Tag: Hideo Itami

Daily Update: WWE releases, Will Ospreay/Jay White, UFC notes

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE takes first steps toward WrestleMania 35 triple threat

It appears that WWE has officially taken the first steps towards Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair all being involved in the main event of WrestleMania 35.

An angle where Vince McMahon suspended Lynch for 60 days and announced that Charlotte would be taking her place at WrestleMania closed last Monday’s episode of Raw. Charlotte aligned with Vince and fully turned heel, with Vince calling her someone with charisma, someone with charm, and someone who knows their lane and stays in it.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 25, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Elimination Chamber review

The show didn’t sell out, even in one of WWE’s best markets. The show had more good than bad, with the highlight being the main event, the men’s Chamber match where Daniel Bryan retained and the crowd got so strong behind Kofi Kingston in the Mustafa Ali slot that Vince McMahon changed plans for Fast Lane to put Bryan vs. Kingston on top.

The show was the brainchild of Motoko Baba, to run a big Baba celebration show in 2019, 20 years after his early 1999 death. With her passing away last year, it was her nieces and nephews who put the show together.

All but one count of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar on the grounds they conspired against him to allow a juiced up Lesnar to fight him at UFC 200 was thrown out of court.

The 2020 Royal Rumble will take place on 1/26 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Most likely that would also mean Takeover on 1/25 at the Toyota Center, Raw on 1/27 and Smackdown on 1/28.

FOX this weekend started advertising 10/4 as the debut of the new Friday Night Smackdown show.

“Fighting with My Family,” the Dwayne Johnson Seven Bucks Entertainment movie about Growing Up as Paige, which has its big national release on 2/22, has gotten great word-of-mouth so far.

Chris Jericho noted that while he and Gedo are on the same page, that New Japan management hasn’t talked with him about a new deal.

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • PWInsider is reporting that TJP’s release from WWE wasn’t a case of him asking for his release like Tye Dillinger and Hideo Itami, whose releases were also confirmed today.
  • They are also reporting that Noam Dar is moving back to Europe and will be a part of NXT UK full-time going forward. Until then, he’s still working the 205 Live tapings.
  • Hideo Itami tweeted after WWE confirmed that he’s been granted his release: “Thanks again. See you soon as KENTA #GO2SLEEP  #GAMEOVER #BUSAIKUKNEE”
  • PWInsider reported that Becky Lynch is scheduled to appear on Monday’s episode of Raw. The show will include a 70th birthday celebration segment for Ric Flair.
  • Naomi responded to someone on Twitter about Jimmy Uso’s arrest from earlier this month: “I was NOT ticketed, I was NOT drinking, leaving the lot I was unaware that it exits to a 1 way street (it was dark snow no signs no traffic I was pulled immediately made a mistake and I own it) as for my husband he’s more of a man you’ll ever be & I’ll leave it at that #blocked”
  • Today is the official release day for “Fighting with My Family.”
  • Kofi Kingston is the guest on today’s episode of the Edge & Christian podcast.

Pro Wrestling

  • NEVER Openweight Champion Will Ospreay has challenged IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White to a non-title champion vs. champion match at NJPW’s 47th anniversary show on March 6.
  • Cody Rhodes tweeted about Arn Anderson no longer being with WWE: “Love AA. I stole all of his catchphrases & use them on a daily basis. He went to bat for young talent & at the same time is essentially responsible for all of the current top guys & ‘golden circle’. He’s not corporate, but that’s a compliment. Can’t take wrestlers outta wrestling”
  • Pop TV president Brad Schwartz spoke to Deadline about Impact Wrestling no longer being on the station: “Yes, we had a wrestling show every Thursday night, which by the way was one of our 10 highest-rated shows on the network. They wanted to keep going, obviously. It was two hours of original content every Thursday night, 52 weeks a year that would do 400 thousand-500 thousand viewers every Thursday night. We had to really start focusing on brand and expectation, and I think if you’re going to pitch yourself and tell audiences that you’re this place for premium content, Schitt’s Creek, Flack, Florida Girls, this type of stuff, then people need to know what to expect from you when they come to the channel.”
  • Eli Drake on Twitter said he would not participate in a one on one intergender match against Tessa Blanchard.
  • Gringo Loco vs. Myron Reed is set for MLW Intimidation Games in Cicero, Illinois on March 2.
  • Davey Richards is out of the upcoming Alpha-1 Here We Go Again card.

