klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 25, 2016
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
It's the go home show for Payback and things are getting interesting around here. The big story at the moment revolves around what's going to happen with the recently debuted Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, who may have attacked Roman Reigns to help AJ Styles. AJ has denied it but there's a chance that this could be a Bullet Club reunion. Let's get to it.
We start with an In Memory Of graphic for Chyna. That's almost more than I was expecting.
The opening recap focuses on Reigns, AJ and Gallows/Anderson from last week.
Here's Shane McMahon to get things going. Shane talks about how he's here because of the fans and this Sunday is the first pay per view of a new era. I do love how they're just admitting that Smackdown means nothing and comes along on Raw's ride. Cue Stephanie to make her big return and suck up to the Hartford crowd as she was born in this town.
Apparently this is Shane's last night running the show because Vince hasn't been pleased. Therefore, we're going to find out once and for all who is running the show. Shane does a quick poll of the crowd to predictable responses but Stephanie says she isn't leaving. That's fine with Shane, who is in charge tonight and therefore calls security down to remove Stephanie from the ring. She fights them all the way to the back as is her custom. Shane introduces our first match.
AJ Styles vs. Sheamus
Sheamus drives him into the corner to start (take a shot) but AJ comes back with his dropkick sequence. It's back to the heavy forearms to knock AJ around so Styles hits one of his own to put Sheamus on the floor. A moonsault off the apron misses though and Sheamus sends him into the steps to take us to a break.
Back with Sheamus holding the chinlock (take another shot), followed by two straight Irish Curses for no cover. Off to a bearhug and you can't fault Sheamus' psychology here. AJ escapes and avoids a charge to send Sheamus into the post (take another shot) and go up top. Sheamus tries a super White Noise but AJ escapes into a release super powerbomb of all things. Looked good too.
It's time for the running forearms and kicks in the corner until AJ is sent face first into the buckle. A nice powerslam gets two for Sheamus but he can't get the Cloverleaf. Instead AJ comes back with a good looking Pele to put both guys down. Sheamus is up first this time and throwing on the Cloverleaf until AJ gets a quick rope. The Brogue Kick hits the ropes though and it's the Phenomenal Forearm to put Sheamus away at 14:26.
Anderson and Gallows come out to look at AJ, which fuels the conspiracy theory for some reason.
Roman Reigns is watching in the back when the Usos come in to suggest that they'll have his back on Sunday. Reigns doesn't seem to hate the idea. The fans in the arena were chanting WE CAN'T HEAR YOU during this.
Here's New Day to talk about how awesome their tournament has been while promising to party like it's 1999. This brings out the Vaudevillains to say they want to party like it's 1899 when they beat up those mange ridden mongrels Enzo and Cass. Of course this brings out Enzo and Cass to a BIG reaction with Enzo saying he's hotter than a 104 degree fever and wants to run down a beach and jump into his own arms. Woods says they'll beat whoever wins because NEW DAY ROCKS. I miss simple little build segments like this without a match or a big blowoff or something. Just let people talk.
Gallows and Anderson leave AJ's locker room.
John Cena will be back on Memorial Day, May 30.
Usos vs. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows
No team name yet but they do have matching white vests. Cole says Anderson and Gallows were in a club with Styles over in New Japan. Jimmy and Anderson get things going with the twin taking over to start. It's off to Jey for chops of his own, only to have Anderson come back with a hard leg lariat. Gallows comes in for a really big clothesline to turn Jey inside out before Anderson starts working on Jimmy's bad shoulder.
The bald guys take turns chinlocking Jey before it's back to Anderson with another armbar. Jey's uppercut is knocked away with an even bigger uppercut from Gallows and the bad arm is bent around the ropes. Jey goes up top but gets knocked down hard, sending the shoulder into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Jey kicking Anderson away and making the hot tag off to Jimmy for the array of strikes. Another big clothesline turns Jey inside out though and Anderson posts him for good measure. The Magic Killer (elevated suplex into a neckbreaker) knocks Jimmy silly at 13:52.
The beating continues post match until Reigns comes out for the save.
Styles says he had nothing going on with Gallows and Anderson. The two of them come in to say they'll have his back on Sunday and can do whatever he wants.
We look back at the history between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens with both guys talking about how they grew up together and were best friends for years. Then Sami won the NXT Title in December 2014, only to have Owens turn on him and take the title a few months later. Owens debuted in WWE a few months later and beat John Cena in his first match on the main roster. Sami injured his shoulder around the same time and was out for months before returning in January 2016 to eliminate Owens from the Royal Rumble. Owens thinks Sami is the one making this personal. This Sunday it's about payback.
Sami Zayn vs. Rusev
Rusev has Lana with him for the first time in what feels like months. Sami can't do much with the power to start and gets stomped down on the bottom rope as the fans want Lana. A headscissors takes Rusev down but the slingshot plancha is pulled out of the air with Sami being dropped onto the apron. Sami pops back up though and moonsaults off the barricade to drop Rusev again. Rusev kicks him hard in the head though and we take a break. Back with Sami fighting out of a front facelock and hitting a high cross body. Rusev throws him down but can't get the Accolade, allowing Sami to roll him up for the pin at 12:00.
