The Big News: Aleister Black will challenge NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas at TakeOver: New Orleans after defeating Killian Dain.
The Medium News: The Authors of Pain beat TM61 to advance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Pete Dunne teased a face turn by standing up to The Undisputed Era.
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The Authors of Pain defeated TM61 in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match
These two teams squared off in the finals of the 2016 Dusty Classic, which was won by The Authors of Pain. Shane Thorne actually went into the match with his knee already injured, but still dove off a lighting rig onto Akam and Rezar. Nigel McGuinness pointed out that the color of TM61’s gear was a tribute to Jun Akiyama (Nick Miller’s blue) and Kenta Kobashi (Thorne’s orange).
Thorne flew again early, as he dove over the top rope with a tope, but their advantage didn’t last long as Miller got cut off. Thorne got the hot tag and eventually got the crowd behind him as he hit a Falcon Arrow on Rezar. Miller got a near fall with a moonsault, but that was as close as they were getting.
Thorne was powerbombed over the top rope and onto the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring. Miller was given an exploder suplex into the corner and pinned after The Last Chapter.
They will face the winners of next week’s match between The Street Profits and Heavy Machinery.
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Earlier today, William Regal was asked who he thought would win the Dusty Classic, but he wouldn’t pick a favorite and left. Pete Dunne showed up and said Roderick Strong took him to the limit, but the United Kingdom Championship is staying in the UK.
Strong walked up and said he couldn’t wait to do it again. Undisputed Era then came in, and Adam Cole mocked Strong for losing a lot. Dunne began what appears to be a babyface turn and told Cole he hasn’t won anything since he’s been here. Before fisticuffs could be exchanged, Mr. Regal returned and broke it up.
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SAnitY were hanging out backstage. Eric Young said chaos rules in this universe. Alexander Wolfe said their chaos would continue in this year’s Dusty Classic because “United we burn.”
Killian Dain stared menacingly into the camera and told Aleister Black that tonight chaos would win.
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Bianca Belair defeated Dru Renee
Renee got no offense and was pinned with a falling powerbomb. At least she didn’t get whipped by Belair’s hair.
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Lacey Evans cut a promo about her match next week with Dakota Kai. She said she’s here to show that she is the classiest woman in NXT and Kai has no class. Evans is planning on testing Kai’s injured arm.
Speaking of Kai’s injured arm, Shayna Baszler stormed into the interview area, which caused Evans to leave. Baszler said she has been waiting for several weeks for Ember Moon to reply to her challenge. Baszler stated that when a fighter is challenged, they reply and this proves what kind of woman Moon is.
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Heavy Machinery were grunting and lifting weights. They said they’re going to win the Dusty Classic.
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Tommaso Ciampa walked out to the arena with no music and dragging his crutch. The fans let him know that they were not happy and felt his skills were not up to par before chanting for Johnny Gargano. Ciampa eventually made it to the ring for his first promo since May. Well, he tried several times to cut his first promo since May, but every time he held the microphone to his mouth the fans would boo him even louder.
A small number of fans chanted derogatory statements about Gargano, but they were drowned out. Ciampa became the most popular wrestler in the company briefly when he threw down the mic without saying anything. As Ciampa slowly walked around the ringside area, the fans sang the “Hey Hey Goodbye” song and chanted “Delete” at him. Ciampa got huge heat by ripping a Gargano sign out of a fan’s hands, ripping it up and attacking it with his crutch before leaving.
Again, Ciampa took a sign and attacked it with his crutch to successfully get heat.
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Next week:
WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne defends against Adam Cole
SAnitY vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss (who got back together after breaking up three weeks ago) in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match
The Street Profits vs. Heavy Machinery in another Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match
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Aleister Black defeated Killian Dain
This was an unofficial number one contender’s match between two people who oh-so-desperately want to challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship. Black is allegedly still undefeated despite being pinned by Johnny Gargano in a fatal four-way match in December.
Dain exploded at the bell with a running dropkick and a series of corner splashes. Black finally moved out of the way of a charging Dain before chopping him down with kicks and a moonsault outside the ring to get the brief advantage. Dain took over and used his giant body to damage Black.
Dain made the mistake of letting Black get to his feet, so Black beat him down some more. Black used an Asai moonsault for a near fall. Black came off the top rope, but got clotheslined out of his boots.
Dain punched Black in the ribs time and time again, so Black kicked him in the hand. Dain used a Wasteland and a Vader Bomb, but Black kicked out. Dain went for the Ulster Plantation, but Black rolled through and took Dain’s head off with the Black Mass for the win!
An excellent main event capped off a really good episode of NXT, which actually only went 46 minutes this week, as opposed to 52-58. After the show, WWE confirmed that Black will be challenging Almas at TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7th.
Until next time, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Date: March 3, 2018 Location: Resch Center in Green Bay, WI
The Big Takeaway —
Sami Zayn won a Fatal 5-way main event, pinning Kevin Owens after a Helluva Kick. It wasn’t necessarily a face turn for Zayn, as he still cut a heelish promo afterwards. The other story of the match was AJ Styles breaking up every pinfall attempt he could but still losing in the end.
Also, Jinder Mahal beat Randy Orton thanks to a distraction from Bobby Roode.
Daniel Bryan was not on the show and there was no follow-up to last week’s angle.
Show Recap —
No intro again this week. Dasha Fuentes was in the ring and welcomed us to SmackDown before introducing Charlotte Flair and Ruby Riott (with Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan). Fuentes asked Riott a question, but Riott grabbed the mic and told her to leave.
Riott said this all started back when Charlotte first won the title. She said Charlotte has been set up for this her whole life because she’s tall, athletic, and the daughter of Ric Flair. She said Charlotte was the first woman to win the NXT, Raw and Smackdown women’s titles and Riott watched as a myth grew around her. Riott formed her squad to take down that myth.
Charlotte said she’s had to work harder because of who she is. She said any failure reflected on her whole family and her accomplishments have shown she has transcended any myth about her. Riott said Charlotte was on a pedestal and she was going to take that away from her and Charlotte would become another bleach blonde failure with a famous last name.
Charlotte got in her face so Logan and Morgan jumped in the ring. Bobby Roode interrupted. Charlotte was especially delighted to see him. The announcers explained Roode was just there to do commentary for the next match but the timing worked out for Charlotte. They kept cutting to her and, again, she seemed quite happy. (The announcers did mention that the two of them were friends.) The Riott Squad disappeared and they went to commercial. Weird way to end this segment.
Jinder Mahal (w/Sunil Singh) defeated Randy Orton (10:01)
Orton was in control before a break (90 seconds into the match), Mahal was in control after the break. Byron Saxton claimed to have sources that suggested Orton actually is peeved that he isn’t on the Top 10 list, whereas Roode is on the list despite only being here a few months.
Orton made his comeback but Mahal escaped the ring before he could hit a draping DDT. Mahal pushed Sunil into him so Orton backdropped Sunil onto the announce table in hilarious fashion. Mahal tried to catch Orton off guard but Orton countered and tossed him into Roode at the announce table.
Orton set up for an RKO in the ring when Roode jumped on the apron to yell at him. Orton was distracted, so Mahal kneed him into Roode and nailed a Khallas for the win. Yikes. Tom Phillips played this off like Mahal has Orton’s number.
Kevin Owens approached Sami Zayn backstage. Owens was surprised Zayn said he would lie down for him at Fastlane. Owens then sucked up to Zayn, calling him an amazing guy and competitor. Zayn credited Owens for his success. Zayn knew his time would come, but now it’s Owens’ time, and Owens would become grand slam champion if he wins the WWE Title. Zayn said he will lie down for him at Fastlane. Owens hugged him. This was good.
Baron Corbin cut a selfie promo with colourful closed captioning plastered on the screen. He’s glad John Cena was added to the title match because he owes him one for costing him the Money in the Bank contract.
They aired a video package for The Usos vs. New Day.
Fuentes asked Shinsuke Nakamura if he was worried that his dream match against AJ Styles was in jeopardy. Nakamura said yes, but he hopes Styles wins so he can beat him with a knee to face. Before he could quite finish that sentence, he was interrupted by Rusev and Aiden English.
English couldn’t speak or sing and Rusev claimed it was because of Nakamura’s knee to throat last week. Rusev challenged Nakamura to a match at Fastlane and he accepted. Nakamura said that after he wins, Sunday will be “Nakamura Day,” which he sang in a voice that sounded almost identical to English’s singing voice. Crowd popped for that. After Nakamura left, Rusev said you can’t just make up your own holiday. This was great.
Becky Lynch defeated Carmella (5:15)
They set this up showing a website video from last week where they argued about Twitter or whatever as more words flashed on the screen. During the match, they cut backstage to Naomi and, remarkably, she watched TV at a perfectly normal angle like a real person.
Carmella thought she had the match won with a kick but Lynch got her foot on the rope. Carmella freaked out so Lynch gave her an Exploder. Lynch won with the Disarmer after they attempted an unnecessarily complicated sequence which they just barely got through.
Natalya confronted Naomi backstage and warned her not to be friends with Lynch because all her friends get burned. Naomi claimed Natalya didn’t have any friends. Natalya said he had plenty of friends and Naomi responded, “Name one that’s not a cat.” Anyway, Naomi challenged her to a tag match at Fastlane and she accepted. (Naomi & Lynch vs. Natalya & Carmella.)
They plugged the 50-man Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
They aired a shot from outside the arena in Green Bay. A stagehand walked into the shot and he slipped and fell in the snow. The crowd laughed. The announcers laughed as they showed a replay.
AJ Styles came out for a promo. He talked about the tough road to becoming WWE Champion. He wasn’t going to complain about his upcoming title match being unfair, he just wants to fight. He moved on to John Cena (who the crowd booed) and showed a replay of Cena’s promo from Raw. They added colourful pop-ups to this, too.
Styles said Cena wasn’t the only one who had to win at Fastlane. Styles wasn’t interested in Cena’s idea for a threeway at Mania and neither was the crowd. Styles wanted his WrestleMania moment, which was defending his WWE Title against the best. Styles reiterated that he wanted Nakamura and asked who would have thought we would see this match in WWE. He was fighting for “us” because the match at WrestleMania would be nothing short of phenomenal.
Dolph Ziggler interrupted. Ziggler wondered what happened to the cool AJ Styles and called him desperate. Styles thought that was funny from a guy who was in WWE for 13 years and still hasn’t reached his potential. Ziggler said it took Styles a decade to get to the house that Ziggler built. Ziggler said Styles would lose on Sunday, not because the numbers were against him, but because he was doing it for the people who would just stab him in the back.
Ziggler said he was told to his face he would never be champion in WWE but he won Money in the Bank and won the title. When he cashed in, it felt like he did it with the people, but they didn’t deserve it. They watched from their couches as Ziggler worked his ass off, and after all these years, he has never had a singles match at Mania.
Ziggler told Styles to take his dream match and shove it. Styles was tired of Ziggler talking and suggested they have their match right now.
Non-title match: WWE Champion AJ Styles NC Dolph Ziggler (16:25)
Styles hit a slingshot forearm to the outside but Ziggler was in control after a break. Styles made a brief comeback but Ziggler raked him in the eyes (right in front of the referee), kicked his leg out of his leg and hit a Fameasser for two. With Styles standing on the apron, they traded vertical suplex attempts which eventually resulted in Ziggler slingshotting him into the ring post.
After a break, Ziggler set up for a Styles Clash but Styles slipped out of it. They traded counters leading to Ziggler hitting a Zig-Zag (with Styles hanging off the ropes) for a two count. With both guys down, Owens and Zayn jumped in the ring to attack both men and the ref called for the bell. Styles and Ziggler still managed to fight them off.
Before Owens and Zayn could leave, Shane McMahon came out. Shane knew we all figured he was going to make a tag match, so he instead made a fatal 5-way.
Non-title Fatal 5-Way: Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin and WWE Champion AJ Styles
The story early on was Owens and Zayn teaming up and Zayn allowing Owens to attempt pinfalls without breaking them up. Eventually, they did a spot where everyone traded moves (including Ziggler and Owens messing up a Famasser spot) ending with Styles giving Zayn a Pele kick. They were all down in time for a commercial break.
