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  • WWE Smackdown results: Roman Reigns and AJ Styles face-off, Vaudevillains debut

    – Air Date: April 7, 2016 (Apr 6 in Canada) 
    – Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX 

    – The Big News: 

    AJ Styles confronted Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose returned, The Vaudevillains debuted, and The Miz defended his Intercontinental Title against Zack Ryder. 

    – Show Recap: 

    The show opened with the same WrestleMania recap video from Raw. Roman Reigns came out to a strong mixed reaction, and Mauro Ranallo reminded us that he’s a 3-time WWE champion. Reigns said he fought the Authority and won and took back his WWE championship. He repeated the same line from Raw about being “the guy,” except he delivered it a lot better this time, and said he’s going to beat AJ Styles. 

    Styles interrupted and got a big reaction. He congratulated Reigns on having “a heck of a WrestleMania” and becoming champion. They shook hands. Styles said he himself had a heck of a Monday Night Raw and was coming after the title. He’s beaten the best all over the world, has held a title of his own, and if he has to beat “the guy” to be WWE champion then so be it. 

    Reigns said Styles hasn’t been here long, and insinuated that WWE title is the only one that counts, not whatever title Styles held before. Reigns said Styles would have to beat “the guy” to get the belt. Yes, Styles just said that. Reigns said Styles would never beat him, patted him on the shoulder, and left. Styles smirked. This was fine. Crowd was into it, and the two guys did their best with the dialogue. 

    The Vaudevillains beat Lucha Dragons via pinfall 

    The Vaudevillains got their usual NXT entrance. Jerry Lawler thought they were in a silent movie and wondered if they could speak. Byron Saxton let us know that these two teams were familiar with each other from NXT. Sin Cara went for a suicide dive but Simon Gotch cut him off with a knee and the Vaudevillains took control. 

    Kalisto made a hot tag and ran wild on Gotch, while Sin Cara hit Aiden English with a suicide dive. English somehow recovered before Sin Cara and made a blind tag to set up the Vaudevillians hitting the Whirling Dervish for the win. Basic match, about 4-5 minutes long. Kalisto taking the pinfall is confusing to say the least. 

    They recapped Miz winning the Intercontinental title from Zack Ryder on Raw and plugged the rematch for tonight. 

    Natalya beat Summer Rae via submission 

    Charlotte joined commentary and her dad (Ric Flair) was there too. Natalya won in about 3 minutes with a sharpshooter as she stared at Charlotte. Natalya went out to confront Charlotte afterwards but the referee stopped her. 

    Intercontinental Title: The Miz beat Zack Ryder via pinfall 

    Maryse came out on the stage to introduce The Miz. She said she was proof that behind every great man, there’s a great woman, “and there is no greater man than my husband.” That’s funny. 

    During his comeback, Ryder went for a diving dropkick but Miz countered into a sitout powerbomb for two. They traded moves leading to Ryder hitting a broski boot outside the ring, followed by a diving elbow drop for a near fall. Maryse started pulling off the turnbuckle cover and Saxton asked, “What is Maryse doing?” to which Lawler responded, “I’m paying attention to the match over here.”

    This distracted the referee and Ryder, which allowed Miz to punch Ryder in the face and hit the skull crushing finale for the win. Perfectly fine match, which went about 13 minutes. Oddly, they didn’t show any replays afterwards, and they moved on from this pretty quickly considering it was a title match. 

    Apollo Crews beat Curtis Axel (w/Social Outcasts) via pinfall 

    Axel got this match over his fellow Outcasts because he “won” rock-paper-scissors by claiming the axe beats all. Crews fended off the other Outcasts and won after hitting a dropkick, jumping clothesline, standing moonsault, enzuigiri and spin-out powerbomb. Lawler admitted that Crews might have a future here. 

    They recapped Baron Corbin’s win at Mania and his match with Ziggler on Raw. Backstage, Rich Brennan tried to interview Corbin, but Corbin told Brennan to save his questions.  Corbin said he won a trophy at WrestleMania and dented the floor with Dolph Ziggler. He said the end of days weren’t coming, they’re here. 

    Elsewhere, Renee Young interviewed Becky Lynch. Lynch said that nobody else seems to think she’s funny, and made a pun about her busted eye, saying “I have myself in stitches.” She then got serious, saying that Mania was the most brutal match of her life. Lynch said the new Women’s title was about heart and passion, and she walked out on Charlotte on Raw because she was making it about herself. 

    Lynch said she would get back to the title picture and pay back Charlotte for what she did to her eye. Emma interrupted and said she liked what Charlotte did to Lynch’s eye. She’s pissed that she got pushed to the back of the line in favour of Lynch. Lynch told her to back off or she’d mess up Emma’s eye. 

    Dean Ambrose beat Tyler Breeze via pinfall 

    Ambrose won in one minute after a rebound clothesline and Dirty Deeds. Ranallo said Breeze went down faster than Batman v. Superman at the box office. 

    As Ambrose’s music played, Chris Jericho’s entrance interrupted, and Ambrose looked annoyed. Ambrose stared at Jericho on his way up the ramp, but Jericho just ignored him. 

    Before the main event, there was another segment with Goldust and R-Truth. Basically, Truth promised Goldust an audition with a Hollywood producer next week in LA. 

    AJ Styles & Cesaro beat Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho via pinfall 

    Jericho and Owens had an intense conversation in the ring as the entrances were happening, perhaps over who is the biggest Twitter troll. 

