Former WWE star Rusev announced on Twitch today that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I am absolutely positive for COVID-19,” he said on a livestream today. “I am absolutely, 100 percent, super mega incredibly positive.”
He later posted a video on YouTube, saying he felt fine aside from losing his sense of taste and smell, a symptom of COVID-19.
Rusev, real name Miroslav Barnyashev, told his viewers that he had originally thought he had tested negative. However, a phone call from the doctor’s office confirmed that he had tested positive.
The news comes as his wife, WWE star Lana (CJ Perry), wrote on social media that both her mother and father have been battling the virus in recent weeks. In a new YouTube video, Lana said that her mother was taken off oxygen and was breathing on her own and is now out of the ICU. Her father is also recovering.
Rusev was released from WWE in April as a part of wide ranging cuts and furloughs within the company. His no-compete clause is scheduled to end later this month.
Liv Morgan and Lana will square off in a singles match. WWE announced the match today on social media, with the stipulation being that both Rusev and Bobby Lashley were barred from ringside.
The four have been feuding for a number of weeks. When Lashley and Lana had their wedding at the end of December, it was Liv Morgan who interrupted the proceedings and revealed that she and Lana had an intimate relationship with one another. Lana attacked Morgan following the revelation, but it was Rusev who came in and evened the odds, with the two getting the better of Lashley and Lana.
Lashley and Rusev ended up having a match last week on Raw. Despite Liv Morgan coming in through the crowd to counter Lana, it was Lashley who picked up the win after spearing a distracted Rusev.
Raw will be at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas this Monday.
Two segments have been announced for next week’s Raw.
Rusev & Liv Morgan will team together next week to take on the team of Lana & Bobby Lashley.
Rusev faced Bobby Lashley in a singles match tonight on Raw. Lashley was able to get the win after Rusev was distracted by Liv Morgan, who came out from the crowd to confront Lana at ringside. Lana grabbed a drink from the crowd, threw it in Morgan’s face and sent her into the barricade.
Morgan became involved in the long-running feud between Lashley, Rusev and Lana after she interrupted Lashley and Lana’s wedding two weeks ago.
Additionally, Brock Lesnar will make an appearance on Raw next week. He came out tonight with Paul Heyman, who promised a Lesnar Royal Rumble victory. After some comedy with R-Truth, Lesnar attacked Truth and laid him out with the F5.
Raw next week will be at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Witchita, Kansas.
Like most professional wrestling weddings, the wedding of Bobby Lashley and Lana didn’t quite go off without a hitch.
The wedding angle took place in the main event segment of last night’s Raw. After two other interruptions, Liv Morgan made her return and said the wedding had to stop. Morgan said that the love of her life was right there and that she wouldn’t have made it through this year without them.
Morgan said she came to WWE as a lost soul, and she didn’t know that she could be herself until they met and fell in love.
Lashley didn’t know what she was talking about, but Morgan said she wasn’t talking about him — she was talking about Lana. She tried to plead with Lana, but Lana slapped her and they started to brawl.
Rusev ended up emerging from an oversized cake that was in the ring. He attacked Lashley, then Morgan shoved Lana’s face into the cake to end the show.
Date: December 30, 2019 Location: XL Center in Hartford, CT
The Big Takeaway —
Liv Morgan crashed the wedding to announce that she and Lana were (previously) in love. This came near the end of a very long segment. Lana attacked Morgan before Rusev finally appeared to attack Bobby Lashley. (Read more below.)
There was also a strange angle where Randy Orton faked a potentially career-ending knee injury just so he could give AJ Styles an RKO.
The show had started off well with a brawl between Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe against Seth Rollins and AOP, as well as an excellent rematch between Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy that won over the live crowd. The show was not good after that.
Show Recap —
Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler are the announcers.
Kevin Owens stormed out to start the show. An angry Owens said he would provide some fireworks tonight, then cut to a video. Owens said Seth Rollins and AOP have been running roughshod and have sent him to the hospital twice in a month. Owens kept getting beat up, but he was going to keep going after them until he can take one of those “idiots” down with him.
Owens was particularly bothered that they went after someone he respects in Rey Mysterio. He called Mysterio a legend, and said the attack on Rey was the reason he lost the US Title at Madison Square Garden to Andrade. (He showed a clip.) Owens said he had enough of tape study and asked Rollins to come out.
Rollins and AOP entered. Rollins said this position has been forced upon him by people like Owens and he was sacrificing himself for the greater good. As Rollins spoke, Owens had enough and went after him but was cut off by AOP. As they beat down on Owens, Samoa Joe entered.
Joe decked both Akam and Razar as the crowd chanted for him. Joe put Rollins in the Coquina Clutch but AOP attacked him. Owens jumped back in with a chair when security marched out to break up the brawl. Owens then did a senton off the top to the outside on to about 10 bodies. The brawl continued as they went to break.
This was good, other than Owens cutting to a video clip twice during a supposedly angry promo.
