Finn Balor is that top competitor. Finn’s theatrics won’t phase a psychotic man beast like Rhyno and one day he will become NXT Champion.
– Sami Zayn did a promo from his hospital bed, vowing to be back.
The Vaudevillains defeated Jason Jordan & Marcus Louis
Hey look who’s back. Not seen since shortly after NXT Takeover: R Evolution The Vaudevillains are back in action. Actually their last match was Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy’s first ever win. Jason Jordan could have been partners with Chad Gable, but instead he took Marcus Louis. Louis hasn’t been seen since he refused to wrestle Tyler Breeze in October. I wonder if he is still pissed at Sylvester Lefort.
Louis just got his butt kicked all over the ring until Jordan blind tagged himself in and dropped English with a Back Suplex. Louis did a weird move where he pulled at Aiden’s jaw. Gotch got the hot tag and went all manly and they very quickly won with the Whirling Dervish on Louis. Jordan was pissed and blamed his partner after the match.
– A video package on the love of my life, Sasha Banks, aired. It’s the same one that aired last week. At least it wasn’t the Becky Lynch video for the fourth time, right?
– Finn Balor vows to win the NXT Title in Japan on July 4.
Finn Balor pinned Rhyno
This match is kind of in alternate universe NXT. No mention at all of Samoa Joe this week and no mention that just last week Rhyno challenged Baron Corbin to a rematch. In theory Rhyno shouldn’t be in a match with the top contender, Baron Corbin should be, but this stuff can’t be perfect I guess.
Rhyno looked really good in this match, hovering that line between face and heel that he does. Balor got to look like the toughest guy ever, as he took a beating from the Man Beast still come out on top at the end. Rhyno continued to mock Finn’s entrance and got a Pele Kick for his troubles. Balor went for the Coup De Grace, but Rhyno moved. Rhyno went for a Gore, but Balor sidestepped and rolled the Man Beast up for the win!
After the match, Balor was celebrating and walking up the ramp when Rhyno appeared from out of nowhere and Gore’d Finn on the ramp.
That does it for this week. One month away from the probably crowning of a new NXT Champion, but until next week remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
On NXT tonight, it was announced in a taped insertion into the show by William Regal that there will be a live special from Sumo Hall in Tokyo on 7/4 that will feature Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor for the NXT title, which presumably would be a title change.
The show will start at 6:30 a.m. Eastern time. That would be 8:30 p.m. in Japan, so it could be only part of the show will air on the WWE Network since the show is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
That show will also include Brock Lesnar vs. Kofi Kingston and also include a John Cena main event and a Chris Jericho match.
This will come one day before New Japan has its biggest since the Tokyo Dome on 7/5 in Osaka with A.J. Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP title.
On UFC Tonight, UFC president Dana White announced two new championship fights but no dates for when those fights will take place.
The first was Daniel Cormier defending his light heavyweight title against Alexander Gustafsson, not Ryan Bader as previously expected. Bader and Cormier had a verbal altercation at the UFC 187 post-fight press conference after Cormier’s win over Anthony Johnson. Gustafsson hasn’t fought since losing to Johnson in Stockholm, Sweden, via first round stoppage.
White’s second reveal was that Chris Weidman would be defending his middleweight title against Luke Rockhold. That fight makes the most sense given Rockhold’s impressive win over Lyoto Machida on 4/18 in Newark, NJ. The reason that fight’s date wasn’t announced is UFC is still hoping it could be on 12/6 in Madison Square Garden, but time is running out on getting legislation passed in New York to allow that show to take place.
EC3’s barbershop quintet sang him to the ring, Rockstar Spud cashed in his X Division title to face Kurt Angle next week, and James Storm shoved Mickie James onto railroad tracks for rejecting him. In tag team news, the Dirty Heels beat The Wolves via a chairshot to seemingly turn heel (or maybe not) and continue the series. Now, the Wolves are up 2-1. The Pope was on commentary with Josh, who also might be a heel.
Show Recap
Last week, TNA delivered an excellent overall show. The Dirty Heels vs. Wolves series continued with an incredible match that saw the Wolves emerge victorious once again. Taryn beat Gail with the Cutter and then stomped on Gail’s ring finger and stole her wedding ring – that was pretty great. Rockstar Spud regained the X Title in a gauntlet for the gold out of nowhere, EC3 beat Ken Anderson in a pretty good match, and Kurt Angle beat Eric Young to retain the TNA World title in an I Quit match.
