It hasn’t been two months and already, Mauro Ranallo has become a fan favorite for those tuning to WWE Smackdown every week. That’s why there was a lot of concern at Tuesday night’s Smackdown tapings in Ontario, California, when Michael Cole came out to announce with Jerry Lawler and Byron Saxton instead of everyone’s favorite Canadian wrestling personality (outside Lance Storm of course.)
Fear not: the actual story is that the 46-year-old Ranallo came to the building, but was sick with the flu and the company made the decision to send him home rather than work the show. He’s still with the company, still on Smackdown, and all is still right with the world.
Some of the concern was heightened because there were so many questions asked via Twitter that got no response from the social media-friendly and president of #RetweetCity.
On last week’s Impact, Ethan Carter III made his triumphant return and saved Rockstar Spud and Dixie Carter from Matt Hardy and Tyrus.
Tonight On Impact:
Ethan Carter III and Matt Hardy continue their feud over the TNA World Title. TNA World Tag champions, The Wolves defend against Decay in a Monster’s Ball Match. Tag action ensues when The Dollhouse faces off with Madison Rayne and TNA Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim. Plus, appearnces by “Miracle” Mike Bennett, Dixie Carter, Rockstar Spud, Reby Sky, and Tyrus.
Show Recap:
-Backstage, EC3 approaches his Aunt and TNA President, Dixie Carter. Dixie grants EC3 his return title match on next week’s Impact: Lockdown. EC3 will challenge Matt Hardy for the title in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match. EC3 is happy to finally get his title shot, but has some business to take care of right now.
-After the opening theme and video, Josh Matthews and The Pope welcome us to Impact and reminds us that we’re still in the U.K. this week. EC3 makes his way to the ring and talks about his title shot next week. EC3 wonders if Tyrus is babysitting Matt’s son Maxell or breastfeeding him. Tyrus comes out and makes a very subtle Scarface reference. EC3 and Tyrus brawl around ringside. EC3 gets the better of Tyrus until Matt Hardy runs out and attacks EC3 from behind. Tyrus and Matt double-team EC3. Matt gets a chair but EC3 uses it first and clears the ring. Matt grabs the mic and challenges EC3 to find a partner to face Matt and Tyrus in the main event or face them alone.
-Back from commercial, King of the Mountain champion, Eric Young and his partner Bram are in the ring. EY mentions that Jeff Hardy isn’t tough enough to beat him for the KOTM title. Of course, a few weeks ago EY piledrove Jeff threw a table off the apron. Beer Money comes out, but EY won’t give Bobby Roode a title shot. James Storm takes the mic and professed his need for the title shot. Storm hits the ring, leading to our next match.
King of the Mountain Champion Eric Young w/ Bram vs. James Storm w/Bobby Roode
Eric Young gets the advantage over Storm with help from Bram, but Strom makes a comeback and sets up for the super kick. Before he can make contact with Young’s face, Bram jumps in the ring. Swiftly, Roode cuts him off and all four guys brawl again outside the ring. Storm and EY are counted out. Basically, both teams brawled all over the place, even went into the crowd.
– Backstage, Drew Galloway approaches EC3 and offers to be his partner in the main event. EC3 declines and says he stands alone.
– Back from commercial, Beer Money, EY and Bram do some more brawling backstage. The fight is out of control and goes everywhere, wrecking the backstage.
– They show “Miracle” Mike Bennett interrupting Kurt Angle last week, which led to Angle knocking Bennett down.
– Do you believe in miracles? Maria Kanellis sure does as she introduces “Miracle” Mike Bennett into the ring. Maria’s words give Bennett his cue, and they walk to the ring together. Side note, Bennett cut a promo where he talked about Angle and Drew Galloway. Once in the ring, Bennett said that because Kurt Angle is avoiding him, Bennett will face a local favorite.
“Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ “First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis vs. Mandrews
Mandrews strolls his way down to the ring on his skateboard. The Miracle dominated Mandrews making this basically a squash match. Bennett hit his finisher the M.I.P. (Miracle in Progress) to win the match. After the match, Bennett continued to beat down Mandrews until Drew Galloway ran down to help, making Miracle bail from the ring.
– Backstage, Decay cut a creepy promo from backstage in a cage about tonight’s match. Suddenly, a guy comes towards the cage and promise to save Rosemary. They didn’t explain anything or even elabote slightly.
– Back from commercial, Drew Galloway and Mandrews were being interviewed when “Miracle” Mike Bennett attacked them from behind and left them both beaten on the ground.
– Next, we get a teaser for the debut of Mysterious Odarg The Great.
