At Wrestle Kingdom 10, the two men who’ve dominated New Japan’s Junior division in 2015 will face off once again for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. KUSHIDA and Kenny Omega have been the only two to hold the title in 2015. Well, technically Ryusuke Taguchi did hold the it for the first four days of the year until he was defeated by Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 9. But since then, it’s been all Omega and KUSHIDA (mostly Omega).
As mentioned literally one second ago, Kenny “The Cleaner” Omega started 2015 in style by winning the IWGP Jr. Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 9. He then went on a rampage through the Junior division, taking on all comers from all* nations (all of the ones that are Japan, Mexico, and the U.S.). With each successful defence, Omega took one step closer to going off the deep end. He became more egotistical, more maniacal, more eccentric 80’s action movie villain, to the point where he now comes to the ring beating a trash can and singing along to his own theme music. For some, it’s overkill. For me, it’s the perfect storm of questionable acting and complete absurdity. Omega provides the enjoyment similar to what one gets from watching a good bad movie. But behind all the wackiness and overacting, there’s an amazingly talented wrestler
While Omega was running roughshod through the Juniors, KUSHIDA was upping his game, with his sights set on Omega and the Jr. title. He finally got his chance for a shot at the title when he won the 2015 Super Junior tournament. KUSHIDA defeated Kyle O’Reilly in the finals of the tournament in what was one of the best matches of 2015. He has been very good for long time now, but for me, that match elevated him to another level. Tanahashi may be the ace of New Japan, but KUSHIDA is the ace of the Juniors.
Kushida made sure not to waste his opportunity and ended Omega’s 182 day run as champion at NJPW Dominion in Osaka. After capturing the title, KUSHIDA looked set for an impressive run as champion. A run that would establish himself as the huge star he has shown he can be. Boy was I wrong. After a one successful defence against Ricochet, KUSHIDA would lose the title back to Kenny Omega at New Japan Destruction in Okayama, a mere 80 days after capturing the belt. All of KUSHIDA’s momentum was stopped dead in its tracks, like a DeLorean with a busted flux capacitor.
After regaining his title, Omega would continue his maniacal domination of the Junior division like he’d never missed a beat, while KUSHIDA, fire unequivocally extinguished, would flounder in the Jr. Tag division with Alex Shelley as the Time Splitters. Heads were left scratching, and it wasn’t due to an outbreak in lice, which took the lives of thousands.
The booking seemed baffling at the time, until it was clear KUSHIDA was going to challenge for the title at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Surely there was a better way to get to KUSHIDA vs. Omega at the Tokyo Dome without cutting KUSHIDA’s momentum off at the knees. It seems like NJPW simply wants to repeat KUSHIDA’s big moment from Dominion when he captured the title on a bigger, grander stage.
And so, “The Cleaner” and “The Time Splitter” will meet for the third (and final?) time on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. Their previous two matches have been subjectively very good. Some can’t get past Omega’s eccentricities and the usual Bullet Club antics. Personally, I could do without the Bullet Club stuff, but I enjoy the Omega’s rapscallion ways, and don’t allow them to take away from his matches.
As with a good portion of the Wrestle Kingdom 10 card, the journey to get there has been questionable, but the match itself should be solid.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA including a full recap of the 2015 WWE Slammy Awards! All the winners, Raw results, notes from the show and tons more! Plus, death of a UFC fighter from the early days, current star gets arrested for brawl, questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Filthy Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor returns today with tons of thoughts on the Slammy Awards categories, Tom’s own Filthy Awards which will open up voting next week, UFC from this past weekend, weight-cutting, the Filthy Tom Mailbag, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
We’re looking for reports from Minneapolis and Raw tonight with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show.
We’re looking for your thoughts on Saturday night’s UFC show, Friday night’s ROH Final Battle and Wednesday night’s NXT Takeover, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
Smackdown will air live on the USA Network at 8 p.m. on Tuesday from Des Moines. The New Day vs. Lucha Dragons for the tag team titles has been announced.
PRO WRESTLING NOAH’S FINAL BIG SHOW OF THE YEAR IS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE TOKYO OTA WARD GYM
Mohammed Yone & Mitsuhiro Kitamiya & Akitoshi Saito vs. Quiet Storm & Genba Hirayanagi & Captain NOAH
Kenou vs. Hajime Ohara
Maybach Taniguchi vs. Go Shiozaki
Takashi Sugiura vs. Takashi Iizuka no DQ
Shelton Benjamin vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima
Daisuke Harada & Atsushi Kotoge vs. Desperado & Taka Michinoku for GHC jr. tag titles
Taichi vs. Taiji Ishimori for GHC jr. title – Ishimori puts up his hair and name against the belt
Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Colt Cabana & Chris Hero for GHC tag titles
Minoru Suzuki vs. Naomichi Marufuji for GHC title
Smackdown will air live on the USA Network at 8 p.m. on Tuesday from Des Moines. The New Day vs. Lucha Dragons for the tag team titles has been announced.
