Tag: no way jose

Daily Update: WWE Raw in Toronto, Road Dogg, No Way Jose

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • WWE business numbers for quarter two and how they compare with a year ago
  • Why numbers are up and where
  • Stephanie McMahon discusses the departure of Vince McMahon and first meeting Nick Khan
  • Stephanie McMahon discusses leaving and returning
  • Stephanie McMahon talks Vince McMahon’s interest going forward
  • How the recent PPV shows have done and put into perspective
  • Raw and Smackdown as compared with the TV business
  • How USA Network would be doing without Raw
  • How FOX would be doing without Smackdown
  • Nick Khan talks the sports rights landscape
  • Paul Levesque talks scouting new WWE talent
  • Actual paid attendance for this year’s WrestleMania and tickets sold for SummerSlam and Clash at the Castle s well as next year’ Wrestlemania
  • WWE revenue in every category
  • WWE live show attendance and merchandise
  • Kazuchika Okada repeats as G-1 winner
  • All the G-1 events over the past week as well as the business of G-1
  • The end of NXT UK and promise of NXT Europe
  • A list of WWE cuts
  • Clash at the Castle notes
  • UFC coverage of Saturday night’s show
  • The retirement of Rory MacDonald
  • TV ratings for wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • How every segment on AEW programming did
  • Arena Mexico has one of its biggest events of the year
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • All Japan and NOAH tournament notes
  • Kota Ibushi update
  • Most popular wrestlers in Japan
  • Looking at media consumption
  • The biggest angle in Philadelphia Roller Games history
  • Behind the Punk-Page strange thing on television
  • Update on a major AEW return
  • Kenny Omega’s return
  • All Out plans
  • AEW adds new North American TV
  • Takeshita update
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW events
  • Streaming and international TV numbers
  • New major UFC fights
  • MMA legend to debut as a boxer next month
  • Major company trying to go public
  • Former UFC champion and his race for Governor
  • Former WWE star sues MMA company
  • Behind the Vince McMahon-Donald Trump payments for appearing on WWE show
  • Thoughts on new WWE signings

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

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.

Monday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking WWE changes, Raw, a lot of other wrestling news and taking questions [email protected]

Raw is tonight in Toronto. The show will be a legitimate sellout with more than 13,000 fans at the Scotiabank Arena. WWE has only had a handful of sellouts for non-PPV shows this year. Edge vs. Damian Priest has been pushed for two weeks plus Trish Status will be there and Alexa Bliss & Asuka face Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai in the women’s tag team tournament.

Brian James, who was just begging for a job in AEW, was hired by WWE as Vice President of Live Events. The title is different but this comes right after Jeff Jarrett, the SVP of Live Events, was let go.

There will be a new team in the women’s tag team tournament. WWE just announced that Gigi Dolin was injured on Friday and they are out and there will be a four-team match on Smackdown on Friday to determine who faces Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah in their spot. Dolin reportedly suffered a concussion in Friday’s match. Dolin & Jacy Jayne were originally to be on tonight’s Raw show in Toronto to build up Friday’s match.

Independent promoter Graeme Keam of Canada has claimed that Levis Valenzuela (No Way Jose) had agreed to work a show for him, he sent him a plane ticket, found out that Valenzuela had switched the plane ticket to Orlando for this weekend and he ended up flying himself in for an AEW tryout instead. He wrote on Twitter, “No way Jose stole my money and flew to Orlando to appear on AEW Dark on my plane ticket. He lied to me all day.”

AEW matches for Wednesday in Cleveland include the CM Punk vs. Jon Moxley unification match, Will Ospreay & Aussie Open vs. Penta & Rey Fenix & Pac in the trios tournament, Dax Harwood vs. Jay Lethal, Britt Baker vs. KiLynn King and Billy Gunn vs Colten Gunn. Rampage tapings have Claudio Castagnoli defending the ROH title against Dustin Rhodes. They have sold about 400 tickets the last three days so tickets are moving with the Punk vs. Moxley announcement and are right now at just under 4,700.

Merab Dvalishvili was a guest of Ariel Helwani today and said that Jose Aldo told him after losing to him that this was his last fight. Aldo has not spoken of this thus far. 

New Japan’s Rumble on 44th Street PPV show at the Palladium in Times Square basically sold out immediately this morning. They only had 1,025 tickets on sale and there are some platinum seats ($1,000) unsold but virtually everything else is sold. This was for the presale as actual on sale is Thursday.

They did a comedy sketch on BTE that came out today for a back story to make sense why Adam Page didn’t come out when CM Punk challenged him. He was training the Dark Order for their trios tournament match. Jeff Jones told him Punk called him out like it was happening (this was taped long after) and Page didn’t pay attention and told Jones to get out and he’s doing something far more important. They also noted Evil Uno is out as he’s doing a public appearance for AEW Games in Germany, and won’t be on Wednesday’s show taped for Friday. That would indicate the Friday Rampage match will be House of Black against John Silver & Alex Reynolds & 10, unless Page subs for Uno. Mark Sterling did an ad for position theft on the show because Stokley Hathaway took his spot. Mark Jindrak was used in the ad, since Jindrak was originally to be in Evolution years ago but lost his spot.. Also, the Young Bucks were heelish telling Kenny Omega he was the only one they considered as their partner and Brandon Cutler mae a face like everyone knows you asked Adam Page first.
(thanks to Stephen Lyon)

Other Notes

Canadian wrestling historian Vance Nevada is releasing a book called “Uncontrolled Chaos” as a comprehensive history of Canadian wrestling. 

