klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 24, 2016
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
The Beast is back tonight as Brock Lesnar is here for his first comments about his upcoming match with Goldberg. In addition to that we have two big matches including Sheamus and Cesaro vs. New Day in a non-title match and Chris Jericho vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens in a triple threat. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Jericho to open things up with some terrible news: tonight's triple threat match has been canceled until further notice. The fans aren't happy with that one but Jericho says it's because SOMEONE HAS STOLEN THE LIST OF JERICHO. Fans: NO! NO! NO! Jericho isn't leaving until the List is returned but here's Owens to interrupt. Owens doesn't care who has the List but he'll help Jericho find it once they get rid of Rollins.
Jericho says there's no triple threat match tonight but here's Stephanie McMahon to interrupt. She explains the idea of the triple threat (because Stephanie thinks all fans are idiots) and here's Rollins with the List. Jericho freaks out and Stephanie goes all screechy to say give it back.
Seth sees Stephanie mentioned as a stupid idiot but at the very bottom is Jericho's former best friend, Kevin Owens. Rollins wants to start a new list about Owens, who has no idea how it is inside the Cell. He'll also kick Owens' teeth down his throat and break his face with a Pedigree so he can teach HHH and Stephanie a lesson (because that's what really matters in this whole thing).
This segment showed how horribly uninteresting this whole thing is when Jericho isn't talking. Owens barely got to say anything and Rollins wants to win the title to show up HHH and Stephanie. Some main event feud. Also, did Stephanie need to be here? Like at all? She came out, told Jericho to do the main event (which Owens had already done) and was insulted that she was on the list (like Owens a few seconds later).
Post break Stephanie tells Rollins to give the List back because the fans were promised a triple threat. Rollins vents about Stephanie's real intentions and says the List is in the locker room.
Enzo Amore vs. Karl Anderson
Anderson and Gallows have cut off Enzo's mic so he and the crowd do it with pure vocal power. Enzo fires off rights and lefts in the corner but dives into a spinebuster as we take an early break. Back with Enzo getting kicked in the face but stopping a charge in the corner. A rollup is broken up but Cass kicks Karl in the face to give Enzo the pin at 7:39.
Rusev says he slept like a baby last night because he gets his hands on Roman Reigns inside the Cell this Sunday. Reigns has done a lot of horrible things but now it's Rusev's chance to crush him for good. Simple and to the point here, as it should be.
New Day vs. Cesaro/Sheamus
Non-title. Before the match, New Day praises Cesaro but says Sheamus shames us because no one wants to see him. Woods is the odd man out here, which is kind of surprising as they're normally defending the titles. Cesaro's backbreaker gets two on Kofi and a double back elbows shows that Cesaro and Sheamus can actually work together. New Day quickly gets it together and takes Sheamus into the corner for the Unicorn Stampede.
Back from a break with Kofi in trouble and taking the ten forearms to the chest. Cesaro misses a charge into the post and the hot tag brings in Big E. to deal with Sheamus. The Irish Curse gets two on Big E. and Cesaro's vertical suplex gets the same. The Midnight Hour is broken up but Kofi is launched straight into the uppercut. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Big E. for the pin at 11:45.
We look back at Goldberg's return.
Jericho frantically looks for the List but runs into Titus O'Neil, the Shining Stars and Jinder Mahal, all of whom have something for him other than the List (Titus Brand, travel brochures and a breathing exercise).
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
Bayley has a taped up shoulder after last week. Dana says not so fast because she doesn't like the idea of last week's win being called an upset. Tonight there's going to be another match but this time it's arm wrestling. Dana easily wins so Bayley offers to go left handed. Bayley starts to win and of course Dana decks her and turns the table over for the beatdown. A Bayley to Belly sends Dana running and thankfully cuts off the BORING chants. Can you blame the fans for not being impressed here?
Jericho is freaking out over the List when he runs into Stephanie, who isn't interested in helping him. Stephanie lists off everything she has going on and says Jericho is in the match, List or not. Chris says no List and no match, ya dig? That's not cool with the boss, who says Jericho wrestles or gets suspended.
Curtis Axel vs. Bo Dallas
Before the match, Axel does a really good speech about his Minnesota roots and being Curt Hennig's son. Bo starts fast but the Roll of the Dice is countered into a PerfectPlex for two. I bought that for a second. A running forearm drops Curtis and we hit the chinlock. Axel fights out and hits the running neck snap for two and that's it for his offense as Dallas grabs a rollup for the pin at 2:58. I've said Axel should be pushed as a face for years and this was more evidence that I'm right. It's also more evidence that WWE gets way too much pleasure out of having people lose in their hometown.
Video on Rich Swann.
Jericho is about to leave when a guy comes up to say he saw the List. Chris finds.....Braun Strowman looking at it and asks for it back. Braun: Say please. Strowman doesn't see Sami Zayn's name on the List but gives it back anyway. Jericho says it's on page four and since Braun touched his personal property, HE JUST MADE THE LIST!
Roman Reigns talks about being in the Cell, which Rusev hasn't experienced. Reigns takes this personally and is ready to do anything to keep the title on Sunday.