    Cesaro and Styles used a double-team move early on, and Owens yelled, “You’re a cheater!” Jericho was frustrated by getting double teamed again, so he left the ring and started tossing stuff around. Owens, unsure of how to react, decided to join in by gently lifting the steel steps out of position. These two are already my favourite tag team. 

    After a break, the good guys were still all over Jericho as the crowd chanted for Styles. Jericho finally managed to tag out, but Cesaro got them both with the uppercut train. However, Jericho shoved Cesaro out of the ring and Owens tossed him into the announce table for the heat. 

    Cesaro avoided a cannonball and made the hot tag to Styles, who hit forearms to Owens and a sitout facebuster for a near fall. Owens avoided a springboard move and hit a superkick for two. Styles came back with a Pele kick. He went for the springboard forearm but Jericho pushed him off the ropes. Owens rolled him up but Styles kicked out and Cesaro uppercut Jericho over the barricade. 

    Owens was about to go for the pop-up powerbomb, but he stopped after seeing Sami Zayn making his way down the ramp as officials tried to stop him. The distraction allowed Styles to school boy Owens for the win. Good match. 

    Immediately after the match, Owens and Zayn went after each other. The brawl ended when Owens tossed Zayn’s injured shoulder into the steel steps. The referees dragged Owens away as he yelled, “I hate you!” and the show ended. There were no replays again, but it made sense here with Zayn coming out unannounced. 

    – Final Thoughts: 

    Pretty good show top-to-bottom. Simple booking with all the featured acts winning their matches. Fresh faces definitely help. 

  • UFC takes another gamble with UFC 200 women’s title fight

    On Wednesday night, UFC announced that women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will defend against Amanda Nunes as part of UFC 200.

    Tate vs. Nunes will be one of the three top fights on the show, along with featherweight champion Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II (welterweight fight), and Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight title.

    The fight is perplexing on almost every level. UFC is sitting on a goldmine right now in the women’s bantamweight division with big money fights on the horizon (Tate vs. Ronda Rousey III, Tate vs. Holly Holm II). A Nunes win would hurt that dynamic since she wouldn’t have near the buzz or interest level against any of those other fighters on the level Tate would have. If Tate was a lock to fight on this show, the only logical contenders would have been Rousey or Holm.

    Nunes (12-4) has won three straight and five of her six UFC fights. She was last seen downing Valentina Shevchenko by unanimous decision at March’s UFC 196 — the same show on which Tate beat Holm for the gold.

    Earlier this week, the fight was said to be under serious consideration for either UFC 200 or UFC 201. Tate signed a new deal with the promotion earlier this week as well.

    UFC 200 is scheduled for Saturday, July 9th, in Las Vegas at the new T-Mobile Arena. It is expected to be one of the biggest UFC events of all-time, if not the biggest, in terms of PPV buys, media attention, and overall buzz.

    Bryan Alvarez and I will talk more about the fight and the news from pro wrestling and MMA on tonight’s Wrestling Observer Radio.

  • Lucha Underground results: Rey Mysterio announces trios team; Matanza vs. Fenix

    We see a recap of the cops trying to come after Dario, while The Mack tries to help Sexy Star overcome her issues with Mariposa. We see Dario tell Matanza to break Pentagon Jr’s back, and a recap of the match where he ate a million moves to the back. In the bathroom, Vampiro looks at his medication while Dario tempts him to assault him – but he respects Vamp as the voice of LU. He doesn’t want him to make Pentagon’s mistake, and Vamp takes his medication.

    At the precinct, Reyes and Detective Reehan talk to Captain Vasquez about getting evidence on Dario. She wants them to be a team, and Cueto has put them in the Trios Title tournament tonight with Mr. Cisco. At the Temple, a band plays while Striker says that Fenix faces Matanza later. Ivelisse faces Kobra Moon in the opener.

    Ivelisse vs. Kobra Moon

    Kobra slithers and goes for takedowns, while Vamp commends Ivie for her gear making her look like a walking knife. Ivie kicks away and armdrags her into an armbar. Kobra Moon gets a triangle choke, but eats a powerbomb for 2. Dragon sleeper by Kobra, but Ivie escapes and hits a wonky armdrag. Corner rana is turned into a rope-hanging choke by Kobra. Vamp wonders if she slithers around like a snake because her name is Kobra Moon.

    Liver shot results in a Bas shoutout by Vamp, and a tarantula with a neck crank. Butterfly suplex into a butterfly lock. Striker talks about the Gable grip while Vamp asks if that’s due to Dan Gable and Striker confirms it. Weird overhead angle makes it hard to see Ivie’s setup into a Russian legsweep. Big Yakuza kick leads to an exploder by Ivie for 2. Running code red by Ivie gets the win! 

    We get an interview with Killshot. He served in the military and had 37 confirmed kills – all bad guys, or so he was told. He was good with his hands too, so he was in the elite squad and he was the enemy’s prisoner for 13 months before escaping by kicking the asses of many lucha terrorist ninjas – who are totally different than the usual lucha ninjas. He isn’t sure if his partners survived, and he fights in LU to forget. Well, this was different and pretty good. Famous B gives Mascarita Sagrada his business card and wants him to call 423-GET-FAME.

    He walks around and bumps into The Mack and Sexy working out. He wants her out for moral support tonight, but she can’t – until he motivates her saying he wants them to pay for what they did. We see the question mark being spray-painted above the Temple again. Joey Ryan jumps in front of the Crew and steals their thunder.

