Tag: Kurt Angle

WWE SmackDown live results: Kurt Angle birthday celebration

Posted on by Dave Bath

Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle will be on hand as he celebrates his 54th birthday in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

The Bloodline and Brawling Brutes feud continues when Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos defend their titles against Sheamus & Butch. Butch is replacing Sheamus’ original partner Drew McIntyre, who’s out of action with an injury. The Usos head into the title defense following a win over Matt Riddle & Kevin Owens on Monday’s Raw.

Shotzi’s out for revenge when she takes on Shayna Baszler tonight. Raquel Rodriguez and SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey will be ringside for the match.

Rodriguez returned last week to save Shotzi from a beatdown from Baszler. Rodriguez had her arm in a brace from Baszler and Rousey’s attack before Survivor Series: War Games.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett ran down tonight’s lineup. They announced a contract signing between Intercontinental Champion Gunther and Ricochet. 

They recapped The Usos defeating Matt Riddle & Kevin Owens on Raw. After the match, Sola Sikoa attacked and injured Riddle. 

Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos (w/Sami Zayn & Solo Sikoa) defeated Sheamus & Butch (w/Ridge Holland) (19:20)

Another hot opener to start SmackDown. It’s incredible how much the WWE tag team division has improved in the last few months. The Usos and Brawling Brutes worked hard and got a lot of time, with a few convincing near falls toward the end.

The Brawling Brutes had the early advantage. Sheamus sent Jimmy to ringside with a shoulder tackle. After regrouping at ringside, The Usos had a brief advantage. Sheamus placed Jimmy on his shoulder and hit a rolling senton. He then put Butch on his shoulders and hit the rolling senton onto Jimmy. Butch followed up with double knees. The Usos recovered and hung Butch on the top rope as they cut to a commercial. 

Butch was close to making a tag, but Jey overpowered him. After a whip into the corner, The Usos hit a backbreaker/elbow combo. Butch tried fighting back and rocked Jimmy with an enziguri. He was close to tagging out, but Jey knocked Sheamus off the apron. 

Butch fought back with a German suplex. Sheamus got the hot tag and ran wild on The Usos. Sheamus and Butch gave The Usos 15 beats of Bodhran. Butch actually went crazy and hit Jey 20 times. While fighting on the top rope, Sheamus got the better of Jimmy and hit white noise for a close near fall. 

Back from the break, Butch snapped Jey’s fingers but missed a flying knee. Jey recovered and hit a jumping neck breaker for a two-count. Both teams started hitting big moves in the ring. As they fought on the apron, Sheamus hit the white noise on Jimmy. Jey took advantage and wiped out Sheamus with a suicide dive.

Butch hit a moonsault onto the Usos. He followed with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Jimmy and Jey regrouped and isolated Butch on the top rope. They set up the 1-D, but Sheamus pulled out Jimmy, allowing Butch to hit a running powerbomb for a near fall. 

Sheamus and Butch hit a Razor’s edge into a neck breaker for a close near fall. In a call back to last week, Sheamus went for the Alabama slam, but Zayn tried to interfere. Holland prevented Zayn’s interference, but Jey still rolled up Sheamus for a near fall. The fans broke into a “this is awesome” chant. 

Sikoa and Holland fought around ringside. Sikoa took out Holland with the spinning solo into the announcer’s area. The finish came when The Usos hit the 1-D on Butch as Zayn prevented Sheamus from making the save. 

********

Kurt Angle and Gable Steveson were walking backstage. Braun Strowman walked up and welcomed them to SmackDown. He noted Steveson’s training at the PC Center. Strowman added that they could use him on SmackDown. He joked that Steveson could get these hands. Steveson promised to find Strowman when he’s ready.

********

They announced John Cena returns on the December 30th SmackDown. 

LA Knight Segment 

LA Knight came out to address Bray Wyatt and wants answers. Knight noted Wyatt denied attacking him. Knight showed footage of the attacks and highlighted Wyatt’s “toys “in the background. In each video, Knight pointed out someone standing in the background in a mask.

Another weird Uncle Howdy video aired on the screen. After the video, Knight took that as proof that he was right. Knight left to find Wyatt. 

********

Earlier today, Megan Morant tried interviewing Legado del Fantasma about The Viking Raiders. In the background, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler injured Shotzi. Later, Michael Cole announced they had broken Shotzi’s hand.

In present-day, Megan Morant interviewed Baszler and Rousey when Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox approached. They challenged the heels to a match tonight.

They announced the Roman Reigns returns next week. 

The Viking Raiders (w/Valhalla) defeated Legado Del Fantasma (w/Zelina Vega & Santos Escobar) via DQ (1:53)

Not a great match considering all the good talent involved. They went for about two lackluster minutes until the weak finish. 

They recapped The Viking Raiders attacking Hit Row a few weeks ago. 

Zelina Vega joined Cole and Barrett on commentary.

The Viking Raiders dominated Legado Del Fantasma for most of the match. Erik went for a powerbomb, but Wilde countered with a hurricanrana. Erik jumped to his feet and wiped out Wilde. 