The USA Network will air Tribute to the Troops on Wednesday night at 8 p.m., a taped show from Jacksonville.
Conor McGregor winning the UFC featherweight title, the story behind UFC 194 and the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title are the lead stories in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with coverage of so many major shows over the past week.
We look at McGregor’s financial goals, the business of UFC 194 and the records set, early PPV projections, what is next for McGregor, TV viewership numbers in the U.S. and Brazil, , as well as the path of McGregor to being the No. 1 male star in the promotion. We look at Frankie Edgar as a contender, potential of UFC 200 if Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor are booked on the same show, the last two PPV shows, Rousey vs. McGregor as draws, Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title win, looking at the Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman judging and the future of the middleweight division.
We also look at the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title, the increased viewership on Raw, where the new viewers came from and how viewership differed from recent weeks. We look at the reaction to Reigns, and the storylines that led to that reaction.
We’ve also got complete rundowns on WWE TLC, NXT Takeover, as well as all three UFC events, including match-by-match coverage, business notes, star ratings and more.
We also have a look at Mauro Ranallo’s signing with WWE, his background, how the deal came to fruition and the path from announcing pro wrestling on TV while a teenage on national television in Canada to the WWE 30 years ago, with stops in kickboxing, MMA and boxing in between.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering tonight’s Slammy Awards and Raw, as well as the rest of the latest news. We will also be answering e-mail questions that you can send to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
It will be interesting to see if Minneapolis, where Raw is coming from tonight, is announced as the host city of the 2017 WrestleMania. There were people in the company expecting that would happen tonight months ago, but I’ve heard nothing in that direction in recent weeks.
No word on any surprise people but with Superstar of the Year, a legit voting contest, there are candidates like John Cena and Brock Lesnar who haven’t been on Raw lately. WWE 2015 Slammy Awards winners & nominees
Wrestling Observer Back Issue:17 years ago in the Observer headlined by Jesse Ventura winning the election for Governor of Minnesota, which led to some embarrassing storylines with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, who didn’t like him.
Greg Gilleland has been promoted from Business Manager of ROH to General Manager.
New Japan has added a new championship, called the Never six man tag team titles. The match at the 1/4 Tokyo Dome with Toru Yano & Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi will determine the first champions.
WWE
Sisters, where John Cena has a role, opened at $13,922,855, in the No. 3 spot this weekend. Everyone went to Star Wars, which set the all-time opening weekend records at $248 million domestic and $525 including worldwide. The old U.S. record was Jurassic World at $209 million. Spectre, with Dave Bautista, was No. 11 in week seven. It was No. 4 in Australia as well (thanks to James Stanios)
Smackdown will be airing live not just on the USA Network tomorrow but also on Sportsnet 360 in Canada at 8 p.m. Eastern time. We’ll have live coverage on the front page.
Sportsnet 360 will be doing a free WWE Network marathon from 7 p.m.on 12/24 through 8 p.m. on 12/25. It will air whatever is on the main feed of the network.
Sportsnet also has more WWE programming than usual this week with Raw tonight, Smackdown at 8 p.m. Tuesday live, Smackdown replayed at 8 p.m. Wednesday in its usual time slot, and Smackdown again at 8 p.m. Friday (thanks to Steve Khan)
Daniel Bryan’s very good autobiography will be released in July on paperback.
WWE announced a 3/13 house show in Hershey, PA.
Tommy Dreamer and Blue Meanie are appearing at a winter coat drive at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis, which is across the street from the Target Center, where Raw takes place.
Laura Martin of Needham & Company, a stock analyst who has been super bullish on the WWE Network from the start, claiming that their three to four million subscriber goals were low, published a note about content creators cutting their own throats. She wrote about how WWE in 2013 got $6.37 per viewer per hour on PPV and after moving to OTT, they are now getting 67 cents per view per hour. She warned Viacom and Time Warner could follow suit if they pursue recently announced lower ad rate strategies. Here is the story.
Stock closed today up six cents to $17.26 per share.
