offical wwe thread

[JoeAwesome]

Bischoff hasn't made a positive contribution to wrestling since 1998.

Still riding off the coattails of success from the NWO...

 

[Lee_Rekka]

Still riding off the coattails of success from the NWO...

Which he ripped the idea off the UWF 2nd invasion. something they did the first time all the way back in 84.

 

[neo_X7]

The Ring of Honor Best in the World PPV was good last night. Not 2014 ROH PPV good but still better than anything else in the US markets today.

 

[famicommander]

All of ROH's PPV shows were great this year, with the brief exception of the Enzo and Cass bullshit ruining the GOD's celebration at G1 Supercard.

The ROH Anniversary Show is still the best wrestling show of 2019 for me, ahead of G1 Supercard, Double or Nothing, and Wrestle Kingdom.

The Enzo and Cass thing may have done permanent damage to ROH's fanbase, though. In that one moment they showed the whole world the exact opposite of everything the product had built throughout the year, and crowds have been down ever since.

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Fyster Fest 2019 Results: 6-27-19

Results courtesy of PWTorch (direct link to Keller's complete report).

PRE-SHOW

(A) PRIVATE PARTY (Isaiah Kassidy & Marc Quen) vs. SCU (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) vs. BEST FRIENDS (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor)

Excalibur explained to viewers who is Quen and who is Kassidy in Private Party, perhaps an early sign that AEW is taking an approach tonight that not everyone has watched AEW before or necessarily knows everyone well on the card. Quen got in a flurry of offense a few minutes into the match to get the first real rise from the fans in the match. He struck a pose afterward. Kassidy flip dove off the ring apron onto a crowd at ringside. Private Party played to the crowd. The fans chanted “Private Party” afterward. Best Friends gave Kassidy a suppler at ringside a minute alter and took over. Kaz charged and gave Quen a flying DDT at ringside, then put on sunglasses and celebrated by striking a pose. Best Friends cleared the ring a minute later and then hugged. The fans popped for that. Fans chanted “Best Friends.” (It’s worth noting at this stage of AEW’s existence that the lighting is great for this and it has a major league clean crisp look overall with blue lighting of the crowd in the floor and lower deck seats. The ringside barricade logos and signage is also major league looking as is the ring mat logo. It’s nice to be able to “take this for granted” out of the gate with AEW and not have this something they’re “chasing to get right” before October.

It finally settled into a one-on-one battle in the ring as Taylor settled into a chinlock on Kassidy. Kaz tagged in and went to work on several wrestlers in the ring. Beretta dropped Sky and then went after Kaz, but Kaz caught him with an elbow. Kassidy kicked Kaz from behind, then tagged Kaz from behind to become legal. Kassidy hit a move off the top rope onto Barretta for a believable near fall. SCU broke up a pin by Beretta on Quen a minute later. Kassidy screeched and went after SCU, but they ended up scoring a near fall on him seconds later. Quen staggered in the ring over to Kaz who was groggy on the top rope. Barrett came up behind Quen and back suplexed him, but Quen landed on his feet and then landed a Pelé kick. Kassidy surprised Kaz with a neckbreaker for a near fall, broken up by Sky. Private Party psyched each other up and went fora move on Taylor, but Taylor backdropped Quen over the top rope onto the floor. Taylor then kneed Quen. He climbed to the top rope and Barrett set him up for their Strong Zero. They hit it for the win.

WINNERS: Best Friends in 16:00. (***)

A spotfest with a lot of cool spots and non-stop action.

(B) ALLIE vs. LEVA BATES (w/Peter Avalon)

Excalibur said Allie has evolved and her next stage begins here on the Buy In pre-show in AEW. They showed Brandi Rhodes watching backstage. (She was staring straight on at the screen, and the camera showed the TV she was watching and the back of her head, then panned over to show her face. See how easy that was, WWE?) Bates settled into control and methodically delivered offense to beat down Allie, shh’ing her before some chops in the corner. Allie made a comeback and chopped and punched away at Bates with some yells. She landed a charging back elbow and then two running elbows to her jaw and neck in the corner. That was good for a soft two count. Allie slapped the mat in frustration. Allie lifted Bates, but Bates escaped and then delivered a back stabber followed by a face plant for a near fall. Avalon offered a book to Bates, but overthrew it to Allie. Allie threw it to Bates, then as Bates looked down at the book, she kicked her and scored the win.

WINNER: Allie in 8:00.

A clunky match that even at eight minutes felt too long. Not at the level it needs to be.

(C) MICHAEL NAKAZAWA vs. ALEX JEBAILEY

The announcers wondered how Jebailey got pyro and made unforgettable of him for wearing a jacket with his face on it. They explained he’s not a wrestler, just the founder and CEO of “CEO Gaming.” Nakazawa told Jebailey he is Mr. Cripple. He apologized for not being P.C. for American fans. Nakazawa said he cheated last year to win and he sucks. Nakazawa attacked Jebailey’s legs. Jebailey executed a leapfrog and hiptoss followed by a bodyslam to the amazement of the announcers. Nakazawa escaped a head hug by squiring bay oil on himself. The referee slipped on the spilled oil. Nakazawa then squirted oil on him and scored a near fall. Jebailey rolled to ringside. Jebailey reverse whipped Nakazawa into the ringside barricade and then bashed him with a clipboard. Jebailey then hit Nakazawa with a game system for a near fall. They fought over to the inflated kiddie pool. Jebailey shoved his head under water. The announcers wondered if he’d murder him. Nakazawa hit him with a blow up flamingo pool toy, but Jebailey came back and slammed him into the pool. Fans chanted “Holy sh–!” Back in the ring Nakasawa choked Jebailey with a cable to a game controller and then pushed buttons one like he was playing him. Nakazawa bit the skull of Jebailey. Then Nakazawa speared Jebailey off the ring apron through a table at ringside. Fans sarcastically chanted “Holy sh–!” Back in the ring, Nakazawa bashed Jebailey with a kendo stick. Then he pulled out a thong and tried to shove it in Jebailey face, but Jebailey ducked and then suplexed Nakazawa onto his head. Fans chanted “CEO!” Jebailey then retrieved a bag of plastic arcade push-buttons and poured the onto the canvas, then backdropped Nakazawa onto the buttons. Nakazawa shoved the thong in the referee’s face. Jebailey then put Nakazawa down with a magistral cradle, but Nakazawa put the thong in Jebailey’s face and reversed leverage into a three count.

WINNER: Nakazawa in 10:00.

I’m glad that’s over. It was truly as bad as it sounded, although the wrestling actually could have been worse – although it, too, was terrible. AEW is setting a tone that they’re going to indulge in zany comedy skits that are going to require a lot of goodwill with generous fans to get away with doing often. I’d cut all of this stuff out or save it for some sort of “You Tube” exclusive if they must indulge. I hope none of this makes it to TNT.

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Fyster Fest 2019 Results: 6-27-19

MAIN CARD

(1) DANIELS vs. CIMA

The announcers talked about Daniels being a veteran who knows all the tricks of the trade. Excalibur talked about Cima being the lead trainer for CWE in China. Ross said the night is just beginning and they haven’t seen anything yet. Fans chanted “Fallen Angel” a couple minutes in. Daniels landed a moonsault and then applied a crossfire with a back torque. Daniels landed a Blue Thunder Bomb and Angels’ Wings for the first believable near fall of the match at 5:00. (AEW is choosing new camera angles to film the action compared to what we see in other groups, including here a roving camera behind the last row of the floor seats pointed at the ring. It was a nice view. They also have the crane camera floating from a wide shot to a close-up over the wrestlers in the ring.) Cima came back with his own near falls and eventually landed a top rope meteora for the three count. After a handshake, Daniels left and Cima celebrated briefly while still selling his back from the beating early in the match. He also looked at the camera and yelled that he was going to be ready for Kenny Omega.

WINNER: Cima in 8:00. (**1/2)

Solid match, and it didn’t overstay it’s welcome at all and it wasn’t trying to be cute or clever or ironic. It worked. After the finish, they went into a video package of a series of big spots from the match in relatively rapid fashion, which is a cool touch I hope they keep up.