Hit Row’s music hit, and B-Fab walked out. She distracted the Raiders allowing Hit Row to attack from behind. Hit Row beat down everyone and cleared the ring. B-Fab went after Vallhalla and threw her into Vega. Hit Row posed to end the segment. 

********

LA Knight searched for Bray Wyatt backstage. He entered the locker room and found a Bray Wyatt t-shirt. The lights went out. Knight pulled out his phone, and someone in a mask was standing behind Knight. They cut to a commercial. 

********

Back from the break, Kurt Angle was having a party with a bunch of wrestlers backstage. Jason Jordan showed up with a birthday card for his father, Kurt Angle. The fans popped for Jordan and Angle reuniting. 

*********

Intercontinental Championship Contract Signing

They recapped Ricochet defeating Santos Escobar in the finals of the SmackDown World Cup to earn the title shot.

Ricochet made his entrance, followed by Imperium. Adam Pearce was about to start the contract signing when New Day interrupted.

Woods and Kingston noted they know how these contract signings end. They’re out here to prevent Imperium from attacking Ricochet. New Day referenced taking on Pretty Deadly tomorrow night on NXT Deadline. 

Pearce doubted every contract signing ends in a brawl. Woods asked Pearce if he had ever watched wrestling before. Gunther noted they’re wrestlers and not performers. Ricochet mocked Imperium for not being able to perform. Ricochet promised to win the title and got in Gunther’s face.

A brawl broke out between all six guys. Ricochet and New Day hit dives onto Imperium at ringside.

Ricochet & New Day defeated Imperium (18:47)

Not surprisingly, Ricochet & New Day vs. Imperium rocked. It featured fast-paced action, with everyone getting to shine. They did a great job building up Ricochet vs. Gunther for next week. Ricochet getting the pin on Kaiser was the right finish heading into next week’s title match.

The faces kept Ludwig Kaiser on their side of the ring. Woods rocked Kaiser with a rolling clothesline. Giovanni Vinci tagged in, and the heels quickly took over.

Back from the commercial, Woods tried to tag out, but Vinci hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Imperium isolated Woods on their side of the ring. With the heels firmly in control, Gunther knocked Ricochet off the apron with a boot. Kaiser tagged in and slowed the pace with a chin lock. After a short “Kofi” chant, Woods hit a missile dropkick.

Kingston got the tag and ran wild on Imperium. He caught Vinci with a flying crossbody for a near fall. Kingston hit the boom drop and set up for the trouble in paradise. Kaiser interfered, allowing Vinci to destroy Kingston with an uppercut. Imperium threw Kingston over the announce table. The heels laughed as they went to a break.

Ricochet and Gunther tagged in and faced off. Gunther took over with hard chops. Ricochet recovered with a series of lefts and rights in the corner. He rocked Gunther with a jumping knee. Ricochet avoided a boot Matrix-style and scored a near fall on Gunther.

Imperium went from the Imperium bomb on Kingston, but he broke free. Ricochet took out Kaiser with a top rope hurricanrana. Kingston caught Kaiser with the trouble in paradise. Ricochet then hit the 630 splash for the win. 

*******

In the back, the bouncer wouldn’t let Chad Gable and Otis into Kurt Angle’s party. The Street Profits were on the list and walked into the party. Gable and Otis were furious. 

*******

In the back, Sami Zayn and The Usos celebrated retaining the titles twice in one week. Zayn and The Usos were feeling Ucey. Solo Sikoa sat emotionless next to them. Jey got Zayn alone and told him to trim his beard and get a haircut because Roman Reigns is showing up next week. He implied that Reigns would have some surprise for Zayn.

*******

Karrion Kross and Scarlet approached Rey Mysterio in the trainer’s room. Kross told Mysterio a story about a racehorse and having to put down every animal eventually. Security entered, and Kross and Scarlet left. 

*******

They showed another Lacey Evans training with the Marines video package. 

Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox defeated Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler (4:07)

They showed a Tegan Nox video package. 

Cole teased the winners could earn a title shot in the future. 

Tegan Nox was on fire early with a flurry of offense. Rousey caused a distraction allowing the heels to take over. Rousey tagged in and mocked Morgan. Rousey got the ankle lock, but Nox broke free. Morgan and Baszler tagged in at the same time. 

Morgan hit a double stomp. She went for oblivion, but Baszler countered with a German suplex. Raquel Rodriguez walked out and tried to get in the ring. Referees got in her way, but it distracted Rousey. 

Baszler got the kirifuda clutch on Morgan, but she broke free. Nox took the opening and hit the shining wizard allowing Morgan to score the win. 

*********

Kurt Angle’s headed to the ring. Gable Steveson offered to go to the ring with him, but Angle told him to stay at the party.

Kurt Angle Birthday Celebration 

They ended the night with a simple feel-good segment. Kurt Angle and Gable Steveson sprayed Alpha Academy with milk from a hose. It was a short and fun segment to send the fans home happy. 

Kurt Angle came to the ring for his birthday celebration. There was a giant cake in the ring. Angle thanked the fans when Alpha Academy interrupted. Chad Gable was furious that Angle didn’t invite them to his party. He pointed out that they even dressed up. Gable thinks Angle didn’t want to be upstaged by a real Olympian. 