– Still backstage, Matt Hardy and Tyrus warn Rockstar Spud to stay out of their business.
– Kurt Angle will wrestle his last match (with TNA) in three weeks. Kurt will take on Lashley. We get to see a video package of their first meeting.
Monster’s Ball Match: TNA World Tag Champions The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Decay (Crazy Steve & Abyss w/Rosemary)
Despite not being the champions, Decay comes to the ring with the belts. All kinds of trashcans with weapons and ladders surround the ring. A really good match between these two teams. Both teams brawl around ringside to start the match. The crowd is going crazy for all the violence and carnage in the ring. Crazy Steve pulls a table out from underneath the ring and Abyss pulls out a barbwire board.
Back from commercial, Both Wolves were climbing to the top rope when Rosemary spits mist into Davey’s eyes. Abyss throws the steal chair into Eddie’s face, which causes him to fall off the top and into a table at ringside. Davey hits a suicide dive onto Abyss, which sends Abyss into the barbwire board. Crazy Steve sets up a chair and places Eddie Edwards on it. Rosemary pours thumbtacks on Eddie’s head. Eddie fights Steve off. Rosemary goes to spit the mist in Eddie’s eye but Davey kisses Rosemary. In the process he sucks out the mist, which he then spits back into Rosemary’s eyes. That sounds dirtier than it actually was. The Wolves defeat The Decay and retain the titles.
– Backstage, Rockstar Spud and EC3 meet. EC3 tells Spud that he’s taking on Matt Hardy and Tyrus alone.
– Backstage, The Wolves discuss their victory over Decay. Next, The Wolves want to face Beer Money to prove that the Wolves are the best tag team of all time.
TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim & Madison Rayne vs. The Dollhouse (Jade & Marti Bell w/Rebel)
The Dollhouse jumps Madison and Gail to start the match. The Dollhouse works over Gail Kim until she makes the hot tag to Madison. Madison runs wild and clears the ring. Madison rolls up Marti to pick up the win. After the match, The Dollhouse jumps Madison and Gail again until Velvet Sky returns and makes the save. Velvet then announces that next week Velvet, Madison and Gail will take on The Dollhouse in a first ever Knockouts Lethal Lockdown Match.
– Backstage, Mahabali Shera introduces his mystery partner Odarg The Great. Odarg The Great is actually the recently fired, Grado in a mask.
– Back from commercial, Beer Money and EY & Bram continue to fight all over the back stage area. EY & Bram ran off and Beer Money challenges them to match next week on Impact: Lockdown.
Odarg The Great & Mahabali Shera vs. Eli Drake & Jesse Godderz
Odarg The Great comes out and he got a really good reaction. It’s obviously Grado under the mask. Not a great match. Shera isn’t the best at selling. Eli and Jesse use double team and power moves to isolate Shera. Shera makes the tag to Odarg who runs wild. Eli tried to take off Odarg’s mask but Odarg took off his own mask, which distracted Eli. Odarg then rolled up Eli for the pin and the win.
TNA World Champion Matt Hardy & Tyrus w/Reby Sky vs. Ethan Carter III
EC3 comes out alone and starts his match with Tyrus. EC3 gets a great reaction from the crowd. Matt Hardy and Tyrus dominate EC3 for most of the match. Rockstar Spud comes out to be EC3’s partner. EC3 has the chance to tag, but chooses not to. Matt regains the advantage on EC3. EC3 finally makes the hot tag to Spud. Spud goes crazy on Matt Hardy. Matt and Tyrus turn things around on Spud and isolate him from EC3. They work over Spud until Spud makes the hot tag to EC3. EC3 goes crazy on both Hardy and Tyrus. EC3 clears the ring and then hits a cross body off the top to the outside on both Hardy and Tyrus. Tyrus went to hit EC3 with the spike but Spud hit Tyrus with a low blow. EC3 hits the One Precenter on Matt Hardy and scores the win.
Next Week:
In seven days, it’s a spectacular and can’t miss edition of TNA Impact: Lockdown. All matches will take place in the Six Sides of Steel Cage. In the huge main event, TNA World Champion Matt Hardy will defend against EC3. Beer Money will take on EY & Bram in a tag match. The Dollhouse faces off with Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne & Gail Kim in the first ever Knockouts Lethal Lockdown Match.
Brianna Danielson, who wrestles as Brie Bella, may be the next WWE performer to retire.
The wife of Bryan Danielson, who announced his retirement last week on Raw, expects to retire this summer, confirming a report in last week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The couple was on ABC’s Good Morning America today to discuss his retirement, when she said that her days were limited in wrestling.