We run down the card for Sunday's show.
Golden Truth vs. Shining Stars
Mark Henry is with Golden Truth and Titus is with the Stars, which makes me feel a bit better about their earlier segment. It's really nice to have them actually have a reason to be in the back instead of just showing up for a cameo. I love little things like that. Corey is reading a brochure as the Stars come out to the ring as he needs to get his mom a birthday gift.
Primo is dropped by Goldust to start but some double teaming puts him down. The snap powerslam puts Epico down and everything breaks down with Titus low bridging Truth to the floor. Henry shoves Titus into the ropes to crotch Epico, setting up a flapjack into Little Jimmy for the pin at 4:02.
Mick Foley is in the ring for the contract signing between Sasha Banks and Charlotte. They talk about how big of a moment this is going to be, only to have Foley go into his annual rant about how evil the Cell is. Charlotte calls Sasha an entitled second rate talent who will learn respect from the Queen this Sunday. Sasha is ready to crawl up the ramp broken and bloodied as long as she has the Women's Title. They trade insults but Foley cuts them both off to say he's their future. Dude if the Cell is going to turn them into 6'4 men with long beards, maybe we should cancel the match.
As expected, the fans chant for Foley, thereby completely missing the point of this segment. Foley met Charlotte as a child and his kids gave Sasha their signed photo of Eddie Guerrero. More insults and a double signing FINALLY wrap this up. Charlotte vs. Sasha in a major gimmick match is fine but no one, like NO ONE, buys that the match is going to be all violent and career threatening like Foley is pushing and that kills the idea.
Emmalina video.
Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann
TJ Perkins is on commentary. As Kendrick makes his entrance, we see clips of his run from seven to ten years ago. It's very sad that the #1 contender to a title doesn't even have enough video from his current run for a highlight reel. In case you didn't know, Perkins runs down his history with Kendrick (Brian was his mentor) for the millionth or so time.
Swann flips over Brian and hits a good looking dropkick. A spinning dive to the floor takes Kendrick down and we head to a break. Back with Swann fighting out of a chinlock and snapping off a top rope hurricanrana. What looks like a victory roll is broken up but Swann slips out of the Captain's Hook and grabs a cradle for the pin at 9:14.
Owens promises violence on Sunday but he's the only one coming back.
Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn
This has the potential to be good so let's see how they can screw it up. Before the bell, Strowman says he wants competition but he doesn't see that in front of him. Strowman shoves him away but Sami low bridges him to the floor. This goes badly for Sami as he dives at Braun, only to get thrown into the barricade. Strowman walks away and there's no match.
Kendrick comes in to see Perkins and says the clock is ticking on his career. If TJ loses on Sunday, he'll bounce back. If Brian loses, that's it for feeding his family. TJ walks away.
Here are Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman with something to say. Heyman does his usual schtick about how Lesnar will smash Goldberg, only to have the Goldberg chants cut him off. Heyman calls out the fan that started them and says they're getting on Brock's nerves. After their match, all of the chants in the world won't be able to put Goldberg back together again. Suplexes are promised and the fans go back and forth with SUPLEX CITY/GOLDBERG chants. Heyman rips on them and the chant turns into GOLDBERG SUCKS.....to wrap this up. Ok then. There was NOTHING here and it didn't need Brock at all.
Owens and Jericho have a meeting before the triple threat with Chris asking if their friendship means as much as the title. Kevin smiles it off and doesn't really answer. Jericho says they'll still be best friends no matter what but Kevin looks concerned.
Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title. They play keep away to start until Owens gets kicked out to the floor. A Blockbuster gets two on Jericho but Owens pulls Seth outside. The champ is sent into the barricade but Jericho throws Seth into the crowd. Back in and Owens scores with a clothesline, only to have Rollins avoid the Cannonball. The Pedigree doesn't work on either Canadian but the Lionsault hits Seth's knees.
Owens saves his buddy from a Pedigree and it's time for the double teaming. The handicap portion continues until Owens is low bridged to the floor. Jericho eats the low superkick and Rollins dives onto Kevin. Seth misses the frog splash and eats a Codebreaker for two. Owens comes back in and slaps Rollins a lot as the STUPID IDIOT chants kick in. Rollins escapes a double superplex and pins both guys at the same time with a double rollup at 10:00.
Post match Owens and Jericho destroy Rollins by sending him hard into the steps. We're still not done though as Rollins runs up the ramp and dives at Owens, only to get beaten down again. Owens gives him the Apron Bomb and walks back up the ramp to get his title so some posing can end the show.
Results
Enzo Amore b. Karl Anderson Rollup
Cesaro and Sheamus b. New Day Brogue Kick to Big E.
Bo Dallas b. Curtis Axel Rollup
Golden Truth b. Shining Stars Flapjack into Little Jimmy to Epico
Rich Swann b. Brian Kendrick Oklahoma Roll
Seth Rollins b. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho Double rollup
Tuesday
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg is official for Survivor Series.