Gable told Angle that he didn’t have any integrity or intensity. They demanded Angle leave so Otis could eat the cake. Angle walked up the ramp and turned back. He noted that if they’re going to eat the cake, they’ll need a lot of milk. 

Gable Steveson came out with an old-school milk truck. They started throwing milk cartons at Gable and Otis. Angle grabbed the hose and sprayed Alpha Academy with milk. Otis and Gable bumped for the milk as Michael Cole made endless milk puns. 

Angle and Steveson posed to end SmackDown. 

********

Next Week: Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns returns. Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Ricochet. 

Plus, The Viking Raiders vs. Legado Del Fantasma vs. Hit Row in a triple threat match. Also, Women’s Tag Team Champions Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) defend against Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox. 

********

Kurt Angle birthday celebration, tag title match set for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A birthday celebration for Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, a Tag title match, plus a women’s division contest are set for next week’s SmackDown episode.

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle will appear on the December 9 episode to celebrate his 54th birthday. The segment was announced during this week’s SmackDown. 

Also set for next week, the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions will defend the titles against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. The titles are up for grabs on Monday’s Raw, with the winners of The Usos vs. Matt Riddle and Elias defending the belts on SmackDown. 

Also announced for next week’s SmackDown, Shayna Baszler will face Shotzi in a women’s division contest. Ronda Rousey will be in Baszler’s corner, while Raquel Rodriguez will corner Shotzi. 

Next week’s lineup: 

WWE SmackDown, Friday, December 9 —

  • Kurt Angle’s birthday celebration
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Usos or Matt Riddle & Elias vs. Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
  • Shayna Baszler (w/Ronda Rousey) vs. Shotzi (w/Raquel Rodriguez)

WWE Raw live results: Women’s Tag Team title tournament finals

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: August 29, 2022
Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA 

Show Recap —

AJ Styles entered as the announcers previewed tonight’s show and Dolph Ziggler entered as they played a replay of the Edge/Beth Phoenix/Judgment Day stuff from last week. They really focused heavily on Rhea Ripley during Judgment Day’s entrance and said she might be the most dangerous member of the group.

Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler (8:34)

Styles hit Priest with a diving forearm outside the ring which led to break a minute into the match. Bálor was in control over Ziggler following the break. (They’ve been better lately at showing you what happened during the break but they didn’t do that here.) It seemed like Bálor wanted to try a Styles Clash but Ziggler countered into a fameasser.

There was a weird spot where Priest ducked a forearm and Styles held up so that he wouldn’t hit Bálor (who was on the apron) by accident. Priest shoved Styles who bumped into Bálor anyway and tried a rollup but only got two. Styles followed later with a Calf Crusher but Bálor helped Priest get to the rope.

Ziggler had Priest pinned with a rollup but the ref was distracted by Styles for no reason in particular. Ziggler fended off Bálor with a superkick but Priest dropped him with a South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Edge was shown arriving at the arena in a Mercedes SUV. 

********

Judgment Day paced around the ring after a break. Ripley invited Edge to the ring so she could take what was left of his manhood. Bálor thought it was ridiculous that Rey Mysterio and Edge got their own documentaries but he didn’t. Priest said they weren’t in Toronto where he had Pheonix — the pants wearer of the family — to save him.

Edge entered to a big reaction. Edge informed Priest that both he and Beth wore the pants in their family. He said it was 2022 and told Priest to stop being a caveman or he’ll be single for the rest of his life. The crowd laughed when Edge told them that looked angry and emo, mad that they couldn’t get tickets to My Chemical Romance.

Edge said Judgment Day haven’t learned their lesson because he did not come alone. Dominik and Rey Mysterio attacked them from behind with kendo sticks. A brawl broke out which left Dominik alone in the ring with Ripley.

The crowd encouraged Dominik to attack Ripley. Not only did he not hit her, she calmed him down and convinced him to hand over the stick. Edge and Rey popped back in the ring but Bálor and Priest pulled Ripley away.

******** 

Kevin Patrick asked Miz and Ciampa about what happened with Dexter Lumis last week. Miz didn’t want to talk about Lumis because he doesn’t even work here. Patrick brought up Lumis being arrested on NXT but Miz blew him off. 

********

Six-woman tag team match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss defeated Kayla Sparks, Dani Mo & Katie Arquette (3:19)

Belair gave Sparks a KOD before Asuka tapped out Dani Mo.

(Kayla Sparks, Dani Mo and Katie Arquette didn’t get an official graphic with their names. The announcers seemed to refer to Sparks as “Kay Sparks” and Arquette as “Katie Arq”.)

Belair, Asuka and Bliss cut a promo on Bayley’s crew after the match. 

********

Adam Pearce told Miz that Lumis was released from police custody because Miz won’t press charges or speak to the authorities. Miz still refused to talk about and told Pearce he wasn’t happy about having to face Bobby Lashley tonight.

********

Kurt Angle segment 

Angle entered to a big reaction and “you suck” chants during his entrance. He said he was glad to be home before he plugged Clash at the Castle.

Chad Gable and Otis interrupted. Commercial break.

Gable called Angle a personal hero of his. Angle’s story motivated him when he went to the Olympics. Angle reminded him that he won his gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck.