The report didn’t show a clip of her stating it on camera, but the summer time frame was part of the news story.
“It’s time for me to hang up the boots,” she said. “That day is very close.”
Bryan said that he wants to spend his time now educating young athletes to the seriousness of concussions. In the report, both Danielsons talked about Bryan’s seizures stating that he at first kept them from his wife and when he had one in front of her, implored her not to tell anyone for fear he would not be allowed to wrestle.
It should be noted that Bryan Danielson’s last seizure was about four years ago and has not been a recent issue.
On a segment that will appears on Tuesday’s episode of Ellen, an emotional Ronda Rousey told host Ellen DeGeneres that she contemplated suicide following her November 2015 loss to Holly Hom.
The former UFC champion appeared on the show to help promote her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, but the first part of their conversation centered around her title loss to Holm, the first time she’s truly opened up on camera about that night. At first, subdued and serious, she said that things weren’t perfect going into the fight but that’s how things go. She cited that it was her third title fight in nine months and that she felt tired, but nothing too out of sorts with other fights she’s had.
She said that Holm’s first shot “knocked out on her feet”, cutting open her mouth and knocking her teeth loose. She lost her depth perception and that she was swinging blindly.
She then got choked up when talking about what happened in the locker room afterward. She said she thought, “What am I anymore if I’m not this?” and said she had thought about “killing myself” and that she was “nothing” before looking up to boyfriend and UFC heavyweight Travis Browne. She said she saw him, thought that “I need to have his babies and to stay alive” and that he was meant to be there at that time.
She said she does want to fight Holm next and to be the one that beats her.
Watch the six minute clip below and more with Rousey on today’s episode of Ellen.
A week after the most memorable single segment in recent wrestling history, Monday Night Raw will have its go-home show for Fast Lane in Anaheim, CA. Piggybacking off Daniel Bryan’s retirement, Brie Bella will appear to build up her Divas title shot against Charlotte at the PPV. Of course, the focus of the show will be to build the three-way main event between Brock Lesnar, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. After Ambrose got laid out twice last week by Lesnar and the paltry attempt to get his heat back, the company will likely try to get him strong again since he’s the only one involved in the main event that doesn’t have a clear direction for WrestleMania.
Also, the Dudley Boyz will appear after turning heel last week. Coming off another very good match on SmackDown, A.J. Styles and Chris Jericho will likely continue their program.
Our coverage starts at 8 ET.
Some updated notes for tonight from Dave Meltzer (6:30 PM EST):
The WWE is starting to push a Big Show vs. Braun Strowman match, which is likely to set up a Wyatt Family vs. Show & Kane & Ryback match or something approximating that for Fastlane on Sunday.
Locally they are advertising Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens & Rusev, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, because more often than not, the locally advertised match doesn’t end up happening.
As noted, there are no special non-wrestlers advertised for tonight’s show, with HHH the major name who isn’t usually touring, but he’s on almost every Raw.
*****
The Big Takeaway: Kevin Owens recaptured the Intercontental Championship when he pinned Tyler Breeze in a Fatal Fiveway match, which was ordered by Stephanie McMahon in order to punish Dean Ambrose in the opening segment. Kane returned in the main event because he was a Vince McMahon creation in 1997 who is healthy enough to wrestle, and also because God hates us all.
Show Recap:
Dean Ambrose came out and said sometimes when the biggest bully on the playground comes after you, sometime you got to get your fingernails dirty and you have to do what you have to do. He acted like he got the best of Brock Lesnar last week. That was so delusional, it was almost like a heel statement. He challenged Lesnar to come out. Stephanie McMahon showed up instead because…opening segment. Stephanie brought up valid points about Ambrose needing Roman Reigns in order to deliver a cheap shot on Lesnar. Ambrose wanted to skip the talking and get to the fighting. Stephanie said she would get to the fighting because this was Monday Night Raw. So she talked for another five minutes. Followed by another talking segment with the New Day, Owens an Ambrose. And Brie Bella opening the second hour with an interview.
Stephanie asked the fans if they wanted to see Ambrose get F-5’d tonight. Fans were supposed to boo. They cheered. Stephanie said Ambrose would get an F-5, but it meant a Fatal Fiveway match, with Ambrose defending his Intercontinental Championship. If Reigns interfered, then Ambrose would lose his spot in the Fast Lane main event.