Lana throws a shoe at Sami post match. That goes nowhere so Owens runs out and drops Sami with a shot to the back.
Stardust interrupts Apollo Crews in the back but Apollo calls him Cody to make things serious. Apparently Dusty Rhodes came up with the name Apollo, which makes me wonder what Crews' name was before that. Stardust is odd as usual.
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
Crews starts fast with his standing moonsault to avoid Stardust and a dropkick gets two. Stardust kicks him down and takes off his gloves for some reason before cranking on Crews' arm. That goes nowhere so Crews gets two off the standing moonsault. The lifting powerbomb gives Crews the pin at 3:08.
Here's Dean Ambrose for a chat. Dean was supposed to host the Ambrose Asylum tonight but he's not in the mood for fun and games after he was attacked from behind last week. This Sunday he's facing one of the best of all time but he's ready to fight. Jericho may be the best in the world at what he does but Ambrose is pretty good at what he does too. When Ambrose sees a problem, he rolls up his sleeve and starts leaving bruises and chipping teeth because that's what he does.
Dean wants Jericho out here right now so here's Chris to call him an idiot. Jericho isn't wasting his time fighting Ambrose in a dump like Hartford. Instead, Dean should be down on his knees kissing Jericho's $1,500 boots for letting him be in this ring. Jericho changes his mind and asks for an apology from Ambrose for stealing the Highlight Reel. Dean apologizes that Jericho paid that much money for such ugly shoes, for wearing a scarf everywhere and for that Bon Jovi haircut. He's not sorry for the brawl that starts but Jericho quickly gets the better of it and puts Dean in the Walls on the announcers' table.
Natalya vs. Emma
Charlotte is on commentary. Emma quickly takes it outside for a gutwrench suplex before we hit a seated full nelson. Not that it matters as Natalya gets up and grabs the Sharpshooter for the submission at 2:19.
Natalya stares Charlotte down first match so the champ hides behind Ric.
Chyna tribute video. It's nice that they're actually doing this. Most of this is a series of clips and then a series of tweets from various wrestling personalities commenting on her passing.
Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow
In a role reversal from Smackdown, no match as Ziggler jumps Corbin from behind and chases him off.
Greetings From Puerto Rico.
Here are Miz and Maryse to talk about Miz's title defense against Cesaro on Sunday. Miz is used to being tormented by the anonymous internet trolls who now think Cesaro is going to win on Sunday. This title is more than important because it's legendary. Miz is tired of seeing all the handmade signs saying CESARO SECTION because the fans should be better than that. You can have your internet section because he has a Miz section that looks like Maryse.
This brings out Cesaro to interrupt but Miz goes into a Robert De Niro speech from Taxi Driver. Cesaro promises to roll the credits on Miz's title reign and tells Miz to make his day. Miz goes to leave but tries a cheap shot, earning himself Swiss Death but Maryse dives on top of her husband to prevent the Swing. Cesaro holds up the title. I could totally go for this "let's yell at each other and make the story more unique" to set up big matches. If only that had been done for decades instead of "here's a match three times before the BIG version of it that you have to pay for."
AJ comes up to Reigns in the back and says he's taking the title on Sunday. Reigns thinks Gallows and Anderson already have ringside seats.
This week's Kickoff match is Ryback vs. Kalisto for the US Title.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Roman Reigns
Non-title. Roman throws him around to start and gets in one of those running corner clotheslines. The running enziguri staggers Reigns though and Del Rio double stomps him from the apron as we take a break. Back with Del Rio holding the chinlock a bit longer than usual before hitting a DDT for two. The low superkick misses though and Reigns comes back with his series of clotheslines. That earns him the now standard booing but Del Rio bails to avoid the Superman Punch.
Instead it's the apron kick to send Del Rio into the post, only to have him kick the ropes to crotch Reigns as he comes back in. This is referred to as a kick to the hamstring due to reasons of convenience, allowing Del Rio to get in the superkick for two. Del Rio misses the top rope double stomp because Reigns is able to drop down instead of sit up, allowing Reigns to hit the Superman Punch. Cue Anderson and Gallows to stare Reigns down, allowing Del Rio to roll Roman up for two. The spear puts Del Rio away at 13:00.
Post match Anderson and Gallows come in for the beatdown. AJ runs out to stop them but gets Superman Punches. Gallows and Anderson come back in, allowing Reigns to hit the Phenomenal Forearm to end the show.
Results
AJ Styles b. Sheamus Phenomenal Forearm
Luke Gallows/Karl Anderson b. Usos Magic Killer to Jimmy
Sami Zayn b. Rusev Rollup
Apollo Crews b. Stardust Lifting powerbomb
Natalya b. Emma Sharpshooter
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: April 26, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
It's another one of those big TV specials for TNA with a main event of Tyrus challenging Drew Galloway for the TNA World Title. Other than that we have Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett in a No DQ match and Beer Money defending the Tag Team Titles against Decay in a Valley of Shadows match. Let's get to it.
Tyrus and Rockstar Spud are in the ring to start with Tyrus talking about how Drew Galloway has promised to defend the title against him no matter what condition he's in. Here's Drew and we're ready to go.