Gable said Alpha Academy was looking for a new member but there wasn’t a shred of talent in Pittsburgh. The crowd booed. Gable said, “There’s an Olympic hero in this ring, not to mention Kurt Angle, so show some respect.” (Angle couldn’t help but laugh.)

Gable offered Angle a membership into Alpha Academy for one night only. Otis gave him an Alpha Academy jacket. Angle tossed it away and turned them down.

Gable couldn’t believe it. Angle said, “it’s true, it’s damn true” but Gable shooshed him. Angle told Gable to shoosh. They yelled “shoosh” at each other.

Gable was pissed and told Otis to go after him. The Street Profits ran out (wearing black and yellow).

Montez Ford challenged them to a match. Gable accepted under one condition: when his team wins, Angle must join Alpha Academy so Gable can coach him to the next level. Angle and the Street Profits accepted.

[SECOND HOUR]

Announced for Clash at the Castle: Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Bálor and Damian Priest.

The Street Profits defeated Alpha Academy (16:04)

This was a really good match where everyone had moments to shine.

They went to break after Gable gave Ford an overhead suplex off the top. Angelo Dawkins made a comeback after the break and gave Gable a Silencer for two. Gable gave him a German suplex and reversed a Ford high cross into a pin for two. Gable followed that with a Northern Lights suplex for two.

Otis slammed Ford before Gable followed with a diving headbutt but Dawkins broke up the cover. Dawkins and Otis took each other out with double clotheslines.

Gable dropped his shoulder straps and applied the ankle lock as he stared at Angle (who was watching from ringside). Ford fought out and applied the ankle lock himself. Ford grapevined the leg and the crowd thought we’d get a finish but Otis broke it up.

Otis confronted Angle so Dawkins wiped him out with an impressive pounce sending him over the announce table.

Dawkins launched Gable into a Ford suplex and Ford finished him off with a frog splash for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Dawkins and Ford gave Angle a red solo cup. Angle took a sip but immediately spat it out. Angle grabbed three bottles of milk for them to drink instead. Angle handed out bottles to the crowd too. 

********

Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers were shown at ringside.

********

Jimmy Smith acknowledged that they had advertised a face-to-face segment between Riddle and Seth Rollins but because of everything that has happened, that wasn’t possible so they’d be interviewed in separate rooms.

They aired “fan footage” of Riddle and Rollins getting into a fight earlier today on top of a parking garage. It was broken up by officials and referees who I guess were parking their cars at the same time.

Riddle/Seth Rollins sit-down interview

Corey Graves hosted the interview and asked them what happened earlier today. Rollins claimed that Riddle was creeping his bus but Riddle denied that and they talked over each other before Graves got them to stop.

Riddle said Rollins was worried that he would embarrass him just like Roman Reigns did and just like Cody Rhodes did. Rollins said nobody liked him and when he ended Riddle on Saturday it would be for everyone. Rollins was happy to put Riddle on the shelf next to Rhodes.

Riddle said he would prove there was only one man in Rollins’ marriage, “and that’s Becky, bro.”

******** 

After a break, they showed more footage of Riddle and Rollins (after they thought the interview was over). Rollins said Riddle didn’t have a wife because she divorced his bitch-ass. Riddle demanded to know where Rollins was and Riddle repeatedly said he would “f*ck” him up.

********

They congratulated Bad Bunny on winning an MTV VMA. 

Non-title match: United States Champion Bobby Lashley defeated The Miz (w/Ciampa) (10:49)

Lashley was firmly in control until a Ciampa distraction allowed Miz to take control. Lashley came back with suplexes and a chokeslam but Ciampa pulled Miz out of the ring before Lashley could go for a spear. Miz distracted the referee as Ciampa attacked Lashley. Miz hit a low DDT for a nearfall.

Miz set up for Skull Crushing Finale but let go upon seeing Dexter Lumis in the crowd (standing about 25 rows up).

Lashley put Miz in the Hurt Lock for the submission win.

— Miz tried to explain to Ciampa that he saw Lumis but Ciampa didn’t believe him.

(Smith mentioned that Lashley was defending his title but I’m pretty sure this was non-title.)

******** 

There was a funny segment with Edge and Angle backstage. They played off the segment from years ago where Edge showed Angle pictures of their past with insulting messages written on the back. After Edge left, Angle showed the Mysterios one of the pictures only to realize what was written on the back.

[THIRD HOUR]

There was a video on Connor “The Crusher” Michalek and Connor’s Cure.

This Friday on Smackdown: Roman Reigns celebrates two years as champion.

The Usos and Sami Zayn segment

Jimmy and Jey Uso boasted about Reigns’ title reign. Zayn announced that Reigns has named him the master of ceremonies for Friday’s celebration. Jey shot him a look so Zayn went on to boast about the Usos being the best team in WWE.

Kevin Owens interrupted. Owens informed them that their boss Roman still owed him one.

Jey asked Zayn if Owens was his boy. Owens was amused when Jey threatened to “get” Owens if Zayn didn’t do it first.

Zayn told Owens that Reigns didn’t owe him, or anyone, anything. Owens said Zayn was making himself look stupid by hanging out with the Bloodline and letting them treat him the way they do. Owens called Zayn one of the best in-ring performers of all time (the crowd cheered) but now he was their clown. Owens called it sad.

