Tonight are the final semis before the TUF 23 Finale. Josh Stansbury faces Khalil Rountree in an all Team Jedrzejczyk bout, and Kate Jackson faces Tatiana Suarez in an all Team Gadelha bout. These winners are headed to International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
The winner of the all-Gadelha fight gets to face Amanda Cooper, and the winner of the all-Jedrzejczyk gets to face Andrew Sanchez.
The two coaches can barely tolerate standing next to each other at the weigh-ins for Jackson vs. Suarez. Jackson is 115.5. Suarez is 115.
Suarez says nobody in the house has put in more time than her and that she’s been working for this goal since she was three years old. She says she skipped her own prom to compete.
Jackson says she never imagined a UFC contract was possible at the start but now it’s within her reach.
Kate Jackson (Team Gadelha) vs. Tatiana Suarez (Team Gadelha)
Jackson is in the red trucks and Suarez is in the dark trunks. Herb Dean is the ref for this fight.
Suarez charges forward immediately and is firing off jabs with her right hand. She gets a takedown to side control 25 seconds in but it’s in an awkward position against the fence. She switches to the other side and is looking for an opportunity to pass.
I know Jackson is pale as hell, but it’s still amazing how bright and splotchy the bruises are from the strikes that have already landed. Suarez goes for the neck as Jackson tries to get back to her feet. Once Suarez gets her to the ground though – it’s a wrap. Jackson taps at 2:53.
So in our TUF 23 Finale for the women, it’s Amanda Cooper vs. Tatiana Suarez.
Stansbury talks about how he’s facing a replacement fighter in Rountree, who also happens to be his best friend in the house. They play ping-pong together as they discuss how weird the situation is, but Rountree says he definitely won’t make the same mistakes he did last time now that he has a second chance.
Stansbury says Rountree might be the best striker in the house but his cardio and ground game could be an issue. Rountree says if he gets taken down it could be trouble.
Weigh-in time. Stansbury is 204.5 and Rountree is 205.5. Fight’s on!
Josh Stansbury (Team Jedrzejczyk) vs. Khalil Rountree (Team Jedrzejczyk)
Stansbury is in the red trunks. Rountree is in the black. Jason Herzog is our ref.
Rountree stuffs the first takedown and Stansbury flops to his back before getting back up. Stansbury momentarily gets knocked down but Rountree is being patient. He’s backing Stansbury up with kicks and power shots.
Stansbury occasionally tries to connect with the overhand right but he’s getting tagged a lot. Rountree is even having success with the head kick as Stansbury isn’t getting his arms up to block it. The left side of his head is bright red. The danger for Rountree is he’s spending so much energy he could be blown up any second.
Stansbury grabs a clinch and gets off a few good blows before Rountree breaks away. Rountree looks like he’s breathing hard. He tags Stansbury with a big left and pours it on on the ground – TKO at 4:14.
Khalil Rountree is advancing to the finals to face Andrew Sanchez.
The Big News: The Revival defeated American Alpha in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
The Medium News: Rhyno returned and seemed to be really angry that Blake and Murphy tried to team again.
The Little Beaver Sized News: Bayley and Nia Jax agreed to one more match.
Bayley pinned Alexa Bliss
This match was set up last week when Alexa beat Carmella and made a challenge to Bayley, who is fully recovered following her match with Nia Jax.
Bayley gave Alexa a lot, establishing her as more than just another girl on the roster. Alexa used a really nice punch to the face to take over, with Bayley selling it as possible death. Alexa went for Twisted Bliss, but Bayley cut her off and Alexa actually came back with a Code Red for a near fall.
The finish saw Alexa go for the Vader Bomb, but Bayley got her knees up and won with the Belly to Bayley.
After the match, Bayley said she was ready to take her title back. Nia Jax came out in “normal clothes” to confront her. They stood face to face and Bayley challenged her to one more match. Nia agreed and it is on.
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We had a TM61 video package.
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Dash & Dawson said they will beat American Alpha tonight and have no fear in losing their belts so soon after regaining them.
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The Hype Bros vs. Blake & Murphy ended in a No Contest
Blake and Murphy are teaming again. Remember when I said like two months ago that they would break up at least five times before it counted?
Blake and Murphy literally couldn’t even agree on who would start the match. They argued mid-ring as Mojo Rawley tried to get them to wrestle. However, before we saw any wrestling, Rhyno appeared out of nowhere to Gore Blake, Rawley and Ryder. Murphy got away scot-free.
Yes, this really happened.
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We got the video package for next week’s Finn Balor-Shinsuke Nakamura match. I got half a second of screen time when they showed Nakamura’s entrance in Dallas. Tye Dillinger, Neville and American Alpha talked about what a dream match it would be.
This was the first thing they have done to make me excited for the match since the original angle announcing it.
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American Alpha said they will execute their game plan to win the belts back.
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Samoa Joe will be on NXT next week, apparently for the first time since Takeover. Is it sad that I didn’t notice?
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Rhyno was walking around Full Sail University (literally) and a cameraman ran up to ask why he was back. Rhyno snorted at him and walked away.
I have a theory that Rhyno has no clothes. All that he owns are his wrestling singlets, a few hoodies and Rhyno t-shirts that companies have been nice enough to give him.
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NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival took 2 out of 3 falls from American Alpha
This is the third time these two teams have wrestled. American Alpha won the first at NXT Takeover: Dallas, while The Revival evened the score at Takeover: The End. With a win, Alpha would become the second team to win the NXT Tag Team Titles twice.
The start of the first fall saw the champs work over the knee of Jordan, which is backwards because normally they get the heat on Gable. Jordan’s knee slammed off the ring post and both members of the Revival took turns using leg and knee holds.
Gable was able to get the hot tag and suplexed Dash and Dawson all over the place. Everything was going great for him until Dash pulled down the top rope, causing Gable to go flying over it and crashing on the ground outside.
Despite beating on him for close to 10 minutes, the Revival just could not put Gable down for the first fall. Gable showed resilience as Jordan managed to recover from the earlier attack on his knee.
Jordan got the second hot tag of the first fall and went all suplex crazy on both men again. Jordan got a near fall on Dash with a spear. The first fall finally ended with Dash tapping to Jordan’s ankle lock.
The second fall saw Dawson and Jordan reverse roll-ups on each other until Dawson got on a reverse figure four for the tapout, showing that Jordan’s knee didn’t fully recover from the beginning of the match.
The third fall started with more roll-ups. Alpha went for Grand Amplitude, but it got broken up. Revival went for Shatter Machine, and that got broken up too.
Gable got a tag, but was hit with a knee to the face as he tried getting into the ring. Gable and Dawson fought on the apron until somehow the Revival hit the Shatter Machine on it.
By the way, shouldn’t it have hurt the Revival just as much since they bumped on the apron? Anyway, they rolled Gable in, pinned him and retained the titles.
So that does it for this week. Next week it is the much anticipated showdown between Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura. Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.
Last year, Ultima Lucha was a three hour event spread over two shows. This year, it’s a three hour show spread over three weeks – so they’re not sacrificing any content time and hopefully spreading the rating out over three weeks instead of two.
The show begins with a recap of Dario Cueto announcing the Unique Opportunity Tournament for a unique opportunity.
A new Ultima Lucha Dos graphic adorns the lower left-hand side of the screen and we see poster banners running down the card. They should really sell shirts of those, or replicas, via their official storefronts on either the official site or ProWrestlingTees.