–WrestleMax St. Louis from Saturday night in St. Louis for the David Lee Memorial tournament for the vacant River City title: 

    • Mason St. Goodz b Ryu Kendrick
    • Mike Outlaw won four-way over Camaro Jackson, Marko Stunt and Darian Bengston 
    • Karam b Mike Outlaw
    • JDX b Fuego del Sol
    • Davey Richards b Moses the Deliverer
    • Davey Vega b Rahim De La Suede
    • JDX b Karam
    • Davey Vega b Davey Richards
    • Sabotage Sam Logan NC Edvin Kudic
    • Marc b ATM 
    • JDX b Davey Vega to win the title and tournament (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)

–Defy from Saturday night in Seattle: 

    • Cody Chuun b Alex Shelley
    • Guillermo Rosas won three-way over La Estrella (Dragon Gate) and Adriel Noctis 
    • Killer Kelly b Ava Lawless
    • Coyote Azteca b Halcon Negro
    • Bobby Fish b Yuya Uemura
    • Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl (Midnight Heat) won the tag titles in a three-way over champions Christopher Daniels & Swerve Strickland and former champions Gurv & Harv Sihra to win the titles
    • Karrion Kross and Scarlett opened the show cutting a promo. Kross was scheduled to wrestle but WWE pulled him off the show, but he came to make an appearance and said companies like this helped him to reach his dreams and he pulled out a Defy T-shirt he had from three years ago.

Pro Wrestling Australia announced a tour from 10/1 o 10/26 in the Gold Cost,Brisbane, Victoria, Wollongang,Newcastle Sydney and Canberra featuring Jessica Troy, Robbie Eagles and Mick Moretti. (thanks to Paul Robinson)

–C4 Wrestling did a Canadian cancer society fundraiser on Friday night in Ottawa, ONT before about 600 fans: 

    • Terra Callaway won over Addy Starr Cecil Nyx and Dan Berry to keep the Interspecies King of Crazy title, 
    • Puf & Pretty Ricky & Sexxxy Eddy b TDT & The Butcher (AEW)
    • LuFisto b Jana Kai
    • Yoya won over Marcus Mathers and Akira
    • Junior Benito won Battle Royal
    • Evil Uno b Kevin Ku
    • Eddie Kingston b Stu Grayson. Was told the main event was great. Kingston said that a lot of people are going to regret doubting Grayson. He then called out the company owner and asked everyone to please turn off their cameras because he didn’t want this clip on social media. He told the owner to take his pay for the show and donate all of it to the Canadian Cancer Society. (thanks to Josiah MacDonald)

–EVE has Thursday night Riot at 229 The Venue in London, UK:

    • Alex Windsor defends the Eve title against Hikari Noa
    • Jetta & Millie McKenzie & Charlie Morgan vs. Emerson Jayne & Nina Samuels & Lizzy Evo 
    • Kanji vs. Alexxis Falcon

Westin Blake, No Way Jose debut at AEW Dark Universal Studios tapings

Posted on by Josh Nason

As is the case with AEW Dark tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, there are usually several debuts and returns with Sunday’s six hours of action being no different.

Both former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Westin Blake (fka Wesley Blake) and No Way Jose made their AEW debuts in the second session.

A former tag team partner of Steve Maclin (fka Steve Cutler), Blake was released in April 2021. Since then, he was worked several times for the Control Your Narrative promotion in addition to Pro Wrestling Revolver and Texas indie RCW.

Released by WWE in May 2020, Jose (Levy Valenz) worked seven matches for Impact in 2021. Going into Sunday, he had wrestled just twice this year — both times in July for DEFY Wrestling.

VSK now part of Trustbusters

The Trustbusters faction continues to grow, now featuring the “Trust Butler” played by VSK. He is now going by JV-SK (Jeeves Kay) and debuted in the corner of the group during a trios match in the first session and then getting into action himself in the second session.

The indie standout is winless in seventeen matches for AEW dating back the fall of 2020.

Other notes:

  • Bear Country also got new names and are going by The Iron Savages. They also got a new manager in JT Davidson.
  • The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) are going to get some run as a tag team as Drake said that while he is good with the Wingmen, it’s time to focus on his longtime tag team with Henry.
  • Kayla Rossi, Zack Clayton, AR Fox, Caleb Konley and Madison Rayne all were in singles action.

Impact Slammiversary notes: FinJuice, No Way Jose, Drama King

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Some notes on tonight’s Impact Slammiversary event, which featured the return of FinJuice, the debut of the former No Way Jose, and a teaser vignette for a new character called Drama King.

FinJuice appeared after Madman Fulton and Shera entered the ring, mad that they were barred from the Ultimate X match earlier in the show. Scott D’Amore came out and said he didn’t appreciate them bringing the show to a halt, but rather than escort them out, they would wrestle in a match. Finjuice then came out for the impromptu match. The match itself was relatively short, with FinJuice quickly scoring the win.