Zayn took it a moment before telling Owens that he didn’t know what he was talking about. He said Jimmy liked him and they did their special handshake. Jey didn’t reciprocate but Zayn said they were working on it. Most importantly, Zayn said that Roman liked him.

Jey mentioned what they did to Drew McIntyre and warned Owens to leave. Owens didn’t care about what they did to McIntyre but he did care what Jey did to him, costing him a chance to end Reigns’ title reign 18 months ago. He said they were celebrating two years of Jey having his head shoved up his cousin’s ass.

Zayn warned Owens that he was inviting Jey to kick his ass. Owens said this is where they get a referee to the ring so they could fight. A ref ran down and they went to break.

********

Kevin Owens defeated Tag Team Champion Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn) (12:26)

Owens was about to give Jey an apron powerbomb but Jimmy distracted him and Jey hit a superkick before hitting a Samoan drop onto the steel steps. After a break, a battle on the top led to Owens hitting a fisherman’s buster. Owens followed later with a Swanton for two.

Jey blocked a stunner before Owens blocked a superkick and hit one of his own. Jey slipped out a pop-up powerbomb, hit a superkick and a diving splash for two. Owens handed out superkicks to both Jey and Jimmy before giving Jey a frog splash for two.

Owens again set up for an apron powerbomb but turned his attention to Zayn. Jey used the distraction to hit a suicide dive.

Jey demanded Zayn grab a chair as Jimmy distracted the ref. Jey held down Owens so that Zayn could hit him but Zayn wouldn’t do it.

As Jimmy admonished Zayn, Owens gave Jey a stunner for the pinfall win.

********* 

Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY did a promo about tonight’s match and the match on Saturday. Basically, they planned on getting to the top and staying there.

Miz was shown frantically leaving the arena (a good 40 minutes after his match ended). As Miz drove off in his SUV, Lumis could be seen sitting in the back. 

********

Johnny Gargano/Theory segment

This started as an interview with Gargano. He said that “Johnny Wrestling” wasn’t just a nickname — wrestling meant everything to him. The interviewer asked if Theory ruined his return but Gargano said no, he was actually happy to see him.

Gargano spoke about Theory’s talent, which is why he was with him in NXT. Theory had every genetic gift that he didn’t have so didn’t have to start at the bottom. Gargano said he didn’t hear from Theory for nine months, not even after his baby was born.

Theory showed up and asked why Gargano didn’t call him when he was the US title. Theory said Gargano was jealous and he expected more from him. Theory pointed at his MITB briefcase and said it was lonely at the top. He warned Gargano that he was swimming with the sharks now.

********

The announcers ran down the Clash of the Castle card. There was also a video package highlighting the two teams fighting for the Women’s tag team titles.

Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (w/Bayley) (11:17)

Kai and SKY drove Aliyah into the steel steps and Kai hit Rodriguez with a PK which led to break. Kai and SKY used a combination of strikes on Rodriguez to remain in control. Rodriguez launched SKY into Kai but couldn’t tag out because Aliyah was down from being knocked into the steps again.

Rodriguez made a comeback anyway and gave SKY an elbow drop for two. SKY responded with a Code Red for two. Rodriguez turned SKY inside out with a clothesline but SKY got an assist from Bayley as Kai distracted the referee. Kai hit a running boot and SKY followed with the moonsault but Rodriguez kicked out.

Belair, Bliss and Asuka marched out to chase away Bayley.

As SKY and Kai were distracted, Aliyah tagged herself in and hid. SKY and Kai double-teamed Rodriguez but Aliyah slipped in the ring and rolled up Kai to score the pinfall win.

Belair, Asuka and Bliss congratulated Rodriguez and Aliyah who posed with their new belts as fireworks went off.

(This was an odd way to end the tournament and crown new champions. Aliyah was absent for most of the match and they didn’t exactly come across like the better team.) 

Kurt Angle announced for next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle will appear on the August 29 episode of Raw. 

Angle will appear on the show in his hometown of Pittsburgh as announced on this week’s Raw. 

The finals of the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament are also set for next week’s Raw. Dakota Kai and IYO SKY advanced to the finals with a victory over Asuka and Alexa Bliss this week. They now await the winners of a “second chance” match on Friday’s SmackDown, where Doudrop & Nikki ASH will face Tamina & Dana Brooke, Xia Li & Shotzi, and Natalya & Sonya Deville.

Also announced for August 29, Seth Rollins and Riddle will have a face-to-face confrontation. The two opened this week’s Raw with a brawl, and are set to go one-on-one at Clash at the Castle on September 3.

Here is next week’s announced Raw lineup: 

  • WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle appears
  • Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament finals: Dakota Kai & IYO SKY vs. TBD
  • Seth Rollins & Riddle face-to-face segment

WWE purchases rights to Kurt Angle documentary

Posted on by Ian Carey

A documentary on the life of Kurt Angle is expected to be released next year. 

The film was not originally a WWE project but the company has since purchased the rights to it. 