    Joey Ryan & The Crew vs. The Mack/Mariposa/Marty the Moth

    Joey Ryan teases a start before having Cisco start it off. Cisco and The Mack slap hands and Mack drops him with a tackle for 2. Cisco gets a wonky blind-diving armdrag, but Mack does a corner headstand and an armdrag. Slingblade armdrag by Mack before Mack flips up to his feet from his head. Joey tags himself in and wants “the girl”. He tries to give her his bodyoil lollipop, but she slaps him, so he pie-faces her. Rana gets 2 for Mariposa. Dropkick tot he knee sets up an axe kick, while Vamp hypes Andy Hug as the master of that.

    High kick by Reyes leads to the drive by sliding kick by Cisco for 2. Mariposa knocks him off the ropes and Marty gets a 2 count. Double team wheelbarrow splash gets 2 for Mariposa. Cicso misses a basement dropkick, but Mariposa hits one. Marty comes in and hits a corner exploder for 2. Cortez comes in with a pop-in tornado DDT for 2 before Mariposa saves. Joey tags himself in to steal Cortez’s thunder, but Mack comes in and attacks with punches and a big slam before getting 2 off a legdrop. 

    Samoan drop into a standing moonsault gets 2. Mariposa prevents a Mack dive, so he knocks her down and he flip dives onto the pile. Marty and Mack chop each other before Marty eats a stunner and a shatter machine by The Crew for the win! Mariposa jumps The Mack before Sexy Star comes in to make the save in a very short skirt. Sexy Star is pissed off and chops the daylights out of her before snapmaring and kicking her. Mack says that “SHE GOT DAT ASS, B*TCH! SHE GOT DAT ASS!” Mack is great.

    We go to the top of the Temple and we see Dragon Azteca Jr. and Rey – so I guess the question mark is the Rey Signal. Rey tells him that going for revenge isn’t good – fighting for honor is better, and revenge will come in time. Rey and Azteca have a match next week in the trios tournament and will team with Prince Puma. We close to a cool shot of all of them in their respective hoodies before going back to the ring for the main event.

    Striker talks about Fenix and Matanza fighting before, but Fenix was 1 while Matanza was 21 in Aztec Warfare. Striker calls Matanza the eater of worlds while Vamp talks about how we don’t know what Dario has done to make Matanza like this.

    Lucha Underground Champion Matanza Cueto vs. Fenix

    Dario tells Matanza to kill Fenix. Fenix avoids a shortarm clothesline before Matanza bowls him over and chokes him in the corner. Fenix hops over a Matanza charge, and hits a few superkicks to the knees, gut, and head – but gets caught and hit with a German INTO THE BUCKLE. Fenix knocks him into the ropes into a 619 position for a kick, but a dive is met with a rewind poweslam that Fenix escapes. Big German by Matanza! Fenix hits a missile dropkick and an apron elbow before Matanza punches him to the floor. 

    Fenix hits two apron superkicks and goes for a suicide dive, but is met with a World’s Strongest Slam on the floor leading to multiple “holy shit!”s by Vamp. Rewind powerslam hits for the win. Matanza climbs on top of Fenix and slugs away while the referee is threatened with firing. Catrina tells him to stop before Mil Muertes returns and attacks Matanza and sends him packing.

    Striker wonders if he is showing mercy to Fenix, or if he just wants the title. Fenix and Muertes have been enemies for the last year and a half, but now find themselves as uneasy allies. This was a really good episode of the show and gave Matanza a very small chink in the armor to at least make him seem like a monster that could one day be beaten.

    To see every screengrab for the show, just click here.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (04/06): Daniel Bryan wins WWE World Title

    1945

    San Francisco, California:
    – Dean Detton defeated Vincent Lopez for the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title 

    1966 

    – Chief Little Eagle defeated Eduardo Perez to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title

    1970 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Al Greene and Frank Martinez defeated Johnny Walker and Tojo Yamamoto in a tournament final in to win the vacant Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1974 

    New Brocton, Alabama:
    – Ken Lucas defeated The Wrestling Pro for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title

    1979 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Abdullah the Butcher defeated Jumbo Tsuruta to win the annual AJPW Champion’s Carnival tournament

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeated The Invaders (I and II) for the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Jake Roberts defeated Big Daddy Ritter (Junkyard Dog) for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title 
    – Leo Burke and Bruce Hart won the Stampede International Tag Team Titles from Mr. Hito and Mr. Sakurada

    1979 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Abdullah the Butcher beat Jumbo Tsuruta in the finals of the Champion Carnival tournament

    1980 

    Monroe, Louisiana:
    – The Junkyard Dog and Buck Robley defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes) for the Mid-South Tag Team Titles

    1981

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Bill Dundee and The Dream Machine won the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles defeating Masa Fuchi and Mr. (Atsushi) Onita

    1987 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Rocky Johnson and Soul Train Jones (Virgil) defeated Big Bubba (Typhoon/Tugboat) and Goliath for the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1991 

    King’s Lynn, England:
    – Dave Taylor defeated Dave Finlay for the British Heavyweight Title 

    Osaka, Japan:
    – The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Johnny Smith) defeated Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (subbing for the injured Johnny Ace) to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Titles

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Dynamite Kid & Johnny Smith beat Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace in Osaka to win the All-Asia tag titles

    1996 

    Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
    – The Canadian Glamour Boys (Sean Morley and Shane Sewell) defeated Huracán Castillo, Jr. and Ray Gonzalez for the WWC World Tag Team Titles 

