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  • WWE RAW live results: Dean Ambrose rules all in a post-MITB world

    The Big Takeaway: The main event of Battleground will be Dean Ambrose defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a Triple Threat match. That match was ordered after Reigns and Rollins fought to a double countout in tonight’s main event. The Wyatt Family made their return to set up a new program with The New Day. Xavier Woods appeared to be put in a momentary trance by the Wyatts. Sasha Banks also returned and went after Charlotte. The show also built up the draft on Smackdown. It was a show run by Shane McMahon as Stephanie McMahon had the night off. 

    Show Recap: 

    Dean Ambrose opened the show in a pretape, getting out of a taxi cab wearing all black. He really is a lunatic because it reached 120 degrees in Phoenix this weekend. He tossed the cab driver a wad of bills. Just as the cab pulled away, Ambrose stopped him and pulled the WWE World Heavyweight Championship out from the backseat. 

    Ambrose did an interview with “You deserve it” chants. He said last night was a long night and dropped a reference to the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA World Championship. He told Seth Rollins that last night was a lesson where what goes around comes around. He said if Roman Reigns called himself “The Guy,” does that make him “the dude?” He said the reason why he patched himself together after getting knocked down every time was because he wanted to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. 

    Reigns came out. He got booed before he started speaking. Reigns said last night wasn’t his night, it was Ambrose’s night. He congratulated Ambrose, then asked “What did it feel like to cash in against Seth?” Ambrose said he would have cashed in against Reigns, too. Fans started a loud “You can’t wrestle” chant. Reigns told all the dudes to relax, take a sip out of their beer and shut up. Reigns brought up that he had a rematch clause. Then Rollins showed up saying he rehabbed his injured knee for seven months, beat Reigns fair and square, but Ambrose had his championship moment stolen from him. Reigns said “it doesn’t feel good, does it?” Rollins said at least he did to to Reigns’ face. 

    Rollins claiimed he never lost the championship. Reigns wondered why it was then on Ambrose’s shoulder. Reigns said there was an easy way to settle this and wanted to fight Rollins, who shot back there was nothing to settle because he beat Reigns. Shane McMahon came out and said Reigns and Rollins should wrestle to determine who faces Ambrose first. Rollins wanted to know if Shane consulted Stephanie first. Shane pretended Stephanie was there, then said she wasn’t here tonight so he’s running the show tonight. So Shane ordered Reigns vs. Rollins tonight for the #1 contendership tonight.

    Michael Cole announced the draft on Tuesday, July 19th. JBL told Byron Saxton that he could get drafted to ECW. 

    They aired the HHH tweet congratulating the Cavaliers on winning the NBA Championship. They’ll be getting the next custom made WWE World Championship strap. They also showed LeBron James getting off the airplane wearing an Ultimate Warrior t-shirt. That led to one writer tweeting that Stephen Curry should wear a Renegade t-shirt. 

    Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens (8:47)

    Sami Zayn won when Kevin Owens attempted the Pop-Up Power Bomb, but Zayn reversed it into a victory roll. They opened with a hockey fight sequence which Zayn got the better of. Owens spent the first part of the match trying to walk out, including trying to get away through the crowd. Zayn chased him back in, but was thrown into the dasherboards. Owens hit a Superkick at the end for a near fall. 

    Postmatch, Owens attacked Zayn as he was celebrating. Owens tried to power bomb Zayn off the ramp to the floor, but Zayn blocked it with a double-leg takedown and they had a pull-apart brawl. They continued to fight backstage, where Owens threw Zayn into trunk cases. Zayn recovered, then took a page from Larry Holmes’ brawl with Trevor Burbick where he ran onto the cases and jumped on Owens again. Finally, Fit Finley came in and pulled Zayn off.  

    John Laurinaitis was this week’s throwback authority figure. He came out wearing a red blazer, red pants and white shoes. JBL said he looked like Craig Sager. Shane wondered what John was doing there. Laurinaitis said he wanted to run Smackdown. Shane said SmackDown wouldn’t be run by a corporate yes man. Shane said he was running SmackDown. John said he wanted to run Raw and mentioned “People power” as he disappeared.  

    Enzo and Big Cass came out with Enzo Amore comparing sneakers with Shane. Enzo called him Johnny Laryngitis and did his “No dimes” line saying that’s the amount of money he would have every time something worthwile came out of Laryngitis’ mouth.  Cass said Laurinatis may have been “Ace Dynamic Dude” back in his day, but in the new era he was “Sawft.” 

    Enzo and Big Cass defeated the Vaudevillains (2:55)  

    Amore pinned Aidan English after the Rocket Launcher, which has been redubbed the “Bada Boom Shaka-Laka.” Vaudevillains lost in less than three minutes and didn’t get a ring entrance. 

    Returning to the Cleveland celebration, they showed Kevin Love in the locker room copying Steve Austin where he guzzled two beers at once. 