No Way Jose, who was cut by WWE last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, appeared as Fallah Bahh’s mystery tag team partner, replacing TJP. He was referred to as “No Way” only, dropping the Jose part of his name. They lost to The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) in a four-way match that included Violent by Design (Rhino and Doering) and Rich Swann & Willie Mack.

During the show, a short vignette teased a new character called Drama King. A hand was seen painting on a canvas that eventually read “Long live the Drama King”. It wasn’t made clear who this character was or when they would debut.

WWE Main Event results: Natalya vs. Sarah Logan

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: Sarah Logan has new ring gear and face paint, but it didn’t help her as she submitted to Natalya’s Sharpshooter. No Way Jose grabbed a rare win against Eric Young, with Young now winless in singles action since July.

Vic Joseph and Byron Saxton were on announcing duties again this week and still no mention of Mickie James or Dio Maddin.

**********

Natalya defeated Sarah Logan (5:13)

Natalya is a perfect example of a wrestler who just works wherever she is needed. Two weeks ago, she was on Raw facing off against Asuka, while last Sunday she was in the Survivor Series five-on-five-on-five women’s triple threat elimination tag match.

Here she was up against Sarah Logan, a member of the women’s roster who — apart from that appearance at Survivor Series — has become a regular on Main Event with little going on right now. 

The pair worked perfectly well together in this one, with Natalya allowing Logan plenty of offense and leading her through five minutes of good back and forth.

The finish was fairly pedestrian. Logan attempted a double knee strike in the corner, but Natalya had it scouted and rolled Logan up for a near fall. Natalya sent Logan into the post and — as she sold it — Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter for the win.

No Way Jose defeated Eric Young (6:36)

Another week, another defeat for former SAnitY member Eric Young. And against of all people, perennial Main Event jobber No Way Jose. 

You have to go back as far as July to find Young in a singles match where he came out on top and — despite sporadic tag team team victories — he finds himself right at the bottom of a stacked roster with no real direction.

No Way Jose matches are never much to shout about and Young looked streets ahead of Jose in terms of in-ring quality. When he gets going, he moves around with such speed and dominance.

The finish came after a commercial break. Young came off the top turnbuckle for a dive, but Jose dodged it and Young landed on his feet. Jose then hit the pop-up punch for the win.

WWE Main Event results: EC3 wins, Sarah Logan makes her show debut

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: EC3 won this week, beating No Way Jose in a fairly dull match. Sarah Logan then made her Main Event debut, losing in a solid — but short — tag team bout with Tamina against Dana Brooke & Natalya.

**********

EC3 defeated No Way Jose (5:30)

No Way Jose was still sporting his new look. EC3 made a deal of telling the conga line to get lost before the match while he swaggered into the ring.

EC3 grabbed a rare win here. The match was really nothing much to speak of. Jose lacks that sleekness that the more accomplished workers have on the main roster and they were kind of clunky in the last few minutes.

Jose went up to the top rope but was toppled by EC3, who then put him on his shoulders. He hit Jose with a neckbreaker before finishing him with the One Percenter.

EC3 and Jose were both entrants into the battle royal on Friday at Super ShowDown, but this win for EC3 broke up a streak of five straight losses.

Dana Brooke & Natalya defeated Sarah Logan & Tamina (3:16)

It was back in late January that Sarah Logan last got a win — and it was against the same team of Dana Brooke & Natalya that defeated her here. That night, she had tagged with Liv Morgan and things looked very different for Logan.

Logan last appeared on The Shield’s Final Chapter in April and has largely been a bit-part player this year. But she was good here and worked well together with Natalya when they got a little ring time. Brooke also looked to have really improved.

Brooke and Natalya cut the ring in half working over Logan. They hit stereo baseball slides on her on the outside before we went to a break. Logan had Natalya in a modified Calf Crusher when we returned and then they filled the ring.

Natalya took out Logan with a discuss clothesline and then they set up Tamina for their finisher, which was Brooke coming off Natalya’s shoulders with a beautiful swanton. This was pretty decent, but then when Natalya is involved, it often is.

WWE Main Event results: Six-man tag, Rezar vs. No Way Jose

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: Two fairly bland matches this week with Rezar beating No Way Jose in the opener and The B-Team & Tyler Breeze notching up another win over Jinder Mahal & The Singhs in a rematch of last week’s main event.

**********

Rezar (w/ Drake Maverick) defeated No Way Jose (4:26)

On the surface, this match didn’t feel all that different from something that would have appeared on the old WWF Superstars: you had the heavyset villain complete with a milquetoast manager and the babyface trying to pull off a short-sighted gimmick in whacky colored tights. 

What was different, though, was the length. This ought to have been a squash match that showed off Rezar’s strength and potential for dominance. Instead, he beat up Jose, who only got some brief hope and spent more than half the match using rest holds.

After making much more of this than they needed to, Rezar ended this with a big boot and a chokeslam in the middle of the ring. The win leaves Rezar undefeated as a main roster singles competitor.

The B-Team & Tyler Breeze defeated Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers (4:34)

This was a rematch of last week’s Main Event match and was almost move for move the same with exactly the same outcome. Breeze, who was the standout again here, is so undervalued at this point that it would do him no harm to hit the reboot button.

