klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Nikki Bella will undergo neck surgery. No word on how long she will be out but it will be several months minimum.
Monday Night Raw
Date: January 25, 2016
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield
We're officially on the Road to Wrestlemania with a new WWE World Champion in HHH, who entered the Royal Rumble as the surprise #30 entrant. There's a lot of time for changes in the next few weeks though as Fastlane is in less than a month. Also, WWE has advertised a major star making his return tonight. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Reigns in the Rumble and the ending. I do love the fact that the League beat him down but was too busy carrying off a TV monitor (What was that anyway?) to bother THROWING HIM IN AND OVER THE TOP for an elimination but cocky heels will be cocky heels.
Vince and Stephanie strut to the ring to open things up. They're very happy because it's the night after the Royal Rumble and they've broken Roman Reigns. Just like everyone here, Reigns is going to tuck his tail between his legs and run away hiding because he's a broken man with no title. Vince confesses to take joy in the misery of others and Reigns is now more miserable than everyone.
Last night they had the fans eating out of the palm of their hands because all the false hope about Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Roman Reigns was a waste of time because they knew who #30 was going to be. This brings out HHH (after a huge batch of praise from Stephanie of course) who says it's good to be the king. Roman isn't champion today because he lacks respect. HHH can put up with everything from Reigns but he can't put up with Reigns disrespecting Vince McMahon in the place he created.
As for people who say he doesn't need to be champion again, they're right. With the career he's had, he doesn't need this again. However, he's champion again because he wants to be and people like Reigns don't deserve to be. The fans chant for Reigns but it's time to figure out who is going to face HHH for the title at Wrestlemania. Tonight though, they're going to evaluate the talent and announce the main event of Fastlane. The winner of that match will go on to face HHH for the title at Wrestlemania.
This was really, really lame, even by opening Raw promo standards. I still have no idea why I'm supposed to want to see Reigns come back and win the title again. Between him having a half hour nap during the Rumble last night and not really having a character in the first place, I have no idea why I'm supposed to want to see him fight the odds and overcome. Last night really wasn't a good sign for him going forward, at least not as the very top guy on the roster. He'll be fine as a main event player, but he needs a lot of work before he's that guy.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens
Ziggler superkicks him at the bell for a fast two and Owens bails out to the floor. Back in and Dolph scores with a dropkick as we head to a break. Back with Dolph's superkick being blocked, meaning he has to settle for a Fameasser instead. We hit the sleeper for a bit until Owens drops him into the buckle. The Cannonball misses so Owens grabs a German Suplex, only to charge into another superkick. Ziggler stomps away in the corner but gets crotched on top, setting up the Pop Up Powerbomb to give Owens the pin at 8:45.
Reigns arrives and laughs off the idea that he's miserable. He sends JoJo to tell Vince and HHH that he's here.
Here are the Social Outcasts with something to say, including Heath Slater going outside to get in rapper Flo Rida's face. Rose calls Slater Red Dragon and Axel doesn't get it. Dallas calls Rida into the ring for a showdown, but it's going to be a rap battle. Bo Rida (seriously) puts on a hat, sunglasses and gold chain before calling Flo very disrespectful. “You need to express yourself in a more discerning manner. All you have is ace high but I have a full house like I'm Danny Tanner.” Flo Rida does his own rap and the fans aren't really responding until he introduces the Dudley Boyz for a tag match.
Dudley Boyz vs. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel
Joined in progress with Dallas (now in a singlet) fighting out of a headlock until it's off to Axel for some shots to Bubba's jaw. That means it's time for the Bo-Train victory lap around the ring in a funny bit. Back in and D-Von takes over on Axel with a running clothesline in the corner for two. Bubba comes in off a blind tag and the reverse 3D drops Axel again. Slater gets on the apron but Rida shoves him over the top, meaning it's time for What's Up. 3D puts Axel away at 4:48.
AJ Styles is about to introduce himself to the WWE but Chris Jericho, his opponent tonight, interrupts. Jericho talks about AJ's success around the world but he's never done it here. Good luck tonight and welcome to the big leagues.
Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
The fans are entirely behind AJ as Jericho chops away to start. AJ flips over him and goes to the apron, only to get dropkicked out to the floor in a good looking shot. Back in and Styles grabs a headlock as the announcers try to talk about AJ's pre-WWE run without mentioning companies by name. The drop down into the dropkick sends Jericho to the floor but Chris trips him face first onto the apron as we take a break.
Back with Jericho holding a chinlock before both guys try cross bodies at the same time. AJ is up first with some quick strikes to the face and a running clothesline in the corner. The Walls don't work so Chris settle with a northern lights suplex for two, followed by the running enziguri for the same. AJ stops a charge with a raised boot and hits the springboard forearm for two of his own. The Walls are broken up but AJ misses a top rope splash. The Lionsault hits knees but AJ can't quite get the Clash. Jericho rolls into a cradle but AJ pushes forward into a sunset flip for the pin at 13:47.
Post match AJ offers a handshake and Jericho accepts before pulling AJ in. Jericho says something we can't hear before leaving with no violence.
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Becky goes right after her to start but Sasha takes it to the mat and hits a running slap to the face of all things for two. We hit a neck crank on Lynch for a bit before she grabs a t-bone for two of her own. The double knees in the corner gets the same for Sasha and there's the Bank Statement, only to have Charlotte come in for the DQ at 3:33.
Charlotte beats Becky down and gives Sasha the Natural Selection before posing with the title. Three way seems likely.
Goldust puts on R-Truth's headphones for some reason. R-Truth comes in and thinks Goldust is gay but it turns out that Goldust just wants to be a team. Uh.....yeah.
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
Bray pounds him into the corner to start as Cole actually has the nerve to bring up the stuff around Survivor Series. That feels so long ago but it was only two months. A running forearm to the back of the head puts Kane down as we take a break about a minute into the match. Back with Bray missing the backsplash and what sounds like a RANDY SAVAGE chant. Kane drops an elbow for two and the fans go crazy with the booing. A release Rock Bottom gets two for Bray and a Harper distraction lets Sister Abigail put Kane away at 7:03.
The Wyatts beat Kane down post match.
There's a long black limo here which might have the big star inside. Post break Rich Brennan knocks on the door and it's.....Miz. He hasn't been around in three weeks so ratings are spiking as we speak. As he's talking (and ratings are spiking), a black truck pulls up and it's the Rock, who tells Miz to park the truck.
Rock runs into Rick Ross (just hanging around) and then Big Show. After a chat about how Big Show actually should have won (which Rock agrees with), Rock says he was cast as the Scorpion King because he won that match. Show looks like he's about to cry and breaks the laptop he's holding.
Next up Rock sees Lana and brings up that night in Brooklyn with Rusev on Raw. What people don't know is that Lana came to Rock's hotel room for some wine and “special exercises” that night, including the one legged Russian vacuum. Lana smiles quite a bit until Rusev comes up and sneers quite a bit. The engagement is brought up and Rusev congratulates him for having such a flexible fiance. Rock talks to the camera as he's walking towards the gorilla position (which he actually names) before saying he's FINALLY back home.
Now in the ring, Rock asks if the people are ready for Wrestlemania. “JBL is ready. Michael Cole is ready. That other black dude that I don't know is ready.” The fans chant for the Randy Savage lookalike in the front row so Rock says it's time to go off script. He asks who the Savage/Hogan/Undertaker impersonators are (“The weed must be good in Miami tonight.” but doesn't have much to say to them. Cool little moment though. Wrestlemania is in a few months but it's time to talk about tonight.....and here's New Day.
Woods says that the black guy Rock didn't know is named Byron Saxton and he's the best commentator at that table. Kofi: “How about we talk about the black guys that you do know?” Woods brings up beating the Usos so badly that when they walk north, they're looking south. As for Rock though, if he's the People's Champion, where's his gold? I mean, New Day has gold around their waists as well as in the form of Francesca II. Big E. rips on Miami for losing LeBron James but says Rock did the same thing when he went to Hollywood. Was that for the people or for the paycheck? Either way, New Day rocks.