Immediately after the break, they did a tower of doom spot where Owens and Corbin powerbombed the combination of Styles, Ziggler and Zayn. The announcers didn’t mention that Zayn was on the wrong end of an Owens powerbomb.
Zayn hit Ziggler with a Blue Thunder Bomb but Styles broke it up and punched him right in the mouth. Owens gave Ziggler a German and followed with a cannonball. He gave Corbin an elbow drop and Styles broke up the cover again. Ziggler spiked Owens with a DDT then gave Corbin a Zig-Zag. Ziggler avoided a Zayn tornado DDT and nailed him with a superkick but again Styles broke up the cover.
The announcers were pushing how exhausted Styles must be. He tried a phenomenal forearm but Corbin knocked him down. Corbin gave Owens a Deep Six and Styles broke up the cover again. Styles gave Corbin an enziguri, hit Ziggler with a spinning heel kick, and gave Zayn an impressive springboard inverted DDT.
Zayn and Owens teamed up to knock Styles out of the ring. Suddenly, Zayn nailed Owens with a Helluva kick for the win. The crowd seemed pretty shocked.
After the match, Fuentes asked Zayn why he did what he did. Zayn thought that was a weird question. Zayn called himself the best in WWE and has been the most overlooked performer on the roster since coming to Smackdown. He told Fuentes not to ask him stupid questions and concluded, “Tonight wasn’t for the WWE Champion, tonight’s about one thing–who is the best, and I proved it that is Sami Zayn.” I think that’s what the title is for.
Final Thoughts —
This was a pretty dull go-home show right until the end. The finish was surprising but I’m not sure why, in storyline, Zayn wouldn’t have saved this for the title match. He’s been on Owens’ side since October and finally pulled the trigger in a match with nothing on the line.
New Japan marks 46 years tonight with a main event pitting both weight class champions against one another.
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will battle IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay in a rare main event pitting the two champions against one another. This isn’t their first one-on-one encounter — a 2015 bout between them at Revolution Pro Wrestling led Okada, in storyline, to offer Ospreay a spot in the Chaos stable. Three years later, we’ll see where the two stand in a main event that is bound to impress.
Two other high-profile singles matches will take place on the card as well. Minoru Suzuki will defend the Intercontinental title against Togi Makabe, who has been racking up wins in tag team matches as of late, while Suzuki-gun’s Taichi will be the latest to move up to the heavyweight division to take on Tetsuya Naito.
This morning’s anniversary show will start at 5 a.m. ET, so be sure to join us for live results then. There will be English commentary.
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It was announced at the start of the show that due to a concussion, Katsuya Kitamura was unable to compete tonight. His match against Manabu Nakanishi has been postponed.
Solid opener. Lots of solid action and good representation by everyone. Shota Umino is really coming along; he had nice fire in this match and shows some charisma. He and KUSHIDA were going at it when KUSHIDA trapped him in an armbar. Umino tried to counter with a pin attempt, but KUSHIDA kicked out and really sunk the armbar in, causing Umino to tap.
Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano defeated Juice Robinson, David Finlay and Toa Henare
This was short, but also a pretty solid match. Juice Robinson debuted a new look and in the ring looked really good. Toa Henare came in and went after Goto, even getting a nearfall, but everyone came in and broke it up. but Goto stopped him with the ushigoroshi and pinned him with the GTR.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado defeated Roppongi 3K and BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Jr. tag team titles
Roppongi 3K looked good early, with YOH and Takahashi getting into a fierce chop battle. Rules were kind of confusing as only two teams could be in at one, but this was still pretty good action. Heels worked on SHO until he got a hot tag, as he and YOH cleared house. It’s becoming more clear SHO is the standout in the team, he shows more charisma and has some really cool spots.
Roppongi 3K had the win with the 3K but Hiromu Takahashi came in and stopped it. In the confusion, BUSHI used the mist on SHO, but before he could capitalize Kanemaru came in and spat whiskey in in BUSHI’s face, blinding him. Desperado used a modified cradle to pin SHO and win the titles. Playing hot potato with this title feels overdone at this point, but otherwise a pretty good match.
SANADA defeated YOSHI-HASHI
SANADA dominated early, taking YOSHI-HASHI to the outside and even attempting to sink in the skull end into the crowd before returning back to the ring. He was mostly in control, with YOSHI-HASHI getting brief periods of offense until SANADA missed a moonsault from the top rope. YOSHI-HASHI got some terrific near falls with an inside cradle and a lariat. A running liger bomb nearfall follows, then locks in the butterfly lock. SANADA struggled and struggled until he finally made the ropes.
YOSHI-HASHI went for karma but SANADA hopped over and latched on the skull end. YOSHI-HASHI refused to tap, but was eventually rendered unconscious. SANADA followed with a moonsault and scored the win. Fantastic match that highlighted how underrated YOSHI-HASHI is as a babyface and just how good overall SANADA really is.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Taichi
Taichi smashed Naito with his cane and brawled with him back to the entranceway, powerbombing him right on top of the stage. Naito beat the count, but Taichi was mainly on offense until Naito found an opening. Taichi catches him with a kick on the apron and throws him into the barricade.
Taichi went for a superkick, but Naito countered and hit the satellite DDT. Taichi countered the Destino with a giant side suplex and hit the press powerbomb, but Naito kicked out. Naito blasted Taichi with a reverse rana. Naito hit Gloria and went for Destino again, but Taichi escaped, shoved the referee and hit a low blow. He cradled Naito, but somehow Naito kicked out in a great near fall.
Naito dodged a superkick as Taka Michinoku distracted the referee. Taichi tried to use the cane, but Naito countered, took it away from him, blasted him with it, then low blowed him. Naito went for the Destino for the third time, finally getting it and scored the pinfall. Way better match than you ever would expect in a match featuring Taichi. This was honestly on par with the previous match.
A Rey Mysterio video aired. Didn’t say much other than he’s happy to be a part of the Strong Style Evolved show. Kevin Kelly did bring up the possible bicep injury, but didn’t have any new details.
Minoru Suzuki defeated Togi Makabe to retain the IWGP Intercontinental title
The two brawled early, with Makabe taking it to the outside and throwing Suzuki into the barricade. Suzuki fights back and wraps Makabe’s knee on the post. He takes a chair and smashes it into Makabe’s exposed leg.
Makabe fired back and at one point, continually wanted to Suzuki to punch him as hard as he could. It was kind of like a game of who could strike harder. Makabe jammed Suzuki’s skull into the ring post and hit the spider German suplex but Suzuki rolled out of the way when Makabe went for the King Kong knee drop.
Suzuki wrapped around Makabe’s bad knee, but Makabe escaped with a German suplex. He followed that with a lariat Makabe hits the ropes, but Suzuki comes right back with a dropkick. He put Makabe to sleep, then tries for the Gotch piledriver, but Makabe powers out and strikes Suzuki with open handed slaps. Suzuki fires back with some of his own, then catches Makabe with another sleeper. He hits the Gotch piledriver and pins Makabe to retain the title. Very good, physical match.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay
This was great. Ospreay did a ton of cool stuff throughout the match and Okada was excellent as usual. It won’t win match of the year votes or anything, but this was a strong showing by both men and they had a really great, fun match.
The two started off with some mat wrestling. With some good near falls early. Ospreay did a great bridge and crucifix that stunned Okada out of the ring. More mat wrestling followed, including a cute spot where they mimicked getting their shoulders up in stereo while both had wrist control.
Okada got the heat by body slamming Ospreay on the floor. Okada remains in control until Ospreay hits a springboard kick to the head. Okada regained offense and took him to the outside, where he threw him on the barricade and blasted him with a big boot that sent him to the floor. Okada went to do a dive over the barricade, but Ospreay met him on top of the barricade and launched off, sending Okada to the floor. He followed that up with the Sasuke special.
Ospreay went for the ozcutter but Okada countered with a sleeper. Okada hits the dropick and continues on offense until Ospreay hits a spanish fly and a rainmaker of his own. Ospreay hit the reverse 450 splash but Okada kicked out. Ospreay went for the ozcutter, but Okada grabbed him and hit the tombstone.
Okada went for the rainmaker but Ospreay escaped and hit a powerbomb. Okada comes back with a German suplex and a rainmaker, then another. Ospreay escapes a third and goes for another ozcutter, but Okada countered with a tombstone and hit another rainmaker for the win.
A really fun show overall. Nothing bad, and the last few matches were great.
The Big Takeaway: Several WrestleMania matches are now official, including Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon and HHH. Also, The Miz will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match.
Show Recap:
Angle walked out. Stephanie and HHH are now being referred to as “The Power Couple.” Angle said ever since he was named the General Manager last April, he’s had to swallow his pride many times. He said Stephanie told him he had to do what’s best for business. But last week when HHH suckerpunched him, things went too far. He called out HHH to face him like a man.
Stephanie showed up to try to calm Angle down. She said HHH wasn’t even in the building yet. Stephanie got booed loudly. She said that Angle had five kids, the youngest being a 1-year-old girl. She said she knows that Angle wants to buy her the world. Since Angle was on his second marriage, his alimony payments must be steep. Crowd booed some more. Stephanie put over Angle saying he was a Gold Medalist and a 4-time WWE Champion, but are those accolades paying the bills? Being the Raw GM is paying the bills. Stephanie said it wasn’t like HHH wasn’t provoked last week. She blamed Angle for nearly ruining the Rousey contract signing and said Angle’s actions led to HHH being thrown through a table by Rousey. Stephanie said they were all on the same page now and not to let his ego get in the way.
Rousey came out to big cheers. She made a lap around the ring to slap hands with spectators. Rousey said what Stephanie did to Angle last week was very enlightening. She talked about how the people who brought her to WWE are now who she thought she was, which was fine because she’s dealt with bully bosses her whole career and she will deal with it her own way. Stephanie said she understand that employees don’t always understand the choices their bosses make, just look around the building, the fans take their orders and get it done. Stephanie said Rousey signed a WWE contract, which makes her part of the WWE. Stephanie said they gave Rousey her dream, to be a part of WrestleMania, the grandest stage of them all.
Rousey said she was thankful, but her contract does allow her to choose her opponent for WrestleMania. Stephanie said that’s true, as long as it isn’t a current champion and is an active member on the WWE roster. Rousey jumped the gun a little bit as Stephanie asked for a big drumroll for Rousey to announce her opponent. Rousey got in Stephanie’s face and said “You.” Crowd chanted “yes.”
HHH came out and said this was not going to happen. HHH said Stephanie was the Commissioner of Raw and not an active part of the Raw roster. Angle said he thought HHH wasn’t here tonight. Angle said Stephanie was an WWE executive, but she also had an active contract as a performer. Since he makes the matches, Angle announced that Stephanie would be facing Rousey at WrestleMania. But Angle didn’t stop there. Angle told HHH after Survivor Series if HHH ever touched him again, he was going to come for him. So Angle annnounced he was adding himself to the match and said it would be Angle/Rousey vs. HHH/Stephanie at WrestleMania.
Stephanie got in Angle’s face and started screaming at him. She started to give him the dreaded Steph slap, but Rousey grabbed her arm. HHH got Rousey to back off and tried to defuse the situation by getting Stephanie out of the ring, but HHH attacked Angle. But Angle was ready and threw several punched at HHH, gave him a Drop Toe Hold and attempted the ankle lock, but HHH kicked him off. Rousey stood above HHH, but Stephanie gave Rousey a forearm to the back. Rosey had a look on her face like “Can you believe she tried that?” Stephanie ran out of the ring. HHH tried to give Angle the Pedrigree, but Angle escaped and put on the ankle lock. Stephanie reached for HHH hands and pulled him out of the ring. Rousey grabbed Stephanie by the hair, pulled her back in the ring and gave Stephanie a Samoan Drop. Angle and Rousey walked up the ramp together and raised each others hands.