Angle is also set to be featured on an episode of A&E Biography scheduled to air on July 31. He noted that the A&E episode will focus more on his WWE career and the documentary next year will cover more of his personal life. 

“The WWE bought the show from us, the documentary,” Angle said on an episode of The Kurt Angle Show released on Sunday. “They changed it up a little bit and made it a little more pro-wrestling oriented but we made a deal with them that this will air on Peacock next year, my previous documentary before they actually added more WWE stuff to it.” 

“The one next year on Peacock will be more about my personal life growing up and before the WWE. It’s a really well-rounded documentary but the one that WWE is showing will be pro-WWE stuff,” he continued. 

AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Sting appear via video at Impact Slammiversary

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Styles, Sting, and Kurt Angle were among the surprise appearances at tonight’s Impact Slammiversary event.

Styles appeared via video and brought up the first ever match in Impact history, where he, Low Ki, and Christopher Daniels faced The Flying Elvises. He also brought up his matches with Kurt Angle and the match between himself, Daniels, and Samoa Joe from TNA Unbreakable in 2005. He thanked WWE for letting him make this appearance.

Sting and Kurt Angle also sent in videos, reminiscing of their time in the company.

Numerous names from Impact’s past appeared at tonight’s Slammiversary, which marked 20 years to the day of NWA-TNA’s first pay-per-view held on June 19, 2002. 

In the Honor No More vs. Impact Originals match, former Impact president Dixie Carter introduced the final member of the Impact Originals, Davey Richards. The match featured appearances from Traci Brooks, who took out Maria Kanellis at ringside, and D’Lo Brown, who laid out Kenny King with the sky high after he interfered in the match. The Impact Originals won their match, with Earl Hebner coming to the ring to make the three count.

America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) made an appearance after The Good Brothers defeated The Briscoes to win the Impact Tag Team titles. Storm praised tag team wrestling and Impact as the three teams toasted one another.

Other appearances include Scott Hudson and Goldylocks, who conducted interviews. David Young, Slash (with James Mitchell), Chase Stevens, Mike Jackson, and Shark Boy participated in the reverse battle royal that was held during the Slammiversary pre-show. Shark Boy won the match, pinning Johnny Swinger with  a stunner.

Kurt Angle on recovery from double knee surgery: ‘It’s pretty brutal’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kurt Angle says his rehab from double knee surgery has been “pretty brutal.” 

The 53-year-old had both knees replaced on May 24. In a recently released episode of “The Kurt Angle Show,” he gave an update on his recovery.  

“A week later I’m not doing much better,” Angle said. “It’s pretty brutal especially when you have both knees done at the same time. I never went through anything this difficult. I also have a little bit of a back problem, so I can’t use my legs but I can’t use my back. So, I’m pretty much useless.”

Angle also revealed that during the surgery, doctors found a loose screw from another procedure he had done a decade earlier. 

“They found a screw in my left knee, just hanging out in my knee socket. It’s pretty incredible. It must have been from my surgery 10 years ago, the ACL surgery I had on my left knee and the screw popped loose and was just hanging out in my knee socket.”

He continued to talk about the rehab schedule he has been on since leaving the hospital. 

“They’ve had me do a lot of rehab ever since I got out of the hospital. I go to a rehab facility three days a week over near my house and then the other four days, I do five different sessions of rehab on my own. It’s a long process but hopefully it will work out. It should and I’m very positive about this.”

Angle also spoke about how before the surgery, he was unable to straighten out his knees. 

“They’re trying to straighten my legs. That was a lot of the problem with my last knees,” Angle continued.  

“From all the injuries and everything, they stayed bent. It was wearing on my knees and that’s how I got arthritis in my knees because I couldn’t flex my quad extension fully. My quad was always on fire when I was walking, that put a lot of pressure on my knees. That’s the reason why I had to have knee surgery because my legs won’t straighten out entirely and that’s what they’re trying to do now is straighten them out.”

Wrestling Observer Live: Dynamite line-up, NXT 2.0 TV REPORT~!, Raw ratings, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including a full line-up for Dynamite tonight, RAW ratings and the change this week as compared to the last few weeks, your stunning NXT 2.0 TV REPORT and more! Don’t forget to go to f4wonline.com and sign up for the $3.99 special TODAY ONLY, because if you don’t you’ll regret it!

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WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle undergoes double knee surgery

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kurt Angle underwent double knee surgery today. 

The 53-year-old posted a video from the hospital to thank everyone for their well wishes. 

“This is your Olympic hero Kurt Angle and I’m in the hospital right now because I just had knee replacements done this morning,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good right now but my legs are numb because of the epidural. So, I know I have a long road ahead of me and I’m willing to work very hard to get back to where I was before. I want to thank all of you for all of your support and your wishes and prayers for my surgery, I really do appreciate it. God bless you all.”

Angle revealed that he needed to have both knees replaced during an episode of his podcast last month. 

“I’m having my knees replaced next month,” Angle said on the show. “Both of them at the same time, I’m getting it over with. I’ll be on a wheelchair or a walker.”

WWE Table for 3 returning with new episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A WWE Network series is returning with its first new episode since 2019.

WWE Table for 3 will make its return with a new episode premiering on Peacock/WWE Network this Friday (April 22). Kurt Angle, Chad Gable, and Otis will be appearing on the episode.