Striker and Vamp run down the tournament for a unique opportunity – which will have its semi-finals tonight. The Mack vs. Cage is set up, and Dario says that they started last year’s show off with a falls count anywhere match. Tonight, he wants last year’s success to be replicated, so this is now a falls count anywhere match too.
The Mack vs. Cage – Falls Count Anywhere
Cage hits a McGillicutter for a 2 count off a standing moonsault. Mack hits a Rainmaker elbow smash, but eats a back elbow. He recovers with a superkick leading to Cage being draped in the rope and hit with a body block to the floor.
Mack gets hip tossed into the bleachers. Jeez. A minute in and they’re already taking bumps that make the Final Deletion look a bit tame. Cage gets a trash can, but Mack powerslams Cage on it for 2.
They fight in Dario’s office while Dario and Black Lotus look on. Cage grabs a framed poster of the LU logo and smashes it over Mack’s head for 2. Vamp says the boss looks dope in a tux and says he’s got a big key.
The fans beat on the barricades like a war drum while Cage sets up a steel chair bridge and powerbombs Mack through it for 2. Mack hits a running Samoan drop on a stop sign for 2. Mack has a Mexican flag guitar and smashes it on Cage’s head for 2, since this isn’t a Jeff Jarrett match. Mack grabs pinatas, which Striker says are for the show’s after party.
A “pinata” chant breaks out. Mack’s pinata has a wrench, while Cage’s has candy. Vamp mocks a guy for knocking kids over to grab the candy.
Mack gets some beers from another pinata and drinks them, but the stunner is blocked and he’s tossed into the apron where he eats a shot to the head.
Cage sets up a table, but Mack hits him in the balls and then with a toolbox to the head. Chain to the head of Cage leads to more beers, some stunners, and Striker doing a Steve Austin impression.
Between this and the Final Deletion, pro wrestling is clearly a bit weird.
Mack climbs up top after putting Cage on a table and hits a frog splash off the balcony through the table. And it gets a 2 count. That justifiably gets a holy shit chant.
Cage goes for his cement block curb stomp ala last year, but he slips on the beer and Mack gets the schoolboy for the win.
This was weird, but a lot of fun and well worth watching.
Texano and Son of Havoc are mid-ring for their match. Dario says that the fans must wonder why we’ve got a bar set up outside the ring – but when he sees a cowboy and a biker, he thinks of bars – so he’s making this a Boyle Heights Bar Fight.
Texano vs. Son of Havoc – Bar Fight
This bar fight begins like many others – with a tie-up and then a side headlock toss-off into the ropes before a dropdown into a leapfrog exchange.
Havoc side-steps him and Texano flies over the top. Havoc hits an Asai moonsault on the floor, but misses a Muta handspring elbow against the barricade. Havoc recovers and hits a moonsault off the announce table and tosses him through a door, drawing yet another holy shit chant.
Havoc has a helmet and fire extinguisher – leading to Striker mentioning Firebreaker Chip and then a blast to the face by Havoc. Havoc eats a headshot, but the helmet absorbs the blow – so Texano hits him more before tossing bar stools into the ring.
Texano puts a keg in the corner while a “we want beer” chant breaks out. Rope-assisted punch gets 2 for Texano. Havoc punches him and dropkicks his back into the keg. Havoc sets up a pile of wood from the bar stools before hitting a rana off the top onto the pile for 2.
Vamp says that Dario spent all his money on his tux and none on the furniture since the stools broke so easily.
Havoc is set up in the corner and hits a chair into Havoc’s balls. Havoc recovers and backdrops him onto a row of bar glasses. Havoc sets up glass in the ring and double stomps his chest into it before pump kicking him into it for the win.
Well, that was full of nasty bumps for a match that had no real grudge – but it was fun.
The Voodoo Glow Skulls play us in after those two wars while Striker runs down the next two weeks of matches.
It’s now time for the finals of the Unique Opportunity tournament as The Mack battles Son of Havoc. Striker talks about how exhausted each guy has to be. Dario says he is surprised that they won, so he is impressed – but he wants this to be a falls count anywhere match as well.
Son of Havoc vs. Mack – Unique Opportunity Falls Count Anywhere Match
They go back and forth with headlocks and Mack tosses him into the ropes for a Pounce. Huge splash gets 2 for Mack. Mack takes him to the floor and punches him before tossing him into the barricade.
Havoc chops him before hip tossing him into the bleachers. Mack avoids a corner charge and hits a sitting European uppercut, then hits an Irish Curse and a twisting flatliner off the ropes for 2.
Havoc low bridges him and hits a twisting moonsault to the floor. He tosses him in for an SSP, but Mack gets hid knees up and gets 2 off a cradle. Mack avoids a corner elbow and hits a corner charge.
Mack misses a charge, eats a Muta elbow and a SSP gets the win for Havoc. That was quite subdued compared to the craziness earlier – so it was good in that sense, but also a bit hard to care about since so much came before.
Dario congratulates Son of Havoc and shows off a briefcase with $250,000 of Dario Cueto-faced money.
If he wants the cash, it’s his – but there’s a twist. He can turn in the case for a contract giving him a Lucha Underground Title match at Ultima Lucha Tres. Havoc tells him he doesn’t care about the money – he wants the title. Dario says he’ll be in the main event of Ultima Lucha Tres – if he wins one more match.
The next match determines Havoc’s fate. His opponent here can win the money, while Havoc gets the title shot if he wins. Famous B comes down and says he has a new client – and his client is already famous. He says Havoc feels sick – so it’s a good thing there’s a doctor in the house. Dr. Wagner Jr. comes down to face Son of Havoc and gets a huge “ole” chant as he walks down the steps.
Son of Havoc vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. – Title Shot vs. $250,000
Wagner hits a snap Samoan drop and forearms Havoc in the corner. Wagner hits a corner charge lariat and hits a super RKO before posing arrogantly.
Vamp says that Dr. Wagner Jr. drop kicked his busted leg to hurt him when he came back in Mexico. Havoc lands a series of lariats before a pump kick sends him down. The SSP misses and the Doctor Driver wins it – so Havoc now gets neither the money or title shot.
Dr. Wagner Jr. takes down the straps and poses, while Famous B and Brenda celebrate with the money. Famous B puts on a stethoscope and checks Havoc’s chest for a heartbeat.
Well, this was a stellar show overall. In terms of match style, Havoc vs. Mack should have opened the show – but that wouldn’t have worked for the story being told.
Havoc really shined throughout the night and for the first time, they really did put you on a journey with his character. Dr. Wagner Jr. was given almost no time to get over – with his match starting 55 minutes into the hour-long broadcast and yet still managed to do so.
With a handful of moves and even fewer mannerisms, you got that he was a cocky veteran who was exactly as good as he thinks he is, and now the 30-year veteran can lay claim to winning a main event on Ultima Lucha throughout season three.
On Wednesday, the road to the WWE Cruiserweight Classic gets a little closer with Bracketology, a one-hour WWE Network special akin to the NCAA tournament selection show, featuring bracketing and officially putting all 32 competitors in their slots for this summer-long tournament.
The competitors are a wide array of talent from all over the world.
Some of the faces and names involved are already familiar to the WWE audience like veteran cruiserweights Brian Kendrick and Tajiri. Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa and Rich Swann have also already competed in front of the crowd at Full Sail University as members of the NXT roster.
Most of the talent in the tournament has never before competed in a WWE ring. Independent stars from the United States like Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins and Cedric Alexander that are looking to make a good first impression to the WWE and its audience.
It also includes international stars like Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik and Zack Sabre Jr. that are looking to further establish themselves in the United States.