UFC/MMA

  • Mackenzie Dern is expecting her first child: “God makes everything so perfect! I am so happy to be able to share this news! I’m going to be a Mom! I love so much our family and now I have one more HUGE motivation for inside and outside the ring!! Thank you God for this blessing @santoswesley I also want to thank all my fans and sponsors for the support during all the life phases and I can’t wait to be back in the ring!”
  • Both Klidson Abreu (209) and Diego Ferreira (157) missed weight prior to UFC’s show in Prague tomorrow.
  • Max Holloway also shared some words regarding Georges St-Pierre, who officially announced his retirement yesterday.
  • A fight between Alexander Volkov and Alistair Overeem will be the main event for UFC St. Petersburg on 4/20.
  • Khalid Murtazaliev has accepted a two year suspension for a positive drostanolone (and its metabolite) test as the result of out-of-competition urine samples he provided on October 3, 2018 and December 6, 2018.
  • Roman Kopylov will make his UFC debut at UFC St. Petersburg.
  • Paul Felder is hoping to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow after suffering a collapsed lung this past weekend. He won’t be able to fly home until Wednesday regardless.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Daily Pro Wrestling History (02/22): Sting defeats Hogan to win vacant WCW title

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

WWE confirms release of Hideo Itami

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE made Hideo Itami’s release official this afternoon and confirmed that he’s no longer with the company.

After announcing that Tye Dillinger had been granted his release, WWE posted a similar statement on Itami: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).”

It was reported on January 29 that Itami had requested his release and it would be granted. Itami lost to Akira Tozawa on 205 Live that night and was laid out by Ariya Daivari in a post-match angle. Itami tweeted after his last appearance for WWE: “THANK YOU.”

Itami signed with WWE and joined NXT in 2014, before being added to the cruiserweight division in December 2017. Itami dealt with multiple injuries during his time in WWE.

Last September, Itami returned to Pro Wrestling NOAH for one night. He lost to Naomichi Marufuji on Marufuji’s 20th anniversary show.

Itami’s last week in WWE was chronicled on an episode of #205Life:

Hideo Itami reportedly finishes up with WWE

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Hideo Itami may be out of the WWE.

Both Fightful and PWInsider reported tonight that Hideo Itami asked for and was granted a release from WWE this week following tonight’s SmackDown tapings in Phoenix, Arizona. Fightful reported that the talk backstage was that Itami was unhappy with his creative direction. He will be under a 90-day no compete clause.

Itami was featured in the main event of tonight’s episode of 205 Live, where he lost to Akira Tozawa. Ariya Daivari, who he has been associated with on television then turned on him, laying him out with a clothesline.

After the tapings, he posted on Twitter “THANK YOU”. He had recently changed his name from Hideo Itami back to KENTA.

Itami, who was one of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s biggest stars, signed with WWE in 2014 and was a part of NXT for several years. Most of that time was spent dealing with injuries: a shoulder injury that kept him out for over a year, then a neck injury that kept him out for another six months..

He was called up to 205 Live in December of 2017, where he feuded with various members of the roster. He was a part of the cruiserweight title match at the Royal Rumble this past weekend where he took the pinfall for Buddy Murphy, who retained the title.

Two title matches airing on WWE Royal Rumble pre-show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has confirmed two title matches for Sunday’s Royal Rumble pre-show.

