Kane is “really proud” of the success his kayfabe brother is having in Lucha Libre AAA creative.
Since WWE’s acquisition of AAA, Undertaker has become an important figure behind the scenes in helping to book the lucha libre promotion. AAA reached the highest point of its WWE era so far last weekend, with the El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) vs. Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) mask match receiving praise as one of the best things to happen in pro wrestling all year.
On Mostly Sports with Mark Titus and Brandon Walker today, Kane reacted to how well Undertaker and AAA are doing.
“Man, it’s amazing. I’m so proud of him. He’s running AAA, which WWE bought, a Mexican promotion, and it’s super hot. I think it just shows how talented he is,” Kane said. “He is the only person that could have made The Undertaker believable. Anybody else, they could have never pulled that. Well, his ability in wrestling transcends that even. Now he’s booking and running a company. As you said, hottest match of the year. The promotion is super hot. And I’m just really proud of what he’s doing.”
While Undertaker has stayed around pro wrestling after the conclusion of his in-ring career, Kane — real name Glenn Jacobs — entered politics and is currently serving his final term as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Kaiser defeated Gable in the mask match at Noche de Los Grandes and will now keep the Americano gimmick moving forward. AAA has Triplemania, traditionally its biggest show of the year, coming up on September 11 and 13 with the respective nights being held in Las Vegas and Mexico City.
Undertaker comments on AAA Noche de Los Grandes —
Following Saturday’s event, Undertaker sent out a tweet thanking everyone who watched Noche de Los Grandes and made the atmosphere electric.
“The atmosphere was electric. The world was watching. History was made,” his X account posted. “To all those in attendance in Monterrey and for everyone who watched #AAANocheDeLosGrandes wherever you did…thank you for making it a truly epic night for @luchalibreaaa!”
Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
Champion Carnival blocks
New Japan Cup notes
Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
Sareee talks her WWE stint
Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
NCAA wrestling tournament notes
Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
Former WWE champion in boxing match
Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
TNA new business deal
Ricochet Twitter controversy
Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
AEW contract notes
Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
Kane wished his brother The Undertaker a happy birthday: “Happy birthday to the @undertaker! Yes, you burned down the family home, encased my real father, Paul Bearer, in concrete, and set me on fire…a couple of times…but otherwise you’re the best big brother anyone could ever hope for!”
Motorhead’s Lemmy will be added to the WWE Champions mobile game via a new event.
Academy Award-winning makeup artist Rick Baker shared a painting of CM Punk and AJ Lee’s dog Larry on social media: “A painting I recently did for a friend who’s beloved dog named Larry Talbot passed away.”
Eddie Kingston & Ortiz vs. Adam Priest & Tommy Billington has been added to this Friday’s ROH x MLP Global Wars event.
Red Velvet will also defend the ROH Women’s TV Championship on the show against Alice Crowley.
Paul Walter Hauser has been cast in the upcoming ‘Scooby-Doo’ live action series.
Bear Bronson talked to Sean Ross Sapp detailing how he signed with TNA: “TNA is a place that I’ve always loved as a fan. To me, it’s a place where people get to grow into being the best versions of themselves that they can. So right off the bat hearing those rumblings, I was like, ‘That sounds great.’ I was in a position then to where on the Indies, I’m having fun. I get to be me, I’m in full control myself, I’m having fun. I’m not even looking to get signed anywhere. But I heard that and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s that sounds really cool. If that is to happen, great. That sounds awesome.’”
Kane thinks that Mick Foley is entitled to his opinion.
Speaking on Newsmax, the WWE Hall of Famer and now Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee said that while he doesn’t agree with Foley’s choice to cut ties with WWE due to their association with the Trump administration, part of the beauty of living in the United States is that people are free to disagree with one another.
“Well, certainly it’s no surprise. I know where Mick is at politically and we’ve had our discussions about politics,” he said. “We’ve always been able to keep them civil, and I wish that could happen more on the public platforms altogether. One thing is we live in a country where we are free to disagree about things. I think Mick is wrong, but nevertheless, he’s entitled to his opinion. I will defend his right to say that, even if I do think he’s wrong. And that’s the beauty of America. I wish that would kind of be all over the place, as opposed to just in wrestling.”
