offical wwe thread

jro

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Dynamite was the first time in months that I've watched anything AEW, and it was well-worth it. The tribute video near the beginning of the show was nice if a bit short, and then the match was awesome.

It's too bad that it took everything it took for W/D to finally end their dumb ban, but better late than never I guess. Hopefully Mark gets the mainstream exposure that they both deserved all along.

Cornette discussing Jay (and Mark) on his show last week ended up being a heck of a tribute to the guy:

 

wataru330

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Mark is absolute inspiration. I’d be hiding out in a cave for a year, if this happened to me. Fucking Champion human being.
 

Arcademan

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I know there were a few that were put off by the lack of any tribute the previous week on Dynamite but AEW more than made up for it this past Wednesday. Those not familiar with Jay got a great rundown on key matches he had in ROH and the match with Mark and Lethal was the icing on the cake. You could tell Jay Lethal, normally a mean person did everything he could walking down the aisle to keep his composure. Both he and Mark put on a lovely tribute. The whole world is slightly sadder with Jay Briscoe no longer in it.
 

Arcademan

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WWE Royal Rumble PLE Results: 1-28-23

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

(Note: I'll list the entries and eliminations only...)

(1) MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE

1. Gunther

2. Sheamus

3. The Miz

4. Kofi Kingston

5. Johnny Gargano

ELIMINATED: Miz

6. Xavier Woods

7. Karrion Kross

8. Chad Gable

9. Drew McIntyre

ELIMINATED: Kross in 14:00

10. Santos Escobar

11. Angelo Dawkins

ELIMINATED: Xavier in 18:00

12. Brock Lesnar

ELIMINATED: Escobar

ELIMINATED: Dawkins

ELIMINATED: Gable

13. Bobby Lashley

ELIMINATED: Lesnar

14. Baron Corbin

ELIMINATED: Corbin

15. Seth Rollins

16. Otis

17. Rey Mysterio (didn't show)

ELIMINATED: Lashley in 29:00

18. Dominik Mysterio

ELIMINATED: Otis in 30:00

19. Elias

ELIMINATED: Elias in 33:00.

20. Finn Balor

ELIMINATED: Gargano in 36:00.

21. Booker T

ELIMINATED: Booker T in 37:00.

22. Damian Priest

23. Montez Ford

ELIMINATED: Ford in 41:00. (That was rather unceremonious for Ford, a potential future top singles star for WWE.)

24. Edge

Edge speared Balor. Dom dropkicked him from behind into 619 position. Edge popped off the ropes and spared Dom, which got a big pop. He eliminated Priest and then Balor one after another.

ELIMINATED: Priest in 42:00.

ELIMINATED: Balor in 42:00.

ELIMINATED: Edge in 43:00.

25. Austin Theory

26. Omos

27. Braun Strowman

ELIMINATION: Omos

28. Ricochet

ELIMINATED: Sheamus in 52:00.

ELIMINATED: Drew in 52:00.

29. Logan Paul

30. Cody Rhodes

ELIMINATED: Dominik at 58:00.

ELIMINATED: Strowman in 59:00.

ELIMINATED: Ricochet.

The final four were Seth, Cody, Theory, and Gunther. Seth delivered a Stomp to Theory. Cody then eliminated Theory with a clothesline.

ELIMINATED: Theory in 61:00.

ELIMINATION: Seth in 63:00.

As Seth soaked up the disappointment, Paul kicked Gunther and Cody. Cody ducked Paul and delivered Crossroads and then eliminated him for a gig pop.

ELIMINATION: Paul in 64:00.

It came down to Cody and Gunther. Cody spit some blood out of his mouth from some sort of cut. Gunther chopped Cody’s pec and then chopped him hard to the mat. Cody stood and fought back. Graves asked if the risk is worth the reward for Cody. Cody sidestepped a charging Gunther big boot. When Cody went for a Disaster Kick, Gunther kicked him out of mid-air. Cole wondered if the Rumble has ever come down to no. 1 and no. 30. (It’s paints Gunther as a more sympathetic figure for having the bad luck of the draw and enduring while Cody benefited from the best number.) Gunther put Cody on the top turnbuckle and pounded away at him. Cody dropped to the ring apron and stood and fought back. Cody climbed to the top rope, but Gunther met him up there. Gunther superplexed Cody to the mat. Cody fought back and knocked Gunther onto the ring apron over the top rope. Fans chanted “Cody! Cody!” Gunther re-entered the ring. Cody spread Gunther’s legs over the middle rope and charged with a kick to his groin muscle area. The crowd didn’t seem to like that tactic. Gunther leaped up and dropkicked Cody seconds later and then powerbombed him. He tossed Cody over the top, but Cody hung on. Gunther applied a sleeper. Cody yanked on Gunther’s head, so Gunther released. Cody climbed back to the top rope and leaped, but Gunther chopped him mid-air. Gunther set up a powerslam, but Cody slipped out and delivered Crossroads. Then he charged and clotheslined Gunther over the top rope.