On SmackDown’s go-home show for the PPV, it was announced that Rusev’s United States Championship defense against Shinsuke Nakamura will be airing on the Royal Rumble pre-show. Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy will also defend his title against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and Hideo Itami in a fatal four-way match on the pre-show.

Both matches had already been announced for the Royal Rumble before being confirmed for the kickoff show.

The two-hour pre-show will begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. The panel for the first hour will be Jonathan Coachman, Beth Phoenix, Booker T, and Jerry Lawler, with Shawn Michaels and David Otunga replacing Booker T and Lawler in the second hour. There will also be another panel with JBL and Charly Caruso.

Sunday’s PPV is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Here’s the updated card:

  • Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Finn Balor
  • WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defending against AJ Styles
  • Men’s Royal Rumble match
  • Women’s Royal Rumble match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Sasha Banks
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Becky Lynch
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against The Miz & Shane McMahon
  • United States Champion Rusev defending against Shinsuke Nakamura (pre-show)
  • Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defending against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and Hideo Itami in a fatal four-way match (pre-show)

Triple threat match announced for next week’s WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On 205 Live’s go-home show for the Royal Rumble, all three of Buddy Murphy’s next challengers will be taking part in a triple threat match.

Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami has been announced for next week’s episode of 205 Live. Those three wrestlers will be challenging for Murphy’s Cruiserweight Championship in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble.

Kalisto, Tozawa, and Itami all won qualifying matches over the last couple of weeks to set up the title match for the pay-per-view. Kalisto defeated Lio Rush to qualify, Tozawa defeated Drew Gulak, and Itami defeated Cedric Alexander.

205 Live moved back to airing live on Tuesday’s after SmackDown this week. The show featured Murphy issuing a non-title open challenge, with Murphy defeating the debuting Humberto Carrillo. Carrillo was formerly known as Ultimo Ninja before signing with WWE. He had been wrestling in NXT before joining 205 Live.

Next Tuesday’s SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

NXT Largo, FL, live results: Six-man tag main event

Posted on by JJ Williams

Thursday night’s estimated attendance: 250 people.

– Mansoor Al-Shehail defeated Rick Bugez

Mansoor hit a stunner off the turnbuckle to win.

– Jessie Elaban & Kacy Catanzaro defeated Aliyah & Vanessa Borne

Borne and Aliyah had mirrors and kept checking themselves out throughout the match. Borne hit a side slam that she set up with a cartwheel to win.

– Riddick Moss did an in-ring promo where he thanked “The Riddick Regiment” for his speedy recovery and kept repeating it over and over until Jeet Rama’s music played.

– Jeet Rama defeated Riddick Moss

Rama won with a roll-up, but he was destroyed by Moss after the match.

– Jaxson Ryker (w/ Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake) defeated Stacey Ervin Jr.

Ryker hit a sit-out chokeslam to get the victory.

– Raul Mendoza & Humberto Carrillo defeated Cezar Bononi & Adrian Jaoude

They had a good back-and-forth match, with Mendoza hitting a 450 to win.

– Punishment Martinez defeated Kona Reeves

Martinez connected with a big lariat and then used the Hell’s Gate submission for the win. After the match, Martinez hit his chokeslam on Reeves for the crowd.

– Candice LeRae defeated Deonna Purrazzo

Very good action here — would love to see this on a bigger stage someday. LeRae hit the Unprettier to end it.

– NXT North American Champion Ricochet, Keith Lee & Matt Riddle defeated Shane Thorne, Johnny Gargano & Kassius Ohno

Lee has new self-sung theme music that debuted here — and he followed it up with an encore of the loudest chop of the night to Thorne.

The crowd was in awe of this match throughout since every combination was interesting. Ohno and Gargano tried to keep Riddle grounded by taking out his leg. Ricochet ran wild to clear the ring towards the end and put Thorne down with the Cradle Shock.

WWE 205 Live spoilers: Title match official for Royal Rumble

Posted on by F4W Staff

All three of Buddy Murphy’s challengers for the Royal Rumble have now been revealed.

