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Tag: WWE

  • WWE Nottingham, England, live results: Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus

    Submitted by James Ryder

    – Lilian Garcia welcomes everyone to the show.

    Cesaro def. Rusev

    Good reaction for Cesaro.  Good heat for Rusev after taking a young child’s ‘Cesaro section’ sign. “Let’s go Rusev/Rusev sucks” chant breaks out. Rusev works over Cesaro’s shoulder for most of the match. Cesaro makes his comeback with the multiple uppercuts. Rusev goes for the Accolade, but Cesaro reverses it into the sharpshooter. Cesaro does the giant
    swing to a loud pop and then immediately puts Rusev in the sharpshooter again. Rusev taps immediately.

    Sin Cara def. Tyler Breeze 

    Match opens with breeze taking down Cara and doing his turnbuckle pose. Cara then takes down Breeze, and does the same. Suicide dive to the outside by Cara. Comedy spot in the middle of the match where Breeze went up to the top rope and Cara would keep rolling to the opposite corner. Breeze did this 5 or 6 times. Cara then quickly hits the Swanton bomb for the win.

    Jack Swagger def. Tyler Breeze 

    Breeze then gets the mic and says he came here to stand in the middle of the ring and take a victory selfie. He demands another match and out comes Swagger waving the Union Jack flag. Really quick match with Breeze tapping out to the Patriot Lock.

    Kane def. Stardust

    No reaction for Stardust but quite a good pop for Kane. Another comedy match of sorts. Kane & Stardust playing to the crowd. Stardust drinks a bottle of water from ringside and tries giving it to Kane as peace offering then spits water at Kane. Basic match otherwise nothing special.  Kane wins with a chokeslam. Stardust sells the chokeslam post match and makes two referees help him up. 

    WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) def. The Dudley Boyz

    Lots of New Day antics pre match as always. Bubba gets the mic and says he and D-von are fed up hearing people chant “New Day rocks”. “New Day Rocks” & “Get The Tables” chant breaks out and Bubba again gets the mic asking if the fans want tables. D-Von pulls a table out, but bubba says the fans don’t deserve it. Nothing special in the match itself.  Dudleys messed up the reverse 3D when D-Von went quicker than Bubba. New Day hit the Midnight Hour on D-Von for the win.

    WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) def. Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks in a three-way match

    Good pop for Sasha and a lot of Whoooos for Charlotte and Ric. Really good back and forth match.  Sasha hits the corner knee drop to Charlotte and Becky. Charlotte with a double DDT and double Natural Selection. Sasha gets the Bank Statement on Charlotte, and then Becky breaks it up and puts Sasha in the Disarmer. Charlotte hits the Natural Selection on Becky to break the submission and pins Becky for a 2 count.  After interference from Ric, Charlotte rolls up Becky and uses her feet on the rope for the 3 count.

    The Usos def. Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman

    No reaction for The Wyatts. Good initial reaction for the Usos, and then some boos mixed in. Basic match with the usual spots. Usos take out Strowman on the outside with a dive, and then hit Rowan with a superkick and uso splash for the win.

    WWE Champion Roman Reigns def. Sheamus

    Sheamus cuts a pre match promo bashing England and saying how the League Of Nations is stronger than ever and the weak link was an Englishmen. Reigns comes out to a mostly positive reaction but loud boos a couple of times. Good back and forth match with Sheamus beating down on Reigns. Mixed booss and cheers for Reigns when he makes his comeback. The ending saw Sheamus kick out of the Superman punch, and then Reigns kicks out of the Brogue kick. Sheamus argues with the referee, and then Reigns hits him with another Superman punch and the spear for 3. Loud pop when Reigns won. Post match, Reigns goes round ringside having photos taken with fans and
    signing posters.

    No return date announced.

  • Undertaker now not appearing on Europe WWE Tour

    The WWE announced today that The Undertaker would not be appearing on the U.K. tour after all.