ELIMINATED: Gunther in 72:00.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 72:00.

( A really good Royal Rumble match. I’m not sure Gunther was a believable enough runner-up to create the drama they were going for in those closing minutes. It was good, though, for Cody to have to battle Gunther for a while before winning since he had the benefit of being no. 30. It was tough to tell on TV, but the crowd didn’t seem to be going crazy for Cody, although it was definitely a positive reaction. They didn’t follow-up on Rey never making it to the match. You know someone out there, as Cody was celebrating, was expecting Rey to run out and knocked Cody over the top rope to win! Logan seemed positioned as a heel here and as a potential Seth opponent at WrestleMania. There were plenty of intra-match developments including Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley and Edge & Beth vs. Dom & Ripley. I was never a fan of “surprise” entrants who were retired wrestlers with no business being part of 30 wrestlers with a chance to win and go on to WrestleMania’s main event. Booker T was fun as the one non-active wrestler in the match.)
 

Arcademan

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WWE Royal Rumble PLE Results: 1-28-23

(2) L.A. KNIGHT vs. BRAY WYATT – Pitch Black match


McAfee wanted to know what was about to happen. After Knight’s entrance, a lengthy recap video aired on the Bray-Knight saga. Bray made his entrance. They shined Black Light into the ring. The ropes glowed in aurora green. Knight’s trunks, kneepads, and armband also glowed. Bray’s face and body paint showed up in the black light as white, also. Otherwise the match was normal, with Bray attacked Knight at the start. At ringside, Knight reverse-whipped Bray into ringside steps. Bray fought back. Knight leaped off the ringside barricade and slammed Ray through the announce desk where there was some green glitter that flew everywhere. Knight pulled out a tool box. Back in the ring Bray avoided a kendo stick swing by Knight and then landed Sister Abigail for the win.

WINNER: Wyatt in 4:00.

-Afterward, he put a mask on and crawled over toward Knight. Knight scurried away. He then grabbed the kendo stick and bashed Bray with it. Bray no-sold it and backed him away. Graves said it’s like being stuck in a horror movie. Bray applied a Mandible Claw on a platform. He then looked up and saw Uncle Howdy standing 20 feet above him on another platform. Howdy leaped off platform and landed on or near Knight. Fire then blasted up from around the platform. Cole asked what these creates were capable of.

(Graves said that was the first Pitch Black match. I hope it’s the last. That was just nothingness. It belonged on Nikelodeon’s special kiddie-oriented NFL coverage. I don’t think that does anything for Bray, either. The post-match didn’t answer any questions or forward any storyline. it was the visual equivalent of verbal empty platitudes.)
 

Arcademan

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WWE Royal Rumble PLE Results: 1-28-23

(3) BIANCA BELAIR vs. ALEXA BLISS – WWE Raw Title match


The bell rang 58 minutes into the second hour of the telecast. Bliss took control early and settled into a chinlock. Belair escaped and fought back. She mounted Bliss in the corner and punched away at her. She went for a handspring shooting star press, but Bliss lifted her knees. She tried again and landed it for a two count. Bliss took over after escaping a K.O.D. attempt. She hit a DDT for a two count at 7:00. Belair blocked a Sister Abigail attempt and delivered a sudden K.O.D. for the clean win. Cole said Beliar defeated “a game Alexa Bliss.”

WINNER: Belair in 8:00. (*3/4)

-As Belair left and Bliss sat up in the ring, a vignette aired with Uncle Howdy asking, “Do you feel in charge” as various images of Bliss flashed on the screen. Bliss watched and seemed to be contemplating the message.

(The Womens Royal Rumble is starting but I'm heading to bed soon. I'll post the remaining results here later...)
 

Arcademan

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WWE Royal Rumble PLE Results: 1-28-23

(Note: I'll list the entries and eliminations only...)

