The report states Cass appeared on a Northeast Wrestling event in Waterbury, Connecticut on Friday without incident. Also booked on the Northeast Wrestling show were Joey Janela and Morrissey’s WWE tag team partner, Enzo Amore (Eric Arndt).
Amore and Janela were recently involved in a separate altercation at a concert, but there were reportedly no problems between any of the three on Friday.
Cass and Janela were also booked on the WrestlePro show on Saturday in Rahway, New Jersey, which served as a farewell event for the show’s promoter, Pat Buck, who is joining WWE as a producer.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Cass showed up at WrestlePro in a “belligerent” state. He threatened (and may have also slapped) Janela. Cass also claimed that a sweater had been stolen from him and threatened people in the locker room if he didn’t find it.
Cass ended up getting in a confrontation with Buck, at which point Buck knocked him down with a punch. Alvarez noted that everyone was sympathetic to Buck. Alvarez said he didn’t hear anyone defending what Cass did.
After being taken out of the building, Cass then spoke to police outside. Police were reportedly concerned by things Cass said and his loud demeanor, and Cass was transported to a local hospital.
Current subscribers can listen to the full edition of Wrestling Observer Radio here.
Enzo Amore made a scene in the crowd during WWE Survivor Series tonight which led security to escort him out of the arena.
The situation started during the AOP vs. The Bar tag team match. Amore, who was in disguise, could be seen in the second row, even making it on camera. Sometime during the match, Enzo removed the disguise, stood up on his chair and started to cut a promo using his old catch phrases. In this video, you can see security grabbing him and taking him to the ground. In another, you can see Enzo being led away.
Dave Meltzer later mentioned in tonight’s live show post that there were unconfirmed reports that Amore has been banned from the Staples Center.
This isn’t the first time this week that Amore, real name Eric Arndt, has caused controversy. He was kicked off a Delta Airlines flight on 11/15 for vaping while on board.
Amore was released from WWE in January after it was revealed that he was under investigation for sexual assault. WWE suspended, then fired him the day after the investigation was made public. The Phoenix Police Department later ceased the investigation due to lack of evidence.
Former WWE wrestler Enzo Amore (real name Eric Arndt) was kicked off a flight from New York to Los Angeles before takeoff on Thursday.
Pro Wrestling Sheet and TMZ reported that Amore was kicked off the Delta Airlines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport for vaping on the plane, with Pro Wrestling Sheet noting that Amore wouldn’t follow instructions from flight attendants when he was told to stop vaping.
TMZ reported that Port Authority police were called to the plane but didn’t arrest Amore. TMZ’s report also states that Delta refused to put Amore on another flight.
Amore was released from WWE in January after a rape allegation against him was made public, though police concluded their investigation in May and didn’t file charges against him. He’s been going by the name “Real1” and has been focused on making rap music, with a performance in West Hollywood scheduled for Monday, November 19.
The former Enzo Amore is set to appear at his first pro wrestling show since being released by WWE.
House of Glory announced on Saturday night that Amore, who is now going by the name “Real1,” would be appearing at their High Intensity 7 show at the NYC Arena in Queens, New York on August 17th. The promotion noted that Amore would be “live” at the event but didn’t indicate what his role would be or if he would be wrestling.
Amore’s primary post-WWE focus has seemingly been on making rap music. Since Phoenix Police concluded their investigation into the rape allegation against him and found insufficient evidence to press charges, Amore has released two songs under the Real1 name. In the first song, he responded to the accusation by stating his innocence and insulting his accuser.
The allegation against Amore stemmed from last October but wasn’t made public until January 22nd. WWE suspended Amore that day and then released him on January 23rd.
The Phoenix Police Department has concluded its investigation into a rape allegation that was made against Enzo Amore (real name Eric Arndt) and found that there isn’t enough evidence to press charges.
Tom Cargill, an attorney for Amore, issued a statement today announcing that police have informed Amore that the case is closed.
The allegation against Amore, which stems from last October, was made public on January 22nd, with him being suspended by WWE that day and then released from the company on January 23rd. Cargill claimed that Amore only learned of the accusations after they were posted online.
Phoenix Police confirmed that the case has been closed but could be reopened if new evidence were to come to light.
