Paypress testing

Tag: headlines

  • WWE Smackdown results (10/8): Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

    – Air Date: October 8, 2015 (Oct 7 in Canada)
    – Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

    The Big News:

    The Smackdown main event ended with a non-finish. Also, they let us know what happened on Raw.

    Show Recap:

    They announced Roman Reigns and Randy Orton against Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman.

    The New Day came out and they recapped the big angle from Raw. Kofi Kingston said John Cena, Dolph Ziggler and The Dudleys could not stop the power of positivity. They claimed to be more dominant than The Shield, Wyatts, Nexus, The Corre, Los Boricuas, Legion of Doom and nWo.

    Woods said Philly knows nothing about being champions. He said Eagles head coach Chip Kelly called them asking for advice after losing to the Washington [football team]. They called the Eagles booty.

    Kingston said the Dudleys conned their way into another title shot. Big E said they would defeat the disgusting and dirty Dudleys and they changed New Day rocks. Dolph Ziggler interrupted, calling them the three stooges. Ziggler said they cost him a chance at the U.S. title against his “good friend” John Cena.

    Ziggler said he asked the Authority for a match with Big E, and he referenced their past together. Woods wished him luck and insincerely said it would be a fair fight. Ziggler said “you’re damn right it will be” and the Dudleys came out. Good opening segment.

    Big E (w/New Day) beat Dolph Ziggler (w/Dudley Boyz) via pinfall

    Ziggler immediately hit a dropkick and jumping DDT, but Big E escaped the ring and they went to commercial. Big E had the heat after the break as Kingston and Woods yelled and did mock commentary. Big E went shoulder-first into the post and Ziggler hit (missed) a fameasser for two.

    Big E came back with a belly-to-belly and a jumping splash. Ziggler hit a superkick, but everything came apart after that. New Day sent Bubba into the steel steps, distracting D-Von. Kingston bounced Ziggler off the rope and D-Von took out Woods. Big E covered Ziggler and Kingston held Ziggler’s foot down, allowing Big E to pick up the pinfall win.

    Big E winning makes sense to keep their momentum going from Raw, but Ziggler might be getting the next U.S. title shot and looked really weak here. Worse than that, as New Day posed on the ramp, the Dudleys and Ziggler just stood there watching after getting their asses beat on Raw.

    They recapped Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar at MSG. They followed by letting us know a Raw recap would air after commercial. After the break, they replayed the Lesnar/Show stuff from Raw and also the Summer Rae/Rusev angle.

    Backstage, Summer talked about her future wedding plans with the makeup women. Rusev joined and told them to leave. He asked Summer why she’s telling everyone about their engagement when they had a plan for Rusev to win gold first. Summer said she got Rusev a match with Ryback, presuming that if he wins he’ll be first in line for the Intercontinental title. Rusev liked this and hugged her. As Summer left, he smacked her ass. Rusev seemed pleased.

    Charlotte, Becky Lynch & Natalya beat Team Bella via submission

    They said that Charlotte and Lynch would get to pick their partner, and the announcers had to act like they didn’t know who it would be, as if there’s anyone else it could have been. Jerry Lawler said no woman has ever had a friend that she didn’t dislike a little. Ok.

    The heels worked over Lynch forever until she made the hot tag to Charlotte, who was quickly cut off with a kick off the middle rope by Nikki. Charlotte came back with a spear and applied the Figure Four but was kicked by Brie, allowing Nikki to reverse the hold. Natalya clotheslined Fox on the outside and Brie clotheslined Natalya. With the referee distracted, Lynch kicked Nikki, allowing Charlotte to apply the Figure Eight for the tap-out win.

    Total nothing match but at least Charlotte won over Nikki. This was the fourth straight 6-woman tag match they’ve done on Raw/Smackdown in the last two weeks, all involving the Bellas. Maybe do something else next week?

    Backstage, Renee Young caught up to Paige who was shown watching the match. Renee wanted to know her thoughts on “Team NBC.” Paige said it’s Team PCB and Nattie is horning in on her girls. Paige doesn’t like it and she doesn’t like Nattie.

    Ryback beat Rusev (w/Summer Rae) via pinfall

    Kevin Owens joined commentary and they announced that he would defend the IC title at Hell in a Cell against Ryback. Lawler asked Owens if he would run again and Owens asked Lawler if it looks like he runs anywhere.

    Brennan asked Owens about an interview he did with Renee who accused him of not being a proper Canadian. Owens asked Brennan if he gets tired of people telling him that he looks like Milhouse from The Simpsons. Owens said Rusev was motivated because the IC title brings money and prestige, not because he wants to marry Summer.

    The match was slow, but they did trade some impressive power moves. After going back and forth near the end, Rusev hit a superkick and went for the cover. Ryback’s foot was on the rope so Summer knocked it off. This didn’t matter, because not only did the referee not see any of it, but Ryback kicked out anyway.

    Rusev went for the Accolade but Ryback grabbed his leg and easily hoisted him up to hit shell shocked for the win. Unfortunately for Rusev, the finish made sense. Summer was upset that Rusev didn’t get the win.

    Before going to commercial, they again plugged that a Raw replay would air after the break. They always do this on Smackdown but they don’t usually do it more than once. The video package was for Seth Rollins/Kane.

    In his dark room backstage, Bray Wyatt said he and Roman would be trapped inside Hell in a Cell and Bray would put him down. Tonight, Roman and Orton would face the wrath of he and the black sheep. Strowman told a story about making rabbits run as a kid.

    King Barrett beat Neville via pinfall

    Barrett came out holding his crown and wasn’t wearing the goofy outfit. They did a quick video package for Barrett with clips of him laying people out with the Bull Hammer. Barrett got the heat almost immediately and Neville eventually came back with a top rope moonsault to the outside.

