offical wwe thread

Famicommander said:

Colt Cabana and CM Punk were cleared of any wrongdoing in that WWE doctor's slander lawsuit against them. Now WWE will likely have to cover their (fairly substantial) legal fees.

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I now know that "CM" stands for "Chick Magnet." Not quite sure how that came up in testimony, but it did. Anyway, good for them, sounds like Amman's case was weak as shit and that Punk's testimony was believable and sincere.

jro said:

I now know that "CM" stands for "Chick Magnet." Not quite sure how that came up in testimony, but it did. Anyway, good for them, sounds like Amman's case was weak as shit and that Punk's testimony was believable and sincere.

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That's common knowledge.

CM also stands for crooked moonsault and Chicago Made.

andsuchisdeath said:

That's common knowledge.

CM also stands for crooked moonsault and Chicago Made.

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I thought that it stood for "Can't MMA".

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

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

Pre-Show...

(A) THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS vs. KARL ANDERSON & LUKE GALLOWS – WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title match

Back and forth match with a lot of power moves and big collisions in and out of the ring, but no surprise with the finish as the Bludgeon Brothers are at the start of their big push and title reign and Anderson & Gallows continue to be a utility tag team and nothing more.

WINNERS: Bludgeon Brothers to retain the titles.

Main Show...

(1) DANIEL BRYAN vs. BIG CASS

Bryan got in early strikes and the crowd was going crazy for him. Cass took over a couple minutes in and dominated for a while. Bryan fought back and hit a series of dropkicks. Cass bailed out at ringside. Bryan took a running dive at Cass and took him down at ringside. Cass got in another stretch of offense. A “C.M. Punk” chant broke out. Cass scored a two count after a fallaway slam off the second rope. Cass scored another two count after a torture rack and a slam. Bryan pulled the top rope down when Cass charged at him with a big boot attempt and then took Cass’s knee out. They fought back and forth with Cass finally landing his big boot for another two count. The announcers made an issue of Cass not seizing Bryan after the kickout and instead taking his time. When he went for a torture rack, Bryan slipped free and hit a running knee to the head and then a heel hook. Cass struggled, reached toward the bottom rope, and eventually tapped out.

WINNER: Bryan in 16:20.

Better than their first match. The crowd was totally into Bryan, as expected. Needless to say, this seems to indicate Cass will be cooled off a little and Bryan is on the rise. It’s possible Cass will be so upset, he’ll attack Bryan leading to a grudge match with a stipulation at Extreme Rules next month, though.

(2) SAMI ZAYN vs. BOBBY LASHLEY

Cole pointed out that Sami tweeted earlier than he is dedicating his match against Lashley’s father and his three beautiful daughters and his one disappointing son. Lashley responded on Twitter that Sami is a fool and that his dad taught him many things including how to stand for yourself, honor, integrity, and being prepared. He said he’s in for a painful lesson. Coach said “Lashley has star written all of him.” Graves called Sami a genius executing a well-orchestrated plot. Sami bailed out to ringside as soon as the bell rang and danced around and taunted Lashley. Graves said Sami is going to taunt Lashley until he makes a mistake. When Coach repeated what Graves said and asked if that’s what he said, Graves signed and said, “That’s what I just said in plain English.” Sami entered the ring briefly, then bounced around back at ringside. Cole said it’s been more than a decade since Lashley has had a singles match on WWE PPV. Graves said he didn’t think Lashley had that big of a problem with anything Sami said including questioning his military service so he’s just waiting for him to eventually snap.

Sami entered the ring and bailed out again. Lashley chased him this time. When Sami re-entered the ring, he tried to stomp on Lashley as he re-entered, but Lashley just popped p and shoved him. Sami, though, raked Lashley’s eyes while the were in the ropes and knocked Lashley to ringside. The ref began counting Lashley out, but when he tried to enter the ring, Sami stomped on him and then threw him head-first into the ringpost. Cole called Sami shrewd. Fans in the crowd sang Sami’s son early and then chanted “Bobby’s Sister.”

Lashley eventually made a comeback by grabbing Sami’s fist and twisting, then clotheslining him hard. When Sami leaped off the top rope, Lashley caught him and tossed him down, then clotheslined him in the corner hard. He followed up with a shoulder drive into the abdomen of Sami. Sami fought back with some strikes, but Lashley turned it into a sidewalk slam. Coach said it’s clear Lashley has disdain for Sami. Lashley lifted Sami into an inverted body vice a la Jesse Ventura. Then he executed a delayed vertical suplex. He looked to the crowd with intensity. He was neither loudly cheered or jeered, so probably a win given this is a Chicago WWE crowd. He put Lashley in another inverted body vice, this one for about ten seconds. Then another delayed vertical suplex. This also was with a longer delay, which the crowd liked. He scored a one-hand-on-chest cover for the three count.