TNA World Title: Tyrus vs. Drew Galloway
Drew is defending and has bad ribs coming in. Tyrus does the smart thing to start and sends Drew to the floor for some kicks from Spud. Some chops knock Tyrus back but the big man goes right back after the ribs to take over. A double legdrop to the ribs gets two but Tyrus misses a Vader Bomb. With the tape ripped off, Drew comes off the top with a chop to the head and (doesn't) plant Tyrus with a horrible bulldog.
Spud gets dragged in and suplexed for his efforts, followed by a Claymore for two on Tyrus because this match MUST continue. A World's Strongest Slam puts Drew down so Tyrus goes up, only to get caught with a right hand to the face. Drew gets two more off a superplex before the Futureshock puts Tyrus away at 7:55.
We recap last week's main event with Jeff Hardy hitting a Swanton off the set to knock out both guys.
Maria has plans for the Knockouts division.
Beer Money doesn't care what the Valley of Shadows is because this is all about their legacy with the titles.
Maria is here to talk about rebuilding the Knockouts division through a revolution. Yeah they're not even hiding the ripoff here. Cue Gail Kim to say Maria is ruining everything that has been built and to accuse Maria of having Rosemary kidnap her last week. Maria threatens her with her power and makes Gail vs. Rosemary. If this is really supposed to lead to Gail vs. Maria, they're even more delusional than they thought.
Gail Kim vs. Rosemary
Rosemary has Crazzy Steve with her. It's a brawl to start with Gail being sent outside and into the post. Back in and Rosemary puts on a full nelson with her legs. Gail easily gets out and puts on the figure four around the post, followed by a twisting top rope cross body for two. A Scorpion Death Drop gets two for Gail but Steve pulls her to the floor. This brings out Maria for a distraction, allowing Rosemary to mist Gail, followed by an F5 for the pin at 6:11.
Here's Eli Drake for Fact of Life where the mission is to name all the dummies. Like for instance Jeff Hardy, who dove off a scaffold to prove that he's extreme. Or like Drew Galloway, who thinks having a belt makes him a big deal. Drake has a button to press after every name that says DUMMY, YEAH. His guests tonight are the BroMans, who are now wearing glasses.
Unfortunately they have no lenses so Drake thinks they're dummies. Jesse had the chance to ride Eli's coattails but decided to get back together with this waste of space like Robbie E. Jesse brings up the loss to Grado so Drake gets in his face and calls him every name he can think of, capped off by, of course, dummy. The BroMans quickly dispatch him and make fun of Drake's catchphrase. As usual, Drake has a great presence to him and was one of the bright spots on the show.
Decay is ready for their Tag Team Title shot.
Ethan Carter III says he isn't perfect because he's no longer the World Champion. He's on his way back though through revenge and that starts tonight with Mike Bennett.
Tag Team Titles: Beer Money vs. Decay
Decay is challenging in a Valley of Shadows match, which means anything goes. I'm assuming at least as there's no explanation before the match. There are weapons everywhere and the lights are dimmer than usual. The champs control to start but are quickly pulled to the floor to keep up the brawl. Of course the lighting makes it difficult to see what's going on but that might be best all around.
Pope tells us that this is No DQ and Josh throws in that it's no countout, which you could tell on your own, furthering the theory that TNA announcers are entirely worthless. Decay takes over with Abyss throwing a bunch of weapons into the ring to continue the beating on the champs. Apparently Rosemary interfered at one point but the announcers couldn't see what she did because of the lighting. A Rocket Launcher is broken up and Roode catapults Steve into a DDT from Storm. Abyss eats a spinebuster from Roode and a top rope elbow from Storm gets two.
We take a break and come back with Abyss bringing in the barbed wire board because this is yet another name for Monster's Ball. The double suplex puts Steve onto the barbed wire but Abyss breaks up the name shouting. Now it's thumbtacks because, again, this is Monster's Ball. Rosemary comes in and mists Abyss by mistake, earning him a beer bottle to the head for two. Steve shoves Storm off the top and through a table, followed by a low blow to Roode. The chokeslam onto the tacks gives Decay the titles at 15:33.
We look back at Eric Young cutting off Bram's beard last week.
Bram, still with a huge beard, says he's ticked off and wants to end Young tonight.
Mike Bennett talks about how much his debut has changed things for Ethan Carter. No one has pinned him either so tonight the streak comes to an end.
King of the Mountain Title: Bram vs. Eric Young
Young is defending and they go at it from the bell. This is also falls count anywhere because we haven't just gotten done with a hardcore style match. Bram backdrops him for two but the Brighter Side of Suffering off the apron is countered with a grab of the beard. Young pulls out a trashcan lid but opts for a low blow instead. A DDT plants Bram and there's a trashcan lid shot for good measure. Young bites the face to break up a superplex attempt and drops the top rope elbow for two. The piledriver through a table is countered into the Brighter Side of Suffering through the same table for the pin and the title at 6:29.
Drew Galloway wants to fight Lashley next week.