With such a diverse group of both known and unknown talent, the first 16 matches could lead to some real gems.
Tonight’s bracketing show will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan, and with the show purportedly going for a more sports like atmosphere, it will be interesting to see what they say about the competitors.
Join us at 9 PM EST as the brackets get revealed!
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The show starts with Triple H cutting a speech at the performance center, basically a pep-talk to those competing in the tournament.
Mauro welcomes us to the show and asks Daniel how he feels being back after his retirement in February. When he heard about the Cruiserweight Classic, he felt he had to be a part of it as there are tons of people coming in from all around the world competing in one tournament. Mauro says it reminds him of the birth in MMA.
They go over the story of Alejandro Saez and how he was 25 pounds overweight before the tournament, but managed to make weight before deadline. Daniel Bryan questioned if he’ll gain that weight back before the tournament starts.
Zack Sabre. Jr profile video. He says he grew up watching guys like Chris Jericho and Dean Malenko who were well known for their technical skill. “Harry Potter isn’t the only wizard in this tournament” he notes.
WWE Senior Director of Talent Relations Canyon Ceman is interviewed, saying how he traveled around the world in search for competitors. The goal is to bring someone for everyone.
Jack Gallagher is interviewed, putting over the British style. He has to use his mind and his techniques to beat his opponents. He’ll keep it gentlemanly as long as his opponents keep it gentlemanly. He considers himself a classic English gentleman.
Harv and Gurv Sihra are profiled next. They are from Vancouver, but their parents are from India. They call themselves the Bollywood Boys, as Bollywood creates this idea of fantasy. To be in the biggest wrestling company in the world, that is a great accomplishment within itself. They both have what it takes to be here, but what it comes down to is who is the better man.
Rich Swann is profiled next. He mentions pro wrestling saved his life. His father passed away when he was 12, his mother at 16. He went down a dark path, but wrestling changed him. He never thought he’d make it, but he did. The perfect ending for him would be him winning the first ever Cruiserweight Classic.
Daniel Bryan likes Rich Swann because of his story – he’s used wrestling to be successful in life. He’s a small guy, but he has done things a lot of people haven’t.
They switch it to Corey Graves at the control center, where he goes over the left side of the bracket:
Kenneth Johnson vs. Akira Tozawa
Jack Gallagher vs. Fabian Richner
Tajiri vs. Damian Slater
Alejandro Saez vs. Gran Metallik (aka Masacara Dorada)
Harv Sihra vs. Drew Gulak
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux
Noam Dar vs .Gurv Sihra
Arya Davari vs. Hoho Lun
Next up is a look at Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, and how they are a tag team but going into this tournament as opponents in the opening round.
Gargano says they clicked instantly. Gargano says he might even talk to Ciampa more than his fiance. But when it comes down to them facing off, Gargano will shake his hand and will see who comes out on top. Ciampa says he always goes in there with the intent to hurt, not injure. Says he doesn’t want to see Gargano get hurt, but he doesn’t want to lose.
TJ Perkins is profiled next. He’s the one that likes to make it look good. He started wrestling when he was 13, and lucha libre was a big influence on his style, growing up in LA.
He mentions how he was homeless for a while, mentioning it was tough and that wrestling was the only way to get out of that and it creates a lot of mental toughness. He feels like he’s representing the Philippines and he’s out to inspire others.
Mauro and Daniel are joined by Perkins, and ask him about his story. He brings up mental toughness again and Murphy’s law, and those experiences changed him as a man. Daniel Bryan mentions he was the youngest trained wrestler to ever compete in New Japan.
Perkins mentioned that this is akin to the Super J-Cup in that 10 years from now people will be looking at this tournament. He’s proud to represent the Philippines, mentioning that they don’t have a lot of heroes there so he wants to represent them.
Graves is back and goes over the right side of the bracket:
Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick
Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese
Kota Ibushi vs. Sean Maluta
Cedric Alexander vs. Clement Petiot
TJ Perkins vs. Da Mack
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Mustafa Ali vs. Lince Dorado
Rich Swann vs. Jason Lee
They go over the two veterans in the tournament, Tajiri and The Brian Kendrick. Kendrick says wrestling is what he loves and what he is passionate about. When he has the world in his hands, he let it go. He mentions he was released because “he was an animal” and deserved to be released. He’s been wrestling consistently since 1999 for his moment, and if he falls short…then it’s his life that will fall short.
Kendrick joins Daniel and Mauro. Daniel brings up his first match ever was against Kendrick, and how Kendrick came out to “Genie in a Bottle” and how Bryan came out to “Born in the USA”.
Daniel asks him what he wants from this tournament. Kendrick says he wants to win because he’s never won a tournament before. In terms of the age factor, he says that is a downside, but he is smarter now and is used to this environment.
Mauro asked about both Daniel and Brian Kendrick were trained by Shawn Michaels and what that was like. Daniel Bryan talks about his passion and brings up a story about how Kendrick’s mom came in during a training session and let Shawn have it. Kendrick says he wants to beat them all when it comes down to who he wants to face the most.
Mauro brings up how Daniel Bryan has faced Kota Ibushi in the past and they go to a profile on him. Kota says he doesn’t need to represent Japan, but wants to show how good Japanese wrestlers are. He mentions his experiences with Finn Balor, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura and he has an advantage over others in this tournament because he’s faced them all.
He will win the tournament because he loves pro wrestling the most above other wrestlers. Bryan brings up that Kota Ibushi has just come back from a herniated disc and questions if he’ll be the same.
Strong style is brought up, and Mauro asks what that is. Bryan says its an ideology about striking and hitting hard, and contrasts it to Zack Sabre Jr.’s ideology of escaping and outmaneuvering his opponents.
Triple H is brought in. Mauro says he’d never thought he’d see something like this under the WWE umbrella. Triple H mentions there are so many out there, but there was no platform for them to come into the WWE and this is the platform.
Mauro asks if this is where the future lies. Triple H mentions Daniel Bryan and how he was part of the paradigm shift and how you don’t have to be a 300 pound guy to be successful in this industry. Triple H says he doesn’t want this to be about flips and high flyers and wants to show diverse styles – mat based, striking, flyer, whatever.
Mauro asks if this is one and done and if there are futures for the athletes involved. Triple H says no, this isn’t one and done and the opportunity for the cruiserweights will be there after the tournament.
They show footage of guys training at the Performance Center and Hunter says he’s really excited. Mauro thanks Triple H for this Cruiserweight Classic and is excited to see it. Hunter mentions he wanted them both to commentate for this tournament, day one.
And that’ll do it! The first matches will air next week at this time.
We are finally here at the August 16, 2015, G1 Finals show at Sumo Hall. Before we get to the big main event, we get action in the Junior Heavyweight division.
The Young Bucks vs. reDragon for the IWGP Jr. tag team titles
They aired this match in full, and it was better than I remembered. They do so many four ways and three ways in New Japan, it’s actually kind of rare we just get a straight up tag team match between two teams in this division. Really good back and forth match. Loved the spot where Cody Hall took Kyle O’Reilly, as it created a good dramatic situation for Fish as he was being worked on by the Bucks. O’Reilly came back and after some more back and forth, reDragon pick up the win and the titles.
O’Reilly said just like they said on day one, they would get the win and they did. Fish said it was just a matter of time, we are conquerors and made the most of our opportunity.
