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  • UFC 197 Las Vegas live results: Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux

    Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 197: Jones vs. Saint Preux from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a bout for the UFC Interim Light Heavyweight Championship as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones makes his anticipated return to action to take on Ovince Saint Preux, who replaced an injured Daniel Cormier in what was originally supposed to be a rematch for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship held by Cormier and previously held by Jones. In the co-main event, it is another title fight as UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson looks to make another title defense as he welcomes challenger and former Olympic medalist Henry Cejudo, who puts his undefeated record on the line. Also on the card is former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis as he takes on Edson Barboza. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

    We’re looking for your thoughts on the show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle and a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    UFC 197 DFS Playbook
    UFC 197 Observer Picks & Preview

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- EFRAIN ESCUDERO (24-10, 5-6 UFC) VS. KEVIN LEE (11-2, 5-2 UFC)

    First round:  Right and left by Lee and body kick.  Lee  with a left.  Lee continues to land.  Escudero got behind him and tried for a takedown.  Lee up and tried a takedown  and now Lee tried a suplex but Escudero blocked.  Lee got a momentary takedown.  Lee let him go.  Lee with a body kick.  Escudero coming backs with punches late in the round.  Escudero got a takedown.  Lee 10-9.

    Second round:  Lee with a right.  Lee has him against the fence.  Escudero got a single leg but couldn’t get the takedown.  Lee with a knee to the body.  Body kick by Lee.  Both landed.  Escudero has him against the fence.  Escudero with a right.  Left by Escudero.  Lee 20-18, but this round was closer.

    Third round:  Lee throwing front kicks.  Escudero with an accidental low kick.  Lee in with a body kick.  Escudero with a left.  Escudedro with knees to the thigh.  Lee got underneath and slammed him down.  Lee landing lefts.  Lee grabbed a guillotine but Escudero escaped.  Lee landing punches on the ground.   Lee with body punches and elbows from the top.    Should be Lee 30-27 or maybe 29-28.

    Scores:  All three have it 29-28 for Lee.

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA (13-3-1, 2-1 UFC) VS. CLINT HESTER (11-5, 4-2 UFC)

     First round:  De Lima throwing kicks.  De Lima knocked him down with a right hook counter to the ear.  He’s on top with punches to the side of the head.  De Lima with more punches.   De Lima remains on top in guard.  Nothing happening and  boring.  Now de Lima  broke fee and is landing a lot of hard punches.  He pummeling Hester from the top and got the submission with a head and arm choke.

    HEAVYWEIGHTS- WALT HARRIS (7-4, 0-3 UFC) VS. CODY EAST (12-1, 0-0 UFC)

     First round:  East landed a nice right. Harris missed a high kick and East hit a body kick.  Body kick by Harris.  East landing punches.  East landing a lot.  Kick by East landed like it was an  Arena Mexico finish.   Harris with a body kick.  Both swing like rock em sock em robots and the crowd picked up big.  Body kick by Harris.  Good pace and good movement for big guys here.  East with two rights and Harris countered and dropped him with a counter left to the jaw.  Harris landing big punches on the ground. Now he’s landing elbows.  More big punches by Harris and it was stopped. East took a real beating from a big hard hitting guy here.  4:18

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- GLAICO FRANCA (13-3, 1-0 UFC) VS. JAMES VICK (8-0, 4-0 UFC)

     First round:   Franca with low kicks and took Vick down.  Second takedown by Franca.  Franca staying on top.  Vick up and landed a body kick.  Franca pushed him against the fence.  Vick with a spin kick to the body.  Viick landing all kinds of shots but Franca took him down again.   Close round Franca 10-9.

    Second round:  Between rounds they are checking Franca’s right eye but they let him continue.  It’s not bleeding but it was poked.  Vick taking him apart with punches at 6-foot 2 and a lightweight.  Franca tagged him back.  Spinning backfist by Franca landed.  Franca took him down with a hip toss.  Vick  back up.  High kick and knee by Vick. Vick has the big edge standing with his reach and accuracy.  Franca fired back with a hard right.  Front kick by Vick.  Spin kick to the body by  Vick.  Vick’s round so 19-19.

    Third round:  Vick landing lefts.  Vick with lefts and rights.  Vick continuing to land lefts.  Jumping knee by Vick.  Franca landed a hard right.  Vick continues to jab.  Low kick by Franca.  Vick is dancing away a lot now which could hurt him but he’s clearly superior standing.  Great front kick to the head by Vick.  Good fight.  Crowd liked it 29-28 Vick.

    Scores:   29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 Vick

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#2) CARLA ESPARZA (10-3, 1-1 UFC) VS. (#14) JULIANA LIMA (8-2, 2-1 UFC)

    First round:  Slow start as in nothing happening.  Esparza with punches and Lima going for a takedown.  Lima with punches and Esparza took her down.  Esparza gave her a short power bomb off an armbar attempt.  Lima tried for another armbar and Esparza out.  Lima tried for it again and Esparza with another short power bomb.  Nice up kick by Lima and another.  Esparza with punches from the top but doing no damage.  Lima with another up kick. Esparza cradled her and punched her a few times.  Esparza 10-9.

    Second round:   Lima swinging wildly.  Lima with a kick and Esparza slammed her down after grabbing the leg.  That kick was a bad idea.  Esparza with a lot of punches but again no real damaging blows.  Esparza again with a short power bomb.  Lima up with 30 seconds left and took Esparza down but Esparza right back up.  Lima working for a takedown late but didn’t get it.  Esparza 20-18.

    Third round:  Esparza took her down to start the third round.  Another up kick by Lima.  Lima back up with 3:00 left.  Esparza took her down right away.  Lima up.  Esparza took her down again.   Esparza with a few punches.  Lima reversed with 1:17 left.  Lima is in side control.  Esparza regained guard.  Boring fight.  Esparza 30-27.

    Scores:  All three have it 30-27 for Esparza.     

    WELTERWEIGHTS- DANNY ROBERTS (12-1, 1-0 UFC) VS. DOMINIQUE STEELE (14-6, 1-1 UFC)

    First round:  Steele dropped him with a right early.  Roberts worked for a triangle but didn’t get it.  Roberts up with 2:50 left in the round.  Body kick by Roberts.  Another body kick by Roberts.  Big left by Roberts.  Steele went for the takedown off a missed punch but couldn’t get it.  They traded knees.  Steele 10-9.

    Second round:  Knee to the body by Roberts.  Roberts with a body kick and punches.  Roberts landing more punches.  Steele with a knee to the body.  Roberts with a knee.  Roberts with an elbow.  Roberts with more punches. Front kick by Roberts.  Roberts landing several punches.  Roberts with a head kick.  Steele spun and got behind Roberts.  Roberts’s round so 19-19 after two.

    Third round:   Steele with a high takedown.  Roberts landed elbows.  Steele went for a takedown but Roberts is defending well  Steele now got him down.  Roberts throwing elbows from the bottom.  Herb Dean ordered a standup.  Steele landed a knee to the head and now both are swinging wildly and Steele took him down again.  Steele 29-28.
    Scores:  All three have it 29-28 for Roberts.  The crowd is booing like crazy.  Steele is in disbelief as is the crowd.    