Alexa Bliss and Mickie James (with a new heel hairdo) did a promo during the Jax/Asuka match. Bliss said Jax was not only going to end Asuka’s undefeated streak, but Jax was going to send Asuka to the hospital.
Asuka defeated Nia Jax by tapout (11:35)
Asuka attempted the Octopus, but Jax threw her into a corner. Jax gave Asuka a spinning slam where she hoisted Asuka up by her armpits. Jax had Asuka on a Cobra Clutch, but Asuka escaped and nailed a Shining Wizard. Jax drove Asuka into the corner for a two count. Jax caught the Samoan Drop, but Asuka got her foot on the ropes to escape Jax’s finisher. Or is it Rousey’s? Jax gave Asuka the Ultimate Warrior press slam, but Asuka rolled out of the way when Jax tried a legdrop. Asuka clamped on an armbar, but Jax got to her feet. Jax delivered a power bomb, but Asuka held on to the armbar. Jax picked up Asuka again and tried to ram her in the corner, but Asuka maintained the armbar. Jax again got Asuka up, but Asuka bounced off the top rope and reaffirmed the armbar. Jax fought, screamed and finally tapped out. Bliss and James looked on and Bliss looked concerned that Asuka was coming for her.
Postmatch, they showed Jax getting up selling her right arm. It was a babyface spot designed to get Jax a standing ovation, and she did get a pop. It seemed they wanted to get Jax more over by losing instead of getting Asuka more over by winning.
Chloe and Hallie were announced as performing the national anthem at WrestleMania.
Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar defeated The Revival in a nontitle match (9:27)
They announced that if the Revival won, they would get a tag team title shot at WrestleMania against the Bar. Cesaro did the old Demolition finisher on Scott Dawson. Dash Wilder made a tag for a dropkick to Sheamus’ back for the heat. Dawson pulled off a DDT on Sheamus for a two count. Cesaro gave Dawson an uppercut in the corner and tagged Sheamus, who gave Dawson a knee. Sheamus missed a charge in the corner, leading to Dash & Dawson giving Cesaro the old Power & Glory finisher, but only for two. Sheamus came back in the ring and hit Wilder with the Brogue Kick. Then Cesaro pinned Dawson after the Gotch Neutralizer.
John Cena was out next. He said he was there to talk to everyone about SmackDown. He said he has found his road to WrestleMania and it is on SmackDown, which is why Angle granted him the opportunity to talk about SmackDown on Raw. Cena said at Fast Lane on Sunday, there is a Six Pack Challenge for the WWE Championship. This Sunday at Fast Lane, Cena said a record that has stood for nearly 20 years will be broken. He understands it may not be popular, but this Sunday he will win the WWE Championship for the 17th time. Cena said all records are made to be broken, even the ones that we hold very close. He said it is the only way he can get to WrestleMania. Over the last few weeks, he has been criticized for being handed every piece of success, that he doesn’t earn opporunity and the only reason he stands there is to hold people back. He said he wasn’t given success, he was given an opportunity and with that chance he defeated A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship. Crowd booed. Admist all the adversity, he said he has never been a man to hold anyone back in this ring. When he beats Styles on Sunday, the critics will say that he will have robbed Styles of a WrestleMania moment. He said that isn’t true because when he beats Styles on Sunday, he wants Styles to use his rematch clause to set up a three-way match at WrestleMania, with Cena vs. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
Of all people, Goldust came out. Goldust quoted a scene from “On the Waterfront” and said he always had a Dream of sharing the silver screen with someone like Cena. The dream of soaking in the spotlight at WrestleMania, and that dream starts with him stopping Cena from going to WrestleMania. Goldust said all his dreams haven’t had a perfect ending. Goldust said it seems like his dreams have been taken from him, and they have turned grey. In a weird speech, Goldust said his job tonight was to shatter Cena’s dreams, and he then gave Cena a cheap shot.
John Cena defeated Goldust (3:49)
Cena won with the AA. Crowd was as silent as you’ll hear from a Cena match because they knew Goldust had no chance.
Elias approached Angle backstage and said that Angle should reconsider the Symphony of Destruction match with Braun Strowman tonight. Angle thought about it for about a second, then said he wasn’t going to cancel the match. Not only that, but Angle made it a Falls Count Anywhere match.
Bayley came out. Charly Caruso was set to interview her about her not tagging Sasha Banks last week. Bayley was about to explain her actions, but Absolution came out. Paige did a promo saying that Bayley was still a little girl who has yet to grow a backbone. Paige said Bayley turned her back on the only person who cared about her and if you don’t have backup in WWE, you don’t have anything.
Bayley defeated Mandy Rose (8:43)
Bayley won with an Oklahoma Side Roll after Sonya DeVille jumped on the apron in an effort to distract Bayley. Mandy Rose attempted a schoolgirl cradle after Bayley knocked DeVille off the apron, but Bayley escaped leading to the finish. DeVille and Rose jumped Bayley after the match. Banks ran out for the save and sent Rose and DeVille out of the ring. Banks tried to shake Bayley’s hand, but Bayley brushed her off. Banks stepped back, then tried to hug Bayley. Again, Bayley shunned banks and left the ring without thanking her for the save.
Bliss talked with Jax backstage and delivered a speech to her designed to make Jax a sympathetic babyface. Bliss said that she knows that Jax has to be devastated that she quit tonight, which means that she won’t be on the WrestleMania card. In a soft tone, Bliss said throughout Jax’s life, Jax has been an outcast. She was always bigger than the other girls and other people made fun of her. Jax was crying as the camera focused in on her. Bliss said Jax can’t let this loss get to her and Jax will lose everyone’s respect if she does.
Strowman did an interview that was designed to get in as many Megadeth references as possible. Strowman said he knows that Elias has been sweating bullets (from Megadeth’s Countdown to Extinction album) because Elias known tonight begins his Countdown to Extinction. Corey Graves started reeling off lyrics to the chorus from Symphony of Destruction, which is arguably Megadeth’s best known song. Funny enough, Megadeth’s “Crush ‘Em” was briefly Goldberg’s entrance music in 1999, and Megadeth lead singer Dave Mustaine expresses nothing but hatred for that song nowadays.
A Symphony of Destruction match is basically a street fight with musical instruments on the stage. Elias was playing a piano this week instead of a guitar. Elias said he was living amongst the dead, he breaths life into everything he does, everything he touches, everything he says. Elias says he loves symphonies because they’re cultured and sophisticated, unlike this scumbag town. Elias stepped onto a drum kick and started playing, saying he could do it all. Then he picked up a guitar and said Strowman man be a monster among men, but he’s living in Elias’ world. Elias sang a song saying Milwaukee sucked and he wasn’t afraid of Strowman.
Braun Strowman defeated Elias in a Symphony of Destruction match (5:00)
Elias asked JoJo for a proper introduction. So the lights faded down, but Elias wasn’t in the ring. Instead, Elias walked to the back, went backstage and tried to leave. He hopped in a car and tried to drive off. As he attempted to put the car in reverse, Strowman was behind the car and supposedly holding down a car that was trying to speed off in place. Strowman chased Elias back to the ring and attempted the running powerslam, but Elias chop blocked Strowman and smashed a guitar across Strowman’s back. Elias went to the top rope and hit a Randy Savage elbow, but Strowman kicked out. Elias attempted Drift Away, but Strowman landed a right hand. Strowman dragged Elias up the ramp and went to the commentator’s table, where Strowman cleaned it off. Strowman tried to powerslam Elias through the table, but Elias raked Strowman’s face. Strowman recovered to push Elias into the LED display, throw him into a set of guitars, then took a stand up bass guitar and smashed it across Elias’ back. Strowman threw Elias under the piano, where Strowman played some piano before getting up. Strowman picked up the piano and slammed it on Elias. Strowman turned over the piano and pinned Elias.
An emergency crew came out to put Elias in a neckbrace and he was lifted off on a stretcher.
Bray Wyatt defeated Rhyno (:48)
Bray Wyatt pinned Rhyno with Sister Abigail in a squash. Wyatt called out Matt Hardy afterwards. Hardy showed up on the big screen and said the Great War is far from over. Hardy said there is only one battlefield worthy of a cosmic combat, the Hardy compound. They showed highlights of Hardy at the Hardy compound, complete with drones, the Mighty Stauregard boat and a field with the old Hardy’s logo designed on it. The reaction to the Hardy Compound was the biggest pop anything has had since the program started.
The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel were out for the 3rd annual Mizzies. Dallas and Axel wore gold jackets to look like Academy Awards. Miz ran down the fact that “The Shape of Water” won Best Picture over “The Marine 5.” Miz said Get Out is what Angle should do as GM. And Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri should be Three Billboards Outside New Orleans, Louisiana with Miz’s face on it. Miz honored the best of WWE. The Mizzie for the Superstar who is the Best at Patting Themselves on the Back included nominees Seth Rollins, Angle for being a father to Jason Jordan, and Finn Balor for holding the Universal Title for less than 24 hours. Miz announced the winner was a tie between Rollins and Balor, and they weren’t accept their awards because they weren’t invited.
Miz said the next award was the Worst Decision by a Raw General Manager. The nominees were Angle for announcing Jordan as his son, Angle for making seven entrants in the Elimination Chamber, and Angle for not naming an opponent for Miz at WrestleMania. Miz announced Angle won unanimously and Angle can’t accept the award because he was too busy sucking up to Rousey. Miz said winning a Mizzie will help Angle on his resume when he’s looking for a new job after WrestleMania. Miz said he was ready to announce a Lifetime Achievement Mizzie, then man who was 55 days away from breaking Pedro Morales’ record.
Rollins came out and said the segment was dragging. Then Balor came out, which annoyed Rollins. Balor said he wasn’t out there to follow Rollins, he wanted to do Rollins one better. Miz said neither Rollins or Balor deserve an Intercontinental title shot. Miz said no one makes losing look better than Rollins, except for Balor. Miz said since Balor won the Universal Championship for one day, he’s done absolutely nothing. Yet Balor will tell everyone how over he is. Miz said this isn’t Japan, this is the WWE where you have to bust your butt every day. Miz said to get over, you needed more than a hand sign that isn’t even his. Miz challenged Balor and Rollins to face him, Axel and Dallas. Rollins accepted.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor defeated The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a handicap match (11:03)
Rollins got the heat. He made his comeback with a superkick, forcing Axel to make the save. Rollins wiped out Axel and Dallas with a tope, then followed with a clothesline over the top rope on Miz. Rollins was about to do a tope on the three heels, but Balor tagged Rollins before he could do the spot. Balor did a somersault tope on Axel and Dallas, gave Miz a Sling Blade and Woo Dropkick. Balor was ready for the Coup de Grace, but Rollins tagged himself in and gave Miz the Curb Stomp for the pin. Balor looked unhappy with Rollins for making the tag.
Angle came out and said that Miz would defend the Intercontinental Champioinship against Balor and Rollins at WrestleMania.
Paul Heyman came out for the main event segment. he got some boos and Heyman was a total heel, calling the fans opinions “irrelevant.” Heyman came out with the Universal Championship belt and laid it down in the ring. Heyman said when Brock Lesnar successfully defends the championship and if he defends the title at SummerSlam, he will lay it down in the ring and possibly the UFC Heavyweight title, as well. Heyman said last week, Reigns criticized Lesnar’s schedule. Heyman said the biggest win of Reigns’ career was when he defeated the Undertaker last year. That got boos, but Heyman said Reigns was only one of two men in history to beat the Undetaker at WrestleMania. Heyman wondered did anybody bring up the fact that the Undertaker only wrestled once that whole year. He said no one made that statement because if they did, that would be bull**** (it got bleeped out). Heyman said the Undertaker is the Undertaker 365 days a year and Regins deserves props for that. Lesnar is Lesnar 365 days a year, except Reigns isn’t beating Lesnar this year. And if Reigns doesn’t like what Heyman is saying, then next week Reigns can do something about it because he’s bringing Lesnar to Raw next week. Heyman said “Afa Wrestlemania, Reigns can Sika a new title to challenge for because the Universal Championship belongs to Lesnar.” Heyman got light boos. He stopped, looked around the ring, then looked at the belt and said Reigns called Lesnar a bitch last week. Heyman held up the belt and said this is Brock Lesnar’s bitch. Heyman said the belt belongs to Lesnar and Reigns is eyeballing Lesnar’s bitch and Reigns can’t have her. Heyman said Reigns wants to be Universal Champion because his family’s bloodline runs through the business and the business runs through his family’s bloodline, but when you’re the Universal Champion, this belt is your bloodline. Heyman laid down the belt and said that isn’t a belt, a prop, or a strap, that’s a declarative statement that you’re better than anybody else. Heyman said it’s not how bad you want the title, it’s how bad the title wants you. It means if your father has an accident at 3AM the night before a PPV, you can’t go home to see him because the title needs you. Heyman said Reigns doesn’t want to shoot on the microphone with Paul Heyman and you don’t want to shoot in the ring with Lesnar.