    The Undertaker’s status has changed constantly over the past week, but the announcements yesterday that HHH and Shane McMahon would be appearing on the tour is because both were going in place of Undertaker.

    Undertaker was originally going to do the entire tour, then his schedule was cut to three dates, then to two, then to zero.

    The show in Newcastle on Wednesday, which was going to be his only house show, was announced as having a HHH vs. Dean Ambrose main event, plus A.J. Styles vs. Chris Jericho and Kalisto vs. Ryback vs. Alberto Del Rio for the U.S. title.

    The web site is also listing Kane, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman, Kevin Owens, King Barrett, Big Show, Paige, Natalya, Goldust, Eva Marie, Damien Sandow, The Miz, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Naomi, Tamina, R-Truth, Curtis Axel, Adam Rose, and Fandango for the show.

    Rose is obviously also off the show due to his being on a 60 day suspension for a Wellness policy violation.

    Results from today’s show in Birmingham, England:

    Cesaro beat Stardust
    Sin Cara beat Tyler Breeze
    Jack Swagger beat Tyler Breeze
    Kane beat Rusev
    New Day beat Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman to retain the tag titles
    Charlotte won over Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch to keep the women’s title
    Usos beat Dudleys
    Roman Reigns beat Sheamus to retain the WWE title

  • WWE Main Event results: Kevin Owens gives us a heel masterclass

    Kalisto def. Heath Slater w/ Social Outcasts by pinfall

    The obligatory terrible pre-match promo centres around Bo calling Kalisto “sugar face”. Yeah, I have no earthly idea why that’s supposed to be funny either.

    Rich Brennan mentions that Kalisto was “banged up” on RAW, but apparently it’s feasible to recover from “minor whiplash” in 24 hours. The match was about what you’d expect from these two; exciting when Kalisto was on offence and stultifyingly dull during the heat.

    Kalisto hit his usual comeback sequence, before finishing a needlessly long 11 minute match with a Salida Del Sol. The US Champion used an interfering Curtis Axel for leverage in a repeat of the finish from his match against Bo Dallas on last week’s Superstars. Way to go, creative.

    – We return from the second commercial break with the defeated Outcasts still in the ring, squabbling amongst themselves. Bo breaks it up by recommending that they take their frustration out on the next man that walks to the ring. That man is Apollo Crews.

    Apollo Crews def. Bo Dallas by pinfall

    Crews enters to one of CFO$’ better recent entrance theme efforts, a tune that seems to fit his buoyant personality perfectly. I was tempted to say it fits his character perfectly, but he doesn’t really have one; hence the nickname ‘Smiley Black Man’ that he enjoys in this household, which helpfully marks out his only three defining characteristics.

    Crews, like Kalisto, is another athletic babyface that is doomed to cycle through the Social Outcasts at the minute. He adds to his recent victories over Axel and Adam Rose by putting away Bo Dallas in a three minute squash here, finishing him with the spinning sitout powerbomb deal.

    Kevin Owens def. Dolph Ziggler by pinfall

    Well now, this was something to behold; unquestionably the best match that this show has produced since I started covering it last year. Owens put on a heel clinic here, with the majority of the bout focused on burnishing his new self-gifted “headlock master” moniker.

    A string of Owens side headlocks kicked us off, with the former IC champion desperate to convince the referee that Dolph was conceding defeat: “He said yes, I heard him!”. Owens’ attention then turned to the old reliable reverse chinlock, with one application of the hold engaged after running the ropes to fool the fans into expecting action (Owens: “This is my new thing!”).

    Ziggler eventually fought up from one of these with a back suplex (Owens: “He broke my headlock!”), before commencing a hot comeback that the crowd very much went with. Owens cut him off with a boot to the chin, before hitting a massive frog splash from the top rope for two. The former Mr. Steen roared at Jerry Lawler to tell the ref that was three, to which The King shouted back: “I agree!”.

    Owens signaled for his finish, but Ziggler leaped over his shoulders instead and planted him with a superkick for an excellent nearfall that everybody (including me) bit on. This prompted the lesser-heard “This is awesome!” chant from the watching San Diego crowd.