Here's a banged up Jeff Hardy to update us on his condition. Jeff says he did what he did last week because he's Jeff Hardy and hopefully that put some sense into Matt's head. This brings out Reby and Spud to yell about how Jeff is selfish for hurting Matt. Reby slaps him a few times until Jeff knocks her hand away. Spud goes after Jeff's leg and gets a Twist of Fate for his efforts.
Mike Bennett vs. Ethan Carter III
Street fight. They get right in each others faces to start and Ethan clotheslines him out to the floor. Bennett grabs a chair but gets backdropped out to the floor for his efforts. Some chops up against the barricade have Bennett in even more trouble and Carter stops a charge in the corner with a raised boot. Mike sends him shoulder first into the post though and the arm is wrapped around the post for good measure.
Ethan starts his comeback but can't get the 1%er. Instead he settles for two off a jumping Downward Spiral, followed by a double clothesline to put both guys down. Bennett grabs a quick cutter for two so it's time to beat the tar out of Carter with a chair. The 1%er connects but Maria comes in to break up the cover. Carter unloads on him with the chair and puts on a cobra clutch, only to have Bennett climb the ropes and flip backwards for the first ever pin on Carter at 11:08.
Bennett is STUNNED to end the show.
Results
Drew Galloway b. Tyrus Futureshock
Rosemary b. Gail Kim F5
Decay b. Beer Money Chokeslam onto a pile of tacks
Bram b. Eric Young Brighter Side of Suffering through a table
Mike Bennett b. Ethan Carter III Rollup counter to a cobra clutch
Wednesday
NXT
Date: April 27, 2016
Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
It's a big night around here as we're going to take a quick field trip up to Lowell, Massachusetts where Finn Balor lost the NXT Title to Samoa Joe. We'll be looking at at least part of the match tonight, which is a really cool thing that NXT can do. When is the last time you even heard WWE reference a house show other than the European tour? Let's get to it.
We're told about the title change right off the bat. Why hide it at this point?
Asuka vs. Eva Marie
Non-title. The fans tell Eva that she can't wrestle as we hit the stall button to start. The fans are actually split on Eva as they trade headlocks and armbars. Asuka blasts Eva in the face and rolls forward for a little dancing followed by the hip attack. A Fujiwara armbar sends Eva straight to the ropes and another hip attack sends her out to the floor. Graves thinks it's starting to unravel as Nia Jax comes out to check on Eva.
Back from a break with Eva mostly missing a running boot to put Asuka down. We hit the double arm crank for a bit before a hard shot to the face keeps Asuka in trouble. Another arm crank slows things down even more until Asuka pops up with a middle rope dropkick. A second dropkick has Eva in trouble and it's time for the kicks to the chest. Eva tries to send her into the corner but eats a spinning kick to the face for the pin at 12:55.
We see some clips of Samoa Joe winning the title last week with the Muscle Buster. They only showed about thirty seconds total.
Joe says his win was inevitable and no more words are needed.
Revival vs. Matt Lee/Jeff Parker
Parker and Lee are both really skinny and I believe used to team as 3.0 in Chikara. The 3.0 on their tights would seem to support that theory. We'll say Parker is easily taken down and pounded in the corner as Lee shouts that he is respecting the rules by not interfering. Lee then starts a DEFENSE chant as Parker is dropped ribs first into Dawson's knee for two. It's off to Lee as the fans chant DEFENSE as well. The Shatter Machine puts Lee away at 3:12.
Post match Dawson says they're the best and want their titles back.
Hype Bros vs. Blake and Murphy
No Alexa here so the interest is already down. The fans want to know where she is too as Mojo scares Blake into the corner to start. Mojo gets down in a three point stance and declares that neither Blake nor Murphy are in fact hyped. Ryder comes in for two off a neckbreaker and a double facebuster to take both villains down. Blake starts in on the leg before it's off to Murphy for a shot to the head. It doesn't seem to do that well though as Ryder slips over to the corner for a tag off to Mojo. House is cleaned and the Hype Ryder puts Blake away at 4:48.
Post match the Revival comes back out and jumps the Hype Bros.
Carmella vs. Aliyah
Aliyah was in a battle royal recently but is probably most well known from Breaking Ground. Carmella snapmares her to start but Aliyah takes over with a seated full nelson. A middle rope leg gets two and this is almost all Aliyah so far. Carmella comes back with a hurricanrana out of the corner and a Bronco Buster, followed by the leg crossface to make Aliyah tap at 3:19.
Elias Samson says he'll show that he's the drifter and will prove to Nakamura that he never should have drifted into NXT.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Elias Samson
Nakamura takes him to the ropes to start and holds Samson in place with his head. A knee drop sets up the shaky boot in the corner, only to have Elias explode out with a clothesline. Samson gets two off a suplex and we hit the chinlock. That's fine with Nakamura who kicks Samson in the head, setting up the running knee in the corner. Kinshasa puts Samson away quick at 4:24.