Reigns came out to very little reaction. He walked in the ring with Heyman, got in his face and started arguing with him. Heyman picked up the belt. Reigns said Lesnar sent Heyman out for Lesnar’ rebuttal after what he said last week. Reigns said Lesnar really is a bitch, isn’t he. All reigns is asking for Lesnar to do is to show up for work. Reigns said if Lesnar is going to be in Detroit next week, so will he. But he wants Lesnar to show up next week not for a promo segment. He wants Lesnar to show up for a fight. Heyman hastily left.
The Big Takeaway: This was a show for losing streaks. Akira Tozawa beat Ariya Daivari to take him to 0-31 and winless since August. Curt Hawkins also took his tally to 179 without a victory in another loss to Goldust.
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Akira Tozawa defeated Ariya Daivari (6:40)
This past week, Daivari lost to 205 Live’s latest acquisition, Buddy Murphy, in the Cruiserweight title tournament to take him 0-30 and without a win since last summer. Tozawa has been in better form, though he also lost in the first round of the tournament.
They went longer than WWE usually gives cruiserweight matches on this show, building the match around whether Tozawa could get Daivari in position for the Drop Zone. Daivari got some good heat in the second third of the match, after he thwarted Tozawa’s top rope attempt. After several near falls, including Tozawa kicking out of the Persian Lion Splash, Tozawa took over again.
Tozawa eventually got Daivari in position and nailed him around the side of the head with a spinning enzuigiri. He went up top and hit the Drop Zone for the win.
Tozawa celebrated and they went straight to the next segment without comment on Daivari’s 31st consecutive loss or a replay of the finish.
Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins (4:08)
Hawkins wrote on Twitter that this loss was more of an honor than a disappointment, referencing that the match took place in the same arena that WWE filmed the infamous Hollywood Backlot Brawl from WrestleMania XII between Goldust and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
For those keeping count, of Hawkins’ 179 losses since his return to the company, 18 of them have come at the hands of Goldust. They have good chemistry, with Goldust giving a lot of the match to Hawkins here. Hawkins disrespected Goldust, often slapping and shouting at him.
After Hawkins had looked like he might break the streak, he took too long and didn’t pounce on the opportunity when it arose. The finish saw Goldust show that he’d had enough of being shoved around and dropped to his knees to slap Hawkins in the face before hitting the Golden Cross for the win.
Bully Ray came out to start the show, hyping up the crowd. Said there were would be professional wrestling tonight and not sports entertainment.
They announced at the start of the show that the main event has been changed. It will now be Bullet Club vs. The Kingdom (who are replacing SoCal Uncensored) & Shane Taylor.
The Briscoes defeated Coast to Coast and The Dawgs in a triple threat match
This was a solid bout, mostly quick action between the three teams. The Dawgs were arguing with one another when the Briscoes jump then. Jay struck Will Ferrara with the Jay Driller for the win. how on Friday.
The Briscoes cut a heel promo with Jay saying they’ll do whatever the hell they want, this is their house and everyone here can go to hell. Mark says they’ll become the 9 time tag team champions. Chris Sabin, who was doing commentary, came out to the stage and posed with the title.
Tenille Dashwood and Deonna Purrazzo defeated Jenny Rose and Sumie Sakai
This was a good match, but the crowd was largely dead for it. They built a hot tag to Tenille as she finally came in and cleared house. She got some near falls on Sakai until she hit her new finisher, a running knee called the Spotlight, for the win.
Punishment Martinez defeated Soberano Jr.
Commentators said that Soberano had literally just arrived in the building. This was a total styles clash and not in a good way, as there were a ton of missed moves. Martinez is also doing the monster gimmick so he didn’t sell for a lot of Soberano’s offense early. Martinez grabbed him off the apron and chokeslammed him for the win in a short, but pretty bad match. This did no favors for Soberano, who is normally a great talent in CMLL. Beyond me why they’d book this match with this layout and finish for someone coming in from CMLL.
Martinez powerbombed Soberano Jr. on the apron after the match for good measure.
They are now having a Q&A with Jonathan Gresham.
It was revealed that, in fact, fans voted for the stipulation that if Flip Gordon wins his match tonight, he’ll be booked for All In in September.
Cody defeated Flip Gordon
This ended up being a pretty good match. To me, in terms of a heel act Cody is above and beyond everyone else right now in terms of presence and knowing his character. He stalled before the match, yelling at the crowd for being on Team Kenny and called Gordon a flat earther. He told Brandy and Bury the Bear at ringside that that they were all leaving. Eventually, Cody came back in and they did start having a match. Brandi played possum by pretending to take a bump early, so when Flip had his back turned she grabbed him, allowing Cody to strike him for the heat.
Flip came back with a dive and was going for another when Cody caught him on the top rope and attempted a superplex. Flip, well, flipped over him and hit a variation of the cheeky nandos kick Will Ospreay is known for. Cody came back with a moonsault and spiked him with the crossroads. Instead of pinning him, Cody motions that he’s going for another moonsault. He misses, allowing Flip to hit a 450 splash, but Cody kicks out.
Brandi went to the apron to confront Flip. Cody went for the disaster kick but Flip ducked and instead struck Brandi. Flip and Cody argued as Flip started to fight back, but Cody cut him off and hit the crossroads again for the win. This means Flip is still not booked for All In.
Caprice Coleman came out for his talk show, Coleman’s Culpit. He revealed that fans voted for Colt Cabana to come on the show. The Kingdom cut Cabana off as he was about to join Coleman and cut a promo running down SoCal Uncensored and hyped up tonight’s main event.
Silas Young, Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas defeated Chucky T, Cheeseburger and ROH TV champion Kenny King
This was solid, it told a nice story. I thought the spots between the big men (Milonas and Bruiser) and Cheeseburger were pretty good. Cheeseburger is a substitute for Baretta, who tore his pectoral and triceps muscles a few weeks ago and is out for the foreseeable future. He and Chucky T’s team are apparently called Chucky Cheese.
Kenny King and Silas Young had a good exchange early. Milonas and Bruiser worked on Cheeseburger. King made the hot tag. Cheeseburger went for a dive but Young smacked him. King followed through instead did a dive on Silas as they brawled to the back. The two big guys were in the ring with the miniscule Cheeseburger. Milonas took Cheeseburger to the top rope and launched off with a superplex, then Beer City Bruiser followed with the frog splash, in a tandem move they call the Last Call for the win.
Dalton Castle and Volador Jr. defeated Ultimo Guerrero and Jay Lethal
This was a great match. Castle and Lethal started things off, then Volador and Guerrero went at it. The latter two looked great. This turned into a really good match; Ultimo Guerrero knows exactly how to get a crowd into a match and Lethal did some great dives. He took out Castle and the Boys on the outside with a suicide dive at one point. Lots of frentic back and forth action. Lethal went for the Lethal Injection on Volador but he blocked it, allowing Castle and Ultimo Guerrero to at it. Volador stepped in and scored the win for his team with the Volador spiral on Guerrero.
Bullet Club (Hangman Page, Marty Scurll and The Young Bucks) defeated The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia and TK O’Ryan) and Shane Taylor
An absolutely crazy match, full of wild dives, crazy spots and a hot crowd. It’s your usual great Young Bucks/Bullet Club match where they put out all the stops, and people were super into it as a result.
So an Ultimate Mayhem match is akin to a War Games match in that two men start the match, with more coming in as time progresses and a winner can only be determined when all eight men are in the ring. There’s no rules beyond that, so there were a lot of weapons used during the bout.
Taven and Scurll started things off for their team. The Kingdom won the coin toss, with Vinny Marseglia coming in from what may have been under the ring. Matt Jackson came out not too long after that to even the odds, wiping out Taven with a dive off the stairs, ran to the ring and took out Marseglia with a dive to the floor. TK O’Ryan came in next, masquerading as a Bullet Club fan. He took out Matt Jackson with a trash can and was being escorted out when he revealed himself.
Nick Jackson entered the match next and was able to take out The Kingdom on his own. Matt joined in as the two continued to dominate. Matt put Marseglia through a table with an elbow. Shane Taylor came in and cleaned house on the Bullet Club. He got a table and was setting it up as Hangman Page came out with a steel chair and started whalloping people with it. He took out the Kingdon and Taylor on the outside with moonsaults, then the Young Bucks followed, then a hesitant Marty Scurll pulled one off as well.
Hangman Page went to the balcony and did an amazing dive off the balcony to the floor, wiping out pretty much anyone who could catch him. He met Shane Taylor in the ring and tried for the Rites of Passage but couldn’t get it. The Young Bucks came in and started to wipe people out with superkicks. Marseglia put Page through a table as the Kingdom started to get their heat back. So much crazy stuff going on, including a shooting star Indytaker and another Indytaker on the outside. O’Ryan was put through a table as well. Nick Jackson jumped off the top rope to the outside with a 450 splash, taking out Shane Taylor who was, you guessed it, on a table.
O’Ryan was put back in the ring, where Hangman Page grabbed him and finished him with the Rites of Passage for the win. Overall, a pretty good show with the top two matches delivering.
Previously: Johnny Impact defeated Ethan Carter III in a number one contender’s match.
Tonight: Eddie Edwards takes on Callahan in the main event.
Show Recap —
Tyrus defeated Ethan Carter III
Tyrus was firmly in control and nothing EC3 did hurt him. EC3 kept stalling by going to the floor and finally gained the advantage and knocked Tyrus down.
Tyrus made a comeback and used the Tongan Death Grip slam for the win.
– Backstage, Sami Callihan promised to defeat Eddie Edwards later in the main event.
El Hijo Del Fantasma defeated Braxton Sutter
Fantasma was on fire early until Sutter cut him off. Fantasma fought back and hit a suicide dive, then Sutter scored a near fall with his feet on the ropes. Fantasma hit the Thrill of the Hunt for the win.
After the match, Sutter cut a heel promo and pointed out that Allie wasn’t there because she ruins lives. He claimed he’s the biggest star in the company but didn’t even get an entrance tonight.
Brian Cage came down to the ring and beat down Sutter. Cage then gave him the Drill Claw.
– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Matt Sydal before Taiji Ishimori interrupted. He challenged Sydal to put the Grand Championship on the line next week against his X Division Championship.
Kongo Kong (w/ Jimmy Jacobs) defeated Joseph Park
Kong completely dominated Park and won easily with a splash off the top.
Following the match, Jacobs asked one more time for Abyss. Kong choked out Park with a scarf. Jacobs told Park they’re just getting started.
– Caleb Konley threw a party, but Trevor Lee wasn’t impressed. They celebrated stealing LAX’s bandanas. The only guests were the Mumbai Cats, with Lee apologizing for attacking them a few weeks ago.
Konnan approached and mocked the heels. The Cats removed their masks to reveal Santana and Ortiz. They beat down Lee and Konley and threw them in a pool.
Rosemary defeated Hania
Hania was briefly in control before Rosemary gained the advantage. Rosemary used the upside down, a missile drop kick, and a spear. She then hit the Red Wedding for the win.
Rosemary promised to win the Knockouts Championship. The returning Taya Valkyrie interrupted her. Valkyrie attacked Rosemary from behind and beat her down, giving Rosemary the Road to Valhalla on the ramp.