    Barrett tried Wasteland but Neville reversed into a DDT. Neville went up for Red Arrow but Barrett got up and got in between the ropes for safety. Neville went after him but the referee backed him off. This allowed Barrett to hit the Bull Hammer elbow for the win. If Barrett isn’t supposed to be in the ropes, why didn’t the referee get him out before he could hit his move? (I know, wrestling is fake.) Crowd was dead for this.

    In his dark room backstage, Stardust played Pick A Card by himself. The card he picked is presumably a reference to his next opponent (or partner, I couldn’t tell), but we didn’t see the card so who cares.

    Randy Orton & Roman Reigns beat Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman via DQ

    Reigns did an inset promo before the match saying they’d be going to Hell in a few weeks so they can call tonight Purgatory. I think what he meant to say is that this match doesn’t matter because we just saw Team Reigns beat Team Wyatt on Raw, and Reigns is getting what he really wants at the pay per view. I could be wrong.

    They went to break after entrances, which is better than doing it a minute into the match. Orton and Bray started. Orton had his way with him so Bray tagged Strowman who got no reaction. Strowman knocked down Orton with a shoulder block so he tagged in Reigns who ate a shoulder block as well.

    Orton tagged himself in and they tried a double team move but Strowman knocked them both down with a double shoulder block. Strowman and Bray worked over Orton for a bit until he made the hot tag to Reigns. Reigns hit a flying clothesline but couldn’t get Strowman up for the Samoan drop. With Strowman on the apron, Reigns clubbed away at him and knocked him off the apron with a superman punch. Reigns then went after Bray and tossed him into the time keeper area.

    Reigns followed with an apron dropkick on Strowman but Bray hit him in the gut with a steel chair for a disqualification (this wasn’t actually announced). Bray hit him again with a chair and tossed him in the ring.

    Orton made the save but Strowman caught him with the hugging submission move. Reigns saved Orton and tossed Strowman to the outside. Bray tried Sister Abigail on Reigns but Orton saved him again, hitting an RKO. Reigns finished off Bray with a spear to send the fans home somewhat content.

    Final Thoughts:

    The opening segment was good and it’s a positive that they’re keeping the momentum going for New Day, who were the highlight of this show as usual. Unfortunately, that was it for them and the rest of the show was no good. Reigns speared Bray Wyatt through a table last week on Raw, defeated the Wyatt family this week on Raw, and laid out Bray again here tonight. Why are they having a Hell in a Cell match, exactly?

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (10/9): X-Pac loses WCW cruiserweight belt, wins TNA X-Division title

    1936 —

    Kansas City, Missouri:

    – World Heavyweight Champion Dean Detton defeated Orville Brown in 2 out of 3 falls to retain the title

    1941 —

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Lou Thesz beat Joe Dusek in 2 out of 3 falls

    – Orville Brown and Dorve Roche went to a time limit draw

    1947 —

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – MWA Champion, Orville Brown beat Jack O’Brien in 2 straight falls to retain the title

    1952 —

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Red Berry defeated Sonny Myers to capture the Heart of America Heavyweight 

    1964 —

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

    – Billy Watson and Johnny Valentine defeated Professor Hiro and Fred Atkins to win the International Tag Team Titles 

    Denver, Colorado:

    – Harley Race beat Jack Lanza

    – Larry Hennig & Art Neilson beat Ricky Romero & Wilbur Snyder

    1973 —

    Omaha, Nebraska:

    – No dq Match: Superstar Billy Graham beat Wahoo McDaniel 

    – Ivan Koloff beat Red Bastien 

    – Reggie Parks beat Ric Flair 

    1976 —

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Verne Gagne dq

    – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke

    – Peter Maivia beat Blackjack Lanza

    1980 —

    – Jack Brisco defeated Terry Funk in a tournament final to win the Georgia National Heavyweight Title

    1982 —

    Chicago, Illinois:

    – Nick Bockwinkel defeated Otto Wanz to regain the AWA World Heavyweight Title

    – AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Rick Martel & Brad Rheingans

    – Ken Patera beat Hulk Hogan dq

    – Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat Buck Zumhofe & Spike Huber

    – Ray Stevens beat Bobby Heenan

    – Adrian Adonis beat Baron Von Raschke

    1992 —

    Houston, Texas:

    – Brian Pillman fought Brad Armstrong to a double disqualification

    – Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes defeated the Barbarian & Tony Atlas

    – Sting defeated Cactus Jack in a lumberjack match (stipulations stated Sting would face Jake Roberts later in the show if he won)

    – WCW World Champion Ron Simmons pinned WCW US Champion Rick Rude

    – Sting pinned Jake Roberts in a lights out match

    1993 —

    Jacksonville, Florida:

    – WCW Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys defeated 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell

    – Ron Simmons defeated Dick Slater

    – WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes & the Shockmaster defeated Harlem Heat

    – Sting defeated Sid Vicious

    – World Champion Paul Orndorff (defending the title for an injured Rick Rude) defeated Ric Flair via disqualification 

    2000 —

    Sydney, Australia: 

    – Corporal Cajun (Lash LeRoux) & Lieutenant Loco (Chavo Guerrero Jr.) defeated Mark Jindrak & Sean O’Haire to win the WCW Tag Team Titles, but lost it back to Jindrak & O’Haire that same night

    2001 —

    Moline, Illinois:

    – Billy Kidman defeated X-Pac to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title 

    2002 —

    Nashville, Tennessee: 

    – Syxx-Pac defeated AJ Styles, Kid Kash, Ace Steel, Jose & Joel Maximo, and Tony Mamaluke in a Ladder Match to win the vacant X-Division Title

  • On this date in pro wrestling history (10/8): Jerry Lawler, Steve Austin & Barry Windham win gold