Results
Asuka b. Eva Marie Spinning kick to the face
Revival b. Matt Lee/Jeff Parker Shatter Machine to Lee
Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy Hype Ryder to Blake
Carmella b. Aliyah Leg crossface
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Elias Samson Kinshasa
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 25, 2016
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
It's the go home show for Payback and things are getting interesting around here. The big story at the moment revolves around what's going to happen with the recently debuted Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, who may have attacked Roman Reigns to help AJ Styles. AJ has denied it but there's a chance that this could be a Bullet Club reunion. Let's get to it.
We start with an In Memory Of graphic for Chyna. That's almost more than I was expecting.
The opening recap focuses on Reigns, AJ and Gallows/Anderson from last week.
Here's Shane McMahon to get things going. Shane talks about how he's here because of the fans and this Sunday is the first pay per view of a new era. I do love how they're just admitting that Smackdown means nothing and comes along on Raw's ride. Cue Stephanie to make her big return and suck up to the Hartford crowd as she was born in this town.
Apparently this is Shane's last night running the show because Vince hasn't been pleased. Therefore, we're going to find out once and for all who is running the show. Shane does a quick poll of the crowd to predictable responses but Stephanie says she isn't leaving. That's fine with Shane, who is in charge tonight and therefore calls security down to remove Stephanie from the ring. She fights them all the way to the back as is her custom. Shane introduces our first match.
AJ Styles vs. Sheamus
Sheamus drives him into the corner to start (take a shot) but AJ comes back with his dropkick sequence. It's back to the heavy forearms to knock AJ around so Styles hits one of his own to put Sheamus on the floor. A moonsault off the apron misses though and Sheamus sends him into the steps to take us to a break.
Back with Sheamus holding the chinlock (take another shot), followed by two straight Irish Curses for no cover. Off to a bearhug and you can't fault Sheamus' psychology here. AJ escapes and avoids a charge to send Sheamus into the post (take another shot) and go up top. Sheamus tries a super White Noise but AJ escapes into a release super powerbomb of all things. Looked good too.
It's time for the running forearms and kicks in the corner until AJ is sent face first into the buckle. A nice powerslam gets two for Sheamus but he can't get the Cloverleaf. Instead AJ comes back with a good looking Pele to put both guys down. Sheamus is up first this time and throwing on the Cloverleaf until AJ gets a quick rope. The Brogue Kick hits the ropes though and it's the Phenomenal Forearm to put Sheamus away at 14:26.
Anderson and Gallows come out to look at AJ, which fuels the conspiracy theory for some reason.
Roman Reigns is watching in the back when the Usos come in to suggest that they'll have his back on Sunday. Reigns doesn't seem to hate the idea. The fans in the arena were chanting WE CAN'T HEAR YOU during this.
Here's New Day to talk about how awesome their tournament has been while promising to party like it's 1999. This brings out the Vaudevillains to say they want to party like it's 1899 when they beat up those mange ridden mongrels Enzo and Cass. Of course this brings out Enzo and Cass to a BIG reaction with Enzo saying he's hotter than a 104 degree fever and wants to run down a beach and jump into his own arms. Woods says they'll beat whoever wins because NEW DAY ROCKS. I miss simple little build segments like this without a match or a big blowoff or something. Just let people talk.
Gallows and Anderson leave AJ's locker room.
John Cena will be back on Memorial Day, May 30.
Usos vs. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows
No team name yet but they do have matching white vests. Cole says Anderson and Gallows were in a club with Styles over in New Japan. Jimmy and Anderson get things going with the twin taking over to start. It's off to Jey for chops of his own, only to have Anderson come back with a hard leg lariat. Gallows comes in for a really big clothesline to turn Jey inside out before Anderson starts working on Jimmy's bad shoulder.
The bald guys take turns chinlocking Jey before it's back to Anderson with another armbar. Jey's uppercut is knocked away with an even bigger uppercut from Gallows and the bad arm is bent around the ropes. Jey goes up top but gets knocked down hard, sending the shoulder into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Jey kicking Anderson away and making the hot tag off to Jimmy for the array of strikes. Another big clothesline turns Jey inside out though and Anderson posts him for good measure. The Magic Killer (elevated suplex into a neckbreaker) knocks Jimmy silly at 13:52.
The beating continues post match until Reigns comes out for the save.
Styles says he had nothing going on with Gallows and Anderson. The two of them come in to say they'll have his back on Sunday and can do whatever he wants.
We look back at the history between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens with both guys talking about how they grew up together and were best friends for years. Then Sami won the NXT Title in December 2014, only to have Owens turn on him and take the title a few months later. Owens debuted in WWE a few months later and beat John Cena in his first match on the main roster. Sami injured his shoulder around the same time and was out for months before returning in January 2016 to eliminate Owens from the Royal Rumble. Owens thinks Sami is the one making this personal. This Sunday it's about payback.
Sami Zayn vs. Rusev
Rusev has Lana with him for the first time in what feels like months. Sami can't do much with the power to start and gets stomped down on the bottom rope as the fans want Lana. A headscissors takes Rusev down but the slingshot plancha is pulled out of the air with Sami being dropped onto the apron. Sami pops back up though and moonsaults off the barricade to drop Rusev again. Rusev kicks him hard in the head though and we take a break. Back with Sami fighting out of a front facelock and hitting a high cross body. Rusev throws him down but can't get the Accolade, allowing Sami to roll him up for the pin at 12:00.
