klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: November 9, 2015
Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
We're across the ocean for the annual European tour and for once it's a big night as the World Title tournament begins. Seth Rollins is out due to a torn ACL, meaning it's time to have a tournament for the vacant title. The brackets will be revealed tonight and it should be interesting to see what they have planned. Let's get to it.
We open with the title on a stand in the middle of the ring as Cole recaps Rollins' injury.
Here's HHH to address the title situation. HHH thanks Seth for always living up to the expectations the Authority had and pauses for a THANK YOU SETH chant. There's going to be a tournament set up with the winner becoming the new champion at Survivor Series. A few weeks ago though, we crowned a new #1 contender so HHH would like Reigns to come out here right now.
While it's true that there's a tournament, it seems unfair to HHH that Reigns should have to walk through the tournament with no advantage. Instead, HHH offers to let Reigns advance to Survivor Series to face the winner of the tournament. The reality is that the Authority was thinking about giving Reigns the spot before they picked Rollins. HHH saw so much potential in Reigns and thinks he could have been the biggest star in the business.
Could Reigns have fought and beaten Brock on his own and then held the title as long as he wanted? It would have been interesting to see. What HHH has seen is Reigns going up against wall after wall and never quitting. All Reigns has to do now is be HHH's man, which Reigns calls selling out.
HHH doesn't like that term and says forget all these morals because he could be given everything that he deserves. He even gets more serious by bringing up Reigns' family. Roman could secure his daughter's daughter's future by just saying yes. The fans still say NO and Reigns says the same because he wants to do it his way. HHH thanks him for reminding him why he didn't pick Reigns in the first place, so welcome to the back of the line. Reigns' first match is right now. This opens a few doors as Reigns could change his mind or someone else could take the spot instead. Most interesting indeed.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Roman Reigns vs. Big Show
Show headbutts him down to start and they go to the floor with Show throwing him over the bottom rope and back inside. See, Show is big and strong. That makes him entertaining in case you haven't gotten it in the last nearly seventeen years. Reigns dives into a chop to the chest and gets whipped across the ring as this is one sided so far. Show's splash gets two and he throws Reigns down again as we take another break.
Total dominance so far but at least we're getting this thing out of the way in the first round instead of sitting through a bunch of Show wins. Back with Reigns firing off right hands but getting caught in a bearhug (that felt like they came back a few seconds early). Reigns throws him off and grabs a Samoan drop, followed by the corner clotheslines. That earns Roman a chokeslam for two but the Superman Punch and spear advance Reigns at 11:57.
Here are the full brackets.
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Sheamus
Alberto Del Rio
Stardust
Kalisto
Ryback
Titus O'Neil
Kevin Owens
Neville
King Barrett
Dolph Ziggler
Miz
Dean Ambrose
Tyler Breeze
That's uh....pretty lame. You can almost see the finals from here, save for a quick swerve. If they do turn Ambrose heel against a face Reigns, sweet goodness they've lost their minds even more than I thought they had.
Quick video of Undertaker and Kane during their most dominant days. The Wyatts will be paying respect to them later.
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is here.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Titus O'Neil vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title of course. Before the match, Owens says you can buy his theme music on iTunes and put some change in his pockets. “And yes, I actually have pockets on my wrestling gear. That's how awesome I am.” Owens talks about how WWE needs change right now and what better place than in the smartest fans in the world here in England. However, Owens thinks they're dumb for following something like the Royal Family. The change is all about Owens though, because this is his show.
Kevin fights out of the corner to start but gets kicked in the face to knock him outside. We take an early break and come back with Titus fighting out of a chinlock. Titus is told that he isn't on Kevin's level and pounds away in the corner, followed by the dog bark and a missed charge. The Pop Up Powerbomb ends Titus at 6:56.
Owens steals JBL's hat. Thank goodness that won't lead to a feud.
Paige thinks Becky Lynch is a rat and the only thing better than beating Baby Flair for the title is beating the B and then taking out the C. I kind of dig that.
Clip of Undertaker beating Sid for the title at Wrestlemania XIII and one of Kane cashing in Money in the Bank to win the title at Money in the Bank 2010.
Paige vs. Becky Lynch
So do they keep the #1 contender strong or have her lose at home instead? They brawl to start with Becky in trouble against the home country star. The fans quiet down until THIS IS MY HOUSE wakes them up all over again. Paige puts her in the Tree of Woe and pulls back on Becky's arms in an incredibly painful looking hold. They trade abdominal stretches until Becky charges into a superkick (of course) for two. The Rampaige gets the same as Becky is too close to the ropes. Paige loads up the PTO but Becky rolls her up for the pin at 5:00.
Post match Paige puts Becky on the table for the PTO (It's like the same move! BUT ON A TABLE!) until Charlotte makes the save.
Video on Wrestlemania tickets going on sale.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
They start fast with Ziggler grabbing a leg but having to escape the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz bails from a superkick but walks into a clothesline. Dolph misses a charge into the corner and Miz starts in on the knee. Now it's Miz's turn to have a charge hit buckle and Dolph gets two off a backslide. Miz kicks him in the head and puts on the Figure Four though. Dolph finally makes the rope, pops up and superkicks Miz for the pin at 5:07.
Dolph holds up the title. I wouldn't get used to that Ziggy.
Undertaker dominated people at Survivor Series 2005 and Kane won the Tag Team Titles with Daniel Bryan at Night of Champions 2012.
Here's MexAmerica to say they don't want England around because they're just so hateful. Now England is listening to Germany and Russia and they're despised around the world. Del Rio calls them all haters and Zeb thanks HHH for the first round title match on Smackdown. Wow that's not something you hear on Raw anymore. And when is the last time we saw a promo with no action involved?
Natalya vs. Naomi
Natalya's epic FACEBOOK challenges continue as she keeps trying to figure out who leads Team Bad. Naomi accepted the challenge on Twitter, which may or may not be on the same footing. Natalya helps the fans with the WE WANT SASHA chants. They go to the floor very quickly with Sasha sending Natalya into the post and messing up her leg. Back in and we're already on the chinlockery until Natalya fights up with a clothesline. Natalya: “WE WANT SASHA!” The Rear View misses and Natalya sends Naomi into Tamina for a rollup at 2:05.
Sasha comes in post match and is put in the Sharpshooter until Tamina saves for a beatdown.
Undertaker beat up Edge in the Cell in 2008 while Kane destroyed a wedding in 2005.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Sheamus vs. Cesaro
The winner gets Roman Reigns and King Barrett is in Sheamus' corner. During the break after Sheamus' entrance, Barrett got in an argument with Wayne Rooney to continue a Twitter feud they had earlier in the year. They brawl into the corner to start as is their custom, while JBL goes on about European sports that most Americans don't care about as is his custom. Sheamus comes back with a quick throw and pounds away with the forearms to the chest as we take a break.
Back with Cesaro fighting out of a chinlock but getting crotched on the top. Cesaro spins around Sheamus' arm and runs him over, only to have both guys fall out to the floor in a big crash. Cesaro is holding his arm and both guys dive in to beat the count at nine. Sheamus drives him into the corner and loads up a Brogue Kick but Cesaro ducks under a Brogue Kick and tries the Sharpshooter, sending Sheamus bailing to the ropes.
Cesaro uppercuts with the bar arm and dropkicks Sheamus off the top to the floor. There's another uppercut against the barricade but Sheamus and Barret start arguing with Rooney. Wayne slaps Barrett in the face and a running uppercut sets up Cesaro's arm trap small package for the pin at 15:35.
Tyler Breeze calls Renee ugly and wants to get rid of Dean Ambrose's ugly clothes.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze
This is Breeze's main roster debut. Tyler ducks a clothesline to start and hides in the ropes. Dean loads up a suicide dive but Summer takes Tyler's place and screams to stop Dean. Ambrose takes him down on the other side of the ring and lays on the barricade as we take a break. Back with Dean hammering away in the corner until Breeze throws him to the floor and takes over. Cole lists off all of Breeze's nicknames and we get a nice pinfall reversal sequence.