    FLYWEIGHTS- (#14) SERGIO PETTIS (13-2, 4-2 UFC) VS. CHRIS KELADES (9-2, 2-1 UFC)

    First round:   Pettis seemed to land more and be more technical.  He got a takedown with  a trip late.  Pettis 10-9.

    Second round:   Kelades put Pettis down  and Pettis threatened with a triangle.  Pettis reversed to the top.  Both landing.  Nice head kick by Pettis.  Body kick by Pettis. Pettis 20-18.

    Third round:  Pettis with a takedown.  Pettis landing punches.  Kelades back with punches.  Pettis went for a takedown and didn’t get it.  Pettis with a front headlock.  Pettis shooting for a takedown.  Kelades went for a choke at the horn.  Pettis 30-27.

    Scores:  All three scored it 30-27 for Pettis.  You’ve never seen such a rushed decision announcement in your life. 

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- YAIR RODRIGUEZ (6-1, 3-0 UFC) VS. ANDRE FILI (15-3, 3-2 UFC)

    First round:   Rodriguez threw a crazy kick that missed.  Takedown by Rodriguez off a kick.  Rodriguez landing hard elbows.  Rodriguez now holding him down.  Rodriguez in side control.  Fili back up with 45 seconds left. Nice sweeping low kick took Fili off his feet.  Fili dropped him with a left jab.  Hard low kick by Rodriguez.  Body kick by Fili and a takedown by Fili.  Rodriguez  back up.  Great round.  10-9  Rodriguez..

    Second round:  Fili tripped Rodriguez down on a kick but let him back up.  Rodriguez with a takedown.  Rodriguez knocked him cold with a knockout of the year jumping kick.  This will be in the all-time highlight reel.  It was a jumping left switch kick to the head.  Fili is okay but he went out immediately.  2:15

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- (#7) ROBERT WHITTAKER (15-4, 6-2 UFC) VS. (#13) RAFAEL NATAL (21-6-1, 9-4-1 UFC)

    First round:   Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie chants for Whittaker.  Body kick by Whittaker.  Body kick by Natal.  Low kick by Whittaker.  Low kick by Natal.  Both swinging hard.  Left by  Whitaker.  Natal got behind him but Whittaker escaped.  Natal with a low kick.  Whittaker hurt him with punches and Natal went down.  Natal got back up.  Left by Whittaker.  Whittaker landed another left.  Whittaker 10-9.

    Second round:  Natal with a low kick.  Both throwing punches.  Whittaker’s left leg is all bruised up. Low kick by Natal.  Whittaker missed on a punch. Natal landed a counter.  Whittaker bleeding from the nose.  Natal taking over this round.  Natal knocked him off his feet, more a trip than a knockdown. Now Whittaker landing.  Nice left by Whittaker.  Low kick by Whittaker.  Jumping kick by Whittaker.   Could go either way, I’ve got it 19-19 with it going to Natal.

    Third round:  Whittaker threw a kick that landed low and the bout was stopped for a time out.  Whittaker with a body kick.  Whittaker’s left leg is so beat up.  Whittaker now with low kicks.  Left by Whittaker.  Front kick and low kick by Whittaker and followed with a right.  Hard left by Whttaker.  Natal with low kicks.  Left by Whittaker.  High kick by Whittaker knocked him down and Natal up and both swinging wildly as the fight ended.  Crowd liked the fight.  29-28 Whittaker.

    Scores:   29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 Whittaker      

    Whittaker said he injured his right hand early so was mostly throwing lefts.  He said he got tired in the second round and Natal was really tough.

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#3) ANTHONY PETTIS (18-4, 5-3 UFC) VS. (#8) EDSON BARBOZA (16-4, 10-4 UFC)

    First round:  Body kick by Barboza.  Low kick by Barboza.  Pettis with a counter off a kick by Barboza.  Good left by Barboza.  Low kick by Barboza.  Low kick by Barboza.  Big right by Barboza.  Another right by Barboza.  Spin kick to the body by Barboza.  Pettis tried a takedown and couldn’t get it.  Spin kick to the head by Barboza.  Pettis tried a flying kick that missed.  10-9 Barboza.  Good round.

    Second round:   Barboza with a body kick as Pettis tried for takedown.  Pettis landed a right. Pettis in with punches.  Pettis with a body kick.  Big right by Barboza.  Barboza with  a nice combo.  Pettis tried a takedown and didn’t get it.  Hard body kick by Barboza.  Trading punches.  Pettis tried a cartwheel kick that missed.  Barboza 20-18.

    Third round:  Pettis with a cartwheel kick that didn’t land solid.  Barboza put him down with a low kick.  Low kick by Barboza.  Barboza kicked him in the groin.  Brief time out and back in action.  Big low kick and another by Barboza.  The two kicks sounded like a shotgun going off.   Two more low kicks by Barboza.  Left by Barboza.  Another low kick by Barboza.  Left and low kick by Barboza.  Another low kick.  Barboza really taking over now. Pettis tried for a takedown and didn’t come close.  Spin kick by Barboza.  Pettis missed a spin kick.  Barboza 30-27

    Scores:    29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 Barboza. 

    UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON (23-2-1, 11-1-1 UFC) VS. (#2) HENRY CEJUDO (10-0, 4-0 UFC)

    First round:  They are shooting Joseph Benavidez at ringside.  Cejudo definitely got the bigger reaction.  Some boos, but not many for Johnson.  Low kick by Cehjudo.  They are in a clinch.  Both trading knees.  Johnson landed a right.  High kick by Johnson blocked.  Back to a clinch.  Takedown by Cejudo.  Place went nuts for this.  This is the most intense I’ve ever seen a crowd at a Johnson fight.  Johnson back up.  Back to a clinch.  Knee by Johnson.  Johnson landing a lot of knees.  An elbow and knees hurt Cejudo and and knee to the body put him down and a few punches later it was over.   2:49

    UFC INTERIM LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (#1) JON JONES (21-1, 15-1 UFC) VS. (#6) OVINCE SAINT PREUX (19-7, 7-2 UFC)

    First round:   Spin kick to the body by Johes.  Johes kicked the knee.  Jones missed a front kick.  OSP missed a punch.  Another kick to the knee by Jones.  Kick to the body by Jones.  Jones caught a  kick by OSP.  Side kick by Jones.  Jones throwing kicks to the knee.  OSP kicked the knee.  Body kick by Jones.  Spin kick by Jones.   Left  by OSP.  Jones with  a knee to the body.  Jones 10-9.

    Second round:   Jones tried for a single leg but gave it up when OSP landed punches.  Body kick by Jones.  Body kick by Jones.  OSP chant.  Left to the body by Jones.  Knee by OSP.  Real loud OSP chants.  Jones firing elbows and knees now.  Jones with elbows.  OSP hurt him with a punch.  He missed another one.  Jones with a high kick but didn’t connect with any damage.  Spin kick to the body by Jones.  Big right by OSP.  Left by OSP.  Spin kick to the head by Jones.  Crowd really buzzing because OSP did land some shots.  Still Jones 20-18.