Lana throws a shoe at Sami post match. That goes nowhere so Owens runs out and drops Sami with a shot to the back.
Stardust interrupts Apollo Crews in the back but Apollo calls him Cody to make things serious. Apparently Dusty Rhodes came up with the name Apollo, which makes me wonder what Crews' name was before that. Stardust is odd as usual.
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
Crews starts fast with his standing moonsault to avoid Stardust and a dropkick gets two. Stardust kicks him down and takes off his gloves for some reason before cranking on Crews' arm. That goes nowhere so Crews gets two off the standing moonsault. The lifting powerbomb gives Crews the pin at 3:08.
Here's Dean Ambrose for a chat. Dean was supposed to host the Ambrose Asylum tonight but he's not in the mood for fun and games after he was attacked from behind last week. This Sunday he's facing one of the best of all time but he's ready to fight. Jericho may be the best in the world at what he does but Ambrose is pretty good at what he does too. When Ambrose sees a problem, he rolls up his sleeve and starts leaving bruises and chipping teeth because that's what he does.
Dean wants Jericho out here right now so here's Chris to call him an idiot. Jericho isn't wasting his time fighting Ambrose in a dump like Hartford. Instead, Dean should be down on his knees kissing Jericho's $1,500 boots for letting him be in this ring. Jericho changes his mind and asks for an apology from Ambrose for stealing the Highlight Reel. Dean apologizes that Jericho paid that much money for such ugly shoes, for wearing a scarf everywhere and for that Bon Jovi haircut. He's not sorry for the brawl that starts but Jericho quickly gets the better of it and puts Dean in the Walls on the announcers' table.
Natalya vs. Emma
Charlotte is on commentary. Emma quickly takes it outside for a gutwrench suplex before we hit a seated full nelson. Not that it matters as Natalya gets up and grabs the Sharpshooter for the submission at 2:19.
Natalya stares Charlotte down first match so the champ hides behind Ric.
Chyna tribute video. It's nice that they're actually doing this. Most of this is a series of clips and then a series of tweets from various wrestling personalities commenting on her passing.
Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow
In a role reversal from Smackdown, no match as Ziggler jumps Corbin from behind and chases him off.
Greetings From Puerto Rico.
Here are Miz and Maryse to talk about Miz's title defense against Cesaro on Sunday. Miz is used to being tormented by the anonymous internet trolls who now think Cesaro is going to win on Sunday. This title is more than important because it's legendary. Miz is tired of seeing all the handmade signs saying CESARO SECTION because the fans should be better than that. You can have your internet section because he has a Miz section that looks like Maryse.
This brings out Cesaro to interrupt but Miz goes into a Robert De Niro speech from Taxi Driver. Cesaro promises to roll the credits on Miz's title reign and tells Miz to make his day. Miz goes to leave but tries a cheap shot, earning himself Swiss Death but Maryse dives on top of her husband to prevent the Swing. Cesaro holds up the title. I could totally go for this "let's yell at each other and make the story more unique" to set up big matches. If only that had been done for decades instead of "here's a match three times before the BIG version of it that you have to pay for."
AJ comes up to Reigns in the back and says he's taking the title on Sunday. Reigns thinks Gallows and Anderson already have ringside seats.
This week's Kickoff match is Ryback vs. Kalisto for the US Title.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Roman Reigns
Non-title. Roman throws him around to start and gets in one of those running corner clotheslines. The running enziguri staggers Reigns though and Del Rio double stomps him from the apron as we take a break. Back with Del Rio holding the chinlock a bit longer than usual before hitting a DDT for two. The low superkick misses though and Reigns comes back with his series of clotheslines. That earns him the now standard booing but Del Rio bails to avoid the Superman Punch.
Instead it's the apron kick to send Del Rio into the post, only to have him kick the ropes to crotch Reigns as he comes back in. This is referred to as a kick to the hamstring due to reasons of convenience, allowing Del Rio to get in the superkick for two. Del Rio misses the top rope double stomp because Reigns is able to drop down instead of sit up, allowing Reigns to hit the Superman Punch. Cue Anderson and Gallows to stare Reigns down, allowing Del Rio to roll Roman up for two. The spear puts Del Rio away at 13:00.
Post match Anderson and Gallows come in for the beatdown. AJ runs out to stop them but gets Superman Punches. Gallows and Anderson come back in, allowing Reigns to hit the Phenomenal Forearm to end the show.
Results
AJ Styles b. Sheamus Phenomenal Forearm
Luke Gallows/Karl Anderson b. Usos Magic Killer to Jimmy
Sami Zayn b. Rusev Rollup
Apollo Crews b. Stardust Lifting powerbomb
Natalya b. Emma Sharpshooter
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: April 26, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D'Angelo Dinero
It's another one of those big TV specials for TNA with a main event of Tyrus challenging Drew Galloway for the TNA World Title. Other than that we have Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett in a No DQ match and Beer Money defending the Tag Team Titles against Decay in a Valley of Shadows match. Let's get to it.
Tyrus and Rockstar Spud are in the ring to start with Tyrus talking about how Drew Galloway has promised to defend the title against him no matter what condition he's in. Here's Drew and we're ready to go.