Mahal was once again notable by his lack of in-ring presence. He was in and out quickly — and the babyfaces made short work of him in order to clear their path to beat down the Singh Brothers. It’s clear that Sunil and Samir are improving, slowly but surely.

At the finish, the ring was empty with Sunil looking like he was going to finish off a prone Breeze. But Breeze was playing possum and, just as he did last week, sprung up as Sunil was running the ropes and nailed him with The Beauty Shot for the win.

WWE Main Event results: Natalya vs. Lacey Evans

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: Lacey Evans remains winless since joining the main roster, this week submitting to Natalya. No Way Jose picked up his first singles win of 2019, defeating Tyler Breeze in the main event of the show.

**********

Natalya defeated Lacey Evans (6:06)

Evans made her main roster debut against Natalya on what seemed to be a Main Event taping last month, but for some reason it didn’t air. Instead, they ran an in-studio Raw-rehash show that was hosted by Scott Stanford. At that taping, she tapped out to Natalya, just as she did here.

They were looking to revive their Royal Rumble rivalry, where Evans and Natalya started the women’s Royal Rumble match off together. Evans managed just under 30 minutes that night, but was ultimately dumped out by Charlotte Flair.

Here, though, Evans was pretty fantastic. And working with such an excellent wrestler like Natalya, she was made even more impressive. Evans sold really well, had believable histrionics, and looked really tough when she got fired up for the heat. Her Merosault is also quite the finisher.

After teasing the Sharpshooter early on, Natalya eventually locked it on in the center of the ring — and Evans didn’t take long to tap. This was very good; Main Event could do a lot worse than to have more of this each week.

No Way Jose defeated Tyler Breeze (3:37)

This one went surprisingly quickly and was played as babyface vs. babyface, with Breeze applauding Jose’s entrance into the ring and both men shaking hands and helping each other up during the match.

To give both their due, they did well in the time that they had: they did several close finishes, with Breeze just kicking out of a flapjack and Jose getting his shoulder up after a superkick. They teased a ref bump, went through a commercial, and did a spot where Jose was able to reverse the Unprettier.

Whether this is a compliment or a good thing, I don’t know, but there’s something strangely reminiscent of Koko B Ware in some of Jose’s moves. Ultimately, he won when he slingshotted Breeze into the turnbuckle and then whipped him into the rope to nail him with the pop-up punch. 

There is always lots of energy to their matches and Breeze is a very competent technical wrestler, so they probably deserve better than this.

WWE Main Event results: Ruby Riott vs. Ember Moon

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: No Way Jose continued his winning Main Event run with a victory over Tyler Breeze. Ruby Riott and her cronies then saw off Ember Moon in a match that marked their collective debuts on this show.

**********

No Way Jose defeated Tyler Breeze (5:15)

Jose and Breeze looked like they were having a lot of fun out there for this good opening match. They were full of smiles and laughs early on, and it was infectious on the pre-Raw crowd as they did some comedy.

They worked really hard, with lots of back and forth. The middle of the match was dominated by Breeze working over Jose’s left leg and culminated in him putting Jose in a single-leg Boston crab in the middle of the ring. Jose fought his way out as the crowd got into it.

The finish saw Breeze get slingshot into the corner and then, dazed, run straight into Jose, who popped him up and nailed him with his knockout punch for the win. The victory marks Jose’s sixth straight win in as many weeks on Main Event.

Ruby Riott (w/ Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan) defeated Ember Moon (5:23)

It’s good to see WWE finally using this show to promote some of the strong talent in the women’s division and use it as a training ground when there isn’t room for another match on Raw.

Both Riott and Moon were making their Main Event debuts here, and it has to be said that both looked good in the ring. Ember Moon particularly stood out — she is incredibly agile and has a move set that really showcases her skill.

The match felt like it would be Moon’s for the taking, but The Riott Squad lurked at the ring apron and you sensed that they would ruin things for Moon, which is exactly what they did. After lots of close holds early on, they both had moments to shine, but the end saw Moon thwarted by Logan and Morgan as she looked to hit The Eclipse.

Moon was up top and fought off Morgan first, then Logan. It looked as though she might still come through with the victory, but Riott sprung up and hit her mid-air with the Riott kick for the win. This was a nice twist to mark a fine show debut for this pair.

WWE Main Event results: Gable & No Way Jose vs. The Ascension

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: With all the talk about the women’s revolution in WWE at the moment, a show that would be a perfect training ground for some once again featured no female performers.

After a win on Main Event last week, Mike Kanellis went back to his losing ways, with a loss against Zack Ryder. The team of Chad Gable & No Way Jose then dispensed with The Ascension in fairly swift fashion.

**********

Zack Ryder defeated Mike Kanellis (5:40)

Last week it looked as though they were at least aware of the terrible start that Kanellis had made on the main roster, when they played up his lack of a win and teamed him up with The Revival to get one. He took a step back here by losing to Ryder in what was actually a pretty decent match.

Ryder came out to the ring in his futuristic silver coat with a ‘Z’ fastening the front, and reminded me of the comment on his Twitter this week. Ryder noted how The Miz’s new merchandise essentially rips off Ryder’s old design. Actually, both Ryder and Kanellis could use some new ring gear.