Here’s the statement from Amore’s attorney:
“On January 22, 2018, Eric Arndt (also known as Enzo Amore for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)) was accused, via the internet and social media, of misconduct during an alleged incident in Phoenix, Arizona several months earlier. Prior to that date, no law enforcement or any other officials had contacted Mr. Arndt regarding such claims. However, after the careless, unfounded tirade on social media, Mr. Arndt learned of these accusations when his counsel reached out to Phoenix Police. Subsequently, and as evidenced by the vast amount of online admissions and other publicly available information, it was soon clear that the accuser exhibited a complete lack of truth or credibility. At all times, Mr. Arndt fully and unequivocally denied such accusations and remained confident in clearing his name.
The Phoenix Police Department recently informed Mr. Arndt and his counsel that there is insufficient evidence in this matter to warrant any criminal charges, that the matter will not be transferred to the County Attorney for prosecution, and that their investigation and case is closed. No charges were ever filed. The matter is closed.
Mr. Arndt expresses his gratitude for the enormous amount of support from his fans and followers during this time period. The support has carried him through these events and opened his eyes to the faith and loyalty of those who have cheered and followed his career. This experience has further taught Mr. Arndt to be cautious with his personal associations, because false, defamatory, and unfounded accusations can alter and impact the lives and careers of the falsely accused and their families. Mr. Arndt is working diligently toward his next venture in the entertainment industry and looks forward to reconnecting with his fans in a big way in the very near future.”
The Big Takeaway: Only two weeks before WrestleMania, not that newsworthy of a show. There was no Undertaker in the main event, where John Cena pinned Kane in a no-DQ match. Cena cut another promo on Undertaker to conclude the show. Brock Lesnar beat up Roman Reigns again in the opening segment. Main news item was Bayley and Sasha Banks brawled in the back after an exchange of hostilities.
Show Recap:
Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out to mainly cheers. Heyman showed highlights of Reigns getting beat up by Lesnar last week. Heyman said Reigns suspension has been lifted, which means for everyone who’s waiting for Reigns to come out, Heyman said Reigns isn’t here this evening. Heyman said Reigns was raised by WWE Hall of Famers, like his father Sika and his uncle Afa, and the rest of his family to be a badass, to wrestle and to win. But its was a shame they didn’t raise Reigns to be a man. Because a man would be in Cleveland tonight. Heyman said it was Reigns who claimed to be at Raw week in and week out, whether he was advertised or not. Heyman said Reigns was advertised tonight but he wasn’t here two weeks before WrestleMania. And for the record, if Lesnar was the one who was beaten up last week like Reigns was last week, Lesnar would come down that ramp like King Kong on his knuckle, propel himself into the ring, put the Universal Championship on the line and dare Reigns to take it from him.
Heyman said Reigns isn’t man enough to take another beating from Lesnar, which is why at WrestleMania Reigns isn’t man enough to take the Universal Title away from Lesnar. As Heyman was about to do his catchphrase, Reigns walked out through the crowd slowly. Reigns picked up a chair, but Lesnar clobbered Reigns with a clothesline at ringside. Reigns pushed Lesnar into the ringpost and slammed the chair to his back three times. Reigns jumped off the ring steps in an attempt to hit Lesnar with the Superman Punch, but Lesnar caught him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Lesnar picked up a set of ring steps and rammed Reigns in the head with them hard. Lesnar took the steps and whacked Reigns again, this time in the ring. Lesnar picked up the chair that Reigns hit him with, which was already dented, and slammed it over Reigns’ back repeatedly.
Just like last week, Lesnar started to leave but went back to the ring for more. Lesnar gave Reigns the F-5 on the ring steps, then climbed the steps and posed with the belt.
After a commercial, Reigns staggered up the ramp without any help.
Nia Jax defeated Mickie James (with Alexa Bliss) (7:05)
Mickie James pounded on Jax’s right knee, using a chop block after Bliss tried to interfere on the floor. Finish came when James went to the top rope, but Jax picker her off the top rope, pressed her and pinned her with a Samoan Drop.
Postmatch, Bliss came in the ring and forearmed Jax on the back. Jax looked stunned and chased Bliss from the ring. Jax screamed and Bliss and called her a bitch, which they tried and failed to bleep out.