    Third round:   Jones with all kinds of kicks to the knee.  Jones with a left.  OSP landed some punches.  Jones with another kick to the knee.  Spinning punch by Jones.  Left by Jones.  Left  to the body by Jones.  Body kick by OSP.  Left by Jones.  Left by OSP.  Fans booing because it’s not that great of a fight.  Jones with a  high kick.  Left and right by OSP.  Body kick by Jones.  Another body kick by Jones.  Left and right by OSP.  Jones back to attacking the knee.  OSP missed big punches.  He’s too slow and telegraphing them.  Jones 30-27.

    Fourth round:  Crowd booing a lot.  Body kick by OSP.  Body kick by Jones.  Jones working for a takedown.  He picked him up and slammed him and OSP back up.  Jones landed a knee.  Crowd booing again.  Elbows by Jones.  Left to the body by Jones.  Jones took him down again.  He’s in side control.  Elbow by Jones.  OSP nearly escaped.  Jones has his back with 33 seconds left.  Jones with punches,  a kick to the body and an elbow and a stomp.  Jones had him nearly beat at the end of the round.  10-8 round Jones 40-35.

    Fifth round:   Jones with a body kick.  Jones with a left.  Spin kick to the body by Jones. Uppercut by Jones.  Another uppercut by Jones.  Jones with a high sidewalk slam into side control.  Kick to the body by Jones and OSP back up.  Jones  missed a  high kick.  Trading punches  as Jones had OSP backed into the fence.  OSP just too tired to do anything as time ran out.  Jones 50-44.

    Scores:  50-44, 50-45 and 50-45 for Jones

    Jones said this isn’t the real belt.  Said it took him a while to pull the trigger.  Fans booed him when it was over.  I was watching and anticipating and imagining but I wasn’t going for it, watching instead of reacting.  Said he physically felt amazing, mentally said he felt he was sucking.  Said his problems didn’t play into the fight.  Said he really needed that fight.  Said he needed a fight like that before the title match.  Really excited to fight Daniel Cormier.  I’ll be back in practice Tuesday and Wednesday.  Then said he loved the fans.  Lukewarm at best reaction.

    OSP interivew.  Said Jon was the best pound for pound and said he only had three weeks to get ready so he thought he did a good job.  Said his arm his killing him from blocking a high kick.  Said he’s consistent and tactical.  

  • Bellator 153 Andrey Koreshkov vs Benson Henderson live coverage and results

    Bellator 153 : Koreshkov vs Henderson is on Spike TV Friday night at 8 pm eastern from Connecticut. The show airs one hour earlier than usual and features  the Bellator debut of former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson. He challenges Bellator welterweight champion Andrei Koreshkov in the main event. Bellator mainstay Patricio “Pitbull” Freire fights in the co-main and the show also features the return of “MVP” Michael Venom Page. Mr Cyborg even makes an appearance!

    Show opens with a video package with clips of various MMA media talking about the signing of Benson Henderson, including Ariel Helwani, Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice. They made the signing feel very important. This led to footage of Andrey Koreshkov just destroying dudes. Really good opening that made the main event of tonight’s show feel like a big deal.

    Like last week’s show, they are airing the fighter walkouts, which is a nice  touch that separates Bellator from UFC. Sean Grande even talks about the MVP “character” but also puts over his fighting ability and style, saying that he vows to do something that fans have never seen before.

    Welterweights Michael Page (9-0) vs Jeremie Holloway (7-1) (John McCarthy – ref)

    Page has a huge height and reach advantage, as he usually does a 6 ft 3 welterweight. Holloway rushes MVP and gets floored with a punch flush on the face but he recovers quickly. Page with his hands down at his knees and throwing wild punches while Grande says he’s part Anderson Silva and part Bugs Bunny, which gets a chuckle from Jimmy Smith. Holloway clinches up on the cage and the fans boo so Big John breaks them up. Actually it was a low blow by Holloway during the clinch. MVP with a huge  right and then throws Holloway to the floor. MVP with a reverse ankle lock and gets the quick tap. He then gets in Holloway’s face trash talking him after he releases the hold.

    WINNER – MICHAEL PAGE (10-0) by submission (toe hold) at 2:15

    Page gets some interview time after the fight. Says he’s working on his all around game. Jimmy Smith announces that it will be MVP vs Fernando Gonzalez on July 16th in London, which is the undercard of the Kimbo Slice/James Thompson fight. 

    Lightweights Brent Primus (6-0) vs Gleristone Santos (27-5) (Bryan Miner – ref)

    No walkouts aired for these two. Ref Miner bears a slght resemblance to Scott Coker. Santos gets a couple early knockdowns and Primus seems to want to keep it on the ground but Santos stands up to get it back to the feet. Primus has 3 first round subs in Bellator so that would explain it. Primus does get it to the ground at 1:15 and working for a sub from his back. Santos to his feet and landing kicks to the body so Primus gets up as well. Santos is defintely landing more on the feet. Primus misses a takedown attempt badly at 2:30. Santos already tired 4:00 in as he’s been throwing a lot of punches. Primus starting to connect with leg kicks. 10-9 Santos but close

    SAntos controlling the cage to start the round and still more active early. Primus hit with a low blow 2:30 in but doesn’t seem to  want to stop fighting. Ref warns Santos and they start fighting again right away. Both guys throwing a ton of shots on the restart. Primus with a takedown attempt but defended well by Santos at 4:00. Primus with a nice punch combo, his best of the fight, at 4:15. Santos with a nice combo right before the bell. That was almost a 10-10 round but I’d give the slight edge to Primus so 19-19 after 2

    Jimmy Smith has Santos up two rounds. Primus pulls guard early in round 3. Santos stands up and Primus tries to grab his foot but Santos gets away and they’re both standing again. Primus starting to land more punches and connects with a spin kick. Santos with a punch combo of his own at 1:45 that staggers Primus. Primus stuffed on another takedown attempt at 2:45. Santos lands a couple hard rights followed by a body kick and Primus is stumbling. Santos lets up, giving Primus time to recover and Primus gets a takedown at 3:45 and Primus takes his back. Santos rolls out but Primus still in his guard. Primus landing punches and elbows. Santos with a heel hook attempt but Primus escapes and postures up and then lands a hammer fist before going back into Santos’ guard. Primus ends the round on top to take the round definitively. 10-9 Primus, 29-28 overall but either guy could take it.

    WINNER – BRENT PRIMUS (7-0) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)

    Jimmy Smith scored all 3 rounds for Santos, which is questionable. Primus gets some mic time and asks for a top 10 fighter to help him move up in the rankings. He thanks God and Scott Coker for believing in him and letting him fight on the main card. Charisma isn’t exactly his strong suit.

    Good pre-fight video package for the next fight. Ward is promising a quick explosive fight in front of his hometown fans. Bellator is back in this venue in October and Ward will get a title shot with a win tonight. 

