Last week on CBS Radio from Washington DC, Chad Dukes interviewed Dean Ambrose and Luke Wyatt before the Smackdown tapings for the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show. The show airs live at 7pm on Wednesdays on 106.7 The Fan Washington DC and the full show is also available as a podcast on iTunes, Play.it, and chaddukeswrestlingshow.com
Luke Harper on his career ambitions and the opinion that the Wyatt Family “doesn’t need championships”:
I want to win every title that this promotion has. I want to be the World Heavyweight Champion, on my own, I want to be the Intercontinental Champion, want to be the U.S. champion, wanna be a Tag Champion, I personally want all of that for myself. But at the same time, I have brothers at arms that we are very successful together and I understand that part of it too.
I don’t know why I would be here if I didn’t want a championship. We’ve dominated lots of people, we’ve beat up lots of people, we’ve sent a lot of messages, we’ve been successful, but there’s another level of success that we have yet to attain and that we want to attain.
Dean Ambrose on his current role in WWE:
Lenny Harris was a utility player for the [Cincinnati] Reds, he’s on my favorite players because he literally played every position on every night he played a different position. First base, short stop, whatever, but he was a beloved guy because he was always there and could do anything. I think I’m one of the only guys here, I mean we have so much great talent here, but I can do anything. I can literally do anything. That’s not me being like, “oh I’m so great,” I’m just like. I know what I’m doing. I’m not some schmuck they just hired and threw down in the Performance Center and gave him an entrance or anything that like. I’ve been around enough and have enough experience, I know what I’m doing pretty much. I like to think I’m a good mechanic for the company. “Oh well, we sprung a leak? Call Ambrose, throw him in there.” I like that because I think it has really upped my value with the company and I think that they realize nowadays too another Dean Ambrose isn’t going to walk through the door anytime soon or ever. So. I kind of exist in my own little space, I kind of got my own little corner of the room carved out for myself which I like.
Dean Ambrose on comparisons to Roddy Piper and his favorite Piper moment:
I don’t know how you can not take it as a compliment. I was able to have a lot of good conversations, spend a good amount of time with him through the last couple years which was, that’s a rare opportunity and I don’t think a lot of guys got that. Me and him really just kind of clicked because he just kind of sensed that we had a similar outlook on stuff. The thing I like about him, I’ve been asked about him since he passed away a few times, the thing I always say is my favorite Roddy Piper moment was one of the nights he was wrestling Hogan it was in WCW. He’s wrestling Hogan and he’s the big hero finally going to go up against the NWO or whatever and just the entrance makes you go, “Man, that’s what wrestling, that’s where you captivate people.” ‘Cause they just went out there and back raked each other for fifteen minutes, they’re both like fifty five by that point, but the entrance he just walks down, Roddy Piper music, and he just walks to the ring, down the ramp, with like this death stare at the ring, like this thousand yard, like he’s in a different mental place. He’s doing nothing but doing everything. The way he walks the ring, you know that Roddy Piper is ready to die in the ring fighting the NWO that night, he does not care, he will fight to the death. This is the end of the world fight. It’s so hard to capture that anymore because it’s such a fun, entertainment thing nowadays. We have so many shows and so much content. When is there an end of the world fight to the death anymore?
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with special guest and UFC light heavyweight superstar “Filthy” Tom Lawlor talking all the details of WWE raiding top stars from New Japan, what it means, why it could be even more damaging to New Japan after the Tokyo Dome, complete WrestleKingdom results and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The Big Takeaway: Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a match where Vince McMahon was special referee. Of course, it wasn’t Vince who counted the pinfall. Afterwards, Vince announced that Reigns would defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the Royal Rumble match itself. It’s the first time since 1992 that the championship will be on the line in the Royal Rumble match. Chris Jericho returned in a disappointing segment with New Day. Brock Lesnar returns next week.