A rollup out of the corner with feet on the ropes gives Tyler a two count. Dean goes up for a missile dropkick but stuns himself on the landing, possibly injuring his shoulder. If it wasn't hurt though, Tyler sends him into the post twice in a row to make sure it's hurting. A Fujiwara armbar makes Dean scream but he makes the rope for the break. Tyler gets kicked to the floor and a kid who sounds about five says “THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH DOLPH ZIGGLER!” Back in and Dean grabs a small package for the pin at 11:05.
Here are the updated brackets.
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Alberto Del Rio
Stardust
Kalisto
Ryback
Owens
Neville
King Barrett
Ziggler
Ambrose
The next Undertaker/Kane moments are Wrestlemania XXVIII for Undertaker and the 2001 Royal Rumble for Kane.
The other three first round tournament matches will take place on Smackdown.
Here's New Day to complain about being left out of the tournament. Big E. declares it outrageous that they're being treated like outcasts, even while they stand here so fresh and clean. It wasn't long ago that they laid out Dolph Ziggler (Big E. faints here), took out their childhood favorites the Dudley Boyz and put out John Cena. This match is for their captain Seth Rollins, so get your horns out. Actually never mind because European magic is gar-bage. Kofi: “And Harry Potter sucks.”
Neville/Usos vs. New Day
A chop sends Woods to the floor and we take a break 32 seconds in. Geez just don't start the match then. Back with Jimmy caught in the Unicorn Stampede but being able to avoid the Warrior Splash. It's off to Neville for the fast kicks and a standing moonsault to Woods, followed by the double superkicks and dives from the Usos.
Neville dropkicks Woods onto his partners and it's time for a big corkscrew moonsault off the top to the floor. Big E. runs over an Uso and Neville goes up for the Red Arrow, only to have the trombone thrown in for a distraction. Big E. shoves Neville off the top and Xavier grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 8:37.
We see the Wyatts taking out Undertaker and Kane recently.
Here's Bray Wyatt to eulogize the Brothers of Destruction. Bray says change is a part of life and determines who you are. They have been the benchmark for over twenty years and they have reigned supreme. He asks us to bow our heads in remembrance but calls the fans fools for chanting Undertaker's name. There was no passing of the torch because Bray took the torch and burned both of them into ashes.
Now he controls the thunder and lightning and the demons respond to his commands. The apocalypse is here. Bray kneels and an Undertaker and Kane highlight video starts playing in reverse before going normally. Bray looks upset and Undertaker's voice says REST IN PEACE. Lightning makes fire come out of the posts and the gong sounds.
Cue Undertaker and Kane to scare Bray even more. They stare him down but the lights go out again (pay your bills you deadbeats) and the other three Wyatts are here. Undertaker punches Bray down and Harper and Rowan are punched away as well. Strowman gets in and takes off his mask but Harper and Rowan have to be chokeslammed first. A double clothesline to the Brothers just causes a double situp and Strowman is sent to the floor. Bray is all alone but Braun has to be sent over the announcers' table. Bray gets chokeslammed to end the show.
Results
Roman Reigns b. Big Show – Spear
Kevin Owens b. Titus O'Neil – Pop Up Powerbomb
Becky Lynch b. Paige – Small package
Dolph Ziggler b. The Miz – Superkick
Natalya b. Naomi – Rollup
Cesaro b. Sheamus – Arm trap small package
Dean Ambrose b. Tyler Breeze – Small package
Tuesday
Nothing.
NXT
Date: November 11, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
We're on the road to London at the moment and the big story is Samoa Joe turning on Finn Balor last week after Balor's title defense against Apollo Crews. This likely sets up the main event at the next Takeover, though there's a chance Crews and Baron Corbin could be added in to make it a four way. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of the end of last week's show.
Opening sequence.
Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin
Never mind as Apollo Crews hits the ring and destroys Corbin, sending him running off. Crews shouts at Corbin to come back but he's long gone.
The announcers preview the rest of the show.
Bayley/Hype Bros vs. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss
Ryder and Murphy get us going but it's off to Bliss a few seconds in. Bayley is more than happy to come in and, after Alexa takes off her bracelet, the champ takes her down with a headlock. Fans: “SHE AIN'T HYPED! BAYLEY'S HYPED!” Bayley sends her into the corner for a running elbow but the threat of a Bayley to Belly sends Bliss out to the floor as we take a break.
Back with Mojo clotheslining Blake and bringing in Ryder as Graves psychoanalyzes his colleagues. Ryder gets caught in the wrong corner and stomped down, followed by a backbreaker as the fans continue to chant what sounds like “HEY WE WANT SOME BAYLEY!” Murphy's reverse chinlock doesn't get very far so he drives Zack back into the corner for a slingshot hilo from Blake.
Back up and Zack dives over for the tag to Mojo, in his neon green gear (Byron: “SLIMER IS ON THE LOOSE!”
. Everything breaks down and Bliss gets knocked to the floor but she grabs the title and runs off. Bayley is ticked off so she Bayley to Bellys Murphy and chases Bliss off. Hyperdrive puts Murphy away at 12:11.
Ascension accepts Gable and Jordan's challenge.
Nia Jax runs into Eva Marie and they walk off together.
Deonna vs. Nia Jax
No Eva in sight. A quick Samoan drop plants Deonna early on and we're already in the slow squash. Jax throws her into the corner and plants her with a release spinebuster. A legdrop puts Deonna away at 1:49.
Clip of Dash Wilder/Scott Dawson beating the Vaudevillains in the Dusty Classic to set up tonight's title match.
William Regal underwent successful neck surgery. No word on how long he's out.
Bayley is looking for Bliss and finds her Women's Title. Nia Jax jumps her from behind and scares Bliss off for trying to get the title. Jax looks at the title and drops it next to Bayley before leaving.
Tag Team Titles: Vaudevillains vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Vaudevillains are defending. English and Dawson get things going but it's quickly off to Wilder with the champs taking over in the corner. Some kicks to the chest put Wilder down so it's off to Scott who gets caught in an armbar. Wilder offers a distraction from the apron though and Dawson takes out the knee as we go to a break. Back with English's knee in trouble as Wilder cranks away. Dawson wraps it around the post because he wrestle like a modern day Anderson.
More shots to the leg set up a slingshot suplex (so he's an Anderson and Blanchard hybrid) for two. English's leg is wrapped around the post again but he pulls Dawson's face into the post, allowing for the hot tag to Gotch. Everything breaks down with Simon cleaning house, only to have English tag back in for no logical reason. Gotch is sent into the steps and English's knee is crushed the same was Cass' was a few weeks back. Wilder's reverse Figure Four gives us new champions at 12:00.
The new champs can't believe it.
Bayley vs. Bliss for the title next week.
Here's Samoa Joe for his big explanation. When the Dusty Classic was announced, Finn Balor came to him and asked Joe to be his partner. They won that tournament and Joe wanted an NXT Title match. Now to Balor's credit, he agreed to the match but did nothing when Regal put him in the #1 contenders battle royal.
That lack of action drove Joe to do what he did last week because he doesn't deserve to wait for a title shot. The day he walked in to NXT he was owed a shot because he's Samoa Joe. This brings out Balor but the referees break it up. Joe says good choices and grabs the Koquina Clutch to choke Balor out. Joe holds up the title to end the show.
Results
Bayley/Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss – Hyperdrive to Murphy
Nia Jax b. Deonna – Legdrop
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Vaudevillains – Reverse Figure Four to English
Impact Wrestling
Date: November 11, 2015
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
We're past the halfway point in the qualifying matches as almost everyone has had two of their three matches. Tonight it's week six and we're going to have some people wrap up their round robin stuff, meaning we can actually see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Let's get to it.
Opening recap and preview of last week and this week.
The announcers preview things as well.
Before their match, we see Madison Rayne going through some WACKY ninja training to get her ready for Gail Kim. I don't think this needs any more explanation.
Group Knockouts: Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne
Winner goes to the round of sixteen. Gail takes her down to the mat to start as Pope makes ninja jokes. A pinfall reversal sequence goes how most pinfall reversal sequences go. Madison sweeps the leg for two but Gail's cross body gets the same as Josh figures out every possible way to say this is winner take all.