Rock says he does know who New Day is. They're the Tag Team Champions, extremely entertaining, and wearing llama penises on their heads. New Day: “YOU CAN'T SAY THAT ON TV!” Woods corrects him so Rock calls Big E. a she. “Big mama didn't like that!” Rock thinks Big E. is strong and nerdy. It's like the Incredible Hulk banged Urkel. Woods drops his trombone and asks if he did that. 90's TV fans will find that line funny.
Rock offers to stick Francesca II somewhere but New Day calls for a huddle. They decline and start to leave but Rock says not so fast because he has a plan B. Cue the Usos to go after New Day with Big E. getting a Rock Bottom. Woods is left alone with Rock and it's a double superkick into the spinebuster to set up the People's Elbow.
Paige/Natalya vs. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox
Natalya and Alicia get things going but it's quickly off to Brie for the seated abdominal stretch. The YES Kicks have Natalya in trouble but Brie Mode misses, allowing Paige to come in for the PTO. Alicia makes the save so Paige puts Brie away with the Rampaige for the pin at 2:45.
WWE is working with the Boys and Girls Club for anti-bullying stuff.
Miz is in the ring to complain about being interrupted but his opponent's music cuts him off.
Kalisto vs. The Miz
Non-title. Miz stomps him down in the corner but a headscissors sends him to the floor for a suicide dive from the champ. Back in and Kalisto rolls over Miz's back into a front facelock. A springboard cross body gets two for Kalisto and we take a break. THIS MATCH gets a break? I had the finish written out as soon as Kalisto's music hit and we take a break?
Back with Miz getting two off a clothesline and dropping a top rope ax handle for the same. He stops to yell at the fans though, allowing Kalisto to kick him in the head and hit the corkscrew cross body for two of his own. Miz's short DDT gets the same and he loads up the Skull Crushing Finale, only to have Kalisto kick off the ropes into the Salida Del Sol for the pin at 9:33.
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose vs. Rusev/Sheamus
Rusev and Reigns slug it out to start but the League is quickly sent to the floor, allowing Ambrose to dive on both guys as we take an early break. Back with Reigns fighting out of a chinlock and diving over for the hot tag. Ambrose goes nuts as is his custom and cleans house, only to miss a dive over the barricade and coming up with a bad knee. Rusev drags him back to ringside and sends him back first into the barricade a few times.
Back in and Rusev gets two off some gutwrench suplexes before it's off to Sheamus. Three straight Irish Curses have Dean's back in even more trouble and we hit the chinlock. Rusev drops some elbows and puts on a chinlock of his own. Back to Sheamus for the forearms to the chest and back to send Dean outside, only to have Ambrose do his apron 619 and score with a clothesline.
That's enough for the hot tag to Reigns as everything breaks down. Sheamus gets a Samoan Drop on the floor and Rusev takes the apron boot. Del Rio and Barrett have to be chased off though and Rusev hits two straight superkicks, followed by the Brogue Kick for two with Dean making the save. Ambrose dives off the apron to take out Rusev and Reigns spears Sheamus for the pin at 15:18.
Post match Reigns and Ambrose set up the announcers' tables and Double Bomb Rusev through the English version. Reigns' music plays for all of ten seconds before Stephanie power walks out. The main event at Fastlane is.....Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar. Interesting, but so much for the stipulations meaning anything tonight.
Results
Kevin Owens b. Dolph Ziggler – Pop Up Powerbomb
Dudley Boyz b. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel – 3D to Axel
AJ Styles b. Chris Jericho – Sunset flip
Sasha Banks b. Becky Lynch via DQ when Charlotte interfered
Bray Wyatt b. Kane – Sister Abigail
Paige/Natalya b. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox – Rampaige to Bella
Kalisto b. The Miz – Salida Del Sol
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose b. Rusev/Sheamus – Spear to Sheamus
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: January 26, 2016
Location: Sands Bethlehem Events Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
Tonight is a special show with the annual Feast or Fired match. In other words, there are four briefcases hung above the ring. You climb a corner and grab a briefcase and try your luck. Three cases contain title shots (World Title, Tag Team Title and King of the Mountain Title) and one pink slip. The big moment is then finding out who has what. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of the last man standing match with Matt Hardy beating Ethan Carter III for the World Title in a double turn.
Here's Jeff Hardy to open things up. He saw what happened last week and it made him sick. That's why he needs answers right now so the new World Champion needs to get out here right now. Matt's new music starts off with him saying “I AM ICONIC.” Oh sweet goodness this is going to be a long day. Matt comes out with his wife Reby Sky and Tyrus, who is carrying Matt's son. Jeff says this is a family issue so it needs to be just the two of them.
Reby laughs that off because she and Matt are a real family. Where was Jeff when the world was turning their back on Matt? It's time for Matt to stop giving and start taking. Jeff calls all of them some rather rude names and starts a WHY MATT WHY chant. Matt laughs off the fans and says it's not his fault that Jeff is a cripple. Now Jeff is just the other Hardy and that's not something he's going to be able to understand. However, Jeff is now cleared to wrestle so what about a title match tonight? Matt shakes his head and says he washes his hands of everything that happens tonight.
The roster talks about Feast or Fired and explains the basic concept.
Matt vs. Jeff is announced for later with the title on the line.
Feast or Fired
James Storm, Robert Roode, Aiden O'Shea, Bram, Drew Galloway, Chris Melendez, Eric Young, Grado, Jesse Godderz, Robbie E., Eli Drake, Rockstar Spud
Eric is King of the Mountain Champion so he might get a shot at his own title. It's a huge brawl to start with various people trying to go up after the briefcases but being pulled back down. Robbie dives over the top to dive onto Jesse. Melendez, now in long pants to hide his metal leg, clotheslines Aiden to the floor but gets suplexed by Eric. Roode hits a Blockbuster on Bram but Spud escapes the Roode Bomb. The second attempt sends Spud flying over the top onto a pile of people and the ring is cleared out. Grado crotches O'Shea to make a save and goes up to pull down the first briefcase as we take a break.
Back with everyone still brawling, including Drew clotheslining Bram and Eric down at the same time. Drake ties Galloway in the Tree of Woe, only to have Drew sit up into a German suplex to throw Eli down and grab another briefcase. Young and Spud go up but O'Shea pulls Spud down. Eric goes after Robbie instead and we get a Tower of Power (no longer Doom for some reason) with Melendez powerbombing the two of them down. A bad looking hurricanrana from Storm puts O'Shea down and Roode adds a top rope splash.
Jesse clotheslines Beer Money down but gets caught going up. The distraction lets Drake go up and pull down a third case. Bram and Young are the only ones left in the ring but beat up Melendez and Spud instead of climbing. The delay allows Beer Money to come in and clean house but Roode gets knocked off the top by Eric. Storm hits a Backstabber to pull Young off the top, followed by a Last Call to Bram. Roode gets back in and tells Storm to go get the case to end the match at 16:05.
Kurt Angle checks on Jeff Hardy, who says he's tired of Reby being in Matt's ear lately. Yeah screw that wife nonsense.
X-Division Title: Tigre Uno vs. Mandrews vs. DJZ
Tigre is defending. It's all over the place to start with the champ being sent outside, leaving Mandrews to backflip away from a charge and knock DJZ down with a dropkick. Tigre comes back in and rolls up DJZ while he's backsliding Mandrews. That's followed by an Indian Deathlock on DJZ and a Gory Stretch on Mandrews at the same time, only to have the champ sent outside again.
DJZ dropkicks Tigre off the apron and scores with a big flip dive, followed by Mandrews' skateboarding down the ramp into a headscissors spot. Back in and DJZ gets two off a reverse hurricanrana on Mandrews. Tigre gets up and throws DJZ out, setting up a Spanish Fly (top rope C4) for the pin on Mandrews at 6:26.
Post match Gregory Helms comes out to say this company was built on the X-Division but Tigre's time as champion is over. Apparently that means a title match next week.
Awesome Kong tells the Dollhouse to stay in the back while she takes someone to school.
Eli Drake is worried about what's in his briefcase. Godderz tells him not to worry so Drake unlocks the case and teases looking inside.