Smackdown
Date: October 25, 2016
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
It's another big week as we have a pay per view rematch from Backlash with AJ Styles facing Dean Ambrose in a non-title match. If Ambrose wins, he gets a title shot at some point in the future. There's a good chance James Ellsworth will get involved to possibly wrap up his story. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth title match with Ellsworth winning via DQ. After the match, Daniel Bryan made Styles vs. Dean Ambrose for this week.
Ambrose is in the back talking about his match with Styles. Ellsworth comes up and offers to help but Dean thinks it's better for him to stay in the back.
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
No DQ. They trade big uppercuts and clotheslines to start until Kane takes it outside and whips Bray into the steps. The chokeslam through the announcers' table is loaded up but Luke Harper appears and gives Kane the discus lariat. Back from a break with Kane fighting out of a chinlock (I thought these guys were different.) and stopping a charge with a big boot. Harper saves his boss from the chokeslam and Bray's release Rock Bottom gets two. Harper gets involved again so here's Randy Orton......to RKO Kane and freak the heck out of Wyatt. Bray covers Kane for the pin at 10:37.
Styles is ready to take care of Dean and warns Ellsworth to stay away. AJ also says Ellsworth looks like an action figure that melted in a microwave. That's about as accurate as you're going to get with him.
Becky Lynch makes her return from injury but is immediately cut off by Alexa Bliss. She accuses Becky of leaving out of fear of losing her precious title. The Cinderella story is ending soon and Bliss will get the title that she deserves. The fight is on but Bliss lays her out and grabs a conveniently placed can of spray paint. A yellow streak goes up the champ's back and Bliss smirks as she leaves.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Ascension vs. Hype Bros
The winners are on the Survivor Series team along with Heath Slater and Rhyno who were granted an automatic spot. Mojo, a former Green Bay Packer, is VERY popular here as he starts with Viktor. Ryder is quickly in for a dropkick to knock Konnor off the apron, only to have Ascension take over with some double teaming. Too much trash talking allows Ryder to get in a jawbreaker but a spinebuster stops a hot tag. A middle rope elbow misses though and the hot tag brings in Rawley for his corner splashes. Viktor misses a charge and the Hype Ryder sends the Bros to Survivor Series at 3:50.
Orton says if you can't beat them, join them.
Bryan is talking about the need for strong team captains when Natalya comes in. She's been thinking about the Raw women's team and thinks she should be captain. Daniel isn't sure but makes Natalya's match against Nikki Bella for the captain's spot. However, the loser is off the team entirely.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Nikki actually tries an Oklahoma roll to start but makes the mistake of going outside, allowing Nattie By Nature to get two. An abdominal stretch and some stomps to the ribs set up the Sharpshooter but Nikki dives over to the ropes. Natalya misses a legdrop and something like the Beautiful Disaster gets two. The surfboard goes on but Nikki powers out and grabs an STF (prepare to hear about her being a great submission wrestler) for the tap out at 6:07.
Carmella attacks Nikki after the match and gives her a Bella Buster.
Ambrose is ready to win because karma is a bad thing.
Here are Miz, Maryse and the Spirit Squad to talk about the Intercontinental Title. Miz feels sorry for the legends that fought to make the Intercontinental Title so important. As Miz talks about Pat Patterson, here comes Dolph Ziggler to say he wants to fight. The Squad is ready so Heath Slater and Rhyno come out to even the odds. Maryse gets in the way and insults are exchanged. Miz suggests that the Spirit Squad get a Tag Team Title shot but thinks Heath is too scared. Rhyno accepts for the team and we're got a title match.
Tag Team Titles: Spirit Squad vs. Heath Slater/Rhyno
Miz and Ziggler are on commentary. Slater and Rhyno are defending and this is joined in progress with Slater caught in a chinlock. The comeback is cut off and we hit another chinlock to keep the champs in trouble. Slater fights up and dives over for the tag as everything breaks down. The commentators get in the expected argument and it's Mikey being knocked off the apron onto Miz. A Gore to Kenny retains the titles at 4:03.
Hell in a Cell preview.
Ambrose is on the way to the ring when he runs into Ellsworth. Dean: Didn't I tell you to stay in the back and sulk? James begs to be in Dean's corner and Ambrose eventually relents, much to the audience's delight.
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose
Non-title with Ellsworth in the corner and a win makes Dean #1 contender. Ambrose starts fast and stomps away in the corner but AJ comes right back with some shots of his own. With a look towards Ellsworth, AJ scores with the slingshot dive to take us to a break. Back with Dean hitting the suicide dive and grabbing a Fujiwara armbar of all things. AJ rolls out but gets caught in a Texas cloverleaf, sending him crawling over to the ropes. Back up and they fight over a suplex off the apron, only to have AJ suplex him out to the floor for a crash.
We come back from another break with Dean fighting up and hitting the top rope standing elbow drop. AJ's strike rush is countered into a swinging neckbreaker but he scores with the springboard into the reverse DDT. The Styles Clash is countered into a rollup for two and the rebound lariat drops both guys. AJ comes right back with the Calf Crusher but Dean grabs the champ's head and slams it into the mat for a break.