    That led us into the finish, with Owens kicking out of a schoolboy before catching a frantic Ziggler on the rebound with the Pop-Up Powerbomb for the win.

    After the bell, the always insecure bully heel ran to the announce desk to shout the odds at Rich Brennan, before stealing his phone to teach him a lesson! Hilarious.

    Final Thoughts

    What an absolutely amazing heel performer this company possesses in Kevin Owens. The fact that they prefer to use their anointed top babyface as a tweener rather than feature the best natural bad guy at their disposal makes no sense to me. Every heel in the business should sit down and watch what this guy did with restholds for 16 minutes here. And the little nuances he adds to his character – like the need for praise from babyface announcers – are something that very few others can bring to the table either. Watch this match and skip the Social Outcasts tripe.

  • WWE Global Cruiserweight matches announced for Evolve and Progress

    Today WWE announced qualifying matches for their Global Cruiserweight series.

    Announced for the Evolve show on 5/7 in Queens, NY, with Drew Gulak vs. Tracy Williams and Fred Yehi vs. TJ Perkins.  Gulak and Williams are the current Evolve tag team champions.  The show takes place at La Boom in Queens, NY and will air on iPPV at www.WWNlive.com

    Also, announced for the PROGRESS on Sunday April 24th in Camden Town, London, Zach Sabre Jr. will face Flash Morgan Webster.  Jack Gallagher will go up against “Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne.

    The names WWE has announced thus far for the tournament are Rich Swann, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Noam Dar, Akira Tozawa, Ho Ho Lun and Lince Dorado.  Swann, Ciampa and Gargano are already under contract to WWE.  Dar is an independent wrestler from the U.K., Tozawa is a star with Dragon Gate, Lun is from Hong Kong and Dorado is a Florida-based Lucha style independent wrestler.

  • WWE Milan, Italy, live results (Wed): Bray Wyatt injury during Roman Reigns match

    Submitted by Erik Ganzerli

    WWE began its Wrestlemania Revenge Tour in Milan earlier tonight in front of a nearly sold out at the Mediolanum Forum. Here are the results: 

    -Cesaro b. Stardust with the Swing/Sharpshooter combo in about 11 minutes

    Big pop for Cesaro who is kind of a homegrown talent here since he spent a lot of time early in his career wrestling here. Usual house show opener, good match. 

    -Erick Rowan b. Jack Swagger

    Needless to say, not as good as the previous match. For whatever reason the “Real American” Swagger entered baring an Italian flag. Finish came when Swagger applied the ankle lock, Rowan reached the ropes with the referee calling for a break. Swagger then tried to bring Rowan back to the middle of the ring. Rowan held the apron and the referee went to put it back into place. With the ref distracted, Rowan poked Swagger in the eyes and pinned him with a full Nelson slam. 

    -Sin Cara b. Tyler Breeze in 7 minutes via Swanton Bomb

    Short match, which is a shame. A bit of.comedy at the start but good action. 

    -Kane b. Braun Strowman by DQ in 6 minutes

    Loud reaction for Kane, stili very beloved. Horrendous match, Strowman hit Kane with a chair for the disqualification and was then finished with a chokeslam. 

    -WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day b. Sheamus and Rusev to retain in 13 minutes

    Not much different from the matches we saw on Raw and Wrestlemania with these teams. The New Day, needless to say, is OVER. Finish came after Woods, who was knocked earlier from the apron by Rusev, hit Rusev back with the referee distracted, allowing Kingston and Big E. to hit the Big Ending/Splash combo for the pin. 

    -WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte b. Becky Lynch and Sasha Hanks in a triple threat match to retain

    As easily predictable this was by leaps and bounds the best match.of the show. 

    -The Usos b. The Dudley Boyz in 11 minutes

    Dudleyz very over, almost 50/50 crowd reaction to the point that Bubba, the true highlight of the match, at a certain point started loudly complaining in Italian and running down local teams. Usos won with a double superkick. 