Angle comes up to see Tyrus and Matt to ask what's going on. Matt says he's building a brand but Angle says that brand is tearing this company down. That's not cool with Matt because Kurt is one of the two people he respects so don't ruin that.
Awesome Kong vs. Velvet Sky
Sky hits a quick jawbreaker and starts kicking away at the leg because that's what everyone does to giants. A clothesline drops Velvet to the floor and the ring skirt is pulled off on the way down. Back in and Velvet fires off more kicks to the leg but has to avoid a splash. Sky gets two off a running bulldog but gets run over with ease. Now the splash connects, followed by the Implant Buster for the pin at 3:40.
Post match Kong goes after Sky even more but Madison Rayne runs in. This brings out the Dollhouse for the real beatdown, capped off by Kong's middle rope splash to Sky.
The Wolves want to fight Abyss/Crazzy Steve for the sneak attack last week.
It's time for the Feast or Fired reveal because waiting until next week is a bad idea around here. Before we get the openings, Michael Bennett and Maria come in and say one of these guys is going to need a miracle. He's always in for a good train wreck though so he's going to sit back and watch. Drew isn't cool with that because he's not the kind of a guy who is going to stand around waiting on something to happen. Galloway says Maria is the brains of the outfit and a fight is teased but Mike and Maria leave. Back to the reveals with Drake volunteering to go first. Inside his case: King of the Mountain Title shot. We'll finish this later.
The Wolves want Crazzy Steve out here right now to get their title back from Crazzy Steve and whoever helped him steal them last week (it was pretty clearly Abyss). A woman comes out in something like a Harley Quinn outfit saying everything will decay. This brings out Crazzy Steve, followed by Abyss as we take a break.
Wolves vs. Abyss/Crazzy Steve
This is joined in progress and it's not clear if the titles are on the line. Abyss splashes Eddie in the corner and brings in Steve to fishhook the jaws. It's quickly back to Abyss who allows the tag to Davey but takes him down just as fast. Steve comes back in and bites Davey's boot, which apparently hurts.
Not that it matters as Davey kicks him off and brings in Eddie to clean house. Steve bites his way out of the Backpack Stunner but gets thrown into the air for the kick to the chest. The creepy woman appears on the stage with the titles though to distract Davey, leaving Eddie to take the Black Hole Slam. Steve mists Davey and that's a DQ at 6:03.
Post match Steve puts Davey in the crossface chickenwing while the woman bites Richards' shoulder.
Back to the briefcase reveals as JB explains the rules for probably the fifth time. Storm goes next and promises to give Roode the World Title shot if he finds it. James is distraught by what he finds but it's a Tag Team Title shot. Drew opens his case and finds the World Title shot, meaning Grado is fired, which takes a second to kick in. A lot of sadness ensues until Grado leaves the room.
TNA World Title: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
Matt is defending and is now named Big Money Matt during the big match intros. The bell rings but here's Eric freaking Young to yell about how he should get the title shot. As he yells, Bram comes in from behind and the beatdown is on. Officially the “match” ended at 39 seconds but there was never any contact.
Matt leaves Jeff to get beaten down and Young pulls out a chair. Beer Money makes the save but Steve and Abyss run in to keep the villains in control. Roode and Storm clear them out as well but the four of them head up the ramp, leaving Matt to stand over Jeff. Cue Kurt Angle but Tyrus decks him from behind. Matt and company leave, allowing Eric to piledrive Jeff through the table to end the show.
Results
Grado, Drew Galloway, Eli Drake and James Storm won Feast or Fired
Tigre Uno b. DJZ and Mandrews – Spanish Fly to Mandrews
Awesome Kong b. Velvet Sky – Implant Buster
Wolves b. Abyss/Crazzy Steve via DQ when Steve sprayed mist in Davey's face
Jeff Hardy b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Bram interfered
Wednesday
NXT
Date: January 27, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Tonight is a big night as we find out the #1 contender for the NXT Title with the title shot potentially coming at Takeover: Dallas over Wrestlemania weekend. We have Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe in a triple threat match with the winner getting a shot at some point in the future. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
American Alpha vs. Blake and Murphy
The announcers accuse Bliss of staring at Jordan as he starts with Murphy. Jason gets his kick to the ribs caught but keeps jumping over the attempted legsweeps. It's off to Gable to start in on the arm but a hair pull stops his twisting. Blake comes in and is taken down just as fast as Gable is clearly just having fun with both of them in there. Chad dives over him a few times into some armdrags and throws, followed by a crucifix for two.
We get the GABLE chants to the Kurt Angle tune until Murphy claims a knee injury. Of course it's a gold bricking job as he waves Murphy over for a distraction to set up a chop block on Gable. It's time to start in on the leg until Gable kicks Murphy over the top and out to the floor for a crash. The hot tag brings in Jordan for suplexes all around, capped off by Grand Amplitude on Blake at 7:23.
Emma is ready for Carmella next week because Bayley carried the team last week. Carmella has never actually done anything around here and she even lost to Blue Pants.
Stills of Sami Zayn entering the Royal Rumble.
Video on Asuka.
Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan
Eva Marie is out with Jax as we still wait to know why they're associated. Morgan tries to power Jax around to start and gets caught in an easy cobra clutch. A jawbreaker staggers Jax a bit, only to have a side slam set up the legdrop for the pin at 2:10.
Carmella is ready for Emma next week and promises to beat her all alone. Enzo and Cass aren't impressed by Dash and Dawson either and promises to take care of them as soon as they can.
Video on Baron Corbin.
We get the same sinister Vaudevillains vignette from last week.
Bull Dempsey vs. Alex Riley
The fans chant WELCOME BACK as Bull does jumping jacks. Riley takes him down to start and we're in an early chinlock. Bull pops up with left hands but walks into a spinebuster, followed by a knee to the face to give Riley the pin at 2:07.
After a break, Riley says he's tired of watching NXT and never hearing his name mentioned.
Elias Samson vs. John Skyler
Samson whips him into the corner to start and scores with a quick dropkick. A right hand drops Skyler and Samson sits in the corner ala Raven. Back up and Samson grabs a very fast swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 1:57.
The Hype Bros aren't impressed by the Vaudevillains' new videos. This turns into a discussion of Mojo watching Ryder sleep.
Video on Samoa Joe.
We look at Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews from a few months back where Corbin interfered to break it up. They fight again in a non-title match next week.
Baron Corbin vs. Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn
Winner is #1 contender. They circle each other to start until Corbin hits Joe in the face for a bit of a surprise. Sami low bridges Baron to the floor but Joe breaks up the dive and pulls Zayn to the floor. Baron gets a boot to the chest to keep Joe in control and Sami gets punched down in the corner. A knee drop misses Sami but Corbin comes back in to jump Sami from behind.
We take a break and come back with Joe still on the floor and Corbin charging into an elbow in the corner. That means it's time for Joe to come back in, only to be taken down by Sami. Corbin and Joe are knocked outside and it's finally time to connect with the running flip dive. Back in and Corbin grabs a quick Deep Six for two on Sami, only to get kicked in the face by Joe. Sami fights out of the Muscle Buster and grabs the Blue Thunder Bomb for two on Corbin.
The kickout lets Joe pull Sami to the floor for a quick Koquina Clutch before walking into End of Days. Sami dives back in to break up the cover and Corbin is livid. He pounds on Sami in the corner but runs into the exploder, followed by the Helluva Kick with Joe making the save this time. Joe gets sent to the floor so Sami puts Corbin in a Sharpshooter with Joe coming back in to add a Crossface. Corbin taps at 15:33 and we've got two winners.
Both guys say they won so here's GM William Regal to say he'll have to review the tape and make a decision on this controversy.
Results
America Alpha b. Blake and Murphy – Grand Amplitude to Blake
Nia Jax b. Liv Morgan – Legdrop
Alex Riley b. Bull Dempsey – Knee to the jaw
Elias Samson b. John Skyler – Swinging neckbreaker
Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe b. Baron Corbin – Sharpshooter and Crossface at the same time
Thursday
Sheamus' arm is in a cast. No word on what the injury is or how long he might be out.