In the locker room, Charly Caruso informed Owens and Joe that security was on their way, then asked Joe why he got involved. Joe said Rollins chose to involve him, he chose to make sure he will no longer be safe, he chose to make sure Owens won’t be on his own again. Owens said he’s known a lot of bad people, but none as bad as Joe — and he meant that as a compliment.
Owens was glad to have Joe on his side. Security showed up to escort them out of the building. Owens and Joe seemed content with their work this week and were willing to go peacefully. Joe warned security not to touch him or else they won’t feel with their fingers again. Owens wished them a happy new year.
Aleister Black defeated Buddy Murphy (15:26)
As Murphy went to the top, Black nailed him with a soccer kick to the face. Black went after him but Murphy blocked him and eventually dropped Black face-first on the ring post. Joseph reminded us of Black getting his nose busted at TLC. After a break, Black kicked Murphy into the ring post, then hit a moonsault to the outside.
Back in the ring, Black hit a series of strikes and a springboard moonsault for two. Black went to the top but Murphy rolled out of the way and dropkicked him into the buckle. Murphy tried a cover with his feet on the ropes but the referee caught him. Murphy followed with a flip dive then a double knee strike off the top for a nearfall. Murphy hit a sit-out powerbomb for two.
Black blocked a knee strike, then they exchanged strikes. Murphy hit the knee strike but Black followed with a brainbuster for a nearfall. This sequence got a round of applause from the crowd. Murphy ducked a Black Mass and hit a jumping knee strikes, but Black reversed a Murphy’s Law into a roll-up for two, then hit consecutive Black Mass kicks for the pinfall win.
This was excellent. The crowd was relatively quiet at the beginning but were pretty much on their feet by the end.
AOP and Rollins were backstage. Rollins told them that “management” wanted them to leave. He laughed about how insane it was to not having them on the show. Security showed up and Rollins told them that they would leave peacefully.
Lana was getting her makeup done when she was accosted by Erick Rowan, who wondered where his wedding invitation was. He lifted up his cage and said “they” didn’t care anyway, then he screamed. You could hear a few people laughing at how dumb this was.
The announcers discussed Randy Orton’s injury from the weekend and they showed pictures of him getting wheeled out with ice on his knee. Orton will address it tonight.
Erick Rowan defeated Kip Stevens (1:45)
The jobber tried to run away but Rowan caught him, tossed him around and won with a chokeslam.
Lana applied lotion or something on her chest and legs.
WWE Backstage tomorrow will countdown the top five matches of 2019. No CM Punk.
Charlotte Flair came out. She announced she was entering the women’s Royal Rumble. She figured everyone already knew she would be in the Rumble. She ran down her accomplishments, including being the first woman to main event WrestleMania. She then said she was the first woman on any brand to announce her Rumble entry. She said this like it was some sort of accomplishment. She then issued an open challenge. Natalya entered and they went to break. This was a very strange (and bad) promo.
[Second hour]
Charlotte Flair defeated Natalya (14:32)
As Natalya worked over Charlotte, I believe she leaned in and told her “I’m a bigger bitch than you.” Charlotte escaped a Mexican surfboard and nailed a big boot for two. Charlotte tried working over the leg but Natalya fought back and suplexed her on the ramp. Natalya told a fan to shut up, then hit a vertical suplex.
Natalya missed a charge, then Charlotte put her in a Boston Crab in between the ropes. With Natalya on the outside, R-Truth ran out and was chased around ringside by some losers and Shelton Benjamin. Charlotte booted Eric Young, then Truth escaped through the crowd and they went to break.
Natalya hit a flying crossbody for two, then blocked a boot and hit a German suplex. Charlotte hit an Exploder but Natalya ducked a boot and followed with a sit-out powerbomb for two. Charlotte blocked a discus clothesline and hit a spear for a nearfall. (Natalya barely kicked out.) Charlotte followed soon later with a Natural Selection (sort of) for a nearfall.
Natalya reversed a Figure Eight into a small package for a nearfall. Charlotte nailed a big boot then applied a Figure Eight for the submission win. Natalya was in the hold for a while before finally tapping out.
Caruso interviewed Becky Lynch, who announced that her title match against Asuka would be at the Royal Rumble. Lynch said her contract was coming up but wanted her match with Asuka before she could even look at a new deal. Lynch said she could go ahead and sign one of the biggest contracts in WWE history but she can’t forget about Asuka beating her last year.
Lynch said decision-makers were telling her to forget about last year because she’s on top of the world but she didn’t want to be on top if that’s what it meant. Being the golden goose also meant getting the golden handcuffs. She wasn’t sure she if she could beat Asuka, but would wipe her record clean even if it killed her.
Bobby Lashley looked at himself in a mirror.
Liv Morgan video promo. “To be different, you can’t just look different. You have to feel different. Someone once made me feel different, and then they took it away. The old me would have done something impulsive. The new me is way more methodical. I strike when I’m ready. And I think I’m ready. Are you?”
