offical wwe thread

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-15-18

Results now courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's real-time report) since PWTorch and Keller's fallen asleep on the laptop.

(8) Alexa Bliss (w/Mickie James) vs. Nia Jax (w/Natalya) in an Extreme Rules match for the Raw Women’s Championship.

Natalya came out with Jax, and Rousey applauded them from the front row. Jax chased Bliss to ringside where Bliss hit her with a kendo stick. Jax shook it off. James handed several weapons to Bliss, who tried to use them on Jax, who simply tossed them inside the ring.

Graves asked the best question of the night when he asked where they find trashcans without handles. In the ring, Jax pressed Bliss over her head and dropped her onto a trashcan. At 4:40. Jax charged Bliss, who moved, causing Jax to crash into a trashcan and a chair in the corner. Natalya went after Mickie at ringside. Bliss joined in and helped James run Natalya into the barricade.

Ronda Rousey hopped the barricade and worked over James. Rousey brought her into the ring and performed a move on her, then took her to ringside and ran her into the German broadcast table. Rousey turned her attention to Bliss. The fans chanted for Rousey. Bliss tried to flee, but Rousey caught her. James returned and hit Rousey from behind with a kendo stick twice. In the ring, Jax had Bliss on her shoulders when James hit Jax with a chair. Bliss hit Jax a couple more times with a chair and then DDT’d her for the win. Graves said Angle should suspend Rousey for more time because she jumped the barricade…

Alexa Bliss defeated Nia Jax in an Extreme Rules match to retain the Raw Women’s Championship in 7:30.

A silly and hokey match with lots of weapons and interference. The crowd came to life for Rousey, but they were pretty quiet otherwise. In fairness, other aspects of the show seem to have taken a lot of the wind out of the crowd’s sail.

9. AJ Styles vs. Rusev (w/Aiden English) for the WWE Championship.

English delivered the singing introduction for Rusev. The fans did the “Rusev Day” ending, but gave him a ho-hum response when he walked out. There were more Rusev Day chants once he was in the ring. Styles received a favorable reaction. Hamilton delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. There were dueling chants before the bell.

Styles targeted the left leg of Rusev with early kicks. Rusev performed a back body drop at 3:05 and then hit Styles with forearms to the lower back while Phillips spoke about how he was setting up his Accolade finisher. Styles sent Rusev to ringside where he limped. Styles went up and over with a flying forearm on the floor at 6:00. Back inside the ring, Styles hit a series of strikes that knocked Rusev down and then performed a running forearm. Styles hoisted up Rusev, but Rusev elbowed his way down. Styles performed a reverse DDT for a two count at 7:00.

Rusev avoided a Styles Clash attempt. Styles attempted a Calf Crusher, but Rusev avoided that, set him on the top rope, and hit him with a forearm. With Styles at ringside, Rusev went for a suicide dive only to have Styles hit him with a forearm from the floor. Styles knocked Rusev down and went for a springboard 450, but Rusev avoided it and Styles rolled through. Moments later, Rusev went for the Accolade and Styles managed to avoid it. Styles ran the ropes and went for a running forearm on a seated Rusev, who caught him with a kick on the way down.

At 10:15, Styles rolled Rusev into a Calf Crusher. Rusev crawled toward the rope. English pushed the rope forward unbeknownst to the referee. Styles questioned if English pushed it forward and then chased English around the ring. Rusev went to ringside, caught Styles, and performed an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, Rusev connected with a Machka Kick for a nice near fall. Rusev went back to selling his left leg.

Rusev got to his feet and set up for another Machka Kick, but Styles caught him with a Pele Kick. Rusev picked up another near fall and then set up for his Accolade finishing hold. Rusev let it go and sold his left leg again. Graves said Rusev couldn’t plant on that bad knee. Rusev kneeled on the bad knee while applying the hold. Styles reached out and grabbed the ropes to break it. English removed one of the top turnbuckle pads. Rusev got up and started hitting his bad leg and then stomped the back of Styles. Rusev went for his finisher. Styles slipped away. It looked like Styles may have gone to the wrong corner because he then scrambled over to the corner with the exposed turnbuckle. Rusev charged and Styles moved. Rusev hit the exposed turnbuckle. Styles performed a springboard 450 splash for a two count. Styles took out English with a kick and then set up for his finisher and connected. Styles covered Rusev for the win…

AJ Styles defeated Rusev to retain the WWE Championship in 15:35.