Smackdown
Date: January 28, 2016
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
We've got a main event for Fastlane now, which means we'll have a main event for Wrestlemania in just a few weeks. This past Monday on Raw, it was announced that Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar will face off for the World Title shot at Wrestlemania against HHH, which doesn't make a ton of sense but should be a good match. Let's get to it.
We open with a long recap of the Royal Rumble and Monday's fallout.
Opening sequence.
Here's the New Day who shame the Rock after seeing a recap of his surprise appearance on Monday. Rock is clearly just jealous of their gold (it's bronze actually) because he insulted the unicorn horns. This brings out the Miz of all people, who says he feels their pain. How dare Rock insult one of his fellow movie stars? Miz deserves respect but here are the Usos to interrupt as well.
They get on him for still talking about main eventing Wrestlemania, but maybe that's where he got the money to buy that dress. Woods: “Miz has the best mouth in the business.” Big E. laughs at the Usos for never winning any gold and Kofi says the Usos' cousin Dewey isn't here for the rescue. The Usos aren't worried because here are Titus O'Neil and Dolph Ziggler to help with the brawl.
New Day/Miz vs. Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler
Miz and Jey get things going with the Uso sending him into the corner for some dancing. Woods refers to Jey as a varmint as it's off to Titus vs. Kofi. Kingston dropkicks him down and it's off to Ziggler. Big E. gets in a slam but Ziggler dives away and makes the tag off to Jimmy as things pick up again. There's the running Umaga Attack (with Ranallo actually mentioning Umaga) to Big E., who pops up and belly to bellies Jimmy into the corner.
The Unicorn Stampede has Jimmy in more trouble and we get some sweet Francesca II. Jimmy finally knocks Woods down and makes the tag off to Titus for some house cleaning. A powerslam gets two on Miz and everything breaks down. The Usos hit stereo dives on Big E. and Kofi and Ziggler superkicks Miz into the Clash of the Titus for the pin at 7:54.
US Title: Kalisto vs. Neville
Kalisto is defending and we get some Big Match Intros. They hit the ropes to start and Kalisto does a walking handstand to show off. Neville is sent to the floor and Kalisto snaps off a hurricanrana into the barricade. They get back inside and we take an early break. Back with Kalisto springboarding into a sitout powerbomb for two as Neville is having to wrestle as the default heel.
Neville lifts him up into a fireman's carry and goes up top, only to have Kalisto reverse into a top rope hurricanrana for a huge crash. Back up and Neville fires off the kicks to the ribs but the lifting German suplex is countered into a rollup for two. Neville tries it again and gets countered into something like a Salida Del Sol to retain Kalisto's title at 8:54.
They shake hands post match.
It's time for the Highlight Reel with Jericho talking about having a great run in the Royal Rumble, only to have HHH come in and win in the end. That win helped set up the main event of Fastlane with the triple threat for the #1 contendership. Therefore, his guests tonight are Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
After presenting Jericho with a potted plant and a stool to help replace some of the often destroyed set, they say they're not jealous people so they aren't going to lose their friendship over this match. Dean says he's going to punch Reigns in the face and kick him in the ribs as soon as the bell rings and that's just fine with Roman.
Jericho brings up Brock, who Dean has never faced before. Ambrose says Brock is the most destructive force but that doesn't matter when you're indestructible. Reigns doesn't think it's that simple, but Dean points out that he can just beat Roman to get the shot. Reigns: “Well it would be the first time because you never have before.” Cue the Wyatts to say they slayed the Beast but Reigns says he doesn't get what they're talking about. A challenge is issued but Bray says patience. This seems to be the main event.
Here are the Social Outcasts to talk about how they should be trending. Instead people are talking about AJ Styles, who they call the phenomenal anomaly. Axel yells about being eliminated for over a year until AJ jumped him from behind.
AJ Styles vs. Curtis Axel
Styles starts fast with the drop down into the dropkick as Lawler goes on a rant about how AJ's past accomplishments don't mean a thing around here. Axel knocks him down in the corner and scores with a backbreaker, only to miss a middle rope elbow. Styles misses the middle rope moonsault into the reverse DDT but it looked enough like a Pele to count. A flip dive takes out Slater and Dallas and it's the Pele into the Styles Clash to pin Axel at 3:20.
Charlotte vs. Natalya
Non-title and Natalya says the Queen of Harts is back. Charlotte gets rolled up for an early two and the basement dropkick sends the champ into the corner. Natalya follows her in and gets kicked in the face for her efforts, followed by an abdominal stretch to slow things down. A dropkick and some chops have Natalya in even more trouble but she sends Charlotte to the floor. Some WOOing distracts Natalya though and Charlotte gets in a chop block, setting up the Figure Eight for the submission at 3:53.
Charlotte puts the hold on again but Becky Lynch runs in for the save.
R-Truth is getting ready for a run when Goldust comes up. Jokes about stretching and massaging a groin strain ensue, though this time R-Truth seems intrigued by the idea of a team.
Wyatt Family vs. Chris Jericho/Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose
Strowman is the odd man out here. Rowan chops Jericho into the corner to start but it's quickly off to Dean for a kick to the ribs. Reigns gets in a quick turn before it's back to Jericho, who is dragged into the corner for the tag off to Harper. Some shots to the throat have Chris in trouble but he comes back with a dropkick and enziguri. No tag though as he pounds in right hands instead.
The bad idea results in Harper coming back with a suplex for two as we take a break. Back with Rowan putting on the head vice for a bit before a backbreaker gets two on Jericho. Harper comes in for a leg lock of all things, followed by a more traditional chinlock. Bray seems a bit disappointed that we didn't get a broken limb. A Michinoku Driver gets two for Harper but he's smart enough to kick Reigns off the apron. Jericho grabs a one knee Codebreaker for a breather, allowing the hot tag off to Ambrose.
The top rope elbow gets two on Rowan and everything breaks down with Dean diving onto Bray. Dean goes up again but dives into a spinwheel kick from Rowan, allowing Bray to come in for the backsplash. The rebound lariat drops Wyatt though and the hot tag brings in Roman to clean house. Everything breaks down again and the good guys take over, setting up the Superman Punch for two on Harper with Strowman pulling Roman to the floor for the DQ at 13:41.
Post match the Wyatts destroy the good guys until Big Show of all people comes out for the save. Show is beaten down as well but the good guys get up and help clean house to end the show.
Results
Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler b. Miz/New Day – Clash of the Titus to Miz
Kalisto b. Neville – Salida Del Sol
AJ Styles b. Curtis Axel – Styles Clash
Charlotte b. Natalya – Figure Eight
Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho/Dean Ambrose b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Braun Strowman interfered
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Lucha Underground has been renewed for a third season.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Kevin Owens b. Dolph Ziggler – Pop Up Powerbomb
Dudley Boyz b. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel – 3D to Axel
AJ Styles b. Chris Jericho – Sunset flip
Sasha Banks b. Becky Lynch via DQ when Charlotte interfered
Bray Wyatt b. Kane – Sister Abigail
Paige/Natalya b. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox – Rampaige to Bella
Kalisto b. The Miz – Salida Del Sol
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose b. Rusev/Sheamus – Spear to Sheamus
Impact Wrestling
Grado, Drew Galloway, Eli Drake and James Storm won Feast or Fired
Tigre Uno b. DJZ and Mandrews – Spanish Fly to Mandrews
Awesome Kong b. Velvet Sky – Implant Buster
Wolves b. Abyss/Crazzy Steve via DQ when Steve sprayed mist in Davey's face
Jeff Hardy b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Bram interfered
NXT
America Alpha b. Blake and Murphy – Grand Amplitude to Blake
Nia Jax b. Liv Morgan – Legdrop
Alex Riley b. Bull Dempsey – Knee to the jaw
Elias Samson b. John Skyler – Swinging neckbreaker
Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe b. Baron Corbin – Sharpshooter and Crossface at the same time
Smackdown
Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler b. Miz/New Day – Clash of the Titus to Miz
Kalisto b. Neville – Salida Del Sol
AJ Styles b. Curtis Axel – Styles Clash
Charlotte b. Natalya – Figure Eight
Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho/Dean Ambrose b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Braun Strowman interfered
Nikki Bella will undergo neck surgery. No word on how long she will be out but it will be several months minimum.