WINNER: Lashley in 7:00. (*1/4)

Jeesh, that felt like a burial of Sami more than a boost for Lashley. I didn’t expect Lashley to beat Sami with a single hand on his chest with no shoulder leverage to keep him from lifting a shoulder or kicking out. Will Sami pester Lashley into a rematch or do they quickly move on? What’s next for Sami after this decisive loss? If you’re a Lashley fan, this is a rewarding clean win and a nice payoff. If the purpose of the match was to establish Lashley as a powerhouse moving on to bigger and better things, it was a step in that direction. Poor Sami, though, as he’s turning into a joke of a heel without anything close to main event credibility, a far cry from his top notch NXT Title reign.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

(3) SETH ROLLINS vs. ELIAS – Intercontinental Title match

Coach said this is the biggest match of Elias’s career. Graves said Elias has been in the ring with some of the who’s who including John Cena and Roman Reigns, so he wouldn’t be surprised if he’s ready for this big spotlight. Coach said in his social media poll, fans picked this as the match to steal the show. After some chops, Seth landed a dropkick. Elias rolled out of the ring. Coach said he doesn’t want to upset Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman, but Seth shows up every week and is the man right now. Seth slingshot himself onto Elias at ringside and threw him back into the ring. Seth pounded away at Elias in the corner. The ref pushed him off. Seth went to the ring apron for a new angle at Elias, but Elias knocked him down hard with a clothesline. Seth dropped hard. Cole said Seth’s neck is sore from the guitar shot and this could be a turning point.

Elias stayed on offense for a while, settling into a chinlock. Seth eventually stood and went for a suplex, but Elias battered him down again. Eventually Seth did comeback and landed a blockbuster. On a springboard, Seth landed and sold a knee tweak. Elias seized the opening with a flying knee for a two count. He lifted Seth onto his shoulders. Seth punched out of it, but favored his knee. Elias rolled him up for another two count. Seth came back with a superkick and scored a two count. Cole said Seth’s injured knee prevented him from making a full leveraged cover. Seth shook out his knee as he climbed to the top rope. Graves said it’s insanity and ill-advised and the wrong time to go high-risk. Elias lifted his knees to counter Seth’s frog splash.

Elias climbed to the top rope. Seth knocked him off balance. Seth then superplexed Elias and hit a Falcon Arrow for a believable near fall that popped the crowd. Seth superkicked Elias in the ribs, then went for a stomp, but Elias rolled out of the way. Seth then dove through the ropes, but Elias moved and then threw Seth hard into the ringpost and then hard into the ringside steps. It was fast and relentless. He then leaped off the top rope with a flying elbow and scored a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Coach called it an incredible 30 seconds for Elias. Seth tried to lift Elias out of the corner, but Seth’s knee gave out. When Elias went for a Drift Away, Seth rolled him for a two count. Elias rolled up Seth and pulled on his pants. Seth rolled through and pulled on Elias’s tights for the win. None of the three announcers picked up on the fact that Elias pulled on Seth’s tights before Seth returned the favor, and instead justified his actions in a general sense. They really complimented Elias for his effort.

WINNER: Seth in 17:00 to retain the IC Title. (***1/4)

Really good match. Easily the best of the night so far. Elias is showing he can carry his end of a big match.

(4) WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK – CHARLOTTE vs. NAOMI vs. EMBER MOON vs. BECKY LYNCH vs. NATALYA vs. ALEXA BLISS vs. LANA

Becky was aggressive at the start including against Charlotte, but Moon flipped onto Becky before she could pick up a ladder. Ember then entered the ring, but before she could set up the ladder, Naomi re-entered the ring stopped her. Moon kicked a ladder into Sasha then set up a ladder. She didn’t hurry, though, and the announcers scolded her. Sash recovered and went after Moon. Moon springboarded off the middle rope and body pressed Sasha hard onto the ladder. Ouch! Sasha rolled to the floor. Lana got in some offense. Natalya then atomic dropped Naomi onto the ladder, and Naomi did the splits. Natalya then basement dropkicked her out of the rig. Natalya looked up and grabbed a ladder, but Charlotte re-entered the ring and chopped away at her. The women were really taking turns so there was one thing to focus on. Charlotte overhead suplexed Natalya and kipped up. Becky met Charlotte just as she began to set up the ladder. They grabbed opposite ends of a ladder and argued. Fans chanted “Becky! Becky!” Naomi dropkicked the ladder, knocking both Charlotte and Becky down. Then she leaped onto Bliss at ringside. With everyone down at ringside, fans chanted “This is awesome!”

As Naomi and Ember struggled over a ladder, Becky quick ascended it, but Naomi and Ember knocked the ladder over and into Becky in the corner. Then they hit her with stereo dropkicks in the corner. They squared off. Naomi hit Ember with rapid-fire kicks. Ember came back and tossed Naomi onto the ladder leaning in the corner of the ring. A couple minute later Sasha cleared the ring and climbed the ladder, but Charlotte yanked her off. They exchanged words and both tried to climb the ladder, but knocked each other off. Sasha escaped a Charlotte attempt at a Razor’s Edge by pulling herself onto the ladder. Natalya pulled Charlotte off the ladder as Sasha reached for the briefcase. Sasha leaped off the ladder with a knee drop onto Charlotte and Natalya. Becky then climbed the ladder alone and the crowd stood and cheered. Bliss yanked her down and punched her.