(2) RIHO vs. NYLA ROSE vs. YUKA SAKAZAKI

Justin Roberts continued to ring announce. He said there was a 20 minute time limit for the match. Ross said it’s hard to believe they’re wrestlers because they’re so petite. At that point, the non-petite Nyla Rose came out. As Rose entered the ring, Riho looked nervous. Ross said she’s the favorite. Yuka and Riho tried to double-team Nyla early, but she overpowered them. They eventually worked together to try to suppler her, but instead Nyla suplexed both of them. Ross said she looks like the woman who is going to dominate the whole division. She put them both in a camel clutch at once. They wiggled backwards and put their foot on the bottom rope to force a break. Nyla threw Yuka onto Riho, then Yuka knocked Nyla out of the ring. Fans popped and chanted for her. She then springboard launched onto both opponents at ringside, although she had shaky legs on the top rope before the springboard launch. Back in the ring Yuka dropkicked Riho off the top rope for a two count. Riho landed a 619 on Nyla. Yuka landed a top rope dive on Nyla. Riho and Yuka battled next as Nyla rolled to the corner. They exchanged moves and pin attempts. Nyla threw Riho off of Yuka. “It was like she was moving a stuffed animal off her bed,” said Ross. Nyla brushed off Yuka strikes and played to the crowd. Yuka made a comeback and dropped Nyla to a knee. Nyla blocked a lariat and then one-arm slammed her for a believable near fall. It was a lax cover. The announcers pointed out she could have had a win there. She stuck Riho on the top ope and then leaped off the top rope with a guillotine knee to the back of her head. Ross called it a reckless, uncaring maneuver. (It was awkward Riho stayed in position so long to take the move.) Nyla took her time and didn’t make the cover. Yuka knocked Nyla off balance on the top rope, but Nyla knocked her down and then went for a flip sexton. Riho moved and then climbed to the top rope. Nyla caught Riho mid-air, but Yuka then dove off the torpor onto her. Nyla caught her, but then fell back and it led to a near fall. They made a ten minute announcement at this point with ten minutes left.

Yuka and Riho battled next with Nyla selling exhaustion in the corner. Yuka went for a springboard splash, but Riho lifted her knees. Nyla then wanton the attack on Yuka and delivered a stout power bomb. Riho broke up the pin. “This is awesome!” chanted fans. Nyla delivered a Death Valley Driver on Riho for a near fall. They both looked tired. When they both stood, Riho surprised Nyla with a roll-up for the three count. Riho shoved down Yuka afterward, and Yuka looked heartbroken.

WINNER: Riho in 13:00. (***)

They told the story well of two undersized underdogs working together at times to survive and against each other to try to win throughout with some exciting exchanges and near falls that keep the crowd engaged.

(3) MJF vs. JUNGLE BOY vs. JIMMY HAVOC vs. ADAM PAGE

Ross compared MJF (Maxwell Jacob Freeman) to a young Paul Heyman. (I thought he was going to say Terry Taylor, actually. The brief heel Taylor run in the UFC was great, although I think he’s a mix of Alex Shelley and Colt Cabana with a touch of Miz.) MJF asked booing fans if they were having flashbacks of being shoved into lockers. He called them nerds and said he’ll give them something they’re going to love. “That mother of yours whose basement you live in, she swallows. I hate to break it to you.” He called himself the youngest and fasted rising star in pro wrestling today. “Are you guys seriously going to talk while I’m talking?” he asked. He told them if he wanted to hear his opinions, he’d turn on TLC and watch returns of “My 600 Pound Life.” He threw some gaming terms out there which Golden Boy said “didn’t really connect.” He said he’d offer an olive branch. He said he used to love video games, so they’re not all that different. He started a “Video Games!” chant. He said, “Then I lost my virginity.” They cut to a fan in the crowd who wasn’t amused.

Luchasaurus brought Jingle Boy to the ring on his shoulders. Then Havoc made his ring entrance. Golden Boy said MJF said he’s the fastest-rising star in pro wrestling, but Adam Page might take issue with that. Ross said he walks to the ring “with that BMF walk,” although he wondered if Justin Roberts really introduced him as being 295 pounds. Golden Boy said if Page is pinned in this match, whoever pins him could be first in line for a title shot after Page faces Jericho for the AEW Title at All Out. Jungle Boy showed off nice athleticism early against Page. Havoc then entered and took it to Jungle Boy with an aggressive flurry of moves. MJF snuck in and scored a near fall with a crucifix on Havoc. Page re-entered and went after MJF, but MJF dropped to the floor. Page fallaway slammed Jungle Boy, then springboard dove onto MJF at ringside. Havoc then caught Page with a running lariat. MJF went after Jingle Boy in the ring, then celebrated and crudely gestured toward fans. Jungle Boy drop-kicked MJF in the face, then flip dove onto a crowd of all three at ringside. Jungle Boy chopped away at MJF in the ring. Havoc caught Jungle Boy on the top rope and set up a superplex. Page joined in and powerbombed them both into MJF who was charging toward them. Jungle Boy and Havoc kicked Page, then Jungle Boy huracanrana’d Havoc onto his head. Page then went after Jungle Boy and hit a Heat Seeker, but MJF put Jungle Boy’s foot on the bottom rope to stop the ref count.

Eventually MJF and Page squared off and exchanged blows. Ross said they’ll be two of the biggest players in AEW going forward, noting they are 23 and 27 years old respectively. MJF tried to use the middle for leverage on a cover on Page, but Jungle Boy broke it up. Jungle Boy went for a slingshot, but Havoc grabbed him and threw him onto Luchasaurus at ringside. MJF kicked Havoc and set up a Heat Seeker, but Havoc escaped and scored a near fall himself. MJF eye-poked Havoc to avoid an Acid Drop. Page then entered and delivered a Last Rights to Havoc for the win.

WINNER: Page in 11:00. (***)

Good presentation of all four wrestlers. They framed MJF as more than a sideshow cheap heat mic guy and as a serious young contender who is a big part of the future of AEW. He was more sneaky and opportunistic than impressive in any physical way here, so they should establish that as part of his AEW journey at some point. Jungle Boy was the star here athletically. Page didn’t really stand out, but at least he won.

(4) CODY (w/Brandi Rhodes) vs. DARBY ALLIN

The announcers talked about Darby being a car accident when he was 5 and his uncle, who was drunk driving, died. They said he was scarred by that and brings a body bag to the ring with him because of that. Ross said he saw him backstage and he seemed to be not entirely present. He said maybe he needs someone to talk to. Cody made a standard low key ring entrance, although his t-shirt said “Throne Breaker.” Cody looked like a big heavyweight against the thinner and shortly Darby, whom he just methodically overpowered and tossed around early. Darby slammed Cody’s hand against the ringpost to slow Cody. Cody sold a potential broken wrist or hand. Cody clotheslined Darby who flip bumped. That led to a two count.

Darby eventually applied a wristlock on Cody. When Cody retreated to ringside, Darby dove through the ropes and speared Cody. He then rammed Cody’s hand onto the steps, but Cody swept Darby onto the top of the steps. Cody then dove through the ropes onto Darby and let out a yell. Ross said that was uncharacteristic of Cody. Justin announced that only five minutes were left in the 20 minute time limit. Darby took control in the ring and scored a near fall, then climbed to the top rope. Cody caught him up there and set up a top rope move. The crane camera gave everyone a great view. Cody then inverted suplexed him to the mat. Fans chanted “A-E-Dub!” Cody was slow to make the cover after landing hard, and Darby kicked out at two. Darby bit Cody’s hand and then yanked on his wrist.

Darby leaped backwards off the top rope and landed hard on the edge of the ring apron. Yikes! That was scary impact. Cody then put Darby in his body bag and delivered a Disaster Kick. Cody pulled him out of the bag and scored a two count. Darby stood, then collapsed. Cody made another cover, but Darby kicked out again. Cody whipped him with his belt. Ross said Cody was frustrated because he couldn’t finish Darby. Darby countered Crossroads and then delivered an over-the-top stunner. Cody countered quickly with a Crossroads. The match ended with Cody on top for a two count but time expiring before three. The announcers asked for more time.

WINNER: Time limit draw. (***)

Interesting choice to go 20 minutes with those two and have Cody come up short of being able to put the smaller, lesser known Darby away within that time. Slow start, but dramatic final half.