TNA World Title: Tyrus vs. Drew Galloway
Drew is defending and has bad ribs coming in. Tyrus does the smart thing to start and sends Drew to the floor for some kicks from Spud. Some chops knock Tyrus back but the big man goes right back after the ribs to take over. A double legdrop to the ribs gets two but Tyrus misses a Vader Bomb. With the tape ripped off, Drew comes off the top with a chop to the head and (doesn't) plant Tyrus with a horrible bulldog.
Spud gets dragged in and suplexed for his efforts, followed by a Claymore for two on Tyrus because this match MUST continue. A World's Strongest Slam puts Drew down so Tyrus goes up, only to get caught with a right hand to the face. Drew gets two more off a superplex before the Futureshock puts Tyrus away at 7:55.
We recap last week's main event with Jeff Hardy hitting a Swanton off the set to knock out both guys.
Maria has plans for the Knockouts division.
Beer Money doesn't care what the Valley of Shadows is because this is all about their legacy with the titles.
Maria is here to talk about rebuilding the Knockouts division through a revolution. Yeah they're not even hiding the ripoff here. Cue Gail Kim to say Maria is ruining everything that has been built and to accuse Maria of having Rosemary kidnap her last week. Maria threatens her with her power and makes Gail vs. Rosemary. If this is really supposed to lead to Gail vs. Maria, they're even more delusional than they thought.
Gail Kim vs. Rosemary
Rosemary has Crazzy Steve with her. It's a brawl to start with Gail being sent outside and into the post. Back in and Rosemary puts on a full nelson with her legs. Gail easily gets out and puts on the figure four around the post, followed by a twisting top rope cross body for two. A Scorpion Death Drop gets two for Gail but Steve pulls her to the floor. This brings out Maria for a distraction, allowing Rosemary to mist Gail, followed by an F5 for the pin at 6:11.
Here's Eli Drake for Fact of Life where the mission is to name all the dummies. Like for instance Jeff Hardy, who dove off a scaffold to prove that he's extreme. Or like Drew Galloway, who thinks having a belt makes him a big deal. Drake has a button to press after every name that says DUMMY, YEAH. His guests tonight are the BroMans, who are now wearing glasses.
Unfortunately they have no lenses so Drake thinks they're dummies. Jesse had the chance to ride Eli's coattails but decided to get back together with this waste of space like Robbie E. Jesse brings up the loss to Grado so Drake gets in his face and calls him every name he can think of, capped off by, of course, dummy. The BroMans quickly dispatch him and make fun of Drake's catchphrase. As usual, Drake has a great presence to him and was one of the bright spots on the show.
Decay is ready for their Tag Team Title shot.
Ethan Carter III says he isn't perfect because he's no longer the World Champion. He's on his way back though through revenge and that starts tonight with Mike Bennett.
Tag Team Titles: Beer Money vs. Decay
Decay is challenging in a Valley of Shadows match, which means anything goes. I'm assuming at least as there's no explanation before the match. There are weapons everywhere and the lights are dimmer than usual. The champs control to start but are quickly pulled to the floor to keep up the brawl. Of course the lighting makes it difficult to see what's going on but that might be best all around.
Pope tells us that this is No DQ and Josh throws in that it's no countout, which you could tell on your own, furthering the theory that TNA announcers are entirely worthless. Decay takes over with Abyss throwing a bunch of weapons into the ring to continue the beating on the champs. Apparently Rosemary interfered at one point but the announcers couldn't see what she did because of the lighting. A Rocket Launcher is broken up and Roode catapults Steve into a DDT from Storm. Abyss eats a spinebuster from Roode and a top rope elbow from Storm gets two.
We take a break and come back with Abyss bringing in the barbed wire board because this is yet another name for Monster's Ball. The double suplex puts Steve onto the barbed wire but Abyss breaks up the name shouting. Now it's thumbtacks because, again, this is Monster's Ball. Rosemary comes in and mists Abyss by mistake, earning him a beer bottle to the head for two. Steve shoves Storm off the top and through a table, followed by a low blow to Roode. The chokeslam onto the tacks gives Decay the titles at 15:33.
We look back at Eric Young cutting off Bram's beard last week.
Bram, still with a huge beard, says he's ticked off and wants to end Young tonight.
Mike Bennett talks about how much his debut has changed things for Ethan Carter. No one has pinned him either so tonight the streak comes to an end.
King of the Mountain Title: Bram vs. Eric Young
Young is defending and they go at it from the bell. This is also falls count anywhere because we haven't just gotten done with a hardcore style match. Bram backdrops him for two but the Brighter Side of Suffering off the apron is countered with a grab of the beard. Young pulls out a trashcan lid but opts for a low blow instead. A DDT plants Bram and there's a trashcan lid shot for good measure. Young bites the face to break up a superplex attempt and drops the top rope elbow for two. The piledriver through a table is countered into the Brighter Side of Suffering through the same table for the pin and the title at 6:29.
Drew Galloway wants to fight Lashley next week.