The OC entered. AJ Styles said Raw was still their show and aired replays of The OC’s victories over the past two weeks. Karl Anderson said people thought the Viking Raiders were unbeatable but they proved them wrong. Luke Gallows was about to issue a title challenge but they were interrupted by the Street Profits.
Montez Ford said the OC may have defeated the Viking Raiders, but the Street Profits beat the OC in their debut. Ford was about to say “ass” but Angelo Dawkins stopped him because he didn’t want them to get fired. Styles called them lucky, then the Street Profits made fun of their name for being the same as a teen drama series. Anyway, they agreed to fight. This was lame.
The Street Profits defeated Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (11:37)
Styles got involved so the referee kicked him out two minutes into the match, then they went to break. Gallows dropped Ford over the barricade during the break and they worked him over after the break. Dawkins eventually made the hot tag and ran wild on both guys. Ford saved Dawkins from a Magic Killer, then wiped out Gallows with a dive. Dawkins gave Anderson a spinebuster, then Ford hit a frog splash for the win. This was dull until the very end.
The announcers said that Asuka accepted Lynch’s challenge and the match was made official for the Rumble.
Lana checked out the wedding decorations backstage.
The Street Profits celebrated their win backstage. Ford wondered if they were now the best tag team in the universe. Dawkins said this made them the best tag team in the multiverse. Ford didn’t know what that was, so Dawkins tried to explain it. He seemed to have a hard time remembering his lines, not that I blame him. Ford changed subjects to the wedding, then said they want the smoke.
Before the match, Drew McIntyre polled the crowd, asking for a show of hands if he should be worried about his opponents tonight. Almost nobody did. He then asked if Hawkins and Ryder should be worried and people did raise their hands. Hawkins and Ryder attacked but McIntyre fended them off.
With Hawkins and McIntyre in the ring, the referee started the match. McIntyre gave Hawkins a Claymore kick, then gave Ryder a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre covered them both for the pinfall win. As if they weren’t already, Hawkins and Ryder are dead after this.
Next week on Raw: Brock Lesnar (the WWE Champion) appears, Mysterio faces Andrade for the US Title, and the Viking Raiders defend the tag titles in a triple threat against the Street Profits and the OC.
[Third hour]
Randy Orton promo
Orton walked out slowly on crutches. A stagehand helped him get in the ring. The announcers speculated on what Orton might say, teasing possible retirement. The crowd chanted for Orton.
Orton said this wasn’t ballet. Accidents happen, and everyone in the back was aware of it. It killed him that he needed help getting in the ring in front of everyone. Orton recalled seeing champions retire because of their injuries, including one of the few guys he respects — Edge, who gave up his whole career.
Orton said he screwed up his knee last night. Doctors told him this morning that he’ll be out a long time, and there was a chance he may not be able to return. Regardless, Orton would do what he could to ensure somebody got RKO’d at WrestleMania.
AJ Styles interrupted. Styles couldn’t believe he may not be able to fight him until WrestleMania. Styles egged him on and got in his face, daring him to strike, even putting his hands behind his back. Styles called himself a patient man and would wait until WrestleMania to put Orton in the calf crusher and retire him for good.
Styles then kicked out one of Orton’s crutches. The crowd booed and chanted “AJ sucks.” Before Styles could leave, Orton called him back in. Orton said there was one difference between them, Styles was patient, but he was not. Orton gave him an RKO. The crowd cheered as Orton showed that his leg was fine.
I thought it was transparent from the beginning that Orton was faking it, but most of the crowd seemed to buy it and they were into this segment. Styles got a ton of heat for being a jerk. It’s weird that Orton did all of that just to give Styles an RKO when he’s known for doing that out of nowhere.
They aired a replay of Andrade beating Mysterio for the US Title. They aired a clip of Mysterio from after the match issuing a warning to Rollins and AOP.
They announced Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler on Steve Harvey’s New Year’s Eve special on FOX tomorrow.
Non-title match: U.S. Champion Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) vs. a jobber
The match ended without a finish. Andrade exposed the cement floor when Ricochet ran out to save this random jobber. Ricochet told Andrade that he took out Humberto Carrillo and took advantage of Rey Mysterio, so if he wanted to fight someone, he should fight him.
Non-title match: U.S. Champion Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) defeated Ricochet (11:13)
During the match, Vega once again exposed the cement floor. As Ricochet regained control, Andrade seemed like he was going to leave. Ricochet went after him, so Andrade shoved him into the barricade, then into the side of the ring. Andrade set up for a DDT on the concrete but Ricochet blocked it. Right after that, Andrade gave him a back body drop on the concrete.
After a break, Ricochet fought out of chinlock, hit an enziguri, running forearm, front dropkick, and standing shooting star press for two. Andrade avoided a Codebreaker and nailed a nice-looking back elbow for two. Ricochet countered a DDT into a rollup for two, then hit a superkick and suplex.