Foley announced last week that he would not be renewing his WWE Legends deal when it comes up in June and will not make any appearances for the company while President Trump remains in office. Foley cited Trump’s remarks about director Rob Reiner’s death as the final straw, calling them “incredibly cruel.”
Both Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have visited the White House and President Trump during his first year in office. Triple H appeared in a White House social media video on Monday giving fitness advice.
It doesn’t sound like WWE Hall of Famer Kane has any plans to return to the ring for one more match.
It’s been seven years since Kane last regularly competed, and he has not wrestled at all since being an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble. With wrestling retirements in the news this week due to Goldberg’s final match, Kane appeared on SiriusXM’s Off The Ropes and briefly addressed whether he would return for a retirement bout.
“[Laughs] I don’t know about that, man,” he told hosts Jonathan Coachman and Nic Nemeth. “We were just talking about athleticism and movement and keeping up with the pace of people nowadays. That may have left me behind, guys.”
The 58-year-old Kane, whose real name is Glenn Jacobs, currently serves as the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Due to term limits, he is ineligible to run for the office again in 2026 after already serving two four-year terms.
A retirement match may be unlikely, but Kane told Off The Ropes that he does miss entertaining the fans.
“Yeah,” Kane responded when asked if he misses anything from his WWE career. “I don’t miss the travel [laughs], but I think that’s a lot better nowadays. They don’t keep the schedule that we did. You know, it’s become even more of a TV product, which I would assume is probably even more stressful than what we had.
“But nevertheless, yeah, I do, man. Because it’s fun to go out there and entertain, it’s fun to interact with the fans and the people who love pro wrestling, who love WWE. I still get that, and it is the coolest thing ever. You know, one of my great regrets is I wish I had appreciated that more early in my career and then even throughout my career. The fact that you really are, man — people are watching you, you’re entertaining them. And in many cases, you’re taking them from what could be a tough situation in their own life and they get to forget it about for a little bit by coming into this fantasy world. Man, that’s a blessing. It’s a gift, and it’s really cool. And I do miss that part of it.”
Kane began his wrestling career in the early 1990s and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021.
WWE Hall of Famer Kane (Glenn Jacobs) could be seeking a higher office when his time as mayor comes to an end.
Jacobs has served as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee since being elected in 2018. Currently in his second term, Jacobs will be term-limited and unable to run for Knox County mayor in the next election. The timing coincides with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also being term-limited.
In a profile published on Friday, the Washington Examiner asked Jacobs if there’s any chance he could run for governor. Jacobs noted that he’s considering all of his options, which includes whether he’ll remain in politics or not.
“Yes. I have two more years in office and am term-limited, so I’m considering my options, including whether I’ll remain in politics,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs and Lee are both Republicans. Jacobs appeared at a Donald Trump rally this January and has endorsed Trump for president.
Since becoming mayor, Jacobs has made sporadic appearances for WWE. He’s also wrestled twice while in office. At WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia in 2018, Kane & The Undertaker lost to Triple H & Shawn Michaels.
Jacobs’ last match was as an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later that year.
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Tuesday News Update
WWE
Zoey Stark vs. Dana Brooke and Cedric Alexander vs. Joe Gacy were taped for WWE Main Event.
OKC Fox 25 reports that a judge has found probable cause for the sexual battery charges against AJ Ferrari, a former OSU wrestler who was at one point part of WWE’s NIL program. Ferrari is set for an arraignment hearing on December 6.
Sami Zayn is the guest on this week’s After the Bell with Corey Graves.
Starrcast announced that Conrad Thompson will be teaming with Mickie James and Nick Aldis for a pro wrestling event and fan festival for late 2023 in Oceania called Oceania Pro Wrestling.
Knox News has a story on Glenn Jacobs (Kane), the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, settling a lawsuit that alleged he asked county employees to work at his home and pressured a department head to lie to state investigators and cursed at them when they refused,
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Liv Morgan was a guest on this week’s Out of Character with Ryan Satin.