-After the match, Shawn Spears (the former Tye Dillinger) entered the ring with a chair and smashed Cody in the head. Cody was bleeding heavily from the back of his head, although it appeared on the opposite side as the chairshot. MJF was first on scene so Spears left through the crowd. Brandi, Daniels, Sky, and Kaz checked on him. They replayed it a few times. The announcers speculated that Cody might not be cleared in time for Fight for the Fallen. Ross said they’re not doctors, but said certainly CTE testing is called for.

Stiff unprotected chairshots to the head are stupid and outside the bounds of entertainment in 2019. Shame on whoever is responsible, not only because of what it can do in this instance, but for the example it sets for other wrestlers trying to “keep up” and prove something. This shouldn’t happen again in AEW. Given that the cut was on the opposite side of the point of impact with the chair, not sure if he suffered a hard-way cut upon landing or it was a blade job.

 

[Arcademan]

AEW Fyster Fest 2019 Results: 6-27-19

(5) KENNY OMEGA & THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. THE LUCHA BROS. & LAREDO KID

Before the match, Omega whispered something to ring announcer Justin Roberts. Roberts then did a “Street Fighter” style announcement to start the match, a tip of the hat to the setting. After some back and forth rapid-fire three-on-three spots, the Lucha Bros. & Laredo Kid took it to the Bucks & Kenny including a triple dive onto a crowd at ringside that got a rise out of the crowd. Kenny, who had raspberry red hair for this and a Japanese word painted on his back, tagged in and took control against Pentagon Jr. The Bucks cheered him on at ringside as he rallied. Ross commented that Kenny’s hair looked weird to him. They worked to a spot against Laredo Kid with consecutive top rope moves by Kenny and the Bucks. Kenny stood on his chest for a two count. The Lucha Bros. and Laredo Kid took over with sustained offense against Matt Jackson. Ross talked about several momentum changes for the match, but said if it ended now, he’d give it to Lucha Bros. & Laredo Kid.

Matt tagged in Omega who fended off all three opponents with some snap dragon suplexes. He climbed the ropes, but Lucha Bros. intervened. Pentagon launched Fenix over Kenny onto Nick at ringside. Chaos broke out with Kenny under a pile. Nick kicked Laredo Kid. Everyone began superkicking everyone. Kenny and the Bucks delivered triple Liger bombs for a near fall. The ref counted all of them as near falls. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Kenny landed a V-Trigger on Laredo and then set up a dive, but Fenix stopped him with a cutter. Nick then gave Laredo a neckbreaker. Fans chanted, “Fight forever!” The Bucks set up a Pentagon for a potential Meltzer Driver on the floor, but Laredo and Fenix intervened. That led to some sort of a counter where bodies flew onto each other at ringside. Kenny caught Laredo mid-air, meanwhile, with a V-Trigger and a Tiger Drive 98 for a near fall. Justin announced ten minutes remained in this match. Kenny delivered a running boot and then finished hi with a One Winged Angel for the three. Ross said someone would have to convince him that the Bucks aren’t the best tag team in the world.

Kenny and Pentagon Jr. had some words after the match mid-ring. Then Kenny circled the ring and took selfies with fans and fist bumped fans, Ross, and Justin.

WINNERS: Omega & The Bucks in 20:00. (****)

A little too chaotic spot-fest for my tastes in some ways, but it was also a real showcase for the big moves and athleticism of everyone in the match and breathtaking and exciting. Kenny really stood out with his ring presence and the little touched he adds to his moves in the build up to executing them.

(6) JON MOXLEY vs. JOEY JANELA – Unsanctioned No Rules Match

Mox’s AEW entrance music and ring entrance made its debut. As he walked out, Justin added his extra twist to “Jon” just as he did with John Cena back in the day as Mox came out. Ross said, “Don’t expect a great wrestling match. This is not Brisco vs. Funk.” Golden Boy said Mox said his prep for this match was shotgunning beers. “That’s how I prep,” quipped Ross. Mox threw some hard chops to start. Janela threw him out of the ring and dove at him. He drove him into the ringside barricade, then celebrated. It didn’t take long for it to end up in the crowd. Ross said Mox has “a little bit of Terry Funk in him, and that’s not a bad thing.” Back at ringside, Janela used a prosthetic leg as a weapon. Mox threw him into the ringside steps, then brought it back into the ring. Mox slammed Janela onto a chair. Mox smiled as they went to a close-up of bleeding above his right eyebrow. Ross said they’re still waiting for an update on Cody.

Janela leaped off the top rope and flipped at Mox, but Mox moved and he crushed a chair instead. Mox then pulled a barbed wire covered chair. As Mox used the chair, fans chanted “You sick f—!” He bowed. The fans cheered and clapped and laughed. Mox climbed to the top rope. Janela head scissored Mox off the towrope onto the chair, although he mostly overshot it. Janela then hit him across the back with the chair. Ross called him “a human pin cushion.” Janela pulled a table out from under the ring. He leaned it into the corner. Mox lifted Janela into a fireman’s carry. Janela pulled himself down using the top rope and battled Mox on the ring apron. He sent Mox hard off the ring apron with a Russian leg sweep onto the table. “A-E-Dub!” chanted the fans. Back in the ring Mox drove Janela hard into the chair in the corner, breaking it in half.

Janela looked up and gave Mox two middle fingers. Mox dropped an f-bomb. Ross apologized. Mox then brought a giant barbed wire board into the ring. Janela countered Mox and tossed him into the barbed wire. He got stuck in the barbed wire. Janela pulled him loose and made the cover, scoring a near fall. (No one believed that’d be three, though.) Ross plugged Ambrose vs. Omega at All Out. Ross said, “It sold out in a hiccup.” They exchanged blows mid-ring. Ambrose popped out of the corner with a clothesline. Then he lifted Janela, but Janela slipped free and connected with two superkicks. Janela pulled a ladder out of the ring. He climbed a tall ladder in the ring. Ross said he lost his mind. He then leaped off the ladder, as the ref held on to hold it up and pleaded with him to drop down. He landed on Mox with a diving elbow, breaking one of the tables Mox was on at ringside. One table survived, though. Janela pulled another giant barbed wire board out from under the ring. Fans backed away for safety. Mox surprised Janela with a DDT mid-ring. Mox then delivered Janela over the top rope onto the barbed wire time with an Attitude Adjustment.

Janela had to grab the barbed wire to detach it from his tights. Moxley threw him back into the ring and trash-talked Janela. Mox threw a barrage of rapid-fire knees to his head. Then he reached under the ring and pulled out a big paint bucket. He pulled out a bad and poured out hundreds of thumb tacks. Mox sat on Janela and took off Janela’s boots and socks. Then he suplexed him onto the tacks. He landed sideways, so his arm and shoulder were covered more than his back. Mox tried again and dropped him feet-first onto them. They were stuck in his heels. He screamed in agony. “You sick f—!” shouted the fans. Janela began yanking them out of his foot. Then he gave Mox the middle finger. Mox went back to the bucket and poured even more tacks onto the mat. He delivered a Paradigm Shift DDT on Janela for the win, although Mox landed on the tacks when he landed the DDT. He looked like he was barely holding it together when he sat up. Janela’s feet were shown with tacks stuck in them. Excalibur noted that this style match is Moxley’s roots.

WINNER: Moxley in 17:00.

That was a statement match for AEW and Moxley that they are going places WWE hasn’t gone in a long time. Mox also wanted to shed, as Ross noted after the match, any sense of him having a PG side to him anymore. If you like this type of gimmick filled hardcore match, this was a good version of it.

-Fans stood and applauded as Mox’s music played. Then Omega ran out and attacked him with a V-Trigger. He followed with a springboard foot stomp onto tables that Mox was sandwiched between. Golden Boy said Omega hasn’t forgotten what Moxley did to him at Double or Nothing. Omega tossed him around near the ramp and stage, then hit him with the unused mic from the band set-up. Mox fought back. Kenny stomped his head and then mounted him with a barrage of punches. Mox still had tacks stuck to his lower back and spine area. Omega then grabbed drum sticks and began playing drums before hitting Mox with them. Omega then picked up an electric guitar and smashed Mox with it across his back. Two referees helped Mox to the back. The announcers observed he seemed to be smiling. Mox shoved the referees. Omega then ran out with a trash can lid and attacked him as the show ended.