Flashback Moment of the Week: Eddie Edwards defeated Bobby Lashley to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The story of the match was that Lashley had picked Edwards because he wanted the easy win. Edwards hit two suicide dives, but he missed the third and crashed hard into the guardrail.
Lashley attempted the spear, but Edwards countered with the Boston Knee Party to win the championship.
– Laurel Van Ness had a commitment ceremony with the Knockouts Championship. KM was the minister and the belt had a blue bow tie. KM asked if anyone had any objections — and Braxton Sutter came out in a neck brace.
Sutter told Van Ness that he made a mistake by picking Allie. He tried to propose to Van Ness, but she kicked him out of the ring. Van Ness made KM ask if anyone had any objections again. Allie snuck up from behind in a disguise and jumped her.
Eddie Edwards defeated Sami Callihan (w/ OVE)
They started out hitting each other with suicide dives. Edwards had the upper hand as they brawled around ringside. OVE tried interfering, but the referee sent them to the back. Callihan took advantage and kicked Edwards in the face.
Edwards made a brief comeback until Callihan gave him a piledriver on the apron. Edwards made a fiery comeback and executed a superplex. They exchanged stiff shots in the middle of the ring, then Edwards rolled up Callihan for the win.
After the match, Callihan grabbed his baseball bat but Edwards tried fighting back. OVE jumped Bobby Lashley in the back.
Callihan placed a chair on Edwards and hit the chair with the bat, but it ricocheted and hit Edwards in the face. Edwards was injured and rolled out of the ring.
Next Week: Impact presents Crossroads featuring a loaded lineup:
Impact World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries defending against Johnny Impact
Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness defending against Allie
Grand Champion Matt Sydal vs. X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori
Impact World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions LAX defending against Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley
The Big News: Killian Dain laid out Aleister Black to end the show in an effort to prove he’s the number one contender to NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas.
The Medium News: Shayna Baszler avenged her loss in the finals of the Mae Young Classic, forcing Kairi Sane to tap out.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Baszler then promised to either take Ember Moon’s title or rip one of her limbs off the next time they wrestle.
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Velveteen Dream defeated Tyler Bate
Bate ran wild early, but Dream used his superior size to gain the advantage on the first United Kingdom Champion. Bate hasn’t won much since losing the title — and this match didn’t change matters.
Bate made his comeback and began his trademark airplane spin, but Dream got out of it before Bate could really get going. Bate hit several hard European uppercuts until being sent into the corner. Upon rebounding back, he knocked heads with Dream. Bate was able to stop him on the top rope momentarily, but Dream dropped him groin-first on the ropes and then pinned him with a Purple Rainmaker.
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Paul Ellering cut a promo regarding the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He mentioned The Authors of Pain won the last tournament and this represents the road back to the NXT Tag Team titles. Akam and Rezar stepped in and said they will win.
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Earlier this week, William Regal signed the documents officially terminating Johnny Gargano from NXT. Gargano will fulfill any of his obligations, including on house shows, but he’ll be done in a few weeks.
The referee of the match apologized for his mistake that led to Gargano losing. Gargano accepted his apology and signed the termination papers.
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Adam Cole defeated Cezar Bononi
Before the match started, Cole took the mic and offered Bononi a spot in Undisputed Era. The crowd cheered him and encouraged Bononi to do it. While Bononi figured things out, Cole punched him in the face to start the bout.
Bononi looked good, including getting a near fall with a Michinoku Driver, but he got superkicked and pinned after a running knee to the back of his neck.
Cole put the boots to Bononi after the match.
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The Street Profits did a video where they approached each other on the street and asked each other who would win the Dusty Classic. Shockingly, they both said The Street Profits would win.
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The brackets for the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are as follows:
The Street Profits vs. Heavy Machinery
TM61 vs. The Authors of Pain in a rematch from the 2016 finals
Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss vs SAnitY
Tyler Bate & Trent Seven vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
There are only eight teams, as opposed to 16 in the first two Classics. TM61 vs. AOP will be next week.
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Shayna Baszler defeated Kairi Sane
This was a rematch from the Mae Young Classic finals, which was won by Sane. They grappled for the early advantage until Sane ran face-first into Baszler’s knee, giving Baszler the advantage.
Baszler turned Sane’s arm every which way to set up her armbar, but Sane got out of it by rolling up Baszler for a two count. Sane hit the Interceptor Spear, which is where she rebounds off the ropes perpendicularly from her opponent. Baszler came back and went for a suplex, but Sane took her head off with a spinning back fist.
Sane went up top for the Insane Elbow, but Baszler hopped up and dropped Sane with a suplex that she turned into the rear naked choke! Sane had no choice but to tap out as Baszler picked up a huge win.
Baszler yelled at the announcers after the match, saying Ember Moon is a coward. If Moon ever accepts her challenge, she vows to either leave with Moon’s title or a limb.
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The show ended with an appearance by the NXT Champion, El Idolo himself, Andrade “Cien” Almas. Zelina Vega called Almas the greatest champion in NXT history and “Mr. 4-0” since he beat Gargano four times. Vega wondered who cares about the respect of the fans. They care about money and power. She helped create Almas and that’s why he is now champion.
Almas talked about Gargano challenging him again and again and again and again and losing. He was in an exceptionally good mood. Almas took Johnny Wrestling and made him Johnny Jobless.
Vega wondered if Gargano is “Johnny Wrestling,” what does that make Almas? Almas finished by shouting that it makes him the NXT Champion.
As they walked up the ramp to leave, Aleister Black came out a side entrance to confront the champion. Before Black could say anything, SAnitY’s music hit and Killian Dain came out. Dain and Black stared each other down before brawling. Dain ducked the Black Mass and laid him out with The Divide. Almas and Vega went to the back laughing as the show ended.
So, that does it for this week! Who will be the next number one contender? Will we find out next week? Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.
The undefeated streak remains intact as Asuka teamed with The Miz to advance in the mixed tag team tournament. Asuka & Miz won their second round match by defeating Sasha Banks & Finn Balor on the seventh episode of Mixed Match Challenge from Los Angeles.
Asuka trying to protect her winning streak was the main story of the match — with her remainig undefeated since 2015. In a sub-plot, The Miz was looking to avenge a loss to Finn Balor from the previous night on Raw. Miz would eventually score the deciding the pinfall in the mixed tag match.
Asuka & Miz move on to a semifinal match in week ten of the tournament. Sasha & Finn are seemingly eliminated from the tournament, but an upcoming fan vote could possibly save them. The voting will save one team by adding them to the semifinal match in week eleven.
In a philanthropic aspect of the show, each team in the tournament competes on behalf of a charity. Asuka & Miz are representing Rescue Dogs Rock as their charity — while Sasha Banks & Finn Balor has the Special Olympics as their charity. The winning team gets $100,000 donated to their charity, and all other charities each receive $10,000.
Asuka & The Miz defeated Sasha Banks & Finn Balor
Miz pinned Finn after reversing a crossface into a cradle. The undefeated streak of Asuka continues as she and Miz advance to the next round in the tournament. With less gaga than in previous tournament matches, there was still plenty of walking and talking early on.
Miz tried to cut a promo after the bell rang to start the match. Finn swooped in to attempt several roll-ups. Though Miz kept kicking out, an animated Asuka showed concern for her winning streak. Finn kept out-wrestling Miz, so Asuka made a blind tag. Her and Sasha turned up the intensity in the match.
A hot tag saw Finn run wild on Miz. Asuka jumped in the ring to break up a pinning attempt to save her streak. Miz delivered the Skull Crushing Finale on Finn. Sasha broke up the pin to make a save. That led to Finn jumping off the top rope for the Coup de Grace. Asuka again jumped in to break up the pin.
Heading into the finish, Sasha caught Asuka to apply the Bank Statement. Meanwhile, Finn applied a crossface on Miz. Asuka countered to trap Sasha in the Asuka Lock. Seeing Sasha in peril distracted Finn, which allowed Miz to cradle him for the pinfall.
Next week the tournament rolls on with another second round match. Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman meet Naomi & Jimmy Uso in a second round match next Tuesday.
Date: February 27, 2018 Location: Staples Centre in Los Angeles, CA
The Big Takeaway —
John Cena beat AJ Styles clean in a non-title match and will now be in a 6-pack challenge for the WWE title at Fastlane (along with Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler).
There was also a great promo segment with The Usos and New Day.
Show Recap —
No intro again this week. John Cena came out to a big reaction and people singing “John Cena sucks.” Tom Phillips said this was Cena’s first Smackdown appearance in 6 months. I think Byron Saxton claimed tonight was Cena’s final opportunity to find something for WrestleMania.
Cena was in a good mood and said he was like 99.9% of the Smackdown roster, trying to find his way to WrestleMania. He said Shinsuke Nakamura was the only one with a guaranteed match at the show. Cena wanted in the Fatal 5-Way match for the WWE Title at Fastlane and wanted to know how he could make that happen. That brought out Shane McMahon.
Shane welcomed him to Smackdown and shook his hand. As Shane spoke, the crowd started dueling chants for Cena. Shane was sweating as he explained what it would mean if Cena won. Again the crowd interrupted, this time to chant “Rusev Day.” Shane reminded us that if Cena won the title, he would become 17-time champion.
He called Smackdown the land of opportunity when Daniel Bryan interrupted. Bryan shook the hands of both men. Bryan said he and Shane were on the same page for once. He said every guy who was in the title match earned their opportunity, and Cena could do the same if he won in the main event tonight. Cena was in and wanted to know his opponent.
Bryan booked Cena vs. AJ Styles which got a big reaction. Cena visibly gulped and took a serious look at the WrestleMania sign as Bryan led a Yes chant.
Baron Corbin defeated Sami Zayn (9:40)
They’ve been doing this for a few weeks now, but instead of showing a video replay of Corbin laying out Zayn and Kevin Owens last week, they showed still pictures as if it happened on PPV.
Owens was on commentary and he made a crack about Corbin’s hairline. He also completely buried Saxton. After Zayn backdropped Corbin over the barricade, they cut to Bryan and Shane watching the match backstage. Shane questioned Bryan allowing Owens to be on commentary. Bryan said Owens was great on commentary, but Shane argued that he was likely to interfere. Bryan smirked as he said there was no reason for Owens to interfere.
After a break, Zayn had Corbin in a headlock as the crowd chanted Rusev Day. Again they cut backstage. Shane reappeared after retrieving popcorn and Bryan tried to convince him Owens has been entertaining on commentary so far. He was. After Corbin fell to the outside, Owens remarked, “too bad he didn’t twist his ankle.”
After Zayn got a two count on a tornado DDT, Dolph Ziggler suddenly appeared and kicked Owens right in the back of the head (payback from last week). Zayn was distracted, so Corbin hit End of Days for the win. Afterwards, Ziggler jumped in the ring and hit Corbin with a Zig-Zag.
Backstage, Shane told Bryan that “his boys” got what was coming to them and wryly suggested he go check on them. Bryan said Shane seemed to have everything under control tonight and asked if he could go home and be with his wife and kid (as if he has a normal commute to work). Shane was happy to oblige and Bryan left.
After a break, Zayn ranted about what happened, then complained to Shane who showed up still eating popcorn. Shane said maybe they should follow Bryan home and joked that Brie hates it when they’re late for dinner. Zayn flipped out.
Naomi, Lynch and Charlotte received separate entrances. Naomi slapped Riott in the face, then all six women had a staredown outside the ring leading a commercial break a minute into the match.
After the break, the heel had the face in a rest hold. They cut backstage again mid-match to let us know that Carmella would be taking Twitter questions. They showed Carmella staring at her phone. She said nothing. There’s a match happening.
Back to the match, Riott and Naomi each ducked kick attempts, then they hit each other at the same time. Naomi followed with a Disaster kick for two. Riott later countered a bulldog and hit a Riott Kick for the clean win.
Breezango were backstage looking pictures of all the cases they’ve solved when Josh Duhamel (an actor) showed up. They made jokes about him being on a show called Unsolved. Duhamel plugged an upcoming episode about Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. This led to New Day showing up and Fandango thinking the show was about Big E, not Biggie. Anyway, Breezango were disappointed to learn Duhamel wasn’t a real detective. Fandango was amusing here but this segment wasn’t good.