Here’s the description for the show: “WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle and The Alpha Academy Chad Gable & Otis share their journeys from Olympic hopefuls to WWE Superstars.”

Each edition of Table for 3 features three guests sitting around a table and having a conversation.

Angle was supposed to make his return to WWE television earlier this year to be part of a three-week program with RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) and Alpha Academy (Gable & Otis), but plans for the program were nixed. It was going to lead to Angle being the special guest referee for a match between RK-Bro and Alpha Academy at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia this February.

RK-Bro retained the Raw Tag Team titles against Alpha Academy and The Street Profits in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 38 night two earlier this month.

Kurt Angle to undergo double knee replacement surgery next month

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kurt Angle will be undergoing double knee replacement surgery next month. 

The 53-year-old revealed the news on an episode of The Kurt Angle Show. 

“I’m having my knees replaced next month,” Angle said. “Both of them at the same time, I’m getting it over with. I’ll be on a wheelchair or a walker.”

During an episode of his podcast released in August 2021, Angle noted that he requires neck fusion surgery but has been putting it off for many years. 

“My neck is not that great,” Angle said. “I have a lot of motor skill problems in my hands, my fingers because of my neck. Numbness down my arms, I have a lot of pain in my neck. I’ve been putting off fusion surgery for gosh, 15 years. I might not be able to put it off for much longer, I’m eventually going to have to have fusion. I’ve had the quick fix surgeries just so I could get back in the ring again and the last one I did I think was 2015. I’m eventually going to have to have fusion, I’ve just been putting it off.”

H/T Wrestling Inc. 

WWE Raw video highlights: WrestleMania build picks up

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The build to WrestleMania 38 picked up on last night’s Elimination Chamber fallout edition of Raw.

After winning the WWE Championship in Saudi Arabia, Brock Lesnar appeared last night. Though Lesnar is set to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a winner-take-all match at WrestleMania, Paul Heyman questioned if Lesnar will even make it to WrestleMania as champion. Heyman brought up that Lesnar has a title defense against Bobby Lashley scheduled for WWE’s house show at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 5. Heyman said that if Lashley isn’t cleared to compete, he’ll make sure Lesnar still has a title defense.

Lesnar will be on SmackDown this Friday for a segment with Reigns.

Social media and celebrity boxing star Logan Paul was officially confirmed as The Miz’s tag team partner for WrestleMania 38 last night. Paul made his return to WWE television and beat down Rey and Dominik Mysterio with Miz.

With Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship official for WrestleMania 38, the two went face-to-face last night. Edge was also back on WWE TV and issued an open challenge for WrestleMania. His opponent has yet to be revealed.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Paul Heyman says Brock Lesnar may not make it to WrestleMania as WWE Champion

Alpha Academy vs. The Street Profits

Finn Balor & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode

The Miz reveals Logan Paul as his WrestleMania tag team partner

Veer Mahaan will make Raw his kingdom soon

Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H.

Damian Priest vs. Shelton Benjamin for the United States title, Finn Balor steps up as Priest’s next challenger

Reggie vs. Dana Brooke for the 24/7 Championship

Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair go face-to-face

Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop

Edge issues an open challenge for WrestleMania

RK-Bro vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens

Raw fallout: Damian Priest wants to continue to prove that he’s worthy of being US Champion

Raw fallout: Dolph Ziggler will make things right when he faces Tommaso Ciampa on NXT

Raw Talk: The Miz, Finn Balor, and Bianca Belair interviews

Kurt Angle details plans for nixed WWE return program

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has explained the storyline that he was recently supposed to make his return to the company for.

Angle stated on an episode of his Kurt Angle Show podcast last month that he had been contacted by WWE to return to television for a month or so. Though he was brought to St. Louis for the Royal Rumble, Angle didn’t end up being used at the pay-per-view. Angle later said that the idea for a three-week program had been dropped at the last second.

On a new episode of his podcast on Ad Free Shows, Angle noted that the idea was for him to be involved in the feud between Raw Tag Team Champions Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) and RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle). The plan was for Angle to be the special guest referee for a match between the teams at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia, but that matchup didn’t end up happening at the pay-per-view.

“There are a lot of rumors going around that I was supposed to be booked for WrestleMania 38, which is not true at all,” Angle said. “If you saw the posts, a lot of people thought that I was talking about WrestleMania when I was talking about what I was going to do at the Royal Rumble and have the program for a few weeks. Then the blow off would be in Saudi Arabia, where I would referee the match between RK-Bro and Alpha Academy.”

“So I am not signed with WWE by any means. We didn’t cut a deal. That whole program got canceled at the last second. So it never happened. It’s unfortunate, but you know, sometimes they have different plans for these guys. So there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Riddle was one of the participants in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match at the Saudi Arabia PPV, while Orton, Gable, and Otis weren’t on the show.

RK-Bro became the number one contenders to Alpha Academy’s titles by defeating Gable & Otis in a three-stage Academic Challenge. Riddle & Orton will get their title shot on next week’s Raw.