 

[JoeAwesome]

It was certainly a mixed show. At best it was entertaining and captivating; at worst it was self indulgent and pandering.

 

[famicommander]

I didn't watch, too far behind on NJPW to pick up another wrestling show right now.

Cool to see Eli Drake and James Storm in ROH but I still don't understand why ROH just doesn't sign them directly instead of bringing them in through NWA. The NWA still has nothing to offer.

 

[famicommander]

Alex Shelley back in ROH. I think Sabin is working backstage at Impact so it should be a solo run.

 

[wataru330]

Shelly is one of my favorites; however, I was happy to see him put himself on the shelf last time. The teeth, the inner-ear damage, the knees, the concussions.

I worry for his quality of life once he hits 50yrs old.

I really wish he’d stay away, for his body’s sake.

 

[famicommander]

Shelly is one of my favorites; however, I was happy to see him put himself on the shelf last time. The teeth, the inner-ear damage, the knees, the concussions.

I worry for his quality of life once he hits 50yrs old.

I really wish he’d stay away, for his body’s sake.

I am thinking we might see him in a program for a revived Pure Championship in ROH. Possibly against Jon Gresham, Tracy Williams, or Silas Young.

Without Sabin around you have to figure he's going to have a singles run.

 

[wataru330]

I am thinking we might see him in a program for a revived Pure Championship in ROH. Possibly against Jon Gresham, Tracy Williams, or Silas Young.

Without Sabin around you have to figure he's going to have a singles run.

I could see that. You just can’t have the Murder City Machine Gun/Speed Muscle pace of matches anymore, once your bump jar is near empty.

 

[famicommander]

I dunno, Shelley was relatively healthy until it all piled up on him. Sabin's the one that got beat to shit through the years.

I think more than the match pace, the concern would be the schedule. Shelley doesn't need to work a match on every single show anymore, that's for sure.

 

[neo_X7]

The Enzo and Cass thing may have done permanent damage to ROH's fanbase, though. In that one moment they showed the whole world the exact opposite of everything the product had built throughout the year, and crowds have been down ever since.

I see a lot of people talk shit about ROH's crowds.

1) ROH charges the same ticket prices for their shows as WWE charges for house shows. They do not give away tickets like WWE or Impact or sell tickets for $15 and $25 like MLW does.

2) The floor seats are always sold out.

3) ROH still isn't a well known company outside of the wrestling fan circle but they still manage to draw people and sell tickets in markets where they have no TV.

4) They are running arenas that are to big for them and they don't use black curtains like other companies.

 

[famicommander]

They had to close the second deck for their next Hammerstein show, man.

I am a big ROH fan but they really need to cut out some of the bullshit. They made themselves look like TNA a few times this year.

Anyway, Top Prospect is starting at the Manhattan show. No confirmed names yet.

Notable former Top Prospect participants:
Matt Taven
Mike Bennett
Adam Cole
Kyle O'Reilly
Beer City Bruiser
Cheeseburger
Brian Milonas
Will Ferrara
Silas Young
Dalton Castle
Punishment Martinez
Hanson
Ray Rowe
Donovan Dijak
Lio Rush
Jeff Cobb
ACH
Andrew Everett
QT Marshall
Michael Elgin
Jonathan Gresham

 

[neo_X7]

 

[famicommander]

Francisco Alonso Lutteroth, best known as Paco Alonso, owner of CMLL, has passed away at age 64.

He took over the company in 1987. His grandfather Salvador Lutteroth founded the company in 1933.

 

[Arcademan]

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-7-19

Yes...there was a PPV last night apparently. First I'd heard of it

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to results).

(1) TJP vs. TREY MIGUEL vs. JAKE CRIST vs. WILLIE MACK — Four-Way Match

Shortly into the match, all four men were tired up in the corner. Trey was filled off by TJP and they went one-on-one while Willie Mack stayed prone in the corner. Crist came in and tried to go for a pin during a surfboard by Miguel and Willie came off the top with a double stomp on all three men to break up the pin. Crist powerslammed Miguel into the corner for a two count. Crist hit Mack with a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Mack picked up the win with a frogsplash onto Crist.

WINNER: Willie Mack in 10:00 (***)

Good opener and what’s become expected of Impact pay-per-views … opening with a multi-man spotfest. Mathews said that this match stole the headlines for the weekend, on the same weekend as UFC and the US women’s soccer team winning the World Cup. Sometimes I think Josh says this stuff on purpose just so people needle him online. There’s trying to sell your product, and I respect that, but that statement is so preposterous it takes me out of the moment, it doesn’t enhance it. The match itself was fun, and what I expected.

Impact World Tag Team Championship:
(2) THE RASCALZ vs. LAX vs. THE NORTH

The North was trash talking Konnan during their entrance and LAX attacked them to begin the match. The North were taken out early and LAX battled with The Rascalz inside the ring. During the match, Santana was down on the outside. Konnan came to the announce table and said that they needed to get medical attention to ringside. Mathews sounded frazzled for a second and medical personnel arrived at ringside. From there, the attention of the broadcast was back in the ring where The North and The Rascalz were battling. The North double-pinned Ortiz for the win.

WINNER: The North retain in 8:00 (**1/2)

Santana was still down after the match and in some cutaways, you could see referees and doctors tending to Santana’s left leg. Santana was shown on camera screaming that he didn’t want a stretcher. Don Callis got up and went to the arena where Santana was being attended to. The Rascalz also came over to help Ortiz carry Santana to the back. Not sure if that was legit or an angle, but if it was an angle, it was well done and felt legitimate.

The match may have been cut short due to the Santana injury … it was hard to tell. The match was good but it fell off the rails when the injury happened and (at least all of my) attention was focused on Santana instead of the ring. The injury looked legit, and if so, here’s hoping Santana has a speedy recovery. He’s a very talented guy and LAX has been one of my favorite acts in wrestling over the last two years.

First Blood Match
(3) KILLER KROSS vs. EDDIE EDWARDS

Edwards charged Kross as he was introduced and they began brawling on the outside. Kross gave Edwards a powerbomb onto the apron corner and his back made a sick sounding thud against the corner of the ring. Back in the ring, Edwards charged the ropes and Kross, from the outside, threw up a chair and hit Edwards in the head. Kross gave Edwards a gut-wrench suplex off the apron onto chairs on the outside. Kross threw Edwards violently into the corner inside the ring. Kross mocked Edwards, asking him where his “stick” was … meaning the kendo stick. Kross went to the corner and kicked “Kenny” to the outside. Edwards recovered and hit Kross with a Boston Knee Party. Eddie retrieved “Kenny” on the outside. Edwards missed a swing with the kendo stick and Kross locked in a sleeper. Edwards fought his way out and hit Kross with an elbow. Edwards his Kros with a Tiger Driver on the outside. Edwards snapped “Kenny” in half and began stabbing Kross in the mouth with it to make him bleed.

WINNER: Eddie Edwards in 11:00 (***3/4)

I had very low expectations for this match, mainly because I think the first blood stipulation is quite limiting, but Kross and Edwards told an awesome story in this match. Kross dominated early and then Edwards snapping his kendo stick for the win was good storytelling. I’m not a huge fan of the zany Eddie Edwards character, but this match was well done all around.

(4) ROB VAN DAM vs. MOOSE

In the ring, RVD rammed Moose into the corner with his shoulder. Moose hit a delayed dropkick in the corner on Moose. Moose then dominated the match’s pace and offense for several minutes. Moose hit RVD with a chokeslam for a two count. RVD missed a frogsplash into the chair and Moose then hit a spear for the win.

WINNER: Moose in 13:00 (***1/2)

Moose should have won, and Moose won. Good showing for RVD though, probably his best since returning to the company in the spring.