    1997

    WCW Spring Stampede: Tupelo, Mississippi:
    – Rey Misterio, Jr. pinned Ultimo Dragon 
    – WCW Women’s Champion Akira Hokuto pinned Madusa to retain the title
    – WCW World Television Champion Prince Iaukea pinned William Regal to retain the title
    – The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael 
    – WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with Ted DiBiase and WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx) defeated Rick Steiner to retain the title
    – Lex Luger defeated The Giant, Booker T and Stevie Ray in a Four Corners match
    – Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) pinned Randy Savage in a no disqualification match 

    2002 

    Caguas, Puerto Rico:
    – Eddie Colón won the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title from Rey Misterio, Jr. 
    – Rico Suave defeated Ricky Santana for the WWC World Television Title

    Carolina, Puerto Rico:
    – El Lobo defeated Super Crazy to win the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title

    2005 

    Dunbar, West Virginia:
    – Chris Hero defeated Mike Quackenbush to win the IWA East Coast Heavyweight Championship

    2014 

    Wrestlemania XXX: New Orleans, Louisiana:
    – Daniel Bryan won the WWE World Title by defeating Randy Orton and Batista 
    – Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker to end the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania
    – WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos defeated The Real Americans, Rybaxel and Los Matadores in an Elimination Match to retain the titles
    – Daniel Bryan defeated Triple H
    – The Shield defeated Kane and the New Age Outlaws
    – Cesaro won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
    – John Cena defeated Bray Wyatt
    – AJ Lee won the Vickie Guerrero Invitational to retain the Divas Title

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Shinsuke Nakamura beat Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the New Japan IC title

  • Total Divastation: WWE Total Divas episode 12 recap

    Submitted by Kevin LaRose

    Welcome to the biggest party of the year, the Total Divas after WrestleMania, where up is down and down is out of control. Sit back, strap it on, and enjoy yourself, WWE Universe, because this is going to be one hell of a wild ride. 

    In Cincinnati, JoJo, Mandy, and Rosa are sitting around in catering talking about Rosa’s baby shower. Paige sits at another table. She has too much on her plate to deal with baby stuff. Rosa and Fox go sit with her and try to make her talk about Rosa’s big, famous baby shower.

    Brie shows Nikki a picture of a house in Washington. Nikki is so mad that Brie wants to move to Washington. Nikki is excited to go to the wine bar there, but she wants to wear heeled Timberlands when they go hiking.

    Someone spanks Nattie.

    Work has been going great for Fox, but due to Nikki’s injury, she is getting some time off, too. Which is good for her, because she has some family issues to take care of.

    In a hotel bar, Fox and Paige have a drink and commiserate. Fox is so tired. Her family is coming in and she wants to have a family talk. A father figure in her life, Priechy, who her mother used to date, is dying, and it’s making her realize she has to deal with all the dysfunction. Paige tells Fox that she has to talk to her family. Fox is going to miss Rosa’s big, famous baby shower.

    In a car in Washington, Brie’s brother points out a bumper sticker with a dick joke. Everyone loves it. Nikki likes Washington, but she hates how rural it is. Brie and Nikki argue over how high maintenance Nikki is. Bryan joins in.

    Back in Florida, Fox tells Rosa she can’t go to her big, famous baby shower. Rosa doesn’t understand. She gets upset and walks away.

    In Washington, they are in the backwoods, on a dirt road. It’s beautiful. Nikki hates it. She is wearing high heeled camping boots. Nikki is crazy. They are looking at an empty lot. Bryan and Brie consider building a house there. Nikki is pissed because she doesn’t want to go there when John is filming a movie.

    In Florida, Fox is driving with her sister. She starts crying really hard, talking about her mother. Her mom recently blew her off in Houston. Her sister calms her down.

    Back in Washington, the music is intense as everyone pulls up to a beautiful house where if you want water, you have to get it from a well. Nikki is pissed, and Bryan acts passive aggressive. Nikki tells everyone she is a good person.

    In Florida, Fox’s mom arrives. They reminisce in the car. Fox and her sister don’t like their mom’s perfume. It smells gross.

    At Raw, Rosa is backstage. She sits down with Mandy and Eva. No one is going to Rosa’s big, famous baby shower. Paige has a secret that she’s been hiding and she needs to tell it to Rosa. In the ring, Paige symbolically taps out to Nattie’s Sharpshooter. Big Show thinks Paige looks sad. He comforts her backstage and pulls her aside for a pep talk. Paige reveals that she once lost a baby, and that she had to have a cyst removed and she may never be able to have kids. That’s why Rosa’s big, famous baby shower thing has been so hard for her.

    In Florida, Fox and her family go to a really nice outdoor restaurant right on the beach. It’s the kind of place you go on vacation, but Fox can eat there whenever she wantsbecause she lives in town. I’m getting so chilled out just imagining being there. This is, by far and away, my favorite place I have ever seen anyone ever eat on Total Divas. It’s a shame that this has to be the place for Fox to hold her big family meeting, and she can’t just relax with a cold drink. But maybe the chill vibes are just what she needs to make a tense situation manageable for her. I think she made a great choice in restaurants. Priechy shows up. Fox’s mom already knew about his illness, but she never told her daughters. This pisses Fox off.