(4) WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH

1. Rhea Ripley

2. Liv Morgan

3. Dana Brooke

4. Emma

5. Shayna Baszler

6. Bayley

7. B-Fab

ELIMINATION: B-Fab.

8. Roxanne Perez

9. Dakota Kai

10. Iyo Sky

ELIMINATION: Dana Brooke.

ELIMINATION: Emma.

ELIMINATION: Perez.

11. Natalya

12. Candice LeRae

ELIMINATION: Natalya

ELIMINATION: Baszler

13. Zoey Stark

14. Xia Li

ELIMINATION: LeRae

15. Becky Lynch

16. Tegan Nox

17. Asuka

ELIMINATION: Nox at 29:00

18. Piper Niven

19. Tamina

20. Chelsea Green

ELIMINATION: Green.

ELIMINATION: Kai

ELIMINATION: Sky.

ELIMINATION: Becky

ELIMINATION: Bayley

21. Zelina Vega

22. Raquel Rodriguez

23. Michin (Mia Yim)

24. Lacey Evans

25. Michelle McCool

ELIMINATED: Tamina

26. Indi Hartwell

27. Sonya Deville

ELIMINATION: Stark in 46:00.

ELIMINATION: Vega

28: Shotzi

ELIMINATION: Hartwell

29. Nikki Cross

30. Nia Jax

ELIMINATED: Jax

ELIMINATED: Evans.

ELIMINATED: Deville.

ELIMINATED: McCool.

ELIMINATED: Shotzi.

ELIMINATED: Michin.

ELIMINATED: Niven.

ELIMINATED: Rodriguez.

It came down to Cross, Asuka, Ripley, and Morgan. Morgan charged at Nikki and knocked her off the ring apron to the floor.

ELIMINATION: Nikki.

The three remaining women smiled and stood. Asuka sprayed mist in Liv’s face, but then Ripley eliminated her.

ELIMINATION: Asuka.

Ripley turned to the blinded Liv, but Liv knocked Ripley off balance. Ripley hung from the top rope. She head scissored Liv to the floor.

ELIMINATION: Liv.

WINNER: Ripley in 61:00.

(That featured steady action, but not enough highs or novel moments to stand out. The return of Doudrop as Piper Niven, the McCool entry, the new-look Asuka, the return of Nia Jax, and a couple NXT women entering kept it newsworthy.)
 

Arcademan

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(5) ROMAN REIGNS (w/Sami Zayn, Paul Heyman) vs. KEVIN OWENS – Undisputed WWE Universal Title match

The bell rang 45 minutes into the third hour as Cole asked whether Owens can knock off one of the great champions in WWE history. McAfee said it’s an honor to be present to call this. Reigns said, exuding confidence, “We’re going to teach him a lesson tonight!” Fans chanted “Sami Uso!” Cole mentioned feeling sorry for Sami. McAfee said you can’t feel sorry for him because he’s in the Bloodline. Cole said he’s only an honorary member and some believe he’s been strung along and used by Reigns and Heyman. Reigns knocked KO down early. KO came back and knocked Reigns down, then stomped away at him in the corner before landing a cannonball. Reigns rolled to the floor. KO went right after him. KO whipped Reigns into the ringside barricade and then landed a senton.

Back in the ring Reigns landed a Rock Bottom on KO for a two count at 4:00. Cole said the longer you’re in power, the more the paranoia kicks in. He said Reigns is wondering where Sami and Jey and everyone stands. McAfee said when you’re on top as long as him, you create more enemies. Reigns delivered a Drive-By and scored a two count. KO tried to fight back with a chop, but Reigns stayed in control and hit Owens with a barrage of clotheslines in the corner.

Owens took control and then splashed Reigns on the floor. He threw him back into the ring and landed a top rope splash for a two count. Fans weren’t buying it could be the finish. Owens called Reigns a “piece of crap” and yelled for him to get up. Reigns got up and promptly gave Owens a sitout powerbomb for a two count. McAfee told Cole to watch the action. Cole said, “Because for 25 years, I’ve been told to watch my monitor and that’s what I’m doing.” (Is the love affair between Cole and McAfee over? McAfee seemed to be getting on Cole’s nerves a few times.)

Reigns caught Owens with a Superman Punch for a two count at 10:00. They showed Sami on replay in slo-mo celebrating the Superman Punch. Reigns set up a spear, but Owens side-stepped him and shoved him shoulder-first into the ringpost. He then superkicked Reigns and leaped off the top rope with Swanton for a near fall. Sami and Heyman looked relieved at ringside. Graves said that might have been KO’s best shot.