Show Recap:
Stephanie McMahon started to come out but Roman Reigns’ music played as she was making her entrance. So they were in the ring together. Reigns said they didn’t need her out there, it was about Vince McMahon, who he called out. Stephanie said Vince wasn’t in the building yet, and the odds weren’t in his favor tonight. Reigns said the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was his life because it’s how he supports his family. Stephanie said no one competes with Vince McMahon and wins in the end. She mentioned the charges against Vince from last week have been dropped because you can’t keep a good billionaire down. Well, multi-millionaire.
Stephanie said once Reigns loses the championship tonight, she’ll use him over and over until his body wears out. Reigns said if Vince screws him over tonight, Stephanie won’t be picking him up from jail, she’ll be picking him up from the hospital.
Dean Ambrose came out to do commentary for the match with Kevin Owens and Neville. Reigns waited through a video package to slap hands with him, which may be foreboding the Ambrose turn we’ve waited months for.
Brock Lesnar is back next Monday in New Orleans. Another example of buidling things a week in advance. Next week is also the College Football Playoff National Championship game with Clemson vs. Alabama. Considering how disappointing the CFP semifinal ratings were, it’ll be interesting to see how much of a hit Raw will take.
Kevin Owens defeated Neville (9:13)
Solid match. Kevin Owens won after he crotched Neville on the top rope. He finished Neville off with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. Neville did a 450 from the apron to the floor. Neville is still carrying around his Slammy for Newcomer of the Year. Strikes me as odd since that was usually a heel move in the past, namely with Owen Hart. JBL compared Neville to Too Cold Scorpio and Owens to Otto Wanz in the span of 30 seconds.
Owens tried to attack Neville afterwards, but Ambrose stopped it with a tope. Well, it was a tope that he largely whiffed on. They fought to the announcers table, where Owens teased power bombing Ambrose through the table again. Instead, Ambrose turned the tables and gave Owens an elbow drop off the barricade through the table.
Vince walked out of a limousine where Jojo stopped him. Vince said the charges against him were dropped because he has a good attorney. The irony of it all is last week he was arrested by the law, and this week he is the law.
They showed a vignette to promote the Taratino movie The Hateful Eight counting down the eight superstars people love to hate. Number three was Owens. Number 2 was the New Day (?). And tops was Sheamus. Only if Vince was doing the countdown, which may have been the case.
Titus O’Neal defeated Stardust (4:14)
Titus O’Neal won with the Clash of the Titus. Of all the matches I’ve seen, this was the most recent one.
Charlotte approached Becky Lynch backstage. The two are wrestling tonight and Charlotte wasn’t happy about it. She asked Lynch if she asked for the rematch. Lynch said she didn’t, but she was excited about it. Charlotte said she had already beaten Lynch once on Raw. They agreed to meet again tonight in the spirit of competition. Ric Flair came up from behind Lynch and made her jump when he yelled “Whoo!” I don’t want to ask why Flair would have been waiting behind Lynch for so long, but I can speculate.
Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte (C) in a nontitle match (10:45)
They teased the finish from November where Flair tried to trip Lynch, leading to Charlotte winning via schoolgirl cradle. Except this time, Lynch escaped the cradle and pinned Charlotte with a Oklahoma Side Roll while holding the trunks. To complete the heel turn, Charlotte attacked Lynch in the postmatch, giving Lynch a spear and laying the boots to her. Flair cheered her on. They wrestled scientifically until Charlotte leveled Lynch with a punch. Charlotte was a straight heel from that point forward.
McMahon talked with Sheamus backstage to explain prefight instructions. No biting, no outside interference, no low blows and to obey his commands. McMahon added with a grin “may the luck of the Irish be with you.”
Ryback and the Big Show went to a no contest (1:04)
Ryback was tossed over the top rope by the Big Show when the Wyatt Family appeared. Braun Strowman put Ryback out with the choke. Then the Wyatts surrounded the ring on Show, who clotheslined Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Strowman had a staredown with Show that was supposed to generate heat, but didn’t. The three heels jumped Show from behind and Harper left Show laying with a superkick. Looks like another babyface turn for Big Show, who has to hold the all-time record by now.