They worked nicely together here, trading near falls at the end: Ryder dodged Kanellis’ charge so that he posted himself, and then Ryder hit the Broski Boot. Kanellis kicked out and managed to nail Ryder with a superkick. Ryder then reversed a suplex into a neckbreaker and followed it up with the Rough Ryder for the win.

Chad Gable & No Way Jose defeated The Ascension (4:15)

The unlikely pairing of Gable and Jose made short work of The Ascension here. Konnor and Viktor are perennial losers anyway, but this was brief and nothing to write home about.

The Ascension tried to cut the ring in half and stop Jose from getting the hot tag and, even in a short four-minute tag match, resorted to chinlocks and rest holds. The crowd was relatively into the finish when it came, but the conga line always makes Jose’s matches feel more loud than they probably really are.

The finish began when Jose hit a flapjack on Viktor, but Konnor broke up the pin. Gable then hit a rolling senton off the apron onto Konnor on the outside. This allowed Jose to hit the pop-up punch on Viktor. Viktor didn’t quite know how to sell it, so Jose maneuvered him into position for the pinfall.

WWE Main Event results: Jose vs. Kanellis, Gulak vs. Tozawa

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: After losing to Mojo Rawley on Main Event last week, No Way Jose got his win back here over Mike Kanellis. Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa also put on a fine match at the top of the show with Gulak notching up a submission win.

**********

No Way Jose defeated Mike Kanellis (5:10)

After a defeat at the hands of Mojo Rawley last week, No Way Jose beat Kanellis with the pop-up punch. At this point, the decision not to put Kanellis through NXT before progressing to the main roster would seem to have been a questionable one, with Kanellis floundering and without a singles win since July of last year.

There wasn’t much to this, but Jose’s entourage of conga line cheerleaders always gives his matches more of an important feel. Kanellis took most of the match with his aggressive and physical moveset. He started to pose, blow kisses, and even bust a few ironic moves the more he took control of things.

Jose got a near fall from a flapjack and then looked beaten when Kanellis nailed him with a superkick. He looked dazed and staggered into the middle of the ring but snapped out of it in time to catch Kanellis and pop him up for the Fastball Punch.

The conga line went crazy on the bell and we went straight to the Raw recap without a replay of the finish.

Drew Gulak defeated Akira Tozawa (6:44)

The cruiserweight division over on 205 Live has made for compelling watching of late with some solid output. Not only has the content been good, but some of the personas are really developing, too.

When Gulak first came to WWE, he looked a little like a fish out of water, until he walked through the ropes. Looking at him now, he’s so much more confident in his character and really looks the part as he struts to the ring in his hooded boxer walkout robe.

These two worked well together and kept things 50-50 as they paced themselves towards a finish built around Gulak’s dragon sleeper (with a body scissors) submission hold. At one point, Tozawa locked in a modified Octopus, but Gulak got to the ropes. The other high points were when Tozawa escaped a powerbomb attempt and Gulak moved out of the way of a top senton attempt.

The finish looked really strong as Gulak sent Tozawa face-first into the second turnbuckle so that he could snap on the Gu-Lock right in the middle of the ring. Tozawa had no option but to tap to a submission hold that Gulak makes look pretty inescapable and terrifying.

Two Money in the Bank qualifiers added to tonight’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two Money in the Bank qualifiers have been added to the lineup for tonight’s Raw in London.

Both are triple threat matches, with Bobby Roode facing Baron Corbin and No Way Jose, and Alexa Bliss taking on Bayley and Mickie James.

Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, The Miz, and Rusev have gotten spots in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match thus far, with Ember Moon and Charlotte Flair qualifying on the women’s side. There will be eight wrestlers in each ladder match on the June 17th pay-per-view.

Tonight’s Raw is being taped in advance at the O2 Arena, and WWE will return to the venue for tomorrow’s SmackDown tapings. Seth Rollins defending his Intercontinental Championship against Kevin Owens is also set for tonight.

Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega debuting on the show and The New Day vs. Cesaro & Sheamus, where one member of the winning team will qualify for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, are advertised for this week’s SmackDown.

Ember Moon, No Way Jose debut on WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ember Moon and No Way Jose are the first call-ups to the main roster following WrestleMania 34.

Moon appeared on Raw tonight, teaming with Nia Jax to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Bliss had run down Jax prior to their match, taking jabs at her and saying she was wrestling under distress throughout their match last night at WrestleMania 34. After saying that Jax didn’t have a partner, Jax said she was wrong and introduced Moon. She won the match for her team with a springboard stunner called the eclipse. No Way Jose made his debut soon after, conga line and all. He defeated an unarmed opponent in quick fashion with his wind up punch finisher.

Ember Moon, real name Adrienne Reese, signed with the company in 2015 and made her television debut for NXT in 2016. She won the NXT women’s title on November 18 of last year and lost it this past Saturday to Shayna Baszler at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. No Way Jose, real name Levis Valenzuela Jr., signed in 2015 and appeared on NXT television starting in 2016, with his most memorable feud being with Austin Aries. He had been off television for most of 2017.