The hold goes on again but the power of Ellsworth makes Dean crawl to the ropes, just like Randy saved Rip in No Holds Barred. That's enough for AJ who takes James out with a baseball slide. The Pele looks to set up the Styles Clash but Dean backdrops AJ to the floor. Ellsworth superkicks Styles......and that's a DQ at 19:57 with Dean nearly losing his mind.
Results
Bray Wyatt b. Kane Pin after an RKO from Randy Orton
Hype Bros b. Ascension Hype Ryder to Viktor
Nikki Bella b. Natalya STF
Heath Slater/Rhyno b. Spirit Squad Gore to Kenny
AJ Styles b. Dean Ambrose via DQ when James Ellsworth interfered
Wednesday
NXT
Date: October 26, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
It's the final night for the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. We're also less than a month away from Takeover: Toronto and that means it's time to start firming up a lot of the card. We already know a few of the matches so there won't be many surprises but NXT is great at putting pepper on the steak. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: DIY vs. Hoho Lun/Tian Bing
Bing is the recently signed Chinese wrestler Bin Wang. Ciampa and Bing get things going with Wang looking good as he runs Ciampa over to start. A PSYCHO KILLER chant breaks out but switches to a Johnny Wrestling version as Gargano comes in to kick Lun in the head. Hoho gets in a dropkick and brings Tian back in for some strikes to the chest. A chinlock doesn't last long as Gargano kicks Bing's head off and brings Ciampa right back in. Johnny tags himself back in though and cuts Lun in half with the spear through the ropes. The double strike puts Lun away at 4:15.
Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins are ready for their first round match. Perkins says if this was high school, the cool table would be Ibushi times five. Ibushi thinks his overall rating is a 99. I don't understand what Ibushi just said. Can I get that translated to stars?
Recap of Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
Joe sees a scared man in Nakamura because he knows Joe could knock him out at any time. Nakamura knows the next NXT Champion is coming for him.
Aliyah vs. Billie Kay
Kay goes right after her to start and Aliyah's early jawbreaker has almost no effect. A seated Blockbuster works a bit better though and an enziguri staggers Billie. Kay comes right back with a discus forearm but here's Liv Morgan for a distraction, allowing Aliyah to grab a rollup for the pin at 1:48.
Post match the brawl is on and the Aussies leave both of them laying.
Tye Dillinger vs. Noah Potjes
Tye snapmares him down to start and that's a ten. That's not cool with Noah, who takes Tye into the corner for some kicks to the ribs. Tye turns it on and stomps Noah down, setting up the Tyebreaker for the pin at 1:38.
Post match, Tye says his opportunity is to get his hands on Bobby Roode, who jumps him from behind. The inverted DDT sends Tye head first into the stage.
TM61 is ready for their match with Austin Aries/Roderick Strong because they trust each other. They're also mighty and the mighty don't kneel.
Asuka vs. Thea Trinidad
Non-title. Asuka doesn't waste time and starts kicking at the legs before stopping for a little dance. Thea makes the mistake of hitting Asuka with a forearm and the champ is ticked off. A kick to the chest is easily caught and a German suplex into a Fujiwara armbar makes Trinidad tap at 1:45.
William Regal comes out post match and says he's found Asuka's latest opponent: MICKIE JAMES! You can hear the fans gasp when she comes on screen to cut a fairly lame promo about coming to face the next star in the Women's Revolution. Asuka is very pleased with this announcement. Mickie was a last minute replacement for Trish Stratus, who had to back out due to announcing she was pregnant, hence why Mickie wasn't in the building.
Paul Ellering and the Authors of Pain think No Way Jose and Rich Swann will have fine futures in NXT but those futures will have to wait until after their destruction in the second round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That match is next week.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Mustafa Ali/Lince Dorado vs. TJ Perkins/Kota Ibushi
The winners face Sanity in the second round. Perkins is announced as the Cruiserweight Champion but doesn't have his belt for some reason. Dorado and Perkins kick us off and it's time to flip around the ring without making much contact. A standoff gets us nowhere as Graves offers the following Michael Cole style gem: Most of the teams that have been successful so far have been tag teams.
Ibushi and Ali come in and the fans give Kota the kind of welcome you would expect. Ali is taken down in a test of strength but Kota can't break his bridge. They trade some kicks to the face with Ibushi getting the better of it as we take a break. Back with Perkins rolling suplexes on Ali and grabbing the kneebar. As is custom though, the first kneebar only results in the grabbing of a rope.
Perkins heads outside and that means a big flip dive from Dorado. Back in and Ali gets two off a neckbreaker but a faceplant allows the tag off to Ibushi so things can speed up. A moonsault from Kota and a frog splash from TJ combine for two. TJ dropkicks Dorado into the ropes to set up the Wrecking Ball dropkick. The kneebar makes Ali tap at 11:39.