A solid match that would have been more enjoyable if Rusev had been built up in a bigger way going into the match. It was just hard to buy into the possibility of Rusev winning and thus his near falls seemed hollow. Phillips kept referring to it as a once in a lifetime opportunity for Rusev, which seems to indicate that he won’t be staying in the main event picture. They did blame English for the turnbuckle spot so perhaps this will lead to their breakup.

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-15-18

The final match is the 30 minute ironman match for the IC Title between Ziggler and Rollins so I'll be back later to post the result

WWE Extreme Rules Results: 7-15-18

10. Dolph Ziggler (w/Drew McIntyre) vs. Seth Rollins in a 30-minute Iron Man match for the Intercontinental Championship.

JoJo delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Cole reminded viewers that a disqualification or a count-out both count as falls in an iron man match. Cole reminded viewers that a disqualification or a count-out both count as falls in an iron man match. Rollins performed a buckle bomb and then rolled Ziggler into a pin for an early three count. Rollins went up up 1-0 at 4:35.

Rollins went for another Buckle Bomb, but Ziggler escaped it. Rollins came right back with a Stomp and pinned him. Rollins went up 2-0 at 8:00.

Rollins played to the crowd and tuned up the band, but McIntyre hit the ring and attacked Rollins. The referee awarded a fall to Rollins by DQ. Rollins went up 3-0 at 11:00.

McIntyre dumped Rollins to ringside and ran him into the barricade and edge of the ring several times before tossing him back inside the ring. McIntyre acted like he was going to leave and instead hit a Claymore Kick on Rollins. McIntyre was ejected, but Ziggler covered Rollins and pinned him at 10:25 to make it 3-1 Rollins.

Ziggler blasted Rollins with a superkick and pinned him. Rollins led 3-2 at 12:10. Ziggler tuned up the band and went for a superkick, but Rollins rolled him up for a two count. Ziggler ran Rollins through the ropes and into the post, then hit him with the Zigzag and pinned him at 12:20. Ziggler and Rollins were tied 3-3.

Rollins set up for a suicide dive. Ziggler hit him with a forearm from the floor. Ziggler returned to the ring ended up scoring a pin with his foot on the ropes at 14:20, so Ziggler was up 4-3.

The fans amused themselves by counting down at the end of every minute in Royal Rumble style. Ziggler applied a sleeper. Rollins broke it by running Ziggler into the corner. Rollins performed a suicide dive on Ziggler at 19:10. Rollins performed a Blockbuster for a two count. The fans erupted with a Yes chant for some reason. Rollins went up top, but Ziggler superkicked him to the floor. Ziggler motioned to the ref to start the count-out, but Rollins returned to the ring to beat the count at 21:25. Rollins caught Ziggler with a knee to the face and got a two count at 21:50.

Ziggler crotched Rollins on the top rope. Rollins reached down and grabbed Ziggler by the tights and pulled him up on the ropes with him. Rollins headbutted Ziggler off the ropes and then performed a big frogsplash for another near fall at 23:30. A short time later, Rollins ran up the ropes and superplexed Ziggler, then performed the falcon arrow for another good near fall at 25:40.

Rollins tuned up the band and hit Ziggler with a superkick to the gut. Ziggler avoided a Stomp. Rollints catapulted Ziggler over the top rope and into the post, then rolled him up and pinned him at 26:55. Rollins and Ziggler were tied 4-4 with only a few minutes remaining in the match.