    Back in Washington, Nikki and Bryan make a bet that she can’t last the night camping outside. Nikki tries to set up a tent, but she’s having trouble. Bryan teaches her and shegets it. Bryan tells her she has to use the bathroom outside. Nikki says no way, and Bryan wins the bet and fifty dollars in cold, hard cash.

    In Los Angeles, Rosa and Paige are driving around. Paige tells Rosa that she can’t go to Rosa’s big, famous baby shower because she has to go on MTV. Rosa is so pissed.No one is coming to the party now.

    In Washington, Bryan is chopping wood. Nikki remembers her victory over Bryan in a wood chopping contest many years ago on another season of Total Divas. Thisawakens the competitive fire in Nikki’s heart, and she decides she wants to go fly fishing. Nikki chops wood.

    In Florida, the Fox family are going to another chill looking outdoor restaurant in Jacksonville. This episode is doing a great job making me want to move to Florida. Fox confronts her.

    In Washington, Nikki goes fishing and Brie and Bryan go shopping. Brie comments on the irony. They look at baby hiking books. Meanwhile, Nikki is learning to fish. She isstarting to come around to the Washington lifestyle. She realizes that her problem isn’t with Washington, it’s that everyone is moving to the next step in their lives, but she isn’t ready yet.

    Back in Florida, Fox and her mom leave the restaurant, and start fighting. Her mom is acting like a total nut. Fox feels guilty, but she really doesn’t need to. Her mom appearsin this episode as the dictionary definition of dysfunctional. Fox drops her mom off, and she is really sad about what happened.

    Back in LA, It’s time for Rosa’s big, famous baby shower. There is a photo booth. Rosa is so sad that none of her work friends are there. She is especially mad at Paige. Lillian Garcia shows up, and they take a picture together.

    On the MTV set, a strange guy talks to Paige. Paige feels like she is betraying Rosa. Perhaps all the Divas’ problems would be solved with a little truth and transparency.

    At Rosa’s party, Rosa talks smack about Paige, and then Paige surprises everyone and shows up. Paige tells Rosa her secret. They hug, and Rosa realizes she’s been a little selfish. Paige hopes to one day be a mom, as good of a mom as she has. They play a game called suck the nipple.

    Back in Washington, everyone goes to this really nice North Western styled bistro. Nikki loves it. She tells Brie she is pissed that Washington is too far from her. Nikki tells them she feels like they are moving there to get away from her. She said she went fishing to prove to them that she can be a mountain mama and hang with them in the Wilderness. They tell her that they love having Nikki be their third wheel. Everyone feels a lot better. Brie tells them that they probably aren’t going to move to that particular town anyway.

    That’s it for this week on WWE Total Divas.

  • WWE Smackdown spoilers: Cesaro & AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens

    Dark match:

    • Dolph Ziggler beat Stardust with a superkick

    Main Event:

    • WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) beat The Ascension with the Midnight Hour
    • Baron Corbin beat Fandango with the End of Days
    • Paige beat Emma with the Ram-Paige. Good match. They had time, much more than the three previous matches. The crowd was really behind Paige. Greg Hamilton announced the match as a women’s division match

    SmackDown:

    – WWE Champion Roman Reigns opened the show. Because it’s more of a casual crowd than the ones for Mania and Raw, he got a lot more cheers than the previous nights. Actually, it might have been 50-50, with kids and women cheering for him. He used the “I’m not a bad guy. I’m not a good guy. I’m THE guy” line again. He said what matters to him was to beat AJ Styles.

    Styles came out to a huge pop and a big chant of “AJ Styles” when he got in the ring. He shook hands with Reigns congratulating him for the title, saying Roman had a good WrestleMania, but that he had a heck of a Monday Night Raw. Reigns told him that to be THE champ, he needs to beat THE guy. He said that Styles beat guys all over the world, but he never beat him, and he will never be. He tapped him on the shoulder and left. 

    – The Vaudevillans beat Lucha Dragons with the Gentleman’s Congress

    Weird thing. The Vaudevillains’ music started, but after 20 seconds or so, it stopped. Then, after a minute, the Lucha Dragons’ theme started and they made their entrance. Obviously, someone messed up in the back and mixed up the order. Apparently, the music mess-up was not a mistake and just a teaser. The Vaudevillains got very little reaction. Those who were reacting were clapping to the sound of the music, only to realize that they were not babyfaces. Clearly, a lot of the fans didn’t know who they were. 

    – Natalya beat Summer Rae with the Sharpshooter in a short match. Charlotte and Ric were doing commentary for this match. They are building Natalya as the next contender. 

    – Intercontinental champion The Miz beat Zack Ryder 

    Maryse removed one of the bottom corners and threw it in the ring. As Charles Robinson was trying to put it back, Miz raked Ryder’s eyes and hit the Skull-Crushing Finale for the win. Good match, and the crowd got into it. 

    Maryse got her own entrance, the old one she used to have. She cut a promo, saying her name was Maryse, but that everyone should know that, and that she’s the living proof that behind every great man there’s a great woman and there’s no greater man than her husband. She then introduced The Miz. Ryder didn’t get much of a reaction during his entrance, but it got better during the match. Maryse got some heat during her promo. 

    – Social Outcasts played a game of rock, scissors and paper to decide who would face Apollo Crews. Curtis Axel had paper while the others all had scissors, but said it was actually an axe, therefore he’s in the match. 

    – Apollo Crews beat Curtis Axel with a spin-out power bombeat in a total squash match. 