Results
DIY b. Hoho Lun/Tian Bing Superkick/running knee combination to Lun
Aliyah b. Billie Kay Rollup
Tye Dillinger b. Noah Potjes Tyebreaker
Asuka b. Thea Trinidad Fujiwara armbar
Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins b. Mustafa Ali/Lince Dorado Kneebar to Ali
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 24, 2016
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
The Beast is back tonight as Brock Lesnar is here for his first comments about his upcoming match with Goldberg. In addition to that we have two big matches including Sheamus and Cesaro vs. New Day in a non-title match and Chris Jericho vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens in a triple threat. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Jericho to open things up with some terrible news: tonight's triple threat match has been canceled until further notice. The fans aren't happy with that one but Jericho says it's because SOMEONE HAS STOLEN THE LIST OF JERICHO. Fans: NO! NO! NO! Jericho isn't leaving until the List is returned but here's Owens to interrupt. Owens doesn't care who has the List but he'll help Jericho find it once they get rid of Rollins.
Jericho says there's no triple threat match tonight but here's Stephanie McMahon to interrupt. She explains the idea of the triple threat (because Stephanie thinks all fans are idiots) and here's Rollins with the List. Jericho freaks out and Stephanie goes all screechy to say give it back.
Seth sees Stephanie mentioned as a stupid idiot but at the very bottom is Jericho's former best friend, Kevin Owens. Rollins wants to start a new list about Owens, who has no idea how it is inside the Cell. He'll also kick Owens' teeth down his throat and break his face with a Pedigree so he can teach HHH and Stephanie a lesson (because that's what really matters in this whole thing).
This segment showed how horribly uninteresting this whole thing is when Jericho isn't talking. Owens barely got to say anything and Rollins wants to win the title to show up HHH and Stephanie. Some main event feud. Also, did Stephanie need to be here? Like at all? She came out, told Jericho to do the main event (which Owens had already done) and was insulted that she was on the list (like Owens a few seconds later).
Post break Stephanie tells Rollins to give the List back because the fans were promised a triple threat. Rollins vents about Stephanie's real intentions and says the List is in the locker room.
Enzo Amore vs. Karl Anderson
Anderson and Gallows have cut off Enzo's mic so he and the crowd do it with pure vocal power. Enzo fires off rights and lefts in the corner but dives into a spinebuster as we take an early break. Back with Enzo getting kicked in the face but stopping a charge in the corner. A rollup is broken up but Cass kicks Karl in the face to give Enzo the pin at 7:39.
Rusev says he slept like a baby last night because he gets his hands on Roman Reigns inside the Cell this Sunday. Reigns has done a lot of horrible things but now it's Rusev's chance to crush him for good. Simple and to the point here, as it should be.
New Day vs. Cesaro/Sheamus
Non-title. Before the match, New Day praises Cesaro but says Sheamus shames us because no one wants to see him. Woods is the odd man out here, which is kind of surprising as they're normally defending the titles. Cesaro's backbreaker gets two on Kofi and a double back elbows shows that Cesaro and Sheamus can actually work together. New Day quickly gets it together and takes Sheamus into the corner for the Unicorn Stampede.
Back from a break with Kofi in trouble and taking the ten forearms to the chest. Cesaro misses a charge into the post and the hot tag brings in Big E. to deal with Sheamus. The Irish Curse gets two on Big E. and Cesaro's vertical suplex gets the same. The Midnight Hour is broken up but Kofi is launched straight into the uppercut. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Big E. for the pin at 11:45.
We look back at Goldberg's return.
Jericho frantically looks for the List but runs into Titus O'Neil, the Shining Stars and Jinder Mahal, all of whom have something for him other than the List (Titus Brand, travel brochures and a breathing exercise).
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
Bayley has a taped up shoulder after last week. Dana says not so fast because she doesn't like the idea of last week's win being called an upset. Tonight there's going to be another match but this time it's arm wrestling. Dana easily wins so Bayley offers to go left handed. Bayley starts to win and of course Dana decks her and turns the table over for the beatdown. A Bayley to Belly sends Dana running and thankfully cuts off the BORING chants. Can you blame the fans for not being impressed here?
Jericho is freaking out over the List when he runs into Stephanie, who isn't interested in helping him. Stephanie lists off everything she has going on and says Jericho is in the match, List or not. Chris says no List and no match, ya dig? That's not cool with the boss, who says Jericho wrestles or gets suspended.
Curtis Axel vs. Bo Dallas
Before the match, Axel does a really good speech about his Minnesota roots and being Curt Hennig's son. Bo starts fast but the Roll of the Dice is countered into a PerfectPlex for two. I bought that for a second. A running forearm drops Curtis and we hit the chinlock. Axel fights out and hits the running neck snap for two and that's it for his offense as Dallas grabs a rollup for the pin at 2:58. I've said Axel should be pushed as a face for years and this was more evidence that I'm right. It's also more evidence that WWE gets way too much pleasure out of having people lose in their hometown.
Video on Rich Swann.
Jericho is about to leave when a guy comes up to say he saw the List. Chris finds.....Braun Strowman looking at it and asks for it back. Braun: Say please. Strowman doesn't see Sami Zayn's name on the List but gives it back anyway. Jericho says it's on page four and since Braun touched his personal property, HE JUST MADE THE LIST!
Roman Reigns talks about being in the Cell, which Rusev hasn't experienced. Reigns takes this personally and is ready to do anything to keep the title on Sunday.