    Welterweights Brennan Ward (13-3) vs Evangelista Santos (20-16) (Todd Anderson – ref)

    These guys are big enough stars to get televised walkouts. Santos is better known as Mr Cyborg and is the ex-husband of Cristiano Justino aka Cris Cyborg. He is a former Strikeforce fighter making his Bellator debut and he once fought Nick Diaz. He’s also fought in Pride. Ward is a big star to the locals and comes out to Irish folk music with Irish flags everywhere like he’s on a Conor McGregor undercard. When Bellator did their UK vs USA tentpole show last year, he was on the UK “team” before turning American in his post-fight interview. This should end quickly as between the two of them, they’ve got 28 stoppages  in 33 career wins, most of those coming in the first round.

    Ward catches a Santos kick and takes him down right away. Cyborg with a heel hook and gets the quick tap.

    WINNER – EVANGELISTA SANTOS (21-16) by verbal submission at 30 seconds (heel hook)

    Cyborg says he’s after the belt and not much more in his post fight promo.

    The “Fighters First” promo from last week aired again and it’s still great. Matt Mitrione’s debut was announced for Dynamite 2 in June against a Samoan fighter that I’ve never heard of. They are running tentpole shows in each of the next 3 months with regular shows mixed in as well so it’s going to be a big few months of fights for Bellator as well as UFC.

    Featherweights Patricio Freire (24-3) vs Henry Corrales (12-2) (Kevin MacDonald – ref)

    Both guys get walkouts with Pitbull getting AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as his song, preceded by barking pitbulls. Pitbull controlling the cage early. Corrales landing single punches from distance but neither guy doing much through 2 minutes. Pitbull with a takedown attempt at 2:15 and ends up taking the back of Corrales standing. He completes it at 2:30 and into mount quickly. Pitbull working for an arm triangle but gives it up quickly. Corrales works him back into guard but  eats some elbows. Corrales to his feet at 3:45. Crowd booing heavily at 4:30 as neither guy has done a thing since they stood up. They have a quick punch exchange right before the bell. 10-9 Pitbull

    Carl Seumanatafa is the name of Mitrione’s opponent in June. Announcers saying that Pitbull may have suffered a rib injury in the first round. He does seem to be very tentative. Nice punch combo from Corrales at 1:30. Crowd booing again at 1:45. Pitbull with cage control but neither guy doing much of anything, much like the main event of last week’s show, although this one has slightly more action. Pitbull connects with a flying knee at 3:00. Pitbull with a nice punch combo at 3:15 and then gets a takedown. Pitbull landing light punches to the body from the top but then stands up and locks in a standing guillotine and gets the quick tap.

    WINNER – PATRICIO FREIRE (25-3) by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:09 of the 2nd round

    In his post-fight interview, Pitbull says he was a “little hurt” after round 1 but he took his corner’s advice and submitted his opponent in Round 2. Says he’s the most complete fighter in the division and vows to take his belt back from Daniel Straus. 

    A prelim fight between Djamil Chan and Richard Patishnock aired next. Chan moves to 13-2 with a first round KO and looked really good. 

    Main Event for the Bellator Welterweight Championship – Champion Andrei Koreshkov (18-1) vs Benson Henderson (23-5) (John McCarthy – ref)

    Henderson got to take his “Awesome God” entrance music with him from UFC and Koreshkov is out to the Russian national anthem followed by what sounded like the Imperial Death March. It would’ve been a great entrance song for Rusev when he was a Russian sympathizer. After bringing in Road Warrior Hawk a couple years ago, I was very disappointed that Nikolai Volkoff was nowhere to be found. Henderson is the huge crowd favorite and his “notable wins” record is the best lineup I’ve ever seen in Bellator.

    Henderson giving up a lot of size here, although it’s not as bad as when he fought Brandon Thatch last year. Henderson staying on the outside, landing body kicks from distance. Koreshkov pushing the pace early. Henderson connecting with leg kicks as well. Koreshkov catches a kick and pushes Henderson to the ground at 2:15 but lets him back up. Koreshkov lands a hard body kick right after that. Koreshkov with a punch combo that backs Henderson up at 3:15. Henderson misses badly on a takedown attempt. Henderson continuing to connect with leg kicks, which could come into play later. Koreshkov knocks Henderson down with 10 seconds left and all over him with punches as the round ends. 10-9 Koreshkov

    Koreshkov advancing again and Henderson with his back to the cage early. Koreshkov lands a spinning head kick and Henderson misses on another takedown attempt. Flying knee by Koreshkov and then a punch combo but Henderson weathers it. Another weak takedown attempt by Henderson. Henderson continuing to land leg kicks, but that’s all he’s connecting with. Another failed takedown attempt from Henderson at 3:15. That one was closer. Henderson missing wildly on his punches as well. Henderson with a body punch that seemed to hurt Koreshkov a bit and he gains cage control for a short bit. Body kick by Koreshkov staggers Henderson at 4:30. Cage clinch with 10 seconds left and Koreshkov landing punches to the body and head. 10-9 Koreshkov, 20-18 overall

    LETS GO BENSON chants from the crowd to start round 3. Left hook staggers Henderson and he shoots for a takedown. Koreshkov landing elbows and punches to the head but Henderson won’t let go of his waist. Koreshkov with his back on the cage and Henderson just holding him there, not landing anything. Henderson with a couple of elbows to the head that connect. Koreshkov sprawls and landing hard knees to the body. They separate at 3:30. Koreshkov landing hard leg kicks as the crowd starts a USA chant. Spinning head kick from Koreshkov with 10 seconds left. Another round for Koreshkov, 30-27.

    Koreshkov advancing to start again and landing leg kicks early. Henderson with a takedown attempt and Koreshkov sprawls out. Henderson ends up on his back and just misses with a hard upkick and Koreshkov backs off, forcing Henderson to his feet. Henderson wtih a takedown attempt that ends up in a cage clinch at 2:00. Henderson landing a lot of leg kicks from the clinch. Koreshkov gets seperation at 3:00. Koreshkov continuing to advance. Koreshkov knocks Henderson down with a punch but stays on his feet, landing punches while Henderson is sitting on the canvas. Koreshkov with a standing guillotine at 4:30 and drags him to the canvas but lets go quickly. Henderson to his feet at 4:45. 10-9 Koreshkov, 40-36

    Benson’s corner told him “we’re down a lot” between rounds. Henderson with leg kicks to open and connects with a head kick. Henderson landing more this round as he has to go for it. Koreshkov looks as fresh as he did in the first and lands another spinning head kick. Henderson with a takedown attempt and Koreshkov sprawls out again. Koreshkov with a massive body kick as Henderson was shooting for a takedown. Henderson stayed down but Koreshkov backed off, forcing him to his feet. Henderson with another weak takedown attempt. Henderson landed a couple of kicks from his back and Koreshkov backed off. Henderson misses wildly with a punch and then drops to his back but Koreshkov having none of it and backs off. Koreshkov still advancing at 4:00 and lands a spinning back fist. Koreshkov drops Henderson with a punch but doesn’t go to the ground with him. Henderson connects with an upkick but Koreshkov in with a vicious knee to the body with 10 seconds left. Koreshkov with a guillotine right before the final bell. 10-9 Koreshkov, 50-45

    WINNER – ANDREY KORESHKOV (19-1) by unanimous decision (50-45 x 3)

    Both guys get interview time. Koreshkov says that his coach told him that he would win every round and he did. Henderson says he’s sad cause he doesn’t like losing. When asked what’s next, he was supposed to say he’s going back to 155 but instead said “I dunno, whatever the bosses say”. Announcers were pushing potential fights with Josh Thomson and Michael Chandler. Koreshkov will probably get the Koscheck-Daley winner next. 