Kushida said he wanted to rule G1 final days to show off the juniors to the packed crowd at Sumo Hall. It was a big chance for them. It was a nerve racking match for him as he didn’t know how his style had changed in the past. He also has great physical ability and is a tough opponent. Between 2014 and 15 he worked really hard to hone his skills; this is what that match is all about, to showcase his skills.
Kushida vs. Ricochet for the Jr. heavyweight title
Another really good match. Ricochet’s flying senton over the turnbuckle to the floor is my favorite spot in pro wrestling – just incredible! Good drama throughout with Kushida building towards the hoverboard lock. Lots of great moves. Maybe not as good as their other matches, but this was still a fine addition to their series and a good match.
Kushida says he always wanted to bring the Super Junior finals to fill in that gap between heavyweight and junior heavyweight. Every step of the way proves he can do it. He thanks Ricochet and welcomes him to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
In his reflective interview, he mentions facing Kyle O’Riley in the BOTSJ finals and Ricochet at the G1 finals. It was tough for him to use his grappling moves since Ricochet is a high flying wrestler. He was highly motivated that night as he wants to prove that the Super Juniors can go run at Sumo Hall too. It’s hard to win against non-Japanese wrestlers, but he will do it no matter what.
Tanahashi welcomes us to the second episode, all about the G1 finals. He mentions how he’s never faced Nakamura is a G1 championship match before, but he was glad he was going to face him in this final. He noticed a lot of Nakamura’s comments, and how they were about life itself, and they got to him. He was cheered in matches against Okada, but the G1 finals were on another level- they were walls of noise, and that was an incredible experience.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the G1 trophy
I thought it would be ultra hard to top the prior years G1 Finals match with Nakamura pinning Okada in a terrific match to win the trophy, but both of these guys proved me wrong. By far, this is the best match I have seen between these two and the previous matches were excellent. In other words…this was a clear candidate for match of the year. Just fantastic selling, crowd work, near falls, atmosphere – just everything about this was great. I loved the selling in particular as both guys were working on legs.
It’s also a testament to how much they protect finishers, as it’s pretty rare that someone kicks out of a boma ye and very few people kick out of the high fly flow. So when Nakamura kicked out of two of them, that was amazing and the crowd went crazy. Nakamura hit the boma ye, but Tanahashi kicked out and after some more back and forth, hit a high fly flow while Nakamura was on the middle rope, then hit his fourth high fly flow to win the match. Just stellar in every way.
Nakamura was interviewed after the match. He gave everything he had, that was his 100 percent. Tanahashi thanked the fans, saying he has mastered the heat and it’s thanks to you all. He said although the G1 ends today, pro wrestling continues onwards so please support us. To everyone who viewed the G1 today, I love you! Very few people have that babyface connection to the crowd Tanahashi has, it’s incredible.
They showed the footage of the G1 flag breaking and Tanahashi trying to fix it. They make a note of it during the post-fight press conference. Tanahashi says he’s been on everyone’s radar. He doesn’t just want to be a rival. He doesn’t want that. So starting from today, he will look for something past that.
In his reflective interview, Tanahashi notes that Nakamura was really fired up, and never saw him as the passionate type. It was as if pro wrestling changed his life. We evolve as time goes on. Now that he’s leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling, it was an intense moment with a lot of meaning. On Nakamura leaving New Japan, Tanahashi notes he’s leaving to make his dream come true, New Japan will survive and go one. New Japan still has me, so it’s all good. He wishes him the best of luck.
Two great shows. Check out the G1 Finals, obviously, but the two junior matches are very good as well.
Last week, Andrew Sanchez beat his teammate Eric Spicely in just 47 seconds to advance to the finals. This week, teammates fight each other again as Amanda Cooper goes against Lanchana Green. Claudia Gadelha has brought in Miesha Tate to be a guest coach on this week’s episode. Not surprisingly, she’s showing them her takedown techniques. Cooper and Green are both thrilled, with the latter noting that wrestling isn’t something she does a lot of back home in England.
Green is freaking out at the house because she usually fights at 125, and even though she made the weight for her first fight, her body rebounded and gained weight after. “I’ve got a week so I think I can get it done.” Coincidentally at the next training session, Gadelha admits Cooper is both stronger and heavier. “I can’t prepare my fighters for this fight. I’m too close to them.”
Green wins an impromptu bowling tournament in the house using UFC water bottles as the bowling pins. The focus goes from there to her training at the gym. She says that no matter how good of friends she has been with Cooper, when the fight comes, she’ll have to turn on her “mean face.” She says she started out in muay thai, didn’t make much money, then realized once UFC had a strawweight division, she could make it.
Team Jedrzejczyk fighters Khalil Rountree and Josh Stansbury are preparing for their semifinal fight since Rountree got back in as an injury alternate which Dana White notes guarantees at least one Jedrzejczyk fighter will be in the finals. Meanwhile, Cooper has gotten her weight down to 120.2 so she’s almost there, but she’s worried about cutting the final four pounds successfully in the morning. She’s 119.6 after she wakes up and she’s in a hurry to get to the gym and finish the cut.
Cooper literally sweats it in the sauna until the bitter end, gets on the scale for the weigh-in, and she’s 117.5. She gets an additional hour to get down to the one pound allowance of 116. White: “If she doesn’t make it she’s out of the competition. And I can tell you when you get that far down that last pound and a half isn’t easy.” Green is 115.0 on the dot.
After an extra hour of sweating and water shedding and wearing nothing but what she was born with, she finally makes 116 even on the scale. I’m happy she made it but I’m concerned that she’s going to be super drawn out and dehydrated for that fight – and White notes that he’s thinking the exact same thing.
* Amanda Cooper (Team Gadelha) vs. Lanchana Green (Team Gadelha)
John McCarthy is our ref. Cooper is in the red trunks and Green is in the black. We’re starting the fight with under ten minutes left so this isn’t going even a full round. Cooper is being aggressive early and forcing Green to backpedal. It’s deceptive though because Green already had a black eye from training before the fight began. Cooper shoots for a single and gets it. Green kicks her away but she jumps back on in side control. Cooper is drilling her with hard lefts. Green tries to scramble but Cooper gets right back on top in full. Nasty right elbows from guard. Green tries to scramble and gives up position again allowing Cooper to take her back and sink in the RNC with under a minute left. Green taps at 4:25.
Cooper advances to the finals. Next week’s show is the season finale featuring Rountree vs. Stansbury and Tatiana Suarez vs. Kate Jackson.
– Air Date: June 30, 2016 – Location: AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, FL
– The Big News:
Cesaro won an opportunity at the U.S. Championship but promptly lost that title match to Rusev. They announced Rusev would defend his title again on Raw against Titus O’Neil. Also, Dean Ambrose beat The Miz in a non-title champion vs. champion match.
– Show Recap:
They started with a cold open and promo for a Fatal 4-Way match to determine a number one contender for the US Title (with the title match also taking place tonight). This was followed by a segment where each guy cut a promo “earlier tonight” about the match.
It started with Cesaro driving up to the the building. He began cutting a promo immediately upon leaving his SUV, saying he was inviting his opponents to the uppercut party. Next was Apollo Crews, who was working out. Crews said he was the underdog, but sometimes the impossible becomes possible.
Next was Sheamus and his wacky moustache (and beard). Sheamus didn’t know why Crews was in the match but would have fun kicking his head off. Finally, Alberto Del Rio said he didn’t know who Crews was before Monday, and was going after his old comrade Rusev. This was pretty goofy, but at least it was different.
Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton and David Otunga were the commentators again. Because of the skeleton crew, I guess, a generic man was the ring announcer. They never mentioned his name.