Murphy will be defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and Hideo Itami in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Itami defeated Cedric Alexander in a qualifying match at this week’s 205 Live tapings.

Kalisto defeated Lio Rush and Tozawa defeated Drew Gulak in last week’s qualifying matches.

Murphy has been Cruiserweight Champion since winning the title from Alexander at Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia last October. He defended the title against Mustafa Ali at Survivor Series and against Alexander at TLC.

Noam Dar also defeated Tony Nese in a match at this week’s 205 Live tapings.

This week’s 205 Live was taped at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown. The 205 Live episode will air on the WWE Network at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday (January 9).

Tag team main event, Itami set for next week’s WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A tag team main event is set for next week’s 205 Live.

During last night’s episode, it was announced that WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy & Tony Nese will face Mustafa Ali & Cedric Alexander next week. Murphy retained his title against Ali at Survivor Series.

Murphy and Ali both cut promos on this week’s episode. Murphy appeared in front of the crowd and bragged about his win. Nese then defeated Noam Dar, with Murphy distracting Dar for the finish. Ali cut a selfie promo saying he isn’t running from the pain of the loss and wants to embrace it so he can use the pain, turn it into power, and become Cruiserweight Champion.

Murphy & Nese vs. Ali & Alexander was then announced for next week during a segment where Drake Maverick met with Alexander backstage.

It was also announced that Hideo Itami, who lost a falls count anywhere match to Ali last month, will return to television on next week’s 205 Live. The episode is being taped at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday before premiering on the WWE Network at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.

WWE 205 Live results: Mustafa Ali & Hideo Itami tear down the house

Posted on by F4W Editors

Drake Maverick narrated a video package showcasing the entire Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami feud to set up their falls count anywhere match tonight.

Vic Joseph welcomed us to the 100th episode of 205 Live as Lince Dorado entered with the rest of the Lucha House Party to face Mike Kanellis. Kanellis has retained the entire presentation he had before, and so even on this show, it feels like his ceiling is very low. 

Mike Kanellis defeated Lince Dorado

Dorado used his speed to get an early lead on Kanellis, who was consoled by Maria Kanellis on the outside. Dorado dominated until Maria acted as a distraction and Kanellis jumped him. Kanellis put on a long chinlock before going for a modified surfboard. Percy Watson talked about Maria having been in the ring with John Cena and a variety of other legends to put over her appearance in the battle royal at Evolution.

Dorado freed himself and landed a rana for two. Kanellis missed a stinger splash and hit a high kick before getting two off a super rana. The bronco buster hit, but Kanellis got a spinebuster for 2.9. Dorado sent Kanellis out, a pescado hit, and the Shooting Star Press landed solidly, but it only got two!

Kanellis attacked Kalisto and Gran Metalik before Dorado landed a rana. However, Kanellis snapped the rope into his face and won with Cross Rhodes.

Maverick sat down and thanked the fans for allowing 205 Live to get to 100 episodes. Maverick said that a match will be held next week to determine Murphy’s next opponent.

Brian Kendrick said that Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher tried to take him out, but he’ll take out Gallagher next week.

Lio Rush cut a promo claiming he didn’t lose in last week’s fatal five-way and Cedric Alexander didn’t have him beat before Tony Nese won. Rush said that he’s still undefeated in one-on-one competition.

Buddy Murphy said he doesn’t have many thoughts about who will be in the match next week — other than feeling it should be Tony Nese. Nese said he should get a title shot just for winning the fatal five-way, but he’ll beat whoever Maverick has lined up next week.

Mustafa Ali defeated Hideo Itami in a falls count anywhere match

Itami started things off by kicking Ali hard in the head to the floor.  Ali landed a series of chops and went up top, but Itami kicked him down to the floor and got two. Itami dominated with shots around ringside and landed a fast knee to Ali’s gut. Ali avoided another one and landed a kneeling superkick, a standing superkick, and a superkick to the neck.