The four challengers for Ambrose’s title were Kevin Owens, Stardust (who evidently earned the title shot by losing to Zack Ryder last week), Tyler Breeze (earning the title shot with a .230 winning percentage. Sort of like turning on the TV for the AFC Divisional Playoffs and seeing the Tennessee Titans), and Dolph Ziggler.
Kevin Owens won the Intercontental Championshp by pinning Tyler Breeze in a Fatal Fiveway that included Dean Ambrose (C), Stardust and Dolph Ziggler (12:35)
Owens won the championship by pinning Breeze with a Pop-Up Power Bomb. Very good match. Finishing sequence was Ambrose going for the Dirty Deeds on Stardust, but Ziggler ran in and gave Ambrose the Zig Zag, leaving Stardust laid out. Breeze threw Ziggler out of the ring, but Owens ran in and gave Breeze the finisher. So Ambrose lost the belt without getting pinned. At one point, Owens delivered cannonballs to Ambrose, Ziggler and Stardust, who were laid out in opposite corners. Owens attempted a cannonball on Breeze, who responded with a beauty shot. First half of the match was Ambrose working against a challenger one-on-one while three others rested outside. Owens power bombed Breeze outside the ring onto Ziggler and Stardust. Ambrose followed by teasing finishers with Owens, leading to a tope onto Breeze, Ziggler and Stardust.
Ambrose walked around pissed backstage when Renee Young asked him how frustrated he was. Ambrose said he had nothing left to lose and he would face HHH at WrestleMania, who had everything to lose. Owens asked Young “does that give your goose bumps?”
Owens did an interview with Young. Ziggler walked in and sarcastically congratulated him. Ziggler said there wasn’t a spotlight in the world big enough for the both of them. Ziggler said he had beaten Owens the last two weeks, and said Owens should tell the world he deserved to face him at Fast Lane. Owens declined. Later, it was announced Owens would face Ziggler for the championship.
The New Day came out. They promoted an appearance by Edge and Christian by reviewing the segment they had on Raw last September. There will be an episode of the “Cutting Edge Peep Show” at Fast Lane. Kofi Kingston said you never bring a kazoo to a trombone fight. Big E. said Edge and Christian’s appearance was the worst thing since Coldplay played the halftime of, and Xavier Woods stopped him from saying the Super Bowl. There’s some sort of inside joke at work there because the NFL is very sensitive about it’s copywright of the Super Bowl. They ran down Mark Henry, who walked out on them last week during the main event tables match. Henry came out to face Big E.
Some fans rememberd the Chris Jericho chant of “Rootie, Tootie, Bootie,” but many more chanted “New Day rocks.”
Big E. defeated Mark Henry (4:41)
Weird finish. Big E. got Henry up for the Big Ending, but Henry looked like he was supposed to escape over top of him. Instead, Henry escaped and collapsed, and Big E. simply pinned him. It looked like Henry got hurt legit. Big E. told the referee to check on Henry and looked concerned while Kingston and Woods stayed in character.
Brie Bella was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Fans chanted “Daniel Bryan” since it was only the “Yes” chant that was over two years ago and not Bryan himself. Brie started to answer when Charlotte and Ric Flair came out. More fans were interested in chanting “Whoo” than listening to Charlotte, who said Bryan was in a league of his own. Brie corrected her and said he still is in a league of his own. Charlotte said she would understand if Brie wanted to forfeit her match with Charlotte at Fast Lane to be with her husband. She said Bryan lost everything, his dream, his career. Brie said she didn’t owe Charlotte any explanations, but Bryan supports her 100%. Charlotte said Brie means she supports her and Daniel 100%. She said Brie also took the match because they needed the money. Charlotte asked the crowd if she attacked Bryan personally? Crowd started chanting “Yes.” Charlotte said Brie needed to go home and be with Brie Bella and Bryan. Charlotte said she didn’t need Brie, and neither do the fans. But Nikki and Bryan did.
Brie accused Charlotte of trying to mess with her head. She said Charlotte knew she wasn’t an easy beat. All Charlotte has done is added fuel to her fire and she’s disgusted seeing the champion Charlotte has become. Charlotte told Brie she could only imagine what Brie’s goat-faced vegan babies were going to become. Brie slapped Charlotte over that one, laid in a few Yes kicks and sent Charlotte packing. Charlotte is a good heel promo.
A.J. Styles defeated The Miz via submission (11:49)
A.J. Styles won with the calf crusher. Good, competitive match that Styles did a solid job in carrying the Miz in. Chris Jericho was on commentary, and it was scary how much better he is on color than anyone else in the company. He goes Styles more over in this match than Jerry Lawler, Saxton, JBL put together. Not to be outdone, JBL even brought up Kenta Kobashi in relating how Styles is going from being star in Japan to a star in WWE.