Ricochet went to the top but was pushed off by Vega as the referee checked on Andrade. Andrade then hit a hammerlock DDT for the pinfall win. This was enjoyable while it lasted, but the finish made Ricochet and the referee look like idiots.
Lana had a pre-wedding photoshoot backstage.
Sarah Schrieber asked Andrade about next week’s match. Vega said Andrade would beat Mysterio again, just like he beat Ricochet tonight.
The announcers plugged next week’s show again.
Lana and Bobby Lashley wedding
The marriage officiant introduced Lashley as “the almighty.” Lashley wore a fancy black vest with no shirt. The announcers noted that all the chairs on the stage were empty, so nobody accepted their invites. Lana came out next, wearing a white wedding dress. Then they went to commercial.
The crowd booed as the officiant spoke about marriage. Lana cut him off when he mentioned something about having kids. She freaked out and told him to stick to the script. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day” as the officiant continued. Lana yelled that this wasn’t about Rusev Day.
Lana read her vows. She called Lashley the greatest superstar ever and herself the greatest woman who ever lived. She said the greatest gift Lashley could give himself was her. The Rusev Day chants got louder, so Lana started shouting “Lana Day.” Lana said she wanted to jump on Lashley and make love to him right now. She jumped in his arms and they made out.
Lashley brushed her off and the officiant thanked him for his restraint. It was time for Lashley to read his vows. Lana said she put a lot of time into the “vowels” that he was about to read. Lashley read the vows as the crowd yelled “What.” Lana tried shutting them up again as Lashley finished the vows. They exchanged rings. The officiant asked if anyone would object.
A random guy walked out to object. He called the wedding a sham. The officiant asked who he was. He was Lana’s first husband. He married her the day she turned 18, then she left him for that son of a bitch Rusev. Now she’s leaving Rusev for this son of a bitch and warned Lashley that it would happen to him too. Lashley chokeslammed him.
The officiant was about to continue but a random woman came out as Lashley hanged his head. She was Lashley’s first wife. This was news to Lana. As she told their story, Lana knocked her off the apron.
The officiant was about to make it official but they were interrupted again — this time by Liv Morgan. Morgan said the love of her life was standing right there and wouldn’t have made it through the year without them. Morgan said she didn’t know she could be herself until they fell in love. She asked, “How could you do this to me?”
Lashley didn’t know what she was talking about. Morgan said she wasn’t talking about Bobby, she was talking about Lana. The crowd briefly chanted “Yes.” As Morgan pleaded with Lana, Lana slapped her. They brawled until officials ran down to break them up as the crowd watched in silence.
They escorted Morgan to the back as Lana demanded they finish the wedding. Before they could, Rusev popped out of the cake and attacked Lashley. The crowd cheered but it probably would’ve been louder if it happened ten minutes ago and they didn’t do the whole thing with Morgan. Rusev superkicked Lashley, then Morgan reappeared to shove Lana into the cake.
Raw will close out 2019 with the storyline wedding of Lana and Bobby Lashley.
WWE announced today that a segment where Lana and Lashley will get married is set for the December 30 episode of Raw: “Following their surprise engagement on this week’s Raw, The All Mighty and his ravishing lady love decided via Twitter that they don’t want to wait until the New Year to tie the knot and will instead say their vows on the Dec. 30 Raw — WWE’s final show of 2019.”
Lashley defeated Rusev in their tables match at TLC after interference by Lana. The next night on Raw, their storyline continued with Lana getting Lashley to propose to her.
The December 30 edition of Raw is taking place at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The episode that’s airing next Monday (December 23) was taped in advance, with it being filmed at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa this past Monday.
A six-man tag match headlined last night’s episode of Raw in Nashville, Tennessee.
The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) took on Rey Mysterio, Ricochet & Humberto Carrillo, with the match being made after Mysterio, Ricochet & Carrillo saved Randy Orton from The O.C. earlier in the show. Orton appeared again after the match and laid out Styles with an RKO.
The show opened with Seth Rollins issuing an apology after last week’s town hall meeting. Kevin Owens didn’t believe Rollins was sincere and refused to team with him against AOP. He issued a challenge instead and faced Bobby Lashley.
Owens vs. Lashley was interrupted by AOP. Rusev also came through the crowd and attacked Lashley after the match. But despite Rusev violating his restraining order, it was Lashley and Lana who ended up getting “arrested: after Lashley bumped into a police officer.
A handicap match also took place last night, with Charlotte Flair taking on Asuka & Kairi Sane. Becky Lynch didn’t appear on the episode, but WWE uploaded a Raw fallout video where Lynch teased that she has one more debt to collect.
F4W NEWSLETTER: NXT’s Survivor Series involvement Joseph Currier looks at how WWE featured NXT at Survivor Series and in the build to the PPV.