Monday Night Raw
Date: January 25, 2016
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield
We're officially on the Road to Wrestlemania with a new WWE World Champion in HHH, who entered the Royal Rumble as the surprise #30 entrant. There's a lot of time for changes in the next few weeks though as Fastlane is in less than a month. Also, WWE has advertised a major star making his return tonight. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Reigns in the Rumble and the ending. I do love the fact that the League beat him down but was too busy carrying off a TV monitor (What was that anyway?) to bother THROWING HIM IN AND OVER THE TOP for an elimination but cocky heels will be cocky heels.
Vince and Stephanie strut to the ring to open things up. They're very happy because it's the night after the Royal Rumble and they've broken Roman Reigns. Just like everyone here, Reigns is going to tuck his tail between his legs and run away hiding because he's a broken man with no title. Vince confesses to take joy in the misery of others and Reigns is now more miserable than everyone.
Last night they had the fans eating out of the palm of their hands because all the false hope about Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Roman Reigns was a waste of time because they knew who #30 was going to be. This brings out HHH (after a huge batch of praise from Stephanie of course) who says it's good to be the king. Roman isn't champion today because he lacks respect. HHH can put up with everything from Reigns but he can't put up with Reigns disrespecting Vince McMahon in the place he created.
As for people who say he doesn't need to be champion again, they're right. With the career he's had, he doesn't need this again. However, he's champion again because he wants to be and people like Reigns don't deserve to be. The fans chant for Reigns but it's time to figure out who is going to face HHH for the title at Wrestlemania. Tonight though, they're going to evaluate the talent and announce the main event of Fastlane. The winner of that match will go on to face HHH for the title at Wrestlemania.
This was really, really lame, even by opening Raw promo standards. I still have no idea why I'm supposed to want to see Reigns come back and win the title again. Between him having a half hour nap during the Rumble last night and not really having a character in the first place, I have no idea why I'm supposed to want to see him fight the odds and overcome. Last night really wasn't a good sign for him going forward, at least not as the very top guy on the roster. He'll be fine as a main event player, but he needs a lot of work before he's that guy.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens
Ziggler superkicks him at the bell for a fast two and Owens bails out to the floor. Back in and Dolph scores with a dropkick as we head to a break. Back with Dolph's superkick being blocked, meaning he has to settle for a Fameasser instead. We hit the sleeper for a bit until Owens drops him into the buckle. The Cannonball misses so Owens grabs a German Suplex, only to charge into another superkick. Ziggler stomps away in the corner but gets crotched on top, setting up the Pop Up Powerbomb to give Owens the pin at 8:45.
Reigns arrives and laughs off the idea that he's miserable. He sends JoJo to tell Vince and HHH that he's here.
Here are the Social Outcasts with something to say, including Heath Slater going outside to get in rapper Flo Rida's face. Rose calls Slater Red Dragon and Axel doesn't get it. Dallas calls Rida into the ring for a showdown, but it's going to be a rap battle. Bo Rida (seriously) puts on a hat, sunglasses and gold chain before calling Flo very disrespectful. “You need to express yourself in a more discerning manner. All you have is ace high but I have a full house like I'm Danny Tanner.” Flo Rida does his own rap and the fans aren't really responding until he introduces the Dudley Boyz for a tag match.
Dudley Boyz vs. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel
Joined in progress with Dallas (now in a singlet) fighting out of a headlock until it's off to Axel for some shots to Bubba's jaw. That means it's time for the Bo-Train victory lap around the ring in a funny bit. Back in and D-Von takes over on Axel with a running clothesline in the corner for two. Bubba comes in off a blind tag and the reverse 3D drops Axel again. Slater gets on the apron but Rida shoves him over the top, meaning it's time for What's Up. 3D puts Axel away at 4:48.
AJ Styles is about to introduce himself to the WWE but Chris Jericho, his opponent tonight, interrupts. Jericho talks about AJ's success around the world but he's never done it here. Good luck tonight and welcome to the big leagues.
Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
The fans are entirely behind AJ as Jericho chops away to start. AJ flips over him and goes to the apron, only to get dropkicked out to the floor in a good looking shot. Back in and Styles grabs a headlock as the announcers try to talk about AJ's pre-WWE run without mentioning companies by name. The drop down into the dropkick sends Jericho to the floor but Chris trips him face first onto the apron as we take a break.
Back with Jericho holding a chinlock before both guys try cross bodies at the same time. AJ is up first with some quick strikes to the face and a running clothesline in the corner. The Walls don't work so Chris settle with a northern lights suplex for two, followed by the running enziguri for the same. AJ stops a charge with a raised boot and hits the springboard forearm for two of his own. The Walls are broken up but AJ misses a top rope splash. The Lionsault hits knees but AJ can't quite get the Clash. Jericho rolls into a cradle but AJ pushes forward into a sunset flip for the pin at 13:47.
Post match AJ offers a handshake and Jericho accepts before pulling AJ in. Jericho says something we can't hear before leaving with no violence.
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Becky goes right after her to start but Sasha takes it to the mat and hits a running slap to the face of all things for two. We hit a neck crank on Lynch for a bit before she grabs a t-bone for two of her own. The double knees in the corner gets the same for Sasha and there's the Bank Statement, only to have Charlotte come in for the DQ at 3:33.
Charlotte beats Becky down and gives Sasha the Natural Selection before posing with the title. Three way seems likely.
Goldust puts on R-Truth's headphones for some reason. R-Truth comes in and thinks Goldust is gay but it turns out that Goldust just wants to be a team. Uh.....yeah.
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
Bray pounds him into the corner to start as Cole actually has the nerve to bring up the stuff around Survivor Series. That feels so long ago but it was only two months. A running forearm to the back of the head puts Kane down as we take a break about a minute into the match. Back with Bray missing the backsplash and what sounds like a RANDY SAVAGE chant. Kane drops an elbow for two and the fans go crazy with the booing. A release Rock Bottom gets two for Bray and a Harper distraction lets Sister Abigail put Kane away at 7:03.
The Wyatts beat Kane down post match.
There's a long black limo here which might have the big star inside. Post break Rich Brennan knocks on the door and it's.....Miz. He hasn't been around in three weeks so ratings are spiking as we speak. As he's talking (and ratings are spiking), a black truck pulls up and it's the Rock, who tells Miz to park the truck.
Rock runs into Rick Ross (just hanging around) and then Big Show. After a chat about how Big Show actually should have won (which Rock agrees with), Rock says he was cast as the Scorpion King because he won that match. Show looks like he's about to cry and breaks the laptop he's holding.
Next up Rock sees Lana and brings up that night in Brooklyn with Rusev on Raw. What people don't know is that Lana came to Rock's hotel room for some wine and “special exercises” that night, including the one legged Russian vacuum. Lana smiles quite a bit until Rusev comes up and sneers quite a bit. The engagement is brought up and Rusev congratulates him for having such a flexible fiance. Rock talks to the camera as he's walking towards the gorilla position (which he actually names) before saying he's FINALLY back home.
Now in the ring, Rock asks if the people are ready for Wrestlemania. “JBL is ready. Michael Cole is ready. That other black dude that I don't know is ready.” The fans chant for the Randy Savage lookalike in the front row so Rock says it's time to go off script. He asks who the Savage/Hogan/Undertaker impersonators are (“The weed must be good in Miami tonight.” but doesn't have much to say to them. Cool little moment though. Wrestlemania is in a few months but it's time to talk about tonight.....and here's New Day.
Woods says that the black guy Rock didn't know is named Byron Saxton and he's the best commentator at that table. Kofi: “How about we talk about the black guys that you do know?” Woods brings up beating the Usos so badly that when they walk north, they're looking south. As for Rock though, if he's the People's Champion, where's his gold? I mean, New Day has gold around their waists as well as in the form of Francesca II. Big E. rips on Miami for losing LeBron James but says Rock did the same thing when he went to Hollywood. Was that for the people or for the paycheck? Either way, New Day rocks.