Owens went for another top rope move, but Reigns knocked him off balance and then went for a superplex. KO punched and headbutted Reigns to break his grip. He knocked him to the mat and went for a springboard moonsault. He slipped and landed on Reigns’s shoulder area, then got up and hit a regular moonsault for a near fall. Reigns then quickly speared Owens for a near fall. Reigns waited for KO to stand and charged, but KO kneed him. Reigns shoved KO and the ref went down. KO hit a Pop-up Powerbomb. The fans counted well past five. Cole said KO should be the champion. McAfee said Reigns might’ve known the ref wasn’t available to count and was just getting a breather. Reigns gave KO low-blow.

Reigns looked over at Sami and told him to get a chair. Sami said, “You told me to do nothing.” Reigns yelled, “Get a chair!” Sami ran aropund looking for one. He pulled one out from under the ring. He hesitated, but slid it to him. Sami said, “Do it.” Owens recovered and gave Reigns a Stunner for a believable near fall. Sami looked like he was going to pass out from that sequence. Heyman turned and stared a hole in Sami for his indecisiveness.

Owens threw Reigns into the ropes, but when he went for a Pop-Up, Reigns hit a Superman Punch and then a quick spear for a believable near fall. Fans applauded. Cole wondered if self-doubt was creeping into the champion. Sami stood by KO as KO struggled to stand. Sami told him to “just stay down.” Reigns speared Owens through the ringside barricade into the time keeper’s area. Reigns threw KO back into the ring, but KO rolled to the other side and under the bottom rope to the floor. Reigns pursued him, passing Sami on his way, and then threw Owens back-first into the steps. The back of Owen’s head hit the edge of the step. Sami gasped. Reigns threw Owens into the steps back-first again. Cole called for the ref to call the match off. He said they haven’t seen this level of brutality from Reigns before.

Reigns entered the ring as Heyman said this is why he worships him. Heyman told Sami to acknowledge the Tribal Chief. Heyman said he acknowledges him. Reigns speared KO back in the ring and got the three count. “Thank goodness this is over,” Cole said. Reigns stood over KO and taunted him with both belts in his hands.

WINNER: Reigns in 19:00.

-As Reigns celebrated, the Usos and Solo Sikoa joined in. Jey was about to put a lei around Sami’s neck, Reigns paused them and ordered them to stomp away at Owens some more. They did. They gave him a One and Done. Reigns put his arm around Sami and watched. Reigns was satisfied, but Sami looked concerned that it was going too far. Jimmy punched away at KO in the corner. The fans chanted “Sami! Sami!” The Usos put a chair around KO’s neck. Solo charged with a hip attack. Reigns as laughing. Cole asked for someone to do something about it. He asked what else they have to prove. Heyma gave Reigns handcuffs. Reigns twirled them as Sami nervously looked on. They handcuffed Owens to the top rope. Jey superkicked him; Jimmy superkicked him. Jey and Jimmy kept taking turns kicking him. Cole called for anyone to stop this.

Reigns looked over at Sami for approval. Sami tepidly suggested that was enough, but Reigns kept trash-talking KO and then wound up with the chair. Sami stepped in and said, “No, stop.” Fans roared. Reigns blinked. Sami said it’s done and it’s beneath him to do more. “It’s okay, it’s enough,” he said. “You’re better than that. You are. It’s really enough. It doesn’t need to go any further. He’s done.” Reigns handed Sami the chair. Sami said he didn’t want it. Heyman shouted, “This is your moment!” Reigns insisted he take the chair. Reigns said he doesn’t care about him and he’s been an anchor since day one. He said he loves him and has given him everything. He said the ring is his, or else he can go do “Jackass shit.” Reigns turned to KO. Sami wound up the chair behind him. Reigns yelled, “Pull the trigger.” Reigns palm-faced Sami and asked what’s wrong with him. He asked if he thinks it’s a game. “This is my life,” he said. “This is my whole life.” Fans loudly chanted “Sami! Sami!”