Even with how forced the battle for brand supremacy can admittedly be, Survivor Series is one of the bright spots on the WWE calendar.
The PPV has given us some of the main roster’s best matches in recent years. Last year, we got Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan and Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair (filling in for the injured Becky Lynch). In 2017, Lesnar faced AJ Styles. Those matches wouldn’t have happened without the brand vs. brand concept. And while there would ideally be more substantive stakes involved, the brands facing off has given some life to the traditional Survivor Series elimination tag matches.
The added involvement of NXT this year only improved things. The battle of the brands would have been even more forced without their inclusion. Viewers can believe that NXT really wants to prove that it’s better than Raw or SmackDown. It’s much harder to suspend your disbelief and buy into Raw and SmackDown’s wrestlers being undyingly loyal to their brand just weeks after a draft.
Coverage of Survivor Series weekend and five shows in six nights in Chicago, as well as the business, polls and more, heads this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the directions things are going, how DVR viewership affects all the major shows, the decision on match order, what Vince McMahon was doing during the Survivor Seres main event, the next two major shows as well as Survivor Series and Takeover with full coverage and star ratings for every match.
The issue also covers:
The myth of NXT as developmental, World’s Collide, the next Takeover, the mention of Britt Baker on the air and more.
The tragic death of Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.
Changes in the UFC drug policy, regarding levels, what drugs are low levels now allowed, what UFC is encouraging fighters to do as far as supplements, .
The situation with Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo, what happened, why Graves should have been more careful, and where things stand.
Jim Cornette’s apology, how his departure from the NWA took place, more of the background as to why Cornette was castigated for things that nobody would have batted an eye about had others said and why, what NWA wanted to do with him and why their hand was forced.
C.M. Punk signing with FOX, Vince McMahon’s thoughts on Seth Rollins pushing the Punk match, TV ratings in Canada and overseas, WWE get awarded, legend selling home, Oney Lorcan talks future, Mike Bennett talks wanting to leave, Injury updates in WWE, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network, plus notes on the house shows.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend audio show with Bryan Alvarez is up right now on the site and we will have a second show talking economics of pro wrestling and AEW with Brandon Thurston and Garrett Gonzalez up later today. This was somewhat of a quiet weekend although the Starrcade show is tonight. From the 60s through the 80s, Thanksgiving was synonymous with the biggest shows of the year. We have a retro Observer up covering the history of pro wrestling on Thanksgiving.
After the first two days of its release, Chris Jericho’s “A Little Bit of the Bubbly” sparkling win has sold 10,000 bottles.
As far as Google trends go, the only thing over the last week combat sports related was Gina Carano at No. 10 on Friday with 100,000 searches due to her debut on the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian. On Wednesday, there were 10 million searches for “History of Thanksgiving,” but that was not related to a Ric Flair vs. Harley Race match.
As far as Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley tonight, for whatever this is worth, this is what they did in the billed last man standing matches the last two days: Lashley and Lana came out and Rusev never came out. The referee counted to ten and ruled that Lashley won the match. They celebrated and Lana said “Rusev is a fool” but then Rusev came out to attack Lashley. They never had the match since the ten count meant that Lashley won already.
Here’s a link to the ice hockey movie “Net Worth” that we talked about on today’s Observer Radio, a true story based in the NHL in the late 50s. I would encourage all pro wrestlers and fans interested in business to watch this movie, particularly considering how owners manipulate and players get bullied. Even as bad as it was, the NHL players had a pension plan 63 years ago.
WWE
Samoa Joe is currently planned to announce Raw tomorrow night with Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler.
WWE 24: Trish Stratus airs on the WWE Network after Starrcade.
There was a category on Jeopardy on Friday called WWE Slammy Awards. The answers to the questions were Charlie Sheen, Cyndi Lauper, Ronda Rousey, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon. The contestants didn’t do well in the category (thanks to Ken Raftery)
A ‘Day Of’ special built around the 2019 Survivor Series airs 12/8 on WWE Network.
MISCELLANEOUS
Konnan returns to MLW on Thursday’s TV tapings in New York and the Melrose Ballroom.
AAW from last night in Chicago: Rory Storm b Reilly McGwire, Ace Austin & Clayton Gainz b Travis Titan & Jake Landers, Hakim Zane b Myron Reed, Killer Kross b Josh Briggs, Curt Stallion b Eddie Kingston, Good Brother #3 (Mance Warner) b Nick Gage (crowd loved this match), Josh Alexander b Ace Romero to keep AAW title, Paco b Jake Something to win the Heritage title, ACH & Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega b Sami Callihan & Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz (said to be super), Jessicka Havok b Kris Statlander to keep the womens’ title (thanks to Case Lowe)
The next AAW show has Alexander defending against Jacob Fatu, Zane defending the Heritage title against Pac and David Starr & Kingston vs. Stallion & Something.