Rusev and Alberto Del Rio defeated the Usos (13:21)
Alberto Del Rio pinned Jimmy Uso with the top rope stomp. Very good match. Earlier, Del Rio had Jey Uso set up for the stomp, but somehow missed. Jimmy followed with a top rope splash that was broken up by Rusev in the first of several good near falls. Rusev gave Jey Uso a belly-to-belly superplex for the heat. Again, no Lana and no mention of her, except by the crowd.
Heath Slater pinned Dolph Ziggler (4:37)
Heath Slater was joined by Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Adam Rose. Can someone explain where Damien Sandow is and why isn’t he on my TV? Slater, who has a haircut, won after Rose and Axel distracted Dolph Ziggler, and Slater won with a rollup.
Postmatch, Rose, Axel, Slater and Dallas cut promos invidually. They’ve now started a group called “Social Outcasts.”
Ziggler cut a inset promo about being in the Royal Rumble. For a better promo, search “Josh Norman” under Youtube. The sad part is Josh Norman is not a pro wrestler. He’s a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers who cuts better promos than anyone in pro wrestling aside from Paul Heyman. That’s exhilarating and depressing all at once.
Steve Austin will have Flair on his podcast next week.
Vince approached Reigns backstage. Vince, again playing the role of John McCarthy, had a rules meeting with him. Vince didn’t wish him good luck as he left.
The New Day, which has a new video that features them in animated form riding unicorns with rainbows in the background, came out. Big E. laughed over Mike Tyson falling down while riding a Hoverboard. Then they pointed to the TitonTron, where they started to have a countdown. But the countdown was interrupted by Chris Jericho’s countdown, who came out to a good, but not great, pop.
No one remembered Jericho going heel at Night of Champions on Ambrose and Reigns. He did various catchphrases before Xavier Woods stopped him saying they’ve already saved the WWE in 2015. Jericho said live attendance, ratings and WWE Network numbers need a boost. That was weird. He called them Green Day and tried to get fans to chant “Rooty Tooty Booty.” That sounded cringeworthy but the fans chanted it as long as New Day was out there. Jericho announced that he would be in the Royal Rumble. Of all the Jericho returns, this was easily the least remarkable and felt flat. Feels like New Day needs a new spark because they’ve hit a dry spell.
The New Day defeated The Dudley Boyz and Kalisto (16:36)
Big E. pinned Devon Dudley after the Midnight Hour. Your weekly six-man match that went too long. Bubba Ray Dudley threw Kalisto onto all three members of New Day outside the ring. Kalisto was taken out by Big E. at ringside. The Dudleys tried to set up Wazzup on Kofi Kingston, but Woods broke it up by dumping Devon to the mat.
Vince came out where the tightest referee t-shirt imaginable for any 70-year-old that has the physique that he has. Apparently, he’s not counting on Al-Jazerra calling anytime soon. He did look a little skinnier. Somebody had a “Cranky Vince” sign that lasted about as long as one of Kim Kardashian’s undershirts. That twitter account hasn’t been updated in over two years.
Roman Reigns (C) defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship with Vince McMahon as special referee (18:17)
Vince played heel ref from the start, trying to fast count Reigns. Sheamus threw Reigns into the ring steps, then threw the steps at him. He later suplexed Reigns onto the announcer’s table. Sheamus used a Rolling Senton for a two count. When Reigns covered Sheamus after a Samoan Drop, Vince counted slower than the Great Kabuki’s ring entrance this morning. Then Reigns had the cover with a Backland lift, but Vince faked an eye injury. Reigns hit the Superman punch, but Vince didn’t even count. He was still faster than Bronco Lubich. Reigns told Vince “Watch this.” He teased giving Sheamus the Superman punch, but instead he punched Vince. Then Reigns speared Sheamus and pinned him, but no ref.