When Bliss climbed the ladder, Sasha yanked her down. Sasha then met her on top of the ladder. Becky yanked Bliss down and met Sasha up high. Lana entered with another ladder and set it up. It was the tallest of them. She began to climb, but Moon re-entered and met her up top. Natalya yanked Sasha down. Sasha yanked Natalya down. More chaos followed with multiple women trying to climb the ladder. Graves said it was “getting downright catty.” Charlotte went for a powerbomb, but Bliss countered into a sunset flip and Charlotte landed hard and rolled to the floor. Bliss shoved Lana and climbed the ladder. Lana yanked her down and shoved her. Lana landed a jumping roundkick to Bliss, then applied the Accolade. Graves and Coach agreed it was a bad strategy. Lana climbed the ladder. Naomi springboarded onto the ladder and knocked Lana down, then reached for the briefcase, but couldn’t unlock it. She had five or so seconds, but Becky yanked her down.

Becky then climbed and the crowd cheered. Becky leaped off onto Naomi, then repositioned the ladder. Charlotte her at the top. Bliss tipped the ladder over. Charlotte speared Bliss, then looked up at the briefcase and set up the ladder again. Sasha gave Charlotte a back stabber and climbed the ladder. Namoi yanked her off and threw her into the ladder. Lana then climbed the ladder, but Natalya dropped her backward out of an electric chair. She smiled and climbed the ladder, but Moon knocked her down. Moon climlbed, but Charlotte yanked her down. Charlotte speared Moon hard into the ladder leaning in the corner. Becky then tried to take Charlotte out of the ring with an exploder suplex. Becky tried again and hit it. Becky climbed. Coach said, “It’s over.” She stopped when she saw Alexa approaching. Alexa knocked her off the ladder onto another ladder below. Becky looked dopey there since she easily could have pulled the case off the hook. Bliss then grabbed the briefcase and unhooked it successfully.

WINNER: Bliss in 19:00. (***1/2)

Really well executed with the exception of a few moments where wrestlers on the top of the ladder with briefcase in hand had to stop because they weren’t supposed to win and the interference came late to stop them. This gives Bliss some new momentum.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

(5) JINDER MAHAL (w/Sunil Singh) vs. ROMAN REIGNS

Sunil introduced Mahal from the stage in a wheelchair, neck brace, and arm sling. Graves praised Sunil’s bravery. They went to on-camera shows of various other announce teams. Reigns then made his ring entrance to a surge of boos. Cole called him “the most polarizing figure in WWE today” and said he considers himself the Universal Champion. Reigns took it to Jinder early. The crowd pelted Reigns with chants. When Jinder made a comeback and rolled to ringside to regroup, fans chanted “Boring!” Reigns went after Jinder at ringside. Sunil stood out of his wheelchair and shoved Reigns into the ringpost. Jinder took control again. Fans chanted “Rusev Day!” Back in the ring Jinder took it to Reigns and scored a two count. Fans chanted “This is awful!” The announcers talked frenetically to try to cover up the fan chants, which they didn’t acknowledge. Jinder settled into a facelock.

When Jinder went back to a chinlock after a few more minutes of offense, fans were distracted by something, presumably beach balls. They were cheering and booing whatever was going on. Jinder got up and yelled, “I’m the show, you pay attention!” Fans began chanting, “Let’s Go Beach Ball!” Reigns made a comeback and some women and kids cheered. The crowd began doing the wave as Reigns clotheslined Jinder in the corner. Jinder gave Reigns a running knee and scored a two count. Fans chanted “This match sucks!” Reigns stood and snarled and waited for Jinder to stand. He set up his superman Punch. Fans booed. Jinder ducked it. Some cheers. Jinder kicked Reigns in the face and then gave him a lift-and-drop gut-buster for a two count. Fans booed the kickout.

Jinder was bleeding from the side of his left eye. “End this match!” chanted fans. Jinder went for the Khallas, but Reigns came back with a Superman Punch for a two count. (I’d give this match five stars if they take it to a 60 minute draw just to spite the fanbase; it’d be a microcosm of Reigns’s entire never-ending babyface push since The Shield break-up. Jinder kicked Reigns as he went for a spear and then threw him shoulder-first into the ringpost. More protest chants from the crowd. Reigns legdropped Jinder on the back of his neck and then went after him at ringside. Sunil interfered. Reigns punched him and he bumped onto the wheelchair and fell backward. Reigns smiled and nodded and looked around. He let out another “ooooh!” and then speared Sunil. Mahal then surprised Reigns with a small package as he entered the ring for a very near fall. Reigns then speared Jinder and scored the three count. Coach said Reigns will remember this win for a long time.