Impact Women’s Championship (Monster’s Ball)
(5) TAYA VALKYRIE (c) vs. ROSEMARY vs. SU YUNG vs. HAVOK

The match started hot with Rosemary-Su Yung and Havok-Taya squaring off to begin. Chairs were thrown in the ring. Taya tried to use a staple gun on Havok but it was defended. There’s also a trash barrel in the ring. Havok was knocked off the apron with a garbage can. Taya stapled Su Yung in the back. Taya then pulled a photo of herself out of her cleavage and stapled it to Su Yung’s head. Taya ripped the photo off of Su Yung and shoved it in her mouth. Havok elbowed Taya off the top rope through the chair. Havok hit two running boots to Taya’s face. Rosemary landed a missile dropkick on Havok. Rosemary attacked Havok with a cookie sheet but Su Yung cut her off with a dog collar and began choking Rosemary with the chain. Su Yung put the collar on Rosemary and herself. Taya brought a ladder into the ring and took out Su Yung and Rosemary. Taya dropped Havok onto the ladder with a body scissors. Taya set up Havok on the ladder inside the ring and then went to the top rope but Su Yung intercepted her. Rosemary was back involved as all three women were locked up in the corner. Rosemary and Su Yung went crashing onto the ladder as Havok moved out of the way. Havok tried to rush Taya but missed and crashed through a chair set up in the corner. Rosemary went under the ring to get tacks. Rosemary grabbed Taya, but Taya evaded. Taya hit Rosemary with a German Suplex (not in the tacks). Taya stomped Rosemary’s face into the tacks but Havok broke up the pin. Su Yung went to mist Havok but she ducked and Su misted Mitchell. Rosemary and Taya went through a table off the apron. Su had Havok with a mandible claw on the top rope. Havok gave Su Yung a super tombstone onto the tacks and would have had a three count but Taya came in and threw a chair at Havok to the outside, stealing the pin.

WINNER: Taya Valkyrie retains in 13:00 (****)

for effort. Rosemary taking a curb stomp into tacks? Wow. The super tombstone into the tacks? C’mon! Great effort all around.

Continued in next post...

 

[Arcademan]

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-7-19

Continued from previous post...

Impact X-Division Championship
(6) RICH SWANN (c) vs. JOHNNY IMPACT (w/ Johnny Bravo)

Early in the match, Johnny Bravo collected some tacks from the previous match and threw them into the ring to buy Impact some time. Impact hit a springboard kick off the second rope. Bravo kicked Swann on the outside. Swann hit a springboard DDT on Impact inside the ring to take momentum back. Swann hit Impact with a superkick. Swann covered Impact for a two count. Swann hit a huge Macho Man elbow for a two count. Swann took out Bravo on the outside with a leg lariat. Impact missed a dive to the outside. Impact hit a springboard kick. Impact went up top and hit Starship Pain for a two count. Impact looked shocked. Swann hit a Fenix Splash for the win.

WINNER: Rich Swann retained in 15:00 (***1/2)

Really fun athletic match and a showcase for Swann, who gets a huge (clean) win over Johnny Impact. I’m done with the Johnny Bravo antics — it just doesn’t add anything to Impact, and I think it takes away from him as a heel — but I can get past that given how good the match was.

Impact World Championship
(7) BRIAN CAGE (c) vs. MICHAEL ELGIN

Early into the match, Elgin was in control and he was beating on Cage’s injured back. Elgin hit a huge lariat in the ring. Elgin took off his elbow pad and began terminator clapping. Elgin hit a running clothesline and then his a second Elgin Bomb but Cage kicked out at two. Cage hit a discus clothesline. Elgin hit a Canadian Destroyer for a two count. Cage hit another powerbomb and then a Drill Claw for a two count. That earned a “fight forever” chant from the live crowd, who was on their feet and into everything Elgin and Cage are doing. Cage’s back went out going for a Drill Claw and Elgin hit a forearm and kick to Cage’s head. Elgin hit two huge forearms on Cage but he stayed on his feet. Cage snuck a pin on Elgin with a sit-down pin after Elgin missed a clothesline.

WINNER: Brian Cage regains in 10:00 (****)

After the match, Elgin attacked Cage from behind and took the championship belt. Elgin took the belt over to Don Callis at the announce table. Callis was telling Elgin to leave but Elgin threw Callis into the ring. Callis was begging Elgin to stop. A masked man hit the ring and gave Elgin a spear and the masked man ran off through the crowd. The masked man looked a lot like Rhyno. Mathews stammered and was confused at ringside. Callis returned to the announce table as Elgin slowly got up inside the ring. Callis returned to the headset and said, “what the hell just happened?” Callis said that Elgin was out of control.

(8) SAMI CALLIHAN vs. TESSA BLANCHARD

Tessa hit a tilt-a-whirl head scissors to bring down Callihan. Tessa hit Callihan with a tope. Tessa hit Callihan with a second tope. Then, Tessa went back into the ring and hit Callihan with a third tope, but Callihan caught her and swung Tessa’s head into the railing (twice) before a Death Valley Driver onto the mat on the outside. Tessa beat a 10-count on the outside and Callihan had his back turned. Callihan kicked Tessa in the head and said to her, “I said this would happen.” Tessa tried to fight back but Callihan hammered Tessa back to the mat. Tessa hit a cutter to make a comeback. Tessa hit the rope and then ran into a huge boot by Callihan. The action spilled to the ramp. Callihan told fans to move and went to powerbomb her into the crowd but Tessa fought out and hit a cutter on the ramp. The referee was counting as both Tessa and Callihan crawled back into the ring. Callihan begged Tessa to hit him so Tessa did it twice. Callihan asked Tessa if that’s all she had? Then Tessa went nuts on Callihan, who got out of it by hitting a low blow. Tessa hit a Samoan Drop. Tessa hit a DDT for a two count. Callihan stepped over Tessa and locked her in an STF. Tessa dragged Callihan to the rope and broke the hold. Tessa threw some live-round forearms and punches at Callihan. The ref was knocked down by Tessa, who went to check on the ref and then Callihan hit Tessa with a baseball bat. A second official ran to the ring and Tessa kicked out at two. Callihan took out the second official. Tessa spit at Callihan and then hit a low blow. Tessa grabbed a golden bat and hit Callihan in the stomach with it. Tessa went up top and hit a flying codebreaker for a two count. Tessa floated over into a crossface on Callihan. Mathews screamed at Callihan to tap. Callihan got up and hit a package tombstone for a two count. Tessa gave Callihan the thumbs down. Callihan hit a piledriver on Tessa for the win.

WINNER: Sami Callihan in 15:00 (****1/4)

After a great back-and-forth and emotional match, the finish was a dud with the heel winning with a standard piledriver (after everything that Tessa kicked out of). The finish aside, it was a very strong match. Definitely up there with the other top matches on the show.

Callihan stalked Tessa with both bats after the match. Callihan handed Tessa her gold bat and then left the ring. Callihan blew her a kiss from the top of the ramp.

Then, the show went off the air.

 

[famicommander]

Sofia Alonso, daughter of the late Paco Alonso, has been announced as the successor to her father as president of CMLL.

She is the only woman in charge of a major wrestling promotion right now.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-14-19

Results courtesy of OWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's real-time report).

Pre-Show:

(1) FINN BALOR vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – WWE Intercontinental Title match

After a stalemate lockup, Balor struck Nakamura with a hard right, then immediately used Nakamura’s “Come on!” taunt against him. Nakamura drove his knee through Balor’s midsection, then Balor knocked Nakamura off the corner with a right kick, sending Nakamura to the floor. Balor dove over the top rope and knocked Nakamura down with a somersault senton. Balor proceeded to throw Nakamura into the ringside barriers before rolling him back into the ring.

In the middle of the ring, Nakamura sneakily locked in an arm bar, but Balor scooted over and got a rope break. Nakamura laid in a series of knee strikes and a knee drop to the prone Balor, then pinned for a two-count. Nakamura applied a chinlock.

Balor nearly broke free with shots to Nakamura’s midsection, but Nakamura screamed and dropped him back down to the mat in a front chancery. The crowd clapped and urged on Balor. Balor hoisted Nakamura up onto his shoulders but Nakamura immediately slid down and clocked Balor with a strong right, sending him reeling. As Balor fell to the mat, he also landed an overhead Pele kick, which knocked down Nakamura.