An incensed Reigns threw Sheamus over the announcer’s table as Vince recovered. Vince try to scramble away but Reigns threw him down and told him Vince was screwing with his life. Stephanie came out. Reigns threw Vince into the ropes, and Stephanie wound up rebounding into the ring. Reigns stalked over her but she got out of the ring. Reigns teased spearing Vince, Sheamus came back in the ring and hit Reigns with two Brogue kicks. For some reason, Vince didn’t count Sheamus out. Instead, Scott Armstrong ran out. It was explained that Armstrong was a heel referee who had worked with the Authority for years. Who remembers that? He hasn’t been on TV in years. Reigns kicked out.
Armstrong then held Reigns up for Sheamus to Brogue Kick him again. But Reigns sidestepped him, hit Armstrong with a Superman’s punch, flattened Sheamus with another Superman’s punch. Referee John Coleman (they actually identified him on TV) ran down and counted the pin for Reigns.
Vince knocked down Coleman. Vince’s physique looks great. As for his punches, all I can say his physqiue looks great. Afterwards, he announced that Reigns would defend the title in the Royal Rumble match against 29 other men.
SUMMARY: Since the horrendous show a month ago when I said that Reigns wasn’t the guy, the WWE has booked him very well. He’ll be the first man ever to defend the WWE Championship in a Royal Rumble. If he emerges with the belt, it’ll make him all that much stronger. Not sure what other option makes sense. A pretty good show.
Jericho was in San Antonio last night, the site of Raw. It’s also being reported he is backstage at the show. Jericho had said that he wasn’t coming back on Twitter, but he does stuff like that every year, whether he does or doesn’t. A key is that there are no touring dates for Fozzy listed going forward.
Jericho’s wrestling schedule is usually built around his touring dates and if he’s got nothing scheduled for months, unless there is another entertainment gig, it would be expected he’d return in some fashion. His last few returns have been specifically for house shows only, but if he’s backstage, that would mean a return as a regular television character, perhaps coming off his walking off on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose when he was a mystery partner at the Night of Champions show on 9/20 in Houston with them against The Wyatt Family.
On Monday, WWE announced its non-Florida February NXT touring schedule with tickets going on sale on Friday:
February 4 in Memphis at the Minglewood Hall
February 5 in Nashville at the Auditorium
February 6 in Indianapolis at the Old National Centre Egyptian Room
February 18 in Philadelphia at the Tower Theater
February 19 in Asbury Park, NJ at Boardwalk Hall
February 20 in Albany, NY at the National Guard Armory
*****
The company has also announced details of WrestleMania AXXESS in Dallas, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the same site as the NXT show on Friday night.
There will be activities on Thursday, March 31, from 6-10 p.m.; Friday, April 1 from 5-9 p.m., and three Saturday sessions from 8 a.m. to Noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The latter session goes head-to-head with the Hall of Fame ceremony. There is also a Sunday event from 8 a.m. to Noon.
The events are in direct competition with a ton of other indie shows that will be held in the area as well as Jim Ross one-man show events. There is also a Sunday event from 8 a.m. to Noon.
Match 1: Ziggler vs Breeze Good opener. Despite Breeze and Summer Rae splitting on SmackDown, they came out together and called it a “One Night Only Farewell Tour”. Match was back and forth. Summer got ejected by the ref to a huge reaction from the crowd. As Breeze was distracted, Ziggler went for the Zig Zag, Breeze countered and went for the Uprettier. Ziggler countered and hit a Superkick for the win.
Match 2: Stardust vs Titus O’Neil Stardust cut a pre-match promo talking trash about Hidalgo and the crowd. Crowd booed. Okay match, nothing too special. Titus hit the Clash of the Titus for the win.