Rollins applied a Sharpshooter. He released the hold and ended up applying a crossface with 1:45 remaining. Rollins released it and went for a Stomp. Ziggler rolled out of the way and then rolled to ringside. Ziggler tried to roll over the barricade, but Rollins caught him and rolled him back inside the ring. Rollins followed and ate a Fameasser for a two count. Ziggler tuned up the band and went for a superkick, but Rollins beat him to the punch and then hit the Stomp. Rollins crawled over and covered Ziggler with one second remaining. The time expired to end the match…

Kurt Angle came out as Ziggler was leaving with the title. Angle said he and his hometown fans didn’t want to see a tie. He ordered Ziggler back to the ring and called for sudden death overtime. McIntyre ran out. Rollins saw McIntyre coming and hit him with a high knee to knock him off the apron. Ziggler hit a Zigzag on Rollins and pinned him to win the match 5-4 in overtime…

Dolph Ziggler pinned Seth Rolilns in 0:10 in overtime to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

I’ll take the overtime finish over the draw. They went against the grain by booking a lot of falls in the match. I prefer a low fall back and forth style match. It seemed a bit odd to have Ziggler lose two quick falls when they have been doing a good job of rehabilitating him. This was still the best match of the night on what was a disappointing show overall. The crowd’s countdown gimmick was fun the first few times and then felt silly and disrespectful as it continued to happen.

Masa Saito dead at age 76

Masa Saito died on Saturday at age 76 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Saito competed for Japan in freestyle wrestling in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He started his pro wrestling career in 1965 and had successful runs in the AWA, NWA, and the WWF in addition to working in Japan.

Powell’s POV: I grew up on Saito wrestling in the AWA territory where he eventually formed the Far East-West Connection with Jesse Ventura. He had two runs as a WWF Tag Champion with Mr. Fuji, and also had a brief run as AWA Champion. Saito held titles in nearly every promotion he worked for. He was an excellent wrestler and his Saito suplex is still used and referred to by name in New Japan Pro Wrestling. My condolences to his friends and family.

Today marks 30 years since Bruiser Brody was stabbed in Puerto Rico.

I've been so focused on gearing up for the G1 that I didn't realize WWE was running a PPV this past weekend.

After reading the show' notes, that sounds like it was a really lousy/phoned in show...

Renmauzo said:

I've been so focused on gearing up for the G1 that I didn't realize WWE was running a PPV this past weekend.

After reading the show' notes, that sounds like it was a really lousy/phoned in show...

Click to expand...

It was actually pretty good for a WWE show.

I'm laughing because they've figured out how to stop people from walking out on Roman's main events...put him in the opening match, lol.

As mentioned by Dolph Ziggler during RAW, it was the first time in 17 years that the main event was for the Intercontinental Title at a pay-per-view event.

Dolph Ziggler fuckin' sucks and always has.

Famicommander said:

Dolph Ziggler fuckin' sucks and always has.

Click to expand...

Even a broke clock is right twice a day, people.

Ziggler is better than just about anybody today.

Rollins/Ziggler was the best WWE match I've seen all year.

Though they would have been smarter to leave it as a 30 minute draw.

Ziggler is not in the top.25 WWE wrestlers, let alone the industry as a whole

The Mack cracked me up on Lucha Underground tonight.

"I'd like to be able to say The Mack isn't afraid of any man. But to be honest, Mil Muertes scares the shit out of me."

Meltzer reporting that Bryan Danielson has NOT signed a new WWE deal, nor is there even one on the table yet.

Sounds like people jumped the gun based on Danielson saying he'd prefer to stay working with his wife.

Meltzer on the ROH MSG card:

This will be very different from All In, as tickets won’t be cheap. The actual pricing was not decided as of several days ago, but the idea of a $300 top price, with lots of seats at the price, and a $50 low price is probably close to how it will go down.

MSG will be set up for 15,000 fans. WWE usually sets up for 15,000 to 16,000, depending on stage size, always does well, but has only sold out once in more than six years, which was the October 3, 2015 show with Brock Lesnar’s first MSG match in more than a decade.

The way tickets are scaled, if this does sell out, or comes close, this would be the first non-WWE pro wrestling event ever held in the United States to ever top a $1 million gate. Even WCW never reached that figure for their biggest stadium events.

Click to expand...

They're really going for it.

Extreme Rules last weekend was one of the worst wrestling events I have ever seen in my life.

I would rather watch David Arquette win the championship again than ever lay my eyes on that fucking pile of shit ever again.

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-22-18

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's real-time report).

1. Petey Williams vs. Johnny Impact vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Fenix in a four-way.

Mathews noted that Williams was a late replacement for Rich Swann, who suffered a concussion on Thursday (at the MLW event in New York). Mathews noted that it was a tornado style match with everyone allowed in the ring at once. There was a loud “Impact Wrestling” chant to start. There was also a “welcome back” chant as Impact and Ishimori squared off in the ring together.