Both wrestlers writhed on the canvas, but Balor was the first to his feet. Nakamura charged in but was met with dual boots to the face, then Balor landed a low drop kick, then took Nakamura down with an elbow across the chest and throat area. Balor executed the Slingblade, but Nakamura immediately retaliated with a kick to the face. Balor returned the favor, knocking Nakamura to the mat. Nakamura then knocked Balor down again when Balor attempted to scale the corner ropes.

In the corner, Nakamura poised to strike while waiting for Balor to get to his feet. When Nakamura charged in, Balor leaped skyward and landed a stomp on Nakamura’s chest. Balor climbed the corner again, looking to land the Coup de Grace proper, but Nakamura rolled out of the way, leveled Balor with a running knee strike to the rear of Balor’s head, then landed the Kinshasa from the front side. Nakamura covered Balor for the three count and victory.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura to capture the Intercontinental Title match.

WWE continues its trend of nonexistent buildup and storytelling with this unannounced rematch from Smackdown, which itself was unannounced. The match itself had great action, as much as you could ever hope for on a pre-show. Balor landing the stomp against a running Nakamura is a complicated timing move that requires all the skills these men possess. That is to say, this match (and this championship) is too good for any pre show. A foolish waste of talent and effort by what should be two top stars.

(2) DREW GULAK vs. TONY NESE – WWE Cruiserweight Title match

Before the bell rang, Vic explained that we were just over 15 minutes away from the start of Extreme Rules, suggesting some sort of precognition that this match would conclude by then.

With the time constraint established by the announce team, the match got off to a rip roaring start. The action moved from in-ring to out, and Gulak violently leveled Nese on the floor with a flying lariat from the ring apron. Gulak covered Nese for a two-count back in the ring, then locked in a chinlock. Nese broke free, but Gulak quickly took him down again with a clothesline before re-applying the chinlock. Nese escaped again and slammed Gulak to the mat and covered for a two-count.

Gulak got the upper hand briefly and landed a few kicks while holding a wristlock, but Nese suplexed Gulak backward into the turnbuckles. Nese set up Gulak in an awkwardly unlikely position across the middle rope, then moonsaulted across Gulak’s chest – a move that required Gulak to hold himself upright with his hands in order to provide Nese with a flat landing target.

Nese climbed to the top rope and successfully landed a 450 splash onto Gulak. He overshot the move and his knees, rather than his torso, struck Gulak. Nese covered for a two-count.

The wrestlers exchanged blows and chops in the middle of the ring. They provided some quick back-and-forth action culminating with Gulak power bombing Nese to the mat then covering for a two-count. Gulak got to his feet and nodded enthusiastically then executed the Cyclone Crash on Nese – a move good for the three-count.

WINNER: Drew Gulak by pinfall to retain the Cruiserweight Title.

Nese lost the Cruiserweight title at the last PPV in a triple threat without being pinned, so this rematch stands to reason. The match was fast, furious, and brief. The final sequence included interesting reversals of maneuvers that these two would come to expect from one another, which made for a cool in-ring story.

Main Show:

(1) DREW MCINTYRE & SHANE MCMAHON vs. UNDERTAKER & ROMAN REIGNS

Shane’s music kicked off ring entrances. He danced onto the stage obnoxiously (the exact same way he did for his years as a babyface, though). After Shane entered the ring, Mike Rome began introducing the match with a long loud “Best in the World” spiel for Shane. Renee said Rome still has room to improve. Graves said Shane deserves a better ring announcer. Then Drew’s entrance took place. Roman Reigns’s music then played to a surge of high-pitched cheers followed immediately by noticeable deep-voiced boos. Then Cole said, “Here comes the Big Dawg!!” Cole talked about Reigns’s ESPY Award for the WWE Moment of the Year earlier this week and also walking the red carpet with his cousin The Rock for their new movie, and now he has to refocus on this match. After Reigns’s arrival and some jawing at him by the heel duo, Undertaker’s bell sounded. As he stepped onto the stage, the crowd cheered. This might be the latest start to an actual match on a WWE PPV with all of the ring entrances plus the extra long Shane intro and the extended elaborate Taker entrance. Renee called Shane a “coward” for standing behind Drew. She said he “looks shook.” Cole listed the ridiculous list of top names Shane has held his own with in the ring over the decades. Fans chanted “Un-der-ta-ker!” The bell rang at 7:18 local time.

Reigns began against Drew after a brief discussion with Taker; up until then Taker and Reigns hadn’t even acknowledged one another. Drew took Reigns down in the corner and then tagged in Shane who punched away at Reigns in the corner. Reigns brushed them off and punched Shane, then threw him head-first into the turnbuckle and then mounted him with a barrage of punches. He wrist-locked Shane and then tagged in Taker to a big pop. Taker took Shane down, leg-dropped his arm, and scored a two count. Shane reached out for a tag, but came up short of Drew’s hand twice. Taker began to climb to the top rope, but Shane made a comeback and yanked him down and punched him. Taker threw Shane into the corner quickly and punched away at Shane. Cole called Taker the best pure striker in WWE. Taker clotheslined Shane, then walked the talk rope and came down with a forearm to his shoulder. Fans chanted, “You deserve it!” Taker let Shane tag in Drew because, apparently, winning isn’t everything.

Drew and Taker had a staredown. Graves said Taker wanted this face-off. Drew threw the first punches. Taker fired back. Taker no-sold a Drew kick, but Drew clotheslined him over the top rope. Taker landed and yanked Drew to the floor, then set up a running guillotine legdrop on the apron. Taker tagged in Reigns and the heel duo took over offense for a while. Drew grounded Reigns and worked over his arm. Taker paced on the ring apron in the background at 8:00. Reigns leaped and hot-tagged Taker just as Shane tagged in. Taker threw Shane into the top turnbuckle with Snake Eyes and a big boot. Drew stood on the ring apron, but Taker knocked him back down. Taker then clotheslined Shane over the top rope to the floor. Taker took the lid off the announce table. As Taker set up a Last Ride at ringside, Elias hit him from behind with a guitar. As Reigns attacked Elias at ringside, Drew caught Roman with a Claymore Kick.

The three heels teamed up on Undertaker and put him on the table. Shane then leaped off the top rope onto Taker on the table. Then they dragged him into the ring and set him in the corner. Shane brought a crash can into the ring and placed it against Taker’s chest. Shane climbed to the top rope, did his float slice gesture, and then hit the Coast to Coast. Taker sat up, though, and Shane got wide-eyed. Taker chokeslammed Shane. Elias ran in and Taker chokeslammed him. Then Taker did his throat slice gesture, but Drew came up behind him. Reigns speared Drew just before he hit Taker with the Claymore. Reigns threw Shane into Taker’s arms. Taker didn’t lift him at first, then tried again and delivered a Tombstone for the win. Cole said, “I can’t remember the last time Undertaker looked that damn good.”

After the match, Taker’s music played. Taker looked at Reigns. It was tense for a moment, then Taker slapped him in the chest. The music shifted to Reigns’s. Shane lay on his back alone in the ring as Elias and Drew were still out at ringside. Reigns left the ring, while Taker stared down at Shane. Cole said there’s no telling how many more times Taker fans will get to enjoy him in that ring. Graves said as many times as Taker desires.

WINNER: Undertaker in 17:00. (***1/4)

That was a strong execution of the match given all the players involved. It was the right finish and it played out in dramatic fashion with some sense of jeopardy along the way.

(2) THE REVIVAL vs. THE USOS

Graves said the Revival fancy themselves a modern day Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard, who were Horsemen, and that’s a lifestyle. The Usos hit an early dive to ringside onto The Revival. The Revival soon took over, though. When Jimmy eventually tagged Jey, the ref missed it due to distraction and insisted Jey leave the ring. That gave the Revival the chance to remain on offense. Graves said the ability to stay a step ahead of an official is part of the art of the Revival’s tag team wrestling skills. Eventually, though, Jimmy did hot-tag Jey who rallied right away against Dash. He then fended off Dawson. Jimmy corkscrew dove onto both Dash and Dawson, then Jey tagged in and hit a Samoan Drop for a believable near fall.