    A.J. Styles came out after his win over John Cena. Styles said he should be happy because he’s envisioned beating Cena for years, and then it became a reality. But the win was tainted. Styles maintained he beat Cena and repeated it twice. But it didn’t go down the way he dreamt it would because Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson had no business in his business. He called Gallows and Anderson to come to the ring and give him a public apology. 

    Anderson and Gallows came out. Styles said he didn’t need their help. Anderson said they were just trying to help. Styles said they gave Cena an excuse. They dragged his name through the mud by interferring. Styles asked for Karl to look him in the eye and apology. Anderson looked at Styles and, in the most condescending way to the fans and Cena, apologized to Styles. Gallows did the same. Styles acted like that was proof he had no idea he knew about it and then asked them to apologize to Cena. 

    Cena came out in his new t-shirt designed after the PBR logo. Cena said he didn’t need an apology because he and Styles had a signed agreement and Styles broke it. Gallows said Styles didn’t know about the interference. He apologized. Anderson said Cena and Styles signed a contract last week, but he and Gallows didn’t. Anderson said he was sorry. Styles tried to pass that off as proof. 

    Cena wasn’t hearing any of it. He said Styles is struggling to survive in the WWE and got a win last night by any means necessary. Styles said he was using the apology only to hide he isn’t as good as he says he is. Styles says he was using the Club as an excuse because Cena isn’t as good as he says he is. 

    Cena says he respects the win because that’s how you advance in the WWE. But above the win is your win. And when you’re a champion and your back is against the wall, you have two things: your balls and your word. Last night, Styles proved he had neither one of them. That got loud “Cena” chants. 

    Styles said Anderson and Gallows did Cena a favor by giving him an excuse. Styles said he would give Cena a chance to fight any member of the Club he wanted. Cena immediately said Styles. But Styles said he couldn’t fight him because he has to do the Stone Cold Podcast. And he’s already beaten Cena. Cena asked if it even mattered because one will be in the ring and the other two will be at ringside. Styles said Cena was wrong. The Club huddled and Styles said Anderson would fight Cena one-on-one and would prove Cena isn’t as good as he thinks he is. 

    John Cena defeated Karl Anderson by DQ (2:22) 

    Match was a total squash with Cena getting all of the offense. He hit the AA on Anderson before Styles and Gallows ran in for the DQ. Anderson and Gallows delievered the Magic Killer on Cena, following Styles orders. Styles followed with the Styles Clash on Cena and they posed over him to mostly boos. 

    JoJo interviewed Rollins about his match with Reigns. Rollins said last night was about proving things to the world, and when he defeated Reigns he proved he was the best and Reigns didn’t deserve to be champion. He said Ambrose also proved something last night. When he stole the WWE Championship from him, Ambrose proved he was a cockroach and a thief. Rollins said he’ll beat Reigns tonight and prove who the best member of the Shield really is. 

    Becky Lynch did an interview with Renee Young after Natalya turned on her last night. Lynch said she’s had three friends turn on her since debuting on Raw. She said she was going to start looking out for herself when Natalya came up and jumped her from behind. Natalya said for the first time in years, she’s going to worry about herself. 

    Baron Corbin defeated Zack Ryder (3:02) 

    Baron Corbin won with the End of Days. Zack Ryder had a chance to do the Randy Savage elbow before losing. 

    They showed the press conference in China. It was the first appearance by HHH on Raw since the Monday before WrestleMania. Cena was also featured. They also highlighted the first Chinese athlete signed to a developmental contract, Bin Wang. 

    Paige started to do an interview with Young, but Charlotte and Dana Brooke interrupted her. Charlotte said when Team PCB broke up, she rose to the top of the women’s division while Paige sank like a rock in the ocean. Brooke said “Timber!” Paige treated her like an airhead and said Charlotte’s championship would look great around her waist when she beats her tonight. 

    Charlotte (C) defeated Paige to retain the WWE Women’s Championship (8:23) 

    Finish appeared to be somewhat screwed up. Paige hit the Rampage. Brooke was supposed to put Charlotte’s boot on the rope. But Brooke couldn’t do that before the referee finished the three count. So whent the referee looked up, he had to pretend he didn’t see Brooke holding on to Charlotte’s boot, which the viewers at home did. The referee looked like he had someone screaming in his earpiece because he belatedly ordered Brooke to the back. Brooke didn’t go to the back. In the midst of all this, Charlotte hit Natural Selection for the win. 

    After the pin, Sasha Banks came out to a huge pop. Charlotte ordered Brooke to go after her, but Banks decked her with one punch. Banks went after Charlotte, but Brooke jumped Banks from behind. Paige awakened and sent Charlotte and Brooke out of the ring. So they’re finally getting to the Charlotte-Banks program. 

    Reigns did a promo with Jojo saying tonight he would be the guy for defeats Rollins. 

    Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman made their return. They got “Welcome Back” chants. Wyatt asked if the fans missed him? Wyatt said they had been locked away, but through it all they have never forgotten what they stand for. He said the Wyatts are as strong as they have ever been. Then the New Day came out with their regular routine. They have rainbow socks now. 

    Xavier Woods siad Bray had been talking way too long “you need to cut it.” Big E. said Rowan has a big, ole booty. Kofi Kingston said whenever the New Day comes out, the fans have fun. It wa the power of positivity that allowed them to be WWE Tag Team Champions. However, as Kofi talked, Woods walked towards the ring like Wyatt had put him in a trance. Big E. had to snap him out of it, but Woods again looked like he had fallen under Wyatt’s spell.  

    Wyatt said he saw the New Day’s future. And it goes “New Day Falls. New Day Falls.” The segment abruptly ended. So they’re forgetting about Wyatt’s face turn when he teamed with Reigns just before his injury in April. 

    The newest Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Darren Young saying that he had been reading lots of poetry that motivated him. Backlund said Young shouldn’t take advice from anyone. Young asked if that includes Backlund, who said he doesn’t give advice, he gives orders. He then ordered Young to do 100 knee raises. 

    Lana was in the ring, as Ric Flair would say, looking as only as she can look with a black dress. She introduced Rusev. This led to a Titus O’Neal interview. He was furious over Rusev telling his kids last night that their father was a loser. He screamed that Rusev should never disrespect his family. He would have made his point much better if he had looked in the right camera when delivering that line. 

    Rusev vs. O’Neal never started. It was simply a brawl around ringside.  O’Neal was much more intense as they traded hard knees and punches. O’Neal ended it when he whipped Rusev towards the timekeepers table and clotheslined him over the barricade. Rusev walked to the back. 

    The Miz and Maryse did another promo from the set of the Marine 5. Miz talked about how he liked to enjoy lunch with the members of the crew. Then someone walked up to him with a plate of food. Miz threw it back in his face because the plate didn’t contain quail. Maryse fired him. Miz screamed how no one on the set can do anything right as the rest of the crew stared at him blankly as they were eating. Miz did an about face saying everyone was doing a great job, but everyone still glared at him. 

    Chris Jericho met Shane backstage. Jericho claimed that Shane had hated him for 16 years. Shane cancelled the Highlight Reel and hadn’t made him #1 contender for Ambrose’s championship. Shane brought up that Jericho didn’t win the Money in the Bank match last night and lost to Ambrose at Extreme Rules. Jericho said he had 60 thumbtacks in his back after that match. He went on to say he’s drafted to the brand that Shane isn’t on because he would rather work with 10 Stephanie McMahons than one of Shane. Shane warned him that he would be running both brands and Jericho would be a loser either way. 

    Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins went to a double countout (17:26) 

    Very good match that ended with the Spanish announce table coming into play. Reigns speared Rollins onto the table. I’m not sure if the table was supposed to break, but it didn’t. Neither man could get back in the ring before the ten count. Lots of good near falls, including Rollins kicking out of the Superman punch. Rollins hit a springboard knee that Reigns escaped from. Earlier, Rollins attempted a kneedrop off the apron, but missed and Reigns gave him a big boot. Fans had a loud “You can’t wrestle” chant aimed at Reigns early on. Ambrose was on commentary. Though he threw in a few jokes, he wasn’t acting like Reigns’ little buddy anymore. 

    After the finish, Shane came out and said there had to be a number one contender. Ambrose’s stepped in and said he would face Reigns and Rollins on the same night. Shane then ordered a triple-threat match between the three as the main event for Battleground. Reigns looked like he had something to say to Ambrose, but Ambrose gave him Dirty Deeds, then started to leave. Rollins was about to deliver the Pedigree on Reigns, but Ambrose ran back in and gave Rollins Dirty Deeds, as well. 

  • WWE announces draft for July 19th in Worcester, MA

    WWE announced Monday that its talent draft for splitting up talent between RAW & Smackdown will take place on July 19th at the live Smackdown from Worcester, MA.

    A press release stated that the draft will be conducted by the respective General Managers, which would indicate official naming of those people shortly.

    The WWE stated that for the first time in history on back-to-back nights, two distinctive brands will compete with each other for television ratings, live events and PPV.

    “This is an exciting new era for WWE in which we will yet again reinvent ourselves by creating a second night of compelling live television,” said Executive Producer Kevin Dunn.

    The decision to put the draft on Smackdown rather than Raw shows the emphasis is on building the Smackdown audience, since the draft should be one of the most anticipated and watched shows of the year. Putting the draft on Smackdown means giving up what would be one of the highest rated Raws, and instead trying to establish Tuesday night as important immediately to the fan base.

    In previous years, the draft shows were some of the highest rated shows the company would do at the time, although as the years went on, the draft show felt less important because there was less differentiation of the brands.