Daily Update: Impact Wrestling, Mickie Jay, Eric Angle

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Here is the first look at the stage for the debut episode of NXT: LVL UP tonight, which will be replacing 205 Live.
  • Main Event matches taped prior to Raw this week were T-Bar vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Veer Mahaan vs. Apollo Crews.
  • WWE released a statement regarding the passing of former WWE and WCW referee Mickie Jay Henson on their website. Henson passed away Monday following complications from COVID-19.
  • Mike Tenay shared thoughts on Henson: “There have been a rash of wrestling related deaths lately, but the passing of Mickie Jay Henson really hurts. A close friend for over 30 years. Best known as a referee for WCW and WWE, but he was equally proud to have been the president of the Bobby Heenan Fan Club in his youth.”
  • Austin Theory spoke to Sportskeeda on competing in his first Elimination Chamber match. “This is the biggest match of my career,” he said. “It’s for the WWE Championship. Everybody knows how big and how high-held the WWE Championship is. It’s my first Elimination Chamber and I’m pretty excited about this. It’s my first time in Saudi Arabia and I’ve seen the shows. I’ve seen Crown Jewels, It looks like WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia.”
  • Cameron Grimes spoke to Sports Illustrated about finding his confidence, citing Shawn Michaels’ influence. “How can you not be confident when you know Shawn Michaels has your back?” Grimes says. “And they’re right to say I was never a star anywhere else. It comes down to maturity. I’m becoming a man in this business. I wasn’t mature enough or ready to become that star before. I had the talent and the drive, but it hadn’t clicked yet. Since I’ve been in NXT, it’s really helped my confidence to do what it takes to become a star.”
  • DAZN talked to Santos Escobar about transitioning from Mexico to the WWE.
  • Montez Ford was the guest on this week’s Out of Character with Ryan Satin.
  • UpUpDownDown streamed a ratings reveal for the WWE 2K22 roster.
  • The WWE intro video has been slightly altered starting with last night’s Raw, with an announcer now saying “Then, Nowl, Forever, Together” verbally.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton from the November 3, 2014 episode of Raw, AJ Styles vs. The Miz from the February 15, 2016 edition of Raw, and a nine-man cruiserweight open from WWE No Way Out 2006.

AEW

  • This week’s AEW Road to, including Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Championship and the team of Santana & Ortiz vs. Chris Jericho and Jake Hager.
  • Sammy Guevara’s latest vlog.

Other Wrestling

  • Impact has released details on their Wrestlecon plans during WrestleMAnia weekend. The first show will be held on April 1 at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas at 9 pm. Names set to appear include Deonna Purrazzo, Matt Cardona, Chelsea Green, Ace Austin, Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Rhino, Rich Swann, Steve Maclin. and Tasha Steelz. The second night will be a card featuring IPWF characters, a flashback promotion featuring Impact talent including Bill Ding (Trey Miguel), DJ 2 Large (Moose), Sex Ferguson (Doc Gallows), Chad 2Badd (Karl Anderson), Ladybird Johnson (Havok), Georgia Cobb (Jordynne Grace), Rip Rayzor (Ace Austin), and Jazzy Fitbody (Madison Rayne).
  • Kurt Angle on Instagram noted that his brother Eric, who briefly signed to WWE under a developmental deal and made a few appearances on WWE TV, is in need of a kidney transplant: “Received a bit of bad news. My brother and best friend in this whole world Eric, is in need of a kidney transplant. Obviously, it goes without saying how huge of an ask this is,however, if there is by chance a selfless individual out there willing to give Eric a second chance at life please go to livingdonorreg.upmc.com to register. Eric is my older brother by one year and we have grown up like twins our whole lives. We are often confused for being one another when we are out and about. Needless to say we are very close. Eric has been married for 16 years to his wife Felicia. They have two step children together along with a pet Bulldog named Libby. I have been tested recently and I have been told I am not a match so I am trying to do my part in finding a way to get Eric new lease on life. So if anyone is willing to help, appreciation and gratitude are expressed in advance for making such a generous offer. If you would like more information on how to become a hero, a living donor, please visit upmc.com/livingdonorkidney to learn more. Thank you and God Bless!…”
  • FITE TV will be offering alternative commentary for Saturday’s No Surrender event. The commentary team will consist of SoCal Val, Lisa Marie Varon, and Traci Brooks.
  • The Hardy Boyz released a video hyping their upcoming dates reuniting as a team.
  • Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows have filed a trademark for the term “The BC”.

Kurt Angle not signed with WWE, three-week program idea dropped

Posted on by Josh Nason

Kurt Angle won’t be coming back to WWE, at least not for now.

On the latest edition of his podcast Sunday, Angle said that an idea for a three-week program was dropped by the company “at the last second” and he has not signed any deal with WWE.

He didn’t go into any details about what the program was going to be about, who was involved, or why it was dropped.

Angle was at last weekend’s Royal Rumble in St. Louis along with his wife. He said he did some documentary interviews and a Friday meet and greet, but those were his only obligations.

Last week, Angle revealed that WWE had contacted him to return “for a month or so” and that he was really excited for what they had planned.

Angle has been retired from in-ring action since 2019’s WrestleMania 35. He was released in April 2020 from his backstage position, but has made on-screen appearances since then.