WINNER: Reigns in 15:00. (**)

It’s like Vince McMahon thinks as long as Reigns works really hard, fans will eventually appreciate his work ethic and cheer him. It’s not going to happen. The die is cast and only a major change in Reigns’s presentation is going to change this. The match itself was formulaic but fine. It just didn’t matter, though, what they did because fans in the arena were going to send a message that they don’t like or care about either wrestler, and they are buying tickets despite them, not because of them. Or, as Reigns puts it, he’s good at stirring up fans. Does this match disprove once and for all that “any response is a good response” and “as long as they’re loud, it’s good”?

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

(6) CARMELLA vs. ASUKA – Smackdown Women’s Title match

Carmella shoveled Asuka on an early rope break and then moon walked. Asuka soiled and nodded and went for two spinning backlists. Carmella backed away and ducked, then taunted her as she sat on the second rope. “Whatcha gonna do, Asuka?” she said. She walked on the ring apron and told the ref to back Asuka away. She re-entered the ring and tried to kick Asuka, but then blocked an Asuka kick and slapped her. Asuka soaked it up as Carmella yelled, “I’m not scared of you, Asuka!” Fans chanted “Asuka! Asuka!” Asuka went after Carmella with rapid-fire offense. When Carmella tried to leave with her belt, Asuka leaped off the ring apron and kneed her in the head.

Asuka followed Carmella onto the ring apron, but Carmella yanked her into the ringpost. Carmella controlled Asuka for a few minutes, grounding her mid-ring. Asuka eventually attempted a comeback with a missile dropkick, but Carmella moved. Asuka countered Carmella seconds later with a knee-bar, but Carmella quickly reached the bottom rope to force a break. Carmella slapped and shoved Asuka a few times. Saxton questioenx the strategy. Asuka kneed Carmella and landed a dropkick in a flurry of offense. After two hip attacks, Carmella kicked out. Carmella ducked a charging Asuka, who tumbled to the floor.

Carmella snapped Asuka’s neck over the top rope then thrust kicked her hand off the top rope, so Asuka fell to the floor. Carmella then tackled Asuka at ringside and quickly threw her back into the ring and scored a two count. Carmella screeched and made another cover. She tried a third time and screeched again in frustration and dismay. Saxton said she was having a meltdown. Fans began a “One more time!” chant. Asuka came back with spinning backlists and then she jackknife covered her for a two count. She followed with a roundkick to the face. Suddenly someone in a Japanese robe and mask like Asuka’s stood on the ring apron. Asuka was frozen in fear. Fans were confused. Carmella even looked on. Some fans chanted “C.M. Punk!” Carmella rolled up Asuka from behind after a long 20 seconds for a two count. Graves wondered if it’s “anotehr Asuka.” Asuka turned back to the person, who unmasked and it was James Ellsworth. He winked. Carmella blindsided Asuka and scored the pin. Graves called it genius. “A plot laid out so well, it deserves an award!” he exclaimed.

WINNER: Carmella 11:00 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship. (*1/2)

Ellsworth cancelled an indy appearance this weekend, which led to speculation he’d be involved here. The match itself was what you’d expect if they were going to have it last ten minutes or longer and be competitive. Carmella’s execution and timing was at times not where you’d like it it to be at this level, but at other times the exchanges were solid. Her personality is obnoxious and I can totally see it working at riling up a big part of WWE’s audience. Ellsworth is a fun act to a point, so I’m curious to see if she’s back with Carmella full time. It’s good for Carmella to have someone interfering on her behalf since it really discredits babyfaces like Asuka to not beat her otherwise.)

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

(7) A.J. STYLES vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – WWE Title match

Phillips noted that the first Last Man Standing match in WWE took place in 1999 at the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre featuring Mankind defending against The Rock. A loud “A.J. Styles/Nakamura” dueling chant took place. The crowd cheered for Nakamura during ring introductions, but they popped big for Styles’s entrance music. A few minutes in, Styles yanked Nakamura to the floor with a leg scissors. Styles then slingshot himself at Nakamura and landed a Phenomenal Forearm. The ref counted to five before Nakamura stood.

Styles threw Nakamura into the ringside barricade. Phillips noted #MITB is the number one trend worldwide. Nakamura overhead suplexed Styles onto the diamond plated ramp ending. The ref counted, but Styles stood. Nakamura took it to Styles in the ring for a while as fans engaged in dueling chants. Styles got louder chants than Nakamura. Nakamura methodically continued to beat on Styles. He bent him over backwards on the bottom metal step at ringside and then pressed his foot on his face. Then he threw Styles over the ringside barrier. As Nakamura circled and kicked Styles, Graves said, “Nakamura is just toying with Styles right now.” Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm off the ringside barricade, but Nakamura kicked his legs out from under him. The ref counted Styles down for a seven count before Nakamura dropped him again by slamming him into the ringside steps.