Cheick Kongo vs. Augusto Sakai was announced for the 2/26 Bellator show in Mulvane, KS as a main card fight. That’s the show headlined by Marcos Galvao defending the bantamweight title against Eduardo Dantas.
The World Series of Fighting has announced a 1/23 show at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis with Mike Ricci vs. Caros Fodor as the main event and Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzatov. Those matches sound really tough to sell tickets in such a large arena as that.
Pro Wrestling NOAH has its final major show of the year on Wednesday night at the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo. They’ve had Suzuki-gun run through NOAH all year and claim they will finish it off. Suzuki claimed after he beats Naomichi Marufuji in the main event, he’s going to attack Kenta Kobashi, who will be at the show as an announcer. Taiji Ishimori will also shave his head and change his name if he fails to win the jr. title from Taichi.
AAW on Saturday night in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has Eddie Kingston vs. Ethan Page in a cage match, AR Fox vs. Sami Callihan, Kongo Kong vs. Russ Jones, Chris Hero vs. Davey Richards, Davey Vega vs. Louis Lyndon and Tommaso Ciampa, Michael Elgin, Colt Cabana, Silas Young, Zero Gravity and more.
Davey Richards was announced as the second man in the 1026 ECWA Super 8 tournament on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ. He follows Jason Kincaid.
Supreme Pro Wrestling from Sunday in Sacramento: Dan Reynoso & Brittni Barger b Sir Samurai & Christina Von Eerie (this match was taped for the PBS TV show Beyond Geek), J.J. King b Jean Erick, JR Kratos b T-Lo & Jonnny Yen in a handicap match, Ethan White b Joe DeSoul-DQ, Big Ugly JD Bishop won four-way, Virgil Flynn b Daniel Torch-COR, Michael Hayashi b Airon Skye, Rik Luxury & Corvus & Sir Samurai & Drake Frost, Brian Tannen b Scoot Robertson to keep the SPW title. Next show is 1/17 with Hayashi vs. Bishop for the Extreme title and Samurai & Frost challenge Luxury & Corvus & Truex for the tag titles, but in a trios match. (thanks to Mike Millerick)
GSW on 1/2 in Moosic, PA at the Youth Center.
Maryland Championship Wrestling on 12/26 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena with Chyna, Ashley Massaro, Ethan Carter III and the debut of Sean Studd, the son of John Studd.
Rockstar Pro Wrestling on Wednesday night at the Rockstar Pro Arena in Dayton with all tickets $6.
Josh Olsen has released a new wrestling book called “Working Stiff: The Anthology of Professional Wrestling Literature and Art.” Longtime reader Lavie Margolan has a short piece on attending a Herb Abrams UWF taping with his father in 1991.
Slammies were given out. Only major news item on the show was John Cena is returning next week. The show was focused on getting the League of Nations over as a heel group.
Show Recap:
Stephanie McMahon started the show smiling. She said McMahons don’t wallow in their self-pity, so she won’t let Roman Reigns get her down tonight. Reigns showed up smiling because he was the new champion. He suspected that McMahon had something up her sleeve, but he doesn’t sweat any of the McMahons or HHH. Roman said he hasn’t seen HHH since he laid him out at TLC, but he told her to tell HHH he wasn’t hard to find, he was the one wearing the gold.
Stephanie ordered him to get out of her ring. Reigns just laughed at her. Stephanie shrieked as Reigns kept laughing and the fans chanted “no.’ Reigns said the fans didn’t want him to leave. Roman asked the fans if they wanted to see her get really mad, and he turned his back to her. Stephanie screamed at him to get back in the ring, saying “How dare you turn your back to me!” They love taking lines from “Gladiator.”
Reigns kept smiling and walked back up through the crowd. Fans were cheering as he made his way up the crowd as Stephanie ordered him to get back in the ring. Roman ignored repeated threats. Stephanie got so mad that she ordered Reigns’ cousins, the Usos, to wrestle the New Day. Reigns no sold that. Then she ordered Dean Ambrose to wrestle Sheamus in a steel cage.
Dolph Ziggler came out for the first Slammy Award for the “Breakout Star of the Year.” The nominees were Kevin Owens, Neville, Charlotte, Tyler Breeze and Braun Strowman.
The winner was Neville. His acceptance speech was interrupted by Owens, who said he should have won. Owens got cheered. He ordered Neville to take a walk. Neville complied. What the hell kind of booking was that? They should have handed Neville a shovel so he can bury himself. Owens turned his ire to Ziggler, claiming that the only way Ziggler could win a Slammy was if they awarded “Has-Been of the Year.” That led to a pull-apart brawl with Ziggler fighting in his tuxedo.