  • WWE News: Jerry Lawler & fiancee released from jail; changes to Money In The Bank show

    Both Jerry Lawler and fiancee Lauryn McBride were released from Shelby County jail in Memphis at around 11:30 AM local time and are due for a hearing on Monday. Each was charged with domestic violence from an incident that took place early Friday morning. With media surrounding him upon leaving jail, Lawler said he will make a statement after he talks with his attorney.

    For the details on what happened, here’s our early morning story on the matter.

    The WWE has also made changes to Sunday’s Money In The Bank event, adding two matches to the main show: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin and Sheamus vs. Apollo Crews. This changes the PPV from six matches to eight, meaning when timing out the show, they needed more time filled than they allotted for the six.

    With the change comes two additional pre-show matches: Goldust & R-Truth vs. Tyler Breeze & Fandango, plus The Dudleys vs. Lucha Dragons.

    With the new formatting of the show, it’s possible some finishes were discussed because there were heavy betting switches, most notably strong odds movements for Dean Ambrose and against Kevin Owens in the Money in the Bank mach, as well as for Roman Reigns, The New Day and A.J. Styles.

  • NXT Plymouth, England, live results: Nakamura & Finn Balor vs. Austin Aries & Samoa Joe

    Submitted by Philip Mansell & Chris Stewart

    – Hugo Knox b Wesley Blake

    Knox was pretty over, really green but athletic. He won with a split-legged moonsault.

    – Alexander Wolfe b Angelo Dawkins

    Fulton was ejected for interference, but came back down for the finish. He distracted the ref, allowing Wolfe to rake the eyes and score the pinfall. More D’Lo chants for Dawkins, but he took it with good humour and did the old D’Lo head shake as he left the ring.

    – Bayley and Carmella b Alexa Bliss and Peyton Royce

    Good match that got better as it went on and Bayley was involved more. Baymella win after Bayley to Belly. 

    – Bobby Roode b No Way Jose

    Roode wins with a spinebuster. Good pop for him after the fans realised who it was. Jose was pretty over, but the fans much preferred Roode. Big near fall towards the end with Jose hitting Roode with the discus punch for a believable near fall. 

    – Andrade Almas b Tye Dillinger

    Dillinger got a huge reaction from the crowd with sustained “10” chants. There seemed to be more signs and talk about him than anyone else. He cut a promo to turn the crowd against him, but the people were so into his gimmick they continued to cheer. Not much of a reaction for Andrade (although he did get some “Cien” chants towards the end). Very solid match. Crowd loved the moonsault spot to end the match.

    – American Alpha b NXT Champions The Revival by DQ

    These teams are just great and work so well with each other – an abridged version of the latest TakeOver match, so naturally very good. Both teams have impeccable timing. Crowd really bought the titles changing hands after Alpha hit the Grand Amplitude, but the ref was pulled out for the DQ. Alpha really know how to work the crowd.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Asuka b Nia Jax to retain

    Jax had decent heat for her entrance, and Asuka was really over. Asuka hit the buzzsaw kick to the win in a decent match that was almost identical to their TakeOver encounter. Asuka got a decent reaction, quite a few “Asuka’s gonna kill you chants”. Very similar to the Takeover match – they did a fantastic spot with Asuka putting a standing guillotine on Jax who turned it into a stalling suplex for a near fall.

    – Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura b Austin Aries and NXT Champion Samoa Joe

    A fantastic main event with the crowd completely into it. Chants for all four men who seemed to relish the atmosphere. Joe responded to crowd taunts brilliantly. Finn got the hot tag before Nakamura hit the Kinshasha on Aries and Finn hit the Coup de Grace for the win. Balor thanked the fans, calling them the heart of the NXT universe.

    Brilliant event overall – a crowd that was clearly incredibly happy to get NXT action. 

  • Fedor Emelianenko returns, wins controversial decision Friday

    In a fight that ranged from sad to exciting to perversely entertaining, sometimes all at once, former PRIDE & Strikeforce heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko was ruled the winner in the second fight of his comeback, but as far as his career goes, he was anything but that.

    In the main event of Friday’s EFN show in Saint Petersburg, Russia, that aired for nearly seven hours on UFC Fight Pass, Emelianenko was awarded a controversial majority decision over former UFC light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado on scores of 29-28 (x2) and 28-28.

    A normal referee would have stopped the fight on at least two occasions: once in the first round when Emelianenko was being pounded on and knocked silly on the ground, and second, when he managed to get out of the position and his legs were gone as he was stumbling around. Still, “The Last Emporer” survived a first round where he took a terrible beating that somehow two judges called a 10-9.

    In the second round, Emelianenko recovered and came back, although it was clear the 36-year-old’s Maldonado’s strategy was to block his punches and come back. Maldonado came back at the end of the round, landing a lot of solid punches, making it a close round.