The company announced that this month is “Kane Month” in honor of Kane’s 25th anniversary of his debut in the company. Kane made his debut at WWE’s Badd Blood pay-per-view on October 5, 1997.
This week’s Aces High column, where Hiroshi Tanahashi looks at wrestling Naomichi Marufuji back in 2012.
JesSICKa was a guest on the Women’s Wrestling Talk podcast. When asked about who helped her the most during her run in Impact, she said: “I would have to say that there are two people who have helped me I feel more than anyone and that would have to be Madison Rayne and Gail Kim and actually you know what Christy Hemme as well. When I was at TNA being Havok and stuff like I always remember Christy was in my corner and always supportive always and Christy is like, incredibly creative. So I would have to say it would be those three women who have helped me the most. My match with Madison Rayne at the knockouts knocked down match or show all those years ago is actually what got me my job at Impact. She does it because it does what it takes to have a good match. We’ve always had really good chemistry. I think I’ve known Madison Rayne the longest out of everyone in wrestling. She was my first friend in wrestling. There’s a lot of history that people don’t realize, but Madison Rayne was honestly, she was someone who helped me greatly. Then Gail Kim, obviously like it just takes someone to believe in you. I don’t know if Havok would have been so successful the first time around on TV if she did not have an opponent like Gail Kim.”
Glenn “Kane” Jacobs will remain mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Jacobs was declared the winner of the Knox County mayoral race just past 10 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, night, earning a second term as mayor of Knox County.
A Republican, the incumbent Jacobs defeated Democratic rival Debbie Helsley. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Jacobs held a 4,400-vote edge over Helsley with 63 percent of the vote counted, enough to project Jacobs as the winner.
Jacobs tweeted:
“THANK YOU Knox County for electing me to serve a second term as your mayor. I am so grateful for the support you have shown me and my family throughout my campaign for re-election, and will continue to do all I can to serve you to the best of my ability.”
Speaking at an election results watch party in Knoxville, Tennessee on Thursday night, Jacobs said: “I promise you, and I don’t make many promises because they’re hard to keep. But I do promise you that I will continue to work hard every day for the brightest future possible for our Knox County.”
THANK YOU Knox County for electing me to serve a second term as your mayor.
I am so grateful for the support you have shown me and my family throughout my campaign for re-election, and will continue to do all I can to serve you to the best of my ability. pic.twitter.com/UevMafyDKD
Glenn “Kane” Jacobs has released a statement following his victory in the 2022 Republican primary election for Mayor of Knox County.
Jacobs was running unopposed and brought in 24,675 votes. He will now move on to the general election on August 4 where he will be running against the winner of the Democrat primary, Debbie Helsley.
Jacobs released a statement regarding his victory on social media.
“Now more than ever, we must stand strong to defend our conservative values, and as your Mayor, that’s exactly what I will do. I’m humbled by your support and thank each of you for entrusting me to be your Republican nominee, and together, we will win in August to ensure Knox County remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
Tonight was a victory for our Knox County conservative values. I can not express my gratitude to everyone who has shown me support over the past months! It is my honor to serve as your Mayor. Read my statement here → pic.twitter.com/0zYFNfhTiT
Jacobs won the 2018 Republican primary by only 17 votes. He then won the general election handily, garnering over 66% of the vote and defeating Democrat candidate, Linda Haney.
The final build to Extreme Rules took place on last night’s SmackDown from Philadelphia.
Two days before his Universal Championship defense against “The Demon” Finn Balor, Roman Reigns was in action against Montez Ford in last night’s main event. After getting his knees up when Ford went for a frog splash, Reigns used a guillotine to get the submission win.
Paul Heyman then counseled Reigns to beat down Ford as a way of showing both Balor and Brock Lesnar what happens when Reigns takes it to the extreme. Reigns attacked Ford with a steel chair and slammed him through a table at ringside. Ford’s tag team partner Angelo Dawkins couldn’t make the save because it was said that Dawkins was attending a friend’s wedding and wasn’t at last night’s show.