Fenix performed a terrific flip dive onto Impact and Williams around 6:00 that drew “holy shit” chants from the crowd. A “Bone Soldier” chant broke out as Ishimori performed an Asai moonsault onto his three opponents at ringside (they missed part of the move live, but it was replayed). At 9:10, Fenix hit a cutter on Impact and had him pinned, but Ishimori broke it up. Ishimori performed a gutbuster on Fenix a short time later and had him pinned, but Williams broke it up.

All four men ended up standing in the ring and they all traded kicks until they were all lying on the mat at 12:00. In the end, Impact hit Starship Pain on Fenix and pinned him to win the match…

Johnny Impact defeated Petey Williams, Taiji Ishimori, and Fenix in a four-way in 11:00.

Exactly the type of crazy and fun four-way one would expect from these guys. It was no surprise to see Impact go over in his return from filming Survivor. In fact, he wore a bandana throughout the match, which is probably inspired by the buffs that the CBS reality show uses. Fenix continues to shine every time I see the guy. I keep waiting for one of the companies to really get behind him, but it seems like his brother Pentagon Jr. always gets the bigger push while Fenix doesn’t get the same love from creative. From a production standpoint, the hard camera appears to be from a higher position than usual. They are also taking the ROH approach of having the hard camera on the opposite side of the stage, so it’s hard to get a real feel for how many fans are in attendance. Fortunately, they are vocal and seemed to be mic’d well, so there’s a great atmosphere thus far.

2. Tessa Blanchard vs. Allie.

The fans gave Allie a nice hometown pop. The women jawed at one another in mid-ring. Allie performed an early dive from the middle rope onto Blanchard on the floor. Callis noted that it wasn’t pretty yet it was effective. At 6:20, Allie hit a Death Valley Driver at ringside. Both women returned to the referee to beat the ten count. They traded shots in the middle of the ring. Allie got the better of it and performed a Backstabber (lung blower) for a two count.

Blanchard came back with a huracanrana from the top rope for a two count around 9:00. Blanchard went for a swanton from the top rope and Allie rolled out of the way. Allie performed a Codebreaker, but Blanchard rolled to ringside after taking the move. Allie rolled her back inside the ring and covered her for a two count. Blanchard rolled her over for a two count. Allie connected with a superkick for a two count. Allie showed frustration over not getting the pin. Alley went for another DVD, but Blanchard slipped away and performed a hammerlock DDT for the win…

Tessa Blanchard defeated Allie in 11:00.

Allie looked a little off early, but it still turned out to be an entertaining match. It was good to see Tessa go over here after she dropped a couple of recent matches to Madison Rayne. One can only hope that creative intends to showcase Tessa in a major way now that she has signed a long term deal with the company.

3. Eddie Edwards vs. Tommy Dreamer in a House of Hardcore rules match.

Dreamer entered the ring after Edwards and they went right at one another. They quickly fought to ringside. Dreamer pulled a cookie sheet out from underneath the ring and slammed it over the head of Edwards. He also pulled out a trash can. Edwards ran the ropes and set up for a suicide dive, but Dreamer threw the can at his head around 2:00.

Edwards came back by whipping Dreamer head first into the ring post. Edwards pulled out a staple gun while the fans chanted “you sick f—” at him. Dreamer blocked the staple gun with a kick, then took it and tried to use it on Edwards, who returned the favor with a kick. Edwards went for a sunset flip. Dreamer leaned down and stapled his forehead. Edwards bled from the forehead.

Dreamer got an ECW title belt from a fan. Dreamer kissed the belt and then slammed it into the head of Edwards for another round of “ECW” chants at 4:45. Edwards came back and struck Dreamer with a kendo stick until Dreamer cut him off with a cutter. Dreamer hit Edwards with the kendo stick several times. Dreamer placed Edwards over a couple of chairs that were set up in the ring and then went to the ropes. Edwards cut him off with a kendo stick.