Postmatch, Jericho got in the ring and congratulated Styles, who interrupted him and challenged him to third match at Fast Lane. Jericho said he would give his answer on SmackDown.
The Dudley Boyz came out and teased getting the table, but only did so to tease the fans as part of their heel turn. Bubba Ray Dudley called out the Usos, but said they wouldn’t show up after he and Devon put them through tables last week. Devon Dudley said the Dudleys weren’t some Guns n’ Roses farewell tour or a retro act from the past. They were the baddest tag team on the planet. Bubba said the tables were done forever, and if the fans wanted to see that, go to the WWE Network. Bubba said their legacy would be defined by being 9-time WWE Tag Team champions, not by a piece of furniture. All the chants of “We want tables” would now fall on deaf ears. Well, at least Les Thatcher will cheer them. Bubba said they no longer cared what the fans chanted.
Summer Rae defeated Paige (3:40)
Not many matches on Raw nowadays qualify as really bad, but this one does. Summer Rae mainly did chokes with her legs. She pinned Paige after reversing an attempt at the PTO into a small package. Crowd was asleep.
Paul Heyman did an in-ring promo. Heyman said he wanted to lay down a message on behalf of Lesnar face-to-face to Reigns, who came out to a mixed reaction. Surprising since the last time they win in southern California, he was as over as a top guy as he’s ever been. Heyman said he has the utmost respect for Reigns, but he feels that he can’t get past Lesnar. Heyman said Reigns’ goal is to win at Fast Lane and fight HHH for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, so he could go to his wife and child with the championship. But Reigns has a huge challenge because not only does Lesnar stand in Reigns’ way, but so does Ambrose. So Reigns has a choice: his daughter or his best friend, a man so close to Reigns, he’s like a brother. There are those who choose friends over family, and those are the ones who wind up in divorce court. There are others who choose family over friendship, and those are the ones who sit alone in the locker room and potentially stand alone as the champion of the world at WrestleMania with fireworks going off over their heads. But that’s the sacrifice you have to make in order to have a chance at the championship Reigns’ want. Heyman said Reigns’s enemy is Lesnar on Sunday night, but so is Ambrose.
Reigns started to speak and got noticeable boos. Reigns thanked Heyman for saying what was on his mind. Reigns said he was willing to pay the price for what he wants. He doesn’t have a problem fighting Ambrose, who he defeated. Reigns said he’s never beaten Lesnar, but he did beat he ass. Reigns said Heyman was right, he had everything on the line. But he was going to win at Fast Lane and then beat HHH at WrestleMania. They shook hands. Heyman had a blowaway promo.
Then the Dudleys came out and jumped Reigns from behind. Reigns tried to make his own comeback, but Bubba Ray hit him with a big boot. Ambrose came out for the save, sending Bubba packing. Reigns hit Devon with a Superman’s punch. Michael Cole broached the subject of Heyman perhaps setting up Reigns for the Dudleys to jump him.
Suddenly, as Ambrose and Reigns shook hands, Ambrose tried to give him Dirty Deeds. Regins escaped. Ambrose told Reigns if he wanted to make it to WrestleMania, he needed to be quicker than that. Reigns smiled at Ambrose and they shook hands again. Crowd booed because they wanted to see the two go at it.
They announced the creation of the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award, which Cole said “would be the most prestigous award the WWE has ever presented.” The recipient would be announced next week.
Social Outcasts did an inset promo comparing themselves to various NBA stars who were members of the Dream Team. Adam Rose said he was Robert Shapiro, which shows somebody on the writing staff watches FX.
Heath Slater defeated Zack Ryder (2:07)
Ryder did a somersault tope onto all members of Social Outcasts. Bo Dallas distracted Ryder, leading to Heath Slater getting the pin with an Implant DDT. I kept waiting for Vince McMahon to show up and interrupt this match.
This week’s horrible R-Truth-Goldust segment took place was set at a restaurant, where Truth was on a date with a woman. Truth told her he would walk through hell in gasoline-dipped underwear for her. Goldust showed up as a waiter. Truth said this wasn’t Table for 3 on the WWE Network. Goldust brought champaign, which Truth said he didn’t order. Goldust said it was on the house. Truth said they weren’t In His House. Goldust said of course not, it wasn’t 1996. Of course, the champaignewound up being spilled on the woman and that was that.