There was a profile package with HHH and Stephanie McMahon building up their match with Rousey and Angle. HHH said Angle was an idiot and this was all hiis fault. HHH said this wasn’t judo or MMA, this was “their world.” HHH said people can look at them and everything they have and think it was just handed to them, that Stephanie has was she has because she’s Vince McMahon’s daughter. But it has nothing to do with that. Joe DeFranco, a strength and conditioning coach, was interviewed and said HHH and Stephanie train year around, commonly doing midnight workouts. We got HHH doing box jumps and tossing around a medicine ball. Stephane was training like Dana White getting ready to box Tito Ortiz for three rounds in 2006. Stephanie said Rousey looked vulnerable last week and she doesn’t have any clue what she’s in for. Stephanie said she’s ready to exploit Rousey’s arrogance.
They showed HHH beating Angle several times during Angle’s original WWE run from 1999-2005. Stephanie said Rousey doesn’t scare her because she’s a McMahon, which means she will work for her. Stephanie said they will humble Rousy just the way they’ve humbled every superstar in the WWE.
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali defeated TJP and Drew Gulak (4:04)
Drake Maverick was on commentary. The storyline was Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali will face each other for the Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania and they were teaming tonight. Alexander hit a springboard clothesline on TJP, but Drew Gulak made the save. Ali completely overshot Gulak on a somersault tope. Finish was Alexander gave TJP a handspring kick, but Ali made the blind tag. Alexander gave TJP the Lumbar Check, but couldn’t get the pin because Ali had already tagged in. Ali pinned TJP with the 054. Alexander and Ali smiled at each other but was there some tension over Alexander not getting the pin.
The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas were out for MizTV. Miz got welcome home chants since they were in Cleveland, but he said “I live in L.A.” Before Miz got to Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, Miz acccused Axel and Dallas of failing him. Miz said the past two weeks, he has been left laying because they let him down. Dallas said they are doing the best they can. Miz said maybe should Bo-Lieve himself back to catering because Dallas would be nothing without him.
Rollins came out and said this was great to see the MizTourage hash out their problems. Miz said this was an issue he needed to sort out with Dallas and Axel. Rollins said the MizTourage was feeling unappreciated. He asked Miz when was the last time Miz thanked Dallas and Axel. Miz wondered if Rollins was kidding. Rollins said he wasn’t because if it wasn’t for the MizTourage, then the Miz wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion. Rollins started a “MizTourage” chant. Miz said the MizTourage knows he is grateful for them, and they should be thankful for him because he elevated their careers. Miz said even without the MizTourage, he would still be the Intercontinental Champion, be a huge star. Dallas shot up and said Miz would be a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Rollins asked Dallas to repeat that. Miz asked Dallas to repeat that, too.
Before he could, Finn Balor came out and said it looks like Miz needs his help and he wanted to hear what Dallas said. Balor claimed that Dallas said the Miz was the biggest jerk he had ever met. Dallas said that’s not what he said, he said Miz was a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Miz looked stunned as the crowd chanted “yes.” Miz looked Dallas in the eye and muttered “say that again.” Dallas started to repeat himself but Miz slapped him. Dallas wanted a piece of Miz, but Axel held him back. Miz said he was trying to motivate Dallas because he was 34 days away from becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, meaning he would be better than Randy Savage, better than Shawn Michaels, better than Mr. Perfect.
When Miz said that, Axel got mad. Crowd didn’t seem to pick up on the fact that Axel was Curt Henning’s son. Miz was remorseful and told Axel that one slipped. Miz tried to calm everyone down with breathing techniques and said MizTV was now canceled for tonight. Miz wanted to leave, but Dallas and Axel got in his face and wouldn’t leave. Rollins annd Balor laughed. Miz said no one wanted to see this. Crowd cheered and chanted some more. Miz backed up, right into Rollins and Balor. Then Axel and Dallas jumped Balor and Rollins, showing it was all a ruse that Miz had set up. Dallas and Axel tried to set up Balor for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out to save Balor. Dallas and Axel brawled to the back with MizTourage. Miz was left alone with Balor, who recovered and gave him a Sling Blade. Rollins tried to give Miz the Curb Stomp, but Miz got out of the ring and left the Intercontinental belt in the ring. Balor and Rollins looked at the belt, and Rollins took it while looking at Balor and held it over his head. Balor pushed Rollins out of the way as Miz tried to jump Rollins and decked Miz. Rollins clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Balor gave Rollins a forearm to the nose and picked up the Intercontinental belt.
Kane did an interview from the back telling Cena there are demons you should never call out, demons that should Rest In Peace. Kane said Cena wasn’t going to WrestleMania because tonight he was going straight to hell.