  • Samoa Joe beats Finn Balor to win the NXT Title

    Samoa Joe pinned Finn Balor with a muscle buster to win the NXT title in the main event at today’s house show in Lowell, MA at the Memorial Auditorium.

    It was the first night of a three-show Northeastern tour.

    Not much more in the way of details are available but it was a rare house show title change.  Balor was selling an ankle injury after the match.  It’s unclear if this was storyline or not, as he was down for a long time and unlaced his boot in the ring.  Unlacing his boot would tend to mean its storyline. One way or another, it wasn’t an impromptu title change as talk of the impending switch had gone around all afternoon.

    Josh Nason is traveling back from Lowell and will have a live report up shortly.

    Balor had been champion since July 4, 2015, when he defeated Kevin Owens at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, and his 292 days as champion broke the record of 287 set by Adrian Neville’s 2014 run.

    The rest of the show results were:

    • Mojo Rawley pinned Riddick Moss
    • Bayley & Carmella beat Peyton Royce & Dana Brooke – This would be Brooke’s return after a long injury absence
    • Chris Girard pinned Tommaso Ciampa – This match tore down the house.
    • Austin Aries pinned Manny Andrade
    • Shinsuke Nakamura pinned Elias Samson
    • Chad Gable & Jason Jordan beat Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson to retain the NXT tag titles
    • Asuka beat Alexa Bliss to retain the women’s title

  • WON Preview: Conor McGregor and UFC 200, TNA sale imminent

    READ IT HERE: April 25, 2016 WON: Conor McGregor and the fate of UFC 200, and the possible sale of TNA

    In this week’s Observer the Conor McGregor/UFC issue as it relates to UFC 200, and the future and possible sale of TNA are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The top story runs down how the McGregor situation went down, how much money is at stake for the UFC if McGregor isn’t on the show, Dana White’s claims, a look at the most likely replacement fights and evaluating them, the possible UFC 200 momentum, as well as a rundown of UFC plans for what was expected to be the biggest weekend in its history.

    The second big story has to do with the potential sale of TNA to Aroluxe, the company looking at buying them, and the moves Dixie Carter has tried to make, where things stand, a look at the business of TNA and what is needed to turn it around, and more.

    There is also an update on the condition of Bray Wyatt, a look at the next WWE PPV show, Notes on the Total Bellas TV show, update on Total Divas and how badly this season declined in audience, more on the WWE drug test failuers, more on Undertaker pulling out of the European tour and HHH wrestling on it, an update on Steve Austin, an update on the Global cruiserweight tournament, Brock Lesnar’s next match, how WWE affects the USA Network overall, former major star honored in Chickasaw nation Hall of Fame, upcoming major NXT dates, Bret Hart talks current WWE, Ryback talks WrestleMania, and notes on the November European tour including why TV location is so notable.

    Also this issue has a rundown of all the WWE and NXT arena events of the past week as well as highlights and business notes on all of the shows.

    The Kumamoto earthquake caused the cancelation of a New Japan PPV. That changes some of the upcoming shows. This issue covers the new two big shows over the next few weeks, plans for English language broadcasts over the next few months, and early thoughts of the next Super Juniors tournament.

    This issuce has coverage of the UFC on FOX show, with all the things that went wrong before the show, business notes on the show, where different fighters are headed next, challenges made, plus business notes, match-by-match coverage, pay numbers and poll results.

    ROH is getting expanded TV coverage in Canada with The Fight Network, and other promotions. 

    I was at the 51st annual Cauliflower Alley Club banquet featuring Jerry Lawler, Lance Russell, J.J. Dillon, Arn Anderson, Trish Stratus, Ricky Steamboat, Paul Orndorff, John Layfield and others. In this issue, there is some history of the event, what happened that night, the decision to honor Stratus as the main award and other notes.

    Also in this issue is our monthly WWE & TNA business rundown so you can see how business is compared to recent years in attendance, ratings, on-line merch, DVD sales and what main events drew what kind of revenue.

    Details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including who was watching, who tuned in, what groups tuned out or Raw the most, as well as John Cena’s new show, all in this issue.

    Finally, this issue contains results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows.

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    • Kota Ibushi debuts with a new promotion next month, but a surprise where that is
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    • Another personality leaves TNA
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    issues sent to you today. 

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  • Conor McGregor releases statement regarding UFC 200

    Updated with additional thoughts by Dave Meltzer below

    Conor McGregor was removed from UFC 200 earlier this week and “retired” on Twitter, events that have taken the MMA world by storm this week. After hearing from Dana White several times, fans and media have been waiting for a response from the featherweight champion on his future and what is going on.

    One finally came on Thursday on Facebook.

    McGregor stated his desire to still compete at the year’s biggest event while doing less promotional work as he wants to focus more attention to training for his rematch against Nate Diaz. 

    He ended his statement emphatically, saying that he is not retired.

    Other key quotes:

    – “It is time to go back and live the life that got me this life. Sitting in a car on the way to some dump in Conneticut or somewhere, to speak to Tim and Suzie on the nobody gives a f*ck morning show did not get me this life.”

    – “I feel the $400 million I have generated for the company in my last three events, all inside 8 months, is enough to get me this slight leeway.”

    – “There had been 10 million dollars allocated for the promotion of this event is what they told me. So as a gesture of good will, I went and not only saved that 10 million dollars in promotion money, I then went and tripled it for them. And all with one tweet. Keep that 10 mill to promote the other bums that need it. My shows are good.”

    – “For USADA and for the UFC and my contract stipulations – I AM NOT RETIRED.”

    The full statement is below:

    Additional thoughts from Dave Meltzer

    The game continues, and make no mistake about it, that is what this is.

    Conor McGregor put up a Facebook post today clearly designed to get him back in the main event at UFC 200 without being the one to back down, particularly when a lot of the court of public opinion wasn’t favorable to him since Dana White had done the media to get his side of the story over.  McGregor made it clear he’s not retired and still wants the fight with Nate Diaz on 7/9.  What he said was a calculated move to get back into that match without being the one to back down. 

    He claimed that he was paid to fight and not paid to promote, which explains his rationale and what the fight about getting him to come to the U.S. this week was.   

    His argument is that with the simple use of social media, he was able to garner tons of publicity without coming in to do press conferences and commercials this week, and what appears to be his concession is that he will do the New York press conference. But the key is the television commercial which UFC is spending $1 million on producing for the show, not the New York press conference.