WrestleCade results from Friday night in Winston, Salem, NC: Murphy Costagan b David Anthony to keep SWF TV title, John Skylar b Andrew Everett to keep PWI Ultra J title, Heatseekers b Jordan Cage & Caleb Courageous to keep the Innovate U.S. tag titles, C.W. Anderson b Ethan Page to keep the AML title, Gymnasty Boys b GRIT to win the vacant Fest Wrestling tag titles, Rocky Rage won three-way over Jason Kincaid and Brian Pillman Jr. to keep ASW title, Killer Kross b Billy Brash to keep the Wrestling Revolver title, Brian Cage b Willie Mack to keep the More Wrestling title, Diamante won four-way over Kiera Hogan, Miranda Alize and champion Ivelisse to win the Ladies Night Out title in an elimination match, Rich Swann b Matt Cross to keep the NWG title (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
WrestleCade results from last night in Winston-Salem, NC: Great Muta b George South, Nick Aldis & Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson b Homicide & Hernandez & Thomas Latimer, Jax Dane won Battle Royal, Taya Valkyrie won four-way over Rosemary, Jordynne Grace and Su Yung. Tessa Blanchard was to wrestle but due to an eye injury suffered last week in London, she couldn’t and did commentary. She said that a former ECW wrestler (Sandman) was backstage saying that he didn’t think women should be in the man event because he didn’t believe fans would accept it. She said that all the women in the ring have wrestled all over the world and held titles and they aren’t great women wrestlers, they are great wrestlers period.
MVP pulled out of WrestleCade weekend due to issues with a third party promoter. He was supposed to face Stephan Bonnar over the weekend.
BCW from Friday night in Melbourne, Australia: Mortar b Vixsin to keep the women’s title, Nick Bury & Mitch Waterman b Carlo Cannon & Sketch, Cody Swift b Cletus to keep the Battle Express title, The Preston Kindred b The Pares to keep the BCW tag titles, Mick Moretti b Syd Parker, Gabriel Wolfe b Famous B, Mad Dog b Sabu in a barbed wire match to keep the BCW title. Next show is 1/26 in Melbourne with Ultimo Dragon vs. Syd Parker. On 1/25 in Sydney, Dragon will wrestle Moretti. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Limitless Wrestling from Friday night in Yarmuth, MA: Christian Casanova b Myron Reed, JD Drake b Alec Price, Masha Slamovich b Jody Threat, Ace Romero & Anthony Greene b Danger Kid & Aiden Aggro, CJ Cruz won scramble match over Pinkie Sanchez, Kevin Ku, Manders and Oswald Project, JT Dunn b Jake Something, Ashely Vox b Kris Statlander in a last creature standing match. They used multiple doors as objects and people were raving about the main event. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
NHPW on Saturday night in Perth, Australia: Creek Murdoch b Cannon Connors and WAR, Matthew Pace b Johnny Hardway, Jebediah b Aaron O’Malley in a hunters cage match, Julian Ward b King Shahil to keep the Art of Fighting title, Lena Kross & Mercedes Martinez b Kenicki Wheeler & Rogan Karguis-DQ,Tommy Knight won three-way over champion Rory Holmes and Chris Dickinson to win the Hybrid title. They announced Low Ki and Killer Kross on 2/12. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Adrenaline Pro Wrestling on 2/22 in Melbourne with Sammy Guevara.
OTT from last night in Dublin, Ireland: Terry Thatcher won five-way over Calum Black, Kyle Fletcher, Mao and Omari, Aidan b Liam Royal, Bonesaw & Damien Corvus b Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf 450, Katey Harvey b Debbie Keitel to keep the women’s title, Scotty Davis b Ren Narita to keep the No Limits title, Paddy M b B Cool, Rey Hours & Pentagon Jr & Rey Fenix b Darren Kearney & LJ cleary & Nathan Martin, David Starr b Mike Bailey to keep the OTT title (thanks to Paul Sosnowski)
Defy, PCW Ultra and Progress joint show last night in Seattle. Every match said to be ***+. Crowd looked sold out. Jake Atlas b Douglas James to keep PCW Ultra light heavyweight title, Jorel Nelson & Travis Williams & Cook Brothers & Alexander Hammerstone b Judas Icarus & Guillermo Rosas & Cody Chunn & Randy Myers & Schaff, Meiko Satomura b Nicole Savoy to keep the Progress title (disappointing), Josef Samael & Jacob Fatu won over Ethan HD & Mike Santiago and Randers & Big Jack for the PCW Ultra and Defy tag titles, Jimmy Havoc b Sonico, El Phantasmo b Artemis Spencer (thanks to Scott Janicek)
Stardom from this afternoon in Osaka: Andras Miyagi b Leo Onozaki, Natsuko Tora b Itsuki Hoshino, Konami & Zoe Lucas b Saya Iida & Saya Kamitani, Hana Kimura & Jungle Kyona & Death Yama-San b Natsu Sumire & Jamie Hayter & Session Moth Martina, Riho & Tam Nanano & Saki Kashima & Starlight Kid b Bea Priestley & Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita & AZM, Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki b Kagetsu & Hazuki.