U.S. Title #1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way: Cesaro beat Alberto Del Rio, Apollo Crews and Sheamus via submission
There was a cool spot where Del Rio had the armbar on Sheamus but Crews nailed him with a standing moonsault. Crews took out himself and Sheamus from the ring with a running crossbody. Cesaro gave Del Rio the big swing and applied the sharpshooter for the tapout win.
The match went about 11 minutes and it was fine. It was somewhat surprising to see Del Rio tap. It felt like Crews or Sheamus would get back in, but they didn’t.
Afterwards, Del Rio attacked Cesaro, sending him into the steel steps followed by the double footstomp. As some referees checked on Cesaro, Rusev marched to the ring. He congratulated Cesaro for achieving the greatest honour a man can receive – a match with him. Rusev didn’t want to wait and challenged Cesaro to the title match right now.
After a break, the referees continued to check on Cesaro. They began taking him to the back, but Rusev called him a coward, so Cesaro stopped, turned back toward the ring, and accepted the match.
U.S. Title Match: Rusev (w/Lana) beat Cesaro via submission
With Rusev sitting on the top rope, Cesaro hit an uppercut and dropkick to send him out of the ring, followed by a cannonball. He tried a crossbody in the ring, but Rusev caught him, hit a swinging side slam and somersault senton for a near fall. Cesaro came back with uppercuts and a clothesline for two.
Cesaro tried countering an Accolade into the sharpshooter, but he was in too much pain, so Rusev was able apply the hold. Rusev tried pulling back on the Accolade the way he did to Kalisto, but Cesaro rolled through into a pin attempt for a close near fall. However, Rusev caught him with a side kick and applied the Accolade for the submission win.
It was only about 7 minutes but good while it lasted. The announcers put over how much pain Cesaro must’ve been in throughout. The crowd got into Cesaro as the match went on and there was also “Rusev sucks” chants.
Renee Young caught up with Rusev and Lana backstage. Rusev said Independance Day should be Rusev Day. He said while Americans would be stuffing their faces with processed meats and shooting off fireworks in the name of Rusev, he would be with Lana on an island away from this country. Renee informed him that he has to defend the title against Titus O’Neil on Raw. Lana said, “Rusev crush” and they left.
The first 37 minutes of this show was devoted to all of the above mentioned U.S. Title stuff. They aired a video package of the special olympics deal from Raw and showed Dana Brooke walking backstage.
Dana Brooke beat Billie Kay via pinfall
No entrance for Billie Kay. Ranallo mentioned that Kay was from Australia and this was her debut. Sasha Banks watched backstage. Kay made a brief comeback, but this was basically a squash. Brooke won in 3-4 minutes with a Samoan Driver. They used as many camera cuts as possible to save this one.
Renee found Banks backstage. Banks reminded us that she made Brooke tap out. She cut a pretty good promo, saying she has a long history with Charlotte and Charlotte knows she’s breathing down her neck. Banks was interrupted by Summer Rae, who said everyone was sick of her and she hopes they get drafted to different brands. Banks challenged her to a match tonight.
MizTV with Dean Ambrose
Maryse introduced Miz, who said this could be the last MizTV on Smackdown because of the draft. People cheered. He then said that MizTV could be exclusive to Smackdown. People booed. He was about to introduce his guest Dean Ambrose, but before he could, Ambrose came out anyway.
Ambrose brought a Cuban sandwich to the ring. He blamed his busy schedule for not having time to eat because they’ve been running him around like crazy. Miz was mad he had a sandwich. Ambrose said he needed to keep his strength up because he just won the title and has a triple threat match coming up.
Ambrose said he was a fan of MizTV and mocked his fancy set. Miz said the only thing the Ambrose Asylum had was the plant and Ambrose told him not to talk about Mitch that way. They asked the crowd if they’d rather see the Asylum and they cheered. Miz put himself over for remaining IC champion despite his schedule. Ambrose responded by calling himself the champion.
Miz called him a joke because while Miz looks like a champion, Ambrose doesn’t, and called him a black mark on anyone who holds a championship in WWE. As Miz ranted, Ambrose continued eating and had mustard stains on his mouth. Ambrose got in his face and said he could see where this was going, and they both put down their titles like they were about to fight.
Miz took off his white suit jacket, so Ambrose used it to wipe his mouth. Maryse grabbed the jacket it, tossed it over Ambrose’s face to blind him, and Miz knocked him down with a boot. Miz and Maryse left, while Ambrose sat up and continued eating his sandwich.
The people seemed to like Ambrose, but he didn’t come off great here. He obviously got his revenge later in the show, but he was punked here by Miz and Maryse, and then he kept eating his sandwich on the ground like a bum.
Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman (w/Bray Wyatt) beat two jobbers via pinfall
Strowman got the pin after about a minute. The Wyatt Family posed but they were interrupted by New Day on the screen. Kingston cut a promo in the vein of Bray Wyatt, and asked Bray what he fears. Big E wondered if he feared soap or women with big ol’ booties.
Big E told Bray to expose himself, but Kingston didn’t want to see Bray exposed. Big E agreed and told Bray to keep his sheep in its barn. Bray laughed and said he loved how everything was a joke to them. He pointed out Xavier Woods’ apparent concern and said the devil calls out for him. “Run.”
Sasha Banks beat Summer Rae via submission
Summer knocked Banks off the apron with a big boot and they went to commercial less than two minutes into the match, even though nothing else happened since the previous commercial break. Summer had the heat after the break and the crowd chanted “Let’s go Sasha.” Banks came back with running clotheslines and a kick to the crotch (I think).
Banks missed a running double knee attack, and Summer hit a wheel kick for a two count. Banks missed the double knees again and Summer hit a DDT for two. Banks finally did hit the double knee strike, followed by a crossface for the tapout win after about 8 minutes.
They aired a video package from Raw highlighting the stuff with Rollins, Ambrose, Styles, Cena, etc, including Rollins promo on Reigns.
Non-Title: WWE Champion Dean Ambrose beat IC Champion The Miz (w/Maryse) via pinfall
Ambrose was all over Miz early and was about to go for a suicide dive, but Maryse pulled Miz out of the way. Ambrose went right back after him and tried Dirty Deeds, but Miz sent him to the outside. Ambrose promptly followed with a clothesline. Maryse tried to distract Ambrose, but that didn’t work either.
Miz was eventually able to toss him into the barricade and then went to commercial (3 minutes into the match). After the break, Miz worked over Ambrose’s leg as fans chanted “Let’s go Ambrose.” Miz went for the skull crushing finale but Ambrose countered into a rollup for two, followed by a neckbreaker.
Ambrose came back with fists, chops, a clothesline, running forearm, bulldog and la magistral cradle for two. Ambrose tried a diving dropkick but Miz caught him (sort of) and applied the Figure Four. Ambrose got to the ropes and followed with a suicide dive.
Miz then countered a rebound clothesline and hit skull crushing finale for a near fall. Miz went for a double axe handle off the top but Ambrose countered into Dirty Deeds for the win. Pretty good match that went about 15 minutes.
– Final Thoughts:
This was a skeleton crew show and it sure felt like it. Still, the US title stuff and the main event were both good.
The road to Ultima Lucha Dos has been paved over the past few weeks, and with that show one week away, the card should take shape tonight. We see the death and rebirth of Mil Muertes and last week’s Rey vs. Puma challenge. Vamp says that he’s half out of his mind with excitement over Ultima Lucha Dos.