    1953

    Wichita, Kansas:
    – Lenny Montana defeated David Sims to win the Heart of America Title (Title would be renamed Central States Title)

    1962

    Kansas City, Missouri:
    – Stan Neilson & Art Neilson defeated George Scott & Sandy Scott
    – Texas Death Match: Dick the Bruiser defeated The Sheik by countout

    1975

    Duluth, Minnesota:
    – Cage Match: Baron Von Raschke beat Billy Robinson
    – Pampero Firpo beat Buddy Wolff
    – Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell in 2 out of 3 falls

    1978 

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Evelyn Stevens defeated The Fabulous Moolah for the NWA Women’s World Heavyweight Title 

    1986 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Barry Windham defeated Outlaw Ron Bass to win the vacant Florida State Heavyweight Title 

    1990 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler won a 21-man tournament by defeating Austin Idol in the finals to win the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title 

    1991 

    Montgomery, Alabama:
    – The York Foundation (Terrance Taylor, Richard Morton, & Thomas Rich), managed by Alexandra York (Terri Runnels) defeated Dustin Rhodes, Tom Zenk, & Big Josh (Matt Borne) to win the WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Title 

    1993

    Knoxville, Tennessee:
    – The Bullet defeated Killer Kyle
    – SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson fought Scott & Steve Armstrong to a no contest
    – SMW Heavyweight Champion Brian Lee defeated Tracy Smothers 
    – Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray at w/ Jim Cornette) defeated Rick & Scott Steiner via disqualification

    1994

    Johnson City, Tennessee:
    – Boo Bradley defeated Lance Storm
    – Bruiser Bedlam defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy via disqualification in a whipping match
    – SMW Tag Team Champions New Jack & Mustafa defeated Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in a No DQ, no time-limit match

    2001 

    Indianapolis, Indiana: 
    – Steve Austin defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWF World Title
    – The Hardys defeated Booker T and Test to win the WCW Tag Team Titles

    2006
    – WWE Champion Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley, Batista and Fit Finlay to retain the title
    – Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero in a falls count anywhere match

    2009
    – The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) defeated Yujiro and Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Titles
    – Team 3-D, Bubba and D-Von, defeated Togi Makabe and Toru Yano to win the IWGP Tag Titles

  • WWE NXT TakeOver Respect preview: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks, Asuka’s debut, more!

    20 years ago, the WWF and WCW took their pay per view schedule from 5-7 a year to a monthly schedule. At the time, the worries were that they were watering down their product by running so many big shows and it would ultimately lead to fewer and fewer buys. In retrospectm bad booking by both companies led to their respective buyrates tumbling, but having 12-16 pay per views a year led to more throwaway shows and lackluster builds.

    For NXT, this is the shortest period of time between their major shows since they began last February. Going forward, we have TakeOver on December 16 and another one in February. After that, we have the pre-WrestleMania house show that may become a TakeOver special if everything goes well, Hopefully, I’ll be here in six months talking about the buzz for that show and not having the discussion about saturation that WWF/WCW had two decades ago.

    So what has changed for Bayley and Sasha Banks since Brooklyn?

    The NXT women’s match and title win did so much for Bayley’s career. She came out in Full Sail and was a bigger star thanks to it. On the other hand, it cemented Sasha Banks’ position as the best all around young female under contract. 

    Can Bayley and Sasha do better than they did in Brooklyn?

    How do you do better than the best women’s match of the year and, arguably, the best WWE match this year? If I trust any two people to do it, it’s these two ladies. They went 18:16 in a ****1/2 match and now have 11 more minutes to add that extra half star.

    If I have learned anything in the last 21 months since NXT Arrival it’s to stop doubting the women. I have learned to stop saying “It should be good, but….” Sasha and Bayley have proved that they deserve my confidence and yours. If WWE announced an IronMan match with the men, I would have the same reaction as Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez where they should just announce a regular match and have them go 30 minutes. Instead, I believe this will be the best IronMan Match in WWE history and if you doubt the abilities of these two ladies, re-watch the last five TakeOver women’s matches.

    Who is left in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic?

    After 16 teams, we have narrowed things down to four: two makeshift teams, the fastest rising heel team on NXT, and one duo that no one saw making it this far.

    When the brackets were first released for the tournament, I did some fantasy booking and assumed the final four would be Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs Blake & Murphy, and Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano. Needless to say, I am not an expert prognosticator. 

    NXT Champion Finn Balor and Samoa Joe are both coming off victories in Brooklyn, and began the next day with the simmering tension between the two. Taken off the excellent Triple H-Batista storyline from late-2004, this angle is being built with subtlety. Joe will gaze at Balor’s belt from time to time and tease tension. Obviously, this will lead to a heel turn and an eventual title match, but we will debate the “perfect” time to do it. They are the overwhelming favorites to win the tournament, since they are the only baby face team left and it would help set them up for their inevitable match. Chances of winning: 90%

    Baron Corbin & Rhyno were once enemies and squared off at TakeOver: Unstoppable in May, but they have since become allies and a good team at that. They always seem to be on the verge of breaking up, but I think this team is better off together right now than apart. Plus we always need new challengers for The Vaudevillains. They aren’t the in-ring workers Gable & Jordan are, but they are bigger names. Their chances of winning are based purely on if they want to do an angle post-match with Cody & Dustin Rhodes, who will be awarding the trophy. Chances of winning: 5%

    Chad Gable & Jason Jordan are an excellent team and are only getting better. Both men are great in the ring and have a natural cockiness about them. Their chemistry has improved and the team has gotten better now that Jordan’s only hang-up is saying “Ready, Willing & Gable”. The best match in the finals would be these two vs Joe & Balor, and this is NXT where potential match quality is a big deal at the Takeover specials. Likewise, they will only win the tournament if they want to do a post-match angle with the Rhodes’ brothers. Chances of winning: 5%

    Dash & Dawson have absolutely no chance in winning the tournament. None. Zero. There are three heel teams in the final four and they drew Joe & Balor in the semi-finals. This is both men’s first chance to have a big Takeover match and having a quality performance is what these two men need. Chances of winning: 0%

    What else is happening?