Alberto Del Rio is facing Kalisto in the non-PPV portion of Fast Lane for the U.S. Championship. At this point, I’m firmly convinced Dorian Roldan has been in charge of Del Rio’s booking since he returned to WWE. It’s the biggest waste of money since the Cleveland Browns signed Dwayne Bowe.
Alberto Dio Rio, Sheamus and Rusev defeated Lucha Dragons and Neville (8:49)
Del Rio won with the double stomp off the top rope onto Sin Cara. The League of Nations now firmly in the hunt with the New Blood and Aces and Eights for the “Least Over Top Heel Group in History.” Sheamus is supposed to be the top heel in the company, at least in regards to regular wrestlers, and no one cared about him at all. Not to mention Neville was just an afterthought in this match. As was Rusev. This was a textbook lesson of how not to use what is developed in NXT.
Excellent feature for Black History Month on Booker T, which showed him being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. It’s sad that someone so talented had the top push of his career during WCW in 2000, when the company was the most unwatchable product off all time.
Video posted earlier today showed Tamina and Naomi jumping Becky Lynch, with Naomi giving Lynch a Superkick.
Michelle Beadle was shown at ringside.
League of Nations celebrated in the back when Young interviewed Del Rio, who said Kalisto’s victory was a fluke. Del Rio said Kalisto was lucky and nothing more than a little mosquito. he said he let Kalisto beat him. That’s really putting him over. He challenged Kalisto to a best-of-three falls match at Fast Lane.
Becky Lynch defeated Naomi via submission (2:08)
Lynch won with the Disarm-her. Then came a preposterous moment. Tamina and Naomi jumped Lynch. Naturally, that was built for Sasha Banks to make the save. The only problem was, she came out and walked to the ring. And she stopped to take off her earrings. During the time it took Banks to get in the ring, Lynch had her ass handed to her, complete with Tamina delivering a Samoan Drop. It was like watching the Sandman in ECW make his full ring entrance while Tommy Dreamer needed to be saved. Finally Banks got in there and the ring was cleared.
The Wyatt Family came out. Bray Wyatt said freedom awaits all of you inside his embrace. Freedom from a dying world, because this world was a slave shackled in pretty colors. Wyatt said his followers would walk with him inside the fires of the apocolypse. He offers everyone paradise, and all he asks in return is for everyone to bow to him. Wyatt said the fans have to make a decision, or he will have to make a choice for them. Just like he made a choice for Kane, for Ryback and just like the choice the Big Show will have to make against the Big Show right now.
The Big Show defeated Braun Strowman by DQ (2:29)
Erick Rowan and Luke Harper ran in for the DQ. If you’re trying to make Strowman the next monster heel, I don’t think having him take a vertical suplex from the Big Show is the way to do it. He shouldn’t leave his feet until WrestleMania. But there he was, taking the suplex before the run-in.
Postmatch, Ryback ran down for the save and speared Harper. The numbers quickly caught up to him. Then, of course, Kane came up through the ring for the save. He and Show gave Harper a double choke slam.
SUMMARY: Where are the heels? People were asking that question in November when Seth Rollins went down. Now it’s mid-February, and there’s still no answer. In fact, it’s only gotten worse. They’ve tried Sheamus. No one cares. They’ve tried Del Rio, who would have been better off as a babyface coming in. Instead, they stuck him with Zeb Coulter in a pairing that went nowhere, now they’ve shifted him to a heel group that’s going nowhere. It doesn’t help the pattern of sameness this company has fallen into that they keep resorting to Kane as a savior when his act grew tiresome years ago. The best program in the company right now is Jericho-Styles, with Jericho doing a great job of playing a Bret Hart-style subtle heel. On the bright side, the two segments building up the main event for Fast Lane were very good tonight.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the lineups for the two ROH shows at Korakuen Hall this Friday and Saturday, both airing live on New Japan World at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time.
Friday night:
Jushin Liger & Matt Sydal vs. Dalton Castle & Ryusuke Taguchi
Delirious vs. Gedo in the battle of the bookers
Kushida vs. Frankie Kazarian (non-title)
Michael Elgin & Moose & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Tetsuya Naito & Jay Lethal vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
ROH Champion Roderick Strong vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Saturday night:
Jay White vs. David Finlay
Matt Sydal & Jushin Liger vs. Delirious & Gedo
Frankie Kazarian vs. Dalton Castle
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl
Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
Kushida & Moose vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Roderick Strong vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi
Mark & Jay Briscoe & Toru Yano vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega for Never six man titles
From the Armory with estimated 150 in attendance. Good crowd tonight.