Striker says that the LU version of the Super Friends of Drago, Fenix, and Aerostar face Mundo, PJ Black, and Jack Evans tonight while Prince Puma faces his other former Trios Championship partner El Dragon Azteca. Next week’s show is run down and we’ll get Mil Muertes vs. King Cuerno to start things off tonight. Cuerno flexes his pecs to the “Cuerno, Cuerno!” chant. Mil shoves the cameraman away and we’re underway.
King Cuerno vs. Mil Muertes
Mil drops down and goes for a tiltawhirl, but Mil hits a big kick to the gut and a spear to the spine. Mil stomps the groinal region, or as Vamp says “he stomped him right in the balls!”. Cuerno hits a boot, but eats a big lariat for 2. Mil hits a huge swinging chokeslam ala The Giant for 2. Mil is sent to the floor and eats a baseball slide and then the Arrow of Death hits! Ref is taken out with it and Cuerno grabs a chair and hits him in the head, but it’s no-sold and Mil punches his lights out!
Mil slams the back with a chair and he sets the chair up in the corner. Cuerno avoids a corner spear and Mil hits the chair and eats a schoolboy with the ropes held to give Cuerno the win. This was short, but fantastic while it lasted.
Dario meets with Taya and Ivelisse and puts them over for being tough – but says there can only be one baddest bitch in the building. At Ultima Lucha, they will determine who deserves that title most. Catrina walks in and wishes Ivie luck and she wants a rematch against Cuerno for the show. He says that she took over his temple, took over his office, tried to destroy his brother and says that their issue over a dented casket involves a funeral home – not him.
Catrina says they want a death match and Dario says he hates her – but she knows what to say to excite him, so it’s on and then she disappears. Puma walks down and then Rey brings Azteca down with him.
Prince Puma vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.
Puma chops him and we get a tumbling exchange before a sunset flip leads to spinning and a legsweep gets 1. Back and forth armdrags lead a staredown. They shake, but Puma won’t let go – so Azteca hits a pair of chops and slaps him. Puma slides over Azteca, who hops up and kicks him before eating a snake eyes against the post.
This is a crazy-fast match – holy smokes! Puma gets a dueling chant and lands a European uppercut before eating a pop-up springboard rana. Puma gets crotched and chops him on top before hitting a springboard rana for 2. Puma hits a forearm shiver and then eats a running forearm from Azteca. Azteca hits a DDTJ for 2.
They exchange waistlocks and Puma traps him in the corner and hits a pop-up blue thunder bomb into a Northern Lights and then into a brainbuster for 2! Puma goes for the 630, but takes too long and Azteca crotches him up top. Azteca hits a super victory roll for 2! Azteca flows through a missed 450 but eats a belly to belly into the buckle! A spinning Benadryller gets 2!
A corner hesitation dropkick hits for Puma, leading to the 630 as he stares at Rey and gets the win. This was fantastic and easily Azteca’s best match to date. Puma says that will be Rey next week and slaps him.
Cage, Texano, The Mack, and Son of Havoc are mid-ring with Dario. He says that he feels like a kid on Christmas and it’s time for one of them to get a gift from him for Ultima Lucha Dos. He says they will be entered into the Unique Opportunity Tournament for a Unique Opportunity because they have a shot at a unique opportunity! The winner gets a Unique Opportunity and he tells them to rest up because their match is next! Or not….they brawl and Cage hits a big lariat on Texano on the apron.
This was poorly explained, but amusing thanks to Dario. Ultima Lucha Dos’ card is recapped, with everything run through so far along with the Gift of the Gods Title match. Matanza’s path of rage is recapped and we see a rundown of his issues with Pentagon Jr. Fenix comes out in new orange and black gear that looks slick. Mundo comes out and Vamp marks out over Mundo’s jacket and talks about how he helped Mundo put on his headband.
Fenix vs. Johnny Mundo
Fenix slaps Mundo and gets a standing moonsault for 1. Mundo’s basement knee strike gets 2 before a set of mounted forearms. Fenix machine gun chops him before cutting him out and then running chopping him. Fenix runs into a C4 for 2. Mundo chinlocks him, but eats knees. Mundo hits a hard spinebuster for 2. Mundo grinds his boot into the face – blocking the ref’s view from Taya choking him.
Fenix flips onto them while a dueling Lucha/Let’s Go Fenix chant breaks out. Fenix hits a diving chop to the fallen Mundo before hitting a big boot and a chest chop before a jumping Yakuza kick in the corner! A sunset flip powerbomb gets 2 for Fenix!
Taya holds Fenix up and he gets kicked – but lands on his feet before a Moonlight Drive gets 2. Fenix avoids the End of the World and lands a palm strike before a C4 off the top – but Taya has the ref distracted. Mundo grabs a Trios Title hits Fenix with it for the win – marking the first time this decade that a belt shot ends a match. I love that – it’s such a cliche for a nearfall now, and I like seeing it actually get a win so it matters again.
PJ and Evans come down to celebrate and play air guitar while Vamp describes Taya in a fairly unfattering manner. Drago and Aerostar come down, and then Ivie comes down to battle Taya. The faces clear the ring and we hear that Ultima Lucha Dos will be a three week event that starts next week.
The Big News: Chaos reigned supreme in the tag team division with three teams vying for the titles, but The Authors Of Pain seem more content with destroying American Alpha than trying to capture gold.
The Medium News: Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura are friends…but have no problem ripping each other’s heads off in 2 weeks.
The Little Beaver Sized News: Gargano & Ciampa are now on a full fledged winning streak, having defeated The Hype Bros in the main event
Alexa Bliss pinned Carmella
NXT’s pixie-sized Diva is here to kick off the show this week against the most fabulous girl on the show. Alexa is so short…(How short is she?)…Alexa is so short that when she is standing on top of a fallen Carmella, she is still shorter than the referee.
This match was solid, yet unspectacular. They have both improved to the point that it is not embarrassing to see them on tv. The only rough spot was when Carmella was standing on the apron, Alexa reached over the top rope to throw Carmella down, which was difficult since Alexa is barely taller than the top rope.
Alexa threw a temper tantrum when she didn’t get a pin. My grandmother would have threatened to put her over her knee for that. Carmella used a kick to the head and a Bronco Buster, but still almost lost to a roll up. Finally, Alexa won with Twisted Bliss, which is the new name for the Sparkle Splash. That makes sense since she no longer dresses like a pixie cheerleader.
********
We got “exclusive comments” from Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura talked about how well he knows Finn Balor, and about how he supported Balor when he left Japan and watched him every week on NXT. He reiterated that he wants to become an NXT icon and in order to do that, he has to beat Balor. He vows to give us something sensational in two weeks.
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Bayley cut a promo backstage saying it feels amazing to get back in the ring and get a win last week. She feels 100% and is ready to get her championship back. Alexa Bliss walked up and said she deserved the title shot more and if Bayley wants a title shot, she has to go through her.
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Andrade Cien Almas defeated Noah Potjes
Noah Potjes had one previous match on NXT: a tag match last month where he was only called Noah and now, not only did he get a last name, but he got to walk down the ramp and get a ring introduction on tv!
Andrade looked good here, including a spot where Noah shot him off and ducked down, but when he came off the ropes, Almas hit a really nice dropkick to his fallen foe. Almas won with the running double knees in the corner.
********
Austin Aries said he is the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived and since the moment he walked into NXT, the fans should have felt privileged to see him compete. No Way Jose hasn’t done anything in his career and hasn’t beaten anyone, but the fans explode because he shakes his butt. He attacked Jose because of the fat, pasty, ugly fans and vowed that everything that happens now is our fault.