NXT Jacksonville, FL, live results: Almas vs. No Way Jose

Posted on by JJ Williams

Image and report courtesy of @FLWrestlingFan

Last night’s estimated attendance was 400 people.

– Tian Bing & Jeet Rama defeated Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner by DQ

Bing and Rama won by disqualification when Lars Sullivan hit the ring after a few minutes and gave the Freak Accident to Rama first, then gave one to Bing.

The crowd chanted one more time, so Sullivan then went to the back and brought out Aichner to give him a Freak Accident. Barthel escaped, thus starting a show-long angle where Sullivan hunted Barthel.

– Shayna Baszler defeated Zeda

Baszler squashed Zeda in a few minutes by tapping her out. The crowd loved Baszler and the fans were chanting “Shayna’s gonna kill you” before the match even started.

Following the match, as Baszler was almost at the curtain, she turned around and hit the ring, putting Zeda to sleep. Ember Moon made the save. Moon referenced Baszler’s promo from the night before in Tampa and challenged Baszler to a fight, but Baszler retreated to the back to the crowd’s displeasure.

Moon making the save received a huge pop. She had her arm all taped up and was selling the angle from this past week’s TV episode.

– Babatunde Aiyegbusi defeated Jason

This went a few minutes before Jason passed out in a torture rack-type maneuver. Aiyegbusi always receives an initial “Ahhhh” when he comes out because of his size and people not seeing him on TV.

Barthel hit the ring running from Sullivan after the match. He escaped Sullivan’s grasp, but it led to Sullivan and Aiyegbusi brawling for a minute or so. Sullivan then delivered the Freak Accident to the crowd’s delight. Sullivan is essentially being booked as the Braun Strowman of Florida.

– Kassius Ohno & Roderick Strong defeated Eh Nois (Adrian Jaoude & Cezar Bononi)

Both faces received good reactions and the Brazilians continue to improve. The heels surprisingly received a lot of boos.

– Aleister Black defeated Raul Mendoza

Black beat him with the Black Mass after Mendoza went for a springboard plancha but was caught with a knee strike. This was the match of the night, with Black receiving a superstar reaction. 

– The Forgotten Sons (Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins), Heavy Machinery (Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight) and The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar)

This was a number one contender’s match to determine who would face Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT Tag Team Championship next Friday in St. Augustine. This match received the only “This is awesome” chant of the night.

Towards the end, Barthel came running out of the curtain and slid into the ring. Sullivan followed, and Barthel soon realized he was trapped and couldn’t escape. The crowd chanted “Yes!” and Sullivan delivered the Freak Accident.

Everyone was down except Ford, who stood on the ropes and watched Sullivan carry Barthel to the back. Blake, who had been out of the ring for about five minutes, slid under the ropes and rolled up Ford with a handful of tights. The crowd hated the fact that the Forgotten Sons won.

– Nikki Cross defeated Dakota Kai

Cross pinned Kai with her spinning neckbreaker. This was the best women’s match I’ve seen at the Florida house shows this year. They had great chemistry, and the crowd loved both but Cross was super popular. 

– NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/ Zelina Vega) defeated No Way Jose in a non-title match

Almas pinned Jose with the hammerlock DDT. After Jose was introduced, Vega interrupted the ring announcer and introduced Almas herself.

The story of the match was Jose countering Almas every time he tried to do his running knees in the corner. The first time Almas tried it, Jose hit him with an inside-out clothesline. The second time Almas attempted it, Jose moved, knocked Almas to the outside, and hit a plancha before returning him to the ring for a TKO and a near fall.

Almas finally hit it at the end and followed with the DDT to win.

WWE NXT results: Bobby Roode and Drew McIntyre go face to face

Posted on by Arya Witner

The Big News: Roderick Strong will wrestle Drew McIntyre next week and, if he wins, he gets a match with Bobby Roode after TakeOver.

The Medium News: Eric Young returned to assist SAnitY in once again laying out The Authors of Pain.

The Little Beaver-sized News: Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas was made official for TakeOver.

**********

As the show began, Nikki Cross was in the ring screeching for The Authors of Pain to come out. Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain came in through the crowd as Akam and Rezar stormed down the aisle. Suddenly, as Akam got in the ring, Eric Young returned and attacked Rezar in the aisle.

Young zip-tied Rezar to the guardrail and all three male members of SAnitY laid out Akam in the ring. Rezar finally dragged the guardrail into the ring, but he was no match for Wolfe, Dain, and Young.

Wolfe and Young gave Akam a double-team neckbreaker, and for one of the first times ever, someone stood tall over The Authors of Pain. SAnitY posed with the NXT Tag Team titles before walking away.

**********

You know what we haven’t had in a few months? A contract signing! That will be rectified next week as Asuka and Ember Moon put their signatures on the dotted line to make their match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III official.

**********

Earlier today, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were planning on giving us an iconic makeup tutorial when Ruby Riot randomly showed up in the hallway, ruining the shot. After making fun of Riot, they were in a bad mood and didn’t do their tutorial.

**********

The Street Profits defeated Chris & JC Metro

This was the long awaited debut of The Street Profits. Angelo Dawkins had spent several years as a TV jobber and this is his first actual push, as he teams with Montez Ford. Dawkins still does that weird, unexplained thing where he wears two headbands.