Back from a break with Gail missing her running cross body in the corner and crashing out to the floor to give Madison an opening. For some reason she follows Gail to the floor, only to get sent into the steps to change control. Back in and Gail's dragon sleeper doesn't go anywhere so Madison hits a basement cross body for two. Madison tries the Rayne Drop but a quick small package sends Gail to the round of 16 at 11:21.
Group Knockouts
Gail Kim – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Brooke – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Madison Rayne – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Awesome Kong – 3 points (0 matches remaining)
We get an interview with Matt Hardy who says it's going to be trendy when he sweeps the whole Series and proves that he's the World Champion once and for all. What better way to prove he's the best than by beating everyone? Both life and a wrestling career are too short to have regrets and it wasn't fair to anyone to have EC3 drag it out for years.
It wouldn't be fair to the fans or TNA (“They might not even be on TV anymore.” so he gave up the title for the sake of the future. He won't be taking tonight off against Eddie Edwards because Eddie is the future, but tonight Eddie is the next victim of the Matt Hardy formula. Of course he wants to face EC3 in the finals because he wants to take away that undefeated streak.
Group Future Four: Jesse Godderz vs. Eli Drake
Jesse says he wants to win the title so he can be on a cereal box. Very slow feeling out process to start with Drake's headlock going nowhere. A test of strength goes to Eli with the help of a knee to the ribs. Jesse's press slam goes nowhere as his knee buckles and Drake starts in on it to show some intelligence.
Some slow kicks to the knee don't seem to bother Jesse as he comes back with a backbreaker and enziguri, though he's nice enough to limp after doing the moves with no issue. They trade rollups with handfuls of trunks for no count each so Drake puts him on the top but gets shoved away. That's fine with Drake as he crotches Jesse down and puts his feet on the ropes for a pin at 6:51.
Group Future Four
Eli Drake – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Jesse Godderz – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Micah – 1 point (2 matches remaining)
Crimson – 0 points (2 matches remaining)
Ethan Carter III is at TNA headquarters (which looks like a local pub) to pay the fine in person.
Drake brags about his win.
It's time for the World Title Series awards to fill in even more time. Pope picks Matt Hardy as MVP, Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards as Match of the Series, Shera as Most Improved, James Storm as Most Disappointing and Lashley vs. Aries as the Best Match To Come.
Group Tag Team Specialists: Eddie Edwards vs. Matt Hardy
Edwards is eliminated if he loses. Matt takes it to the mat to start before they trade wristlocks. A forearm to the back has Eddie in trouble and we take an early break. Back with Matt being sent to the floor for a suicide dive but Eddie chops the post by mistake. There's no way to fake something like that. Pope: “My lawd it's got me checking my fingers daddy!” A Side Effect on the apron is broken up and Eddie DDT's Matt instead.
Back in and Eddie chops with the bad hand but walks into a double clothesline to put both of them down. Eddie has to break a sleeper by falling back onto Hardy and a Backpack Stunner gets two. The Side Effect and Twist of Fate are countered into rollups for two each and a kick to the head gets the same. Eddie goes up top but gets crotched, setting up a super Twist of Fate (minus the twist) for the pin at 11:05.
Group Tag Team Specialists
Matt Hardy – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Robbie E. – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Davey Richards – 1 point (1 match remaining)
Eddie Edwards – 1 point (0 matches remaining)
We look at the end of Bound For Glory with Ethan shoving John Gaburick to draw a huge fine.
Ethan comes in to Dixie's office and accuses her of robbing him of the title. Dixie asks what happened to him but Ethan pays the fine and leaves. This was described as a “major confrontation” earlier in the night.
Matt praises Eddie for his toughness.
Pope decides whose bubbles are going to pop soon.
Group X-Division: Mandrews vs. DJZ
Mandrews quickly takes him to the floor and moonsaults off the steps, followed by an overshot flip dive over the top to the floor. Back in and Mandrews' standing moonsault takes WAY too much time to set up, allowing DJZ to kick him away with ease. DJZ cranks on an armbar but walks into a very fast hurricanrana for two. Another hurricanrana out of the corner gets two more and Mandrews gets all ticked off, only to charge into a shot to the face. Mandrews kicks him off the top but a shooting star hits knees, giving DJZ the pin at 5:55.
Group X-Division
Manik – 6 points (1 match remaining)
DJZ – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Tigre Uno – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Mandrews – 0 points (0 matches remaining)
Video of Shera training. If they drop the dancing stuff, he might be interesting eventually.
Preview of next week.
Eric Young wants to break Josh Matthews for saying his bubble is about to burst in the tournament, even though Pope said it. Young is ready for James Storm next week.
Pope changes his pick to Young over Storm.
Clips of Micah pinning Crimson.
Group Future Four
Eli Drake – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Micah – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Jesse Godderz – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Crimson – 0 points (1 match remaining)
Ethan Carter III was in India earlier this week and promises to beat Mr. Anderson tonight.
The semi-finals will be in India.
Drew Galloway is in Scotland to prepare for his final match in the group stage.
Another preview of next week.
Video on the history between Mr. Anderson and EC3. As in all those matches where Anderson lost, just like he's done in every match in the Series so far.
Group Champions: Ethan Carter III vs. Mr. Anderson
They chop it out to start with Anderson getting the better of it and sending Carter to the floor as we take a break. Back with Anderson firing off more chops and pounding Carter in the head as Carter tries to cover up. A quick baseball slide takes Tyrus out and a boot to the face looks to set up the Mic Check.
Carter drives him to the floor to counter, which Pope refers to as dinosaur land. Anderson gets sent into the apron and Carter bends his fingers back for good measure. We hit the chinlock as Pope and Josh compare Anderson and Carter's upbringings in the business. Anderson fights out with less than five minutes to go and easily wins a slugout.
The Regal roll and a swanton get two on Carter and both guys are tired with two and a half minutes to go. Anderson goes up top and counters a super 1%er into a middle rope Regal roll for two more. Tyrus and Earl Hebner argue on the floor (Tyrus: “YOU'RE TOO OLD!” so Anderson beats Tyrus up with a chair with a minute left. Hebner gets rid of the chair, allowing Carter to kick Anderson low and grab a jackknife rollup for the pin at 16:24 as TNA's clock continues to be off.
Group Champions
Ethan Carter III – 7 points (0 matches remaining)
Austin Aries – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Lashley – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Mr. Anderson – 0 points (0 matches remaining)
Results
Gail Kim b. Madison Rayne – Small package
Eli Drake b. Jesse Godderz – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Matt Hardy b. Eddie Edwards – Super Twist of Fate
DJZ b. Mandrews – Pin after a blocked shooting star press
Ethan Carter III b. Mr. Anderson – Jackknife rollup
Thursday
Smackdown
Date: November 12, 2015
Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Commentators: Booker T., Jerry Lawler, Rich Brennan
For the first time in a long time, there's actual important stuff going on tonight. We're getting the final three first round matchups in the WWE World Title tournament, which hopefully is the start of a shift back to making Smackdown mean ANYTHING. Then again it could just be laying the groundwork for the move to USA in January so they can pretend it means something and then drop it back to reality. I'll take what I can get though so let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Rollins destroying anything that ends in CL and being put on the shelf for the better part of a year.
We look at the brackets and recap Monday's tournament matches.
Here are the Wyatts with something to say, which I'm assuming will involve no selling Monday's beatdown. Harper says this is how the world works: when the Wyatts show up, blood runs cold. So that's what happened go Glacier. Tonight they're sacrificing the Usos to Bray Wyatt. Rowan says Bray brings vengeance and sorrow to all who oppose him so tonight they're bringing pain and humiliation to those who oppose them. Strowman wants us to look at his face and see our annihilation because he will pile the bodies to the sky for the eater of worlds.
Bray isn't worried about Undertaker and Kane being back because he's taken pieces of them that they can never recover. Now he lives in the monster's nightmares and would like to issue a challenge for Survivor Series: their family against his family, two on two. They have until the end of the night to respond. So after losing 4-2, they want to fight 2-2? I think I'll take the Glacier match instead.