Match 3: Damien Sandow & Curtis Axel vs Heath Slater & Adam Rose. Adam Rose cut a pre-match promo in his typical ‘party pooper’ form. This was mainly a comedy type match. It didn’t do too well with the crowd because nobody was really reacting to the match.
Match 4: Jack Swagger vs Alberto Del Rio (US Champion) Swagger came out to a good reaction but it was Del Rio that really lit the crowd up. He came out and patted fans hands. Crowd was cheering for Del Rio throughout the match. This was back and forth. The Patriot Lock and Cross Armbreaker kept getting countered. Del Rio picked up the win after he hit the double foot stomp off the turnbuckle while Swagger was in the Tree of Woe position.
Match 5: Kalisto vs Viktor (W/Konnor)
Kalisto got a huge ovation from the crowd. Lots of people doing the Lucha chant. This match wasn’t anything special. Viktor dominated for the most part then Kalisto made the comeback and hit the Salida Del Sol for the win.
Match 6: Becky Lynch vs Charlotte (Divas Championship) Both divas got loud cheers from the crowd. This was originally advertised as a Triple Threat match with Paige. Paige didn’t show up and there wasn’t any explanation. This was in my opinion the best match on the show. Good chain wrestling sequences that surprisingly got loud cheers. Charlotte got the win by roll up and a handful of tights.
Match 7: Sheamus vs Roman Reigns (WWE WHC Street Fight) This was a solid match. Reigns got the loudest ovation of the night. Sheamus got loud boos. This match was pretty much similar to the ones we’ve already seen. Sheamus put Reigns through a table with the Irish Curse. Later, Reigns speared Sheamus through a table for the win.
Miz did the old Rick Rude “What I’d like to have right now is for all you, fat, something, out of shape Toronto sweat hogs… keep the noise down…yadda yadda… while I take off my glasses”. Neville won with the red arrow. Actually a pretty fun match.
The Ascension and Stardust vs the Hype Bros and Titus O’Neil
Titus pinned Viktor with the Clash of the Titus. A few scattered NXT chants.
Big Show vs Mark Henry
Big Show won with a KO punch and Henry had to be helped to the back. Show stalled a lot at the start of the match.
WWE I-C Champion Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens
Kids all cheered Ambrose but a lot of cheers from the adults for Owens. Owens got some cheap heat for saying Quebec is better than Ontario. Ambrose won with the Dirty Deeds.
Intermission
Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
Charlotte played it up like she was doing a “Divas Open Challenge” then she couldn’t understand why Becky came out. They had a match, and Charlotte won clean with the Natural Selection.
The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan) vs the Usos and Goldust
Crowd chanted “Take a shower” at Harper, and he played that up pretty nice. This was a very PG show, which was fun to take little kids to. One of the Usos pinned Harper.
John Cena beat U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio by DQ
Del Rio wore long silvery pants. Lots of near-falls, a ref bump, Del Rio using a chair, etc. ADR got DQ’d for a low blod. Cena got the last laugh, the kids all cheered, I spent $60 on Cena t-shirts and for the first time in over a decade actually cheered for the guy. Kids really LOVE Cena.
It was actually pretty fun. I hadn’t gone to a house show since I was a teenager, but it was fun to go with kids.
– WWE Divas Champion Charlotte retained the belt in a triple threat against Paige and Becky Lynch
– John Cena defeated U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio by DQ after Del Rio low blowed him. There was a spot where the ref got taken out. This caused Rusev to interfere in this match, but Cena took him out.
The WWE has just announced today its first WWE-brand network special for the year, “Road to WrestleMania” show on Saturday, March 12, from the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.
Nothing has been announced for the card as of yet, but usually there is some sort of a hook for these shows.
Toronto would be the fourth WWE-brand network special thus far, with a North American exclusive PPV show added last year with an Elimination Chamber theme, as well as shows in Tokyo and Madison Square Garden built around Brock Lesnar matches.