Here's a banged up Jeff Hardy to update us on his condition. Jeff says he did what he did last week because he's Jeff Hardy and hopefully that put some sense into Matt's head. This brings out Reby and Spud to yell about how Jeff is selfish for hurting Matt. Reby slaps him a few times until Jeff knocks her hand away. Spud goes after Jeff's leg and gets a Twist of Fate for his efforts.
Mike Bennett vs. Ethan Carter III
Street fight. They get right in each others faces to start and Ethan clotheslines him out to the floor. Bennett grabs a chair but gets backdropped out to the floor for his efforts. Some chops up against the barricade have Bennett in even more trouble and Carter stops a charge in the corner with a raised boot. Mike sends him shoulder first into the post though and the arm is wrapped around the post for good measure.
Ethan starts his comeback but can't get the 1%er. Instead he settles for two off a jumping Downward Spiral, followed by a double clothesline to put both guys down. Bennett grabs a quick cutter for two so it's time to beat the tar out of Carter with a chair. The 1%er connects but Maria comes in to break up the cover. Carter unloads on him with the chair and puts on a cobra clutch, only to have Bennett climb the ropes and flip backwards for the first ever pin on Carter at 11:08.
Bennett is STUNNED to end the show.
Results
Drew Galloway b. Tyrus Futureshock
Rosemary b. Gail Kim F5
Decay b. Beer Money Chokeslam onto a pile of tacks
Bram b. Eric Young Brighter Side of Suffering through a table
Mike Bennett b. Ethan Carter III Rollup counter to a cobra clutch
Wednesday
NXT
Date: April 27, 2016
Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
It's a big night around here as we're going to take a quick field trip up to Lowell, Massachusetts where Finn Balor lost the NXT Title to Samoa Joe. We'll be looking at at least part of the match tonight, which is a really cool thing that NXT can do. When is the last time you even heard WWE reference a house show other than the European tour? Let's get to it.
We're told about the title change right off the bat. Why hide it at this point?
Asuka vs. Eva Marie
Non-title. The fans tell Eva that she can't wrestle as we hit the stall button to start. The fans are actually split on Eva as they trade headlocks and armbars. Asuka blasts Eva in the face and rolls forward for a little dancing followed by the hip attack. A Fujiwara armbar sends Eva straight to the ropes and another hip attack sends her out to the floor. Graves thinks it's starting to unravel as Nia Jax comes out to check on Eva.
Back from a break with Eva mostly missing a running boot to put Asuka down. We hit the double arm crank for a bit before a hard shot to the face keeps Asuka in trouble. Another arm crank slows things down even more until Asuka pops up with a middle rope dropkick. A second dropkick has Eva in trouble and it's time for the kicks to the chest. Eva tries to send her into the corner but eats a spinning kick to the face for the pin at 12:55.
We see some clips of Samoa Joe winning the title last week with the Muscle Buster. They only showed about thirty seconds total.
Joe says his win was inevitable and no more words are needed.
Revival vs. Matt Lee/Jeff Parker
Parker and Lee are both really skinny and I believe used to team as 3.0 in Chikara. The 3.0 on their tights would seem to support that theory. We'll say Parker is easily taken down and pounded in the corner as Lee shouts that he is respecting the rules by not interfering. Lee then starts a DEFENSE chant as Parker is dropped ribs first into Dawson's knee for two. It's off to Lee as the fans chant DEFENSE as well. The Shatter Machine puts Lee away at 3:12.
Post match Dawson says they're the best and want their titles back.
Hype Bros vs. Blake and Murphy
No Alexa here so the interest is already down. The fans want to know where she is too as Mojo scares Blake into the corner to start. Mojo gets down in a three point stance and declares that neither Blake nor Murphy are in fact hyped. Ryder comes in for two off a neckbreaker and a double facebuster to take both villains down. Blake starts in on the leg before it's off to Murphy for a shot to the head. It doesn't seem to do that well though as Ryder slips over to the corner for a tag off to Mojo. House is cleaned and the Hype Ryder puts Blake away at 4:48.
Post match the Revival comes back out and jumps the Hype Bros.
Carmella vs. Aliyah
Aliyah was in a battle royal recently but is probably most well known from Breaking Ground. Carmella snapmares her to start but Aliyah takes over with a seated full nelson. A middle rope leg gets two and this is almost all Aliyah so far. Carmella comes back with a hurricanrana out of the corner and a Bronco Buster, followed by the leg crossface to make Aliyah tap at 3:19.
Elias Samson says he'll show that he's the drifter and will prove to Nakamura that he never should have drifted into NXT.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Elias Samson
Nakamura takes him to the ropes to start and holds Samson in place with his head. A knee drop sets up the shaky boot in the corner, only to have Elias explode out with a clothesline. Samson gets two off a suplex and we hit the chinlock. That's fine with Nakamura who kicks Samson in the head, setting up the running knee in the corner. Kinshasa puts Samson away quick at 4:24.
Results
Asuka b. Eva Marie Spinning kick to the face
Revival b. Matt Lee/Jeff Parker Shatter Machine to Lee
Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy Hype Ryder to Blake
Carmella b. Aliyah Leg crossface
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Elias Samson Kinshasa