Braun Strowman vs. Fandango
They're Fandangoing in Manchester. For some reason this doesn't surprise me. Fandango goes right at Braun to start and it goes as well as you would expect. Braun clotheslines him out of the air and the standing choke makes Fandango tap (the first man to do that) at 1:30.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: King Barrett vs. Neville
The winner faces Owens. Neville promises to finish what Wayne Rooney started on Monday. Barrett gets rolled up for an early two and it's off to a headlock. A cross body gets two more for Neville so Barrett throws him to the floor and kicks him in the face. Nice strategy. Neville is bounced off the announcers' table a few times and we take an early break. Back with Barrett getting his own near fall off a pumphandle slam.
Neville fights out of a chinlock and tries to flip out of the corner but gets kicked in the ribs to put him down again. Barrett kicks him to the floor again and gets in some posing to annoy the crowd all over again. That's becoming too lost of an art. We hit the chinlock for a bit before the Winds of Change is countered into a crucifix for two. Barrett throws him to the floor again (Lawler: “I think gravity just remembered him.” but stops to yell at the announcers, allowing Neville to run the barricade for a front flip onto the King. As in the British king.
Back in and a standing shooting star gets two for Neville but Barrett kicks him in the ribs (I'm adding him to the list of people who use superkicks) for a string of two counts. Barrett to the referee: “How much is he paying you?” Neville's lifting German gets two but a release Winds of Change gets the same. The Wasteland is countered into a DDT, setting up the Red Arrow for the pin at 15:28.
The Usos are very excited to face the Wyatts tonight because there's been a rivalry for years.
We're going to step away from the show itself for a minute here as the version of the show I watched online before the TV broadcast includes a dark segment so here's a bonus.
King Barrett is still in the ring and says that's not exactly how he planned this. Rooney slapping him on Monday screwed him up and that's the only reason he lost here. He's been doing this for twelve years now and with all the titles he's won, he's certainly a Hall of Famer. There go the lights and we've got Undertaker. After his forty eight minute entrance (complete with thunder as he takes off the hat), Undertaker stares Barrett down.
Barrett: “Can I help you?” Undertaker is on the wrong side of the tracks because this is northwest England. Barrett is the Preston Panther and doesn't like people coming to his place and staring at him. He explains the process behind the Bull Hammer but says he has bigger fish to try. The cheap shot doesn't work and Barrett takes a chokeslam.
Undertaker leaves to no music but stops and turns around, much to the fans' delight. There goes the throat slit and Barrett takes a Tombstone. The fans want one more and who is Undertaker to turn them down. Nothing much here but it was cool for the fans live and that was the entire point.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Ryback vs. Kalisto
Kalisto says it's the size of the fight in the dog but Ryback says feed him more. Some kicks to the legs stagger Ryback and Kalisto slips out of a gorilla press. A very early Salida Del Sol gets two and Ryback throws him to the floor on the kickout but is very staggered. Back from a break with Kalisto getting caught in a spinebuster and a pair of powerbombs. Ryback stays on the back with a hard knee and a delayed vertical suplex but Kalisto knees him in the head to break it up.
Some stomps to the ribs set up a bearhug on the mat as Ryback has easily slipped into the default heel role. Off to a waistlock for a bit before a big boot puts Kalisto down again. Another big boot misses though and Kalisto knocks him to the floor with a dropkick. Kalisto tries an Asai moonsault but gets caught and kind of slammed on the outside. Back in and the hurricanrana driver is countered into Shell Shock but Kalisto rolls through into a sunset flip for two. The Meathook gets the same and Ryback sets up a belly to back superplex, only to get caught in a super Salida Del Sol for the big upset at 13:11.
They shake hands post match and Ryback raises Kalisto's hand. Ryback did a really good job here of playing the heel without going over to the dark side.
Video on Wrestlemania tickets going on sale.
Here's MexAmerica before Del Rio's match. Colter says this should be the Divided Kingdom because all of the countries hate each other. Del Rio brings up the two soccer team in this city and suggests they unite. They promise to unify the World and US Titles into the MexAmerica World Title. This gimmick started off as lukewarm and has gotten even worse. Colter is great on the mic but there's nothing for him to work with here.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Stardust vs. Alberto Del Rio
Stardust now has Ascension style attire. Stardust starts fast with right hands and a clothesline to send Alberto outside but Del Rio sends him shoulder first into the post. Stardust: “OW! MY SHOULDER!” See? It hurt his shoulder. Back from a break with Del Rio kicking him in the head, followed by the corner enziguri for two.
After a quick armbreaker over the ropes, Stardust comes back with some clotheslines but walks into the Backstabber for two. A quick Disaster Kick gets the same for Stardust and he's polite enough to climb up top with his back to the ring so Del Rio can kick him down into the Tree of Woe. The top rope double stomp advances Del Rio at 10:24.
Here are the full second round brackets:
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Alberto Del Rio
Kalisto
Kevin Owens
Neville
Dolph Ziggler
Dean Ambrose
We recap Becky Lynch beating Paige on Raw with a handful of trunks, earning her a post match beatdown.
Roman Reigns talks about the WWE Championship being his Mount Everest over the last year. The higher you get, the weaker the footing is. Every time you go 100 feet forward, you fall back another 50. This Monday he has Cesaro who is going to uppercut his face off. Reigns isn't going to stop no matter what though, because that's the kind of man he is. As for HHH's offer on Monday, he doesn't take handouts because he isn't like Seth Rollins. He's bringing the big fight to this tournament so he can be the sole survivor.
Usos vs. Wyatt Family
The lights go out and the Wyatts just appear at ringside for a nice change of pace. Harper and Rowan hit the ring and clean house before the bell. Jey breaks up a double chokeslam and the brawl goes outside as we're still waiting on this to officially start. The bell rings with Jey and Rowan getting things going with Erick throwing him to the floor for a clothesline from Harper and we take a break.
Back with Jey in Rowan's head vice and losing his shirt. It's off to Harper who eats a right hand to the jaw so Rowan comes in to rip at Jimmy's nose. Jey can't slam Rowan and the fans want Harper. Rowan misses a charge and it's off to Jimmy for two off an enziguri. Jey's running Umaga attack is broken up by Rowan as everything breaks down. Jimmy gets two off a high cross body to Harper and a Whisper in the Wind to send Rowan outside.
Harper kicks Jimmy in the face and plants him with a Batista Bomb, only to have Jey come back in with a Superfly Splash for two. Luke no sells a superkick but a second knocks him to the floor. A double superkick does the same to Rowan and there's the double dive. That's enough for Bray so he and Strowman come in for the DQ at 12:12.
The Usos are beaten down until Undertaker's voice promises to make the Family rest in peace at Survivor Series. If (presumably) Braun and Bray win, that beatdown on Monday is forgotten, which is best for everyone.
Results
Braun Strowman b. Fandango – Standing choke
Neville b. King Barrett – Red Arrow
Kalisto b. Ryback – Super Salida Del Sol
Alberto Del Rio b. Stardust – Top rope double stomp
Usos b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman interfered
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Brooke appears to be finished with TNA.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Roman Reigns b. Big Show – Spear
Kevin Owens b. Titus O'Neil – Pop Up Powerbomb
Becky Lynch b. Paige – Small package
Dolph Ziggler b. The Miz – Superkick
Natalya b. Naomi – Rollup
Cesaro b. Sheamus – Arm trap small package
Dean Ambrose b. Tyler Breeze – Small package
NXT
Bayley/Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss – Hyperdrive to Murphy
Nia Jax b. Deonna – Legdrop
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Vaudevillains – Reverse Figure Four to English
Impact Wrestling
Gail Kim b. Madison Rayne – Small package
Eli Drake b. Jesse Godderz – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Matt Hardy b. Eddie Edwards – Super Twist of Fate
DJZ b. Mandrews – Pin after a blocked shooting star press
Ethan Carter III b. Mr. Anderson – Jackknife rollup
Smackdown
Braun Strowman b. Fandango – Standing choke
Neville b. King Barrett – Red Arrow
Kalisto b. Ryback – Super Salida Del Sol
Alberto Del Rio b. Stardust – Top rope double stomp
Usos b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman interfered
Monday Night Raw
Date: November 9, 2015
Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
We're across the ocean for the annual European tour and for once it's a big night as the World Title tournament begins. Seth Rollins is out due to a torn ACL, meaning it's time to have a tournament for the vacant title. The brackets will be revealed tonight and it should be interesting to see what they have planned. Let's get to it.