We run down the card for Sunday's show.
Golden Truth vs. Shining Stars
Mark Henry is with Golden Truth and Titus is with the Stars, which makes me feel a bit better about their earlier segment. It's really nice to have them actually have a reason to be in the back instead of just showing up for a cameo. I love little things like that. Corey is reading a brochure as the Stars come out to the ring as he needs to get his mom a birthday gift.
Primo is dropped by Goldust to start but some double teaming puts him down. The snap powerslam puts Epico down and everything breaks down with Titus low bridging Truth to the floor. Henry shoves Titus into the ropes to crotch Epico, setting up a flapjack into Little Jimmy for the pin at 4:02.
Mick Foley is in the ring for the contract signing between Sasha Banks and Charlotte. They talk about how big of a moment this is going to be, only to have Foley go into his annual rant about how evil the Cell is. Charlotte calls Sasha an entitled second rate talent who will learn respect from the Queen this Sunday. Sasha is ready to crawl up the ramp broken and bloodied as long as she has the Women's Title. They trade insults but Foley cuts them both off to say he's their future. Dude if the Cell is going to turn them into 6'4 men with long beards, maybe we should cancel the match.
As expected, the fans chant for Foley, thereby completely missing the point of this segment. Foley met Charlotte as a child and his kids gave Sasha their signed photo of Eddie Guerrero. More insults and a double signing FINALLY wrap this up. Charlotte vs. Sasha in a major gimmick match is fine but no one, like NO ONE, buys that the match is going to be all violent and career threatening like Foley is pushing and that kills the idea.
Emmalina video.
Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann
TJ Perkins is on commentary. As Kendrick makes his entrance, we see clips of his run from seven to ten years ago. It's very sad that the #1 contender to a title doesn't even have enough video from his current run for a highlight reel. In case you didn't know, Perkins runs down his history with Kendrick (Brian was his mentor) for the millionth or so time.
Swann flips over Brian and hits a good looking dropkick. A spinning dive to the floor takes Kendrick down and we head to a break. Back with Swann fighting out of a chinlock and snapping off a top rope hurricanrana. What looks like a victory roll is broken up but Swann slips out of the Captain's Hook and grabs a cradle for the pin at 9:14.
Owens promises violence on Sunday but he's the only one coming back.
Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn
This has the potential to be good so let's see how they can screw it up. Before the bell, Strowman says he wants competition but he doesn't see that in front of him. Strowman shoves him away but Sami low bridges him to the floor. This goes badly for Sami as he dives at Braun, only to get thrown into the barricade. Strowman walks away and there's no match.
Kendrick comes in to see Perkins and says the clock is ticking on his career. If TJ loses on Sunday, he'll bounce back. If Brian loses, that's it for feeding his family. TJ walks away.
Here are Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman with something to say. Heyman does his usual schtick about how Lesnar will smash Goldberg, only to have the Goldberg chants cut him off. Heyman calls out the fan that started them and says they're getting on Brock's nerves. After their match, all of the chants in the world won't be able to put Goldberg back together again. Suplexes are promised and the fans go back and forth with SUPLEX CITY/GOLDBERG chants. Heyman rips on them and the chant turns into GOLDBERG SUCKS.....to wrap this up. Ok then. There was NOTHING here and it didn't need Brock at all.
Owens and Jericho have a meeting before the triple threat with Chris asking if their friendship means as much as the title. Kevin smiles it off and doesn't really answer. Jericho says they'll still be best friends no matter what but Kevin looks concerned.
Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title. They play keep away to start until Owens gets kicked out to the floor. A Blockbuster gets two on Jericho but Owens pulls Seth outside. The champ is sent into the barricade but Jericho throws Seth into the crowd. Back in and Owens scores with a clothesline, only to have Rollins avoid the Cannonball. The Pedigree doesn't work on either Canadian but the Lionsault hits Seth's knees.
Owens saves his buddy from a Pedigree and it's time for the double teaming. The handicap portion continues until Owens is low bridged to the floor. Jericho eats the low superkick and Rollins dives onto Kevin. Seth misses the frog splash and eats a Codebreaker for two. Owens comes back in and slaps Rollins a lot as the STUPID IDIOT chants kick in. Rollins escapes a double superplex and pins both guys at the same time with a double rollup at 10:00.
Post match Owens and Jericho destroy Rollins by sending him hard into the steps. We're still not done though as Rollins runs up the ramp and dives at Owens, only to get beaten down again. Owens gives him the Apron Bomb and walks back up the ramp to get his title so some posing can end the show.
Results
Enzo Amore b. Karl Anderson Rollup
Cesaro and Sheamus b. New Day Brogue Kick to Big E.
Bo Dallas b. Curtis Axel Rollup
Golden Truth b. Shining Stars Flapjack into Little Jimmy to Epico
Rich Swann b. Brian Kendrick Oklahoma Roll
Seth Rollins b. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho Double rollup
Tuesday
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg is official for Survivor Series.