    The in ring debut of Asuka! I have never seen this young lady wrestle, but all it took was a smile to get me excited. I still believe the segment on Wednesday would have been much better had they not aired the video Dana Brooke got scared watching. However, with that out of the way, this match will go five minutes and set up Asuka for future matches with Emma and, eventually, Bayley. 

    Plus, Tyler Breeze will sports entertain with Apollo Crews in the mid-90’s ppv special. The build for this match was non-existent with a cameraman informing Breeze of this match. Breeze remains the most underrated wrestler on NXT and Crews needs to find an opponent to have a great match with. If these two get 10-13 minutes, this could be the second or third best match on the show.

    Where is Nia Jax?

    She got lost on the way to Full Sail. She hit the DuBurns Arena in Baltimore, the Davis Arena in Louisville, Center Stage in Atlanta and the Impact Zone in Orlando, but someone has pointed her in the right direction and will be here soon.

    I watch 3 hours of Raw, 2 hours of SmackDown, 2 hours of Impact, an hour of ROH and an hour of New Japan every week. Why should I watch this? 

    First of all, stop watching SmackDown. I have a great Doctor Who analogy, but this isn’t the time for it. 

    NXT TakeOver specials are the closest thing you can get to a sure thing in wrestling. They have produced seven specials going into this week and the worst one was still better than most wrestling PPVs the last two years. This show will go 2-2 ½ hours and it will fly by and leave you wanting more. When was the last time you said that about Raw? You will not feel like you have wasted your time with something that will happen again next week. 

    Are you finished yet?

    Yes! Now watch NXT TakeOver: Respect this Wednesday night at 8pm EST/7pm CST on the “Award Winning, Revolutionary WWE Network”!

  • On this date in pro wrestling history (10/6): Nigel McGuiness wins ROH belt, Kurt Angle defeats Steve Austin, Cody Rhodes & Goldust capture WWE tag gold

    1949

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bill Longson and Bob Wagner defeated Bobby Bruns and Ronnie Etchison in 2 out of 3 falls

    1962

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne drew Doug Gilbert
    – Saloon Match: Crusher beat Bill Miller 
    – Jack Lanza beat Crybaby Cannon
    – Rocky Hamilton beat Jack Allen
    – Larry Hennig beat Tiny Mills

    1967

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Mighty Igor Vodik & Verne Gagne in 2 out of 3 falls

    1971 

    Nigata, Japan:
    – Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeated Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title

    San Antonio, Texas:
    – Thunderbolt Patterson beat Toru Tanaka
    – Wahoo McDaniel & Jose Lothario beat Johnny Valentine & Buddy Wolff
    – The Spoiler beat George Gaiser
    – Bobby Shane beat Bob Burns

    1972

    Indianapolis, Indiana:
    – Dick the Bruiser defeated Blackjack Mulligan in a Georgia Chain Gang match
    – Billy Red Cloud & Bobby Bold Eagle defeated Blackjack Lanza & Baron Von Raschke
    – Andre the Giant defeated Ben Jarrells & Red Dupree in a handicap match

    1975 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Bob Roop to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Mongolian Stomper went to a no contest with Mike Graham
    – Ron & Robert Fuller beat Cowboy Parker & Ken Dillinger
    – Al Greene beat Pepper Gomez
    – Southern Champ Bob Armstrong beat Harley Race
    – Southern Tag Champs The Interns beat Eddie Marlin & Bill Dundee

    Dallas, Texas: 
    – Texas Heavyweight Champion Brian Adidas defeated Jack Victory
    – Iceman King Parsons defeated The One Man Gang in the third round of a Taped Fist match via knockout
    – In a No DQ, “Hair vs. Hair” match, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich defeated Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez

    1982 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Kevin Sullivan defeated Barry Windham in a tournament final for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

    1988

    Raleigh, North Carolina:
     -NWA World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Kevin Sullivan & Rick Steiner
    – Nikita Koloff fought Russian Assassin #1 to a double disqualification
    – Lex Luger & Sting defeated NWA World champion Ric Flair & NWA United States champion Barry Windham in a Lumberjack match 

    1990 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Tony Anthony & Doug Gilbert defeated Jeff Jarrett & Jeff Gaylord to win the USWA World Tag Team Title
    – Jeff Jarrett defeated Dick Slater to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Sgt. Slaughter defeated Nikolai Volkoff via submission 
    – Mr. Perfect defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Texas Tornado via countout
    – WWF champion The Ultimate Warrior & the Legion of Doom defeated Demolition Ax & Smash, & Crush 

    1995

    Paintsville, Kentucky:
    – SMW Heavyweight Champion Brad Armstrong defeated the Punisher 
    – SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated the Dirty White Boy & Robert Gibson 
    – Buddy Landel fought Tommy Rich to a double count-out

    2001

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – WWF Intercontinental champion Christian pinned Edge 
    – Jeff Hardy pinned WWF Tag Team champion Bubba Ray Dudley
    – WWF champion Kurt Angle pinned Steve Austin

    2007

    Edison, New Jersey:
    – Bryan Danielson defeated Chris Hero
    – Austin Aries pinned Roderick Strong
    – Nigel McGuinness captured the ROH championship by defeating Takeshi Morishima 

    2013

    Buffalo, New York:
    – Alberto Del Rio retained the WWE Championship over Rob Van Dam in a hardcore rules match
    – Cody Rhodes & Goldust defeated The Shield to win the WWE Tag Team Championship

  • WWE Superstars results (10/2): The Lucha Dragons vs. The Ascension, 5 minutes of Cesaro

    The Big Takeaway:

    Cesaro lifted this show to a whole other (better) level with inventive and fun moves, beating Heath Slater. The Lucha Dragons went 100mph to steal one against The Ascension. Again.