Nakamura threw Styles back into the ring. Styles showed some life with chops and an enzuigiri. Nakamura staggered but remained standing. Styles charged, but Nakamura lifted his boot. Styles caught Nakamura leaping at him off the ropes with a dropkick. The ref counted both men down. Graves said, “We could see another no decision.” He almost choked on his words mid-sentence as he said that. Styles face-planted Nakamura. Both stood. Nakamura went for a low blow to counter a Styles Clash attempt. Styles backed away. Nakamura begged off and pleaded for mercy and tried to call a timeout. (Awesome!) Styles had none of it and gave him a Pelé kick. Nakamura ducked a forearm and landed a reverse exploder. Nakamura signaled for his Kinshasa kick, but Styles met him first with a flying forearm.

Nakamura kicked Styles out of mid-air. Both went down and the ref counted to eight. Nakamura threw Styles into the time keeper’s area. (No one was there, so who is keeping time on this match?!?! That’s an important role because WWE never ever talks about match length unless it’s a Beat the Clock or Iron Man match.) Nakamlura put Styles on an announce desk and then ran over the top of two other tables and gave Styles a Kinshasa. The ref counted to nine before Styles rolled off the table and sort of stood. Nakamura went back after Styles and threw him into the ringpost.

Nakamura pulled a table out from under the ring and slid it into the ring. Fans laughed when Nakamura struggles to lock down one of the legs and it collapsed. He fixed it and moved on. Nakamura put Styles on the top rope and set up a superplex through the table. Styles slipped out and went for a powerbomb instead. Nakamura held on and dropped Styles. Nakamura lifted and dropped Styles on the side of the table after it was tipped over. Then he set it up a table in the corner and threw Styles through it. It broke in two. The ref got to nine before Styles stood emphatically before collapsing into the ropes. Nakamura frowned and went back on the attack.

Styles made a comeback and applied the Calf Crusher. He got a lot of torque. He then smashed Nakaura with a chair at ringside. Phillips wondered what extend Nakaura would go to. Styles smashed Nakamura with the chair. It looked like it hit his head and shoulder. Graves quickly said it hit Nakamura’s shoulder, since unprotected chairshots to the head (or any chairshots to the head) are not okay anymore in WWE for obvious reasons (and years too late). Nakamura hit Styles with a low blow to stop another chair shot. Graves quickly pointed out it was totally legal. Nakamura hit Styles with a Kinshasa kick. Both went down and the ref began counting both down. Nakamura stood first. The ref got to nine before Styles stood.

Nakamura then lifted Styles onto his shoulder while standing on an announce table. Nakamura’s knee gave out from the Calf Crusher. Styles then leaped off the table and landed a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles stood on the ringside stairs base and set up a Styles Clash. He leaped off of it and delivered the Styles Clash to Nakamura. Phillips: “Holy hell!” Fans chanted, “Holy shit! Holy shit!” That was dangerous if Styles came up at all short, as Nakamura’s forehead would have clipped the edge of the ringside steps on the way down. Nakamura stood at nine and then began smiling a la Nikki Cross. He begged for more. Styles gave Nakamura a running kick to the crotch. That’ll do it. Saxton said sometimes you have to tap into your deepest darkest aspects of your personality to walk out with the championship. Styles then springboarded out of the ring and hit the Phenomenal Forearm on Nakamura through the middle announce table. Both were slow to stand. Styles stood at seven. Nakamura stayed down for the full ten count.

WINNER: Styles in 31:00 to retain the WWE Title.

I think it was a bit long and dragged at times, but overall it was really good with a fitting conclusion that made up for any slower spots that seemed to be filling time unnecessarily.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

(8) NIA JAX vs. RONDA ROUSEY – WWE Raw Women’s Title match

Jax, the champ, came out first. Rousey came out smiling and in a kilt. It seemed like a nice pop for Rouse, but not sustained. Jax had her game-face on. Rousey wore a “Rowdy” sports top and black compression shorts. During formal ring introductions, both got what sounded like polite cheers.

When the bell rang, Jax charged and lifted Rousey and shoved her into the corner and rammed her shoulder-first several times. Then she tossed her hard across the ring and splashed her. Graves: “Ronda never felt that in the Octagon.” Jax gave Rousey a Biel throw, but Rousey side-stepped her on a charge. Rousey punched away at Jax. Jax headbutted her down. Graves noted how rules are different in WWE compared to MMA. Jax put Rousey on her shoulder, but Rousey countered in a kimura attempt and dropped Jax to the mat. She tried to extend her arm and Jax fought it. Jax lifted Rousey and tried to slam Rousey, but Rousey held on and blocked the slam. Jax went for it again and then time gave Rousey a sitout powerbomb. Coach said that might be the first powerbomb Rousey has ever taken. Rousey stood, stumbled, and fell to the floor.

Jax went after Rousey at ringside. Rousey went for a rana, but Jax held on and swung Rousey into the ringside barricade. Jax threw Rousey back into the ring. Cole said, “This is turning into a slaughter. She doesn’t even know where she is.” The heavy-handed announcing is the Vince McMahon Sledgehammer Reverse Psychology at play. Jax lifted Rousey onto her shoulders and lifted and dropped her in front of her. She made the cover. Rousey kicked out at two. Cole said this might be Jax’s best performance so far in WWE by far. Rousey leaped onto Jax and applied a guillotine. Jax yelled out in agony, but then lifted Rousey. Rousey went for a sunset flip, but Jax grabbed her and shoved her down hard. She did it a second time, bouncing Rousey’s head off the ring. And again. Graves said she was rag-dolling Rousey.