    Part of the real story here goes back to last year when McGregor had great resentment that he was promoting both Jose Aldo fights so much harder than Aldo was.  The rationale from the UFC side was that McGregor was far more effective than Aldo at promoting, but McGregor felt Aldo not having to do as much tiring promotional work that would keep him from gym time was an advantage.  While McGregor won the fight, it was not a secret he wasn’t happy with Aldo not having anywhere near the media obligations he had, and that Aldo was benefitting by not wanting to promote.

    Then, there was a big UFC press conference with all the fighters, where McGregor stole the show, but midway through, Aldo left to fly back to Brazil to attend a wedding.  McGregor had made it clear he’d missed many social occasions to help promote his fights and this was the big press conference event of the year and Aldo, for his biggest fight, was given permission to leave early.

    McGregor made it clear he wasn’t retiring, just two days after he said he was and after his coach said he was, and after having photos taken by friends clearly pointing him out as a retired fighter. By making it clear he’s not retiring, it means he won’t be stripped of his featherweight title, which UFC threatened when he claimed to be retired.

    From both sides, they are playing a game to the public but the end result is that it is of great financial benefit to both sides for the Nate Diaz fight to take place as scheduled on 7/9.  Both obviously had a dispute, both dug in their heels, McGregor said he wasn’t coming to the U.S. this week and issued a retirement Tweet as his strategy. UFC and Dana White called his bluff by going everywhere and saying he was pulled from the show as their strategy.

    This Facebook post was a way to get the public to believe he’s ready to fight and make UFC the bad guys for not giving the fans a fight they want to see. And in offering to go to New York, he’s offering a compromise, but clearly by not coming to Las Vegas for the commercial, it’s a small concession. 

    The issue is within UFC there is a mentality that they’ve given in to McGregor over and over, and at some point, you have to say no.

    But from a business standpoint, when it comes to the show and the short-term (and almost all promoters think short-term), the best thing is to give the public the fight that will make the most money.

    But UFC is in the game long-term, and they are well aware of it.  Essentially the ball is back in their court, and the fight is getting a ton of mainstream publicity that it wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. 

  • April 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Conor McGregor announces retirement, TNA sale imminent

    In just three sentences, the entire world of MMA may have changed.

    UFC was planning its biggest set of shows in history, built around a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz fight, which was expected to be the biggest money event in company history.

    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • Joanie “Chyna” Laurer passes away at 45

    Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, a major part of the WWF/E in the late 90, was found dead in her home today at the age of 45. At this time, no further details are available as to the cause.

    Laurer was a bodybuilder/fitness competitor who trained under Killer Kowalski, using the name Joanie Lee when she was introduced as HHH’s bodyguard after WCW had expressed interest in her but Kowalski pushed her to WWF/E.

    She was instrumental in helping HHH, who had struggled getting over despite a major push, become a major star. The two became a couple which was both a blessing to her career and, eventually, a curse.

    When HHH garnered power, Laurer was heavily protected and booked to go evenly with guys. There were very differing opinions on that as many of the male wrestlers didn’t like selling for her or that she was being pushed heavily. A day before she was to face Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental title at 1999’s No Mercy, Jarrett’s contract expired which enabled him to use leverage and hold WWF up for a significant amount of money (believed to be in the $200,000 range) to get him to do the job. He did and Chyna won the belt.

    She was a popular star of the era at a time when the mainstream popularity of pro wrestling was at its high point, even posing in a best selling issue of Playboy.

    After HHH and Chyna broke up, her political protection was gone which led to issues.  She wanted to continue wrestling men, but those in power in WWF made the decision that they had made a mistake in allowing it in the first place and would only allow her to wrestle women.

    In 2001, when her contract expired, she was let go. Those in WWE at the time claimed she was asking for money at the level of Steve Austin and Dwayne Johnson, and that she also wanted a lighter schedule to pursue acting.  But it was probably a combination of being uncomfortable with her around.  She claimed she met with Vince McMahon about Stephanie dating HHH, and from that point on, WWE stopped using her. There was a directive from the top not to sign her when the contract expired.

    From there, her life and career largely went downhill. She had problems with drug addiction, which she vehemently denied. Her credibility in interviews was bad, even by wrestling standpoints, making claims that everyone in pro wrestling but herself was doing steroids, and made claims against former boyfriend Sean “X-Pac” Waltman which led to him to threaten legal action.

    New Japan brought her in to do the role of beating men.  Antonio Inoki pushed her hard as an attraction, and she even was given a win over a young Hiroshi Tanahashi, but she didn’t get over and the run ended.

    She popped in and out of wrestling over the years, but never returned to WWE.  She did a sex tape with Waltman and then started appearing in a number of porn films. She want to Japan for several years and taught English, and claimed that a multitude of people had asked to marry her.  She returned to the U.S. and seemed to want to get back with WWE in some capacity, but the company steered clear of her.

  • Lucha Underground results: Matanza defends title against Mil Muertes

    We get a recap of the Trios tournament so far along with a recap of Matanza’s reign of terror. Short, sweet, and effective. In his office, Dario tells Fenix he’s lucky he survived his encounter with Matanza. Fenix is the man of endless lives, and Dario is the man of endless opportunities – and he wants to make Aerostar, Drago, and Fenix a team in this year’s Trios tournament as well. But they lost last year, so instead, he will team with PJ Black and Jack Evans. Drago and Aerostar will instead fight over a Gift of the Gods medallion in our opener. Striker and Vamp welcome us to the show, with Vamp in a vintage-style LU shirt and run down the card.

    Aerostar vs. Drago

    The match begins with a dueling chant, while Drago starts with a half crab and it gets turned into a wacky lucha submission by Aerostar. Quick cradle gets 2 for Aerostar, who goes for a handspring something or other, but eats a flying kick. Aerostar gets tossed into the buckle and hits a corkscrew dive. Drago misses a shoulder charge, while Aerostar missed a dive and smacks the steps. Drago tosses him into the ringside gate, while Vamp says that as a luchador, you need to accept that you could die.

    Aerostar hits a flip dive, and Drago responds with a corkscrew dive to the floor. Aero sends Drago back a moment, but misses a springboard dive in the ring. Drago lifts him for a draping DDT and gets 2. Aerostar drops him in the corner and runs around and hops before hitting a corner dropkick. Aerostar goes for his corner-to-corner ropewalk rana, but gets tossed off the top and lands on his feet – only to eat a missile dropkick. A basement dropkick and senton attempt are missed, so they fight on their knees with forearm strikes. Aerostar hits a springboard codebreaker and a springboard saluting splash for the win. This was a blast!

    Johnny and Taya are in their room, while Johnny works out and Taya asks if he looks better than he did yesterday. She says she has news from Dario – Mundo wants a medallion, but Dario just won’t give him one. Next week, he’ll have to work for a medallion in a match with Cage. No word on whether or not Cage is a machine, but it’s probably a safe bet. Mundo gets scared when he is told that it will be a cage match – Cage in a Cage. This was amusing. Striker says it’s 4/20 – so see how high we can get in this match.