    Show Recap:

    Cesaro beat Heath Slater (5:00)

    Cesaro sections are out in droves and yet he’s here on this show. Well, all the better for me. And Heath Slater, actually, who he made look good here. They start out with wrist lock exchanges and Cesaro gets out of Slater’s by using a series of forward rolls round the ring. The crowd cheers on command. Cesaro just has to raise an eyebrow and people respond. So, Cesaro puts Slater in his own wrist lock and of course Slater tries the same, but gets cut off and thrown down to the mat. Then Cesaro puts him in a body scissors and then turns him over and over making Slater dizzy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone does this.

    He waits behind the woozy Slater and then pounces on him with a European uppercut and covers him for two. Slater then rolls on the apron and shoulder barges Cesaro through the ropes to the gut and then chokes him with ropes. He comes back in and hits Cesaro with a super kick and covers him for two. Slater is annoyed and so starts to use forearm clubs to Cesaro’s neck and then puts him in a rear chin lock.

    Cesaro gets out and starts to just dominate Slater with European uppercuts: running uppercuts, standing ones, drving ones, until he raises his finger to go for one more and Slater blocks it. Cesaro recovers and puts Slater into the Giant Swing for 30 reps and then locks in the Sharpshooter to make Slater tap.

    The Ascension beat The Lucha Dragons (6:46)

    I’m a little bit sick of this match now, there was a period where this was literally the main on this show every single week. We’ve had a reprieve but now its back. The Lucha Dragons are fine and can be really fun to watch but The Ascension slow everything down and make it fairly dull.

    Konnor and Kalisto square off. Kalisto chases around the big guy and Konnor gets tired off this and so tags in Viktor. He gets hurricanrana’d, and then Sin Cara comes in and hits Viktor with a seated senton followed by a missile drop kick from Kalisto. Viktor kicks out of the cover and tags in Konnor who works over Sin Cara. Sin Cara hits two springboard cross bodies but on the second Viktor blind tags himself in and cuts off Sin Cara’s heat as we head to a break.

    When we return, Viktor dumps Sin Cara outside and then goes out to slap and pummel him. Konnor tags in and puts on a rear chin lock. Kalisto meanwhile is cheerleading, desperate for the hot tag. Viktor comes in and they double-team Sin Cara with a Stinger Splash from Konnor into a drop kick from Viktor. Sin Cara finally dodges a charge and Viktor gets posted. Sin Cara goes for the tag but Konnor has snuck round and pulls Kalisto off the apron.

    Finally, Kalisto gets the heat and comes in and hits Viktor with the Salida del Sol. Then he hits a cross body on Konnor, followed by an enzugiri. Konnor rolls outside and they set up for Sin Cara to dive through the ropes on to him. Konnor doesn’t catch him and I mean is barely near to him. It looks like it sucks for poor Sin Cara. In the ring, Viktor gets sunset flip powerbombed by Kalisto who hooks the leg to snatch a three count for the win. Good little match in the end.

  • Ring of Honor 9/30 TV results: Adam Cole vs Nakamura

    The Big Takeaway – Great television show continuing with the ROH vs New Japan matches taped in Philadelphia last month. PPV quality matches bookend this show with former ROH and IWGP champions headlining it.

    “Reborn” Matt Sydal vs IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kushida (non-title)

    These guys are both phenomenal wresters but I could honestly just listen to both of their entrance themes on a loop for the next 15 minutes and I’m be happy. Kushida was greeted with a loud KUSHIDA chant from the crowd during his entrance. They were chanting THIS IS AWESOME 5 seconds after the opening bell, before they’d even locked up.

    Some great chain wrestling early, which Kushida got the better of. THIS IS WRESTLING chant. This crowd is really hot for this match. Kushida did the John Cena “You Can’t See Me” gesture a couple of times after doing a cartwheel out of an armdrag. Fans did not like that at all.

    Sydal slowed him down by knocking him to the canvas with an Enziguri as we went to break. Back from break and Sydal still in control. Announcers are putting over how he’s wrestling differently by focusing on specific body parts. Kushida gets the advantage briefly and goes to the top but gets hit by a thrust kick from Sydal. Shortly after, Kushida hit a top rope moonsault to the outside on Sydal. Sydal took almost the full 20 count to get back in after that.

    Kushida hit another moonsault, this time in the ring, for a near three-count. Sydal sweeped the leg and then hit a standing shooting star press but Kushida got his knees up to block it. Kushida then locked on the Hoverboard lock but Sydal made the ropes to break it up.

    They did the YAY/BOO spot in the centre, with the fans firmly behind Kushida. Sydal got the better of it, and then hit a standing Rana for a two. Sydal went for a shooting star press from the top rope but Kushida rolled out of the way and then locked on the Hoverboard lock again. Sydal fought it off and they had a standing striking battle in the centre of the ring which ended with Kushida flat on the canvas.

    Sydal to the top and this time he hit the Shooting Star press for the win.

    WINNER – MATT SYDAL by pinfall

    After a break, BJ Whitmer is in the ring with Adam Page and he’s got a mic. He wants to know where Adam Page’s match is. A WWE cameraman answered the call.

    4 Corners Survival Match – Adam Page (w/BJ Whitmer and Colby Corino) vs Will Ferrara vs Takaaki Watanabe vs Moose w/Stokely Hathaway

    Page starts out with Watanabe. Ferrara makes a blind tag after Watanabe gets the early advantage. Ferrara all over him so Page tags in Moose. Moose quickly takes Ferrara down with a clothesline and then Page tags himself in but not before verbally berating Moose, which was a funny visual.