Charlie Caruso did an interview with Jamie Frost, the opponent for Asuka, who said that Asuka likes to say no one is ready for Asuka, but Asuka wasn’t ready for her.
Asuka defeated Jamie Frost (:30)
Frost slapped Asuka, who responded with a knockout roundhouse kick for the pin.
Michael Cole reviewed the Ultimate Deletion last week, something that he looked like he didn’t want to do. Corey Graves was more than happy to review what happened. Matt Hardy did a promo saying that Bray Wyatt has been deleted and he was entering the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, the field of which now includes Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder and Baron Corbin.
Bayley was in the back when Sasha Banks approached her. Banks said she got Bayley’s text. Bayley started to walk off, and Banks asked if that was it? Bayley said she was entering the WrestleMania women’s battle royal and that was it. Banks wondered if they were going to talk about last week. Bayley said there was nothing to talk about because Banks knows what she did. Banks raised her voice and said she was sick of Bayley’s passive-aggressive nonsense. Bayley said she thought Banks liked Bayley being passive because that was the type of friendship they wanted to have. The one where Banks gets to do whatever she wants because Bayley gets to be right by her side going along with it. Bayley says Banks loves it that Bayley puts Banks first, that Banks loves that she allows Banks to walk around like Banks is the legit boss. Banks says she is the boss and she does for herself for her career and makes no apologizes for it. Maybe Bayley should do that so that everyone around here doesn’t think Bayley is a complete loser. Bayley said the truth is Banks can’t beat her. Banks said she’s a four-time Raw Women’s Champion. Bayley asked how long did Banks keep it. Bayley started to walk away but Banks grabbed her from behind and rammed her into a locker. They brawled with Bayley making a brief comeback and Banks ramming Bayley into a table. They were pulled apart by Banks broke free. Bayley kicked her back and they were finally separated.
Sheamus and Cesaro came out to face Braun Strowman. Sheamus wanted to know who Strowman’s partner was. Strowman said he would reveal his partner if Sheamus could beat him. Sheamus got mad and demanded to know who was Strowman’s partner. Strowman said maybe Sheamus would get to find out, but he guaranteed Sheamus would get these hands.
Jonathan Coachman compared not knowing who Strowman was teaming with to not knowing who LeBron James was going to team with. Graves called that a terrible analogy because James has a professional basketball team around him. After Strowman threw Sheamus around early, Sheamus made a comeback working on Strowman’s left arm. Strowman would ram his shoulder into the post after missing a charge. Sheamus missed a Brogue Kick and Strowman pinned Sheamus with the running powerslam.
Angle came out and introduced Rousey. Angle said WrestleMania was the most intimidating stage for anyone to compete in for the first time, but after watching Rousey train the last few weeks, he knows she’s ready. Angle brought up HHH and Stephanie’s interview from earlier and said they write the rules and make the rules. Angle said this wasn’t going to be easy.
Rousey, who had blood red under the bottom of her eyes, said it was fine that it wasn’t going to be easy because she wasn’t looking for easy. Rousey said she was there to earn everything that she gets. Rousey said Stephanie talks tough, but she’s trust-fund talk, she’s limousine tough and personal trainer tough. Rousey said Stephanie is going to get everything she deserves, which is her ripping Stephanie’s arm out of her socket.
Absolution walked out. Paige said the one thing that will absolutely destroy Rousey is not having friends. Paige said this is our show and this is her house. Paige said she understands Rousey grew up watching the WWE, but people will take advantage of Rousey and Paige offered to have Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville as her background. Rousey politely declined saying that Angle had her back. Paige said Rousey could become the fourth member of Absolution. Rousey thanked Paige for the offer but turned it down. Paige said she understands that Rousey made her choice, but it wasn’t a good one because Rousey made some enemies. Rose jumped toward Rousey, but Angle held her back. Then Deville grabbed Rousey by the shoulder, but after some hesitation Rousey decked her with a clothesline. Rousey backed Rose into a corner. Rose tried to kick Rousey, but Rousey caught her leg. Rose could be heard giving Rousey instructions as Rousey gave Rose a suplex into Deville, which was mistimed.
Angle raised Rousey’s arm, but then Rousey sensed Rose coming from behind and gave her a perfectly timed sword throw. Rousey held Rose in an armbar, threatening to break it like she was Pentagon Jr. In Lucha Underground, but Angle asked her to let Rose off free. Rousey agreed.