An EC3 streak video starts the show and man does he ever come off like a star. A barbershop quintet sings EC3’s theme horribly. He has two blondes with him as Tyrus brings a sign out for EC3’s campaign. EC3 is now the number one ranked contender as Josh congratulates him on being the top guy. Pope is with Josh and is playing a face for at least this segment. EC3 says he’s number one, so it’s time to celebrate. The singers sing “He’s the Number One Contender” to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”. He thanks Tyrus and says he feels like dancing, before Tyrus gives him a glare. EC3 says it’s serious business – so no dancing. EC3 says it’s now mission accomplished and all he needs to do now is win the title. Kurt comes out and is gobsmacked at the sight before him.
Pope says it’s time for Kurt to baptize EC3 as Josh plugs Pitch Perfect 2 for some reason. Kurt says that Thesz and Gagne would roll over in their graves if they saw this. Really? This? Not the reverse battle royal. Not Abyss winning the world title by DQ? But this? Kurt says that EC3 isn’t next in line, as EC3 shows the signs as proof. Kurt says that next week is Destination X, and Spud can cash in his title. Why not rundown these very special Impact shows with a little on-screen calendar so they don’t just come out of nowhere? EC3 tells Kurt that he’ll make Spud an offer he can’t refuse. EC3 asks the singers to sing goodbye to Kurt, so they sing ‘Trouble Trouble Trouble Trouble Trouble” and Kurt attacks one of them. We see Josh and Pope, in a blinding black and white shirt.
They run down tonight’s card with the tag title series and yet another match in The BDC vs. The Rising war. Lashley is also about to face Eric Young for reasons I don’t recall and they don’t bother recapping in any way. After the break, they’ll talk about the issues. Slammiversary is coming to PPV for some reason in a few weeks. EY comes down and we get a recap of EY attacking Lashley’s legs in April.
Match One – Lashley vs. Eric Young
Lashley bowls him over and sends him to the floor. EY tries to come back in and Lashley drags him to the floor. EY gets a back elbow, but gets taken down and hit with a delayed vertical suplex. EY gets a mule kick to the gut and Lashley punches away in the corner. EY backdrops him over the top and Lashley lands on the apron, but eats a punch. EY dominates for a bit and gets a snapmare and a neck wrench. EY goes for a double axehandle off the top, but eats a belly to belly throw. Lashley gets a big spinebuster mid-ring, but only gets 2. EY escapes the Dominator and the shoulder-mount powerslam before raking the face and hitting a flying forearm. Chris Melendez comes down and Lashley hits the spear for the win. This was okay, but nowhere near as good as any of the EY vs. Angle or Lashley vs. Angle matches. Now Josh is a face as he wants Melendez to attack EY.
Spud says he’s been fighting for the X Title for 14 years, and now he can trade it all in for a shot at the World title. Spud isn’t sure what he’ll do, and I love that since it should be a big decision and if you don’t treat it like one, then it devalues the X Title. “Doll Parts” plays as Taryn and the rest of the Dollhouse recap what happened to Gail. The audio mixing here was pretty bad here – the song sounded like it was being played from a walkman and Taryn promises to put the X in Destination X. So this was a thing.
Chris Melendez is pissed that EY was surprised that he came out. Chris tells EY that he was taken to a place he hasn’t been since he was overseas, and he wants a fight. Aries chats with Spud and talks about how he made Option C to make the X Title more important, but now, since everyone has cashed it in, the title means a bit less. Aries tells him that he isn’t trying to mess with him as he already has his title shot guaranteed. Generic Knockouts video airs, so a KOs match must be next. Jade is out to face Brooke.
Match Two – Brooke’s Gotta Booty vs. Jade’s Gotta Dollhose
Brooke gets a schoolgirl for a quick 2. Ditto a jackknife cover. In a slightly surreal move, Ring of Honor is plugged with a mid-screen graphic here. Marti helps on the floor for a 2. Now Josh is a babyface as he’s opposed to the 2-on-1 edge the Dollhouse has here. Flying hair mares by Jade are met with a schoolgirl for 2 again. Helluva kick in the corner from Jade. Diving lariat off the second rope by Brooke. Jade gets a chick kick for 2. Slam and a lionsault miss for Jade and Brooke gets a face jam for 2 thanks to Marti putting the foot on the rope. Accidental Helluva kick to Marti on the apron gives Brooke the opening for her facebuster and the win. Brooke celebrates wins by jumping around – so she needs a new winning streak.