    Jack Evans, PJ Black, and Fenix vs. The Disciples of Death

    PJ starts off with the silver-clad Trece. PJ cartwheels into an armdrag and goes for a tag to Jack – but Jack says no, you’re doing too well, keep going. PJ lands a superkick for 2. Fenix hits a rana to send another Disciple out of the ring. Fenix goes for a corkscrew dive off the second rope, and catches his leg in a scary moment – luckily, he was almost able to finish the move without falling too short. PJ has Trese in an abdominal stretch while Jack talks smack, and gets crotched by Sinestro.

    The purple-clad Sinestro tags in and attacks in the corner. The gold-clad Barrio Negro tags in for a chop, and then tags Trece back in. PJ tags Fenix in and he lands some kicks and a standing moonsault to the back. C4 armdrag hits for 2. Sinestro charges in and eats a thrust kick before nailing a basement dropkick. Sinestro lands a spike DDT for 2. Jack tags in and avoids things with flips before busting out some kung fu fighting. Vamp says that he wants some of whatever Jack smokes. Fenix comes in and lands a pop-up double dropkick. Barrio Negro eats a rana for 2. Fenix hits a big pop-up rana before PJ’s springboard 450 gets 2. They toss one disciple onto the other on the floor while arguing and PJ hits a flip dive while Fenix tags himself in. Jack jumps in in and then hits a variety of flip dives, but Fenix wins with a dive off his own. Striker hypes up the win and says that Mil Muertes vs. Matanza is next.

    Dario talks to Havoc, Ivelisse, and Angelico about how much they’ve grown in a year. Dario tells them that this tournament isn’t for a title shot – it’s for their titles. As champions, they have a bye to the finals and will have a match against three teams next week. They run through team names before Dario tells them to leave. In the locker room, the Disciples of Death materialize out of lightning and Catrina tells them they failed. Moreover, Fenix got the win and she is even more pissed at that. She wants a reason to not destroy them – so Sinestro pulls out the beating hearts of his partners as lightning  went off around them. So yeah, Sinestro just ripped out the electrified hearts of his former partners. This was awesome!

    Lucha Underground Champion Mil Muertes vs. Matanza Cueto

    Vamp hypes this up as a monster vs. monster match and asks about the significance of the key. Dario yells words of encouragement to Matanza and Vamp translates them to mean that if he doesn’t win tonight, it’s over for them. Mil starts off strong by whooping him and beating him to his belly. Mil goes to toss him out, but it’s reversed and he is tossed into the ropes and eats a Clothesline from Hell. Mil hits a snap powerslam and lands some mounted punches.

    Matanza grabs him in a double-arm choke and does some corner shoulder charges, but Mil lands a kick and some punches. Mil Biels him into the buckle and lands 10 straight lariats! Mil runs into the boot a few times – stop doing that, you moron. Wrath of the Gods gutwrenches land, but Mil avoids a rope lariat and sends Matanza over the top with a sick hiptoss. A suicide dive gives Mil a huge edge as he throttles Dario. Matanza saves his brother, who takes a big bump on the floor.

    They fight on the announce table, and Catrina hits Matanza with the stone. Matanza throttles her, but Mil chairshots him on the back. They fight over a post shot, and Matanza wins that war. Steel can to the head and back of Matanza. Matanza grabs it and beats him with it. They fight to the office ceiling and Mil tries to toss him off. Dario looks like he’s in absolute shock, as do the fans. FLATLINER THROUGH THE OFFICE CEILING gets a holy shit chant. Dario needs to hire contractors that don’t cut perfectly-shaped holes into his ceiling.

    Sleazy ’70s porno music plays and takes us to the precinct, where we don’t see Officer Meehan – but do see a deceased poster for Bael and a new character is introduced. A councilman comes in and tells Marie it’s a good idea to drop the case against Dario so they can focus on someone more powerful. It’s just friendly advice though, and not a threat in any way. This was a good start to a new chapter in the “cops are after Dario” story, so presumably, he has friends in high places, and unlike Dixie Carter’s character, probably won’t lose a case with a judge in his back pocket. Very fun episode of the show, and I’m looking forward to seeing where all this cop stuff goes.

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

  • WWE Smackdown results: Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens

    – Air Date: April 21, 2016 (Apr 20 in Canada)
    – Location: The O2 Arena in London, England

    – The Big News:

    Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will face The Usos on Monday Night Raw.

    – Show Recap:

    They aired a Raw video package recapping the angle between Roman Reigns, AJ Styles and his two friends. They made sure to squeeze in Reigns’ catchphrase again.

    Maryse and The Miz were in the ring for MizTV. Maryse introduced Miz as the biggest American movie star in the world. Miz wanted answers and introduced AJ Styles. Miz talked about Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson running roughshod in Japan in 2014.

    Styles said yeah, they had five titles between the three of them. Styles also reminded Miz he knocked his teeth out the last time they were in the ring together. Miz flatout asked if he had Gallows and Anderson do his dirty work, but Styles reiterated that he had nothing to do with it.

    Miz said Styles never *not* told them to attack Reigns, and his inaction spoke louder than words. Styles said he’s not in charge of them. He wished they hadn’t done it and doesn’t need anyone’s help to beat Reigns.

    Miz said Styles can claim to be the better “‘rassler,” but Reigns was bigger and stronger. Miz called Reigns “the guy” (crowd booed) and Styles would need the help. Styles stood up but Miz kept talking and started doing movie lines again, this time Will Smith from Concussion saying “Tell the truth! Tell the truth!”

    Maryse was turned on and they made out. Miz was about to start talking again but Styles attacked him and left him laying. After a break, they announced Miz vs. Styles. This wasn’t great, but it did set up what was to come later. Miz is pretty good in this role, but he was overwhelming Styles.

    Non-title: Ryback beat US Champion Kalisto via pinfall

    Ryback missed his cue during his entrance where he always says “more” in “feed me more” on the stage. The announcers explained that Ryback wanted a WrestleMania rematch to prove Kalisto’s win was a fluke. They also made sure to never mention whether or not this was a title match.

    Ryback dominated from the beginning and they went to commercial less than 2 minutes into the match even though nothing else had happened since the last break. After the break, Ryback did a nice delayed vertical suplex off the middle rope. Kalisto came back with a leg drop, front dropkick and corkscrew elbow. He did the spike-rana, but it looked terrible and they didn’t bother editing it.

    Ryback followed with a meat-hook clothesline, but Kalisto countered a Shellshock into a DDT for a near fall. Ryback then countered a Salida Del Sol into a Shellshock for the win. Ryback posed with the US Title afterwards. Basic match that went about 9 minutes. The finishing sequence was good.

    Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin

    The match never happened. As Ziggler made his entrance, Corbin attacked him from behind and tossed him around ringside. Somebody yelled “You suck!” at him, but it was just a kid so Corbin did not yell back like he did on Raw. Corbin finished off Ziggler with End of Days. Rich Brennan appeared on the stage to ask Corbin why he did that and he responded, “Because I can.”