The Metros were trained by The Dudleys and dress like greasers, but they didn’t even act like greasers and were just dressing the part.

Dawkins lost a headband as him and Ford did a series of moves to Chris Metro, but the dastardly jobbers got the brief advantage with a punch to the stomach. Dawkins ran over Chris with a spear and gave JC a Sky-High, followed by Ford hitting a frog splash for the pin.

**********

Aleister Black was leaving the arena last week when he was attacked by Hideo Itami. Itami failed and Black seemed to not even be trying to fight as four people dragged Itami away kicking and screaming.

This led to an announcement for Black vs. Itami in 10 days at TakeOver.

**********

The dapper NXT general manager, Mr. William Regal, was mid-ring after commercial to introduce the combatants in the main event at TakeOver. I did not have my stopwatch out this time, but Roode only took about two minutes to get to the ring with his own personal security. The security was there to stop a raving lunatic like Roderick Strong from running out.

Roode told McIntyre that he (Roode) is entitled. He doesn’t need a second chance like McIntyre. He came in a year ago and has done everything he said he was going to do, from changing NXT to becoming the face of the brand. Whether McIntyre likes it or not, this is Roode’s NXT, stating “this is not we, this is me.”

McIntyre said Roode is a prototype and has had an amazing year, but there is one big problem and that is that he is an ass. McIntyre is starting to pity Roode because he believes the crap coming out of his own mouth. McIntyre vowed to Claymore Roode back down to reality, and in Brooklyn Roode will be staring across the ring at the new NXT Champion.

Strong stormed out onto the stage to announce that he is not done with Roode. Strong said this is not about the NXT title, but about Roode disrespecting Strong’s fiancee, family and Strong as a man. Strong said he wants to fight Roode and asks if he is a man.

Mr. Regal tried multiple times to stop Strong from mouthing off, but Roode snapped and screamed that he’ll give Strong everything he wants. He’ll give him a match with Roode, he’ll give him a title shot — if Strong beats McIntyre next week. Regal put Roode in his place, but McIntyre said he wants the match.

Regal still hesitated, but finally succumbed to the pressure and booked the match for next week.

So, next week it is Drew McIntyre vs. Roderick Strong. If Strong wins then he gets Roode in a match after TakeOver. Also, regardless of whether he wins or loses, McIntyre will still challenge Roode at TakeOver.

**********

Kayla Braxton interviewed Johnny Gargano. Gargano said he was a little nervous wrestling last week, but he thought back to the Brooklyn crowd last year and how the reaction DIY got from the crowd helped lead to all their successes. Gargano announced that he wants a match at TakeOver: Brooklyn.

**********

Danny Burch defeated Oney Lorcan

This was a rematch of a hard-hitting bout a few weeks ago where Lorcan defeated Burch. They began with some very intense grappling. The wrestling portion of our evening ended as Burch tripped Lorcan on a leap frog, which I guess for them is fighting words.

They exchanged some hard European uppercuts and Lorcan drove Burch into the turnbuckles harder than you’ve ever seen anyone take that move. Burch got tired of being hit, so he booted Lorcan in the mush and hit a missile dropkick.

Burch hit a hooking lariat, which is allegedly his finish. I don’t believe he’s ever won a match on NXT TV, but he has a finish. Lorcan kicked out of that and the Tower of London. Burch hit a knee to the face and several hard chops, but Lorcan tripped him up and went for a half-crab.

Lorcan kicked at Burch to try to turn him over, but Burch repeatedly booted him in the face over and over again. Lorcan put on the full Boston crab, but Burch rolled through and picked up the shocking win.

If this is not Burch’s first TV win, he’s definitely won less than five. Burch went for the handshake, but Lorcan slapped it away and began walking away. Lorcan then stopped himself, returned to center ring, and shook Burch’s hand. Burch held the ropes open for Lorcan as he left.

It was 8:49 and I was getting ready to sign off and thank you all for reading when they suddenly informed us that Lorcan vs. Burch was not the main event.

**********

Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated No Way Jose

This was the second week in a row that we got a main event that wasn’t announced during the show. Jose took longer than Bobby Roode to get to the ring as he went into the crowd to fiesta before the match. Why is it okay for him to party immediately before his match, but it’s not okay for Almas to party after his match?

Zelina Vega is Thea Trinidad’s new name and she is there to force Almas to take the match seriously. When Almas did his thing where he just lays in the ropes, Jose kicked him off and then Almas got yelled at for doing that.

I guess that worked because the match didn’t last much longer. Almas hit the running double knees in the corner and picked up the win with the hammerlock DDT. Vega did allow him to preen to the camera after winning, which was nice of her. Vega went to the announcer’s table and yelled at them that Almas now deserves the spotlight for winning.

Vega said Almas is going to accept Gargano’s open challenge for TakeOver. Next week is the go-home show for TakeOver, and until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

WWE NXT results: Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan

Posted on by Arya Witner

The Big News: Killian Dain won his first televised singles match, defeating No Way Jose completely clean in Jose’s big return.

The Medium News: Hideo Itami and Oney Lorcan beat the ever loving hell out of each other before Kassius Ohno stuck his nose in it.