JB talks about having tasks he doesn’t like, and he talks to EC3. EC3 tells him he’s welcome for his fine haircut. EC3 says Spud is a good hand, but he’s got the shoulders to carry this company. The BDC vs. The Rising match is up next. Rebel yells to Brooke about how happy she is for her. The Dollhouse goons attack Rebel while Brooke is busy showering. Josh is a face here too. The BDC comes down with their flag, banner, and masks. The Rising comes down to no real reaction here. Well, the heels look cooler and they’ve done very little with The Rising over the past couple of months.
Match Three – The BDC vs. The Rising
Eli dominates MVP with elbows, including a nice flying one. A King distraction lets MVP boot him in the face. Kenny comes in and gets a floatover snap suplex for 2. They triple team Eli in the corner and King runs wild. Josh buries the referee for believing the heels and Josh points out how illogical wrestling is compared to regular sports. Ugh. Ki and Eli go at it, and Eli escapes Ki to tag in Drew. Drew comes in as Josh talks about Drew legit hates Ki, as opposed to all of those fake real rivalries in TNA. Strong kick by Galloway gets 2 on Ki thanks to King getting involved. Mica dives onto King on the floor and Drew chops Ki in the corner. MVP crotches Drew leading to a Warrior’s Way being countered into a belly to belly as Drake and MVP attack. Mika and Drew hit a Doomsday Device for the win. Well, they’re a better LOD than The Ascension. Spud makes his decision next, and then EC3 and Tyrus talk to a camera man about having a conversation that will change Spud’s life forever.
We get a recap of last week’s Storm-Mickie deal with him promising some big wig country music meetings. Mickie’s in Nashville in a very loud area near a train station before seeing no one there but James. Spud comes to the ring in one of his sillier-looking suits to date and then magically teleports into the ring with JB as a small clip plays of him winning the X Title last week. JB asks him if he’ll give it all up for a World title shot, which he says is a once a million shot since he’s just like all the fans.
He needs more time, but he doesn’t get it. JB has a great game show announcer voice, and Spud’s probably wishing he had a dark suit on as Kurt comes out. Josh tells Spud to hang onto his title because he can’t beat Kurt – so now he’s a heel again, I think. Kurt tells Spud that he’s trained harder for this World title than any of the 12 others he’s won and he shouldn’t fight him. EC3 comes down and tells him that he can hang his career on being a two-time X Division champion. He’s also a fish and he’s swimming with sharks. EC3 told him he was a lion, tiger, and gazelle – but Kurt is the best ever…or at least was, until he came along. EC3 says that he and Dixie will give Spud a lifetime contract as Chief of Staff. All he has to do is avoid cashing in Option C and give EC3 his shot. I love this – they’re setting up a future EC3-Spud title match perfectly if/when EC3 wins the title.
Spud says he loved being the Chief of Staff, he loved Dixie and he loved Ethan too. But then he was fired and humiliated, busted open and shaved bald. Spud calls him someone who never had to work for anything and he worked hard for 14 years, and all EC3 did was laugh at him and he’s nothing but a self-entitled prick! He can take the job and his Aunt and stick them up his ass, but dammit, he’s Rockstar Spud and he’s cashing in the title and he’s facing Kurt Angle! Spud is the best babyface in wrestling right now. EC3 cheapshots Spud and Kurt defends him and orders a tag match pitting he and Spud against EC3 and Tyrus. The Dirty Heels talk backstage about needing a win and playing the Wolves’ game, and now they need to do whatever it takes to win. Aries gives Roode a shirt and their match is next.
But first, Mickie asks James where the stars are and he says they’re just fashionably late. He can give her so much more, and while the music can be there forever, he wants her to join him on his journey and be by his side. He wants her and her son to join The Revolution. She says that he’s her friend, but she needs to go. He says he’s sorry and he thought he could help her out and it’s his fault – whatever she decides, he stands behind. They hug and he leaves with her to protect here. “Lots of crazies out there.”. This was excellent.
The Dirty Heels come out with new grey and black Dirty Heels shirts. We see clips of match two with the Heels losing. The Wolves come down in white with the war paint on. Pope puts over TNA as having the best tag teams in the world.