Jax shifted into a bear hug. Rousey struggled to break free, but Jax held on. Coach said this might be to Rousey’s advantage. Cole pushed back hard and said Jax is squeezing the breath out of her. Rousey fought out of it. “How are you still employed Coach?” asked Graves. Coach said he was correct because look at what happened. Jax landed a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Jax went for a running legdrop, but Rousey moved. Rousey backed ihtho the corner and lifted herself up, looking exhausted and disoriented. She avoided a Jax charge into the corner. Rousey applied an armbar on Jax while leaning over the top rope. The ref ordered her to break before five. She did. Rousey tumbled to the floor. The ref checked on Jax’s arm. Jax flexed her hand. Rousey looked at the top rope and thought about it. She climbed it and Cole said we’ve never see her there before. She leaped off with a crossbody for a two count. Jax kicked out with authority, sending Rousey into the corner. Graves said Rousey wasn’t sure what to do next.

Rousey got fired up and threw a barrage of punches at Jax. She connected with a high knee and then gave her a judo throw. Jax almost landed awkwardly on her head. Yikes. ‘What was that,” asked Coach. The crowd gasped. Jax kicked out at two. Rousey then put on the armbar, but Jax leveraged Rousey’s shoulders down for a two count, forcing Rousey to release. Rousey then landed a modified Rock Bottom. She went for an armbar, but Jax locked her hands to block it. They struggled. Rousey broke Jax’s grip. Bliss then whacked Rousey from behind with the MITB briefcase.

WINNER: No contest when Bliss interfered.

I don’t think there is just one single way for Rousey to be a successful main event act for WWE, but I was eager to see the path they took in terms of her ring work. Would she win quickly and decisively? Would she work a longer more traditional longer match? Now we know. Rather than having her plow through anyone, they’re having her opponents appear credible. I see the reasons behind taking that approach. Jax was a strong choice for her “first singles match” because of the size advantage working against Rousey having a.cake walk. The finish sets up Rousey to have her first grudge against Bliss. There were a few clunky moments, but mostly it was a dramatic match that showed Rousey is green in some ways but also a good fit for the worked matches even without the “crutch” of working with a partner against gimmicky experienced heels like Stephanie and Triple H.

-Bliss continued to attack Rousey with a briefcase. Fans chanted “Cash it in!” Bliss was tempted, but then walked to ringside to check on Rousey. She whacked her a couple more times and threw her over the announce desk. Then she entered the ring and swung it at Jax, the champ. Bliss considered cashing in, but swung it at Jax again. She then talked to the ref, and cashed it in.

(9) NIA JAX vs. ALEXA BLISS – Raw Women’s Title match MITB cash-in

Bliss gave Jax a quick DDT. Graves said Bliss only has one working arm. Bliss then rammed Jax’s arm into the mat. She climbed to the top rope and leaped off with Twisted Bliss and scored the three count.

WINNER: Bliss in 1:00 to capture the Raw Women’s Title.

That’s quite a chain of events. They managed to avoid having Rousey win the title o her first try or sacrifice Jax to her, but instead “made up for it” by following the non-finish with a MITB cash-in title change.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 6-17-18

10. Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Rusev vs. Bobby Roode vs. Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston in a Money in the Bank ladder match.

Cole, Graves, and Saxton called the match. Everyone went after Strowman to start. The wrestlers all ended up at ringside. Strowman clotheslined Owens on the ramp, but the other wrestlers worked him over with ladders and knocked him down. They threw a bunch of ladders on top of him. Miz was alone in the ring and he set up a ladder to make a play for the briefcase. Joe raced back to the ring and shoved the ladder over.

At 6:15, Owens placed Balor onto a broadcast table. Owens was setting up for a move on him but was cut off. Kofi made a play for the briefcase a short time later, but Miz cut him off. Kingston sent Miz to the floor and then went up top and performed the trust fall onto a group of wrestlers at ringside. They caught him and were standing him up again when Balor did a big flip dive onto him. Balor ended up on the stage and pulled a ladder off the pile that Strowman was underneath. Strowman grabbed the ladder and pulled it away, then returned to ringside and let out a primal scream. Joe dove onto him through the ropes.

Rusev and Owens worked over Strowman on the stage. Owens set up a table. Strowman fought off Owens and Rusev only to have Joe apply a Coquina Clutch at 10:30. Owens hit him with a superkick. Joe barked at Owens to get his ass to the top of a ladder. Owens climbed up one of the supersized ladders. Strowman recovered and fought off Rusev and Joe. Owens begged off on top of the ladder. Strowman ran up the other side and caught Owens halfway up and then dragged him to the top of it. Owens continued to beg, but Owens threw him off the ladder and through a table off to the side of the stage.