    – We got two big screen interviews: Baron Corbin did a short one saying the end of days is here, and Becky Lynch saying she would be back in the title picture. Emma cut her off and made fun of her black eye. I guess that’s the next program for both of them. We also got another Colon “Greetings from Puerto Rico” vignette. 

    – Dean Ambrose beat Tyler Breeze in basically a squash match.

    – Cesaro & AJ Styles beat Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens

    Cesaro clotheslined Jericho and both ended up outside. Cesaro then hit a European uppercut on Jericho. As Owens was to throw Styles in the ropes for the pop up powerbomb, Sami Zayn made his way to the ring. He had his left elbow wrapped up and was followed by some referees trying to stop him. Styles schooled boy Owens for the pin. Following that, they did a pull apart between Owens and Zayn. 

    – The Dudleys then came to the ring and attacked AJ. Roman Reigns came to clean house. Reigns and Styles were alone in the ring and looked at each other for a long time before they finally shook hands. Jericho took the mic and asked AJ to shake his hands in apology for calling him Y2Jackass. Styles hit the Styles Clash on him, followed by Reigns’ Superman punch. 

  • TNA Impact results: Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy; Eric Young vs. Jeff Hardy Six Sides of Steel

    Previously on TNA Impact:

    In Last week’s main event, Drew Galloway defeated Jeff Hardy in a hard fought battle to retain the TNA World title. Additionally, Matt Hardy, Tyrus and “Miracle” Mike Bennett defeated Ethan Carter III and Beer Money in a six-man tag. In an interesting note and potential spoiler for those who haven’t heard, one half of the Tag Team Champs, Beer Money’s Booby Roode, appeared in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Dallas this past Friday night. He was shown and acknowledged on TV by the announcers. Roode was granted his release a few weeks ago from TNA and finished up at the last set of tapings. He is expected to appear tonight and in the coming weeks on Impact due to the show being taped several weeks in advance.

    Tonight:

    TNA is promoting tonight’s Impact with the theme Revenge. Tonight’s show is all about getting back what the wrestlers feel they so rightfully deserve. TNA World Champion Drew Galloway will defend his title against the very man he defeated for the title, Matt Hardy. Jeff Hardy battles Eric Young one on one in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match. Additionally, The Pope takes on “The Destroyer” Lashley in a street fight. 

    Show Recap:

    – Josh welcomes us to Impact with the heavy news that tonight is all about revenge and vengeance. Jeremy Borash joins Josh on commentary because The Pope will be in action later.

    Six Sides of Steel Cage: Jeff Hardy vs. Eric Young

    We kick off the night with Hardy’s Revenge. We get a recap of Eric Young piledriving Jeff through a table and injuring him back in January. EY promises to piledrive Jeff from the top of the cage. Jeff comes out and brings a table with him.

    Before the match officially starts, EY, Bram and Jeff brawl around the ringside area. Bram and EY throw a table and chairs into the ring.  Young sends Jeff into the ring briefly having the advantage until Jeff makes a comeback. Jeff hastily knocks Bram off the apron. 

    Back from commercial, the match has officially begun and Jeff is in control. Jeff sets up four chairs in the center of the ring. He attempts to give EY a twist of fate through the chairs, but EY countered and piledrove Jeff though the chairs creating a pretty sick looking spot. Jeff won the match after hitting a swanton bomb from the top of the cage onto EY who laid weary on the table.

    – Backstage, TNA President Dixie Carter is sick of the beef between Maria Kanellis and Knockouts Champion Gail Kim. Dixie asked both whom they spoke with in TNA management that gave them the authority to make two separate number one contenders matches. Neither had an answer for her. Dixie made Gail Kim defending against Jade and Madison in a triple threat for later. Maria started to annoy Dixie so Dixie walked away and Maria chased after her calling her name.

    – Backstage, Jeff ices his neck and quotes Vanilla Ice by saying “Ice, ice, baby.” Jeff acknowledges the he will be watching the world title match between Matt Hardy and champion Drew later.

    – In the ring, J.B. hosts “The Final Word” and brings out the participants in tonight’s main event to have their final words. First, Matt Hardy and The Brand (Reby, Maxell, Tyrus & Rockstar Spud) make their way to the ring. J.B. goes to introduce TNA World Champion Drew Galloway, but Matt interrupts and does the introduction. Matt did a pretty poor job introducing Drew, but that might have been the point.

    This was just a basic segment where they argued back and forth setting up the main event. Matt became irate when Drew brought up Jeff. Tyrus took the mic and reminded everyone that he is the number one contender after winning Bound For Gold back at Bound For Glory. Tyrus teased that he might use his title shot tonight. Matt was shocked after hearing this news.

    – Backstage, The Pope gets ready and pumped up for the street fight, which is coming up next.

    – Back from commercial, Ethan Carter III congratulated Tyrus for contemplating cashing in his title shot. EC3 reminded Tyrus that he cost him the world title. Tyrus told EC3 that he hates him and EC3 told him he hates him more.

    On commentary, Josh and J.B. point out that the Bound for Gold title shot is not like the Feast or Fired. Apparently, Tyrus can’t just cash in his title shot and must inform TNA Management ahead of time.

    Street Fight: “The Destroyer” Lashley vs. The Pope

    Lashley jumped The Pope has he made his way to the ring. This was basically a glorified squash match. Lashley dominated The Pope and got a majority of the offense. Pope smashes a trashcan into Lashley’s face, gaining him the brief advantage and allowing him to use the Singapore cane. It wasn’t enough as Lashley speared The Pope to win the match.