Hugo Knox beat Sawyer Fulton
A lot of kids were cheering for Hugo tonight with his dancing and party boy style. Sawyer was out with longer hair and a skunk trail. March was mostly Fulton wearing Hugo down until some flashy moves by Knox, a big dropkick and winning with a sunset flip.
Carmella beat Peyton Royce
The usual antics of these two with some comedy where Carmella took Peyton’s flower and moonwalked away from her. Carmella won with her STO and leg headlock for the submission.
Elias Samson beat Tucker Knight
Samson was out to sing a song about how he started in Palatka and how he wants to leave this crappy town. Knight entered to his live event fans singing songs for him about his silver boots. Samson was annoyed with people other than him singing so he was heckled with Drift Away chants. Finish saw Elias use the ropes to cheat and steal the pin.
Apollo Crews beat Alex Riley
This was a very good match where crowd was split. Dueling chants and pockets of fans cheering for both. Riley was on top of his game tonight, responding to hecklers with “I main evented WrestleMania 27!”. Was all Riley early, even connected on a superkick for a strong near fall late. Apollo fought back, fired up and hit his big slam for the win. Post match Riley asked for a handshake, Apollo accepted and Riley also raised Crews’ arm.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass beat The Vaudevillains
Vaudevillains enter first with their new/old heel music, Enzo and Cass received the largest reaction thus far and do their usual mic work. The heels worked over Cass a lot in this one so we got a chance to see an Enzo Amore firey comeback. He ran wild with a lot of running and knock down moves, was able to get Cass back in to finish the Vauds off before Enzo got the assisted splash for the win.
Levis Valenzuela beat Angelo Dawkins
Dawkins controlled most of the match and talked a lot of smack to no one in particular. Crowd was not familiar with Valenzuela so they weren’t sure how to react. Levis waged his come back and hit the wind up punch for the win.
– In ring promo with Manny Andrade who, in Spanish, says he wants to be the NXT champion someday.
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley beat Liv Morgan to retain
A clean wrestling match between the two friends. The kids in the crowd were starting their own Bayley chants and overall, the crowd was very into Bayley’s offense. Liv had some athletic moves of her own including the Matrix and some roll through pin attempts. Finish saw a Belly To Bayley for the pin followed by Bayley embracing Liv in a show of sportswomanship.
NXT Tag Team Champions Dash & Dawson beat The Hype Bros to retain
The people were, in fact, hype for this match. Dash & Dawson were taunting fans at ringside with Mojo then putting the fans over. Classic heel work by the champions cutting off the ring and keeping Mojo and later Zack isolated. A big comeback by the hypes including a Broski Boot and an attempted Hype Ryder before the champions stole the pin with a roll up on Mojo while Zack was tied up in the ropes.
This is an interesting episode as the entire hour is dedicated to the IWGP Heavyweight championship match from Invasion Attack 2015, with Kota Ibushi challenging AJ Styles for the title.
This’ll wrap up our look at the Invasion Attack 2015 show, which took place on April 5, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan at Sumo Hall.
First up is the retrospective interview with Kota Ibushi. He put over the IWGP title and mentioned it’s the biggest title in Japan. He’s proud of himself because his skills are good enough to be in New Japan. When it comes to AJ, he considered him one of the best in the world. He also put over Styles in that Styles had the strongest skills.
I was surprised they took the whole hour to air this, but they took smart commercial breaks and the match did. They took it slow for the first half of the match, very much doing a feeling out process. They did occasional big moves but built up to a great series of moves, including a tease from Kota Ibushi with the attempt of the dragon suplex from the top rope. Ibushi was going for a hurricanrana from the top rope at one point, Styles teased the Clash from the top rope but Ibushi countered. That was a really cool tease.
Another tease I liked was when Omega came out to distract Kota Ibushi. He and Ibushi were synonymous with each other in DDT, teaming together on many occasions. I liked the subtleties of what Omega did as he seemed conflicted, and not outright heelish in his interference. Ibushi tried for a Phoenix Splash, but AJ countered into the Styles Clash and got the win there. Really fantastic match that lived up to everyone’s expectations.
IWGP Champion AJ Styles vs. Kota Ibushi
Crowd was really into this. AJ Styles was truly someone special when in New Japan as he had a presence not too many on the roster have. Ibushi has that presence too, and people buy him as someone who can headline. He’s been out for the last few months with herniated discs, which is hardly surprising considering the type of matches that he has where he completely destroys his body with crazy moves, but that’s the price you pay for doing this kind of style once or even twice a month. When Ibushi returns, and if he can go at this level still when he does, it should be a no-brainer that he, along with Omega, should be the two to fill the void that’s being left by AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s departures.