This evening’s show in Osaka: Jamie Hayter b Leo Onozaki, Andras Miyagi b Saya Iida, Riho & Starlight Kid b Saya Kamitani & Itsuki Hoshino, Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki & Tam Nakano & Saki Kashima b Bea Priestley & Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita & AZM,Hazuki & Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire & Natsuko Tora & Session Moth Martina b Hana Kimura & Jungle Kyona & Konami & Death Yama-san & Zoe Lucas (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling announced its 12/28 show scheduled for East Carondelet, IL has been canceled.
Amale, the current WXW women’s champion who has worked for WWE as well, but isn’t signed and is having a lot of problems from parents as she is wrestling while being a schoolteacher. (thanks to Matt Burrows)
Lana is the latest WWE personality to re-sign with the company.
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported today that Lana has signed a new five-year contract with WWE. Lana also acknowledged the report by posting an in-character tweet congratulating herself on the deal: “I just signed a multi-million dollar deal with @WWE !!!!!!!!!! Congrats!”
Pro Wrestling Sheet wrote that Lana’s new deal allows her to take time off for outside projects. Their report also noted that Rusev is still in discussions with WWE regarding a new contract and hasn’t re-signed yet.
The latest development in the Rusev/Lana/Bobby Lashley storyline took place on Raw last night. After an angle where Rusev was served with a temporary restraining order before the show, he broke the restraining order, attacked Lashley, and was taken out in handcuffs. Lana did an interview later in the episode where — instead of focusing on Lashley — she said she was going to be okay after the attack.
WWE announced earlier today that Rusev will face Lashley in a last man standing match at Sunday’s one-hour Starrcade WWE Network special. Rusev vs. Lashley is also being advertised for December’s TLC pay-per-view.
A few announcements have been made for Monday’s episode of Raw.
There will be two non-title matches involving champions on the show. Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will face Women’s Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane, and Universal Champion Seth Rollins takes on Erick Rowan in a falls count anywhere match.
The Rusev/Lana/Bobby Lashley saga will also continue with Rusev and Lana appearing on a “Divorce Court” segment on Monday. It will be hosted by Jerry Lawler.
Rollins vs. Rowan comes in advance of Rollins defending his Universal title against The Fiend in a falls count anywhere match at Crown Jewel next Thursday (October 31). WWE has announced a stipulation where Rollins vs. The Fiend can’t end in a stoppage.
Sane pinned Lynch in a tag match on the October 7 episode of Raw.
Sane & Asuka will defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Dakota Kai & Tegan Nox on NXT next Wednesday (October 30).
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s the go-home show for Crown Jewel.
Both Bobby Lashley and Lana returned to Raw tonight, and it was made clear that they were in a relationship.
Lashley resurfaced during the closing moments of the show, interrupting a match between Rusev and Seth Rollins for the Universal title. He motioned for someone to come out, and sure enough it was Lana.The two then made out with one another on stage, leaving Rusev in the ring flustered. Rusev had mentioned in an earlier promo on the show that the two were having problems at home.
The Universal title match never had a finish, as once Lashley and Lana were done making out The Fiend attacked Seth Rollins to close out the show.
Lana had not been seen on WWE television since WrestleMania 35. Rusev returned to television a couple of weeks ago without her, destroying Mike Kanellis. Lashley had been out of action since July, recovering from elbow surgery.
The mixed match tag team tournament continued from Atlanta with two more round-robin matches. Two teams improve their undefeated records in the tournament with three wins each in their respective blocks. Two other teams drop to three losses as their winless streaks continue.
Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal (w/ The Singh Brothers)
Strowman pinned Mahal after delivering a powerslam. Monster Eclipse remain undefeated, and Mahalicia are still winless in the tournament.
Strowman was overpowering Mahal at every turn when the women tagged in. For some reason, Fox began running the ropes with Moon just watching her do so. Fox gassed out and drank water. The Singhs then caused a distraction that allowed Fox to give Moon a neckbreaker.
The next few minutes were the heat spot, a hope spot, and the babyface comeback. Strowman cleaned house on Mahal. Moon wiped out the Singhs with a tope to the outside. Meanwhile, Strowman was mauling Mahal when Fox confronted him in the ring.
Fox was wearing a hat when she rhetorically asked Strowman, “Who do you think you are?” Fox started chest bumping Strowman while also proclaiming herself as captain. Strowman stole her hat, put it on his head, and proclaimed himself captain. This spot would have been much funnier if it took place on the Jericho cruise — or at least somewhere on water. Here it was just wacky and nonsensical.
Leading into the finish, Moon swooped in to hit Fox with the Eclipse. Strowman then powerslammed Mahal to score the pinfall.