Edwards barked at Dreamer about talking to his wife. Dreamer cut off Edwards with a low blow and then performed a DVD from the ropes that drove Edwards through the two chairs in the middle of the ring (it was a safe bump with the chairs simply splitting apart from one another upon impact from Edwards). Dreamer covered Edwards for a two count.

Dreamer slid a chair inside the ring and poured lighter fluid onto the table. Edwards hit Dreamer with a low blow and then gave him a DDT. Edwards placed Dreamer on the chair and then delivered a Boston Knee Party that apparently drove the chair into Dreamer’s face. Edwards pinned Dreamer for the win…

Eddie Edwards beat Tommy Dreamer in a House of Hardcore rules match in 11:10.

After the match, Edwards acted emotional as he fell to his knees. Dreamer shoved Edwards away. With Edwards being emotional in the corner, Dreamer offered him his hand while the fans booed. Eddie’s wife Alisha Edwards came to ringside and encouraged her husband to shake Dreamer’s hand. Edwards and Dreamer shook hands and hugged. Dreamer held the handshake and then pointed the kendo stick at Edwards. Dreamer eventually gave Edwards the kendo stick while Callis said it was like a passing of the torch. Edwards put the kendo stick between his teeth as Dreamer and then Alisha went to the back…

I think Callis spent more time talking about what a lunatic Dreamer is than putting over the insane Edwards persona. Anyway, it was really strange to see them get the fans excited about a flaming table only to not actually deliver it during or after the match. They had the fans with them during the brawl and I’m not sure why they thought it was a good idea to tease something they didn’t intend to deliver. There was noticeable disappointment with the fans over not getting the big table spot and they weren’t crazy about the post match story of the duo seemingly making peace. All of that said, this crowd is really fun and it’s an even better atmosphere for Slammiversary than there was for the Windsor tapings, which was a billion times better than the morgue in Orlando.

4. Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage for the X Division Championship.

Mathews noted that Sydal has held the X Division Title for 136 days.

Sydal approached Cage and told him to open his third eye. Cage performed an early standing moonsault for a two count. Sydal went to ringside. Cage leaned between the ropes to look for him. Sydal returned to the ring behind him and kicked the back of Cage’s leg. Sydal stood over Cage on the ropes in the corner. Cage shoved Sydal over the ropes to ringside.

Cage slammed Sydal on the apron. Cage went to the ropes but Sydal cut him off with a kick. Sydal performed a running dropkick in the corner that knocked Cage to the floor. Sydal performed a double knee press off the apron. Sydal held his right knee after performing the move. At 6:00, Sydal caught Cage running the ropes and powerbombed him for a two count. Cage came back with a pump-handle slam for a two count.

Sydal threw leg kicks and then a kick to the head. Sydal performed a neckbreaker for a two count at 7:20. Sydal went up top, but Cage avoided his shooting star press. Cage turned Sydal inside out with a clothesline. Cage went for a powerbomb. Sydal countered into a snap huracanrana for a near fall. Sydal went up top and leapt at Cage, who caught him. Sydal countered into a pin for another two count. Sydal threw a knee to the head. Sydal went for a shooting star press Cage moved and Sydal’s feet hit the ropes on the way down. Cage performed a Drill Claw and pinned Sydal clean…

Brian Cage defeated Matt Sydal to win the X Division Title in 9:45.

A well worked match despite Sydal’s scary shooting star press at the end. While I appreciate the work of the wresters, the match felt odd to me in that heel Sydal came off more impressive for simply hanging with Cage despite the size difference. It continues to look like they intend to have Cage do the Option C bit where he gives up the X Division Title for a shot at the Impact Championship. I would have advised getting to Cage challenging for the main title without including him in the X Division.

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-22-18

5. Su Yung (w/Undead Bridesmaids) vs. Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title.

The Undead Bridesmaids brought a coffin to ringside. Yung emerged from the coffin. Rayne went out to meet her on the ramp and eventually tossed her inside the ring to start the match. The bridesmaids remained on the ramp with the coffin at first and then a couple of them walked to the ring and stood on the apron and were motionless as Rayne pushed them down to ringside.