The lights went out after Reigns put Ford through the table. When they came back on, Balor was standing on the top rope dressed as The Demon. Balor took out Reigns and The Usos with a crossbody to the outside, then started hitting both Usos with kendo sticks.
Reigns cut Balor off and threw him into the ring. But when he went to attack Balor with a steel chair, Balor hit a slingblade and used the chair himself. Balor hit Reigns and The Usos with the chair and then took out Reigns with a dive to the outside.
Filthy Four Daily with myself and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including our usual weekly reviews of WWE SmackDown and New Japan Strong.
Then, it’s time for our Kane to the Hall of Fame song contest with the winner getting a special Kane face mask!
A fun show as always so check it out in beautiful HD at video.f4wonline.com. Click JOIN today!
WWE has revealed two new members of their 2021 Hall of Fame class.
It was announced today that Kane and The Great Khali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 37 week. The Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Tuesday, April 6. It will air on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Kane was a guest on this morning’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. During the segment, The Undertaker surprised Kane by appearing and announcing that Kane is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. The announcement of Khali going into the Hall of Fame was made via a video from WWE Now India where Khali’s former manager Ranjin Singh informed him of the news.
The Undertaker also tweeted: “@KaneWWE has been a brother to me on and off screen for over 25 years. Hardworking, loyal, and dedicated I was honored to be the one to announce he is the newest member of the #WWEHOF Class of 2021! #BrothersofDestruction”
Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) most recently wrestled when he made an appearance as a surprise entrant in this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Jacobs is the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Earlier this week, Jacobs announced that he’ll be running for re-election to serve a second term as mayor.
Khali (Dalip Singh) last wrestled as an entrant in WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia in 2018.
With last year’s ceremony having been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes will both be inducted during this year’s ceremony. Here’s the updated list of announced members for the classes:
2020 Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
Nikki & Brie Bella
JBL
British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith
Jushin Thunder Liger
2021 Hall of Fame class —
Molly Holly
Eric Bischoff
Kane
The Great Khali
Batista was originally set for the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame class, but he announced yesterday that he won’t be able to take part in this year’s ceremony and will instead be inducted in the future: “To the @WWEUniverse Unfortunately due to previous obligations I am unable to be a part of the @WWE #HOF this year. By my request they have agreed to induct me at a future ceremony where I’ll be able to properly thank the fans and people who made my career possible #DreamChaser”
Glenn Jacobs (WWE’s Kane) is officially running for a second term as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Jacobs announced on Monday that he’s named a campaign treasurer and will be filing the paperwork to run for re-election. The Republican primary will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The general election will take place on Thursday, August 4, 2022.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as Knox County Mayor. Today, I am announcing that I will seek reelection. I would appreciate your support and your vote,” Jacobs wrote.
Jacobs also said in a statement: “Four years ago, I pledged to stay true to my conservative values as Mayor. Nobody could have envisioned a pandemic and the economic shutdown that followed, but I’m proud Knox County has been able to weather the storm without a tax increase. By tightening our belt and making smart cuts, we balanced our budget while continuing to make forward-thinking investments in our community. If reelected, the public can expect four more years of leadership with conservative values top of mind.”
After narrowly winning the Republican primary, Jacobs easily defeated his Democratic opponent in 2018 to be elected to his first term as mayor of Knox County.
As Kane, Jacobs made an appearance for WWE as an entrant in this January’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Jacobs announced that he was donating his pay for the appearance to the Knox County Mayor’s Applied Technology Scholarship Fund for TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) Knoxville.
Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) is donating his pay for appearing at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Jacobs, who is the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, has announced that he’s donating his Royal Rumble earnings to the Knox County Mayor’s Applied Technology Scholarship Fund for TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) Knoxville. WVLT in Knoxville notes that Jacobs had previously donated $5,000 of his salary for being mayor to help start the scholarship. It “benefits a Knox County employee’s child, including adoptive, biological, legal or step, who is a student at the school.”