Smackdown
Date: October 25, 2016
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
It's another big week as we have a pay per view rematch from Backlash with AJ Styles facing Dean Ambrose in a non-title match. If Ambrose wins, he gets a title shot at some point in the future. There's a good chance James Ellsworth will get involved to possibly wrap up his story. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth title match with Ellsworth winning via DQ. After the match, Daniel Bryan made Styles vs. Dean Ambrose for this week.
Ambrose is in the back talking about his match with Styles. Ellsworth comes up and offers to help but Dean thinks it's better for him to stay in the back.
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
No DQ. They trade big uppercuts and clotheslines to start until Kane takes it outside and whips Bray into the steps. The chokeslam through the announcers' table is loaded up but Luke Harper appears and gives Kane the discus lariat. Back from a break with Kane fighting out of a chinlock (I thought these guys were different.) and stopping a charge with a big boot. Harper saves his boss from the chokeslam and Bray's release Rock Bottom gets two. Harper gets involved again so here's Randy Orton......to RKO Kane and freak the heck out of Wyatt. Bray covers Kane for the pin at 10:37.
Styles is ready to take care of Dean and warns Ellsworth to stay away. AJ also says Ellsworth looks like an action figure that melted in a microwave. That's about as accurate as you're going to get with him.
Becky Lynch makes her return from injury but is immediately cut off by Alexa Bliss. She accuses Becky of leaving out of fear of losing her precious title. The Cinderella story is ending soon and Bliss will get the title that she deserves. The fight is on but Bliss lays her out and grabs a conveniently placed can of spray paint. A yellow streak goes up the champ's back and Bliss smirks as she leaves.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Ascension vs. Hype Bros
The winners are on the Survivor Series team along with Heath Slater and Rhyno who were granted an automatic spot. Mojo, a former Green Bay Packer, is VERY popular here as he starts with Viktor. Ryder is quickly in for a dropkick to knock Konnor off the apron, only to have Ascension take over with some double teaming. Too much trash talking allows Ryder to get in a jawbreaker but a spinebuster stops a hot tag. A middle rope elbow misses though and the hot tag brings in Rawley for his corner splashes. Viktor misses a charge and the Hype Ryder sends the Bros to Survivor Series at 3:50.
Orton says if you can't beat them, join them.
Bryan is talking about the need for strong team captains when Natalya comes in. She's been thinking about the Raw women's team and thinks she should be captain. Daniel isn't sure but makes Natalya's match against Nikki Bella for the captain's spot. However, the loser is off the team entirely.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Nikki actually tries an Oklahoma roll to start but makes the mistake of going outside, allowing Nattie By Nature to get two. An abdominal stretch and some stomps to the ribs set up the Sharpshooter but Nikki dives over to the ropes. Natalya misses a legdrop and something like the Beautiful Disaster gets two. The surfboard goes on but Nikki powers out and grabs an STF (prepare to hear about her being a great submission wrestler) for the tap out at 6:07.
Carmella attacks Nikki after the match and gives her a Bella Buster.
Ambrose is ready to win because karma is a bad thing.
Here are Miz, Maryse and the Spirit Squad to talk about the Intercontinental Title. Miz feels sorry for the legends that fought to make the Intercontinental Title so important. As Miz talks about Pat Patterson, here comes Dolph Ziggler to say he wants to fight. The Squad is ready so Heath Slater and Rhyno come out to even the odds. Maryse gets in the way and insults are exchanged. Miz suggests that the Spirit Squad get a Tag Team Title shot but thinks Heath is too scared. Rhyno accepts for the team and we're got a title match.
Tag Team Titles: Spirit Squad vs. Heath Slater/Rhyno
Miz and Ziggler are on commentary. Slater and Rhyno are defending and this is joined in progress with Slater caught in a chinlock. The comeback is cut off and we hit another chinlock to keep the champs in trouble. Slater fights up and dives over for the tag as everything breaks down. The commentators get in the expected argument and it's Mikey being knocked off the apron onto Miz. A Gore to Kenny retains the titles at 4:03.
Hell in a Cell preview.
Ambrose is on the way to the ring when he runs into Ellsworth. Dean: Didn't I tell you to stay in the back and sulk? James begs to be in Dean's corner and Ambrose eventually relents, much to the audience's delight.
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose
Non-title with Ellsworth in the corner and a win makes Dean #1 contender. Ambrose starts fast and stomps away in the corner but AJ comes right back with some shots of his own. With a look towards Ellsworth, AJ scores with the slingshot dive to take us to a break. Back with Dean hitting the suicide dive and grabbing a Fujiwara armbar of all things. AJ rolls out but gets caught in a Texas cloverleaf, sending him crawling over to the ropes. Back up and they fight over a suplex off the apron, only to have AJ suplex him out to the floor for a crash.
We come back from another break with Dean fighting up and hitting the top rope standing elbow drop. AJ's strike rush is countered into a swinging neckbreaker but he scores with the springboard into the reverse DDT. The Styles Clash is countered into a rollup for two and the rebound lariat drops both guys. AJ comes right back with the Calf Crusher but Dean grabs the champ's head and slams it into the mat for a break.