We open with the title on a stand in the middle of the ring as Cole recaps Rollins' injury.
Here's HHH to address the title situation. HHH thanks Seth for always living up to the expectations the Authority had and pauses for a THANK YOU SETH chant. There's going to be a tournament set up with the winner becoming the new champion at Survivor Series. A few weeks ago though, we crowned a new #1 contender so HHH would like Reigns to come out here right now.
While it's true that there's a tournament, it seems unfair to HHH that Reigns should have to walk through the tournament with no advantage. Instead, HHH offers to let Reigns advance to Survivor Series to face the winner of the tournament. The reality is that the Authority was thinking about giving Reigns the spot before they picked Rollins. HHH saw so much potential in Reigns and thinks he could have been the biggest star in the business.
Could Reigns have fought and beaten Brock on his own and then held the title as long as he wanted? It would have been interesting to see. What HHH has seen is Reigns going up against wall after wall and never quitting. All Reigns has to do now is be HHH's man, which Reigns calls selling out.
HHH doesn't like that term and says forget all these morals because he could be given everything that he deserves. He even gets more serious by bringing up Reigns' family. Roman could secure his daughter's daughter's future by just saying yes. The fans still say NO and Reigns says the same because he wants to do it his way. HHH thanks him for reminding him why he didn't pick Reigns in the first place, so welcome to the back of the line. Reigns' first match is right now. This opens a few doors as Reigns could change his mind or someone else could take the spot instead. Most interesting indeed.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Roman Reigns vs. Big Show
Show headbutts him down to start and they go to the floor with Show throwing him over the bottom rope and back inside. See, Show is big and strong. That makes him entertaining in case you haven't gotten it in the last nearly seventeen years. Reigns dives into a chop to the chest and gets whipped across the ring as this is one sided so far. Show's splash gets two and he throws Reigns down again as we take another break.
Total dominance so far but at least we're getting this thing out of the way in the first round instead of sitting through a bunch of Show wins. Back with Reigns firing off right hands but getting caught in a bearhug (that felt like they came back a few seconds early). Reigns throws him off and grabs a Samoan drop, followed by the corner clotheslines. That earns Roman a chokeslam for two but the Superman Punch and spear advance Reigns at 11:57.
Here are the full brackets.
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Sheamus
Alberto Del Rio
Stardust
Kalisto
Ryback
Titus O'Neil
Kevin Owens
Neville
King Barrett
Dolph Ziggler
Miz
Dean Ambrose
Tyler Breeze
That's uh....pretty lame. You can almost see the finals from here, save for a quick swerve. If they do turn Ambrose heel against a face Reigns, sweet goodness they've lost their minds even more than I thought they had.
Quick video of Undertaker and Kane during their most dominant days. The Wyatts will be paying respect to them later.
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is here.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Titus O'Neil vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title of course. Before the match, Owens says you can buy his theme music on iTunes and put some change in his pockets. “And yes, I actually have pockets on my wrestling gear. That's how awesome I am.” Owens talks about how WWE needs change right now and what better place than in the smartest fans in the world here in England. However, Owens thinks they're dumb for following something like the Royal Family. The change is all about Owens though, because this is his show.
Kevin fights out of the corner to start but gets kicked in the face to knock him outside. We take an early break and come back with Titus fighting out of a chinlock. Titus is told that he isn't on Kevin's level and pounds away in the corner, followed by the dog bark and a missed charge. The Pop Up Powerbomb ends Titus at 6:56.
Owens steals JBL's hat. Thank goodness that won't lead to a feud.
Paige thinks Becky Lynch is a rat and the only thing better than beating Baby Flair for the title is beating the B and then taking out the C. I kind of dig that.
Clip of Undertaker beating Sid for the title at Wrestlemania XIII and one of Kane cashing in Money in the Bank to win the title at Money in the Bank 2010.
Paige vs. Becky Lynch
So do they keep the #1 contender strong or have her lose at home instead? They brawl to start with Becky in trouble against the home country star. The fans quiet down until THIS IS MY HOUSE wakes them up all over again. Paige puts her in the Tree of Woe and pulls back on Becky's arms in an incredibly painful looking hold. They trade abdominal stretches until Becky charges into a superkick (of course) for two. The Rampaige gets the same as Becky is too close to the ropes. Paige loads up the PTO but Becky rolls her up for the pin at 5:00.
Post match Paige puts Becky on the table for the PTO (It's like the same move! BUT ON A TABLE!) until Charlotte makes the save.
Video on Wrestlemania tickets going on sale.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
They start fast with Ziggler grabbing a leg but having to escape the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz bails from a superkick but walks into a clothesline. Dolph misses a charge into the corner and Miz starts in on the knee. Now it's Miz's turn to have a charge hit buckle and Dolph gets two off a backslide. Miz kicks him in the head and puts on the Figure Four though. Dolph finally makes the rope, pops up and superkicks Miz for the pin at 5:07.
Dolph holds up the title. I wouldn't get used to that Ziggy.
Undertaker dominated people at Survivor Series 2005 and Kane won the Tag Team Titles with Daniel Bryan at Night of Champions 2012.
Here's MexAmerica to say they don't want England around because they're just so hateful. Now England is listening to Germany and Russia and they're despised around the world. Del Rio calls them all haters and Zeb thanks HHH for the first round title match on Smackdown. Wow that's not something you hear on Raw anymore. And when is the last time we saw a promo with no action involved?
Natalya vs. Naomi
Natalya's epic FACEBOOK challenges continue as she keeps trying to figure out who leads Team Bad. Naomi accepted the challenge on Twitter, which may or may not be on the same footing. Natalya helps the fans with the WE WANT SASHA chants. They go to the floor very quickly with Sasha sending Natalya into the post and messing up her leg. Back in and we're already on the chinlockery until Natalya fights up with a clothesline. Natalya: “WE WANT SASHA!” The Rear View misses and Natalya sends Naomi into Tamina for a rollup at 2:05.
Sasha comes in post match and is put in the Sharpshooter until Tamina saves for a beatdown.
Undertaker beat up Edge in the Cell in 2008 while Kane destroyed a wedding in 2005.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Sheamus vs. Cesaro
The winner gets Roman Reigns and King Barrett is in Sheamus' corner. During the break after Sheamus' entrance, Barrett got in an argument with Wayne Rooney to continue a Twitter feud they had earlier in the year. They brawl into the corner to start as is their custom, while JBL goes on about European sports that most Americans don't care about as is his custom. Sheamus comes back with a quick throw and pounds away with the forearms to the chest as we take a break.
Back with Cesaro fighting out of a chinlock but getting crotched on the top. Cesaro spins around Sheamus' arm and runs him over, only to have both guys fall out to the floor in a big crash. Cesaro is holding his arm and both guys dive in to beat the count at nine. Sheamus drives him into the corner and loads up a Brogue Kick but Cesaro ducks under a Brogue Kick and tries the Sharpshooter, sending Sheamus bailing to the ropes.
Cesaro uppercuts with the bar arm and dropkicks Sheamus off the top to the floor. There's another uppercut against the barricade but Sheamus and Barret start arguing with Rooney. Wayne slaps Barrett in the face and a running uppercut sets up Cesaro's arm trap small package for the pin at 15:35.
Tyler Breeze calls Renee ugly and wants to get rid of Dean Ambrose's ugly clothes.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze
This is Breeze's main roster debut. Tyler ducks a clothesline to start and hides in the ropes. Dean loads up a suicide dive but Summer takes Tyler's place and screams to stop Dean. Ambrose takes him down on the other side of the ring and lays on the barricade as we take a break. Back with Dean hammering away in the corner until Breeze throws him to the floor and takes over. Cole lists off all of Breeze's nicknames and we get a nice pinfall reversal sequence.