    Ferrara gets beat on for a bit and then tags in Watanabe, who’s house of fire on Page. Watanabe hits a Fisherman’s Buster on Page for a near fall but Moose breaks it up. Ferrara then comes and somehow Moose and Ferrara are both legal. Moose tosses him out onto Page and Watanabe and is in the ring by himself. At this point, Colby Corino gets on the apron and it verbally berating Moose.

    Moose knocks him to the floor with a big boot and Adam Page tries to take advantage of the distraction but Moose floors him with a spear. Ferrara in to challenge and he actually takes Moose down with a Tornado DDT. Watanabe in and takes  out Ferrara with a German Suplex. He tries the same on Moose but the big man blocks it on the first attempt but Watanabe gets it on try #2. While he’s celebrating, Ferrara rolls him up for a 2. Watanabe comes back and hits the STO for the pin.

    WINNER – TATAAKI WATANABE by pinfall

    After a break, Kelly and Corino are talking about the last match and a bit about Adam Cole when randomly Bushwhacker Luke is behind them, doing his Bushwhacker walk and licking fans. They showed highlights from “earlier  tonight” when Brutal Bob and “his son” attacked Cheeseburger and Bushwhacker Luke made the save, ending with a stunner on the “son”, which the crowd  loved.

    Luke then grabbed Cheeseburger in a headlock and nailed the guy, who they then called “Hughes the Stooge”, to knock him out of the ring. Luke and Burger then celebrated by doing the Bushwhacker walk around the ring.

    Luke then was interviewed by Kelly and Corino at ringside. He looked great. He said Corino looked like a bag of salad and wanted to taste him and then of course licked his head. A promo piece for next week, with action from Field of Honor appeared next. Looked great.

    Main Event – Adam Cole vs Shinsuke Nakamura

    Nigel joins Kelly and Corino at commentary. This was taped before the PPV but the commentators were talking about his actions there, so they either did post-production or knew it was coming. He was announced as representing The Kingdom so the turn on Kyle O’Reilly was set up well.

    Nakamura gets an amazing reaction with one of the biggest streamer showers I’ve ever seen. Nakamura/Adam Cole duelling chants but the “Adam Cole” responses are very faint. They do adhere to the Code of Honor at the start.

    Cole does the “Adam Cole Baby” pose, which the crowd chants loudly for and Nakamura feigns reaction that he’s impressed. Just before the first break, Nakamura gets knocked out of the ring and Cole mocks him by doing some of his mannerisms, teasing that he’s going to dive to the outside but then doesn’t do it and does the “stick it” mannerism to the fans.

    After the break, they’re both on the outside and Nakamura charges Cole, who’s draped against the barricade but Cole hits a Superkick to stop his momentum. Cole rolls him into the ring and takes over for the next few minutes. Cole runs the ropes, teasing a kick to the head but instead locks on a headlock, which draws heavy boos from the crowd.

    Cole whips Nakamura into the ropes and then stops to do a strongman pose. Cole acting very cocky and then starts clapping and mocking the fans when they chant along. Nakamura finally stops the momentum with a series of kicks and they’re both down and the duelling chants start up again.

    Nakamura with a series of knees to the head of Cole and then hits a gourdbuster for 2. Nakamura sets up a suplex but Cole blocks it with elbows and then does a series of kicks, ending with a Shining Wizard but only gets a two. Somewhere in here, a light USA chant started up but was quickly drowned out by boos.

    As the crowd is booing Cole with the advantage, he smiles and eggs them on to boo louder. Cole sets up a figure four but Nakamura makes the ropes to break it up as we go to another break.

    Back from break and Cole gets the Figure Four in the centre of the ring. Nakamura actually tries to break it by pulling the legs of Cole, which I don’t recall ever seeing before. More duelling chants and Nakamura manages to get to the ropes after about a minute in the hold. Nakamura heavily selling his knee and Cole takes him down with a couple dragon screw legwhips.

    Cole “taking his sweet time” as Nigel put it. He went to apply the Figure Four again but Nakamura grabbed his head and went for a triangle/arm bar submission combination. Cole rolls it into a pinfall attempt and Nakamura has to break the hold in order to escape the pinfall.

    YAY/BOO spot in the centre and I will say that the boos are much quieter for Cole here than they were for Sydal in the opener. Despite Cole’s best efforts, these fans do not want to hate him. Both guys ends up down after a running knee from Cole.

    Cole hits another Shining Wizard but only gets a two. Cole hits the Florida Key but only gets two and then starts arguing with the ref about a slow count. Cole then does the throat slit gesture and sets up for a brainbuster suplex. Nakamura blocks it but Cole hits a thrust kick to back him into the ropes. Cole charges but Nakamura gets a knee up to block it and then hops up to the second rope and hits a flying knee to knock Cole down. Nakamura still selling the damage to the knee from earlier though and writhes on the math, clutching his knee.

    Nigel is doing a great job on commentary selling the damage to Nakamura’s knee and wondering why Cole isn’t focusing on it. Cole finally hits a kick to the knee and follows up with a kick to the head to stagger Nakamura. Nakamura then hits an axe kick and a running knee to the head but Cole kicks out right before the three. Nakamura riles up the crowd and then goes for another running knee but Cole blocks it. Cole then spit in his face and nailed a shoulderbreaker. Crowd going nuts and Cole marching around the ring to rile them up even more.

    Cole setting up for a brainbuster but Nakamura blocks it twice and then hits his Landslide. He follows up with another running knee to the head to get the pin. Great match.