As Kane, Jacobs entered the men’s Royal Rumble match at number 18 and was eliminated by Damian Priest. Kane eliminated Ricochet and Dolph Ziggler during the match,
“Officials said Jacobs received a COVID-19 rapid test before leaving, upon arriving at the event, and before returning to work after the trip,” WVLT wrote. “Jacobs wore a CDC-recommended face covering and kept his distance from others while not performing, according to the Mayor’s Office.”
Jacobs also appeared at Survivor Series in November as part of The Undertaker’s Final Farewell. Aside from winning and then losing the 24/7 title in 2019, this was Jacobs’ first match since teaming with The Undertaker against Triple H & Shawn Michaels at Crown Jewel 2018 in Saudi Arabia. WWE donated $100,000 to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation at the request of Jacobs in appreciation for his appearances that fall.
The New Day are also auctioning off the Brodie Lee tribute gear they wore at the Royal Rumble, with all of the money going to benefit Foodlink in Rochester, New York. Big E tweeted last night: “The city of Rochester meant a lot to Jon. @FoodlinkNY is a Rochester-based nonprofit that’s dedicated to feeding those in need in the area. We’ll be auctioning off our Royal Rumble gear with all of the proceeds going to@FoodlinkNY.” Bidding is now open on the first piece of gear.
Date: December 28, 2020 Location: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL
The Big Takeaway —
RIP Jon Huber / Brodie Lee.
Show Recap —
The show opened with a memorial graphic for “Luke Harper” Jon Huber.
Tom Phillips welcomed us with a version of Huber’s famous phrase: “It’s Monday and you know what that means.”
Drew McIntyre entered. He started with, “It’s Monday. You know what that means. Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
McIntyre spoke about his year and thanked the fans for actually making him the chosen one. He noted that he would be defending the title next week on Legends Night against either Sheamus or Keith Lee.
Sheamus entered. Sheamus said he technically kept his word last week when he said he wouldn’t touch Lee during the match. He didn’t do it until after the match. Sheamus said they were so close to getting the dream match they always wanted.
McIntyre said they’d make everyone uncomfortable with how physical it would get. Sheamus said he would kick Lee’s head off again and they would kick the year off the right way.
Lee interrupted. Lee thought McIntyre looked proud of Sheamus for what he did. Lee no longer trusted either of them. Lee said he would force an apology out of Sheamus during their match and warned McIntyre that Sheamus would just stab him in the back. Sheamus was sick of Lee accusing him of planning on turning on McIntyre.
McIntyre was sick of them talking and called out a referee to start this match now. A ref entered. McIntyre told them that he would be champion after next week no matter what.
Lee confronted McIntyre but Sheamus quickly Brogue kicked him twice. A ref checked on Lee as they went to break.
Keith Lee defeated Sheamus (12:54)
McIntyre joined commentary. He said both he and Lee should have seen that attack coming.
Sheamus worked over Lee until Lee grabbed him and suplexed him over the top to the outside. Lee tossed him around ringside before chucking him back in the ring. Sheamus caught Lee with a knee strike before he could re-enter the ring. Sheamus followed with a double axe handle off the top rope to the outside (which led to a break less than 5 minutes into the match).
They fought back-and-forth after the break. Lee took the advantage after tackling Sheamus as he came off the top. They seemed to mess up a spot where Lee hit a tackle but it’s possible Lee thought Sheamus was going to counter. Sheamus did fight back for a moment but Lee came back with a much more emphatic crossbody for two.
Sheamus managed to hit White Noise for a nearfall. Sheamus smacked Lee in the face before Lee no-sold getting headbutted. Lee followed with a big Spirit Bomb for the pinfall win.
McIntyre vs. Lee for the WWE title next week. They had a staredown after the match.
Elias played guitar in the back with Jaxson Ryker by his side. Someone knocked on the door but Elias told Ryker to ignore it.
Gran Metalik (w/Lince Dorado) defeated The Miz (w/John Morrison) (3:24)
This match happened because Lucha House Party thought it was dumb that Miz thought he should get his MITB contract returned to him.
Miz was ranting during the match about the contract. Metalik made a comeback and used a sunset flip pin for the win. The story is that Miz is pissed about losing the contract and despondent after losing here.