The New Day came out for a promo. Phillips said they had a “heart-stopping” rivalry against the Usos. Big E said their rivalry was hotter than his inner thighs during the summer… and winter. He asked Kofi Kingston to spritz his thighs, so he did. Xavier Woods tried to continue the promo, but Big E twice asked Kingston to spritz him again. The crowd didn’t react to any of this.
New Day said they would win the titles and go on to WrestleMania. The Usos came out and reminded New Day what happened last time they faced off. The Usos said they used to be just like the New Day, dancing around looking like a box of Skittles. They said they’ve been working for nine years to get to WrestleMania, but every year they’ve been sidelined. They said this year was their time and the crowd cheered. This year they were the starters, they were the all-stars, and the New Day were on the sidelines.
Before they could finish, Big E cut them off. He said they hosted WrestleMania while the Usos hung out in catering. They didn’t get there because of their daddies, they took their spots instead of staying on the sidelines. He said they would take what belongs to the Usos and become 5-time tag champs. An Uso slapped the mic out of his hand on they got in each others’ faces.
The Bludgeon Brothers interrupted and entered the ring with their mallets. The Usos and New Day slowly backed off and that was it. The crowd taunted both teams for being scared. This segment was really good before Harper and Rowan showed up. I like them just fine, but they really should’ve ended with the promo by Big E (assuming this isn’t turning into a threeway, I guess).
They showed Aiden English and Rusev confronting Shane backstage earlier tonight (when Shane’s shirt was still dry). English complain about the two of them being left off the show for the past few weeks. Shane said English would have a match tonight. The crowd was disappointed it wasn’t Rusev, but cheered when Shane said the match was against Nakamura. English looked at Rusev who kind of smirked and shrugged, which was probably his genuine reaction.
Ziggler cut a selfie promo where he claimed he was the greatest athlete in WWE history and he would main event WrestleMania. Words popped up on the screen during his promo. So, are the wrestlers taping promos and submitting them to management so words can get added? What’s the explanation for this?
Renee Young interviewed Bobby Roode. Roode was excited for his first-ever match against Randy Orton. He wanted to be the greatest US champion ever and knew he’d have to go through a guy like Orton, who doesn’t appear to like him. Roode thought it might be because of the list.
Orton showed up and said it wasn’t the list, it was the title. Orton said the US title was the only one he hasn’t held in 16 years and would run through Roode to take it. This was simple and good. (Although, Roode needs to stop saying he wants to be the greatest US champion ever. He’s a babyface and has only been champion a short time.)
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Aiden English (w/Rusev) (6:20)
English sang a song about L.A., calling it smog-filled and bland. He took a shot at Nakamura and said the fans didn’t deserve to celebrate Rusev Day. Rusev liked this song very much.
Nakamura won with Kinshasa. English took too much of the match, aided by some interference by Rusev. Nakamura made a comeback and won anyway. Rusev looked disappointed in English. The crowd liked Nakamura a lot but there were also big chants for Rusev Day.
As Nakamura exited, Cena entered for his match. They had a brief staredown, then they both pointed at the WrestleMania sign. A true universal language.
They showed “Youtube Superstar” Lilly Singh at ringside.
Non-title: John Cena defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles (21:55)
The crowd chanted for Styles as the match began. Owens and Zayn watched from backstage. The announcers are hammering home the idea that if Cena doesn’t win, his streak of WrestleMania matches comes to an end.
The match got off to a clunky start with Cena in control. He hit the worst tornado DDT for a two count. After a break, Cena ducked a clothesline and hit five knuckle shuffle. Styles countered an AA attempt into a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for two. Cena followed with a TKO (sort of) for two, then Styles hit a rack bomb for two.
They cut backstage a few more times to show shirtless Baron Corbin watching the match, as well as Owens and Zayn again. Cena hit a big running clothesline for two. Cena charged at Styles but Styles knocked him down with an enziguri. Commercial break.
During commercial, Styles hit a Styles Clash for a nearfall, and Cena hit an AA for a nearfall. Yes, that all happened during the break. After the break, Styles hit a big clothesline for two. Styles tried lionsault, but Cena moved and used a Code Red for two. Cena then applied the STF but Styles rolled into a cover for two.
Styles again avoided a charge from Cena, who bounced off the turnbuckle. Styles hit the Phenomenal forearm but Cena kicked out. “This is awesome” chants. Styles went for a 450 splash but Cena got his knees up. Cena hit an AA, rolled through and went for another, but Styles managed to slip outside the ring.
Styles again dodged a charge from Cena who crashed into the steel steps. The referee started to count out Cena but Styles told him to stop counting and went after Cena. Cena grabbed him and gave him an AA through the table. Styles just barely made it back in the ring to avoid the countout.
Cena was stunned and went after him, but Styles grabbed him and applied the Calf Crusher. Cena slipped out of it and hit another AA for the pinfall win. Cena is in the Fastlane title match, which is now a 6-pack challenge.
After the match, Owens and Zayn came out. As Cena watched them enter, Corbin jumped him from behind. The three of them put the boots to Cena until Ziggler ran out for the save. Ziggler fended off the three heels and stood with Styles and Cena.
The referee yelled “twenty seconds!” at them as the clock approached 10:00pm eastern. I think Cena also yelled “Let’s go!” at Ziggler (or something along those lines). Ziggler clocked Styles with a punch, Cena gave Ziggler the quickest AA and they went off the air.
The Big Takeaway: It appears the direction for WrestleMania is a tag team match with HHH and Stephanie McMahon facing Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle. The four of them were together for the show closing angle, which ended with Angle claiming he made up the story from the Elimination Chamber segment where Stephanie said Rousey was washed up. It ended when HHH decked Angle with a right hand. Reigns vs. Lesnar is official. Lesnar didn’t appear on the show, and Reigns did an interview where he claimed that Lesnar left the arena unexpectedly and he was sick of Lesnar’s attitude of being a high-paid part-timer while everyone else worked their ass off. Reigns’ didn’t comment about the show closing angle, mind you. In the opening match, Sasha Banks and Bayley turned on each other. Banks slapped Bayley for a tag during a six-woman’s match. Later, Banks tried to make a hot tag, but Bayley jumped off the apron just as Banks was within arm’s distance. It was amazing how little attention the announcers paid to Bayley and Banks breaking up after it had been teased for well over a year. It was never mentioned again for the final two-and-a-half hours.
Show Recap:
Alexa Bliss and Mickie James came out. They’re now a duo, so James has turned heel sans an angle to explain it all. Bliss bragged about how everyone will be talking about her victories ten years down the line. She put over James as someone who the rest of the locker room could learn from, despite their differences from the past. Bliss said Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille have a promising future, just not while she’s champion. Bliss said Bayley was a sad situation. As for Sasha Banks, Bliss said she capatailized on Bliss’ biggest weakness, her massive ego. Bliss said this was her year and she pointed to the WrestleMania sign. She said she was going to break Asuka’s undefeated streak.
Asuka came out. There was a chant of “Asuka is going to kill you.” Bliss couldn’t believe that Asuka pranced out there like she was healthy because Nia Jax crushed Asuka last night. Bliss thought Jax was dominating Asuka so much she was going to win, but Jax made one little mistake that Asuak capatalized on. Bliss said very slowly in English that she knows that Asuka is hurt more than she’s letting on. Jax came out and plowed right over Asuka. Jax tried to power bomb Asuka, but Asuka clamped on an armbar. Bliss and James jumped Asuka, but Bayley and Banks ran out for the save. Bayley and Banks gave Bliss a double drop kick, but Jax took out Bayley and Banks. Asuka gave Jax a spin kick to the head, but Bliss and James attacked Asuka from behind to lay her out and the heels left the faces on the mat. This led to a trios match immediately.
Bayley, Sasha Banks and Asuka defeated Nia Jax, Mickie James and Alexa Bliss via tapout (12:58)
Story of the match was Bayley and Banks finally turned on each other. Early on, Banks slapped Bayley hard when making a tag. Banks gave James and Bliss a double kick while they were standing on the floor, but Jax again lowered her shoulder and flattened Banks, who bounced off the floor like a rubber ball against a cinderblock. After Bliss suckerpunched Asuka, Banks reached over for the hot tag, but Bayley jumped off the apron and turned on Banks. James tried to pin Banks with a O’Connor roll, but Banks kicked out and made the hot tag to Asuka, who threw several buzzsaw kicks to James and knocked Jax off the apron with a keyster bump. Bliss ran in for the save, but Bayley gave Bliss a Bayley-to-belly to help Asuka. James went for a reverse neckbreaker, but Asuka caught her with the flying armbar for the tapout.
John Cena came out to address his plans for WrestleMania after losing in the Elimination Chamber. He got a mixed reaction, to be charitable. Cena looked despondent and admitted he failed last night, and in a moment of failure, he was immedaitely rushed into a room in front of a microphone, where he felt demoralzied. Cena said from the reaction in the arena tonight, you go through failure alone. Your character is put to the test when your back is against the wall, and for him that time was now. Cena said he spent five minutes feeling sorry for himself, then he began to move forward and he vowed that he would figure it out, which would be his road to WrestleMania. He thought that road would be the Royal Rumble, but he failed. He thought that road would be the Elimination Chamber, but he failed. There was a small “Cena sucks” chant that broke out and Cena stopped for about 30 seconds to gather himself. Cena said when you fail, the disappointment is on you. He said failure gives you two choices, you stay down or you get up. Cena said he’s going to do something he should have done a long time ago, which is put out a WrestleMania challenge to the Undertaker. The place roared. Cena said there were 39 WrestleManias between the two of them but they have never stood face-to-face in any of them. Yet Cena said that match is…not happening. Cena said he doesn’t make the matches and as obvious as it seems, he was told that match is not happening because that match is not possible. Crowd booed. Cena said everyone now understands the disappointment he felt like night. So tomorrow night, he will go to SmackDown as a free agent and try to find a way to earn his spot at WrestleMania.
Bray Wyatt came out. Rhyno and Heath Slater were in the ring, but Wyatt jumped both of them before the bell. Crowd chanted “delete.” The bell never sounded as Wyatt gave Slater SIster Abigail and then to Rhyno. Wyatt cut a promo telling Matt Hardy that he led innocent men to slaughter. Wyatt said it wasn’t over between he and Hardy. He said Hardy will face him again and he will make sure Hardy’s Woken eyes stay shut forever. Wyatt said he was coming for Hardy and told him to run.
They replayed the Ronda Rousey angle from last night.
The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas came out. Miz couldn’t understand why the road to WrestleMania was in Anaheim, which is 45 minutes from Los Angeles. He could be in L.A. pitching his next movie idea to Jennifer Lawrence, but instead he’s in a town where you stand next to a guy in a Donald Duck outfit, if you’re lucky. In 62 days, he will become the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. Not Shawn Michaels, not Bret Hart, not Reigns, not Chris Jericho, not Edge, him. MIz was upset that he wasn’t in the main event at WrestleMania. He said his dream will live on because he has the Intercontinental Championship. He said Kurt Angle doesn’t understand how to treat he superstars. Miz said Angle told him earlier that his opponent for tonight may determine who he faces at WrestleMania. Miz was out of his mind upset. He said regardless of who comes out, he will kick his butt. Seth Rollins walked out.
Seth Rollins defeated Intercontinental Champion The Miz (with Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) in a nontitle match (13:12)
Rollins hit the sling blade on Miz, then followed with the Blockbuster. Miz pulled Rollins into the ropes and landed the Pimp Juice DDT. Miz hit a series of flying dropkicks and a clothesline in the corner. Rollins came back with the superplex/Falcoln Arrow combination for a good near fall. That’s become the latest spot where the fans think it’s the finish even though it never is the finish. Rollins was tripped by Axel and Miz attempted the Skull Crushing Finale, but Rollins turned it into a cradle for a near fall. Rollins gave Axel a tope, kicked Miz out of the ring and gave Miz, Dallas and Axel a tope. Rollins gave Miz the Rainmaker Knee, which is now called the Revolution Knee. Even though Miz was 3/4ers of the way across the ring, Rollins hit the Frog Splash for the pin.