Ali and Itami brawled near the timekeeper’s area. Ali got tripped up on the barricade and hit the floor hard. Ali threw Itami over the announce table, but Itami took him down for a single leg crab before Ali escaped. Ali ate a kick off the table into a chair for 2.5.

Amid the crowd, Ali hit a big superkick for two. Itami kneed him around and then threw him into the steps. Itami landed a nasty lariat on the ramp for 2.5. Itami stood on top of the steps and ate a giant crossbody off the top — and Itami’s head smacked the mat hard for 2.5.

Itami stacked the steps up and Ali went chest-first on them. Itami set up a conchairto with a set of steps, but it missed and Ali got a flying DDT on the floor. Ali set up a table and won with a 450 through the table off the top to the floor!

Maverick said that this was Ali’s biggest win and he is in the match to get a shot at Murphy. It will be Ali vs. Nese next week.

WWE 205 Live TV taping spoilers: Falls count anywhere match

Posted on by F4W Staff

Prior to tonight’s SmackDown at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, WWE taped the 100th episode of 205 Live.

The tapings featured a falls count anywhere main event and Mike Kanellis making his 205 Live in-ring debut. Mustafa Ali and Hideo Itami’s feud led to Ali getting the win against Itami in tonight’s falls count anywhere match.

In his first match for 205 Live, Mike Kanellis (w/ Maria Kanellis) defeated Lince Dorado. Their match was set up when Mike & Maria arrived on 205 Live two weeks ago, interrupted Dorado vs. Lio Rush, and Mike beat down Dorado. A promo aired last week where Mike said it wasn’t anything personal — it was business and part of a bigger plan that includes the Cruiserweight Championship.

With season two of Mixed Match Challenge going on, 205 Live is airing on the WWE Network at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesdays.

WWE 205 Live TV taping spoilers: Ali vs. Itami, Rush vs. Dar

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by Rob Keller

205 Live was again taped before SmackDown as this week’s show took place at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

– Lio Rush defeated Noam Dar

Rush slapped Dar in the face before this started. The match went about 10 minutes and ended with Rush pinning Dar with a frog splash.

– Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami

This went about 20 minutes. There was an unreal apron spot by Ali where he hit the 054 from the top rope. The referee called the match after a five count and both wrestlers were helped to the back after being attended to at ringside.

Ali’s storyline on 205 Live recently has been Drake Maverick trying to prevent him from pushing himself too hard.

– Brian Kendrick defeated an enhancement wrestler

Kendrick tapped him out in under 10 seconds. Gulak then assaulted Kendrick’s opponent after the match as Kendrick and Jack Gallagher looked on.

With 205 Live moving to a taped format due to Mixed Match Challenge season two, this episode will air on the WWE Network at 7 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow as part of a block with NXT and the Mae Young Classic.

Updated lineups for tonight’s WWE SmackDown & 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daniel Bryan and The Miz’s storyline heading into SummerSlam will continue on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.

WWE is hyping that Miz will be making a SummerSlam announcement tonight. Bryan challenged Miz to a match at the August 19 pay-per-view last week, but Miz put out a video over the weekend where he declined the challenge and said he deserves better than a match with Bryan.

Miz tweeted yesterday: “I know my worth, I’ve heard @WWEDanielBryan and ‘#SDLive Management’s’ offer … but I will NOT compete for anything less than I am worth. That said, I will make MY #SummerSlam announcement tomorrow. On my terms.”

AJ Styles addressing Samoa Joe’s promo from last week where he insulted Styles and said Styles has put being WWE Champion ahead of his own family is also advertised for tonight. Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch will team against Peyton Royce & Billie Kay on the show, and The New Day are set to face Cesaro & Sheamus in the finals of the tournament to decide The Bludgeon Brothers’ Tag Team title challengers for SummerSlam.

Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami will main event tonight’s 205 Live. Both shows are taking place at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Alexander vs. Itami title match set for next week’s WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cedric Alexander’s next title defense is set.

WWE announced last night that Hideo Itami would be challenging for Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship on next Tuesday’s 205 Live. Itami was positioned as the top challenger for the title when he defeated Mustafa Ali and Buddy Murphy in what was unofficially a number one contender’s triple threat match on the June 19 episode of the show.

On last week’s 205 Live, Alexander asked Drake Maverick when his next defense would be and wanted to face Itami. The storyline was that Maverick didn’t want to reward Itami’s bad behavior, like interrupting a match between Ali and Murphy on June 5, but Alexander said Itami has earned the title shot. Itami later shoved Alexander during a backstage interview and they had to be separated.

Alexander has had two televised title defenses since becoming champion, defeating Kalisto at the Greatest Royal Rumble in April and Murphy on 205 Live in May.

SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire next Tuesday. Asuka vs. James Ellsworth in a lumberjack match has been announced for SmackDown, which will be the go-home show for Extreme Rules.

WWE’s Hideo Itami set for Naomichi Marufuji anniversary show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the first time since he was known as KENTA, Hideo Itami will be sharing the ring with Naomichi Marufuji later this year.

At today’s Pro Wrestling NOAH show, it was announced that Marufuji vs. Itami (using his WWE name) would be the main event of Marufuji’s 20th anniversary event at Sumo Hall in Tokyo on September 1. The semi-main event for the anniversary show will be Takashi Sugiura & Daisuke Harada vs. Jun Akiyama & Atsushi Aoki.

Marufuji and Itami have a history as both rivals and opponents in NOAH. Itami departed the company in 2014 as he signed with WWE.

Itami joined the 205 Live roster last December and has recently been positioned as a top challenger for Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship.

Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE and NOAH had made a working agreement of some sort that would see Itami return for a show.

WWE Main Event results: Hawkins loses to Goldust yet again

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins lost yet again to Goldust, taking his losing streak to 0-185. Hideo Itami made his Main Event debut, notching up a win in a short tag team bout with Akira Tozawa against Jack Gallagher & TJP.

**********

Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins (5:11)

Hawkins came close to breaking the streak here in defeat to Goldust. The loss marks his 18th to Goldust in this current run and took the overall number to 0-185. Amusingly, Hawkins took to Twitter to mark the milestone with a picture of John Cena, with Hawkins’ head pasted over it, pointing at the Main Event sign where the WrestleMania sign would be.

On commentary, Vic Joseph is now referring to Goldust as “the ageless wonder of WWE.” The crowd wasn’t much into this one, despite some early “Goldust” chants akin to “Goldberg” ones. Goldust gave Hawkins plenty of the match to tease that he might finally get the win in what Nigel McGuinness noted had become an “ignominious statistic.”

They traded near falls at the end with Hawkins escaping the Golden Cross and using a belly-to-back suplex for two. He then followed this up by catching Goldust in a spinebuster for another close two count.

But Goldust got the win when he finally caught Hawkins in a headlock and was able to plant him with the Golden Cross in the middle of the ring.

Akira Tozawa & Hideo Itami defeated Jack Gallagher & TJP (3:11)

When Hideo Itami arrived in WWE, there was never any part of me that expected his stock to fall as much as it has. Seeing him in person live at WrestleMania 31 in San Jose in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal is about as good as it has gotten for Itami in a WWE career, which has thus far been marred by injuries and bad luck.

In his Main Event debut here, he teamed up with Akira Tozawa, who has had a few wins recently over on 205 Live. Despite having arrived from two different companies in Japan, they have a good rapport in the ring and worked well together.

Tozawa took the opening minute, then Itami dominated the main bulk of the action until they went to commercial halfway through Itami’s offense, without warning. Itami and Tozawa worked with purpose, double-teaming their opponents until they quickly put Gallagher in position for Tozawa to hit the Drop Zone for the win.