Kane defeated Bray Wyatt by DQ (:53)
They spilled over to the floor where Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Strowman jumped Kane for the DQ. The Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreamer ran out for the save, starting up yet another eight man between these teams.
The Wyatt Family defeated Kane, Tommy Dreamer and the Dudley Boyz (2:47)
Harper pinned Devon Dudley with a lariat. The Dudley Boyz gave Harper Wazzup, but Strowman clothesline do both Dudleys. Kane clotheslined Strowman over the top rope before the finish.
Santino Marella came out for the “LOL Moment of the Year.” Crowd was happy to see Marella. Nominees were the New Day and it’s showdown with Edge and Christian; the Bushwackers being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame; the Miz world premiere of his erectile dysfunction commercial where he turned out the Miz was the one who got over; R-Trtuh cutting a promo for the Money in the Bank match he wasn’t even competing in; and the New Day dancing with Stephanie, while HHH reluctantly joined in.
R-Truth was the winner. Santino accepted the award for R-Truth because he’s never won a Slammy before, which the audience kind of groaned at. R-Truth came out and demanded the award. Santino took off running with the Slammy and R-Truth chased him.
Santa Claus cut a promo wishing everyone a Merry Chirstmas. Of course, it was Mick Foley. His daughter Noelle and son Dewey were dressed as elves.
Paul Heyman came out to present a Slammy. He said aside from LOL and Diva of the Year, every Slammy should go to Brock Lesnar. The award was the “OMG Shocking Moment of the Year.” Nominees were Seth Rollins cashing in the briefcase at WrestleMania; Lesnar giving Michael Cole and a random cameraman F-5s the night after WrestleMania; Kalisto delivering Solina del Sol on Jimmy Uso at TLC off the top of a ladder onto another ladder; Sheamus cashing in the briefcase and pinning Reigns at Survivor Series, ending Reigns 1st world title reign after 5:15; and the Wyatt Family jumping the Undertaker at the end of their Hell in a Cell match.
Kalisto was the winner. He came out wearing a mask in a three-piece suit, which reminded me of Mil Mascaras in the dying days of World Class Wrestling. Crowd didn’t really react to him. Weird to see Kalisto and Heyman out there together. There was a photo tweeted of Owens waiting in the ring taking a nap against a turnbuckle as Kalisto did the promo.
Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler (12:05)
More good stuff from Ziggler. Owens won with the Pop-Up Power Bomb after Ziggler tried to give him a Zig Zag. Ziggler had just hit a Famouser for a two count. Ziggler has really upped his game over the last six months. Nothing new regarding an Ambrose-Owens program tonight, so it remains to be seen if that’s a program that fell through the cracks or if it’s on a one week sabbatical.
Stephanie came out to present the Superstar of the Year Slammy. Everyone on the roster was nominated. Reigns, Sheamus, John Cena, Owens, Ambrose, Wyatt, The New Day, Lesnar, the Undertaker, Kane, Rollins, and Sting were highlighted in an excellent video package.
Stephanie announced Rollins as the winner. Rollins came out on crutches to a good babyface reaction, and the announcers put him over like he was a face. There was even a “Thank you, Seth” chant. Rollins wasn’t shilling a bit, going full arrogant saying there was no other option for Superstar of the Year. He brought up his performance at the Royal Rumble in the three-way against Cena and Lesnar, winning the championship at WrestleMania, etc. As quickly as the success came, one wrong landing made it all disappear.
Rollins turned serious and said in 2016, he would redesign Seth Rollins, he would rebuild himself and he will reclaim a championship he never lost.
Alberto Del Rio (C) defeated Jack Swagger in a nontitle match (7:07)
Alberto Del Rio won with the Double Stomp on the Tree of Woe. Afterwards, Sheamus gave Jack Swagger the Brogue Kick.
Mark Hery came out to present the “Hero in All of Us” Award. This was an award presented to various wrestlers who help out with charity. Nominees were: Natalya for her work with the Special Olympics and the USO; Reigns for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Dosomething.org campaign; the Big Show for the U.S. Armed Forces and the Special Olympics; Titus O’Neal for his commitment to help the homeless; Cena for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Cena was the winner to wide cheers. Fans weren’t as happy when it was announced he wasn’t there. Henry accepted the award for Cena and appeared a little choked up, perhaps knowing this was the last time he would be at a Slammy presentation as an active wrestler.