Rock says he does know who New Day is. They're the Tag Team Champions, extremely entertaining, and wearing llama penises on their heads. New Day: “YOU CAN'T SAY THAT ON TV!” Woods corrects him so Rock calls Big E. a she. “Big mama didn't like that!” Rock thinks Big E. is strong and nerdy. It's like the Incredible Hulk banged Urkel. Woods drops his trombone and asks if he did that. 90's TV fans will find that line funny.
Rock offers to stick Francesca II somewhere but New Day calls for a huddle. They decline and start to leave but Rock says not so fast because he has a plan B. Cue the Usos to go after New Day with Big E. getting a Rock Bottom. Woods is left alone with Rock and it's a double superkick into the spinebuster to set up the People's Elbow.
Paige/Natalya vs. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox
Natalya and Alicia get things going but it's quickly off to Brie for the seated abdominal stretch. The YES Kicks have Natalya in trouble but Brie Mode misses, allowing Paige to come in for the PTO. Alicia makes the save so Paige puts Brie away with the Rampaige for the pin at 2:45.
WWE is working with the Boys and Girls Club for anti-bullying stuff.
Miz is in the ring to complain about being interrupted but his opponent's music cuts him off.
Kalisto vs. The Miz
Non-title. Miz stomps him down in the corner but a headscissors sends him to the floor for a suicide dive from the champ. Back in and Kalisto rolls over Miz's back into a front facelock. A springboard cross body gets two for Kalisto and we take a break. THIS MATCH gets a break? I had the finish written out as soon as Kalisto's music hit and we take a break?
Back with Miz getting two off a clothesline and dropping a top rope ax handle for the same. He stops to yell at the fans though, allowing Kalisto to kick him in the head and hit the corkscrew cross body for two of his own. Miz's short DDT gets the same and he loads up the Skull Crushing Finale, only to have Kalisto kick off the ropes into the Salida Del Sol for the pin at 9:33.
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose vs. Rusev/Sheamus
Rusev and Reigns slug it out to start but the League is quickly sent to the floor, allowing Ambrose to dive on both guys as we take an early break. Back with Reigns fighting out of a chinlock and diving over for the hot tag. Ambrose goes nuts as is his custom and cleans house, only to miss a dive over the barricade and coming up with a bad knee. Rusev drags him back to ringside and sends him back first into the barricade a few times.
Back in and Rusev gets two off some gutwrench suplexes before it's off to Sheamus. Three straight Irish Curses have Dean's back in even more trouble and we hit the chinlock. Rusev drops some elbows and puts on a chinlock of his own. Back to Sheamus for the forearms to the chest and back to send Dean outside, only to have Ambrose do his apron 619 and score with a clothesline.
That's enough for the hot tag to Reigns as everything breaks down. Sheamus gets a Samoan Drop on the floor and Rusev takes the apron boot. Del Rio and Barrett have to be chased off though and Rusev hits two straight superkicks, followed by the Brogue Kick for two with Dean making the save. Ambrose dives off the apron to take out Rusev and Reigns spears Sheamus for the pin at 15:18.
Post match Reigns and Ambrose set up the announcers' tables and Double Bomb Rusev through the English version. Reigns' music plays for all of ten seconds before Stephanie power walks out. The main event at Fastlane is.....Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar. Interesting, but so much for the stipulations meaning anything tonight.
Results
Kevin Owens b. Dolph Ziggler – Pop Up Powerbomb
Dudley Boyz b. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel – 3D to Axel
AJ Styles b. Chris Jericho – Sunset flip
Sasha Banks b. Becky Lynch via DQ when Charlotte interfered
Bray Wyatt b. Kane – Sister Abigail
Paige/Natalya b. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox – Rampaige to Bella
Kalisto b. The Miz – Salida Del Sol
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose b. Rusev/Sheamus – Spear to Sheamus
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: January 26, 2016
Location: Sands Bethlehem Events Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
Tonight is a special show with the annual Feast or Fired match. In other words, there are four briefcases hung above the ring. You climb a corner and grab a briefcase and try your luck. Three cases contain title shots (World Title, Tag Team Title and King of the Mountain Title) and one pink slip. The big moment is then finding out who has what. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of the last man standing match with Matt Hardy beating Ethan Carter III for the World Title in a double turn.
Here's Jeff Hardy to open things up. He saw what happened last week and it made him sick. That's why he needs answers right now so the new World Champion needs to get out here right now. Matt's new music starts off with him saying “I AM ICONIC.” Oh sweet goodness this is going to be a long day. Matt comes out with his wife Reby Sky and Tyrus, who is carrying Matt's son. Jeff says this is a family issue so it needs to be just the two of them.
Reby laughs that off because she and Matt are a real family. Where was Jeff when the world was turning their back on Matt? It's time for Matt to stop giving and start taking. Jeff calls all of them some rather rude names and starts a WHY MATT WHY chant. Matt laughs off the fans and says it's not his fault that Jeff is a cripple. Now Jeff is just the other Hardy and that's not something he's going to be able to understand. However, Jeff is now cleared to wrestle so what about a title match tonight? Matt shakes his head and says he washes his hands of everything that happens tonight.
The roster talks about Feast or Fired and explains the basic concept.
Matt vs. Jeff is announced for later with the title on the line.
Feast or Fired
James Storm, Robert Roode, Aiden O'Shea, Bram, Drew Galloway, Chris Melendez, Eric Young, Grado, Jesse Godderz, Robbie E., Eli Drake, Rockstar Spud
Eric is King of the Mountain Champion so he might get a shot at his own title. It's a huge brawl to start with various people trying to go up after the briefcases but being pulled back down. Robbie dives over the top to dive onto Jesse. Melendez, now in long pants to hide his metal leg, clotheslines Aiden to the floor but gets suplexed by Eric. Roode hits a Blockbuster on Bram but Spud escapes the Roode Bomb. The second attempt sends Spud flying over the top onto a pile of people and the ring is cleared out. Grado crotches O'Shea to make a save and goes up to pull down the first briefcase as we take a break.
Back with everyone still brawling, including Drew clotheslining Bram and Eric down at the same time. Drake ties Galloway in the Tree of Woe, only to have Drew sit up into a German suplex to throw Eli down and grab another briefcase. Young and Spud go up but O'Shea pulls Spud down. Eric goes after Robbie instead and we get a Tower of Power (no longer Doom for some reason) with Melendez powerbombing the two of them down. A bad looking hurricanrana from Storm puts O'Shea down and Roode adds a top rope splash.
Jesse clotheslines Beer Money down but gets caught going up. The distraction lets Drake go up and pull down a third case. Bram and Young are the only ones left in the ring but beat up Melendez and Spud instead of climbing. The delay allows Beer Money to come in and clean house but Roode gets knocked off the top by Eric. Storm hits a Backstabber to pull Young off the top, followed by a Last Call to Bram. Roode gets back in and tells Storm to go get the case to end the match at 16:05.
Kurt Angle checks on Jeff Hardy, who says he's tired of Reby being in Matt's ear lately. Yeah screw that wife nonsense.
X-Division Title: Tigre Uno vs. Mandrews vs. DJZ
Tigre is defending. It's all over the place to start with the champ being sent outside, leaving Mandrews to backflip away from a charge and knock DJZ down with a dropkick. Tigre comes back in and rolls up DJZ while he's backsliding Mandrews. That's followed by an Indian Deathlock on DJZ and a Gory Stretch on Mandrews at the same time, only to have the champ sent outside again.
DJZ dropkicks Tigre off the apron and scores with a big flip dive, followed by Mandrews' skateboarding down the ramp into a headscissors spot. Back in and DJZ gets two off a reverse hurricanrana on Mandrews. Tigre gets up and throws DJZ out, setting up a Spanish Fly (top rope C4) for the pin on Mandrews at 6:26.
Post match Gregory Helms comes out to say this company was built on the X-Division but Tigre's time as champion is over. Apparently that means a title match next week.
Awesome Kong tells the Dollhouse to stay in the back while she takes someone to school.
Eli Drake is worried about what's in his briefcase. Godderz tells him not to worry so Drake unlocks the case and teases looking inside.
Angle comes up to see Tyrus and Matt to ask what's going on. Matt says he's building a brand but Angle says that brand is tearing this company down. That's not cool with Matt because Kurt is one of the two people he respects so don't ruin that.