Later, Dawson landed a brainbuster for a near fall. Then he set Jey on the top rope and set up a superplex. Dawson landed the Superplex, then Dawson tagged himself in and landed a top rope splash. Jimmy made the save, then covered Dash. Dawson broke up that cover to save the tag titles. Four-way action broke out. The Usos went for a double-team dive, but Dawson yanked Jimmy out of the ring. Dash and Dawson then double-teamed Jey and hit the Shatter Machine for the win.

WINNERS: The Revival to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. (***)

Good tag team match. The Revival seem to be in the midst of an actual good-faith push with not only a title reign, but announcers touting them sincerely and then being booked to get a relatively clean win over the Usos.

(3) ALEISTER BLACK vs. CESARO

The announcers hyped this as the first-ever match-up between these two. Black went for an early kick, but Cesaro ducked and then took over. He set up an early Neutralizer, but Back escaped. Cesaro sat down mid-ring to mock Black. Black exploded with a flurry of strikes and knocked Cesaro to the floor, then quickly leaped off the ropes onto Cesaro at ringside. Back in the ring Black stayed on offense, sweeping Cesaro to the mat, then lifting his chin by his boot. Cesaro hit him with a forearm and then knocked him off the top rope to the floor. Cesaro springboarded back into the ring with a flying forearm to take Black down, then he locked on a cobra chinlock. Cesaro eventually did the lift-and-drop uppercut for a near fall, with Black grabbing the bottom rope to stop the count. Black came back with a knee to Cesaro’s jaw as Cesaro leaped at him off the second rope, leading to a near fall.

Back applied a leglock mid-ring. Cesaro yelled out in pain, then stood and reversed Black into a sharpshooter. He shifted into a crossface seconds later. Black leveraged Cesaro backwards for a two count, then kneed him in the jaw. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans broke into a “This is awesome!” chant. They stood and Cesaro won a war of uppercuts. He set up a Neutralizer, but Black blocked it and then connected with Black Mass for the clean win.

WINNER: Black in 10:00. (**3/4)

That was a really good ten minute match. Not quite long enough to feel epic, but they did a great job with the time they had.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-14-19

(4) BAYLEY vs. ALEXA BLISS & NIKKI CROSS – Smackdown Women’s Title match

More announcers were shown introducing themselves in various languages. Bayley got a mixed response from the Philly crowd. Graves references Bayley once having a best friend who abandoned her. Bayley and Nikki battled at the start. Bayley got in a forearm shot, so Nikki quickly tagged in Bliss. Bayley went after Nikki at ringside and shoved her into the ringside barricade. Bliss shoved Bayley off the ring apron and into the ringside steps. Bliss and Nikki then took over for a while. Whenever Bayley made a comeback, the opponent would tag out to her fresh partner and then regain control. Bayley eventually took control on Nikki with an Indiana death lock leg submission. When Bliss tried to interfere, Bayley locked her in a crossface at the same time. Bliss bit Bayley’s hand to break, but Bayley held onto the leglock on Nikki. Bliss eventually did run in and break up the hold. The ref ordered Bliss back to her corner.

Bayley took a swing at Bliss, then shoved Nikki into the opposite corner. Another Bliss distraction, though, opened up Nikki for a tornado DDT for a near fall. Bayley lifted her knees on Twisted Bliss, but Bliss tagged Nikki in. Bayley kneed her out of mid-air. Bayley then climbed to the top rope and landed her flying elbow for the three count. Bliss consoled Nikki afterward without incident.

WINNER: Bayley in 11:00 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Title. (**1/4)

The match was fine. It seemed like they totally punted on any angle during or after the match, though.

(5) BRAUN STROWMAN vs. BOBBY LASHLEY – Last Man Standing match

Strowman went after Lashley before the bell. The ref rang the bell once they entered the ring. Strowman gave Lashley the shoulder check at ringside seconds into the match when Lashley dropped to the floor. Strowman charged around the ring toward Lashley, but Lashley speared him. Strowman clutched his ribs and yelled out in pain. Graves said there unconfirmed rumors Strowman suffered some kind of spleen injury. Cole said there were unconfirmed rumors of a rib injury, too. They went into walk-and-brawl mode up the stairs amongst the fans. They brawled up into the concourse where fans had already been pushed aside. (This might be the most ridiculous of WWE’s ridiculousness. Storyline-wise, how did security know to cordon off fans so far in advance?) They brawled back and forth in a merchandise area and then back down the steps.

Strowman charged and checked Lashley to the floor at ringside. The ref counted to nine. Lashley got up and drove Strowman through the barricade back into the ringside area. “Holy sh–!” chanted fans. Lashley threw Strowman over the German announce table and then tipped it over onto him. Cole dramatically talked about the ref’s ten count, but Strowman stood up before ten. Lashley chased after him and leaped off the ringside barricade, but Strowman side-stepped him and threw him into the row of international announce duos. They eventually stood and brawled some more in the floor area among fans, then back up the stairs. Lashley shoved a “fan” at Strowman, then took control. Braun bashed Lashley with a chair seconds later. Braun lifted Lashley onto his shoulders and then gave him a running powerslam off of a deck through a platform set up below them. They crashed through it as fans chanted “Holy sh–!” The ref couldn’t see behind an obvious temporary walk but counted anyway. Strowman pushed his way through the wall and then the ref saw Lashley was still down and awarded Strowman the win.

WINNER: Strowman in 18:00. (**3/4)

With the caveat that this was too long and included some contrived implausible, and orchestrated stunts – the brawl in the concourse and the stunt bump finish (which took away from the match more than it added for me) – the crowd helped make it work by reacting throughout and popping for the big stunt finish. The ref blind-counting was also really dumb, and just a contrived set-up for Braun to be the Kool-Aid man bursting through the wall for a visual signifying victory. I had my issues with it because they could have easily made everything more realistic with simple tweaks, but it ultimately worked with the live crowd.

(6) DANEL BRYAN & ROWAN vs. HEAVY MACHINERY (Otis & Tucker) vs. THE NEW DAY (Xavier Woods & Big E) – Smackdown Tag Team Title match

As New Day came out, Saxton said their entrance intoxicates his body with joy. Graves said he ought to try drinking alcohol. They showed Saxton dancing in his chair. Graves took issue with New Day and Heavy Machinery being too frivolous and goofy. Saxton said he doesn’t want anyone to be entertaining and have fun. Graves told Saxton that if they get rid of entertainment, Saxton at least will still have a job. Graves said Bryan and Rowan are trying to save the planet. Saxton said they’re trying to tell everyone how to live their lives. Everyone took turns getting some ring time, then the heels isolated Xavier for a while. Xavier tagged in Otis, who took it to Bryan including a spinning bodyslam. Otis gave Bryan an overhead suplex and roared “Oh yeahhh!” He crushed Bryan in the corner, and Bryan took a flat back bump after staggering a bit. He landed in perfect position for The Caterpillar. Saxton called it a thing of beauty. Otis tagged Tucker in. Tucker caught Bryan after an Otis catapult and slammed him for a two count.

A few minutes later, after more consistent action, Tucker flew off the top rope onto Tucker and Big E on the floor. Otis threw Big E into the ring. Heavy Machinery then gave Big E the compactor, but Xavier broke it up with a save. They delivered a tandem powerslam on Xavier. Rowan entered, though, and went for a double claw slam, but Heavy Machinery broke free. They sandwiched Rowan mid-ring. They took turns splashing him in the corner and then lifted him onto the top turnbuckle. They set up a superplex. Big E joined in for the tower spot. He powerbombed HM to the mat while Rowan held on. Bryan secretly tagged himself in before that spot. Big E then superplexed Rowan off the top rope. Bryan gave Big E a top rope diving headbutt and then applied the LeBell Lock mid-ring. He torqued on Big E’s right leg at the same time. Big E dragged himself under the bottom rope. Phillips said there is no DQ in this match so he’d have to scurry all the way to the floor and not count a ref forcing a break. (Why are triple threat matches automatically no DQ again?) Bryan gave Big E a series of Yes Kicks. Big E stood up and got in Bryan’s face. Bryan slapped him. Big E told him to do it again. He did. Then Big E fired back with a short-arm clothesline He dropped his straps and caught Bryan mid-air. Xavier tagged in and they delivered Midnight Hour for the win. As New Day celebrated, the announcers wondered if New Day would walk out of Extreme Rules all as champions.