Match Four – The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels – Match Three in the Best of Five Series
Josh plugs the “live” Impact on June 24 before the rest of Impact tapigs through that Saturday. Last Chancery is locked on quickly as Davey gets the ropes, and then Roode tags in for a boot to the gut. Wolves tag in for fast arm wringers and a double stomp to the arm of Roode by Davey. Drop toehold>kneedrop get 2. Roode gets a tag, but Aries eats a backdrop. Face smack into Davey’s boot in the corner. Aries hop to the apron where he eats a double Helluva kick, but Roode prevents a double dive to Aries. Aries gets a chopblock to each man and kicks away at a leg before a break.
After the break, Roode gets a gordbuster. Davey comes back with an outside-in double stomp. Roode smashes Davey into the buckle and stomps his back. Roode chops away and Davey attacks each man in the corner. Davey escapes a Roode throw and tags in Eddie. Eddie runs wild and gets a superkick to the stomach and a shining wizard before hitting Aries with an inverted Falcon Arrow. An Aries eye rake breaks up Roode eating a billion cops in the corner. Heels go for a double suplex, but Davey saves Eddie and they double-dive the Heels on the floor.
Roode eats a series of kicks and a German suplex for 2. Josh confirms that the Angle and Spud tag match is confirmed. Well, with 32 minutes of airtime left, that’s a good thing to confirm at this point. Roode and Aries gets the outside-in backbreaker and elbow for 2. Miscue leads to Roode hitting Aries and Aries eating a kick and Michinoku driver for 2. Wolves howl, but an Aries dropkick prevents a backpack stunner. Spinebuster leads to the 450 and a 2! Aries gets a suicide dive on the floor and a chair. Brian Hebner is against the chair, but doesn’t bother to move it. Aries distracts him with a belt and Roode hits Eddie with the chair to win. Well, this made Brian Hebner look like a complete moron. Josh says it’s okay because Bobby didn’t want to use it at first. Wow is that some bizarre logic. Security camera footage shows Storm and Mickie at the train station and Storm knocks her onto the tracks before calling Magnus and then whistling his theme. Well, this storyline sure went down some dark roads tonight.
Madison has a mic and Josh talks about how angry she’s been on social media. Unless you twerk or are Gail Kim, you get nothing in TNA. They all make her sick and while she, as contacted talent, waits her turn someone like Velvet Sky gets more TV time despite being fired. Someone holds up a tiny orange sign with “Better Than Divas” on it. Velvet comes down and Madison says it’s okay, just let her come through the security barricade because she’s pissed. Madison says that she’s a big fan of what Velvet’s doing and she understands that she’s trying to get her spot back – and slaps her. “A few chains don’t make ya a badass, purple in yer hair doesn’t make you a badass!” Velvet spears her and hits a stunner before Angelina screeches. Angelina says they can do this the easy way or the hard way, so Velvet kicks their asses until the numbers game takes over and she’s arrested. Angelina talks smack while Velvet is held back, insulted, and slapped. Velvet smiles, so Angelina elbows her down. Josh, after burying Pope for wondering if the security guys are hired by Angelina, says that he now believes they’re employed by her. Security comes down to tell Angelina that since she just attacked a fan, she’s being arrested. Well, that’s a great bit of logic. After a break, Taryn is in her Dollhouse and says that next week, she’ll expose a whole new side to the Knockouts division.
The heels come out first while Spud comes out and Josh says that Spud can’t beat Kurt. Kurt comes out sans any pyro while Josh puts over how Kurt has been in the ring with the best in the sport and now he’s the TNA World Champion.
Main Event – EC3 and Tyrus vs. Kurt Angle and Rockstar Spud
Spud runs wild on EC3 with punches and tons of overhand corner chops. Josh says that when TNA sends its champion to a nice dinner or sporting event, the champion should be EC3 and not Spud. Spud gets his chain of elbow shots before Tyrus fishhooks him. Tyrus gets an iffy chokeslam while Josh buries Spud for not accepting EC3’s offer. Tyrus stands on Spud’s back and then EC3 stomps him in the corner. EC3 tags Tyrus in for a corner heart punch.