    Emelianenko did more damage in a third round putting two exhausted fighters on display, but, at best, he should have earned a draw out of it.  While Maldonado blocked most of his punches, Maldonado was too tired to take advantage of Emelianenko’s tiredness and wear from the battering he took. Maldonado was also pretty battered by the time it was over.

    A 28-28 score was legitimate as would be a 29-27 for Maldonado. 

    The announcer, hilariously honest, openly thought the fight was over early in the first round and was cheering for Emelianenko. He also said this probably ruins his chances to get into the UFC.  Perhaps he could still get a deal because of his name, and that the viewership of this fight was small. But, it was clear that even though Emelianenko has unreal mental toughness, he would get destroyed by any good heavyweight striker unless he got to them quickly.

    Maldonado proved a tough style match-up because the one thing he has is the ability to take punches which allowed Emelianenko to unload and tire himself out.  Emelianenko never once went for a takedown, prompting the announcer to questioning why not, since Emelianenko would have had a huge edge if he could get the takedown.

    Even before the decision was read, the announcer acknowledged Emelianenko had lost the fight, but said that, of course, he would be ruled the winner.

  • NXT Bournemouth, England, live results: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe; Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode

    Submitted by Martin Mathers from the Bournemouth International Centre

    – No Way Jose b Angelo Dawson by pinfall

    Angelo had to field D’Lo Brown chants all the way through.

    – Bayley & Carmella b Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss by pinfall 

    – Tye Dillinger b Hugo Knox by pinfall

    The entire E block section was covered in 10 signs.

    – Andrade Almas b Austin Aries by pinfall

    Aries cut a heel promo, but the crowd wouldn’t stop cheering him.

    – Shinsuke Nakamura b Bobby Roode by pinfall

    Roode’s generic music confused everyone. Nakamura’s reaction blew the roof off.

    – NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival b American Alpha by pinfall to retain

    Crowd loved AA, Gable especially.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Asuka b Peyton Royce by submission to retain

    Lots of “Asuka’s gonna kill you!” chants

    – Finn Balor b NXT Champion Samoa Joe by disqualification

    Crowd was feisty. Plenty of great atmosphere mixed with a few idiots shouting inappropriate stuff. Overall, it was a strong crowd though.

  • Lucha Underground results: Pentagon Jr & Johnny Mundo thrive in Six to Survive

    The show begins with a recap of all the cop drama that has happened throughout season two. We see the death and resurrection of Mil Muertes and then Pentagon Jr’s return last week leading to his team entering into tonight’s feature content – the first-ever Six to Survive match where the winner gets a shot at Matanza Cueto’s Lucha Underground Title at Ultima Lucha Dos.

    The Voodoo Glow Skulls play us into the show and Vamp and Striker run down that the main event will be an elimination match.

    Pentagon Jr. vs. King Cuerno vs. Ivelisse vs. Taya vs. Johnny Mundo vs. Fenix – Six to Survive

    Vamp says Pentagon’s recovery is nothing short of a miracle and he has no idea how he did it. Cuerno starts things off with a slick sliding schoolboy that gets 2 on Pentagon. Ivie gets double-teamed by Taya and Mundo and kicks out of the Moonlight Drive. Fenix superkicks Johnny and then kicks Taya right in the ass. Fenix and Pentagon double team Pentagon with a wassup spot – only with a double stomp instead of a headbutt. Cuerno lands a running deja vu DDT to Pentagon.

    Mundo hits a flip dive onto Pentagon on the floor. Ivie gets picked up and tossed out onto Mundo and Pentagon by Cuerno and Fenix! Somersault superman punch by Fenix to Cuerno up top! Cuerno hits a rewind rana.Cuerno goes for the Thrill of the Hunt, but Muertes runs down and spears him to his doom before landing a nasty powerbomb to Cuerno. Mundo’s DILLIGAF face is perfect and he beats Cuerno with the End of the World.

    Taya jumps Fenix and pounds away, before Ivie comes in and clubs away at her. Ivie kicks Fenix’s legs and then lands some kneeling kicks. Outside the ring, Pentagon kicks Taya’s legs out from under her. Fenix won’t fight Ivie, so she opts to chop and kick him. Ivie hits a high kick to Pentagon. Ivie charges in at Taya, but she moves and Mundo kicks Ivie. Ivie ranas Mundo off the middle rope and hits a high kick to Taya for 2. Taya hits a front slam, but a moonsault misses. Ivie goes for a Code Red, but Taya powers her into a Northern Lights and a double stomp for the pin.

    Taya misses a corner dropkick and Pentagon goes after her in the corner and hits Shattered Dreams. Mundo gets hits with Snake Eyes into the post on the floor. Pentagon lands the nasty shush chop on Taya, or as Vamp puts it “he just chopped the bitch out of the biatch!” Pentagon lands another kick to Taya – only now it’s another ass-centric one. Mundo and Pentagon trade mid-ring forearms. Taya holds Pentagon for a Flying Chuck. Fenix hits a superkick and then a calf kick to Mundo.