    -WWE Champion Roman Reigns fought Bray Wyatt to a no contest in 2 minutes

    The match was immediately halted due to what looked like an ankle injury. It was bad enough that they immediately called for the best after the doc took a look at it. To cover for it they went to a LONG post match beatdown which involved Rowan, Strowman, the Usos and the Dudleyz.

    When the dust settled, Sheamus came out trying to get a title match. He tried to Brogue Kick Reigns who avoided it and speared him. Reigns took the mic and said that while he had his issues with Wyatt, he never wishes an injury to anybody (which helped turn the crowd in his favour, it was 50/50 at best earlier) and then ended the show thanking the fans. 

    Notes: since this is the first show of the tour the merchandising stands had a pretty decent variety of items: shirts for Roman Reigns, John Cena, The Usos, Dean Ambrose, and AJ Styles. 

  • WWE Florence, Italy, live results: Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks

    Submitted by Lothar Ceccarelli

    Lilian Garcia was introduced as the announcer for the show. 

    Cesaro beat Stardust

    People loved Cesaro and they went nuts for his comeback, especially for the uppercuts. He won with a sharpshooter follwing the giant swing. Good contest. 

    Sin Cara beat Tyler Breeze

    Quick match with a couple of high flying spots by Sin Cara. He won with his senton from the top rope. After the match, Breeze took a mic and said that he didn’t come to Italy to lose and he asked for an other opponent. Out came Swagger with an Italian flag on his shoulders. 

    Jack Swagger beat Tyler Breeze

    Nothing to say here. They went for the ankle lock as soon as the bell rang and Breeze tapped out.

    WWE Tag Team Champions New Day beat Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan

    People LOVED the New Day. The match was very good. I’ll go as far as saying that this was the biggest surprise of the night. Xavier and Big E worked the match for the New Day. The heat was on Xavier at the beginning. Great hot tag for Big E who began to throw Rowan around. Then Strowman came in and he got a big “holy s**t, he’s big!” reaction. Couple of near falls. New Day won after a little help from Kofi.

    WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte beat Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch

    Ric Flair was ringside. This was the match of the night. Sasha and Becky put out Charlotte and went at it at the beginning. Then the champ came back and they did a good amount of “3 way” spots. People chanted “NXT” and “Women’s Wrestling” and booed the hell out of Charlotte. At the end, Sasha went for the Bank Statement on Becky, but Ric pulled her out of the ring and Charlotte pinned Becky using the ropes. Very good match.

    Usos beat the Dudleys

    Man, is Bubba great. People cheered the Dudleys at the beginning, but Bubba turned that around in a second. He had the crowd going from cheering them to HATE them. He even went as far as swearing at people in italian. As far as the match goes, a solid contest but nothing great. Usos won with a splash.

    WWE Champion Roman Reigns beat Sheamus

    Very good match, the second best after the women’s. Roman Reigns was over HUGE. Biggest reaction of the night by far. He won with a spear after a couple of near finishes.

    Overall, a good show. Crowd was into everything and they cheered the faces and booed the heels. Again, women stole the show. 

  • April 18, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Blackjack Mulligan and Balls Mahoney pass away, NJPW Invasion Attack

    During the 70s and 80s, Blackjack Mulligan was one of the legendary characters in pro wrestling, a man whose life and career had major ups and just as legendary downs.

    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • Total Divastation: a look at WWE Total Divas season finale part 1

    By Kevin LaRose for F4Wonline.com

    Tampa, FL

    Nikki and Nattie are going to the doctors to look at Nikki’s back x-rays. Her back doesn’t look good. Nikki does cryotherapy and Nattie watches her, then Nattie does it. There’s a whole in Nattie’s towel that’s right near her nipple. Everyone laughs.

    Nashville, TN

    At Raw, the Bellas and Fox look on the Internet. They are learning about Paris. Fox tells the Bellas that she is fighting with Rosa. Nikki bails because she sees Cena and Brie is forced to hear about Rosa all by herself.