A dueling EC3/SUCKS chant breaks out. Tyrus hits a big elbow to the back and grinds the bone into the spine. Tyrus clubs him while EC3 tells him to break him. Tyrus responds with a chain of backbreakers. EC3 hits a Stinger splash and lands an Angle-esque overhead belly to belly. Spud tags Kurt in while EC3 quickly tags Tyrus in. Tyrus very slowly goes over the top after a low bridge. Tyrus kidney punches Kurt to allow EC3 to escape the ankle lock. Spud tags in and dropkicks Kurt into Tyrus, sending the big man down. Tyrus is hit with the Angle slam and Spud gets the win! Kurt and Spud stare down with the title between them, but Aries comes down.
Aries tells Spud that he admires his courage, his heart, and questions his decision-making. He cashed in option C and he’ll face Kurt, but since he’s got the case, he’ll be in the main event. At Destination X, he’ll cash in and will face the winner of Angle-Spud and once again be the World Champion. Josh asks if anyone else will screw with EC3. Destination X is hyped up with two World Title matches and an X Title thing as well.
To see every screenshot taken for the show, just click here.
Chavo turned heel on Black Lotus after selling out to Dario Cueto, who threatened Black Lotus with her brother – the monster who killed Bael last week and killed Lotus’s parents. Jack Evans also won an ancient medallion by beating Argenis, while the Trios champions beat Big Ryck, Cage, and Daivari to defend their titles. In the main event, Pentagon Jr. beat Sexy Star with the help of Super Fly, who Sexy Star beat a while back in a mask vs. mask match.
Show Recap
Last week, Lucha Underground featured Hernandez’s best singles match to date as he lost to Prince Puma in a Lucha Underground title match. Johnny Mundo also used a more physical and grounded style as a heel to earn a victory over Aerostar. In the main event, Fenix was powerbombed to the depths of Hell by Mil Muertes and Bael had his face eaten by Dario Cueto’s brother.
We start the show with a rundown of the issues between Sexy Star and Pentagon Jr., including the arm snap of Super Fly. The trios title ladder match is recapped and the super dropkick is shown. Sexy Star beating Pentagon Jr. a month or so ago is shown as well. Last week’s murder wasn’t shown though. Cueto meets with Chavo, who says that he quit, but Black Lotus is here and was trained by Dragon Azteca.
Cueto apparently hired Chavo to take her out, and Chavo tells Cueto that he’s siding with whoever the highest bidder is. Cueto grabs tons of cash, and Chavo tells him to just get him protection in Mexico. A band sings us in as Vamp welcomes us to the show. Striker hypes up tonight featuring the first submission match in company history, and there will be a trios title match too. Jack Evans comes down to the ring as Vampiro talks about the history of the term “gringo”. Argenis comes down face the brash young rudo. Cueto tells Argenis that he comes from a great family, but no one cares about him. I loved Evans saying that it’s completely true, and Cueto says that Evans lost, so whoever wins the match here gets a medallion.
Match One – Jack Evans vs. Argenis
Striker talks about Argenis’s family and Evans cheapshots him. Evans grabs his chin and slams him down hard. Jack hits a round kick to the chest against the ropes, but a springboard rana is countered by Argenis with a powerbomb. Argensis gets a big low blow and a huge pop for it. Evans yells about his testicles, and then kicks Argenis all over. Standing corkscrew moonsault from Evans gets 2. Argenis clips the knee from the front up top, but Evans rolls through with a reverse flying armbar.
Striker talks about Evans being a blue belt in BJJ while Vamp puts over his Muay Thai background. Back elbow hits from Evans. Mid-ring handspring elbow is met with a German by Argenis. Evans is sent to the floor and hits a flip dive. Evans responds with a flip dive into a rana that is not quite smooth, but works. Argenis bonks him into the “rusty” railing for 2. Argenis gets a Backlund lift into a Michinoku driver for 2. Evans gets a backslide with a bridge for the win! This was short, but pretty fun. They don’t even show him getting the medallion – instead, they just go to a Star-Pentagon showdown video.
In the locker room, Daiva tells Ryck that they’ve got a trios title match tonight. Ryck says they should pick The Mack, and Cage kicks Mack’s ass to get in the match. He tosses him into the lockers, knocks them down, and then slams him down onto them. Ryck is told to leave his cousin, and does so reluctantly. Chavo tells Lotus that Cueto agreed to let her wrestle, and Chavo told her she can her hands on Motenza and then she kicks Chavo’s ass. She knows something’s up, and avoids a sneak attack by The Crew, but is jumped by Chavo, who grabs cuffs. Well, this was a series of unexpected things that all worked out nicely.