    Taya hits a rana and a corkscrew DDT-ish thing on Pentagon. Northern lights into the double stomp only gets 2 on Fenix. Mundo hits the basement knee strike on Fenix for 2. Fenix attacks Taya and Mundo goes after him. Shotgun knees to Pentagon by Taya. Fenix kicks Mundo in the gut, then Taya in the face, then Mundo in the face. Pentagon hits the package piledriver on Taya to eliminate her. Mundo consoles Taya on the floor before coming back in to fight.

    Vamp puts over every single person here as someone who is tough enough to win – but Mundo isn’t scarred enough to beat them in a sheer war. Everyone chops everyone else a billion times. A billion may be a low estimate. Mundo lands a nice spinebuster and gets 2. Fenix goes for a handspring off the ropes, but gets stopped and a Batista bomb gets 2. They fight to the floor and Pentagon Jr. hits a flip dive amid a “lucha!” chant.

    Striker talks about how everyone is going for strikes and palm strikes to avoid breaking their hands. Mundo hits a huge dive to the floor and nearly knocks over the camera man. Mundo tosses Fenix into the ring and lands a sloppy standing End of the World for 2. Standing C4 hits Fenix for 2. Pentagon hoists Johnny up top where Fenix hits a double stomp up top. Fenix and Pentagon pin Johnny underneath a wacky cradle combination.

    Pentagon and Fenix face off to close out Six to Survive. Pentagon hits a flapjack and then the Haas of Pain. Fenix locks on a scorpion deathlock tequila sunrise! Pentagon locks on a double-trap backbreacker, but Fenix gets a Low Ki-style dragon sleeper. Fenix gets a run-up armdrag that sends Pentagon to the floor. Fenix hits a double-jump corkscrew dive on the floor! Fenix throws him in and gets 2.

    Pentagon tosses Fenix into the buckle and hits a running punt to the gut. Fenix catches him for an Alabama Slam, but Pentagon turns into a Mexican Destroyer for 2. Pentagon chops him on the rope, but eats a palm strike. Fenix fires up before flipping a whole bunch and hitting a super rana for 2. Pentagon hits two Slingblades, but Fenix won’t fall. Fenix kicks him to prevent a third. Fenix misses a double stomp off the top on the apron and eats a superkick.

    Fenix is sent to the floor and eats a Mexican Destroyer on the floor! Fenix is tossed in for another Mexican Destroyer, but Fenix counters it into a Dudebuster for 2! They’re each fighting off of their knees with slaps and meet face to face to fight more on their feet. Fenix swats him down with a hard slap to the face, and Fenix kicks him, but Pentagon superkicks him! Package piledriver gets the win for Pentagon Jr.!

    The camera pans to Vampiro looking absolutely shocked. Vamp tells Matt to shut up and let him think so he can enjoy the moment. Matanza comes out on the steps and stares down Pentagon Jr. Pentagon Jr. tells Dario that he’ll break every bone in Matanza’s body, and Dario’s as well because he is Pentagon Jr. and he has zero fear!. Pentagon Jr. is an amazing promo and he says next to nothing in English. His passion says more than words ever could.

    This was an excellent match and between this, Aztec Warfare, and the All Night Long match, Lucha Underground really has mastered the art of making one match shows compelling from start to finish.

    To see every screen taken for the show, just click here.

  • WWE NXT results: What’s next for Finn Balor? (Spoiler: It’s Nakamura.)

    • The Big News: Shinsuke Nakamura appeared at the end of the show, declaring himself to be the next opponent for Finn Balor.
    • The Medium News: Andrade Cien Almas defeated Tye Dillinger in a rematch of TakeOver.
    • The Little Beaver Sized News: In perhaps the first time in WWE history, we had a tag team match where neither member of either team had their name mentioned.

    The Authors of Pain (w/Paul Ellering) defeated Two Nameless Opponents (Sean Swags and CJ O’Doyle)

    The first show after TakeOver kicks off with Paul Ellering and his giant new tag team, the Authors of Pain. At the big show last week, they attacked American Alpha after their title loss to The Revival. 

    This may be the most unique match in WWE history as neither the winners nor the losers were named by the announcers. This was just an out and out squash match. It was something completely different than just about anything else on NXT. AOP won with a combo Side Russian Leg Sweep/Clothesline.

    *******

    Andrade Cien Almas attempted to cut a promo backstage when Tye Dillinger walked up and said he wants to right the wrong from last week. They set up a rematch.

    *******

    Backstage, Ellering said he will let everyone know what they’re doing here in due time.

    *******

    Carmella submitted Tessa Blanchard

    The biggest news of this match was they announced the Almas-Dillinger rematch would be tonight’s main event. The nicest thing to say is this has was better than most of Carmella’s matches have been and she submitted Tessa with the legscissors, which is now called the Code of Silence.