A rollup out of the corner with feet on the ropes gives Tyler a two count. Dean goes up for a missile dropkick but stuns himself on the landing, possibly injuring his shoulder. If it wasn't hurt though, Tyler sends him into the post twice in a row to make sure it's hurting. A Fujiwara armbar makes Dean scream but he makes the rope for the break. Tyler gets kicked to the floor and a kid who sounds about five says “THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH DOLPH ZIGGLER!” Back in and Dean grabs a small package for the pin at 11:05.
Here are the updated brackets.
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Alberto Del Rio
Stardust
Kalisto
Ryback
Owens
Neville
King Barrett
Ziggler
Ambrose
The next Undertaker/Kane moments are Wrestlemania XXVIII for Undertaker and the 2001 Royal Rumble for Kane.
The other three first round tournament matches will take place on Smackdown.
Here's New Day to complain about being left out of the tournament. Big E. declares it outrageous that they're being treated like outcasts, even while they stand here so fresh and clean. It wasn't long ago that they laid out Dolph Ziggler (Big E. faints here), took out their childhood favorites the Dudley Boyz and put out John Cena. This match is for their captain Seth Rollins, so get your horns out. Actually never mind because European magic is gar-bage. Kofi: “And Harry Potter sucks.”
Neville/Usos vs. New Day
A chop sends Woods to the floor and we take a break 32 seconds in. Geez just don't start the match then. Back with Jimmy caught in the Unicorn Stampede but being able to avoid the Warrior Splash. It's off to Neville for the fast kicks and a standing moonsault to Woods, followed by the double superkicks and dives from the Usos.
Neville dropkicks Woods onto his partners and it's time for a big corkscrew moonsault off the top to the floor. Big E. runs over an Uso and Neville goes up for the Red Arrow, only to have the trombone thrown in for a distraction. Big E. shoves Neville off the top and Xavier grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 8:37.
We see the Wyatts taking out Undertaker and Kane recently.
Here's Bray Wyatt to eulogize the Brothers of Destruction. Bray says change is a part of life and determines who you are. They have been the benchmark for over twenty years and they have reigned supreme. He asks us to bow our heads in remembrance but calls the fans fools for chanting Undertaker's name. There was no passing of the torch because Bray took the torch and burned both of them into ashes.
Now he controls the thunder and lightning and the demons respond to his commands. The apocalypse is here. Bray kneels and an Undertaker and Kane highlight video starts playing in reverse before going normally. Bray looks upset and Undertaker's voice says REST IN PEACE. Lightning makes fire come out of the posts and the gong sounds.
Cue Undertaker and Kane to scare Bray even more. They stare him down but the lights go out again (pay your bills you deadbeats) and the other three Wyatts are here. Undertaker punches Bray down and Harper and Rowan are punched away as well. Strowman gets in and takes off his mask but Harper and Rowan have to be chokeslammed first. A double clothesline to the Brothers just causes a double situp and Strowman is sent to the floor. Bray is all alone but Braun has to be sent over the announcers' table. Bray gets chokeslammed to end the show.
Results
Roman Reigns b. Big Show – Spear
Kevin Owens b. Titus O'Neil – Pop Up Powerbomb
Becky Lynch b. Paige – Small package
Dolph Ziggler b. The Miz – Superkick
Natalya b. Naomi – Rollup
Cesaro b. Sheamus – Arm trap small package
Dean Ambrose b. Tyler Breeze – Small package
Tuesday
Nothing.
NXT
Date: November 11, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
We're on the road to London at the moment and the big story is Samoa Joe turning on Finn Balor last week after Balor's title defense against Apollo Crews. This likely sets up the main event at the next Takeover, though there's a chance Crews and Baron Corbin could be added in to make it a four way. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of the end of last week's show.
Opening sequence.
Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin
Never mind as Apollo Crews hits the ring and destroys Corbin, sending him running off. Crews shouts at Corbin to come back but he's long gone.
The announcers preview the rest of the show.
Bayley/Hype Bros vs. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss
Ryder and Murphy get us going but it's off to Bliss a few seconds in. Bayley is more than happy to come in and, after Alexa takes off her bracelet, the champ takes her down with a headlock. Fans: “SHE AIN'T HYPED! BAYLEY'S HYPED!” Bayley sends her into the corner for a running elbow but the threat of a Bayley to Belly sends Bliss out to the floor as we take a break.
Back with Mojo clotheslining Blake and bringing in Ryder as Graves psychoanalyzes his colleagues. Ryder gets caught in the wrong corner and stomped down, followed by a backbreaker as the fans continue to chant what sounds like “HEY WE WANT SOME BAYLEY!” Murphy's reverse chinlock doesn't get very far so he drives Zack back into the corner for a slingshot hilo from Blake.
Back up and Zack dives over for the tag to Mojo, in his neon green gear (Byron: “SLIMER IS ON THE LOOSE!”
. Everything breaks down and Bliss gets knocked to the floor but she grabs the title and runs off. Bayley is ticked off so she Bayley to Bellys Murphy and chases Bliss off. Hyperdrive puts Murphy away at 12:11.Ascension accepts Gable and Jordan's challenge.
Nia Jax runs into Eva Marie and they walk off together.
Deonna vs. Nia Jax
No Eva in sight. A quick Samoan drop plants Deonna early on and we're already in the slow squash. Jax throws her into the corner and plants her with a release spinebuster. A legdrop puts Deonna away at 1:49.
Clip of Dash Wilder/Scott Dawson beating the Vaudevillains in the Dusty Classic to set up tonight's title match.
William Regal underwent successful neck surgery. No word on how long he's out.
Bayley is looking for Bliss and finds her Women's Title. Nia Jax jumps her from behind and scares Bliss off for trying to get the title. Jax looks at the title and drops it next to Bayley before leaving.
Tag Team Titles: Vaudevillains vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Vaudevillains are defending. English and Dawson get things going but it's quickly off to Wilder with the champs taking over in the corner. Some kicks to the chest put Wilder down so it's off to Scott who gets caught in an armbar. Wilder offers a distraction from the apron though and Dawson takes out the knee as we go to a break. Back with English's knee in trouble as Wilder cranks away. Dawson wraps it around the post because he wrestle like a modern day Anderson.
More shots to the leg set up a slingshot suplex (so he's an Anderson and Blanchard hybrid) for two. English's leg is wrapped around the post again but he pulls Dawson's face into the post, allowing for the hot tag to Gotch. Everything breaks down with Simon cleaning house, only to have English tag back in for no logical reason. Gotch is sent into the steps and English's knee is crushed the same was Cass' was a few weeks back. Wilder's reverse Figure Four gives us new champions at 12:00.
The new champs can't believe it.
Bayley vs. Bliss for the title next week.
Here's Samoa Joe for his big explanation. When the Dusty Classic was announced, Finn Balor came to him and asked Joe to be his partner. They won that tournament and Joe wanted an NXT Title match. Now to Balor's credit, he agreed to the match but did nothing when Regal put him in the #1 contenders battle royal.
That lack of action drove Joe to do what he did last week because he doesn't deserve to wait for a title shot. The day he walked in to NXT he was owed a shot because he's Samoa Joe. This brings out Balor but the referees break it up. Joe says good choices and grabs the Koquina Clutch to choke Balor out. Joe holds up the title to end the show.
Results
Bayley/Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss – Hyperdrive to Murphy
Nia Jax b. Deonna – Legdrop
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Vaudevillains – Reverse Figure Four to English
Impact Wrestling
Date: November 11, 2015
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
We're past the halfway point in the qualifying matches as almost everyone has had two of their three matches. Tonight it's week six and we're going to have some people wrap up their round robin stuff, meaning we can actually see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Let's get to it.
Opening recap and preview of last week and this week.
The announcers preview things as well.
Before their match, we see Madison Rayne going through some WACKY ninja training to get her ready for Gail Kim. I don't think this needs any more explanation.
Group Knockouts: Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne
Winner goes to the round of sixteen. Gail takes her down to the mat to start as Pope makes ninja jokes. A pinfall reversal sequence goes how most pinfall reversal sequences go. Madison sweeps the leg for two but Gail's cross body gets the same as Josh figures out every possible way to say this is winner take all.