On the next episode in the Raw block, Country Dominance (Mickie James & Bobby Lashley) meet B’N’B (Bayley & Finn Balor) in the tournament.
Raw block standings —
Ember Moon & Braun Strowman (3-0)
Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (2-0)
Bayley & Finn Balor (2-1)
Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal (0-3)
Natalya & Bobby Roode (0-3)
Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles defeated Lana & Rusev
Flair submitted Lana with the Figure Eight leglock. Fenomenal Flair improves to three wins, and Ravishing Rusev Day dropped to three losses.
The match began with Rusev and Styles grabbing signs from fans at ringside. They held up the signs in a “yay/boo” spot. A chop-off developed next in the match. Rusev earlier in the week had challenged Styles to a chop-off. They all traded chops. Charlotte then challenged Rusev to a chop-off.
Charlotte was chopping Rusev when Lana attacked her from behind for a cheapshot. Lana hit an X-factor for a two count. Lana was mocking Charlotte when she fired up on Lana. Styles was a house of fire when he tagged in. He executed an ushigoroshi on Rusev, but Rusev kicked out at two on a subsequent lateral press.
Lana jumped in at one point for a Russian leg sweep on Styles. Charlotte cut off Lana and climbed the turnbuckles. Rusev sacrificed himself to save his wife by stepping in to take the moonsault from Charlotte. Lana tried for a schoolboy, but Charlotte kicked out. For the finish, Charlotte applied the Figure Eight, and Lana then tapped out.
Next week in the SmackDown block, Fabulous Truth (Carmella & R-Truth) face Day One Glow (Naomi & Jimmy Uso).
Finn Balor & Bayley vs. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox and Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Rusev & Lana are the matches that will be taking place on week three of Mixed Match Challenge season two.
With this being a round-robin tournament, Mahal & Fox will be wrestling on Mixed Match Challenge for the second straight week. They lost to Bobby Lashley & Mickie James last night. The Miz & Asuka also defeated R-Truth & Carmella on this week’s episode.
WWE started building to Balor & Bayley vs. Mahal & Fox with Balor defeating Mahal in a singles match on Monday’s Raw.
Uso & Naomi wrestled on the season two premiere of Mixed Match Challenge, losing to AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair.
This season of Mixed Match Challenge will culminate with the finals being held at TLC on December 16, where the team that wins the Raw block will face the winners of the SmackDown block. Here are the updated standings:
The card for SummerSlam is now up to 12 announced matches.
WWE revealed this morning that Rusev & Lana will be teaming against Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega in a mixed tag match on the SummerSlam pre-show. It’s the first match to be officially confirmed for the pre-show.
Vega has defeated Lana twice on SmackDown over the last two weeks. The story of their matches has been that, amid dissension between Rusev, Aiden English, and Lana, English has come out to try and help Lana, but it’s backfired and led to her losing.
Rusev wasn’t with Lana at ringside on the July 31 episode. Almas got on the apron to cause a distraction, English ran out to stop him, and Vega rolled up Lana for the pin.
This week, Rusev said they forgave English but suggested that he shouldn’t come out for Lana’s match. He ran down while Rusev and Almas were fighting, with English accidentally tackling Almas into Lana while she was climbing the top rope. Vega hit a double knee strike in the corner for the win.
Almas also defeated Rusev last month after English trying to break up a fight between Lana and Vega backfired.
SummerSlam will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on August 19. Here’s the updated lineup:
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Roman Reigns
Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defending against Ronda Rousey
WWE Champion AJ Styles defending against Samoa Joe
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella defending against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat match
Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler defending against Seth Rollins
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defending against Jeff Hardy
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens (If Owens wins, he gets Strowman’s Money in the Bank briefcase)
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers defending against The New Day
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander defending against Drew Gulak
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega in a mixed tag match (pre-show)
A rematch between Zelina Vega and Lana has been added to tonight’s SmackDown.
WWE announced the match via Twitter this afternoon: “The #RavishingRussian @LanaWWE and @Zelina_VegaWWE are set to battle in a rematch, TONIGHT on #SDLive!”
Vega made her main roster in-ring debut by defeating Lana last week. The storyline for the match was that Rusev wasn’t at ringside due to the dissension that’s been building between him, Aiden English, and Lana. When Andrade “Cien” Almas got on the apron, English ran out to stop him. The distraction led to Vega rolling up Lana for the win.
In a backstage segment after the match, Lana asked English to leave her alone and told Rusev that she needed him with her against Vega.
Rusev lost to Almas on the July 24 episode of SmackDown after Lana and Vega fought at ringside and Vega jumped on English’s back when he came out to try and break it up, bumping him into Lana.
AJ Styles addressing Samoa Joe, The Miz making a SummerSlam announcement, Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and The New Day vs. Cesaro & Sheamus in the finals of SmackDown’s tag team tournament are also set for tonight. The team that wins the tournament will challenge for The Bludgeon Brothers’ Tag Team titles at SummerSlam on August 19.