Sami bashed Reigns in the back with a chairshot. Fans popped. Sami dropped the chair and turned to the Usos who asked what he was doing. Jimmy superkicked Sami. Cole said Sami made his choice and he’s going to pay. Jimmy mounted Sami and punched away at him. Solo shoved Jimmy off off Sami and then delivered a Samoan Spike to Sami. Reigns stood and said they’re not done. Solo hedl Sami as Jimmy punched away at him. Jey watched, looking torn. Fans chanted “Jey! Jey! Jey!” Reigns and Jimmy looked over at Jey. Jey rolled out of the ring. Fan “oooh’d.” Jey walked away. Fans cheered. Jimmy got emotional and walked to the back. He held his hands up to his face, coming to grips with what walking away meant. Reigns bashed Sami with a chair eight times, including some stiff shots to his shoulder. He punched away at him. The camera cut back to Jey, who had made it all the way to the entrance tunnel. Reigns began plucking pedals off the lei and dropping them over Sami’s chest. Jimmy gave KO one extra superkick for good measure before leaving the ring with Reigns, Solo, and Heyman.

(Phenomenal angle. Wow. Perfect crowd response. Great performances across the board.)
 

wataru330

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Mark gave the greatest eulogy I’ve ever heard.

No sound during the first 30 mins/slide show…if that bugs you, just scrub forward until you see Jay Lethal and Roddy Strong holding a small bell.

10 bell salute, then the pastor opens the ceremony.

Caprice Coleman, Papa Briscoe, and Mark all speak at length.

This was just beautiful.
 

Arcademan

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The Genius Lanny Poffo Has Passed Away At 68 Years Old

The wrestling world has lost another legend as former WWE Superstar The Genius Lanny Poffo has passed away at the age of 68.

WWE Hall of Famer Hacksaw Jim Duggan took to social media to break the unfortunate news this morning, tweeting out:

“With a very, very heavy heart, I’ve been asked to let everyone know about the passing of our friend and colleague Lanny Poffo, The Genius. RIP Lanny,” Hacksaw Jim Duggan said.
Poffo, the brother of “Macho Man” Randy Savage, is best known for his character, “The Genius”, that he portrayed during a point in his WWE run from 1985 to 1992. Poffo was also known as “Leaping Lanny” during his career and also worked in WCW, Mid-South, and the National Wrestling Alliance throughout his 30+ year career. His cause of death is unknown at this time.
 

famicommander

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Briscoe daughter update:
One of the two has been released from the hospital. She has gone home in a back brace and will have surgery to remove it in four weeks or so. Her recovery is progressing on schedule. She has a long road ahead but she should eventually make a complete recovery.

The other still hasn't regained movement below her knees, but her mother said she has made significant progress in the last day with the right leg and it is beginning to feel like normal. She is being moved to the physical therapy/rehab section of the hospital and there is still hope she'll eventually be back to 100%, but she has at least another month of rehab before possibly going home.
 

Arcademan

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WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Jerry Lawler suffered a stroke on Monday.

A report from Action News 5 in Florida confirms that Lawler had a stroke on Monday at his home in Fort Myers, Fla. and is now recovering in a Florida hospital after having surgery.

This is the second stroke Lawler has had. He also had a stroke in 2018. Prior to that, he suffered a heart attack while on commentary during an episode of WWE Raw in 2012.

Lawler is no longer a regular announcer on WWE TV, but he did appear on the Royal Rumble pre-show last month.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer posted an update on Twitter that Lawler was awake after surgery and that the situation is “very serious.”
 

Arcademan

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Hall of Fame wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett has died. He was 80 years old. Dutch Mantel announced the news on social media that was later confirmed by PWInsider.

Jarrett is known for founding the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in 1977. Jarrett promoted shows with Nick Gulas in Memphis, but split away from him after a falling out. Jarrett booked the CWA inside the Mid-South Coliseum. Jarrett successfully ran the promotion with Jerry Lawler at the helm, eventually forcing Gulas to sell his promotion to him in 1981.

Throughout the years, Jarrett worked in other capacities including fostering the creation of the USWA and working as a special consultant for both WCW and Vince McMahon’s WWF(E). In June of 2002, after WCW went out of business and was sold to the WWE, Jarrett created TNA as an alternative wrestling product in the United States. He was a part of the company until 2005.

Prior to his career as a promoter, Jarrett was a pro wrestler and was a multiple-time tag team champion for NWA-Mid America between 1970 and 1976. His first match was in 1965.

Finally, Jerry Jarrett is credited for introducing entrance music into the professional wrestling presentation with The Freebirds and “Freebird” in 1979.
 

Syn

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Waiting for a Dark Side of the Ring episode on Jerry RIP.
 
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