WINNERS: The New Day in 14:00 to capture the Smackdown Tag Team Titles. (***1/4)

Good match. As is typical with Triple Threat tags, there was a stretch where everyone just took turns getting some ring time, but it grew into a dramatic match with some big spots with believable near fall.

(7) RICOCHET vs. A.J. STYLES (w/Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) – U.S. Title match

Anderson and Gallows attacked Styles before the bell. One the bell rang, Styles fended off an early flurry by Ricochet, but then Ricochet made a quick comeback. At ringside, Ricochet took Styles down with a backflip off the ring apron. Graves said Styles resents that the WWE Universe seemed to move on from him and aligned with the new shiny toy, Ricochet. Renee said Styles reacted to Ricochet stepping up in a way he hadn’t seen, so Styles had to recalibrate his approach and alliances. Ricochet took control for a long stretch, including a Northern Lights suplex into a vertical suplex for a near fall.

Ricochet springboarded, but Styles caught him mid-air and dropped him neck-first over his knee. Styles clutched his knee afterward. Styles suplexed Ricochet into the corner and scored a near fall. Styles caught Ricochet with a sudden inverted DDT for a near fall. Styles then went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Ricochet ducked. Styles face-planted Ricochet instead for a near fall. Ricochet countered a Styles Clash attempt with a roll-up for a near fall. Styles hit a Pelé kick and a brainbuster suplex for a near fall. Both were slow to get up. Styles set up a superplex, but Ricochet shoved him to the mat. Styles leaped back, but Ricochet dropped him neck-first over the top rope. Ricochet then landed a shooting star press for a near fall, but Anderson pointed out Styles’s leg was under the bottom rope. The ref stopped his count. Ricochet fended off Anderson interference, and as the ref got Anderson out of the ring, Gallows knocked Ricochet off balance. Styles got up and set up a top rope Styles Clash for the three count. (Yikes, that felt like it could have gone so wrong.) Cole said it’s a shame Ricochet lost the title that way.

WINNER: Styles in 17:00 to capture the U.S. Title. (***3/4)

Styles kind of had to win there to retain any credibility as having a new edge with Anderson and Gallows at ringside for him. The match itself was really good. Something didn’t quite hit show-stealer level, but it was really good start to finish.

(8) KEVIN OWENS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

During KO’s ring entrance, Graves said KO is so honest he paid him back some money he owed him from two months ago. He said that new honesty will be his detriment now. As Ziggler came out, Graves said he has to start producing in WWE. He said he’s been losing a lot more than winning lately. Ziggler slapped KO after the bell as they were yapping at each other. KO then gave Ziggler a quick Stunner for the victory. Philips said that’s a direct signal to Shane McMahon.

WINNER: Owens in 15 seconds.

-Afterward, KO said Shane isn’t around to cut his mic. He said he stands by what he said about Shane making people sick and he can kiss his ass and go straight to hell. He threw the mic over his shoulder and then played to cheering fans. Graves said a lot of people would disagree with KO.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-14-19

(9) KOFI KINGSTON vs. SAMOA JOE – WWE Title match

Joe came to the ring and the announcers spoke about how confident he seemed. Graves said Kofi’s title reign hits a wall tonight named Samoa Joe. The announcers talked about Joe carving a big part of his career in Philadelphia and how this could be the closest he has to a home field advantage because of that. Instead, though, Joe was largely booed and Kofi was cheered, although Kofi’s response wasn’t huge.

When the bell rang, Joe took Kofi down with a hard clothesline. He threw his backfists next. Joe swept Kofi’s knee and stayed on offense for several minutes. He slapped Kofi in the head and asked what’s wrong with Kofi. Shortly thereafter Kofi fought back and landed a top rope crossbody for a two count. Then Joe powerslammed Kofi for a two count to take control again. He powerbombed Kofi and leveraged his shoulders down for a one count. Joe transitioned into an STF mid-ring. Kofi reached the bottom rope with his foot to force a break. Kofi surprised Joe with an S.O.S. for a two count. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch and then slammed Kofi down hard and landed a quick senton, leaned back, and scored a near fall. Kofi surprised Joe with a Trouble in Paradise seconds later for the clean win. Not a hint of Brock Lesnar afterward.

WINNER: Kingston to retain the WWE Title.

Given WWE’s typical match-style patterns, Joe’s domination of 95 percent of the offense throughout the first ten minutes or so telegraphed Kofi winning in the end this way. It was well-done, but it does feel like Joe’s final shot at becoming a world champion.

(10) BECKY LYNCH & SETH ROLLINS vs. LACEY EVANS & BARON CORBIN

Graves said Becky and Seth are at a disadvantage being in a relationship and fighting alongside each other. The match began four-and-a-half hours after the start of the Kickoff Show. A couple minutes in, Becky and Seth took it to both Lacey and Corbin with a barrage of kendo stick shots. Graves said he can’t say they didn’t deserve it. Becky and Seth then took out Lacey and Corbin at ringside with a sidekick and should drive, respectively.

It settled into Seth vs. Corbin, with Corbin taking control after blocking a diving Seth with a chair at ringside. Corbin DDT’d Seth on a chair in the ring two minutes later for a near fall. Seth threw Corbin into a chair wedged in the corner that Corbin set up. Seth then tagged in Becky. Becky and Lacey went at each other with chairs. Becky hit Lacey as Lacey held a chair in the air, and Lacey dropped the chair right onto Becky’s head. Becky took it to Lacey at ringside. Cole said she was on fire. Then they fought inside the ring, with Becky taking control after some back and forth. She climbed to the top rope, but Corbin moved Lacey out of the way. Seth leaped at Crbin and then threw a chair at him. Corbin caught it, and Becky dropkicked the chair into Corbin. Graves called it the “Man-Naminator.” Lacey then went after Becky. Cole said Lacey is as nasty as they come. Lacey then hit a moonsault off the top rope for a near fall.

Becky went for a Disarm Her and leveraged Lacey down for a two count. Lacey DDT’d Becky. Becky crawled over and tagged in Seth. Seth and Becky pulled a table out from under the ring and set it up at ringside. Then another. They all fought at ringside, with Corbin and Lacey having time to recover and take over, which Graves said would happen. Cole gave him credit for calling that. Corbin dropped Seth onto the announce table. Seth returned to the ring. Corbin pulled out two kendo sticks and entered the ring. Lacey took one of them. They took turns hitting Seth as Becky recovered at ringside. Becky ran in, but Lacey choke lammed her just as Corbin chokeslammed Seth. The ref counted, but both Becky and Seth kicked out.

At ringside Becky and Seth came back by reversing a Lacey and Corbin suplex attempt, slamming them back onto the ramp. All four were slow to get up. Graves said the Crossfit is paying off for Becky and Seth. Seth and Becky put Lacey and Corbin the tables at ringside. Seth and Becky climbed the ropes. Becky leaped first onto Lacey, then Seth leaped over them off the top onto Corbin. Both crashed through the tables. Cole said things just got extreme.

Back in the ring, Seth went for a stomp, but Corbin caught him with a Deep Six instead. Becky broke up the cover. Again, everyone was slow to get up. Becky threw Lacey out of the ring. Corbin gave Becky an End of Days. Cole and Renee flipped out. The fans booed. Graves said that was too far. Seth lost it and bashed away at Corbin with the kendo stick and then repeatedly bashed him with a chair. He was seething mad and delivered a Stomp. Lacey backed away at ringside, not wanting to get in the path of this. Seth delivered a second Stomp. Becky was on the floor writhing in pain. Seth then gave Corbin a third Stomp for the win.

WINNERS: Rollins & Lynch.

-Suddenly Lesnar’s music played. Cole said Heyman has lied before. But then Lesnar and Heyman walked out. Graves said Lesnar has come out, but not cashed in before. Lesnar entered the ring and suplexed Seth twice. Heyman handed the ref the briefcase and told Mike Rome he was cashing in. Rome announced he was cashing it in. The bell rang.

(11) BROCK LESNAR vs. SETH ROLLINS – WWE Title match

Lesnar gave Seth a quick F5 and scored the pin.

WINNER: Lesnar to capture the Universal Title in five seconds.

 

[jro]

Nice to see Heyman taking things in such a unique, not-at-all boring direction.