Strowman beat up Kingston on the stage. Roode and Balor had a ladder to ram him with, but Strowman charged through it and knocked them both down. Miz was at the top of the ladder and froze in his tracks when Strowman looked at him. Strowman clubbed Miz and started up the ladder. Joe knocked Strowman down with another ladder and then clotheslined him to ringside. Joe made a play for the briefcase. Balor raced up the ladder and fought Joe. Roode knocked it over and sent Roode through the ropes and into the post. Joe performed a uranage on Roode.

Rusev returned and traded shots with Joe, then pulled the ropes down when Joe charged, causing Joe to tumble to ringside. Kingston went for Trouble in Paradise on Rusev, who caught it and delivered a nice kick. Kingston and Roode were on top of each other. Rusev applied a double Accolade, which Miz quickly broke up. Rusev fought him off. Rusev smiled at the crowd and then went for a triple Accolade. Joe broke it up. Rusev hit Joe with a Machka kick. Rusev climbed the ladder. Miz pulled it over and Rusev bumped into the ropes at 16:30. Miz set up the ladder and smirked as he climbed the ladder. Kingston went up the other side and cut him off. They exchanges punches. Kingston hit him with a couple of headbutts, but Roode pushed their ladder over.

At 18:00, Balor climbed to the top of a tall ladder that was set up on the floor and then performed a Coup de Grace onto Roode in the ring. Balor set up the ladder and went for the briefcase. Strowman cut him off and then slammed Joe. Miz tried to race up the ladder, but Strowman stopped and slammed him. Strowman looked at the briefcase and started to climb the ladder. Balor recovered and climbed up the other side. Kingston leapt onto the back of Strowman and ended up at the top of the ladder with him. Strowman knocked Balor down while Kingston was still holding onto his back. Strowman ditched Kingston and then pulled down the briefcase for the win. “Braun Strowman has become Monster in the Bank,” Cole said…

Braun Strowman won the Money in the Bank match in 20:00.

Good work by everyone involved. There weren’t many truly suspenseful moments and the finish left a little something to be desired. Strowman holding the briefcase may set up the SummerSlam main event, which would be a welcome change from the tired Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns feud. It would be a bit strange if Strowman cashed in the way Alexa Bliss did tonight and other heels have in the past, so hopefully this will be a situation where he announces when he wants his title shot.

Leon White, better known as Big Van Vader or simply Vader, has died.

Sad times.

One of the best. RIP.

Big Cass got fired. Good riddance.

WWE didn't even wish him well in his future endeavors, ouch.

He's perfect for WWE, though. Big, can't wrestle, can't cut a promo, gets drunk in piblic at inappropriate times. Surprised they didn't put a belt on him.

He must have made eye contact with Vince or something.

jro said:

Big Cass got fired. Good riddance.

WWE didn't even wish him well in his future endeavors, ouch.

Click to expand...

As per PWTorch.com.

Big Cass, real name William Morrissey, has been released by WWE. WWE issued a terse statement on WWE.com today which states: “WWE has come to terms on the release of William Morrissey (Big Cass).”

Although it’s become a bit of a joke to make fun of, WWE did not wish him well in his future endeavors. It could be a change in policy or an oversight, but it could also be seen as a sign of it being a contentious situation.

Cass did have heat with management after he went against explicit orders from management not to punch the little person who played the small version of Daniel Bryan in a skit on Smackdown last month. Sources say he was told not to, he took his request to get more physical to upper management who also turned him down, and yet he did it anyway.

The fact that he was released on TV day could indicate something happened today, or that he was upset with doing a second clean tapout job to Bryan on Sunday at Money in the Bank. The fact that he did a second clean tapout job to Bryan, though, indicates he might have already been on the way out going into Sunday.

Cass was with WWE since June 2011 when he signed with WWE’s Florida Championship Wrestling. He teamed with the bombastic and controversial Enzo, and like Enzo, Cass had a rep for having attitude issues. He was given time to “mature” and frustration grew and resignation had been setting in that despite a good push and after being separated from Enzo, he was still exhibiting maturity issues despite being 30 years old now.

With a glut of talent in NXT with great attitudes eager to prove they belong on the main roster, Cass made himself expendable. Bryan’s promo on Sunday saying that big men get opportunities to fail that smaller wrestlers don’t might have more than just a storyline promo.

We haven’t heard, though, if there was a single incident in recent days that tipped the scales to the point that he was let go or if it was a result of a steady denigration of management’s faith in his ability to be relied upon if he continued to get a big push.

Cass was in a relationship with Carmella for several years until the relationship ended late last year.

Famicommander said:

Leon White, better known as Big Van Vader or simply Vader, has died.

Sad times.

Click to expand...

Sad indeed

Leon White, known in pro wrestling Vader and Big Van Vader, died on Monday morning from complications from pneumonia. He was 63 years old.

Vader had been public in the last year or two about health issues related to his heart and had said doctors said he didn’t have long to live.