    Non-title: AJ Styles beat IC Champion The Miz via pinfall

    As Styles appeared to be gaining control, Miz ran away and used Maryse as a shield. Styles tried to go around but Miz punched him and launched him a couple of times into the barricade.

    Miz had the heat for a while until Styles came back with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Miz caught Styles with an atomic drop and applied the Figure Four. Styles turned it over to escape and followed by applying the Calf Crusher, but Miz got to the rope.

    Styles hit the Pele kick and got ready for the springboard forearm, but Miz left the ring. As Miz went up the aisle to escape, he stopped upon seeing Gallows and Anderson making their way down. Miz turned back toward the ring and Styles nailed him with a springboard flying forearm. He followed that immediately with the Phenomenal Forearm in the ring for the win.

    Gallows and Anderson remained outside the ring as Styles looked on. Good match that went about 17 minutes. The finish fit perfectly with the story.  

    Rich Brennan interviewed Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn backstage about their upcoming tag match against Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. Ambrose said they would leave their opponents looking like “leftover spotted dick” and Zayn said it was time to put an end to this.

    Zayn wanted a cool tag team name but Ambrose wouldn’t listen to him. Zayn suggested “Sambrose,” among others. They also mentioned “Beefeaters” but Zayn doesn’t like gin. Ambrose wanted “Roughriders” but Zayn thought that was too sexual and suggestive. After comedy time expired, Ambrose told Zayn to take off his hat so they could go beat up Jericho and Owens.

    Later, Rich Brennan caught up to Gallows and Anderson. Gallows said Styles doesn’t need their help, they were just looking to make an impact. Anderson announced they would make an impact on Raw when they make their in-ring debut against the Usos. Gallows concluded, “We have arrived.”

    Natalya & Paige beat Naomi & Tamina via submission

    Unlike on Raw, Paige got to come out last here in England, and they didn’t play an ad through her entrance. Mauro Ranallo talked about Bret Hart and British Bulldog at SummerSlam 1992. Jerry Lawler said he knows from experience that Bret Hart is a cheater, that he cheated to become WWE Champion and, “he even cheated when Bret screwed Bret.”

    Paige made the hot tag and hit Ram-Paige on Naomi (and her Harley Quinn hair), but Tamina broke up the cover. Natalya put Tamina in the sharpshooter and Paige put Naomi in the PTO and they both tapped. One women’s match on a split-crew show and they got 5 minutes.

    R-Truth beat Fandango via pinfall (special referee: Goldust)

    Fandango didn’t get an entrance in the only place in the world that cares about his entrance. I don’t blame them. Goldust wore his full gear along with a gold and black referee shirt. This was all “comedy.” As Fandango and Truth were having a dance-off or whatever, Truth caught him with a flatliner for the win. Goldust and Truth danced briefly afterwards even though Goldust is always a dick to Truth.

    Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady came out to a huge reaction from an otherwise dead crowd. In fact, this might’ve been the biggest reaction on the show. Enzo did his usual promo, but they were interrupted by the Vaudevillains.

    Aiden English said everyone was tired of Enzo and Cass, and said Enzo looks like a rodent with mange. Enzo didn’t know what he meant but said the Vaudevillains can keep reading books while he and Cass will be writing them, and the Vaudevillains couldn’t hit him if they were standing in the phone booth.

    Simon Gotch said they were going to learn a harsh lesson. English called this a man’s world and they were real men. Gotch said when they win at Payback they’ll be the ones to ask, politely, “How are you doing?” Cass said they’d win at Payback and called the Vaudevillains soft. They really need to give Cass better material. Also, are the Vaudevillains time travellers?

    As they were about to cut to commercial, Jericho and Owens walked backstage toward Gorilla. There were two random guys holding cups with popcorn. Jericho knocked the cup out of one guy’s hands. Owens grabbed the other guy’s cup and started eating. He offered some to Jericho, who declined.

    Promo for Primo and Epico. They also plugged Raw in Hartford. Byron Saxton wondered aloud if Shane McMahon would be in charge again.

    Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens beat Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose via pinfall

    Owens and Zayn were in the ring to start, but Owens immediately tagged out. The crowd chanted “Ole” and Jericho told them to shut up. They went to commercial two minutes into the match. Ranallo referred to Owens as “truculent” and Lawler didn’t know what that meant.

    As Zayn made a comeback on Jericho, Owens made a blind tag, pulled Zayn out of the ring, and tossed him into the barricade to regain control. Jericho slapped Zayn a couple times, so Zayn responded with a blue thunder bomb. Ambrose made the hot tag and ran wild on Owens, nailing a suicide dive.

    Ambrose also clotheslined Jericho, but caught a superkick from Owens in the ring. Ambrose got  Owens with Dirty Deeds but Jericho broke up the cover. Zayn booted Jericho out of the ring, but as Ambrose went to the top rope, Jericho crotched him and Owens covered him for a three count.

    Terribly weak finish. Zayn had just kicked Jericho out of the ring, but then disappeared when Jericho quickly covered to interfere. The finish made Ambrose look like a complete loser, and it negated his win over Owens on Raw. I’m really not sure what the point of this was.

    After the match, Owens jumped on Jericho for a hug (which somehow didn’t kill Jericho). Owens yelled toward the ring, “I beat you! Chris helped, but I beat you!” Jericho assured Owens that he did it on his own, so Owens bragged some more. These two belong together.

    – Final Thoughts:

    This wasn’t a terrible show, but it was the least noteworthy Smackdown show in a long while. They often do a good job of masking the fact that it’s a split-crew, but that wasn’t the case tonight. You can safely skip this show if you have literally anything else you’d rather be doing.

  • Adam Rose responds to drug suspension from WWE

    Ray Leppan, better known as WWE’s Adam Rose, released the first of what he said is a two part response to his 60 drug suspension announced by WWE this past week.

    Leppan’s statement is that he believes his response is tantamount to career suicide, but made it anyway. He claimed he didn’t do anything knowingly wrong, and the substance he was using was prescribed medication. The statement below is word-for-word with no changes:

    “I was not going to respond to my suspension but I feel I have to. I have two sons that will one day read that news about there daddy and a sister that died from complications related to a life long battle with heroin.

    So I feel the absolute need and right to respond and let the truth be known.

    I am pretty sure this response will meet nowhere near the publicity that my suspension did and that this response is tantamount to career suicide.

    But I feel for my sons my sister and rest of my family… you the Wwe universe have the right to the know the truth over my suspension and what it was for.

    I will also quote my Dr in my response as he was as shocked and appalled by this suspension.

    I can say right now I did not do anything knowingly wrong and was taking prescribed medication that my Dr and I followed all the correct protocol on.

    My actual response and Doctors response will be coming soon. So before you judge, know the facts.

    My family and I are still collecting ourselves from this blow. I have zero anger or animosity against the WWE. But feel the administrators over the WWE Welnness policy were just simply not right in taking this action.

    But I feel facts are the facts and my family and I will will be the ones putting our lives back together after this mess.

    My response will be up soon along with my Doctors.”