    Post match, Lashley wasn’t satisfied with beating The Pope and gave him two more spears. Ethan Carter III came down for the save, but once again Lashley just backed off and walked away from EC3. As Lashley walked away, “Miracle” Mike Bennett blind sides EC3 and jumps him with the steel chair, and then left him lying in the ring.

    – Back from commercial, EC3 is still in the ring and calls out Bennett to come back to the ring. “The First Lady of Pro Wrestling” Maria Kanellis comes out to introduce The Miracle, but EC3 interrupts and demands Bennett come out.  They argue back and forth and setup a match for next week. Bennett and Maria started to leave, but EC3 chased after Bennett. Mike pushed Maria into EC3 and ran into the back.

    EC3 and Bennett fought all over the backstage area and into the parking lot. Bennett hit EC3 with a tire iron and escaped in his car.

    – Backstage, Rockstar Spud met with Tyrus. Spud came up with a plan, which he wrote on crumpled piece of paper. Tyrus didn’t care about Spud’s plan and doesn’t need it.

    Knockouts Champion Gail Kim vs. Jade vs. Madison Rayne

    Josh recaps the events that lead to this triple threat match. Match starts with Gail and Madison taking turns beating on Jade. Jade hit a dive through the ropes onto Madison on the floor. Gail went to climb to the top, but Maria came out and hit Gail with the belt behind the refs back. Jade pinned Gail Kim to become the new Knockouts champion.

    – They’re teasing that Tyrus might be added to the main event to make it a triple threat or he’ll just use his title shot.

    – Backstage, Jade is celebrating becoming Knockouts Champion and her victory. Jade said The Dollhouse was holding her back.

    – Next we get a recap of TNA Producer, Al Snow attacking Grado and breaking his arm last week.

    Al Snow is talking to Billy Corgan and he’s upset that TNA management let someone like Grado into TNA. Billy informed Al that he is suspended and must give a public apology.

    – In the ring, X Division champion Trevor Lee and Gregory Shane Helms call out Eddie Edwards. Last week, Helms gave Eddie a week to decide if he wants to tag team with Helms to challenge Beer Money for the belts. Eddie turns down Shane’s offer and tells him “No”. Shane is not happy to hear that. Shane and Trevor are about to jump Eddie. Beer Money comes down to the ring and Shane and Lee leave immediately.

    Beer Money is left alone in the ring and they turn their attention to the other tag teams in the TNA. James Storm did most of the talking here and Roode paced back and forth. Suddenly, Decay came out and demanded a title shot. Beer Money and Decay brawled around ringside, eventually making their way into the ring. Security came out to break up the brawl.

    – In the back, Matt Hardy gives his final words for tonight’s main event (despite the segment earlier). The story here is that during the promo, Matt was unaware that Tyrus slowly approached in the background.

    – Backstage, Beer Money issues an open challenge to any or all tag teams for next week.

    TNA World Champion Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy w/ Tyrus and Rockstar Spud

    Josh reminds us that Tyrus must decide if he’s going to be a part of the match. Tyrus teases using his title shot but it’s all just a distraction to give Matt the early advantage. Matt jumps Drew and is in control right out of the gate.

    Back from commercial, Drew and Matt are trading shots on the apron. Spud grabs Drew’s leg, which gives Matt the chance to hit the side effect on the apron. Matt faked an ankle injury and took his boot off, which he then used, but only got a near fall. Drew hit the future shock DDT on Matt, but Tyrus pulled the referee out before the three. Jeff ran out and brawled with Tyrus. Matt screamed at Jeff, “Get out of my life!” like any other typical family drama. Drew made Matt tap out to the Iron Maiden to retain the TNA World title.

    Next Time on Impact:

    Next week’s Impact features Ethan Carter III taking on “Miracle” Mike Bennett for the first time ever. Also, Beer Money issues an open challenge to any and all TNA tag teams. Plus, the feud and bad blood between Jeff and Matt continues next week.

  • Post-Wrestlemania RAW draws 4.08 million viewers, down from 2015

    The Raw after WrestleMania, usually the highest rated episode of the year, did 4.08 million viewers, down from 5.35 million for the same show in 2015.

    The number was the largest for the show since the day after the Royal Rumble (when Dwayne Johnson made an appearance) and was only the second show to hit four million viewers on average since June.

    However, the number is well below what would have been expected for the show. For a comparison, the audience grew 1.2 million viewers from the go-home Mania show to the day after Mania show last year, while this year, the increase was just 318,000 viewers.

    Raw was fourth for the night on cable, and all three shows that beat it were focused on the NCAA championship game on TBS. The game did 13.85 million viewers, the pregame show did 9.67 million viewers, and the postgame show did 4.97 million viewers. The basketball barely impacted ABC’s Dancing With the Stars which did 11.72 million viewers, down from 11.97 million the week before.

    RAW had a familiar pattern with the big drop in the third hour when the game was in its second half. RAW’s main event was a #1 contender’s match between AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and Chris Jericho.