    WINNER – SHINSUKE NAKAMURA by pinfall

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (9/30): Don Muraco beats Jimmy Snuka for ECW title, Andre The Giant & Stan Hansen team up

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1942 — 

    Des Moines, Iowa:

    – Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Emil Dusek in 2 out of 3 falls

    1959 —

    Mobile, Alabama:

    – Jackie Fargo defeated Jesse James to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title

    1965 — 

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Bob Geigel and Bob Brown beat Cowboy Bob Ellis and Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1

    – Mongolian Stomper beat Corsica Joe 

    – Sonny Myers beat Jim Grabmire

    1973 — 

    Himeji, Japan:

    – Miyoko Hoshino & Peggy Kuroda defeated Masked Lee & Lita Marez for the WWWA World Tag Team Title 

    1974 —

    Birmingham, Alabama:

    – Duke Myers & Blue Scorpion defeated Ricky & Johnny Fields to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title

    1976 —

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Bob Slaughter (Sgt. Slaughter) & Matsuda Hata defeated Mike George & Skip Young

    – Harley Race defeated Bob Brown

    – Baron Von Raschke & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Black Gordman & Great Goliath in three falls to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Titles

    1977 —

    Houston, Texas:

    – Ox Baker defeated Captain USA (John Studd) for the NWA American Heavyweight Title 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:

    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Ray Stevens

    – AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Roger Kirby & Chris Markoff

    – Billy Robinson beat Super Destroyer dq

    – Larry Hennig beat Angelo Mosca

    – Jan Nelson beat Bobby Duncum dq

    – Bob Backlund drew Blackjack Lanza

    1978 —

    Chattanooga, Tennessee:

     – Gypsy Joe & Tojo Yamamoto defeated Ken Lucas & Dutch Mantel to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title

    St. Petersburg, Florida:

    – Dusty Rhodes beat Ernie Ladd

    – Wahoo McDaniel beat Ivan Koloff

    – Andre The Giant & Mike Graham & Steve Keirn beat Pak Song & Mr. Sato & Mr. Saito

    – The Spoiler beat Prince Tonga

    – Jerry Brisco beat Killer Karl Kox

    – Bobby Duncum beat Rick Oliver

    1980 —

    Tokyo, Japan:

    – WWF World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ron Starr

    – NWA International Junior Heavyweight Champion Kengo Kimura vs. Chavo Guerrero went to a double countout

    – WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen by dq

    – NWF Champion Antonio Inoki defeated Ken Patera

    1984 —

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:

    – AWA Tag Team Champions Champion Road Warriors beat Crusher & Baron Von Raschke

    – Jerry Blackwell no contest King Kong Brody

    – Fabulous Ones beat Mr. Saito & Nick Bockwinkel

    – Billy Robinson beat Tony Atlas dq

    1985 —

    Memphis, Tennessee:

    – Mid-America Champ Koko Ware beat Tom Pritchard via dq

    – The Mongolian Stomper beat Phil Hickerson via countout to win the CWA International Title

    – Southern Tag Champs The Kiwi Sheepherders NC Bill Dundee & Jimmy Valiant

    – NWA U.S. Champ Tully Blanchard and Magnum TA fought to a double dq

    – Pez Whatley pinned Buddy Landel

    – The Fabulous Ones beat The Fabulous Freebirds’ Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts

    – NWA World Tag Team Champs The Rock N’ Roll Express beat Ivan & Nikita Koloff

    – NWA World Champ Ric Flair beat Jerry Lawler by dq

    1988 —

    Memphis, Tennessee:

    – AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Ronnie Garvin dq

    – Robert Fuller double countout with Brickhouse Brown

    – Jimmy Valiant beat Jimmy Golden

    – AWA Tag Team Champions Badd Company Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond beat Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden dq

    1989 — 

    Buffalo, New York:

    – Sting defeated NWA World TV Champion the Great Muta by DQ

    – NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger defeated Tommy Rich

    – NWA World Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane

    – NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Terry Funk

    1990 —

    Tokyo, Japan:

    – The British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) defeated Dean & Joe Malenko

    – Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace defeated Danny Spivey & Kamala #2

    – Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada ended in a forty-five minute draw

    – Andre The Giant & Stan Hansen defeated Giant Baba & Abdullah The Butcher

    1992 —

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

    – Glen Osbourne defeated The Sandman in a tournament final to win the ECW Television Title

    – Don Muraco defeated Jimmy Snuka to win the ECW Heavyweight Title

    1994 —

    Paintsville, Kentucky:

    – Lance Storm beat Boo Bradley (the future Balls Mahoney) by DQ.

    -SMW Champ The Dirty White Boy beat Bruiser Bedlam by DQ.

    -SMW Tag Champs The Rock N’ Roll Express beat The Gangstas.

    -The Rock N’ Roll Express & The Dirty White Boy & Tracy Smothers beat Boo Bradley & Bruiser Bedlam & The Gangstas in a “Rage in a Cage” bout.

    2002 —

    Houston, Texas: 

    – Kane defeated Chris Jericho to win the WWE Intercontinental Title

  • UFC Fight Night Japan: Peach Machine’s True Ten Scoring System

    Submitted by PeachMachine for WrestlingObserver.com

    In a follow up to last weeks Bellator show, I have no update on the alleged scoring change that was put in place by the California State Athletic Commission.  Supposedly the new rule will give judges a means to give more 10-8s, i.e. judges are instructed to give more 10-8s.  I have no idea what this means, since they are already allowed to do this already.

    For some background, I started/create what I call a True Ten system — an attempt to bring a different type of scoring to MMA.

    Bonus Match:

    TUF Tournament Show:  Aired Wednesday 9/23/15 Gruetzemacher vs. Sharma

    I happened to watch The Ultimate Fighter this week and figured I’d give it a scoring.  Usually these are two round affairs that only go to a third if the fighters split the first two.  This was one of those splits.  I can only assume these fights are judged by commission judges in the same way as regular fights.  These decisions are kept pretty closely under wraps since they are taped well in advance of the airing. 