    *******

    After his match last week, NXT Champion Samoa Joe declared this the start of his era and no one has enough to sacrifice to take the belt from him.

    *******

    Blake & Murphy cut a promo. Yeah they broke up a few weeks ago, but they are giving teaming up the old college try tonight to face TM61. They blamed their problems on Alexa Bliss.

    *******

    TM61 defeated Blake & Murphy

    The Mighty 61 lost their debut match 3 weeks ago to Ciampa & Gargano, so they are looking to even up the old win-loss column. However if they lose they shouldn’t worry too much since Sami Zayn has easily lost 75% of the matches he’s wrestled in WWE and NXT. In case you forget, their new names are Shane Thorne and Nick Miller.

    This match was a backdrop to Corey Graves openly making things up about Murphy and Miller’s respective backgrounds and Tom Phillips calling bs on it. If you actually paid attention to the match, it was a fun bout that the crowd was into.

    Blake and Murphy crossed themselves up on two different occasions, knocking themselves out. Unfortunately it was not something they could come back from and TM61 won with Thunder Valley, which is a double team Gorilla Press into a reverse slam.

    Blake and Murphy stared at each other after the match.

    *******

    After their match last week, The Revival bragged about doing exactly what they said they were going to do. They talk heavy and hit hard

    *******

    Bayley has a doctor’s appointment next week and if all goes well, Mr. Regal will let her back in the ring. (Just don’t tell William about all the matches you have had on house shows the last few weeks.)

    *******

    Andrade Cien Almas defeated Tye Dillinger

    Main event time. Last week these two had a very good match that got the crowd into Almas, who they reacted tepidly to at first.

    The match wasn’t at the same level of last week, although both men seemed at times to be recreating the match move for move. The fans had a half hearted dueling chant of “We Want Almas/Perfect 10” during a chin lock spot. Just like last week Almas won with the running double knees to his seated opponent.

    *******

    The final segment of the show saw Finn Balor come out to address the audience following his loss in the steel cage match to Samoa Joe last week. The fans loved Balor, giving him a standing ovation and chanting at him to please not go.

    Balor talked about watching NXT for the first time, seeing Enzo & Big Cass and saying he wanted to be a part of this. As much as he became a part of NXT, NXT became a part of him and became what he was. He put over his wars with Neville, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe and yet, here he stands not the champion. The question being what’s next for Finn Balor? The fans chanted Balor Club, which he acknowledged by saying “Too Sweet”. He asked what was next for Finn three times, almost as if the production team messed up cuing the music, but I think he was just going for a dramatic effect.

    Out came Shinsuke Nakamura, with the fans singing Nakamura’s theme song and chanting “This is awesome” before anything happened. Nakamura said that when he was in Japan he watched Balor and watched Balor become the icon of NXT. Nakamura said that even though he is not champion anymore he is still an icon. Nakamura said if he wants to be champion he has to beat the icon. To become the icon he has to beat Balor. The fans chanted “YES! YES! YES!” and then “Match of the Year”

    Balor accepted the challenge, they shook hands and the show ended there. That should be one amazing match when it happens.

    Until next week, thank you for reading, say your prayers, and take your vitamins!

  • TNA Impact Wrestling taping results: Lashley vs. Galloway vs. EC3; more Hardy madness

    Here’s some notes on Wednesday’s TV tapings, courtesy of Jacob Cohen

    These shows should air on 6/28 and 7/5.

    – Braxton Sutter won an X Division Battle Royal to earn an X Division title shot. Afterwards, Shane Helms’ crew beat him down.

    – Mike Bennett (who is the X champion after winning it Tuesday night after the show that aired last night was over) demanded the title match right away. Bennett then beat Sutter.

    – Bram beat Rosemary via DQ as he wouldn’t fight her. She attacked him. He went to defend himself, but Abyss & Crazzy Steve ran in and attacked him. Rosemary stopped them and then started consoling Bram.

    – Matt Hardy was in a wheelchair because of his beating in the cage match from Sunday, but he wants one more match with Jeff Hardy, but said he needs six weeks to recover from the last match. He proposes the loser gives up the Hardy name. Jeff agreed to the match. Fans started a “Yes” chant and Jeff acknowledged Daniel Bryan. Reby Sky and Jeff were arguing. Matt recovered suddenly got out of the wheelchair and attacked Jeff..  Matt then said the match would be in one week, but it won’t be at the Impact Zone, it’ll be at the ring at his house.

    – Grado & Mahabali Shera & Tyrus beat Al Snow & Basille Baraka & Baron Dax

    – TNA Champion Bobby Lashley won a three-way over Drew Galloway and EC3 to retain after the champ pinned EC3.