Awesome Kong vs. Velvet Sky
Sky hits a quick jawbreaker and starts kicking away at the leg because that's what everyone does to giants. A clothesline drops Velvet to the floor and the ring skirt is pulled off on the way down. Back in and Velvet fires off more kicks to the leg but has to avoid a splash. Sky gets two off a running bulldog but gets run over with ease. Now the splash connects, followed by the Implant Buster for the pin at 3:40.
Post match Kong goes after Sky even more but Madison Rayne runs in. This brings out the Dollhouse for the real beatdown, capped off by Kong's middle rope splash to Sky.
The Wolves want to fight Abyss/Crazzy Steve for the sneak attack last week.
It's time for the Feast or Fired reveal because waiting until next week is a bad idea around here. Before we get the openings, Michael Bennett and Maria come in and say one of these guys is going to need a miracle. He's always in for a good train wreck though so he's going to sit back and watch. Drew isn't cool with that because he's not the kind of a guy who is going to stand around waiting on something to happen. Galloway says Maria is the brains of the outfit and a fight is teased but Mike and Maria leave. Back to the reveals with Drake volunteering to go first. Inside his case: King of the Mountain Title shot. We'll finish this later.
The Wolves want Crazzy Steve out here right now to get their title back from Crazzy Steve and whoever helped him steal them last week (it was pretty clearly Abyss). A woman comes out in something like a Harley Quinn outfit saying everything will decay. This brings out Crazzy Steve, followed by Abyss as we take a break.
Wolves vs. Abyss/Crazzy Steve
This is joined in progress and it's not clear if the titles are on the line. Abyss splashes Eddie in the corner and brings in Steve to fishhook the jaws. It's quickly back to Abyss who allows the tag to Davey but takes him down just as fast. Steve comes back in and bites Davey's boot, which apparently hurts.
Not that it matters as Davey kicks him off and brings in Eddie to clean house. Steve bites his way out of the Backpack Stunner but gets thrown into the air for the kick to the chest. The creepy woman appears on the stage with the titles though to distract Davey, leaving Eddie to take the Black Hole Slam. Steve mists Davey and that's a DQ at 6:03.
Post match Steve puts Davey in the crossface chickenwing while the woman bites Richards' shoulder.
Back to the briefcase reveals as JB explains the rules for probably the fifth time. Storm goes next and promises to give Roode the World Title shot if he finds it. James is distraught by what he finds but it's a Tag Team Title shot. Drew opens his case and finds the World Title shot, meaning Grado is fired, which takes a second to kick in. A lot of sadness ensues until Grado leaves the room.
TNA World Title: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
Matt is defending and is now named Big Money Matt during the big match intros. The bell rings but here's Eric freaking Young to yell about how he should get the title shot. As he yells, Bram comes in from behind and the beatdown is on. Officially the “match” ended at 39 seconds but there was never any contact.
Matt leaves Jeff to get beaten down and Young pulls out a chair. Beer Money makes the save but Steve and Abyss run in to keep the villains in control. Roode and Storm clear them out as well but the four of them head up the ramp, leaving Matt to stand over Jeff. Cue Kurt Angle but Tyrus decks him from behind. Matt and company leave, allowing Eric to piledrive Jeff through the table to end the show.
Results
Grado, Drew Galloway, Eli Drake and James Storm won Feast or Fired
Tigre Uno b. DJZ and Mandrews – Spanish Fly to Mandrews
Awesome Kong b. Velvet Sky – Implant Buster
Wolves b. Abyss/Crazzy Steve via DQ when Steve sprayed mist in Davey's face
Jeff Hardy b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Bram interfered
Wednesday
NXT
Date: January 27, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Tonight is a big night as we find out the #1 contender for the NXT Title with the title shot potentially coming at Takeover: Dallas over Wrestlemania weekend. We have Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe in a triple threat match with the winner getting a shot at some point in the future. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
American Alpha vs. Blake and Murphy
The announcers accuse Bliss of staring at Jordan as he starts with Murphy. Jason gets his kick to the ribs caught but keeps jumping over the attempted legsweeps. It's off to Gable to start in on the arm but a hair pull stops his twisting. Blake comes in and is taken down just as fast as Gable is clearly just having fun with both of them in there. Chad dives over him a few times into some armdrags and throws, followed by a crucifix for two.
We get the GABLE chants to the Kurt Angle tune until Murphy claims a knee injury. Of course it's a gold bricking job as he waves Murphy over for a distraction to set up a chop block on Gable. It's time to start in on the leg until Gable kicks Murphy over the top and out to the floor for a crash. The hot tag brings in Jordan for suplexes all around, capped off by Grand Amplitude on Blake at 7:23.
Emma is ready for Carmella next week because Bayley carried the team last week. Carmella has never actually done anything around here and she even lost to Blue Pants.
Stills of Sami Zayn entering the Royal Rumble.
Video on Asuka.
Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan
Eva Marie is out with Jax as we still wait to know why they're associated. Morgan tries to power Jax around to start and gets caught in an easy cobra clutch. A jawbreaker staggers Jax a bit, only to have a side slam set up the legdrop for the pin at 2:10.
Carmella is ready for Emma next week and promises to beat her all alone. Enzo and Cass aren't impressed by Dash and Dawson either and promises to take care of them as soon as they can.
Video on Baron Corbin.
We get the same sinister Vaudevillains vignette from last week.
Bull Dempsey vs. Alex Riley
The fans chant WELCOME BACK as Bull does jumping jacks. Riley takes him down to start and we're in an early chinlock. Bull pops up with left hands but walks into a spinebuster, followed by a knee to the face to give Riley the pin at 2:07.
After a break, Riley says he's tired of watching NXT and never hearing his name mentioned.
Elias Samson vs. John Skyler
Samson whips him into the corner to start and scores with a quick dropkick. A right hand drops Skyler and Samson sits in the corner ala Raven. Back up and Samson grabs a very fast swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 1:57.
The Hype Bros aren't impressed by the Vaudevillains' new videos. This turns into a discussion of Mojo watching Ryder sleep.
Video on Samoa Joe.
We look at Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews from a few months back where Corbin interfered to break it up. They fight again in a non-title match next week.
Baron Corbin vs. Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn
Winner is #1 contender. They circle each other to start until Corbin hits Joe in the face for a bit of a surprise. Sami low bridges Baron to the floor but Joe breaks up the dive and pulls Zayn to the floor. Baron gets a boot to the chest to keep Joe in control and Sami gets punched down in the corner. A knee drop misses Sami but Corbin comes back in to jump Sami from behind.
We take a break and come back with Joe still on the floor and Corbin charging into an elbow in the corner. That means it's time for Joe to come back in, only to be taken down by Sami. Corbin and Joe are knocked outside and it's finally time to connect with the running flip dive. Back in and Corbin grabs a quick Deep Six for two on Sami, only to get kicked in the face by Joe. Sami fights out of the Muscle Buster and grabs the Blue Thunder Bomb for two on Corbin.
The kickout lets Joe pull Sami to the floor for a quick Koquina Clutch before walking into End of Days. Sami dives back in to break up the cover and Corbin is livid. He pounds on Sami in the corner but runs into the exploder, followed by the Helluva Kick with Joe making the save this time. Joe gets sent to the floor so Sami puts Corbin in a Sharpshooter with Joe coming back in to add a Crossface. Corbin taps at 15:33 and we've got two winners.
Both guys say they won so here's GM William Regal to say he'll have to review the tape and make a decision on this controversy.
Results
America Alpha b. Blake and Murphy – Grand Amplitude to Blake
Nia Jax b. Liv Morgan – Legdrop
Alex Riley b. Bull Dempsey – Knee to the jaw
Elias Samson b. John Skyler – Swinging neckbreaker
Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe b. Baron Corbin – Sharpshooter and Crossface at the same time
Thursday
Sheamus' arm is in a cast. No word on what the injury is or how long he might be out.
Smackdown
Date: January 28, 2016
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
We've got a main event for Fastlane now, which means we'll have a main event for Wrestlemania in just a few weeks. This past Monday on Raw, it was announced that Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar will face off for the World Title shot at Wrestlemania against HHH, which doesn't make a ton of sense but should be a good match. Let's get to it.