He began his pro wrestling career as “Baby Bull” Leon White after being trained by Brad Rheingans. His career really took off in Japan in the late 1990s, including a run as the IWGP Hvt. Champion from 1989-1991. He also had a main event run in WCW from 1990 to 1994. He had memorable matches and feuds with Sting, Mick Foley, and Ric Flair. He was considered among the best big man workers of his generation based on his work from 1989 to 1994.

He was signed by the WWF in 1996 at a time that talent was moving from the WWF to WCW, so the Vader signing was symbolically seen as the WWF scoring a rare victory in the battle of big name talent signings. He received a big push, but ended up not becoming a top tier star with WWE as his body had been through a lot and his size and age limited what he was able to do in the ring compared to years earlier in WCW and Japan.

He made sporadic appearances in the U.S. and Japan for years afterward including a match in TNA as recently as 2015.

It was Vader's time

Arcademan said:

As per PWTorch.com.

Big Cass, real name William Morrissey, has been released by WWE. WWE issued a terse statement on WWE.com today which states: “WWE has come to terms on the release of William Morrissey (Big Cass).”

Although it’s become a bit of a joke to make fun of, WWE did not wish him well in his future endeavors. It could be a change in policy or an oversight, but it could also be seen as a sign of it being a contentious situation.

Cass did have heat with management after he went against explicit orders from management not to punch the little person who played the small version of Daniel Bryan in a skit on Smackdown last month. Sources say he was told not to, he took his request to get more physical to upper management who also turned him down, and yet he did it anyway.

The fact that he was released on TV day could indicate something happened today, or that he was upset with doing a second clean tapout job to Bryan on Sunday at Money in the Bank. The fact that he did a second clean tapout job to Bryan, though, indicates he might have already been on the way out going into Sunday.

Cass was with WWE since June 2011 when he signed with WWE’s Florida Championship Wrestling. He teamed with the bombastic and controversial Enzo, and like Enzo, Cass had a rep for having attitude issues. He was given time to “mature” and frustration grew and resignation had been setting in that despite a good push and after being separated from Enzo, he was still exhibiting maturity issues despite being 30 years old now.

With a glut of talent in NXT with great attitudes eager to prove they belong on the main roster, Cass made himself expendable. Bryan’s promo on Sunday saying that big men get opportunities to fail that smaller wrestlers don’t might have more than just a storyline promo.

We haven’t heard, though, if there was a single incident in recent days that tipped the scales to the point that he was let go or if it was a result of a steady denigration of management’s faith in his ability to be relied upon if he continued to get a big push.

Cass was in a relationship with Carmella for several years until the relationship ended late last year.

Click to expand...

Apparently he destroyed the door to the bathroom on a charter bus that a bunch of the wrestlers were on. The lock broke and he couldn't open the door, so he thought he was being locked in as a prank. Eventually he broke the door down, and then people were mad at him for making the restroom doorless.

That combined with the D-Bry midget and his general attitude were apparently enough. Now he can make bad rap music with Enzo.

If they plan to wrestle again being opponents first is the way to go. They may never have this much attention ever.

I was just reading that Vader was once managed by Takishi Kitano.

That's some weird ass shit.

So there could be a lawsuit brewing between ROH/Sinclair Broadcast Group and WWE.

Basically, Madison Square Garden approached ROH to run an event there because WWE rarely runs the building anymore.
ROH accepted and started advertising the show
WWE called MSG and got them to cancel the show, granted them a WWE show

So MSG could be on the hook for breach of contract while WWE could be in trouble for tampering.

If it were just ROH itself against WWE in a lawsuit, it would be no big deal for WWE. But ROH's parent company is apparently pissed over this, and Sinclair is many times bigger and more powerful than WWE. They even control many Fox broadcast stations, and could theoretically choose to preempt Smackdown broadcasts once they move over with anything they wanted. It would piss off New Fox, but Sinclair could do it.

Fuck Sinclair
Fuck MSG
Fuck WWE

AXS TV has announced “Women of Wrestling” — produced by Lakers owner Jeannie Buss and Lucha Underground EP Mark Burnett — will hit their airwaves in 2019.


The press release states:

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, Mark Burnett, President of MGM Television and Digital Group and David McLane, the impresario behind the ’80s hit TV series GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling), have tapped AXS TV to bring the emerging hit series “WOW-Women Of Wrestling” (WOW) to a wider U.S. TV audience.

“I knew of Jeanie’s passion for elevating women’s wrestling for several years, so when Mark Burnett told me what MGM Studios has planned for WOW, I decided to get involved,” AXS TV Chairman and CEO Mark Cuban is quoted as saying. “AXS TV’s long-term success inside the squared circle and broadcasting New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) makes airing WOW a natural fit.”

Click to expand...

.

Big Cass had an "incident" with Carmella that was the final straw, apparently. They broke up a while ago, and he wanted to talk to her and eventually grabbed her arm, made enough of a scene that several other workers got involved (didn't see details on who).

Has anyone watched the NWA 10 pounds of gold youtube series?

I do about 3 or 4 segments at a time (they usually run 7-15 minutes) and it is really well done.