They announced non televised Slammy Winners, including Lesnar vs. Undertaker as Rivalry of the Year; the Stone Cold Podcast as Best WWE Network Show; Damien Mizdow winning Double Cross of the Year (knocking off Del Rio in an upset); and Reigns leveling HHH as Extreme Moment of the Year.
Supposedly, Santa Claus came out to present the award for Surprise Return of the Year. It was Bo Dallas under the outfit. Nominees were the Dudleys, Chris Jericho, Del Rio (with Zeb Coulter not mentioned or even shown), Kane (?), and Sting.
The winner was Sting, who was also absent. Crowd wasn’t happy about that one either.
New Day were out and unhappy that they didn’t get the Slammy for Tag Team of the Year. As revenge, Big E. Was going to ruin the ending to the latest Star Wars movie, but Kofi Kingston didn’t want that because his son hadn’t seen the film yet. The Usos came out with new music.
The Usos defeated the New Day in a 2-on-3 handicap match (10:57)
Jey Uso pinned Xaiver Woods after reversing an Rolling Reverse Cradle. Pretty good match but the fans were getting worn out by this point. Fans chanted for Bayley. How about we keep that one quiet before she’s called up to the main roster and buried faster than you can say “Miss Universe is Miss Colombia?”
R-Truth, who retrieved his Slammy from Santino, came out to present the Diva of the Year. Nominees were: Nikki Bella, Naomi, Paige, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte.
Paige was announced as the winner. Paige and R-Truth embraced. It appeared R-Truth tried to put his handprint on her ass because she had to push him off. Paige acted like a heel. Did she tun again since TLC? Of course, this was the Steve Harvey spot that you knew was coming. R-Truth said he had made a mistake and Paige was the runner-up. The winner was announced as Nikki Bella. Nikki came out and asked Paige to stick around. Nikki did a total babyface speech, dedicated the award to everyone. She and Paige embraced.
Rusev defeated Neville via submission (8:02)
Rusev got almost all the offense and got the submission win with the Accoldate. Neville attempted the Red Arrow but Rusev moved, Neville jumped off right into a thrust kick by Rusev. Post match, Sheamus gave Neville another Brogue Kick.
Miz, who was on commentary for the Neville match, presented the Slammy for the This is Awesome Moment of the Year: Nominees were Lesnar destroying J&J Security’s car; Randy Orton’s RKO of Rollins at WrestleMania; Stephanie McMahon starting the Divas Revolution; Ronda Rousey showing up at WrestleMania and the Shield reforming to power bomb Orton through an announcers table.
The Rock and Rousey at WrestleMania. No one reacted because they knew Rock nor Rousey wasn’t within 1,000 miles of the place.
Becky Lynch defeated Brie Bella via submission (5:11)
Becky Lynch won with Disarm-her after blocking Brie Bella’s La Magistral cradle. Charlotte was at ringside but didn’t interfere. Crowd has faded out.
Ric Flair came out to award the Slammy for Match of the Year. Nominees were Lesnar vs. Cena vs. Rollins at Royal Rumble: HHH vs. Sting at WrestleMania; Owens vs. Cena at the Elimination Chamber; Reings vs. Ziggler vs. Owens vs. Delp Rio in a Fatal Four Way #1 Contenders Match on Raw from November and Lesnar vs. Undertaker at Hell in a Cell. Why Cesaro vs. Cena in July wasn’t nominated is beyond me.
The winner was Undetaker vs. Lesnar. Lesnar’s music played, but of course he didn’t come out. Heyman did and got booed. Quite funny to see Flair and Heyman shake hands since Flair fired Heyman from WCW in 1990 over a promo Heyman gave where he went against Flair’s orders and basically put himself over. Fans chanted for Lesnar. Heyman said Lesnar has no desire to accept awards, he wants to show up for a fight. He said while the fans want Lesnar, no one in the locker room is man enough to want Lesnar. Heyman said the Undertaker stood toe-to-toe with Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell, and he paid tribute to Undertaker. Heyman tried to rally the fans with a babyface interview, but they wanted stars at this point.
The League of Nations jumped the Usos in the back. Rusev put Jimmy in the Accolade while Del Rio but Jey in the cross armbreaker. Sheamus gave them both Brogue kicks and said “2 down, one to go.”