Back from a break with Gail missing her running cross body in the corner and crashing out to the floor to give Madison an opening. For some reason she follows Gail to the floor, only to get sent into the steps to change control. Back in and Gail's dragon sleeper doesn't go anywhere so Madison hits a basement cross body for two. Madison tries the Rayne Drop but a quick small package sends Gail to the round of 16 at 11:21.
Group Knockouts
Gail Kim – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Brooke – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Madison Rayne – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Awesome Kong – 3 points (0 matches remaining)
We get an interview with Matt Hardy who says it's going to be trendy when he sweeps the whole Series and proves that he's the World Champion once and for all. What better way to prove he's the best than by beating everyone? Both life and a wrestling career are too short to have regrets and it wasn't fair to anyone to have EC3 drag it out for years.
It wouldn't be fair to the fans or TNA (“They might not even be on TV anymore.”
so he gave up the title for the sake of the future. He won't be taking tonight off against Eddie Edwards because Eddie is the future, but tonight Eddie is the next victim of the Matt Hardy formula. Of course he wants to face EC3 in the finals because he wants to take away that undefeated streak.Group Future Four: Jesse Godderz vs. Eli Drake
Jesse says he wants to win the title so he can be on a cereal box. Very slow feeling out process to start with Drake's headlock going nowhere. A test of strength goes to Eli with the help of a knee to the ribs. Jesse's press slam goes nowhere as his knee buckles and Drake starts in on it to show some intelligence.
Some slow kicks to the knee don't seem to bother Jesse as he comes back with a backbreaker and enziguri, though he's nice enough to limp after doing the moves with no issue. They trade rollups with handfuls of trunks for no count each so Drake puts him on the top but gets shoved away. That's fine with Drake as he crotches Jesse down and puts his feet on the ropes for a pin at 6:51.
Group Future Four
Eli Drake – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Jesse Godderz – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Micah – 1 point (2 matches remaining)
Crimson – 0 points (2 matches remaining)
Ethan Carter III is at TNA headquarters (which looks like a local pub) to pay the fine in person.
Drake brags about his win.
It's time for the World Title Series awards to fill in even more time. Pope picks Matt Hardy as MVP, Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards as Match of the Series, Shera as Most Improved, James Storm as Most Disappointing and Lashley vs. Aries as the Best Match To Come.
Group Tag Team Specialists: Eddie Edwards vs. Matt Hardy
Edwards is eliminated if he loses. Matt takes it to the mat to start before they trade wristlocks. A forearm to the back has Eddie in trouble and we take an early break. Back with Matt being sent to the floor for a suicide dive but Eddie chops the post by mistake. There's no way to fake something like that. Pope: “My lawd it's got me checking my fingers daddy!” A Side Effect on the apron is broken up and Eddie DDT's Matt instead.
Back in and Eddie chops with the bad hand but walks into a double clothesline to put both of them down. Eddie has to break a sleeper by falling back onto Hardy and a Backpack Stunner gets two. The Side Effect and Twist of Fate are countered into rollups for two each and a kick to the head gets the same. Eddie goes up top but gets crotched, setting up a super Twist of Fate (minus the twist) for the pin at 11:05.
Group Tag Team Specialists
Matt Hardy – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Robbie E. – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Davey Richards – 1 point (1 match remaining)
Eddie Edwards – 1 point (0 matches remaining)
We look at the end of Bound For Glory with Ethan shoving John Gaburick to draw a huge fine.
Ethan comes in to Dixie's office and accuses her of robbing him of the title. Dixie asks what happened to him but Ethan pays the fine and leaves. This was described as a “major confrontation” earlier in the night.
Matt praises Eddie for his toughness.
Pope decides whose bubbles are going to pop soon.
Group X-Division: Mandrews vs. DJZ
Mandrews quickly takes him to the floor and moonsaults off the steps, followed by an overshot flip dive over the top to the floor. Back in and Mandrews' standing moonsault takes WAY too much time to set up, allowing DJZ to kick him away with ease. DJZ cranks on an armbar but walks into a very fast hurricanrana for two. Another hurricanrana out of the corner gets two more and Mandrews gets all ticked off, only to charge into a shot to the face. Mandrews kicks him off the top but a shooting star hits knees, giving DJZ the pin at 5:55.
Group X-Division
Manik – 6 points (1 match remaining)
DJZ – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Tigre Uno – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Mandrews – 0 points (0 matches remaining)
Video of Shera training. If they drop the dancing stuff, he might be interesting eventually.
Preview of next week.
Eric Young wants to break Josh Matthews for saying his bubble is about to burst in the tournament, even though Pope said it. Young is ready for James Storm next week.
Pope changes his pick to Young over Storm.
Clips of Micah pinning Crimson.
Group Future Four
Eli Drake – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Micah – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Jesse Godderz – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Crimson – 0 points (1 match remaining)
Ethan Carter III was in India earlier this week and promises to beat Mr. Anderson tonight.
The semi-finals will be in India.
Drew Galloway is in Scotland to prepare for his final match in the group stage.
Another preview of next week.
Video on the history between Mr. Anderson and EC3. As in all those matches where Anderson lost, just like he's done in every match in the Series so far.
Group Champions: Ethan Carter III vs. Mr. Anderson
They chop it out to start with Anderson getting the better of it and sending Carter to the floor as we take a break. Back with Anderson firing off more chops and pounding Carter in the head as Carter tries to cover up. A quick baseball slide takes Tyrus out and a boot to the face looks to set up the Mic Check.
Carter drives him to the floor to counter, which Pope refers to as dinosaur land. Anderson gets sent into the apron and Carter bends his fingers back for good measure. We hit the chinlock as Pope and Josh compare Anderson and Carter's upbringings in the business. Anderson fights out with less than five minutes to go and easily wins a slugout.
The Regal roll and a swanton get two on Carter and both guys are tired with two and a half minutes to go. Anderson goes up top and counters a super 1%er into a middle rope Regal roll for two more. Tyrus and Earl Hebner argue on the floor (Tyrus: “YOU'RE TOO OLD!”
so Anderson beats Tyrus up with a chair with a minute left. Hebner gets rid of the chair, allowing Carter to kick Anderson low and grab a jackknife rollup for the pin at 16:24 as TNA's clock continues to be off.Group Champions
Ethan Carter III – 7 points (0 matches remaining)
Austin Aries – 4 points (1 match remaining)
Lashley – 3 points (1 match remaining)
Mr. Anderson – 0 points (0 matches remaining)
Results
Gail Kim b. Madison Rayne – Small package
Eli Drake b. Jesse Godderz – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Matt Hardy b. Eddie Edwards – Super Twist of Fate
DJZ b. Mandrews – Pin after a blocked shooting star press
Ethan Carter III b. Mr. Anderson – Jackknife rollup
Thursday
Smackdown
Date: November 12, 2015
Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Commentators: Booker T., Jerry Lawler, Rich Brennan
For the first time in a long time, there's actual important stuff going on tonight. We're getting the final three first round matchups in the WWE World Title tournament, which hopefully is the start of a shift back to making Smackdown mean ANYTHING. Then again it could just be laying the groundwork for the move to USA in January so they can pretend it means something and then drop it back to reality. I'll take what I can get though so let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Rollins destroying anything that ends in CL and being put on the shelf for the better part of a year.
We look at the brackets and recap Monday's tournament matches.
Here are the Wyatts with something to say, which I'm assuming will involve no selling Monday's beatdown. Harper says this is how the world works: when the Wyatts show up, blood runs cold. So that's what happened go Glacier. Tonight they're sacrificing the Usos to Bray Wyatt. Rowan says Bray brings vengeance and sorrow to all who oppose him so tonight they're bringing pain and humiliation to those who oppose them. Strowman wants us to look at his face and see our annihilation because he will pile the bodies to the sky for the eater of worlds.
Bray isn't worried about Undertaker and Kane being back because he's taken pieces of them that they can never recover. Now he lives in the monster's nightmares and would like to issue a challenge for Survivor Series: their family against his family, two on two. They have until the end of the night to respond. So after losing 4-2, they want to fight 2-2? I think I'll take the Glacier match instead.