Someone was still knocking on Elias’ door so Ryker opened it. Omos and AJ Styles barged in. Styles said Omos was trying to listen to Mozart while Styles himself was on the phone with WWE management trying to right the wrong of him unfairly losing his WWE title match. Styles couldn’t concentrate because of Elias’ guitar playing.
Styles said Elias was no Johnny Cash — he was more like Johnny Trash. Elias told Ryker that Styles was just upset about losing what might be one of the final chances that he has left at this stage of his career. Styles said they should fight tonight so he could break Elias’ fingers and no one would have to listen to him again.
Shayna Baszler defeated Dana Brooke (w/Mandy Rose) (4:20)
Baszler put down Brooke outside the ring with the Kirifuda Clutch. Instead of taking a sure countout win, Baszler went after Rose. Brooke made the save and hit a swinging neckbreaker for two. Baszler dodged a splash, hit a knee strike, and still got the win with the Kirifuda Clutch.
As Rose checked on Brooke after the match, the ref began freaking out because Baszler made her way back into the ring. Rose somehow didn’t notice this and Baszler put her down with the Kirifuda Clutch as well.
[Second hour]
Alexa’s Playground with guest Randy Orton
This segment was done in the ring which had a swingset and a slide. Bliss spoke like a child as she swung on the swingset. Bliss was happy that “he” built this set but she hasn’t seen him since the inferno match. (Bliss dropped a “yeah, yeah, yeah” in here as well.)
Bliss called out Randy Orton. Orton’s music played but he didn’t show. She had his music played again but he still didn’t show.
The Firefly Fun House music played and Orton emerged inside the Fun House set. Orton tossed around the puppets as he yelled at Bliss. He thought it was funny that she thought that the Fiend was coming back. But, if he was returning, Orton wanted to ensure that the Fiend had nothing left. Bliss panicked as Orton continued to destroy parts of the set.
Bliss begged him to stop as he ripped the head off the rabbit. Bliss challenged him to be in the ring with her tonight. Orton figured this was a ploy for the Fiend to return — so he accepted.
(I was trying not to be negative tonight but this was quite bad.)
They played a clip of Nia Jax attacking Charlotte Flair months ago. Charly Caruso interviewed Charlotte. Charlotte was ready for Jax but knew how dangerous she was. “If there’s one person I’m willing to bet on, it’s me.” Charlotte said her new year’s resolution was to climb to the top and stay there. Asuka entered and said Jax was not ready for Charlotte.
AJ Styles (w/Omos) defeated Elias (w/Jaxson Ryker) (14:02)
This went through a break. A few minutes after the break, Ryker walked toward Styles outside the ring but backed up and fell down upon seeing Omos. Styles kicked out of Elias’ finisher and knocked Elias off the top with a Pelé kick but Elias came back with a TKO for a nearfall.
Styles fought back with kicks and hit a Phenomenal forearm for the pinfall win.
They replayed Ricochet’s promo from last week’s Raw Talk.
Mustafa Ali (w/Retribution) defeated Ricochet (11:49)
About three minutes into the match, Slapjack and Mia Yim distracted the referee which allowed T-Bar and Mase to drop Ricochet outside the ring. The ref didn’t think anything of this, I guess. Ali followed with a damn frog splash off the top to the outside… which led to a break.
Ali hit a backstabber for two. Ricochet came back with a backflip into a German suplex. Ricochet turned Ali inside out with a clothesline and hit a Benadryller but Mase pulled Ali out of the ring, which was not a DQ. Ricochet fought off every male member of Retribution as the referee just watched.
Ricochet tried a shooting star press but Ali got his knees up and applied a Koji Clutch for the submission win. (Ricochet looked great but there was way too much outside interference.)
Ali asked Ricochet to join Retribution. Ricochet responded, “I will… not.” Ali was about to go after him but Ricochet hit Recoil and bailed from the ring.