Dean Ambrose (C) defeated Sheamus in a cage match (10:45)
Ambrose won by climbing over the cage when he and Sheamus had climbed over and slugged it out. After Sheamus hit a head butt, Ambrose fell to the floor. Once Sheamus hit the floor, Reigns hit him with a spear. Both men made several attempts to climb over the cage. Sheamus gave Ambrose White Noise off the top rope for a two count. Not even that spot could get the crowd buzzing. They fought again on the top rope where Sheamus crouched himself. Ambrose tried to climb over, but Rusev and Del Rio stopped him. So Ambrose jumped off the top of the cage with a hooking clothesline for a good near fall. Ambrose tried to get out of the cage, but Del Rio slammed the cage door into his face. Amazing to see something that drew millions in Dallas in the 80s used as a transition spot here. Reigns ran out of the crowd and gave Del Rio a spear, and hit Rusev with a Superman Punch. Sheamus tried to climb out, but Reigns met him at the top, had a staredown with him and threw a chair into the ring. Ambrose used the chair for several shots across the back, then hit Dirty Deeds. There was a very audible “Sheamus is boring” chant. Stephanie watched from the back. As Ambrose climbed in the ring, Sheamus gave him a Brogue Kick. Rusev and Del Rio put the boots to Ambrose before the match even started.
SUMMARY:
Show ran out of steam about 90 minutes in. The good news was Reigns got a good reaction the week after winning the strap.
Post-Show Notes from Eric Thibault:
WWE returns on Friday March 4th for a Road To Wrestlemania house show. The presale password is WWEPRE.
Kids loved chanting New Day Rocks before the show. Definitely not as full as last Raw in August featuring Undertaker and Lesnar. 3/4 of upper level curtained off.
Pre-Show dark match: Lucha Dragons vs. The Acension. They went straight to big moves, Acension double teamed Kalisto for the heat one minute in. Hot tag to Sin Cara two minutes in. Kalisto and Sin Cara hit topes, then the Salida del sol and the Swanton for the victory in 3:30.
Roman Reigns was cheered loudly during the opening video package.
Nikki and Paige were really over. The League of Nations received little to no reaction during entrances, its matches or post match angles.
Becky Lynch had a really cool, smoke filled entrance during the commercial break.
This was the second time on RAW in Minneapolis in the last couple years that they teased Lesnar but didn’t deliver.
Fans chanted “This is boring” during the cage match but flipped after Ambrose dove off the cage. Ambrose and Roman celebrated on the ramp after the match. No post match angle or match.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA including a look at tonight’s SLAMMY AWARD RAW, various categories to vote on, New Japan, WWE and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Today is Slammy Award day at WWE, which means a series of awards (some tongue in cheek, some serious) will be released throughout the day with what the company believes are the major awards being released throughout the three-hour Raw tonight from Minneapolis.
Usually this builds to the fan voted Superstar of the Year award at the end of Raw. Given the timing of Roman Reigns winning the title this past week and all voting being done this week, plus the other leading candidates, Seth Rollins, John Cena and Brock Lesnar all being off television the past two months, he would look to be the favorite.
These awards will be announced throughout the day on WWE.com and will get updated here as they do:
Tag Team of the Year – The New Day would seem like the favorite here.
Hashtag of the Year
Celebrity Moment of the Year – Stephen Amell, Jon Stewart and Wayne Rooney would be the favorites here.
Tell Me You Just Didn’t Say That Moment of the Year
Best John Cena Open Challenge match of the year – Choices are Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Dean Ambrose and Neville.
The following awards will be announced on the Raw pregame show on the WWE Network starting at 6 PM EST:
Rivalry of the Year – Undertaker vs. Lesnar would be a favorite but you can’t predict fan voting on something like this
Double Cross of the Year
Surprise Return of the Year
Best WWE Network Original Series
These awards will air live on Raw:
Superstar of the Year
Match of the Year – Candidates are John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins at Royal Rumble, Sting vs. HHH at WrestleMania, Cena vs. Kevin Owens at Elimination Chamber, Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio vs Dolph Ziggler vs. Owens on Raw, Lesnar vs. Undertaker Hell in a Cell
Diva of the Year – Choices are Nikki Bella, Noami, Charlotte, Paige and Sasha Banks
Breakout Star of the Year – Owens, Neville, Charlotte, Tyler Breeze and Braun Strowman.
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back today with tons to talk about including Vinny’s thoughts on Friday night’s ROH Final Battle PPV and a full review of what HAD to be the worst wrestling television show of the 80s, NWA World Championship Wrestling TV from December 21, 1985. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with your weekend wrap-up, a look at all the shows from ROH to UFC, a bunch of news, phone calls and text messages and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