    The three hours were:

    • 8 p.m. 4.29 million viewers
    • 9 p.m. 4.18 million viewers
    • 10 p.m. 3.82 million viewers

  • Daily pro wrestling history (04/05): Randy Savage defeats Ric Flair for WWF World Title

    1953 

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Bobby Bruns and Bobby Managoff defeated Al Kashey and Tom Rice to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles

    1961 

    Mobile, Alabama:
    – Bobby and Don Fields defeated The Mysterious Medics for the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    Columbus, Georgia:
    – Skull Murphy defeated Guy Mitchell to win the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title

    1968 

    Houston, Texas:
    – Spoiler #1 (Don Jardine) defeated Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title 

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Harley Race defeated Sonny Myers to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title 

    1974 

    Sydney, Australia:
    – Pat Barrett and Tony Kontellis won a tournament for the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Titles

    1976 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Big Bad John and Bill Dundee defeated Roger Kirby and David Schultz for the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1978

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 
    – The Assassin and Ernie Ladd defeated Ray Candy and Steven Little Bear to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles

    Blackburn, England:
    – Steve Grey defeated Bobby Ryan in a tournament final for the British Lightweight Title 

    1980 

    Chattanooga, Tennessee:
    – Roger Mason defeated Steve Travis to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title 

    1982 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Andy Kaufman defeated AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler by disqualification

    1984

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Jerry and Ted Oates won the NWA Central States Tag Team Title defeating The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton)

    1986 

    Yokohama, Japan:
    – Riki Choshu defeated Stan Hansen to win the NJPW PWF Heavyweight Title 

    1987 

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman defeated Kerry Brown and Duke Meyers to win the vacant Stampede International Tag Team Titles

    1991 

    Dallas, Texas: 
    – Bill Dundee won the USWA Texas Heavyweight Title from Eric Embry 
    – Jeff Jarrett defeated Tom Prichard for the USWA Heavyweight Title

    1992 

    Wrestlemania VIII: Indianapolis, Indiana:
    – Bret Hart pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper to win the title 
    – Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned WWF Champion Ric Flair (with Mr. Perfect) to win the title
    – Shawn Michaels (with Sensational Sherri) pinned Tito Santana 
    – The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) pinned Jake Roberts 
    – The Big Bossman, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter and Virgil defeated The Mountie, The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) and Repo Man
    – Tatanka pinned Rick Martel 
    – The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Money, Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster (with Jimmy Hart)) by dq    
    – Owen Hart pinned Skinner
    – Hulk Hogan defeated Sid Justice (with Harvey Whippleman) by disqualification

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – Satanico defeated Lizmark for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title  

    1997 

    Caguas, Puerto Rico:
    – Carlos Colón won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title by defeating Jim Steele

    1999 

    Uniondale, New York:
    – Kane and X-Pac defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) to win the titles

    2002

    Manatí, Puerto Rico:
    – Ricky Banderas and Shane the Glamour Boy defeated The Starr Corporation (Chicky Starr and Victor the Bodyguard) to win the IWA World Tag Team Titles

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Bruce and Teddy Hart defeated Apocalypse and Dave Swift in a tournament final for the Stampede International Tag Team Titles

    OVW Spring Breakout: Louisville, Kentucky:
    – Leviathan (Batista) pinned both Chris Cage and Johnny Jeter in a handicap match
    – Flash Flanagan and Trailer Park Trash defeated Big Bad John (Heidenreich) and Bull Buchanan
    – The Dogg Pound (Shelton Benjamin and Redd Dogg) and Nidia defeated The Disciples of Synn (Damien and Payne) and Synn
    – Danny Davis and The Lords of the Ring (Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore) defeated Victoria and OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Doug Basham and Damaja
    – David and Ric Flair defeated Sean O’Haire and OVW Heavyweight Champion The Prototype (John Cena)

    2003

    Bayamón, Puerto Rico:
    – Ray Gonzalez won the IWA World Heavyweight Title from Ricky Banderas 

    2006

    Louisville, Kentucky:
    – K.C. James and Roadkill defeated The Untouchables (Deuce and Domino) for the OVW Southern Tag Team Titles

    2013 

    ROH Supercard of Honor 7: New York City:
    – Jay Brisco defeated Kevin Steen to win the ROH World Title
    – ROH World Tag Team Title Match: reDRagon defeated American Wolves to retain the titles
    – ROH TV Title Match: Matt Taven defeated Adam Cole and Matt Hardy to retain the title
    – Karl “Machine Gun” Anderson defeated Roderick Strong
    – #1 Contender Match: Michael Elgin defeated Jay Lethal
    – Mike Bennett beat Shelton Benjamin

  • UFC to put up flyweight title shot for ‘Ultimate Fighter’ winner

    Image: MMAJunkie.com

    In an interesting promotional move, the UFC has announced that the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter will be a 16-man tournament for a December shot at the UFC flyweight title. That season kicks off on August 31st on Fox Sports One.

    The current champion is Demetrious Johnson, who defends the title against Henry Cejudo on 4/23 in Las Vegas. Based on the timing of when the TUF winner would get the title shot, there could be a Johnson/Cejudo rematch before that if something controversial happens. 

    The company announced tryouts for season 24 would take place on 4/25 at the Palace Station in Las Vegas, and that they are looking for fighters between the ages of 21 and 34, with at least three pro fights and an above .500 winning percentage.  The season will be filmed in June and July.

    The finalists will compete in the final regular episode of the season, meaning the opponent for the champion would likely only be advertised for a short period of time, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, before the title match takes place.

    What’s notable is that if they are not including fighters on the roster like Joseph Benavidez, Louis Smolka and Zach Makovsky on the competition, it’s pretty ridiculous to bypass legitimate top contenders and bring in only unknowns in a division where virtually every top fighter in the weight class is already in UFC.