    Official Result:  Dana only read the final round scores, and all three had it 10-9 for Gruetzemacher.  I’m assuming all three had it 29-28 Gruetzemacher. 

    – Classic Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Sharma  Rd 2) 10-9 Gruetzemacher  Rd 3) 10-9 Gruetzemacher 

    Result 29-28 Gruetzemacher

    – True Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Sharma  Rd 2) 10-8 Gruetzemacher Rd 3) 10-6 Gruetzemacher

    Result:  Gruetzemacher 29-24

    – Weighted:  Rd 1) Sharma+1  Rd 2) Gruetzemacher+2  Rd 3) Gruetzemacher+3

    Result:  5-1 Gruetzemacher

    – Pride:  Gruetzemacher

    Analysis: 

    This should have ended after the second round.  Everyone saw that the third round was going to be a one sided whipping, and it was.  If the refs had used the True Ten system, the third round would not have been necessary.  Instead, Sharma had to take five more minutes of a beating.  This must have been taped before the “rule change” and probably took place in Nevada anyway. 

    *****

    We’ve completed five shows now, and before we get into the sixth part of this series, let’s take a look at some stats to see what this experiment has uncovered.

    – Total Official Decisions:  17 (by show 4,3,3,3,4)

    – Unanimous:  13 (by show 4,2,2,3,2)

    – Split:  2 (by show 1,1,0,0,0)

    – Other:  2 (0,0,0,0,2 on Bellator: 1 two round match, 1 Majority Decision)

    – Different Outcomes Using True Ten:  0 (0,0,0,0,0)

    So far, the True Ten Scoring System has not changed any outcomes.  However, we’ve learned a lot about scoring as a whole.  The system has definitely created wider margins of victory, but does that matter?  I thought we would see a lot more draws than we have, but alas. 

    *****

    For future True Tens, there will no longer be a category for the Pride Scoring System, or the Weighted Round System.  I believe it was too big of an endeavor to try and examine multiple new systems at once.  So for the remaining shows, I will only present the official result, my result using the same criteria as the current judges called Classic Ten, and the system we have been examining the whole time called True Ten. 

    On with the show:

    UFC Fight Night 75:  Josh Barnett vs. Roy Nelson

    MIZUTO HIROTA VS. TERUTO ISHIHARA — 

    – Official Result: 29-28 Ishihara, 29-28 Hirota, and 29-29 Draw

    – Result: Split Draw (Draw)

    – Classic Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Ishihara  Rd 2)  10-9 Hirota  Rd 3) Hirota 10-9

    – Result:  29-28 Hirota

    – True Ten:  Rd 1) 10-8  Ishihara  Rd 2) 10-9 Hirota  Rd 3) Hirota 10-9

    – Result:  DRAW 28-28

    Analysis: 

    This was the end of the Road to Japan tournament.  I did not watch a single match of the tournament.  I feel like Hirota won the match, but according to my True Ten score, it was a draw, and ironically, it was scored a split draw.  Pretty crazy, especially since one judge scored it 29-29 meaning he must have scored either two 10-8s or two 10-10s. Both fighters received a 6-figure contract.  I hope two of those figures are on the other side of the decimal point. 

    TAKEYA MIZUGAKI VS. GEORGE ROOP — 

    – Official Result:  Mizugaki x 3 29-28

    – Classic Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Mizugaki  Rd 2) 10-9 Mizugaki  Rd 3)  Mizugaki 10-9

    – Result:  30-27 Mizugaki

    – True Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Mizugaki  Rd 2) 10-9 Mizugaki  Rd 3) Mizugaki 10-8

    – Result:  30-26 Mizugaki

    Analysis:

    Mizugaki won but he dominated the end and that’s where I think it really counts.

    KYOJI HORIGUCHI VS. CHICO CAMUS — 

    – Official Result:  30-27 x 3 for Horiguchi

    – Classic Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Horiguchi  Rd 2) 10-9 Horiguchi  Rd 3) 10-9 Horiguchi

    – Result:  30-27 Horiguchi

     -True Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Horiguchi  Rd 2) 10-9 Horiguchi  Rd 3) 10-9 Horiguchi

    – Result: 30-27 Horiguchi

    Analysis:

    I didn’t give Horiguchi any rounds a 10-8 because I think he squeaked out all three.   

    JOSH BARNETT VS. ROY NELSON — 

    – Official Result:  48-47, 48-47 and  50-45 for the winner by Unanimous Decision: Barnett

    – Classic Ten:  Rd 1) 10-9 Barnett  Rd 2) 10-8 Barnett  Rd 3)  10-9 Nelson  Rd 4) 10-9 Barnett  Rd 5) 10-9 Barnett

    – Result: 49-46 Barnett

    – True Ten:  Rd 1) 10-8 Barnett  Rd 2) 10-7 Barnett  Rd 3) 10-10 Draw  Rd 4) 10-8 Barnett  Rd 5) 10-9 Barnett

    – Result:  50-42 Barnett

    Analysis: 

    This was a WAR!  A great main event that really needed the True Ten scoring system to accurately score this match.  Barnett clearly won the fight, and regardless of the scoring system, the right man won.

    Final Analysis: 

    This was a great show with a hell of a fight in the main event.  Again, my scoring system did not change an outcome, but it made the winning differential bigger in a few of the decisions.  So far, my choice for a scoring system would be just to decide a round winner and not declare points. 

  • TV ratings for TNA and Ring of Honor: Wednesday, August 19

    TNA showed increases their first-run show and replay on Wednesday doing 323,000 viewers for the 9 p.m. show and 73,000 for the midnight replay.  The 396,000 total viewers is the best since 7/29 with the first episode performing the best since 8/5.

    Ring of Honor at 11 p.m. did 145,000 viewers, slightly down from the prior week.