Immediately after Rollins got the pin, Finn Balor came out. Rollins stayed in the ring but walked out shaking his head as Balor did his ring entrance.
After a commercial, Michael Cole announced that Miz would also be facing Balor, for some reason. So the first thing that happened was Axel jumped in the ring to attack Balor, and Dallas joined in. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out for the save. Gallows, Anderson, Axel and Dallas brawled to the back. Then Angle popped up on the screen and said Miz would be facing Balor tonight and ordered the match to be restarted with Dallas, Axel, Gallows and Anderson barred from ringside. Miz said if Axel or Dallas interfered, then Miz wouldn’t be going to WrestleMania.
Finn Balor defeated Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a nontitle match with Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows barred from ringside (11:13)
The original match lasted :24 before Angle restarted it. Miz, after having gone over 13 minutes with Rollins in a good match, was still the heel even though he was wrestling his second straight match against a babyface. This led to Cole, Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman arguing endlessly to the point it took away from the match.. Balor hit a double stomp and the Final Cut for a two count. Miz attempted the Skull Crushing Finale but Balor turned it into a cradle. Then Miz hit his reverse DDT/neckbreaker combination. Balor fought back with the Woo Dropkick and the Coup de Grace. Graves screamed about potentially bringing out Outback Jack, Mantaur or Abe “Knuckleball’ Schwartz coming out to face Miz, as well.
Rollins watched this match from backstage and did an interview with Renee Young saying he wanted Miz and the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. Rollins also ran down Balor for showing up after his victory because that wasn’t the way to handle business
Reigns walked out to mainly boos. Keep in mind that Reigns and Lesnar were supposed to have a face-to-face confrontation tonight. Regins said the truth was a funny word. Looking like he had something on his mind, Reigns looked cautious, then said he was going to tell the truth, even though it may be unpopular with the folks in the back. This led to a “shoot angle.” Reigns said the truth was Lesnar wasn’t here. Reigns said Lesnar was an entitled piece of crap who hides behind his contract. Reigns said Lesnar wasn’t at Elimination Chamber last night because he was running around the Las Vegas strip taking selfies with Dana White. Reigns said Lesnar just shows up whenever the money was right or when the city was right and he was sick of it. Reigns said he and the rest of the crew show up every night and they were all sick of it. Reigns said Paul Heyman will say that he and Lesnar are businessmen, but Reigns said he was brought up in this business and he’s learned to respect the business. He said he doesn’t respect Lesnar and he damn sure doesn’t fear the bitch. Reigns said he’s said enough and take his ass chewing like a man because, unlike some people, he actually respects this place.
Raw Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro defeated Apollo and Titus O’Neil (with Dana Brooke) in a best-of-three falls match to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (11:18)
Cole said that Angle ordered this rematch after Cesaro and Sheamus won last night. That led to Twitter barbs between the two sides during the day today where O’Neil reminded Sheamus that he and Apollo had beaten Sheamus and Cesaro in three nontitle matches over the past six weeks. Sheamus pinned O’Neil with a Brogue Kick in :10 to take the first fall. Cesaro acted like he was going to start, ran toward Cesaro, then rolled out of the ring, leading to Sheamus landing his finisher. Apollo hit the press slam followed by a standing moonsault on Cesaro. Apollo hit a dive on both Cesaro and Sheamus. O’Neil hit the Clash of the Titus where he nearly dropped Sheamus on his head. Sheamus kicked out. Apollo got a schoolboy cradle, an enzuigiri and a standing moonsault on Sheamus, but he kicked out. Apollo hit a pescado on Sheamus, then went to the top rope. Cesaro grabbed Apollo to crotch him, tagged in and pinned Apollo with the spiked White Noise to take the match in straight falls.
Charly Caruso did an interview with Cesaro and Sheamus. Cesaro told a joke that said two men walk in a bar. Sheamus added that two men can’t walk in a bar and get up, just ask the Hardy Boyz or Dean Ambrose. Cesaro said “What about what we did to Jason Jordan?” Sheamus said “Who?” Part of the crowd began doing the New Day chant of “Who? Who? Who?” Sheamus said they were going to be punished at WrestleMania because there was no one left to face since they had defeated everyone.
They announced the winner of the Warrior Award to Jarrius “JJ” Robertson and told his touching story.
Elias was back for another performance. Elias said last night didn’t go as he planned, but he’s been down many roads in his life and his path to WrestleMania won’t be derailed. Elias was not going to treat himself to a performance tonight, but then he heard Braun Strowman called his music noise pollution. Elias said Strowman criticized him because Strowman wants to be him, and he doesn’t blame Strowman. Elias said every word uttered from Graves’ face is noise pollution, every word uttered by the fans is noise pollution. But his music was a gift. Elias started to strum on the guitar and sang about how a monster will be slayed and he will make him more ugly than the people of Anaheim. He said Braun wants to be him, he knows that much is true, but he can’t hold a candle to Elias, just like all of you. Strowman came out for the start of a match.
Braun Strowman defeated Elias by DQ (5:00)
Even though Strowman has received the best babyface reaction of anyone on the Raw roster so far this year, the fans seemed worn out and was quiet. Strowman threw Elias around the corners and into the barricade on the floor. Elias tried to run away under the ring. As Strowman pulled him back out, Elias pulled out a fire extinguisher and sprayed it in his face. Elias rammed the fire extinguisher into his midsection, but even that only stunned Strowman, who grabbed Elias by the throat and gave him an uppercut. Strowman chased Elias up the ramp and decked him from behind. Strowman tried to powerslam Elias through the commentator’s table, but Elias escaped out the backdoor and ran backstage. Strowman tried to chase him down. Elias got away. As Strowman screamed at Elias, a limosuine pulled up.
Next week, Asuka faces Jax.
HHH and Stephanie McMahon came out. HHH didn’t look happy after being thrown through a table by Rousey last night. Stephanie said last night was supposed to be one of the highlights of their executive careers, the signing of Rousey. But because of Angle, things went horribly wrong. Rousey claimed that Angle had double pnueumonia and said things that were wrong. It led Rousey to take actions that may have been in line in the world of Mixed Martial Arts but not here in the WWE. They replayed the angle from last night for the fourth time tonight. Stephanie said that Ronda acted out a savage instinct the way she was trained. She understood that, but she had to get physical with Stephanie to speak her language. Now that Ronda has signed her contract, Ronda speaks to her and the WWE now owns Ronda Rousey. So Stephanie wanted an apology from Angle.
She called for Angle to come out, but Ronda came out with fire in her eye. HHH and Stephanie got out of the ring but Angle stopped her. Angle said he just wanted to say one thing: that her coming to the WWE was the best decision she ever made. Ronda said she meant everything she said last night. She wants this more than anything, but she’s never been slapped in her life. She refuses to be disrespected and she is no one’s property. Angle said this is a different world that Ronda is used to and she has to learn how to work within the system.Angle said he needs this job and last night, he lied. He doesn’t know why he lied but he misheard what Stephanie and HHH said about him. Those statements he said last night weren’t true. Angle said he was sorry. Stephanie thanked Kurt and said they weren’t horrible people. Stephanie wanted to put this all behind them and make her the superstar she deserves to be. Stephanie started to leave.
Ronda said they haven’t addressed Stephanie’s slap. Ronda said if they want to put everything behind us, Stephanie needs to apologize to her. And if Stephanie doesn’t, she won’t hesistate to rip Stephanie’s arm out of his socket. Crowd chanted “rip it off.” Stephanie got in Ronda’s face and said she was terribly sorry, she put her husband through a table and she was sorry. Stephanie again started to leave but HHH gave Angle a cheap shot to flatten him. It may have been the worst looking punch of HHH’s career. HHH and Stephanie left.
Raw’s biggest remaining stop on the road to WrestleMania takes place tonight as the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada hosts Elimination Chamber.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
The show, which is the final Raw-exclusive pay-per-view, will feature two Elimination Chamber matches. The men’s match has Braun Strowman, Elias, John Cena, Roman Reigns, The Miz, Seth Rollins, and Finn Balor facing off for the right to challenge Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. And the women’s match has Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defending her title against Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville.
A contract signing with Ronda Rousey is also scheduled. It will be Rousey’s second appearance since joining WWE.
Asuka vs. Nia Jax is set as well (with Jax getting added to the Raw Women’s title match at WrestleMania if she wins), Matt Hardy will face Bray Wyatt, and Titus O’Neil & Apollo will challenge for Cesaro & Sheamus’ Tag Team titles.
The pre-show has Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson taking on Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas. Our coverage begins with that match before the main card kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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By Dave Meltzer
LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON VS. CURTIS AXEL & BO DALLAS
Typical preshow match. So-so match ending when Axel was pinned by Anderson after the magic killer.
They cut right to The Revival after the match so it looks like they are back working with Gallows & Anderson.
WOMEN’S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR WOMEN’S TITLE: ALEXA BLISS VS. SASHA BANKS VS. BAYLEY VS. SONYA DEVILLE VS. MANDY ROSE VS. MICKIE JAMES
Bliss retained the title. They went almost 30:00 and it was fine, just a normal match but really long. It definitely dragged early on but got better toward the end. The biggest spot was James coming off the top of a pod with a Thesz press on Deville to pin her. Banks probalby looked the best of anyone. It opened with Bayley and Deville. The eliminations were Banks beating Rose with the bank statement. James pinned Deville with the Thesz press off the pod. Bayley pinned James with the Bayley-to-belly. Bliss pinned Bayley after La Magistral cradle. And then Bliss pinned Banks after a draping DDT.
Renee Young interviewed Bliss. Fans are chanting “You deserve it” and she said thiank you. Heels in 2018. Bliss said this was for every little girl or woman in the audience who ever dreamed big, this is for all of you. This proves you can be whatever you want to be. Dare to dream and dream big. Then she said the reality is none of you will ever accomplish any of your dreams. And then the fans cheered that. She said the odds were against me and I still won.
Braun Strowman did an interview saying he was going to win and make Brock Lesnar his pet beastie boy and win the chamber.
SHEAMUS & CESARO VS. TITUS O’NEIL & APOLLO FOR THE TAG TEAM TITLE
Sheamus & Cesaro won with a double-team white noise on Apollo after Cesaro chop blocked him. Decent match.
Andre the Giant HBO documentary trailer was shown.
ASUKA VS. NIA JAX
Jax played monster most of the match. Asuka won but hardly was put over. Kind of kills the streak gimmick. Jax threw her around the entire match and Asuka reversed a power bomb into a front rolling cradle.
Jax attacked her after the match and threw her out of the ring. Ja totally no sold her offesne after the mtach and therw her intothe post. She tackled her through the barricade. That spot always gets over.
Bliss did an interview and said “No one is ready for Alexa.” The gimmick is that Jax hurt Asuka so Bliss will have an easier time with her.
Roman Reigns interview. He said Paul Heyman works ten days a year and then waddles out. Reigns said he’s going to Mania and beating Lesnar and winning the champoinship.
MATT HARDY VS. BRAY WYATT
This is the night of okay matches. It was pretty much what you’d expect it to be. Hardy got out of the Sister Abigail and Hardy hit the twist of fate for the pin. The crowd was into the match at the end after crapping on it the entire way, paying no attention to a beach ball in the crowd and doing “Rusev Day” chants.