    Paris, FR

    The Divas land in Paris, and Eva is excited for the opportunity to get closer to the other Divas. Everyone is going to the Eiffel Tower except the Bellas, because they are coming back to France in a couple of weeks with their grandma and they are going to go then. Fox decides she’s not going to go because Rosa is going.

    They arrive at a bomb ass suite where they will all be staying while in France. The girls start drinking that French wine, and eating hors d’oeuvres. Mandy distributes goody bags. Rosa doesn’t want to stay with Fox. Fox tells everyone that she’s scheduled a high class couture photo shoot for them all on Thursday. Paige feels alienated that no one is sleeping in their suite. Eva and Mandy decide to stay in Paige and Fox’s suite. The other Divas are so happy to not be staying with Paige, Fox, Mandy, and Eva. Fox decides to repair her relationship with Eva. They make up and Fox is happy. Fox tells everyone about Rosa. She is so pissed at Rosa. 

    Nikki and Brie go shopping. They buy a bunch of macaroons. Everyone else goes to the Eiffel Tower, except for Fox. She is too busy being mad at Rosa to enjoy the world. The divas talk about how romantic Paris is. Rosa wishes that Bobby was the only man that she ever slept with. Mandy asks Nattie how many penises she’s seen. Everyone is really impressed by the Eiffel Tower, especially Nattie. Paige knows that Fox is going to regret not going to the Eiffel Tower. I once went up the Eifel tower. It was cool.

    At the top they had display of a mannequin Mark Twain talking with a mannequin Alec Eiffel. But if I was on a show and I was visiting Paris, the last place I’d go would be the Eiffel Tower. That’s pleb stuff and it would make me look like a total pleb dweeb. If I went to Paris on a show, I’d be more like Anthony Bourdain; I’m gonna show you the gritty, real Paris. The kind of Paris they don’t show you on TV. This is garbage.

    At the top, Bobby is waiting for Rosa. He proposes to her while all the Divas watch and cheer. It’s supposed to be romantic and awesome, but it’s totally cliché and boring. How impressive, Bobby. I can’t believe no one has ever thought of proposing marriage anywhere within the vicinity of the Eiffel tower, let alone on top of it. This. Has. Never. Been. Done. Before. I feel lucky and #blessed that TV cameras were there to capture what is sure to be remembered as our generation’s moon landing. 

    Now everyone is at a press event, and Rosa shows off her ring. Fox is sulking in the corner, but she feels a little bad that she missed the Eiffel Tower proposal. Everyone gets their picture taken on the roof and some reporters ask them some real softball questions, like “who is the trouble maker?” I guess that’s what passes for real journalism nowadays. Shame on you, French media. They go back to their hotel, and Rosa and Bobby have sex.

    Cena has arranged a wine and cheese tasting for the Bellas, but he’s not there. They love all the cheese. Nikki makes a funny joke about Brie eating brie, and then Brie tries to make a joke but she does a horrible job.

    Finally, the other Divas go to a fancy restaurant overlooking the city. Paige arranged the whole thing. They are very impressed. They are amazed again when they see the Eiffel Tower. Rosa gives a speech. She does a horrible job. Fox is sulking the whole time. Can’t she just be happy for Rosa?

    In the morning, Brie is wearing an incredible kimono, and she wakes up Nikki. Nikki is pissed because she is so tired from eating so much cheese. Nikki complements Brie’s robe. Fox goes into Eva’s room and laughs at her for making her bed. She starts complaining about Fox. Fox is upset that Rosa is only focused on her baby and her fiancé and hasn’t been meeting Fox’s needs as a friend.

    All the girls talk about going to Jim Morrison’s grave, and Eva tells everyone she isn’t going. Eva and the Bellas are going bike riding together. Mandy is so pissed. She feels like Eva is ditching her. 

    Eva and the Bellas go to a bakery. Eva feels fortunate to be with such well-traveled friends. Eva tells them that some people are mad that Eva came with them today, but Eva says that Eva needs to do what Eva needs to do.