Caruso interviewed Jax (with Baszler) about Charlotte. Jax had resolutions of her own: end Charlotte’s journey to the top before it starts, win back the tag titles, and enter the Rumble before going on to WrestleMania to win the title. Baszler was initially caught off guard by the Rumble announcement but told Caruso she liked the idea too.
[Third hour]
Caruso interviewed McIntyre. He wanted to give the legends a championship match that they would be proud of. He was also happy to see Lee step up his game. He knew Lee could beat anyone in WWE when motivated — except Drew McIntyre.
Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair (w/Asuka) defeated Nia Jax (w/Shayna Baszler) via DQ (10:55)
I deleted my match recap when I saw the finish. Charlotte applied the Figure Four but Baszler put her in a Kirifuda Clutch for the DQ. Asuka chased off Baszler and Jax.
(There was a spot before a commercial break where Jax blocked a Figure Four attempt by yanking Charlotte into the corner which caused the back of her head to hit the turnbuckle.)
The Hurt Business bullied some guy in the back.
Angel Garza walked through the back with a rose. He stopped upon seeing a poster on the wall with the headline “Great Garza” (referring to former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza). Caruso approached him for an interview and said it was great to see him again. Garza said he had a great year which included meeting Caruso. She asked about 2021.
Garza looked forward to the new year and thought he might introduce himself to the legendary women next week. She asked who the rose was for tonight. Truth ran into him because he was running away from Akira Tozawa, Erik and Drew Gulak. The rose was destroyed but Garza gave it to her anyway and said, “it’s the thought that counts.” She seemed disappointed.
They recapped Big E winning the Intercontinental title.
Jeff Hardy congratulated Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods on Big E winning the IC title. Riddle had ideas for their four-man team name including the “Positivity Hard Bros.” New Day backed away without answering and made their way to the ring. Hardy suggested “Rain-bros” to Riddle and he loved it. (I’d go with Non-Threatening Bros.)
Eight-man tag match: The Hurt Business defeated Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Jeff Hardy & Riddle (13:45)
Before the match, Bobby Lashley announced he was entering the Rumble match.
The good guys were in complete control but Hurt Business were in control (over Riddle) after a break. Kingston made a hot tag and ran wild on Cedric Alexander. Woods tagged in and Kingston took out Shelton Benjamin with a dive. Hardy wiped out MVP with a dive as Woods hit Alexander with a discus clothesline (which Phillips called a Harper clothesline).
Hardy seemed to have it won after a Swanton but Lashley broke up the cover. This led to everyone trading moves, leaving Lashley and Hardy alone in the ring. Hardy avoided a spear but Lashley got him in the Hurt Lock and Hardy tapped out again.
After the match, Hurt Business went after New Day but New Day fought back before escaping. Riddle hit Lashley with a knee strike before leaving with his partners.
Morrison tried consoling Miz by reminding him that even John Cena once lost to Kevin Federline. That didn’t make Miz feel any better. Adam Pearce showed up holding the MITB briefcase. Miz thought he was going to rub it in his face. Pearce said he would love to throw it in his face. Really hard. Instead, he was there to return it to Miz.
Pearce said they were right: Miz was not the one who technically cashed in, so it still belonged to him. So, Miz is still Mr. Money in the Bank. Miz and Morrison celebrated like they just won the championship.
Alexa Bliss / Randy Orton main event segment
Orton asked Bliss where the Fiend was. Bliss said this wasn’t about him, this was about her. She brought a Christmas present into the ring and opened it. It was gasoline and a box of matches. She placed them by Orton’s feet and challenged him to do to her what he did to the Fiend.
Orton didn’t bite so she created a trail with the gas to make it easier for him. She laid down in the ring and begged him to do it. He just stared at her.
Bliss said Orton didn’t have the guts to do it because he wasn’t as sick and demented as he says he is. She called him a little bitch. She dumped the gas over her body. Orton smirked.
Orton said, “you think I won’t do it?” Orton said he wanted to do it but also knew she wanted him to. He liked seeing people suffer.
The lights turned off. When they came back on, Orton lit a match. The announcers begged Orton not to do it (while remaining seated at their desk).
Orton smiled. He motioned as if he’d drop the match as they went off the air.