We open with a long recap of the Royal Rumble and Monday's fallout.
Opening sequence.
Here's the New Day who shame the Rock after seeing a recap of his surprise appearance on Monday. Rock is clearly just jealous of their gold (it's bronze actually) because he insulted the unicorn horns. This brings out the Miz of all people, who says he feels their pain. How dare Rock insult one of his fellow movie stars? Miz deserves respect but here are the Usos to interrupt as well.
They get on him for still talking about main eventing Wrestlemania, but maybe that's where he got the money to buy that dress. Woods: “Miz has the best mouth in the business.” Big E. laughs at the Usos for never winning any gold and Kofi says the Usos' cousin Dewey isn't here for the rescue. The Usos aren't worried because here are Titus O'Neil and Dolph Ziggler to help with the brawl.
New Day/Miz vs. Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler
Miz and Jey get things going with the Uso sending him into the corner for some dancing. Woods refers to Jey as a varmint as it's off to Titus vs. Kofi. Kingston dropkicks him down and it's off to Ziggler. Big E. gets in a slam but Ziggler dives away and makes the tag off to Jimmy as things pick up again. There's the running Umaga Attack (with Ranallo actually mentioning Umaga) to Big E., who pops up and belly to bellies Jimmy into the corner.
The Unicorn Stampede has Jimmy in more trouble and we get some sweet Francesca II. Jimmy finally knocks Woods down and makes the tag off to Titus for some house cleaning. A powerslam gets two on Miz and everything breaks down. The Usos hit stereo dives on Big E. and Kofi and Ziggler superkicks Miz into the Clash of the Titus for the pin at 7:54.
US Title: Kalisto vs. Neville
Kalisto is defending and we get some Big Match Intros. They hit the ropes to start and Kalisto does a walking handstand to show off. Neville is sent to the floor and Kalisto snaps off a hurricanrana into the barricade. They get back inside and we take an early break. Back with Kalisto springboarding into a sitout powerbomb for two as Neville is having to wrestle as the default heel.
Neville lifts him up into a fireman's carry and goes up top, only to have Kalisto reverse into a top rope hurricanrana for a huge crash. Back up and Neville fires off the kicks to the ribs but the lifting German suplex is countered into a rollup for two. Neville tries it again and gets countered into something like a Salida Del Sol to retain Kalisto's title at 8:54.
They shake hands post match.
It's time for the Highlight Reel with Jericho talking about having a great run in the Royal Rumble, only to have HHH come in and win in the end. That win helped set up the main event of Fastlane with the triple threat for the #1 contendership. Therefore, his guests tonight are Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
After presenting Jericho with a potted plant and a stool to help replace some of the often destroyed set, they say they're not jealous people so they aren't going to lose their friendship over this match. Dean says he's going to punch Reigns in the face and kick him in the ribs as soon as the bell rings and that's just fine with Roman.
Jericho brings up Brock, who Dean has never faced before. Ambrose says Brock is the most destructive force but that doesn't matter when you're indestructible. Reigns doesn't think it's that simple, but Dean points out that he can just beat Roman to get the shot. Reigns: “Well it would be the first time because you never have before.” Cue the Wyatts to say they slayed the Beast but Reigns says he doesn't get what they're talking about. A challenge is issued but Bray says patience. This seems to be the main event.
Here are the Social Outcasts to talk about how they should be trending. Instead people are talking about AJ Styles, who they call the phenomenal anomaly. Axel yells about being eliminated for over a year until AJ jumped him from behind.
AJ Styles vs. Curtis Axel
Styles starts fast with the drop down into the dropkick as Lawler goes on a rant about how AJ's past accomplishments don't mean a thing around here. Axel knocks him down in the corner and scores with a backbreaker, only to miss a middle rope elbow. Styles misses the middle rope moonsault into the reverse DDT but it looked enough like a Pele to count. A flip dive takes out Slater and Dallas and it's the Pele into the Styles Clash to pin Axel at 3:20.
Charlotte vs. Natalya
Non-title and Natalya says the Queen of Harts is back. Charlotte gets rolled up for an early two and the basement dropkick sends the champ into the corner. Natalya follows her in and gets kicked in the face for her efforts, followed by an abdominal stretch to slow things down. A dropkick and some chops have Natalya in even more trouble but she sends Charlotte to the floor. Some WOOing distracts Natalya though and Charlotte gets in a chop block, setting up the Figure Eight for the submission at 3:53.
Charlotte puts the hold on again but Becky Lynch runs in for the save.
R-Truth is getting ready for a run when Goldust comes up. Jokes about stretching and massaging a groin strain ensue, though this time R-Truth seems intrigued by the idea of a team.
Wyatt Family vs. Chris Jericho/Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose
Strowman is the odd man out here. Rowan chops Jericho into the corner to start but it's quickly off to Dean for a kick to the ribs. Reigns gets in a quick turn before it's back to Jericho, who is dragged into the corner for the tag off to Harper. Some shots to the throat have Chris in trouble but he comes back with a dropkick and enziguri. No tag though as he pounds in right hands instead.
The bad idea results in Harper coming back with a suplex for two as we take a break. Back with Rowan putting on the head vice for a bit before a backbreaker gets two on Jericho. Harper comes in for a leg lock of all things, followed by a more traditional chinlock. Bray seems a bit disappointed that we didn't get a broken limb. A Michinoku Driver gets two for Harper but he's smart enough to kick Reigns off the apron. Jericho grabs a one knee Codebreaker for a breather, allowing the hot tag off to Ambrose.
The top rope elbow gets two on Rowan and everything breaks down with Dean diving onto Bray. Dean goes up again but dives into a spinwheel kick from Rowan, allowing Bray to come in for the backsplash. The rebound lariat drops Wyatt though and the hot tag brings in Roman to clean house. Everything breaks down again and the good guys take over, setting up the Superman Punch for two on Harper with Strowman pulling Roman to the floor for the DQ at 13:41.
Post match the Wyatts destroy the good guys until Big Show of all people comes out for the save. Show is beaten down as well but the good guys get up and help clean house to end the show.
Results
Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler b. Miz/New Day – Clash of the Titus to Miz
Kalisto b. Neville – Salida Del Sol
AJ Styles b. Curtis Axel – Styles Clash
Charlotte b. Natalya – Figure Eight
Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho/Dean Ambrose b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Braun Strowman interfered
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Lucha Underground has been renewed for a third season.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Kevin Owens b. Dolph Ziggler – Pop Up Powerbomb
Dudley Boyz b. Bo Dallas/Curtis Axel – 3D to Axel
AJ Styles b. Chris Jericho – Sunset flip
Sasha Banks b. Becky Lynch via DQ when Charlotte interfered
Bray Wyatt b. Kane – Sister Abigail
Paige/Natalya b. Brie Bella/Alicia Fox – Rampaige to Bella
Kalisto b. The Miz – Salida Del Sol
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose b. Rusev/Sheamus – Spear to Sheamus
Impact Wrestling
Grado, Drew Galloway, Eli Drake and James Storm won Feast or Fired
Tigre Uno b. DJZ and Mandrews – Spanish Fly to Mandrews
Awesome Kong b. Velvet Sky – Implant Buster
Wolves b. Abyss/Crazzy Steve via DQ when Steve sprayed mist in Davey's face
Jeff Hardy b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Bram interfered
NXT
America Alpha b. Blake and Murphy – Grand Amplitude to Blake
Nia Jax b. Liv Morgan – Legdrop
Alex Riley b. Bull Dempsey – Knee to the jaw
Elias Samson b. John Skyler – Swinging neckbreaker
Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe b. Baron Corbin – Sharpshooter and Crossface at the same time
Smackdown
Usos/Titus O'Neil/Dolph Ziggler b. Miz/New Day – Clash of the Titus to Miz
Kalisto b. Neville – Salida Del Sol
AJ Styles b. Curtis Axel – Styles Clash
Charlotte b. Natalya – Figure Eight
Roman Reigns/Chris Jericho/Dean Ambrose b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Braun Strowman interfered