The hold goes on again but the power of Ellsworth makes Dean crawl to the ropes, just like Randy saved Rip in No Holds Barred. That's enough for AJ who takes James out with a baseball slide. The Pele looks to set up the Styles Clash but Dean backdrops AJ to the floor. Ellsworth superkicks Styles......and that's a DQ at 19:57 with Dean nearly losing his mind.
Results
Bray Wyatt b. Kane Pin after an RKO from Randy Orton
Hype Bros b. Ascension Hype Ryder to Viktor
Nikki Bella b. Natalya STF
Heath Slater/Rhyno b. Spirit Squad Gore to Kenny
AJ Styles b. Dean Ambrose via DQ when James Ellsworth interfered
Wednesday
NXT
Date: October 26, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
It's the final night for the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. We're also less than a month away from Takeover: Toronto and that means it's time to start firming up a lot of the card. We already know a few of the matches so there won't be many surprises but NXT is great at putting pepper on the steak. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: DIY vs. Hoho Lun/Tian Bing
Bing is the recently signed Chinese wrestler Bin Wang. Ciampa and Bing get things going with Wang looking good as he runs Ciampa over to start. A PSYCHO KILLER chant breaks out but switches to a Johnny Wrestling version as Gargano comes in to kick Lun in the head. Hoho gets in a dropkick and brings Tian back in for some strikes to the chest. A chinlock doesn't last long as Gargano kicks Bing's head off and brings Ciampa right back in. Johnny tags himself back in though and cuts Lun in half with the spear through the ropes. The double strike puts Lun away at 4:15.
Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins are ready for their first round match. Perkins says if this was high school, the cool table would be Ibushi times five. Ibushi thinks his overall rating is a 99. I don't understand what Ibushi just said. Can I get that translated to stars?
Recap of Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
Joe sees a scared man in Nakamura because he knows Joe could knock him out at any time. Nakamura knows the next NXT Champion is coming for him.
Aliyah vs. Billie Kay
Kay goes right after her to start and Aliyah's early jawbreaker has almost no effect. A seated Blockbuster works a bit better though and an enziguri staggers Billie. Kay comes right back with a discus forearm but here's Liv Morgan for a distraction, allowing Aliyah to grab a rollup for the pin at 1:48.
Post match the brawl is on and the Aussies leave both of them laying.
Tye Dillinger vs. Noah Potjes
Tye snapmares him down to start and that's a ten. That's not cool with Noah, who takes Tye into the corner for some kicks to the ribs. Tye turns it on and stomps Noah down, setting up the Tyebreaker for the pin at 1:38.
Post match, Tye says his opportunity is to get his hands on Bobby Roode, who jumps him from behind. The inverted DDT sends Tye head first into the stage.
TM61 is ready for their match with Austin Aries/Roderick Strong because they trust each other. They're also mighty and the mighty don't kneel.
Asuka vs. Thea Trinidad
Non-title. Asuka doesn't waste time and starts kicking at the legs before stopping for a little dance. Thea makes the mistake of hitting Asuka with a forearm and the champ is ticked off. A kick to the chest is easily caught and a German suplex into a Fujiwara armbar makes Trinidad tap at 1:45.
William Regal comes out post match and says he's found Asuka's latest opponent: MICKIE JAMES! You can hear the fans gasp when she comes on screen to cut a fairly lame promo about coming to face the next star in the Women's Revolution. Asuka is very pleased with this announcement. Mickie was a last minute replacement for Trish Stratus, who had to back out due to announcing she was pregnant, hence why Mickie wasn't in the building.
Paul Ellering and the Authors of Pain think No Way Jose and Rich Swann will have fine futures in NXT but those futures will have to wait until after their destruction in the second round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That match is next week.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Mustafa Ali/Lince Dorado vs. TJ Perkins/Kota Ibushi
The winners face Sanity in the second round. Perkins is announced as the Cruiserweight Champion but doesn't have his belt for some reason. Dorado and Perkins kick us off and it's time to flip around the ring without making much contact. A standoff gets us nowhere as Graves offers the following Michael Cole style gem: Most of the teams that have been successful so far have been tag teams.
Ibushi and Ali come in and the fans give Kota the kind of welcome you would expect. Ali is taken down in a test of strength but Kota can't break his bridge. They trade some kicks to the face with Ibushi getting the better of it as we take a break. Back with Perkins rolling suplexes on Ali and grabbing the kneebar. As is custom though, the first kneebar only results in the grabbing of a rope.
Perkins heads outside and that means a big flip dive from Dorado. Back in and Ali gets two off a neckbreaker but a faceplant allows the tag off to Ibushi so things can speed up. A moonsault from Kota and a frog splash from TJ combine for two. TJ dropkicks Dorado into the ropes to set up the Wrecking Ball dropkick. The kneebar makes Ali tap at 11:39.
Results
DIY b. Hoho Lun/Tian Bing Superkick/running knee combination to Lun
Aliyah b. Billie Kay Rollup
Tye Dillinger b. Noah Potjes Tyebreaker
Asuka b. Thea Trinidad Fujiwara armbar
Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins b. Mustafa Ali/Lince Dorado Kneebar to Ali