********
Finn Balor did his own backstage promo. He reiterated what Nakamura said earlier about them being friends. He came to NXT two years ago and never thought he’d see Nakamura again, but he got goosebumps when he found out his friend had signed with NXT. Balor said they may have faced each other in Japan, but this feels different, this feels special.
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Next week: Bayley vs Alexa Bliss
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Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Hype Bros
A month ago, Gargano & Ciampa won a match. Two weeks later, they won again, making it two in a row. If they beat the Hype Bros tonight, they will be on a winning streak. Their quest for a third straight win didn’t start well when Rawley literally caused Gargano to fly across the ring, crashing painfully to the mat.
Ryder tagged in and immediately got taken down and beaten on by Gargano and Ciampa. A wild free for all broke out, culminating with Rawley hitting a nice clothesline outside to Gargano. Mojo used a Pounce on Ciampa and they set up the Hype Ryder, but Gargano broke it up and took Mojo’s head off with a super kick.
After an exciting series of near-finishers and roll ups, Gargano & Ciampa got their elusive winning streak with the double kick to the head.
********
After the match, Ciampa and Gargano took the mic to announce they wanted a title shot at The Revival, who they defeated a month ago.
This brought out American Alpha, who were champions until just three weeks ago. Gable said they are not next in line, American Alpha is. Jason Jordan vowed revenge on The Authors Of Pain and they will show The Revival that they are the alphas of NXT. Is it sad I forgot all about The Authors Of Pain?
Out came The Revival, who told them that as champions, they drive the car and man the ship. They are calling the shots and feel neither team deserve title shots. They also said they dictate the terms.
This brought out William Regal, who pointed out that he dictated the terms. Mr. Regal did say Ciampa & Gargano deserve a title shot, but before that happens, it will be Revival vs American Alpha in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the titles next week.
The babyface teams shook hands and Gargano & Ciampa left. The Authors of Pain suddenly hit the ring and laid out Gable & Jordan. Gargano & Ciampa ran down and also got beat up. American Alpha made a comeback, leading to Jordan actually suplexing one of them, but ultimately both got laid out with the combination legsweep/clothesline. Paul Ellering came out on the ramp and beckoned his boys away as the show ended.
That does it for this week. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
The Big Takeaway: The show was built around if John Cena or A.J. Styles could win their respective singles matches, they would receive a spot in the main event of Battleground. Cena wrestled Seth Rollins. Styles wrestled Dean Ambrose. Cena and Styles both lost after each inteferred in the other’s matches. Roman Reigns was mentioned in the opening by Rollins, and is still slated for the main event of Battleground. Cena and Rollins had among the best Raw matches of the year. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, billed as the blowoff to the program, is official for Battleground, the only match added to the card tonight.
Show Recap:
Seth Rollins came out and brought up Roman Reigns getting suspended. Reigns’ tweet from last Tuesday apologizing for his actions was shown on the TitanTron. Rollins ran down Reigns’ statement of “owing it” is appropirate because Rollins owns Reigns because he’s beaten him once. He said Reigns doesn’t deserve a second chance or to be in the main event of Battleground. Rollins wanted to face Dean Ambrose one-on-one.
This brought out Ambrose. Michael Cole called him “the Dude.” Ambrose said we all make mistakes, and said he used to be friends with Rollins, that was a huge mistake. He said Rollins wears skinny jeans, which is another mistake. Ambrose said as far as he was concerned, the triple threat match was still on.
A.J. Styles came out and said he agreed Battleground’s main event should be a triple-threat match, but he should be in Reigns’ place. Fans chanted “Yes” to that. Styles brought up beating John Cena is a dream match. Ambrose said Reigns is still in the match. Styles said it should be changed to a Fatal Fourway and have him included. Ambrose said that was fine with him, but Rollins objected.
Cena arrived and said Ambrose was a fighting champion, he was fight a friend, he will fight a foe, he will fight a fraud, but will he fight the franchise? Cena brought up today being his 15th WWE birthday and he lived the last 12 years in Tampa. Cena said the last time he faced Ambrose for a championship, he won. Cena wanted to make it a five-way match. Once again, Rollins objected.
Stephanie McMahon showed up. She said having Ambrose as WWE World Heavyweight Champion was an embarrassment. She announced that Shane McMahon was on vacation and wasn’t there tonight. She arranged Rollins to face Cena tonight. Styles would take on Ambrose. If Cena and Styles are victorious in their respective matches, they will be added to the Battleground main event.
A Brock Lesnar commercial with Paul Heyman doing the voiceover for W2K17 aired. As mentioned earlier on the website, Lesnar will be on the cover.
The Spanish announce team was introduced. JBL chimed in that they tried to explain how Lionel Messi could drill that free kick agains the U.S. last week but miss the penalty against Chile last night. Cole later mentioned that today was the 12th anniversary of JBL defeating Eddy Guerrero for the WWE Championship at the Great American Bash.
Sasha Banks & Paige defeated Charlotte & Dana Brooke via submission (8:38)
Sasha Banks made Dana Brooke tap out to the Bank Statement. Paige made the hot tag to Banks, who delievered a double knee drop against the ropes on Brooke. Outside the ring, Paige laid out Charlotte with a superkick. Banks hit a stiff knee to the face and the bank stabber as a prelude to the finish.
Lana introduced Rusev, which is really all she does now. After that, she’s background scenery.
Titus O’Neal defeated Rusev (C) via countout, so Rusev retained the U.S. championship. (4:08)
They did the same finish that Rusev did with Jack Swagger a month ago, except Rusev lost this time. Titus O’Neal and Rusev clotheslined each other on the floor and O’Neal beat the count back in the ring. Once again, O’Neal showed off a more aggressive edge after what happened to his sons at Money in the Bank. Rusev pulled off a standing dropkick with plenty of air underneath. JBL said it was the biggest win of O’Neal’s career. Looks like they’re building up a blow-off match at Battleground.
Stephanie talked on the phone when she ran into Kane. She wanted to pretend he wasn’t there. Kane thanked her for meeting with him and asked for a chance to run SmackDown. She said she was going to be the one running SmackDown. The Miz and Maryse walked up and said they had been gone for a month and there was no red carpet and a poor limo. Kane brought up he was in a new movie called “Countdown.” Miz said Kane shouldn’t be comparing big budget released to straight to DVD featured. Miz said he was a star and Kane looked like the Devil’s favorite insurance agent. Kane suggested Miz defend the Intercontinental Championship tonight. He cited “Rule G-1 of the WWE Rulebook” and said Miz had gone nearly 30 days without putting up the strap. Stephanie thought that was a good idea, but said Miz’s opponent would be a mystery.
Seth Rollins defeated John Cena, denying Cena a spot in the Battleground main event (16:00)
Cena hit the AA after reversing a crossbody block, but Rollins got his foot on the ropes. He went for another AA, but Rollins escaped, only to have Cena lock in the STF. Rollins nearly made the ropes, and Cena pulled him back into the center of the ring. He was about to clamp the STF on again until Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson came down to ringside. Cena was distracted as Styles got on the apron, but Rollins got up and hit the Pedigree for the pin. Maybe the most heat for a Raw match this year. Crowd was roaring with dueling chants before they squared off and all throughout the match. Earlier, Rollins missed a frog splash, Cena went to the top rope, but Rollins recovered to hit a superplex, then turned that into a Falcon Arrow for a great near fall. Cena got near falls after a tornado DDT and the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated Greg Rains and Cassidy Reynolds (:40)
Enzo Amore said they were riding a wave that will carry them straight to the top. The wave was the people. Amore told the fans to do the wave while the match was going on. Amore pinned Reynolds after the Rocket Launcher.