RONDA ROUSEY SEGMENT
It started with Kurt Angle, Stephanie and HHH coming out. HHH looked tired. HHH said he has scoured the world to get the elite athletes. He said this was the best athlete signing since Kurt Angle. HHH put her over like crazy. He said she paved the way for young women athletes all over the globe and called her the baddest woman on the planet. Rousey came out all smiles. She didn’t get a big initial reaction but nobody booed. Michael Cole put it over like it was a standing ovation. She put over Angle winning an Olympic title. Some fans booed her talking and they were drowned out by a big chant for her. She seemed pretty relieved because you could see she was nervous. She almost cried. Then they showed Cain and DC chanting for her. She tried to endear herself to the crowd by mentioning Roddy Piper. She said he was the inspiration for her MMA career and coming here and said he wants to do him proud and I want to earn the fans’ respect. HHH said she didn’t want anything special in the contract. HHH said she wanted no special travel and no private cars. They said she will be competing at Mania. That got cheers. HHH said she wouildn’t be in a championship match. Rousey said she didn’t want to be given a title match. She wanted to earn it. She was about to sign when HHH and Angle were arguing in the background. She noticed it. She asked if Kurt wanted to say soemthing. Kurt said he’s in awe of HHH and Stephanie, saying they’re brilliant. Kurt said thehy’ve been talking about you as long as he’s been back. Angle said they couldn’t wait to have you because they wanted to manipulate you for them what you did at WrestleMania 21, and then said 31. He said HHH told himn this is three years in the making and now we own the bitch. HHH told Kurt to shut up. Said this isn’t about us. Rousey started with her death stare at this point. HHH said Kurt isn’t feeling well, he was hosptialized with the flu and is having a relapse and he’s going to get Kurt to the doctor. Stephanie did a great job of carrying this. Stephanie said they have been talking about her since WM 31, you did embarrass us but you also impressed us. Stephanie said you are one of the greatest fighters in the world and we’ve been wanting you. Kurt said didn’t you tell me Ronda was a has-been and even you could take her. Stephanie looked stunned. Ronda had the death stare and went after Stephanie. HHH came in and got in between them. Ronda got in HHH’s face. Rousey suplexed HHH through a table. The crowd popped for that. Stephanie freaked out and slapped her. Stephanie got in her face. Crowd was really hot for Ronda’s stare at Stephanie but Stephanie bailed out. That was smart. They shouldn’t touch now. Rousey then signed the contract.
MEN’S CHAMBER MATCH: THE MIZ VS. BRAUN STROWMAN VS. JOHN CENA VS. ROMAN REIGNS VS. SETH ROLLINS VS. FINN BALOR VS. ELIAS
Elias came out and did his routine.
Roman Reigns won the match pinning Strowman after two spears. The story of the match was Strowman was a monster and actually pinned everyone with a powerslam. He pinned Miz first, then Elias, then Cena, then Balor and finally Rollins. After the match, Strowman came back and powerslammed Reigns. He gave him a second powerslam. Then he threw him through a gimmicked pod. Obviously this was the best match on the show, because it ws pretty much a one match and one angle show.
The Big Takeaway: Gran Metalik beat Tony Nese after a beautiful finishing combination. The Revival then stole a win against Heath Slater & Rhyno to close the show.
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Gran Metalik defeated Tony Nese (5:43)
Nese hasn’t had too much luck of late. In fact, he has only clocked up three singles wins since August of last year. His opponent this week was Gran Metalik, who rarely loses on Main Event as of late.
Nese took much of the early going, stopping to posture to the crowd at any opportunity. His physique is pretty remarkable, and he made throwing Metalik around look easy here.
They built to an excellent-looking finish where Nese was going for a superplex and had Metalik on the second rope in the corner. Metalik countered by crotching Nese and then did a rope-walk hurricanrana off the top rope. Metalik then pounced on Nese to hoist him up for the Metalik Driver for the win.
The Revival defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno (4:14)
It had been Slater and Rhyno who dealt Dash Wilder many of his singles losses last year when Scott Dawson was out injured. But after beating Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson on Monday Night Raw the previous week, The Revival came back to Main Event to notch up another win against some old foes.
Strangely, the heels worked out of what would be considered the traditional babyface corner at the top left of the hard cam screen, but there was no doubt that The Revival were the heels here. Slater and Rhyno took the opening minutes, getting the crowd on their side with Rhyno getting a few ‘EC-Dub’ chants from the expectant pre-Raw crowd.
After the break, Slater had the heat, taking out both Revival men and nailing Wilder with a running high knee and following it up with a neckbreaker. Wilder could only stop the three count by putting his leg on the bottom rope.
After two more near falls from Slater on Wilder, Dawson took out Rhyno to stop the tag and they teased a ref bump where Slater had to go out of his way to avoid colliding with the ref. This enabled The Revival to get the upper hand and hit the Shatter Machine for the win.
Previously: Impact World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries defeated Eli Drake to retain his title.
Tonight: Johnny Impact faces Ethan Carter III with the winner receiving a title match against Aries at Crossroads.
Show Recap —
Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley defeated Impact Tag Team Champions LAX in a non-title match
All four guys brawled around ringside before the bell rang, then LAX worked over Konley and kept him on their side of the ring. The heels took over and isolated Ortiz.
Santana got the hot tag and ran wild. LAX set up for the Street Sweeper, but Konley shoved Santana off the top rope and Lee rolled up Ortiz with a handful of tights for the victory.
Brian Cage defeated Hunter Law
This was a total squash match with Cage completely dominating. He won easily with the Drill Claw.
Grand Champion Matt Sydal defeated Petey Williams to retain his title (from Destiny Wrestling in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)
Sydal scored a near fall with a sliding German suplex. Williams set up for the Canadian Destroyer, but Sydal rolled through and Williams countered into the Sharpshooter. Williams attempted the Destroyer again, but Sydal countered into a pin to retain.
After the match, Sydal read a proclamation from his spiritual advisor that said Sydal will challenge X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori at Crossroads.
– Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong came down to the ring to call out Abyss, but Joseph Park’s grandma Jenny came out to confront the heels. She told Jacobs to stop harassing her grandson. Jenny slapped Jacobs, then Kong started to approach her.
Joseph Park came out and got in Jacobs’ face. Jacobs demanded to see Abyss, but Park said he’s buried. Jacobs threatened Jenny and Park went after Jacobs. Kong attacked Park from behind and beat him down.
– In the back, Sydal was on the phone with his spiritual advisor. He promised to win the X Division Championship and become a dual champion.
Flashback Moment of the Week: X Division Champion Eddie Edwards vs. TNA World Heavyweight Championship Bobby Lashley ended with no winner (from Destination X 2016)
Lashley tried to hit Edwards with the belt, but Davey Richards jumped in. Edwards had the match won until Mike Bennett broke up the pin. Moose then made his Impact debut by attacking The Wolves and Lashley.
Alberto El Patron defeated Moose (from Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas, Nevada)
This was an anything goes, no disqualification match. They brawled around ringside, with El Patron backdropping Moose over the guardrail. They fought through the crowd, then El Patron sent Moose outside through a door.
El Patron came off the top with a trash can for a near fall. Moose made a comeback and scored a two count. The finish came when El Patron used the double foot stomp off the top turnbuckle for the win.
Eddie Edwards & Bobby Lashley defeated OVE (w/ Sami Callihan)
The faces had the early advantage until the heels took over. OVE isolated Edwards on their side of the ring before Lashley got the hot tag and ran wild. He scored a close near fall with a powerslam. Edwards took out OVE with a suicide dive.
Edwards set up for his finisher, but Callihan grabbed his leg. Lashley speared Callihan on the floor and Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party on Jake for the win.
Johnny Impact defeated Ethan Carter III (w/ Tyrus) in a number one contender’s match
Impact attempted a springboard, but EC3 shoved him to the floor to gain control. EC3 nailed Impact with a DDT, but Impact jumped right up to his feet and rocked him with a superkick.
Impact hit a knee and a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. He then hit a standing Spanish Fly for another near fall. EC3 hit a super TK3 for a close near fall. Impact attempted the Starship Pain, but Tyrus grabbed his legs. EC3 hit the One Percenter for a two count.
EC3 started yelling at Tyrus at ringside and slapped him, with Tyrus shoving EC3 to the floor and walking off. Impact took advantage and hit the Starship Pain for the win. Impact is still the number one contender.
Following the match, Impact World Champion Austin Aries came out and had a staredown with Impact.
Next Week: Eddie Edwards goes one-on-one with Sami Callihan. In two weeks at Crossroads, Impact World Champion Austin Aries defends against Johnny Impact.
The Big News: Tommaso Ciampa’s crutch ended the NXT career of Johnny Gargano as his interference led to Gargano losing a title vs. career match to Andrade “Cien” Almas.
The Medium News: In two weeks, it is the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
The Little Beaver-sized News: NXT’s favorite wacky gimmick defeated NXT’s former favorite wacky gimmick as Velveteen Dream beat No Way Jose
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The show began with a video of Andrade “Cien” Almas. It started from his NXT debut, went to his gimmick where he was concentrating on partying instead of wrestling, and brought him all the way back to the NXT Championship.
The video continued with a preview of his title defense against Johnny Gargano tonight.
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Velveteen Dream defeated No Way Jose
Velveteen Dream was here to kick off the in-ring action as he went one-on-one with the King of the Fiesta, No Way Jose. Once upon a time, Jose was in a feud with SAnitY that was scheduled to culminate at a TakeOver. Instead, he was taken out before the show, got replaced by Kassius Ohno, and has done nothing of note since. Unfortunately for him, Velveteen Dream has replaced him as NXT’s favorite wacky gimmick.
Jose looked good here and actually got most of the offense — to the point that Dream got babyface sympathy. Dream countered the pop-up punch with a dropkick before picking up the win with the Purple Rainmaker.
Jose controlled 4:30 of a 5:00 match, but the last 30 seconds were his downfall.
After the match, Dream cut a promo calling himself the NXT Male Competitor of the Year and the Overall Competitor of the Year, even though it was Aleister Black. He said no one cares about Black, Asuka, or Tyler Bate, and since his name is on the tip of everyone’s tongue, he doesn’t care if anyone can’t see that.
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Almas was getting ready in his dressing room while listening to his own theme music. Hey, whatever works for him.
They later did the same thing with Gargano.
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Mr. William Regal announced the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. It begins in two weeks and the winners will face the NXT Tag Team Champions at TakeOver: New Orleans.
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Nikki Cross defeated Vanessa Borne
Borne was a dancer for both the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals and also took part in the Mae Young Classic. Cross exploded at the bell and threw her body into the attack. Borne got more offense than Velveteen Dream did, but she didn’t achieve the same results.
Cross, who by far was the crowd favorite, picked up the win with The Purge.
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Up next was a recap of last week where Aleister Black said he wanted to be NXT Champion but was confronted by Killian Dain, who also wanted a title shot.
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A recap of the Shayna Baszler-Ember Moon-Kairi Sane situation from last week aired next. It was then announced that Baszler will face Sane next week.
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NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/ Zelina Vega) defeated Johnny Gargano (w/ Candice LeRae) to retain his title in a title vs. career match
The fireworks with the seconds started early as Gargano went for a suicide dive and Vega pulled Almas out of the way. LeRae then did her own suicide dive to Vega and beat her to the backstage area. That’s the last we saw of either of them during the match.
Almas worked on Gargano’s arm, including an armbar where he hung over the ropes. Gargano sold his arm pretty well and got his first near fall with a slingshot spear. Almas used a schoolboy and lifted Gargano up with one arm and ran him into the corner with a buckle bomb.
Almas tried using both the hammerlock DDT and the double knees against the ring post, but Gargano got away both times. Gargano didn’t have any better luck as he went for a slingshot move, but Almas reversed it into an armbar that Gargano had to fight to get out of.
At one point, Almas went up top for a draping double foot stomp, but Gargano shoved him off the top rope and Almas slammed his back off the ring apron before falling to the floor. Gargano used a suicide dive into a tornado DDT outside the ring and a slingshot DDT for the closest of near falls back in the ring. At this point, Almas accidentally back elbowed the referee and Gargano locked on the Gargano Escape!
However, Tommaso Ciampa ran out and slammed his crutch into Gargano’s back. The referee got up just in time to see Almas hit the hammerlock DDT for the pin! Almas retains the title and Johnny Gargano’s NXT career has come to an end.
Gargano ended the show by receiving a standing ovation and a hug from his wife. The fans booed the announcement that Gargano must now leave NXT. After they finally went backstage, Ciampa reappeared in the crowd to wave goodbye to his former teammate and best friend.
That does it from Center Stage. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