The Little Beaver-sized News: Bobby Roode and Roderick Strong officially began their rivalry.

**********

Heavy Machinery defeated Victor Andrews & Lars Sullivan

Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic are back to having the beeping noise in their theme song. Andrews cut a pre-match inset promo saying he was ready for this opportunity, but Sullivan slapped his shoulder and asked if he was ready.

Sullivan got more offense than anyone ever has against Heavy Machinery, including catching Knight on a crossbody and dropping him with a powerslam. Andrews insisted on tagging in and it all went downhill from there. Andrews got no offense and was the victim of the “tossing bear hug” where Knight has him in a bear hug and tosses him in the air to Dozovic.

The babyfaces kept their winning streak going with The Compacter (the assisted big splash) while Sullivan watched angrily from the apron.

After the match, Sullivan got back in the ring to put the boots to Andrews. He lifted him up and dropped him with a chokeslam, then tortured him with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker.

**********

Last week, No Way Jose returned and prevented Killian Dain from interfering in the Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young main event. Christy St. Cloud told them about this week’s main event afterwards. Dain said that No Way Jose is not safe.

**********

Roderick Strong was out next for a promo. He said the last year has been a roller coaster. He’s here on NXT, he has a beautiful fiancee and a handsome baby boy, but what took his breath away was telling everyone his story and everyone accepting him.

He thanked the fans and said his life has never been better, but the one thing he wants and needs is the NXT Championship.

This brought out the NXT Champion, Bobby Roode. It took him a full 40 seconds to walk from the curtain to the middle of the entrance ramp. He really is trying to break “slow walk” records. He pretended to cry as he said the great things Strong has. He’s finally winning matches (which got a gasp), he has a moderately attractive fiancee, and a relatively normal son.

Now Strong wants to play the Bobby Roode Lottery. In Bobby Roode’s NXT you don’t click your heels together to get title shots, you earn them. He said Strong is a good hand and maybe one day he’ll even take a selfie with Strong to show his son. His last piece of advice would be to not play the Bobby Roode Lottery because he is not man enough to win.

Strong had no rebuttal.

**********

Nikki Cross was banging on a locker and then violently slammed her jacket on the ground screaming about Asuka and Ruby Riot. Next week it is Asuka vs. Cross vs. Riot in a triple threat elimination match for the NXT Women’s Championship.

**********

We had a video package for The Authors of Pain, narrated by Paul Ellering.

**********

Peyton Royce defeated Sarah Logan

Logan used to wrestle a goat when she was a child — or so says Nigel McGuinness. Goat wrestling did not help her much, as Royce took her head off with a spin kick, screwed it back on, and locked on an STF.

Logan got out of it and began her comeback with a headbutt and punches to the chest. Royce came back, hit a running knee to the face, and won with a Perfect Plex.

**********

After last week’s loss, Andrade “Cien” Almas was going out to party when he ignored an announcer who tried to ask about his losses. Thea Trinidad came up and slapped him in the face for being a loser.

**********

Hideo Itami and Oney Lorcan went to a no contest

Earlier today, Itami said he is not going back to Japan after losing at TakeOver. Itami used the same hard strikes he always uses, but apparently this time it means he is taking out his frustrations on Lorcan. Percy Watson kept calling it “Kobayashi style.”

Lorcan then beat the snot out of Itami. Itami went for a GTS, but Lorcan was having none of that. He slapped and chopped Itami with full vim. Itami sold an injured knee — but he’s okay! It’s a miracle! He kicked Lorcan in the knee, stood up, and hit the Go to Sleep.

However, instead of pinning Lorcan, he dragged him to his feet and hit a second one. Itami was still angry, so he picked Lorcan up a third time and laid him out with a third GTS.

He went for a fourth one, but Kassius Ohno jogged out to stop him. Itami shoved Ohno, so Ohno shoved him right back. Ohno looked to be on the verge of tears as Itami rolled out of the ring and walked away.

The referee called for the bell and the match ended in a no contest.

**********

We had a Drew McIntyre video, which led to the announcement that he will be in action next week.

**********

Christy St. Cloud asked Ember Moon about what she thinks about the Women’s title match next week. Moon said she is going to watch the title match, but is going to take care of Billie Kay and Peyton Royce first before going back for the title.

**********

Killian Dain defeated No Way Jose

It was time for the main event. This is No Way Jose’s first match since SAnitY attacked him at Axxess before NXT TakeOver: Orlando. SAnitY has new theme music and it is quite awful. We were informed that Jose loves to have fun. I seriously want heel promos where they talk about how much they hate fun.

Jose got the early advantage, booting Dain to the outside. Dain stayed just long enough so we could see a commercial for 205 Live and for the first annual Great Balls of Fire. After that, Dain was back in the ring and hammering away on Jose.

Jose fought out of the Ulster Plantation (One Winged Angel) and hit a TKO, but Dain kicked out at the last possible second. Jose went for the wind-up punch, but Dain headbutted him, hit a corner dropkick, and then the Ulster Plantation for the win.

Noted by the announcers is that Dain was out here all by himself, with SAnitY backstage.

That does it for this week. Can the reigning, defending, undefeated, and undisputed NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka, retain her championship one more time next week? Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!