Styles was celebrating his win when Okada came in and cleared everyone out of the ring on his own, laying out Styles with the rainmaker. Gedo takes the mic and says he’ll wrap up the show for him, saying Okada will make it rain in the world of professional wrestling.
Okada mentions that he’s come back for the belt, since he slammed Fale in the ring – he’s really rocking it right now. He’s back, watch him go on a rampage. Gedo says he’ll take it back by force.
Ibushi in his post match interview says he considered it like his last big match, but still couldn’t win. He was very despondent. He says if he could challenge for the belt again, he’d really like to get revenge. You could really feel for him. It’s so weird in WWE they try and dismiss wins and losses because they think everyone knows its fake so it doesn’t matter. But people like seeing wins and losses because even if everyone knows it’s predetermined, they want their favorites to succeed and win, and are with them even at their lowest point, much like Ibushi was here. If you render every win and loss meaningless, why are you even out there supporting guys they want you to like?
Ibushi mentions that he felt like he lost the match in many ways – he was never able to get advantage like he wanted. When Omega interfered, he felt like time stopped. He didn’t feel it had any impact in the match. He still doesn’t know why he joined Bullet Club, but he hopes he can team with him again someday.
Really fine episode of this program. Featured an excellent match, good interviews and some interesting perspectives on things you wouldn’t otherwise get on a regular New Japan feed.
From the University Area CDC Gymnasium in Tampa, FL
The Hype Bros beat Gzim Selmani and Sunny Dhinsa with the Hype Ryder
A lot of silly dancing by Mojo and the crowd was in fact hype.
Tino Sabatelli beat Alexander Wolfe
This was was a much longer match than the two of them are used to.
Peyton Royce beat Aliyah
Royce won via submission with her new hold. She has been working singles matches lately and has done a good job.
Alex Riley beat Patrick Clark
This was a good match where Patrick even countered Riley’s finish in to what looked like an RKO. The place bit on the near fall and was really pulling for Patrick before Riley got the win.
Enzo, Cass, and Carmella beat Blake, Murphy, and Alexa Bliss
It was billed as an intergender match, but that’s just NXT speak for a mixed tag match. Crowd was in to this, getting fired up for every tag and when Enzo hit the big splash for the win.
Sami Zayn beat Manny Andrade
Zayn won with the Helluva Kick in an excellent match. One of the best 1-1 live event matches I’ve ever seen. They did mat work early, both teased dives to each other to the outside, Sami with his flip back in to the ring, Manny with his Tranquilo Lounge on the middle rope. A huge Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall followed by some strong chops took us to the finish where Sami hit the Exploder in to the corner and ran in for the kick to win it. Post match Sami raised Manny’s hand and the two embraced.
– Dallas Harper did a promo about being 6’9″ and “Ohhhh so fine”. He was heckled by the crowd with a “Where’s Your Shirt” chant.
Nia Jax beat Adrien Reese
This was a short, painful match. Nia destroyed her.
America Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) beat NXT Tag Champions Dash and Dawson in a non title match
This was a very good match that got a lot of time. The action was well paced and the heels kept just enough heat on the faces to keep everyone rooting for them to wage their comeback. Gable scored the pin on Dash with the assisted suplex for the win.
– Hype Bros beat Blake & Murphy. During the Hype Bros celebration, Mojo Rawley picked up an adorable child and flew him like an air plane.
– Elias Samson beat Patrick Clark. Samson taunted the crowd with a song before the match.
– Liv Morgan beat Adrien Reese with a moonsault splash similar to Alexa Bliss’ finish but facing away on the top turnbuckle.
– Levis Valenzuela beat Steve Cutler. A lot of comedy and the fiesta rolls on.
– Jason Jordan & Chad Gable beat The Vaudevillains. Match of the night in the ring, these two teams work well together so that’s no suprise.
– Apollo Crews beat Tino Sabbatelli. These two have been having good matches lately.
– Interview segment w/ Mandy Rose. She was heckled, and “What?”‘d down while promoting Total Divas.
– Asuka beat Alexa Bliss via submission with the Asuka Lock.
– Sami Zayn, Enzo Amore, & Big Cass vs. Riddick Moss, and NXT Tag Team Champions Dash, & Dawson went to a no contest when Moss was apparently injured during a triple suplex spot.
The referee put up an X and the medical team assisted Moss. Sami let the people know Riddick said he’d be okay, and the good guys hit finishers on the tag champions to send everyone home happy.