The Good Brothers defeated The MizTourage (5:03)
Anderson gave Axel the Boot of Doom, but Dallas made the save. Axel went for the Perfect Plex, but Anderson escaped with a flying neckbreaker off the top rope. Gallows pinned Axel after the Magic Killer.
Elias was back with a performance. Elias said in this kingdom of madness, there are those who walk and those who don’t walk yet, but in 13 days at WrestleMania he will give the greatest performance of his lifetime. Elias claimed he sold out Madison Square Garden last week, so coming to Cleveland is a huge disappointment. He was embarrassed to be here tonight, but he friend LeBron James told him the same thing when he returned to Cleveland. Elias claimed James would be leaving Cleveland soon, just like he would. Elias sang a song about how WrestleMania was on the horizon, but he’s stuck in this town. The only thing that would be more embarrassing is being a member of the Cleveland Browns. Rhyno and Heath Slater were the ones who interrupted him this time.
Elias pinned Rhyno (with Heath Slater) (2:24)
Elias blocked a Rhyno charge with a knee, followed with a clothesline and got the pin with Drift Away. Postmatch, Elias jumped Slater and gave him Draft Away, as well.
They’re having another Rollins/Balor match next week in Atlanta. Also next week, Angle & Rousey will have a faceoff with Stephanie & HHH.
John Cena defeated Kane in a No DQ match (14:01)
Cena came out holding a towel with Ellen DeGeneres with a quote reading “Be kind to one other.” About 60% of the crowd responded by chanting “Cena sucks.” Cena tried to lift Kane for the AA, but collapsed under Kane’s weight. They fought on the floor, where Kane threw Cena into the ring steps. That led to a big brawl around the arena floor where Cena rammed a barricade into Kane’s midsection near the commentator’s table. Kane responded by suplexing Cena onto the barricade, which was posted against the table. They returned to the ring, where Kane unloosened a turnbuckle. Then Cena sat up just like the Undertaker, triggering his comeback, which included a Blue Thunder Bomb where Cena failed to get Kane four feet off the ground. Cena threw Kane into the exposed turnbuckle, then made a throat-slashing gesture like the Undertaker before he actually hit a choke slam. Cena went under the ring for a table and set it up in the ring, but Kane sat up this time. Kane tried to lift Cena, but Cena reversed and attempted the AA through the table. But Kane pushed the table over and knocked Cena down. Kane put the table into the corner, where he threw Cena but got only two. Kane pulled out another table and teased a choke slam, but Cena got behind Kane and hit the AA through the table for the pin.
Postmatch, Cena waited for some sign of the Undertaker. There was no lightning, no bells of terror and no Undertaker. Cena said this was a match with no rules, anything can happen and anyone could be here. He screamed for the Undertaker. Crowd started chanting for Undertaker. Cena said Undertaker wasn’t deaf, he was just a coward. Night after night, city after city, the fans chant Undertaker’s name. Cena said you don’t get to be mysterious here, silence is not an answer, it’s either yes or no. Crowd chanted yes. Cena said he’s fine with no because he will go to WrestleMania as a fan, but he told the Undertaker to get his eyes out of the back of his head when the fans chant his name. Cena said do something, because now Undertaker only has one week left, one week that sums up his entire career. Cena said Undertaker can do something, or he can do nothing. And if Undertaker does nothing, Undertaker will let him down, let Kane down and let everyone down who ever believed in the Undertaker. Cena said he hopes for the sake of everything that is good inside this ring that he sees Undertaker next week. Cena just left thee ring and that was it.
Eric Arndt, 31, better known as Enzo Amore, was fired by WWE on 1/23, the day after a woman on Twitter accused people Arndt was hanging out with of drugging her, and him of raping her.
In what came across as a very terse statement, WWE wrote one sentence in a release, “WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore).”
They didn’t even do the traditional line of wishing him well in his future endeavors.
This came one day after he was suspended with the statement, “WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Until this matter is resolved, Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) has been suspended.”
One person close to the situation said that when WWE announced the suspension, they had already decided to let him go.
On the day he was officially released from WWE, the legal team of Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) released a statement via Arndt’s Twitter account:
“Over the last two days, Philomena Sheahan has made multiple public allegations against Eric Arndt (also known as Enzo Amore with the WWE), including allegations of sexual misconduct concerning an October 2017 incident in Phoenix. Mr. Arndt fully and unequivicoally denies these accusations. He is cooperating with the authorities in this matter and looks forward to having it resolved in a timely manner. Neither Mr. Arndt nor his counsel will be making any further public comments on this matter.”