    The other divas go shopping, and Fox pulls Rosa aside. They talk out their issues. They cry. They hug. 

    Eva and the Bellas get on bikes. Nikki and Eva are wearing heels. They are very impressed by Paris. Brie is excited that she is exercising, and Nikki is pissed that Brie is so focused on exercising. Nikki starts yelling at Brie. Brie feels bad, and decides to eat a macaroon. 

    Eva and the Bellas are at a cute little outdoor café, and they comment on how much they love outdoor cafes. Brie breaks down and orders French fries.

    Back in the hotel, the other Divas talk about how they don’t wear underwear. Paige has another surprise for everyone. A beautiful man comes into the hotel, and Paige tells everyone that they are going to paint him. Somehow Paige managed to set up easels for everyone. She set this all up so that Nattie can see another man’s penis. This is not a normal thing. Nattie reacts with mock outrage. Nattie loves the naked man. They all take a picture with the naked man.

    In the other suite, Nikki surprises everyone with a beautiful private chef, and he is going to teach them all how to make macaroons. The chef shames them all for not offering him some wine. Nattie stumbles into the room, followed by Rosa.

    In the other room, a private chef is cooking everyone dinner. John has arranged another special trip for the Bellas. This time to the restaurant featured in the film Something’s Gotta Give. That movie is ok. I actually love it because Keanu plays a really cool doctor. They invite Nattie to the restaurant. Mandy is pissed that Nattie and Eva are going out to dinner and she wasn’t invited. She storms off into her bedroom and cries into her pillow. Paige follows Mandy and asks her what’s wrong. Fox and Rosa come into the room, and everyone hugs and holds Mandy.

    That’s it for part 1 of the 2 part season finale.

  • WWE Smackdown spoilers: Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn; AJ Styles vs. ADR

    It was a skeleton crew because much of the crew flew out last night to Italy.

    – Maryse opened the show and introduced Miz for a Miz TV segment.  Miz said that his guest was his wife, Maryse.  He asked her, “What is it like being married to The Miz?”  Zack Ryder came out and said he wanted his title rematch tonight.  Miz first said yes, but then said, he forgot, because Ryder already had a match booked tonight against Baron Corbin.

    – Baron Corbin beat Zack Ryder

    – Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady beat The Ascension in the #1 contenders tag team tournament

    – A.J. Styles did an interview.  Alberto Del Rio came out.  This led to a match which Styles won with a roll-up.

    – There was a backstage segment with Goldust, R-Truth and Fandango.

    – The Vaudevillains beat Goldust & Fandango in the #1 contenders tag team tournament. The crowd in San Diego didn’t know The Vaudevillans or how to take them. It was a quick match.

    – Chris Jericho did an interview and got heat by insulting San Diego.

    – Sami Zayn beat Chris Jericho via DQ.  Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose both came out.  Jericho was yelling at Ambrose, and Zayn threw Jericho into Owens. Owens attacked Zayn for the DQ. Owens & Jericho were beating on Zayn until Ambrose jumped in for the save and Zayn & Ambrose cleaned house to end the show.

  • Undertaker will appear on the WWE European tour

    WWE officials have informed us that Undertaker will be doing two shows next week on the European tour.

    Undertaker is scheduled to appear on 4/19 in London, which are the Smackdown tapings, and will be doing a 4/20 house show in Newcastle.

    Yesterday we had been told that he would be off the tour, but it was explained that there was a misunderstanding and he is off most of the tour, with Kane replacing him in all the other cities that he was originally advertised.

    Undertaker was originally going to work the entire tour doing tag team matches in most cities.  Last week he was pulled from advertising on most of the shows, but not all of them.  As of yesterday, he was being advertised for three dates on the tour.

    Originally, the European Tour was scheduled to be headlined by Undertaker on one side and Daniel Bryan appearances on the other, so had Undertaker pulled out of the entire tour they would have lost both of its headline acts.