The band sings us in for the next match – the trios title match. As the heels come down, Striker says that while the challengers may seem thrown together, Cueto must think highly of them. Vampiro chastises them for smoking AND drinking on the way to the ring. The champs come down and Ivie is still on crutches, but in fairly small ring gear. She’s hopping down step by step, which seems like a great way to put too much strain on the other foot.
Match Two – Daivari, Big Ryck, and Cage vs. Son of Havoc, Ivelisse, and Angelico
Angelico kicks away at Cage, who chucks him around. Nice European uppercut by Cage leads to corner shoulder charges, but he rushes in and eats an elbow. He darts off the the ropes and Havoc tags in. They argue and Vamp tells these fools to stop arguing and look at the opponents. Daivari tags in and eats a tilt a whirl headscissors and a Muta-style handspring elbow. Leg trip leads to a standing moonsault for 2.
Ivie yells to be tagged in as Daivari hits a jawbreaker. Corner strike exchange leads to Angelico and Cage tagging in again. Flying forearm smashes to Cage and Ryck help him out, but Cage hits a press slam and Ryck comes in. Ivie sits in the crowd and Ryck gets 2. Ryck beats him down in the corner and tags in Daivari as Vamp calls him a money stooge. Daivari tosses him down for 2. Ryck gets a delayed suplex and Cage tags in to take over for the suplex – love that. A pumphandle slam is countered with kicks from Angelico. Powerbomb hits for Cage and gets 2. Angelico reverses another powerbomb into a schoolboy for 2. Flying knee takes Cage down. Ryck comes in and bowls Angelico over to prevent a tag.
Daivari comes in with a backdrop. Daivari talks smack to Ivie and shoves her down while Texano comes down and helps out the faces leading to a Havoc SSP off the top for the win! This was a really fun match, and it furthered Texano’s face turn since he’ll help out others in a situation that doesn’t automatically help him. Pentagon Jr. vs. Sexy Star is up next.
We return to Cueto’s office as Chavo and The Crew bring Lotus in tied up and Cueto threatens he with his brother so he never gets lonely again. And then we just get the “lu-cha” chants and neither commentator has thoughts on this. Well, that’s a bit odd. Pentagon Jr. comes down and Striker talks about him leaving a lot of broken bodies in his path. Logically, Pentagon Jr. should’ve come down second so Sexy could be there to protect Melissa Santos from him if need be.
Main Event – Pentagon Jr. vs. Sexy Star – Submission Match
Pentagon grabs the mic and says he’ll break Sexy Star because HE IS…interrupted rudely by Sexy Star. He chops the hell out of her and sends her down. Wind up chop to the chest. Jesus. Corner clothesline from Pentagon is met with a corner lariat, but Pentagon regains control. Pentagon goes for the arm snapper and she avoids it by smashing his face with her knee. Vamp says his 14 year old daughter looks up to Sexy Star while Striker puts her in the same company as Ronda Rousey and Danica Patrick.
Running rana by Sexy sends him to the floor where he eats a flip dive. Sexy kicks away against the stage and then tosses him into the post. Sexy tosses him off the ropes and superkicks him down before getting a leglock and grinding on the neck before modifying it a bit with a neck crank. Pentagon gets her into a tombstone position, but turns it into a submission by locking his body and her knees, leading to her turning it into a makeshift La Mistica.
They trade kicks, but Pentagon wins that war. Pentagon locks on an inverted Edgucator and Sexy gets the ropes. Pentagon responds with a superkick from Hell to the jaw. They go to the floor and she climbs up the barricade for a crossbody block. Sexy gets a spinebuster and a half crab. Super Fly comes in and slaps her and throws her into a package piledriver and locks on the surfboard before adding in a necklock and getting the win. This was pretty good too – another fine night of action here, and Pentagon Jr. gets another dangerous move in his arsenal. Vamp prevents an arm snap as the crowd chants wildly for him. Striker talks about “what Vampiro used to be” setting up him wanting to come back and then Striker says a whole bunch of silly things in a row before we go to the locker room for a monologue with Vampiro running through what he’s said before as he headbutts the mirror and finds the darknesss within.