Social Outcasts came out. Bo Dallas said there was only word to describe Social Outcasts “HARD.” Heath Slater said they were fresh off the set of Marine 5. Curtis Axel told Enzo and Cass to get out of the ring. Cass wondered which one of the three was the hardest. Dallas wanted to get in the ring to show them who was really the hardest. Cass knocke Slater off the apron with a big boot. Dallas and Axel backed off as Cass told them they were SAWFT.
Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Backlund reviewing Darren Young’s goals. Young said he wanted to be a singles champion and headline WrestleMania. Backlund said he was a tag team champion with Pedro Morales and said his era was called the Bob Backlund era. He said he wants to make Darren Young great again.
There was a highlight package showing The Big Show, Kalisto, Cesaro, Banks, Becky Lynch and various other stars training with Special Olympics athletes. Those athletes came out on the ramp with Show and Renee Young handling emcee duties. Show has always been underrated as a talker and he was very good presiding over this segment.
Natalya came out for commentary. She said she jumped Lynch at Money in the Bank because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was tired of being a nice person because that only gets you stepped on. Lynch came out for a match with Summer Rae, but before it could start, Lynch went after Natalya, who tried to walk off. Lynch jumped on her again and had to be pulled off by the referee. Natalya went to the back and they forgot about the match.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was at ringside.
The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho had Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as guests. Jericho brought up Ambrose putting 69 thumbtacks in his back at Money in the Bank. They had a long staredown. Jericho brought up that Zayn was the best man at Owens’ wedding, which must have made it hard when Owens stabbed Zayn in the back. Zayn said he wanted to end the program with Owens because it was limiting their careers. He brought up various times where they cost each other chances for championships in the past four months. Zayn wanted to put an end to the feud at Battleground.
Owens stood silent. Zayn said this was the real Kevin Owens, a coward who hides behind lies. Just like the lie he’s been telling for two years about why Owens stabbed him in the back. Zayn wanted Owens to tell the truth, that it drove Owens nuts that Zayn was signed by the WWE first. He told Owens to grow a set, who prompted a small chant. Owens finally said that he’s told Zayn the truth many times. He turned on Zayn because it was the right thing for his career. He said Zayn ruined their friendship because everything they’ve done since they’ve met was done to get to the WWE. Owens said he was happy for Zayn when he got to the WWE. He said Zayn was mad when he won the NXT championship, which proves he was always a better friend to Zayn than Zayn was to him. But that doesn’t matter now. Owens said he would fight Zayn at Battleground.
Jericho put that announcement over and said Owens was right, Zayn was a terrible friend and a terrible example of what it takes to make it in the WWE. Jericho said Owens is still trying to follow his lead, but Zayn hasn’t figured out it doesn’t matter what the fans think. Jericho said he wanted to slap Zayn in the face over it, but he was going to let Owens do it. Jericho said announcing the match on the Highlight Reel puts the match on a higher level, so they were both welcome. Jericho offered to give both men “The Gift of Jericho, Drink it in, Man.” Owens and Zayn both kicked Jericho in the face. Owens and Zayn glared at each other as Owens walked off.
Kane defeated the Miz (C) by countout, so Miz retains the Intercontinental Championship (3:27)
The Demon Kane was the surprise opponent. He was about to chokeslam Miz when Maryse jumped up on the apron. After a few seconds, Kane very audibly said to Maryse “Get down!” At that point, she took a bump on the apron though no one touched her. Maryse wound up selling her right knee. Miz attended to her at ringside and carried her to the back. No heat at all.
Miz and Maryse were in the back. Maryse was still limping when she started laughing. In the shock of shocks, Maryse jumped up and down to reveal she wasn’t really hurt. Miz put her over saying it was the best acting he’s ever seen and it was an Oscar winning performance. They laughed over it. No follow up to this at all, except Miz is hosting an episode of MizTv on Thursday with a guest who isn’t Kane.
Apollo Crews & Cesaro defeated Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio (4:58)
Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus broke up two months ago, but were back tagging here. They did the “faction that just broke up now tagging again” gimmick. They also did the “partners that don’t get along” gimmick. Del Rio slapped Sheamus, then gave him an enzuigiri for some reason. Del Rio watched from the ramp as Apollo Crews pinned Sheamus with the spin-out powerbomb to complete silence.
Ambrose did a promo with Jojo about how the last two weeks have been the best of times. Stephanie walked in and said it was appalling that Ambrose was the face of her company. Stephanie said if Styles wins tonight, she’s one step closer to ending this appaling nightmare. At least Ambrose got the last word, saying “Deep down, she really likes me.”
What appeared to be the Wyatt Family promo was instead the New Day dressed up as Wyatts. Kofi Kingston threw down Erick Rowan’s goal mask and wondered how he breathes in that thing. Kingston said no one wants to hear the Wyatts’ negativity anymore. They need a big ol’ bowl of Booty-Os instead. Big E, who was wearing overalls, a cowboy hat and a ZZ Top-style beard, said the Wyatts smell like a rotten piece of cabbage left beside a Tampa highway. E. said he was born in Tampa at Tampa General Hospital. Xavier Woods was noticeably quiet in all this and wanted to wrap up the segment. Kingston and Big E. wanted to keep going, but the Wyatts came out.
Bray Wyatt screamed “It’s a New Day, yes it is.” Wyatt said the masses line up for the New Day because they tell them everything they want to hear instead of everything they need to hear. Wyatt said his sole purpose was to tell people what they need to hear, because the world isn’t full of rainbows or unicorns. It’s a dark world full of evil. Wyatt said what would the New Day tell the man who lost his job? Kingston said the power of positivity flows through your body and Big E. said positivity was a way of life. Woods looked uncertain.
Wyatt asked Woods if they agreed with him, because it looked like he was shook. Wyatt said Woods could trust him. Wyatt said in this game, there are no winners or losers, there’s only malice and destruction. And in the end, New Day Falls. Woods didn’t say anything as the screen went black.
New Day walked in the back. Young walked up and asked if it was a good day to make fun of the Wyatts tonight. Kingston and Big E. were laughing over it, but Woods never smiled and walked off.
Dean Ambrose (C) defeated A.J. Styles in a nontitle match, so Styles was denied a spot in the main event of Battleground (15:32)
Rollins was on commentary. He said he felt divided because he hated Ambrose but didn’t want Styles to win because it would make the Battleground main event a four-way. Ambrose hit a blockbuster, but came up selling his knee. Styles put on a calf crusher. Rollins was actually rooting for Ambrose to make the ropes, which he did. Ambrose knocked Styles to the floor with a forearm and followed with a tope. Styles hit a Pele kick, but Ambrose hit a rebound clothesline. At that point, Anderson and Gallows came out. Ambrose was distracted and Styles hit a brainbuster for a two count. Cena ran out to brawl with Anderson and Gallows. As Styles was distracted by Cena, Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds for the pin. Rollins stood and applauded the finish.
Anderson and Gallows jumped Cena. Then Rollins went after Ambrose and gave him a Pedigree. The Club pounded Cena 3-on-1. The brawled to the top of the ramp, where Anderson and Gallows gave Cena the Magic Killer on the ramp. Cena had a rough landing, too. Back in the ring, Rollins gave Ambrose another Pedigree, then stood on top of Ambrose with the championship belt.