Braun Strowman vs. Fandango
They're Fandangoing in Manchester. For some reason this doesn't surprise me. Fandango goes right at Braun to start and it goes as well as you would expect. Braun clotheslines him out of the air and the standing choke makes Fandango tap (the first man to do that) at 1:30.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: King Barrett vs. Neville
The winner faces Owens. Neville promises to finish what Wayne Rooney started on Monday. Barrett gets rolled up for an early two and it's off to a headlock. A cross body gets two more for Neville so Barrett throws him to the floor and kicks him in the face. Nice strategy. Neville is bounced off the announcers' table a few times and we take an early break. Back with Barrett getting his own near fall off a pumphandle slam.
Neville fights out of a chinlock and tries to flip out of the corner but gets kicked in the ribs to put him down again. Barrett kicks him to the floor again and gets in some posing to annoy the crowd all over again. That's becoming too lost of an art. We hit the chinlock for a bit before the Winds of Change is countered into a crucifix for two. Barrett throws him to the floor again (Lawler: “I think gravity just remembered him.”
but stops to yell at the announcers, allowing Neville to run the barricade for a front flip onto the King. As in the British king.Back in and a standing shooting star gets two for Neville but Barrett kicks him in the ribs (I'm adding him to the list of people who use superkicks) for a string of two counts. Barrett to the referee: “How much is he paying you?” Neville's lifting German gets two but a release Winds of Change gets the same. The Wasteland is countered into a DDT, setting up the Red Arrow for the pin at 15:28.
The Usos are very excited to face the Wyatts tonight because there's been a rivalry for years.
We're going to step away from the show itself for a minute here as the version of the show I watched online before the TV broadcast includes a dark segment so here's a bonus.
King Barrett is still in the ring and says that's not exactly how he planned this. Rooney slapping him on Monday screwed him up and that's the only reason he lost here. He's been doing this for twelve years now and with all the titles he's won, he's certainly a Hall of Famer. There go the lights and we've got Undertaker. After his forty eight minute entrance (complete with thunder as he takes off the hat), Undertaker stares Barrett down.
Barrett: “Can I help you?” Undertaker is on the wrong side of the tracks because this is northwest England. Barrett is the Preston Panther and doesn't like people coming to his place and staring at him. He explains the process behind the Bull Hammer but says he has bigger fish to try. The cheap shot doesn't work and Barrett takes a chokeslam.
Undertaker leaves to no music but stops and turns around, much to the fans' delight. There goes the throat slit and Barrett takes a Tombstone. The fans want one more and who is Undertaker to turn them down. Nothing much here but it was cool for the fans live and that was the entire point.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Ryback vs. Kalisto
Kalisto says it's the size of the fight in the dog but Ryback says feed him more. Some kicks to the legs stagger Ryback and Kalisto slips out of a gorilla press. A very early Salida Del Sol gets two and Ryback throws him to the floor on the kickout but is very staggered. Back from a break with Kalisto getting caught in a spinebuster and a pair of powerbombs. Ryback stays on the back with a hard knee and a delayed vertical suplex but Kalisto knees him in the head to break it up.
Some stomps to the ribs set up a bearhug on the mat as Ryback has easily slipped into the default heel role. Off to a waistlock for a bit before a big boot puts Kalisto down again. Another big boot misses though and Kalisto knocks him to the floor with a dropkick. Kalisto tries an Asai moonsault but gets caught and kind of slammed on the outside. Back in and the hurricanrana driver is countered into Shell Shock but Kalisto rolls through into a sunset flip for two. The Meathook gets the same and Ryback sets up a belly to back superplex, only to get caught in a super Salida Del Sol for the big upset at 13:11.
They shake hands post match and Ryback raises Kalisto's hand. Ryback did a really good job here of playing the heel without going over to the dark side.
Video on Wrestlemania tickets going on sale.
Here's MexAmerica before Del Rio's match. Colter says this should be the Divided Kingdom because all of the countries hate each other. Del Rio brings up the two soccer team in this city and suggests they unite. They promise to unify the World and US Titles into the MexAmerica World Title. This gimmick started off as lukewarm and has gotten even worse. Colter is great on the mic but there's nothing for him to work with here.
WWE World Title Tournament First Round: Stardust vs. Alberto Del Rio
Stardust now has Ascension style attire. Stardust starts fast with right hands and a clothesline to send Alberto outside but Del Rio sends him shoulder first into the post. Stardust: “OW! MY SHOULDER!” See? It hurt his shoulder. Back from a break with Del Rio kicking him in the head, followed by the corner enziguri for two.
After a quick armbreaker over the ropes, Stardust comes back with some clotheslines but walks into the Backstabber for two. A quick Disaster Kick gets the same for Stardust and he's polite enough to climb up top with his back to the ring so Del Rio can kick him down into the Tree of Woe. The top rope double stomp advances Del Rio at 10:24.
Here are the full second round brackets:
Roman Reigns
Cesaro
Alberto Del Rio
Kalisto
Kevin Owens
Neville
Dolph Ziggler
Dean Ambrose
We recap Becky Lynch beating Paige on Raw with a handful of trunks, earning her a post match beatdown.
Roman Reigns talks about the WWE Championship being his Mount Everest over the last year. The higher you get, the weaker the footing is. Every time you go 100 feet forward, you fall back another 50. This Monday he has Cesaro who is going to uppercut his face off. Reigns isn't going to stop no matter what though, because that's the kind of man he is. As for HHH's offer on Monday, he doesn't take handouts because he isn't like Seth Rollins. He's bringing the big fight to this tournament so he can be the sole survivor.
Usos vs. Wyatt Family
The lights go out and the Wyatts just appear at ringside for a nice change of pace. Harper and Rowan hit the ring and clean house before the bell. Jey breaks up a double chokeslam and the brawl goes outside as we're still waiting on this to officially start. The bell rings with Jey and Rowan getting things going with Erick throwing him to the floor for a clothesline from Harper and we take a break.
Back with Jey in Rowan's head vice and losing his shirt. It's off to Harper who eats a right hand to the jaw so Rowan comes in to rip at Jimmy's nose. Jey can't slam Rowan and the fans want Harper. Rowan misses a charge and it's off to Jimmy for two off an enziguri. Jey's running Umaga attack is broken up by Rowan as everything breaks down. Jimmy gets two off a high cross body to Harper and a Whisper in the Wind to send Rowan outside.
Harper kicks Jimmy in the face and plants him with a Batista Bomb, only to have Jey come back in with a Superfly Splash for two. Luke no sells a superkick but a second knocks him to the floor. A double superkick does the same to Rowan and there's the double dive. That's enough for Bray so he and Strowman come in for the DQ at 12:12.
The Usos are beaten down until Undertaker's voice promises to make the Family rest in peace at Survivor Series. If (presumably) Braun and Bray win, that beatdown on Monday is forgotten, which is best for everyone.
Results
Braun Strowman b. Fandango – Standing choke
Neville b. King Barrett – Red Arrow
Kalisto b. Ryback – Super Salida Del Sol
Alberto Del Rio b. Stardust – Top rope double stomp
Usos b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman interfered
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Brooke appears to be finished with TNA.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Roman Reigns b. Big Show – Spear
Kevin Owens b. Titus O'Neil – Pop Up Powerbomb
Becky Lynch b. Paige – Small package
Dolph Ziggler b. The Miz – Superkick
Natalya b. Naomi – Rollup
Cesaro b. Sheamus – Arm trap small package
Dean Ambrose b. Tyler Breeze – Small package
NXT
Bayley/Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss – Hyperdrive to Murphy
Nia Jax b. Deonna – Legdrop
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Vaudevillains – Reverse Figure Four to English
Impact Wrestling
Gail Kim b. Madison Rayne – Small package
Eli Drake b. Jesse Godderz – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Matt Hardy b. Eddie Edwards – Super Twist of Fate
DJZ b. Mandrews – Pin after a blocked shooting star press
Ethan Carter III b. Mr. Anderson – Jackknife rollup
Smackdown
Braun Strowman b. Fandango – Standing choke
Neville b. King Barrett – Red Arrow
Kalisto b. Ryback – Super Salida Del Sol
Alberto Del Rio b. Stardust – Top rope double stomp
Usos b. Wyatt Family via DQ when Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman interfered