    – Mike Bennett wants a match with Lashley for the title. Dixie Carter is back from her leave of absence (that didn’t last long but in the angle it
    was only one week) and said Bennett was disrespecting the X division title. Eventually, it was agreed he can cash in the X title for an TNA title shot if he retains the title one more time in an Ultimate X match against everyone.

    – Eddie Edwards won Ultimate X and took the title back.

    – James Storm beat KOTM Champion Eli Drake via DQ.

    – Jade beat Marty Bell in a street fight

    – Mike Bennett & Maria did an interview talking about how he was robbed of the title.  Maria wanted Dixie to come out. Billy Corgan came
    out.  Maria said she should be the President of TNA and told Corgan that either Dixie goes or she goes. Dixie then came out and said she wasn’t
    leaving, so Maria can leave. Bennett said they will both leave unless he gets a title match. Corgan said they are acting like spoiled children, and that Bennett had a title shot in the palm of his hands but he ruined it by losing. Corgan told them if they don’t like it here, they can leave.  Bennett refused to quit, but said he will ruin Destination X.

    – Jessie Godderz’s magic iPad found Rosemary and Bram making out.  History says that doesn’t end well.

    – Bro Mans & Raquel beat Abyss & Steve & Rosemary

    It’s announced that at Destination X (likely the 7/12 show), TNA Champion Lashley and X-Division Champion Edwards will have a match and both titles will be at stake.

  • NXT Liverpool, England, live results: Finn Balor & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe & Austin Aries

    Submitted by James Ryder

    A lot of the upper section was empty. Pre-show, Dasha interviewed some fans asking who they wanted to see tonight. Also, there was a pre-show vote to see a past NXT match: Rollins vs. Mahal, Neville vs. Zayn or Bayley vs. Banks. The latter won the vote so they showed highlights of the match.

    Hugo Knox vs Wesley Blake

    Fairly basic match. Crowd started chanting in the middle of the match but wasn’t into either superstar much. Knox won with a split leg moonsault on the second attempt after messing up the first one.

    Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton vs. American Alpha

    Loud pop when American Alpha’s music hit and a loud chant for American Alpha before the match had even started.  Crowd chanted “Jordan give us a wave”. Crowd booed him when he didn’t but when Gable did a takedown in the ring, he waved to a big pop.  After early back and forth action, Gable is worked on until he makes the hot tag to Jordan to a loud pop.

    Match then ends quickly after two belly to belly suplexes and two German suplexes. AA wins with the double ankle lock spot and a double tap out.  Post match, The Revival come out and cut a promo putting over the TakeOver title match from last week. They offer AA a tag title match, then change their mind and walk off before running to the ring to attack. AA then hit Grand Amplitude on Dash and count to 3 for a good pop.

    Bobby Roode vs. No Way Jose

    Roode comes out to generic music which confused the crowd until he walked out and the crowd popped for him. Good reaction for Jose. Crowd was into him. Comedy spots early in the match then mid match, Jose’s music plays and they both dance before Roode attacks Jose.  Jose in control for a short while until Roode makes a comeback and wins with the Double A spinebuster.

    Nikki Glencross & Peyton Royce vs.  Carmella and Bayley

    Good reaction for Carmella who cut her usual pre match promo. Bayley came out to loud pop, loudest so far. Crowd sang to her then sang Happy Birthday to her.  Peyton and Nikki work over Bayley until she makes the hot tag to Carmella.  Peyton tries to kick Carmella but hits Nikki instead.  Carmella tags in Bayley who pins nikki with the Bayley to Belly for the win.

    Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade Almas

    Dillinger out to a loud pop and loud 10 chant. He cut a pre-match promo and revealed he was wearing a football shirt belonging to a rival team to a loud chorus of boos. Early part of the match saw the 2 of them play the crowd with the football shirt with Almas making Dillinger stamp on it.  Fairly basic match with the odd high spot.  Almas wins with the running double knees to Dillinger in the corner.

    NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax

    Good reaction for Asuka, but little reaction for Alexa & Nia. Good back and forth action.  Alexa was impressive in the match. Asuka makes a comeback after a few near falls and hits Alexa with a jumping knee and makes her submit to the Asuka Lock for the win.

    Finn Balor & Shinuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries & NXT Champion Samoa Joe

    Good pop for Balor but really loud for Nakamura with the crowd singing his theme song during his entrance and after his music had stopped.  Another good reaction for Joe as well.  Good back and forth action with Balor getting the hot tag to Nakamura.  The finish comes when Balor kicks Aries as he attempts a suicide dive followed by Nakamura hitting Aries with the Kinshasa followed by Balor hitting him with the Coup de Gras for the 3.

    Post match, Balor cuts a promo on Liverpool and puts over Robbie Brookside, saying how he welcomed him to the Performance Centre and helped so many NXT stars and helped NXT as a whole. Balor and Nakamura then pose for the crowd to complete a good show.