On Monday via Twitter, Sheahan accused Arndt of raping her on October 19th. Phoenix police confirmed they responded to a call from the local hospital on October 23rd for an incident that reportedly occurred on the 19th. Sheahan spoke with TMZ and told her side of the story which was very graphic and troubling.
WWE released Arndt Tuesday after initially suspending him.
One day after a rape allegation against him was made public, Enzo Amore has been released by WWE.
The company’s statement: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore).”
Amore had been suspended by WWE yesterday. On Twitter, a woman using the handle “missgucciwitch” shared her story alleging that Amore had raped her last October. Phoenix Police confirmed that they responded to a local hospital on October 23rd, 2017 for a call of a sexual assault that had reportedly occurred on October 19th, 2017 at 401 West Clarendon Avenue. The investigation is still ongoing.
Amore had been WWE Cruiserweight Champion prior to being released and was scheduled to defend his title against Cedric Alexander at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. WWE has yet to address how they’ll handle the title going forward, but 205 Live takes place in Washington DC tonight.
Amore’s final match with WWE before being released was against Alexander at 205 Live’s house show in Poughkeepsie, New York on Sunday.
UPDATE: Amore’s accuser, whose name is Philomena Sheahan, spoke to TMZ about the incident. She told them Amore ripped her tights open and, despite her saying no countless times, he sexually assaulted her in the hotel room they were in.
Sheahan said Amore threw her on the bed and she passed out from smashing her head. When she woke up, she says he was still raping her and wouldn’t stop when she said no and told him to get off of her. She doesn’t know when Amore stopped, but says he was still there in the morning.
Enzo Amore has been suspended by WWE after a rape allegation against him was made public online today.
WWE’s statement: “WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Until this matter is resolved, Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) has been suspended.”
On Twitter, a woman using the handle “missgucciwitch” wrote, “OKAY..it’s been long enough & I have been so so scared to share this. I was raped in mid October by the WWE Enzo Amore (also known as Eric Arden) & Tyler Grosso & TOOPOOR let it happen as accomplices. I was in a mental hospital for 45 days after it. They ARE NOT good people.”
The woman’s claim was that Grosso and TOOPOOR got her way “f***ed up” and they left knowing what was about to happen. She said she was passed out on the couch but told Amore she wanted to get to know him better and he said, “Bitch, I have 1 million followers on Instagram…you should be begging for this d***.”
“Then he restrained me and it happened,” she wrote.
In a direct message that missgucciwitch shared where she described the incident, she wrote that she was in the process of pressing charges. She filed a report with the Phoenix Police Department on an alleged incident that occurred on October 19th, 2017, and the case is still under investigation. At this point we are awaiting a copy of the police report.
Amore had been scheduled to defend his Cruiserweight Championship against Cedric Alexander at the Royal Rumble on Sunday.
UPDATE: According to Vince Lewis of the Phoenix Police Department’s Media Relations unit, Phoenix Police confirmed that on Monday, October 23rd, 2017, at around 2:30 p.m., Phoenix Police responded to a local hospital for a call of a sexual assault that had reportedly occurred on October 19th, 2017 at 401 West Clarendon Avenue.
With Friday’s tour stop having been canceled earlier this month, the first 205 Live-exclusive house show took place at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts last night.
The crowd was not full, but bigger than I expected. It was a mix of kids, people in Bullet Club shirts, and people there to see Matt Hardy. There were far less chairs on the floor than the last time I was at this venue for Ring of Honor last June, but the crowd was very invested in the matches and lively.
This was a much better show than expected, though there were very few dives despite it being promoted as a high-flyers show.
– Hideo Itami defeated Jack Gallagher
A fine opener that went about 10 minutes. Itami won with a new finisher.
– Kalisto & Gran Metalik defeated Drew Gulak & TJP
Kalisto got the pin after hitting the Salida Del Sol. This built very well and was my favorite match on the show.
– Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt
Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for the finish. Before the match. he led the crowd in singing “Obsolete.” Both guys did a lot of stalling. The match was slow, as you would expect, but it was fun nonetheless.
Wyatt seemed to be having fun interacting with the crowd, including doing a crotch chop.
– Akira Tozawa defeated Ariya Daivari
Tozawa won with a senton.