At 4:00, one of the bridesmaids held Rayne from the apron. Yung attempted to spray mist at Rayne, but she ducked at the bridesmaid took the mist in the face. Yung pulled out her bloody glove, but Rayne performed a cutter for a two count. Rayne performed the Rayne Drop for a two count and showed some frustration over not getting the pin. Rayne set up for a move, but Yung reached up and applied the Mandible Claw with the bloody glove. Rayne passed out and the referee called for the bell…

Su Yung defeated Madison Rayne in 6:50 to retain the Knockouts Championship.

After the match, Yung rolled Rayne onto the apron and had the bridesmaids open the casket. Yung picked up Rayne and placed her inside the casket while Madison’s husband Josh Mathews spoke about his wife’s carcass being placed in a casket (without acknowledging their relationship)…

The most forgettable match of the night so far and it definitely brought the crowd down. There was some silliness with the referee counting instead of disqualifying Yung for the bridesmaid interfering. Perhaps the referee has a soft spot for zombies in the same way that Tina Belcher does on Bob’s Burgers.

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-22-18

6. “LAX” Santana and Ortiz (w/Konnan) vs. “The OGz” Homicide and Hernandez (w/King) in a 5150 Street Fight for the Impact Wrestling Tag Titles.

There were two trashcans filled with weapons set up on the apron next to the ramp. Mathews noted that the OGz emerged from the clubhouse and questioned whether it’s symbolic that they have already taken over.

Santana and Ortiz wore white and black face paint and got off to the quick start. There were tables set up against the posts and two were slid inside the ring and set up in opposite corners. Homicide and Hernandez came back with trashcan lid and cookie sheet shots to the head of LAX. Hernandez performed his big leap over the top onto both opponents at ringside.

King threw a bottle of Drano inside the ring (the budget conscious economy size), but it didn’t come into play right away. Hernandez had a small cut on his forehead. Hernandez caught Santana leaping off the back of his partner in the corner and powerbombed him for a two count.

Ortiz brought a ladder from the stage area and threw it inside the ring. LAX placed Hernandez on the ladder and then performed double team dives on him. LAX hit a double team neckbreaker on Homicide from the top rope. They had the pin, but Hernandez dragged the referee to the floor. Hernandez did his big shoulder block that knocked Santana to ringside. Homicide did a big summersault suicide dive that drove Santana through the table on the floor.

In the ring, Ortiz performed a Death Valley Driver that put Homicide through one of the tables in the corner. Homicide flipped him off. Ortiz set up for a move, but Hernandez returned and broke it up, then performed a Border Toss through the table. Santana returned to superkick Hernandez and then performed a cannonball on him in the corner.

Santana and Hernandez did an awkward back into each other spot and then traded punches. Santana superkicked Homicide, who came right back with an elbow to the head. Konnan stood on the ring apron. Homicide set up for his finisher, but released Santana to spit in the face of Konnan. Homicide and Konnan jawed at one another. Konnan threw a bag of tacks to Santana, who threw some in the face of Homicide and then slammed him onto the pile. Santana performed a frogsplash onto Homicide, who was lying on the tacks, and then pinned him…

LAX defeated The OGz in a 5150 Street Fight to retain the Impact Wrestling Tag Titles.

After the match, King entered the ring and hit both LAX members with what appeared to be a sock with something inside it. The OGz held Konnan while King hit him with the weapon. They sprayed the Impact Tag Titles to apparently read OG, but it was hard to make out. The OGz left with the tag title belts…

A crazy brawl that the broadcast team and production had a hard time keeping up with. Believe me, I can relate on this end. I’m surprised that the OGz didn’t win the tag titles, but the fact that they took the titles means that the feud isn’t over. This was nonstop action. It wasn’t always pretty, but the effort was there and this was the big brawl that it needed to be.

7. Pentagon Jr. vs. Sami Callihan in a mask vs. hair match.

Callihan entered the ring and looked down at the left over lighter fluid from the Dreamer vs. Edwards match. Callihan did his thumbs up, thumbs down bit. Pentagon responded with his own catchphrase. Callihan blasted him with a kick to the face. Pentagon returned the favor with a superkick. Pentagon opened the vest of Callihan and slammed his chest with his open hand. Callihan rolled to ringside while selling it.

At ringside, Callihan took a glass and tried to hit Pentagon with it, but he moved and the glass struck the ring post. A short time later, Pentagon ran the ropes for an apparent dive, but Callihan hit him with a chair from the floor. Callihan Sami went under the ring and pulled out several chairs and threw them inside the ring. He also placed his baseball bat in one corner of the ring and then gave the fans a double middle finger. He pulled out a pair of spikes from under the ring and placed them in his teeth as he reentered the ring.

Callihan tore at the mask of Pentagon and the fans booed. The fans chanted “asshole” at Calllihan. Pentagon sat up and said cero miedo (zero fear). Callihan jabbed a spike at Pentagon, who then bled. Callihan tied Pentagon’s mask to the ropes and then grabbed a baseball bat. Pentagon kicked him away a few times and freed himself before hitting a backstabber.

Pentagon picked up the spikes. He pressed one against Callihan’s forehead and tapped it with the other. Callihan bled. Pentagon teased doing it to the referee. Pentagon placed the spike against Callihan’s head and then hit it with the baseball bat a couple times. The fans chanted “holy shit” in response. Pentagon threw one of the spikes to Callihan and motioned for him to come on. Callis challenged other promotions to keep up with what Impact is doing tonight.

Pentagon and Callhan hit each other repeatedly with the spikes until they both fell to the mat. Callihan had an old school crimson mask. The fans chanted “This is Impact.” Next up, the wrestlers had a chair duel that resulted in both men on the mat while the fans chanted “fight forever.” Callihan got back to his feet and took a pair of superkicks. Pentagon followed up with a backstabber for a two count. Pentagon set up to break the arm of Callihan, who ended up kicking him away.

Pentagon threw a chair at the face of Callihan. The Crist Brothers ran out. Pentagon saw them coming and knocked them both off the apron with the chair. Callihan threw powder into the face of Pentagon, who acted blinded at struck the referee. Pentagon broke the referee’s arm with the idea being that he thought he was on Callihan. “I can see, I have legs.” Pentagon realized his mistake. Pentagon hit his finisher, but the referee was selling his arm. Naturally, Pentagon was pissed at the guy whose arm he broke.

Callihan gouged the eyes of Pentagon and performed a piledriver onto a chair. A second referee ran out and made the count, but Pentagon kicked out. Callihan set up four chairs in the middle of the ring. Callihan brought Pentagon onto the chairs and they were both standing. Pentagon gouged the eyes of Callihan and then performed a package piledriver onto the chairs for a near fall. Pentagon acted stunned and the fans chanted “holy shit.” Callihan motioned for Pentagon to bring it. Pentagon responded with two superkicks. Callihan flipped him off. Pentagon kicked him again and then did the arm break spot. Pentagon followed up with another package piledriver and scored the pin…

Pentagon Jr. defeated Sami Callihan in a mask vs. hair match in 18:15.

After the match, Callihan dropped to his knees and held his arms. The Crist Brothers, who both had their arms in slings to sell past Pentagon attacks, attacked Pentagon from behind. Callihan ran to the back. Fenix and Impact security walked Callihan back onto the stage. Pentagon cut the hair of Callihan on the stage while Fenix held Callihan’s arms behind him. The razor worked better than most in pro wrestling head shaving angles.

They not only followed up the big LAX vs. OGz brawl, they damn near made me forget it. They definitely had the order right in terms of the hardcore brawling on this show with this being better than the tag title match, which was better than the Dreamer vs. Edwards match. It’s just a shame that they rushed into the hair vs. mask match. This was really good for what it was, but it would have been terrific in the culmination of a long blood feud. The only question is whether they saved anything for the main event.

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary PPV Results: 7-22-18

8. Austin Aries vs. Moose for the Impact World Championship.

There were in-ring introductions for the title match. Aries gave the belt to Granderson, who showed it to both wrestlers and then took it to ringside. Aries slapped Moose early on. Moose responded by grabbing him by the neck and tossing him into the corner. Moose chopped Aries, who went to ringside and sold it by falling down as Moose was running toward him.

Moose ran Aries into the guardrail at 3:25. Moose charged at Aries, who ducked, and Moose went over the guardrail and into the crowd. Even this drew a “holy shit” chant from the still hot crowd. Aries rolled Moose back inside the ring at 4:30. A short time later, the trimmed down Moose performed a couple of running dropkicks in the corner and then covered Aries for a two count.

Aries came back and set up for a suicide dive, but Moose hit him with a forearm from the floor at 7:40. This looked like a thing of beauty, as Aries appeared to intentionally hit the rope so he would bounce backwards at the same time Moose hit him. At 8:40, Aries applied the Last Chancery. Moose reached the bottom rope to break the hold. They fought n the apron. Moose connected with a headbutt, but Aries came right back with a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Moose stood up and Aries caught him with a suicide dive at 10:10.

Moose hit Aries with a big boot against the guardrail and rolled him back inside the ring. Moose set up for a move in the corner, but Aries pulled the referee in front of him. With the ref turned around, Aries hit Moose with a low blow. Aries set up for a brainbuser, but Moose reversed it and hit one of his own. Moose speared Aries and had him pinned, but Aries reached out and grabbed the bottom rope at 11:50.

Aries tried to leave. Moose caught him on the stage. Aries thumbed Moose’s eye. Moose powered up Aries and threw him into the crowd where a few security guard types broke his fall and tumbled to the ground with him. Moose brought Aries back over the guardrail. Aries clotheslined Moose with the top rope. Moose caught Aries with a big boot. Moose went for a big dive over the top rope, but Aries moved and Moose landed on the stage. Aries delivered the discuss five-arm to the back of Moose’s head. A short time later, Aries performed a brainbuster on the floor at 14:40.

Moose beat the ref’s count to return to the ring. Aries immediately greeted him with a kick to the head. Aries went to ringside and took the title belt from Curtis Granderson, who followed him to the ring and took it back before he could use it as a weapon. Moose rolled up Aires for a two count. Aries kicked him in the head again and hit a brainbuster and scored the clean pin…

Austin Aries pinned Moose to retain the Impact World Championship in 15:50.

After the match, Aries glared at Granderson, who handed him the title. Aries sat on the middle rope and motioned for Granderson to leave the ring, which he did. Aries taunted fans as he celebrated with his title belt on the ramp while Mathews wrapped up the show…

A good main event with hard work from both men and a crowd that surprisingly didn’t lose much momentum despite the Pentagon vs. Callihan semi main event being so insane. Aries is a pro and Moose clearly took the match seriously based on his improved conditioning. I’m all for the decision to keep the title on Aries, as he is really clicking as a heel right now, whereas there’s no sign that the fans are ready to embrace Moose as the champion.

Overall, this was a very good effort from Impact Wrestling. They took the balls to the wall approach in terms of not really worrying about saving anything for the main event and it worked out fine. The live crowd provided an excellent atmosphere and the wrestlers really seemed to feed off of that. Creative also avoided the usual pitfalls that have plagued past regimes by simply booking straight forward finishes while letting the wrestlers carry the load. The last Impact pay-per-view was solid and this was still a big improvement.

The contracts of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows all expire in January.

I don't think AJ Styles would leave at this point; he's getting paid big, winning world titles, and he doesn't want all that travel.

I could definitely see Nakamura leaving, though. His WWE run has been underwhelming and NJPW is said to be very interested in bringing him back.

Karl Anderson is the one hurt most by WWE's restricted in ring style and especially their scripted, TVPG promos. I don't know if he wants to leave or not but he's definitely the biggest example of WWE making someone visibly worse.

Gallows is whatever. He'll probably go where Anderson goes.

Anderson might go back to Japan since his wife's Japanese. She could conceivably want to go home and it's not like he wouldn't be welcomed with open arms by Gedo to add a fourth to the BCOGs since Hikuleo isn't ready and is recovering from injury.

Yeah, AJ will finish out his career with WWE.

I just read Anderson is building a house in Florida. Of course it's more than possible to live in the US and still work NJPW, but most of the wrestlers who do that are on the west coast.

If he does go back to NJPW I would reckon it would involve a lot more ROH bookings.

This is where AJ being so over helps negotiations with everyone. WWE has a instant classic the moment they put Shin & AJ in a match, up their sleeve or ace in the hole. Anderson can handle the mic, over backstage and, as mentioned, Gallows is young, will follow Anderson and believes he could return again.