– Mustafa Ali defeated Tony Nese
They had a good match, with Ali hitting the inverted 450 to win. This was a bit longer and had a much better crowd than it would have had on an episode of 205 Live.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defeated Cedric Alexander to retain his title
Nia Jax was the special guest referee. Amore came out and trashed Massachusetts to get some heat, then Alexander entered to a mixed reaction.
Near the finish, Alexander ducked a clothesline and it accidentally hit Jax. As Amore and Jax argued, Alexander went for a kick and took out Jax again. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check for a visual pin while Jax was down. She gave Alexander a Samoan drop (to the pop of the night), pulled Amore on top of him, and counted the pin.
As we head into the last two weeks of build on television, there are now eight matches announced for the Royal Rumble.
Enzo Amore defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Cedric Alexander is the latest match to officially be added to the pay-per-view’s card. To set things up for the Rumble, Alexander challenged for the title and defeated Amore by countout on this past Monday’s episode of Raw.
Amore was counted out on Raw due to a storyline leg injury, but he was legitimately busted open hardway by a kick from Alexander during the match and needed to get four stitches after.
The updated card for the Royal Rumble is listed below. The PPV will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on January 28th:
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match
WWE Champion AJ Styles defending against Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a handicap match
The finals of the United States Championship tournament
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan defending against Cesaro & Sheamus
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defending against Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin in a two-out-of-three falls match
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defending against Cedric Alexander
Amore being hospitalized with the flu kept him from appearing on Raw last Monday. He also wasn’t on Tuesday’s 205 Live and was pulled from the upcoming Mixed Match Challenge tournament, but Dave Meltzer reported in the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Amore had been cleared to return.
Amore was back in the ring at this weekend’s house shows and faced Alexander in Cruiserweight title matches.
Monday’s Raw will take place in Memphis, Tennessee. The Miz, who has been away since November to film the next movie in WWE Studios’ “The Marine” franchise, will return on the show. Brock Lesnar is also scheduled and will continue to build up his Universal Championship defense against Braun Strowman and Kane at the Royal Rumble.
With Enzo Amore not in the tournament, Apollo Crews will be teaming with Nia Jax in WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge.
That pairing was announced today after Kurt Angle tweeted earlier in the week that Amore would have to be replaced. Amore missed Raw last Monday, where he was supposed to defend his Cruiserweight Championship against Cedric Alexander, due to being hospitalized with the flu and wasn’t on 205 Live on Tuesday.
Even though the decision was made to take Amore out of the tournament, Dave Meltzer noted in the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Amore has been cleared to wrestle. The storyline in the video where Jax’s partner was revealed was that she was disappointed to be teaming with Crews and appeared to be annoyed with Titus Worldwide.
After Rusev & Lana were announced yesterday, it was officially confirmed that another married couple would be paired together as Jimmy Uso is set to team with Naomi.
Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss, Bobby Roode & Charlotte Flair, and Finn Balor & Sasha Banks have also been announced for the mixed tag team tournament. The 12-episode series premieres on Facebook Watch at 10 p.m. Eastern time on January 16th.
Here are the other wrestlers who will be taking part in Mixed Match Challenge:
Raw —
Alicia Fox
Asuka
Bayley
Goldust
The Miz
A male wrestler who will be selected by fan vote
SmackDown —
Becky Lynch
Carmella
Natalya
Sami Zayn
Shinsuke Nakamura
A member of The New Day (to be determined by fan vote)
With its debut less than two weeks away, WWE has started to make some announcements regarding Mixed Match Challenge.
Kurt Angle first tweeted last night that Enzo Amore, who was included on the original list of wrestlers for the show, won’t be taking part in the tournament due to the flu. Amore missed Raw on Monday and his scheduled Cruiserweight title defense against Cedric Alexander after being hospitalized with the illness.
Amore also wasn’t on 205 Live this week. Whether he actually won’t be returning before Mixed Match Challenge begins remains to be seen.
The first pairing for the tournament has also been revealed, with Alexa Bliss set to team with Braun Strowman.
Mixed Match Challenge will premiere on Facebook Watch at 10 p.m. Eastern time on January 16th. The show will air live for 20 minutes after SmackDown on Tuesdays and will last for 12 weeks. It will feature a single-elimination mixed tag team tournament, which will include wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown.
WWE announced yesterday that Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Beth Phoenix would be the commentary team for Mixed Match Challenge and Renee Young and Byron Saxton would be the hosts for it.
Watch Bliss & Strowman being announced as the first team below:
