klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: June 6, 2016
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
As we head into June, the big story is AJ Styles vs. John Cena as Styles rejoined his Club buddies to attack the returning Cena last week. A match at Money in the Bank has already been signed and it should be interesting to see the big time promos leading up to the match at the pay per view. Let's get to it.
We open with Dean Ambrose coming to the ring to join the rest of the Money in the Bank participants, all of whom are sitting on top of a ladder. Owens says he doesn't need to be introduced because he's already more famous than everyone else. Some insults are thrown out with Owens cutting off Jericho because Jericho says the same thing every week. He'll win the Money in the Bank contract and give title shots to anyone who wants one, from Jean-Pierre Lafitte to Waylon Mercy to the Four Horsemen to anyone else you can see on the WWE Network (There's your plug.).
Sami says he's willing to fight anyone on the roster but Dean just wants to get to the fighting. Jericho brags about winning one of these before but Sami asks where the match was. Jericho: Apple. Appleton. The Big Apple. It was in Stupid Idiotville! The fight finally breaks out but TEDDY LONG returns to cut it off. He wants to take the longest weekly wrestling show (he butchers the names, meaning he's probably fired) and make this a sixty minute iron man no DQ fatal fourway match and there must be a winner.
Cue Stephanie to say that made no sense but Teddy says he wants to run Smackdown. Stephanie says no so Teddy wants to see Shane. Well Shane isn't here tonight so Stephanie tells Teddy to get to steppin. Ah so she's a witchy heel tonight instead of the friendly one like she was last week. Just pick one of them already. She makes singles matches for the night, starting with Jericho vs. Cesaro for after the break.
Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho grabs a wristlock to start but Cesaro keeps nipping up, befuzzling Jericho so much that he can just stand there watching. Cesaro powerslams Jericho for two before the big uppercut knocks Jericho outside. Jericho dropkicks him out of the air though and we take a break less than three minutes in.
Back with Cesaro firing off the uppercuts to send Jericho into the corner followed by one to knock Chris out of the air for two. The springboard uppercut is countered into a Codebreaker but it sends Cesaro outside to delay the cover and allowing Cesaro to get out again. The apron suplex gets two more for Cesaro before he just blasts Jericho with a clothesline. Jericho backdrops out of the Neutralizer but can't get the Walls. Instead Cesaro reverses into the Swing and slaps on the Sharpshooter for the clean win at 12:08.
We look back at AJ attacking Cena last week.
Quick tribute to Muhammad Ali.
Video on Rollins vs. Reigns from Rollins' perspective. Yeah the time with the Shield was fun but Reigns was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was no moment to steal from Roman at Wrestlemania because the moment belonged to Rolling the whole time. Then he tore up his knee and had to work even harder to get back to the top. Watching Reigns win the title at Wrestlemania killed him because he deserved that spot. Rollins came back early and attacked Reigns at Extreme Rules so he can take back the title he deserves.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Since Smackdown means nothing and we haven't gotten to destroy Swagger in his home state in a few months. Non-title with Titus O'Neil on commentary. Swagger takes him down until Rusev gets in a kick to the head. Titus talks about wanting to face anyone he has to face because that's what being a champion means. A powerslam gets two for Swagger and it's off to the Patriot Lock, only to have Rusev get outside. They COLLIDE off a double clothesline and Rusev throws Swagger into Titus to win by countout at 3:40.
Here's John Cena to talk about last week's incident with AJ Styles. Last week was something special because normally we have a rowdy crowd with the LET'S GO CENA/CENA SUCKS chants but last week it was LET'S GO CENA/AJ STYLES. For over two minutes, Cena felt the same kind of energy he's only felt when he was in the ring with the Rock. For fifteen years we've asked the question of what if but last week we saw it happen. Now though Cena needs an answer to Why AJ Why.
This brings out the Club with AJ saying he had a plan: get in the ring, shake Cena's hand and punch him in the face. Cena has that Hollywood lifestyle and his movies are entertaining. Maybe not the ones he stars in but his cameos are always great. However he insults AJ as soon as that bell rings. Even on Cena's best day, he can't beat AJ. When he goes home, AJ's kids ask why he never wrestles John Cena but AJ can't tell them that he'd run circles around Cena.
John isn't pleased that the best AJ can do is say the same thing that everyone else says. Those insults are as outdated as the jorts. When Cena looks at AJ, he sees someone who spent years getting here and then failed at everything he's done. AJ looked at him and saw the one guy that he thought might get him noticed. That makes AJ sound desperate but Styles says he's not about to get buried like everyone else who fights Cena and loses. The Club comes to the ring but New Day makes the save. This was EXCELLENT and made me want to see the match even more, which is saying a lot.
Vaudevillains vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
Before the match, Enzo and Cass quote a little Muhammad Ali by saying they'll make medicine sick. Enzo may have been injured at the pay per view but he doesn't remember it so it doesn't count. They're about to prove that the Vaudevillains are S-A-W-F-T. Enzo and Gotch start things off before it's quickly off to English. Aiden doesn't do as well as it's off to Big Cass for the house cleaning. The Empire Elbow gets two and everything breaks down. Aiden gets all evil by trying to throw Enzo's head into the ropes ala Extreme Rules, only to have Big Cass go NUTS and destroy English in the corner until it's a DQ at 2:30.
Cass beats up Gotch as well.
Sami Zayn says he's the underdog in this match because Alberto Del Rio has actually done the things that everyone else is talking about doing. Del Rio comes in to say that he's going to show that Sami is just a perro.
Teddy Long comes in to see Stephanie and gets on her nerves. His idea is a four way for the Tag Team Titles at Money in the Bank with New Day defending against the Club, the Vaudevillains and Enzo/Cass. Stephanie throws him out and then calls marketing to make the match.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Sami Zayn
They're quickly on the floor with Sami hitting a moonsault off the barricade and we take a break less than a minute in. Back with Sami fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught by a Backstabber and the low superkick for two each. Del Rio spends too much time slapping his arm though, allowing Sami to hit his hard clothesline. Sami charges into two raised boots in the corner though and Del Rio puts him in the Tree of Woe for the delayed double stomp and the pin at 8:22.
Owens and Ambrose bump into each other with Kevin saying Dean has been crazier than usual recently. Dean thinks that's a compliment and offers to beat Kevin up tonight and at the pay per view.
It's time for a video from Reigns' perspective. Reigns was the explosive part of the Shield while Seth was the brains. It was Seth's idea to break up the Shield so he could go on his own, which meant him cashing in the Money in the Bank contract at Wrestlemania to take everything away from Reigns. Every time that Rollins has attacked him, it's been from behind. At Money in the Bank, there's nothing to keep them apart and it's head to head.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Cole calls this a rivalry despite their last match being nearly two months ago. They quickly head outside with Owens jumping in on commentary to say he'll win at Money in the Bank. Back in and Owens stomps Dean in the head before saying the briefcase is his. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Owens elbows him in the jaw instead. Kevin takes too much time going up though and gets superplexed down, only to catch Dean in a German suplex.
The Cannonball is blocked with a hard clothesline. The second Cannonball attempt works better but Dean sends him outside. That's it for this offensive flurry though as Dean's suicide dive is caught and rammed into the apron. Owens drops a frog splash off the apron but Dean just grabs Dirty Deeds for the pin at 6:36.
Post match Dean gets a ladder but Owens shoves it over.
Bob Backlund/Darren Young video from Smackdown with Backlund taking his car keys and telling him to walk eight hours to the next town.
Here are Dana Brooke and Charlotte with the latter talking about how she only got rid of her father from her professional life. She'd still love to work out with her father or spend Christmas with him. This brings out Natalya and Becky to talk about how horrible Charlotte was a few weeks back. Charlotte refers to Dana as her protege but that doesn't sit well with her. Becky and Natalya mention all the backstabbing and manipulation that Charlotte has done over the years and Dana is thinking about something. That lasts all of ten seconds before she helps Charlotte (with the title still on) beat down Becky and Natalya.
The Shining Stars brag about some drink from Puerto Rico.
Tyler Breeze vs. R-Truth
Breezango now has matching fur vests. Earlier today, Breeze was shaving Fandango's back to make him more arrowgigantic. Fandango: It's when your body has no hair and you fly through the air like a giant arrow. Truth starts with some hip thrusts but the partners get in an argument on the floor, only to have everyone come in for the no contest at 1:00.
Post match Teddy Long comes out to say let's make it a tag team match but that's not happening because he has no authority. Teddy goes to the back where Stephanie does her best Stephanie impression to get rid of him because SHE wants to run Smackdown. And that is a good example of why I can't stand Stephanie. That segment could have been fun but no, let's have Stephanie go all evil again because it lets her get TV time after a month or so of being all smiles and nice. I'm sure she'll be back to "normal" again next week, or at least until there's someone else she can emasculate.
We get a long tribute to Muhammad Ali and his connections to wrestling, including emulating Gorgeous George and throwing punches at Gorilla Monsoon, who put him in the airplane spin. Of course the big moment was Ali refereeing the main event of the first Wrestlemania, even though it was just a glorified cameo. The video gets a standing ovation.
The Club vs. New Day
New Day wants to know what kind of club this is. It's certainly not the Hair Club For Men. Kofi wishes it was the Mickey Mouse Club because they all want autographs. However, the only club that really matters is the club of WWE World Tag Team Champions because NEW DAY ROCKS.
They start slugging it out before the bell with only Woods and AJ being left inside. Big E. is sent into the steps and Gallows punches Kofi out of the air. Woods flip dives over the top to take Gallows out though and we're still waiting on a bell. Anderson gets in a kick to Woods on the apron, followed by the Styles Clash on the floor to knock Xavier silly as we take a break.
Back with Big E. and Kofi agreeing to fight three on two as we finally get the opening bell. Kofi charges at Gallows to start before it's off to Big E. The fight is sent outside where AJ gets in a Pele Kick, followed by a big clothesline from Gallows to really take over. We hit the chinlock on Big E. for a bit until E. gets in a belly to belly. The hot tag brings in Kofi to go after AJ, including the Boom Drop. The SOS gets two with Anderson making the save, allowing AJ to get in the Phenomenal Forearm for the pin at 5:16.
Post match the beating continues but the fans want Cena. That's exactly what they get as well with Cena charging down for the save, only to be beaten down by AJ from behind. New Day gets back in though and the good guys clean house to end the show.
The wrestling tonight was watchable and the AJ vs. Cena promo was outstanding but the Stephanie stuff where she yelled at Teddy came off as cruel instead of anything else. It's not a bad show or anything like that but I had a hard time sitting through a lot of the same reason I have every year: the matches between these guys means nothing but it's all they do all the time. Find something, ANYTHING, different for a change because I really don't care about this stuff.
Results
Cesaro b. Chris Jericho Sharpshooter
Rusev b. Jack Swagger via countout
Vaudevillains b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass via DQ when Cass wouldn't stop attacking in the corner
Alberto Del Rio b. Sami Zayn Top rope double stomp
Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens Dirty Deeds
The Club b. New Day Phenomenal Forearm to Kingston
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: June 7, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
It's the go home show for Slammiversary and the big question is what the heck Matt and Jeff Hardy are going to do after last week's bizarre video from inside Matt's barn with the fake baby and difficult to destroy table. Good or bad, it's been a hot topic in wrestling ever since so they're doing something right. Let's get to it.
We open with a clip from Matt attacking Jeff.
Here's Matt in the arena to a JEFF IS BETTER chant. Matt talks about how Jeff was jealous of Matt being World Champion so he had to be destroyed. That's why you won't see Jeff here tonight, tomorrow or on Sunday. However, before Matt can be whole again, he needs his World Title back. This brings out Drew Galloway, who Matt says would never be champion without Jeff's help. Matt wants to be added to the main event of Slammiversary but Drew says no. Hardy calls him a coward so Drew agrees to defend the title tonight against Matt.
Madison Rayne vs. Sienna
Winner gets Jade (at ringside here) for the title on Sunday. Allie offers an early verbal distraction, allowing Sienna to get in a few cheap shots from behind. Sienna starts working on the back but can't hit the AK-47 (that spinning faceplant as dubbed by Dinero). Madison gets in a dropkick but a few shots to the back sets up the AK-47 for the pin and the title shot at 2:33.
Post match Jade saves Madison from a beating. Can we just get the title on Sienna so Gail can get it back in the big special moment at Bound For Glory? You know, for a change of pace.
Maria and Mike Bennett say they'll win tonight.
Eli Drake is on a mountain and tells Bram to come get him.
Here's Eli Drake for Fact of Life. Drake's guest is....himself. Yeah last week he beat Bram because Bram is a dummy. He'll be champon as long as he wants but tonight he wants to recognize some other champions so here's Decay. Drake compares them to a basketball team and thinks Rosemary might be the hottest Knockout around under all that makeup. He asks how they're going to take the BroMans apart on Sunday so Steve talks about all the evil inside them. Abyss says the BroMans aren't beautiful and they'll decay at Slammiversary.
Cue the BroMans and Raquel to say they want a fight tonight. A match is teased and it's Grado and Mahabali Shera coming out because we were starting to get a bit serious. Drake says they should be worried about the Tribunal and presses the DUMMY button a lot. The Tribunal comes out for the big brawl and Bram attacks Drake from behind as we go to a commercial.
Eli Drake/Decay/Tribunal vs. Mahabali Shera/Grado/BroMans/Bram
Shera works on Drake's arm to start and Eli bails from Bram in a hurry. Abyss comes in and hammers away on Bram before Steve bites his forehead. It's off to Robbie for a beating from Steve and then another one from Baron Dax as Al Snow continues blowing his whistle. He's a coach now you see. Basile chinlocks Robbie for a good while but Robbie gets up and brings in Robbie.
A quick BroDown drops Steve but Abyss makes the save as everything breaks down. Robbie gets in a nice dive before Bram starts cleaning house with knees and clotheslines. Grado gets in a Bionic Elbow on Drake but a frog splash only gets two. The referee is distracted though so Drake hits Grado low and does that knee lift/clothesline combo for the pin at 7:50.
Gail Kim does her basic promo about how she wants to show Maria how serious this is. Ethan Carter III talks about how he wants to use the sword of redemption on Bennett this Sunday.
Lashley isn't pleased with Matt getting a title shot tonight and promises to make sure things go right tonight. Matt says the title is his and Lashley just needs to understand that.
We see Ethan Carter III and Mike Bennett having a weigh-in. A fight broke out of course.
Gail Kim/Ethan Carter III vs. Maria Kanellis/Mike Bennett
Not so fast yet as Maria is going to have Allie take her place. Allie screeches a lot until Ethan actually begs her to stop. Gail comes in to run Allie over but Maria trips her up to give Allie an opening. A double faceplant drops both women though and it's a double tag to bring in the guys. The 1%er is broken up but Bennett is sent to the floor. Allie goes after Ethan to no avail so the guys run up the ramp. Back inside and Eat Defeat is broken up but Allie's brainbuster is countered into a small package to give Gail the pin at 4:44.
Post match Sienna runs in and Gail gets a Conchairto on her leg.
Willow hijacks a feed. Great.
X-Division Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Trevor Lee
Lee is defending and has Shane Helms in his corner. Eddie starts the fight on the floor but a Helms distraction lets Trevor stomp him down. A comeback is cut off by another distraction and Trevor stomps away again. Trevor's atomic drop doesn't do much as Eddie sends him outside for a plancha followed by a suicide dive.
Back in and Lee uppercuts him in the back of the head before a lifting German suplex gets two. Cue Andrew Everett for a distraction but Lee's jumping knee only gets two. DJZ comes out for a save but Helms hits Eddie in the head with the title belt to give Lee the pin at 7:09.
Lashley comes up to Galloway and says he hopes Drew keeps the title tonight. Galloway talks about making Kurt Angle tap out so he's ready for Lashley.
Gail Kim's knee is hurt. Uh, thanks as I wouldn't have gotten that otherwise.
Braxton Sutter vs. Billy Callis
Callis powers him down in to the corner to start but Sutter punches him back. A few kicks to the ribs set up a jumping Downward Spiral to pin Callis at 2:10. Sutter looks good but the name sucks.
Sutter says he's worked hard to get here and he's going to take over. That's no BS.
Willow talks about Jeff Hardy's war with Matt.
Ethan gives a fired up promo about the showdown with Bennett on Sunday.
We run down the Slammiversary card with Trevor Lee defending the X-Division Title against Andrew Everett, DJZ and Eddie Edwards added. Well that was obvious.
Video on Galloway vs. Lashley.
TNA World Title: Matt Hardy vs. Drew Galloway
Drew is defending. Josh isn't sure if Matt vs. Jeff will be happening because no one has seen Jeff, though we've seen Willow. They quickly head outside with Drew catching a charging Matt and tilt-a-whirl slamming him on the apron. A Side Effect onto the steps puts Matt in control though and a neckbreaker gets two back inside.
Matt bites the champ's forehead and puts on his guillotine choke. Drew flips him over for the break and it's time for some chops to make Matt's chest red. The Celtic Cross drops Matt but he counters a superplex attempt, only to have Drew lift himself up and throw Matt off the top. The Claymore is loaded up but Lashley comes in for the DQ at 6:15.
Post match Galloway and Lashley fight to the back and the lights go out. They come back on and most of the fans (at least in the lower arena) are wearing Willow masks. Cue a bunch of Willows on the stage when the real Willow appears on screen to say Jeff will be free on Sunday to end Matt once and for all. Here's Jeff to come out and stare at Matt, who is shocked by this for some reason. They brawl to end the show.
Results
Sienna b. Madison Rayne AK-47
Decay/Eli Drake/Tribunal b. BroMans/Bram/Grado/Mahabali Shera Clothesline to Grado
Gail Kim/Ethan Carter III b. Mike Bennett/Allie Small package to Allie
Trevor Lee b. Eddie Edwards Pin after Shane Helms hit Edwards with the X-Division Title
Braxton Sutter b. Billy Callis Jumping Downward Spiral
Drew Galloway b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Lashley interfered
Wednesday
NXT Takeover: The End
Date: June 8, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
We're back with a big show at Full Sail for the first time since last fall. It also might be the final show under the Takeover banner depending on which news source you believe. If nothing else it's likely to be the final match between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe for Joe's NXT Title inside a steel cage as the gimmick makes its debut in NXT. Let's get to it.
The opening video looks at the beginnings of NXT with names like Seth Rollins, Paige and the Wyatt Family. Then it was the era of Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks. However, all things that have a beginning must come to an end. We look at Samoa Joe and Asuka winning their respective titles as the old THE END IS HERE theme plays. Tonight is the end of the beginning.
Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade Cien Almas
This is Almas' (formerly known as La Sombra in Mexico) debut. The place goes NUTS for Dillinger's count to ten entrance and you would think he was a huge star based on the reception. Almas' entrance attire is all white, including suspenders and a hat with a feather but no mask. The white comes off to reveal some blue and white tights for a pretty basic look. So he's a male stripper?
Dillinger takes him down into a sunset flip and the fans are just going nuts for him. Almas sends him outside as the fans chant BETTER THAN ONE HUNDRED (as in ten is better than Cien, which is Spanish for one hundred). A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker (very popular move these days) gets two on Almas but he pops up to put Dillinger down.
Almas misses a moonsault as Tye rolls away, only to have Almas hit a standing moonsault for two instead. Andrade tries a headstand in the corner, only to have Dillinger superkick him down for two instead. Almas backflips into a double kick to the back before a bulldog puts Tye in the corner, setting up a double running knee in the corner for the pin at 5:18.
We look back at American Alpha taking the Tag Team Titles from the Revival in a great match at Takeover: Dallas. This turned the Revival into a much more serious and aggressive team coming into the rematch here.
Tag Team Titles: Revival vs. American Alpha
Alpha is defending. Dawson and Gable start things off with Chad taking him to the mat but getting dropped with a shoulder block. It's quickly off to Jordan who hits that really high dropkick for two on Scott, drawing a JORDAN chant. Back in and it's a four way standoff with Alpha sending Revival at each other, only to have Dawson and Dash get behind the champs' backs for double belly to back suplexes.
Those are reversed as well and it's a double ankle lock to send Revival scurrying for the ropes. Back in and Alpha starts working on Dash's arm and the referee doesn't count a tag to Dawson. Not that it matters as the distraction lets Dash get in a cheap shot on Chad so the real tag can go through. That's fine with Gable who works on Dawson's arm, earning himself an uppercut to take it outside.
Everything breaks down again and Gable scores with a top rope double clotheslines, followed by a double dropkick to send Revival outside again. Back in and Chad tries a flying headscissors but gets caught in a hot shot to finally change control. They be clubberin in the corner for two on Gable and it's time for an armbar. Dawson gets two off a spinebuster and it's back to Dash for the armbar sequel.
Dash loads up something on top but gets pulled down into an armbar over the ropes. The hot tag is broken up by Dawson and a Trash Compactor (I haven't seen that in years. It's kind of like a delayed spinebuster from Dash with Dawson adding a top rope legdrop.) of all things for two on Gable. Not that it matters as Gable crawls through Revival's legs and makes the hot tag off to Jordan as house is cleaned.
The spear in the corner gets two on Wilder but a sunset flip/clothesline combo gets two with Dash spearing Gable down for good measure. Jordan grabs a backslide and tags out at the same time, allowing Gable to sneak in for a German suplex with Jordan adding a dropkick for two. The fans accurately call this awesome as Chad puts Dawson in an ankle lock, only to be kicked away into an uppercut from Dawson.
That and a rollup with trunks is only good for two so Revival loads up their powerbomb/top rope clothesline combo, only to have Gable reverse it with a belly to belly ala Rick Steiner back at Wrestlemania IX. Another quick tag brings in Jordan as everything breaks down but Grand Amplitude is broken up and the Shatter Machine gives Revival the titles back at 16:00. That's the first time any team/wrestler has won a title twice (not including Neville as he won the Tag Team Titles with different partners).
Alpha is getting a standing ovation when two big guys who look a lot alike hit the ring and destroy them with splashes in the corner. A swinging side slam/running boot to the head drops Gable and a Russian legsweep/running clothesline does the same to Jordan. As they stand dominant (and receive a WHO ARE YOU) chant, Paul Ellering of all people comes out to watch. Those two would be Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani, collectively known as the Authors of Pain and normally under masks.
Asuka is warming up when Bayley comes up to look at her.
We recap Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, which is built around Aries wanting to prove that he really is the best in the world. Simple story and that's all it needs to be.
Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Aries is coming in with taped up ribs. The fans are split but singing Nakamura's theme tilts it in his favor. They hit the mat to start and that's a standoff. It's back to the mat with Aries jumping out of a headscissors and both guys ducking kicks, leading to a staredown. Nakamura puts his hands on the bad ribs and tells Austin to bring it. The fans think Shinsuke is going to kill him as he starts firing off more knees to the ribs.
Nakamura does his shaky leg in the corner (Good Vibrations) but a third attempt is countered into a shinbreaker. Aries drives a knee into Nakamura's ribs but his slingshot hilo hits raised knees. For once it actually hurts the legs though and Aries kicks away at them to keep control. Off to a modified chinlock with a knee in the back as the fans sing the song again. Nakamura pops up and shrugs off the leg injuries to start firing off kicks. He really shouldn't be able to do that. A knee to the ribs in the corner has Aries in trouble but he fights out of the reverse exploder suplex.
The knees to the head can't set up the Last Chancery so Aries discus forearms him out to the floor, followed by the suicide elbow. That's only good for two back inside as this is really starting to heat up. Aries goes up top but gets pulled into a triangle choke, only to make the ropes for the break. A release gordbuster looks to set up Kinshasa but Aries counters into another shinbreaker and throws on the Last Chancery.
As usual the hold can only stay on so long so Aries hits the running corner dropkick but he has to roll through the 450. Another running knee is blocked and Aries take him to the apron for a slugout with Nakamura scoring off an enziguri. Nakamura charges into a Death Valley Driver on the apron for a nine count but Aries screws himself over by missing a suicide dive and hitting the barricade. Back in and a middle rope Kinshasa sets up the real thing for the pin on Aries at 17:05.
We recap Asuka vs. Nia Jax, which is the basic giant vs. giant slayer story. Both of them beat Bayley up pretty badly but the question is whether Asuka's strikes can work on a monster like Jax.
Women's Title: Nia Jax vs. Asuka
Asuka is defending and is quickly headbutted, followed by a hair toss to send her flying across the ring. A modified Octopus Hold of all things has Nia in trouble but she reverses into a backbreaker for two. Nia rubs at the face but gets caught in a guillotine, only to reverse with a big old suplex for two. Nia has to spin out of an armbar but gets caught in most of a triangle. It's on loosely enough that Nia can lift her up for a buckle bomb to escape.
The champ's back is bent around the post as this has been mostly one sided so far. Off to a bearhug but Asuka escapes and grabs a quick kneebar. A rope is grabbed so Nia plants her with a spinebuster, only to miss a legdrop. Asuka comes back with a quick middle rope dropkick and a running hip attack for two. The powerbomb gets two on Asuka but she grabs an armbar to start a TAP chant. Nia powers out of that as well but gets kicked in the head three times in a row. A running kick/knee to the head retains Asuka's title at 9:09.
Earlier today, William Regal was talking about the show when Bobby Roode walked past him. Regal immediately left to talk to him.
The cage is lowered.
We recap Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe. Balor beat Joe twice at previous Takeovers but lost the title to him at a house show. Tonight is the final match between the two and it's being held in the first ever steel cage match in NXT history.
Neville is here.
NXT Title: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
In a cage with Joe defending. Balor is the Demon again and comes out from behind a piece of cage, which he shoves over and crawls across for a really cool visual. Pinfall, submission or escape to win here. Joe goes straight for the door to start but it's barely even worth trying that early. The fans are behind Balor as he raises his boots to stop a charging Joe in the corner. A hard shot to Joe's head lets Balor try a climb but Joe quickly pulls him back to the mat.
It's time to go into the cage for the first time with Balor tasting the steel. Joe kicks him in the face but it's too early to escape. An enziguri almost lets Balor escape but a German suplex drops him for two instead. Joe chops him to make everyone go WOO but he misses a charge and gets caught between the ropes and the cage. Balor hits a string of running strikes but can't get over the top.
Instead Finn kicks him square in the jaw, only to have Joe fall on the ropes to crotch Balor down. The Muscle Buster is countered and they strike it out to put both guys down. Back up and Balor heads for the top, only to have to come down with a Sling Blade for two. A second Sling Blade gets two more but Joe pulls him out of the corner and gets two of his own off the Muscle Buster.
Joe shouts that he's going to end Balor but Finn sends him into the cage a few times, followed by a third Sling Blade. A quick Coup de Grace gets two and Joe grabs the Koquina Clutch. Balor tries to flip out of the corner onto Joe but the hold is broken, meaning Finn has to settle for most of a standing double stomp. Balor gets his legs over the top of the cage but Joe pulls his head down and hits a middle rope Muscle Buster to retain the title at 16:07.
Balor is helped out to end the show.
Results
Andrade Cien Almas b. Tye Dillinger Running double knees in the corner
Revival b. American Alpha Shatter Machine to Jordan
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Austin Aries Kinshasa
Asuka b. Nia Jax Running knee to the head
Samoa Joe b. Finn Balor Super Muscle Buster
Monday Night Raw
Date: June 6, 2016
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton
As we head into June, the big story is AJ Styles vs. John Cena as Styles rejoined his Club buddies to attack the returning Cena last week. A match at Money in the Bank has already been signed and it should be interesting to see the big time promos leading up to the match at the pay per view. Let's get to it.
We open with Dean Ambrose coming to the ring to join the rest of the Money in the Bank participants, all of whom are sitting on top of a ladder. Owens says he doesn't need to be introduced because he's already more famous than everyone else. Some insults are thrown out with Owens cutting off Jericho because Jericho says the same thing every week. He'll win the Money in the Bank contract and give title shots to anyone who wants one, from Jean-Pierre Lafitte to Waylon Mercy to the Four Horsemen to anyone else you can see on the WWE Network (There's your plug.).
Sami says he's willing to fight anyone on the roster but Dean just wants to get to the fighting. Jericho brags about winning one of these before but Sami asks where the match was. Jericho: Apple. Appleton. The Big Apple. It was in Stupid Idiotville! The fight finally breaks out but TEDDY LONG returns to cut it off. He wants to take the longest weekly wrestling show (he butchers the names, meaning he's probably fired) and make this a sixty minute iron man no DQ fatal fourway match and there must be a winner.
Cue Stephanie to say that made no sense but Teddy says he wants to run Smackdown. Stephanie says no so Teddy wants to see Shane. Well Shane isn't here tonight so Stephanie tells Teddy to get to steppin. Ah so she's a witchy heel tonight instead of the friendly one like she was last week. Just pick one of them already. She makes singles matches for the night, starting with Jericho vs. Cesaro for after the break.
Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho grabs a wristlock to start but Cesaro keeps nipping up, befuzzling Jericho so much that he can just stand there watching. Cesaro powerslams Jericho for two before the big uppercut knocks Jericho outside. Jericho dropkicks him out of the air though and we take a break less than three minutes in.
Back with Cesaro firing off the uppercuts to send Jericho into the corner followed by one to knock Chris out of the air for two. The springboard uppercut is countered into a Codebreaker but it sends Cesaro outside to delay the cover and allowing Cesaro to get out again. The apron suplex gets two more for Cesaro before he just blasts Jericho with a clothesline. Jericho backdrops out of the Neutralizer but can't get the Walls. Instead Cesaro reverses into the Swing and slaps on the Sharpshooter for the clean win at 12:08.
We look back at AJ attacking Cena last week.
Quick tribute to Muhammad Ali.
Video on Rollins vs. Reigns from Rollins' perspective. Yeah the time with the Shield was fun but Reigns was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was no moment to steal from Roman at Wrestlemania because the moment belonged to Rolling the whole time. Then he tore up his knee and had to work even harder to get back to the top. Watching Reigns win the title at Wrestlemania killed him because he deserved that spot. Rollins came back early and attacked Reigns at Extreme Rules so he can take back the title he deserves.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Since Smackdown means nothing and we haven't gotten to destroy Swagger in his home state in a few months. Non-title with Titus O'Neil on commentary. Swagger takes him down until Rusev gets in a kick to the head. Titus talks about wanting to face anyone he has to face because that's what being a champion means. A powerslam gets two for Swagger and it's off to the Patriot Lock, only to have Rusev get outside. They COLLIDE off a double clothesline and Rusev throws Swagger into Titus to win by countout at 3:40.
Here's John Cena to talk about last week's incident with AJ Styles. Last week was something special because normally we have a rowdy crowd with the LET'S GO CENA/CENA SUCKS chants but last week it was LET'S GO CENA/AJ STYLES. For over two minutes, Cena felt the same kind of energy he's only felt when he was in the ring with the Rock. For fifteen years we've asked the question of what if but last week we saw it happen. Now though Cena needs an answer to Why AJ Why.
This brings out the Club with AJ saying he had a plan: get in the ring, shake Cena's hand and punch him in the face. Cena has that Hollywood lifestyle and his movies are entertaining. Maybe not the ones he stars in but his cameos are always great. However he insults AJ as soon as that bell rings. Even on Cena's best day, he can't beat AJ. When he goes home, AJ's kids ask why he never wrestles John Cena but AJ can't tell them that he'd run circles around Cena.
John isn't pleased that the best AJ can do is say the same thing that everyone else says. Those insults are as outdated as the jorts. When Cena looks at AJ, he sees someone who spent years getting here and then failed at everything he's done. AJ looked at him and saw the one guy that he thought might get him noticed. That makes AJ sound desperate but Styles says he's not about to get buried like everyone else who fights Cena and loses. The Club comes to the ring but New Day makes the save. This was EXCELLENT and made me want to see the match even more, which is saying a lot.
Vaudevillains vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
Before the match, Enzo and Cass quote a little Muhammad Ali by saying they'll make medicine sick. Enzo may have been injured at the pay per view but he doesn't remember it so it doesn't count. They're about to prove that the Vaudevillains are S-A-W-F-T. Enzo and Gotch start things off before it's quickly off to English. Aiden doesn't do as well as it's off to Big Cass for the house cleaning. The Empire Elbow gets two and everything breaks down. Aiden gets all evil by trying to throw Enzo's head into the ropes ala Extreme Rules, only to have Big Cass go NUTS and destroy English in the corner until it's a DQ at 2:30.
Cass beats up Gotch as well.
Sami Zayn says he's the underdog in this match because Alberto Del Rio has actually done the things that everyone else is talking about doing. Del Rio comes in to say that he's going to show that Sami is just a perro.
Teddy Long comes in to see Stephanie and gets on her nerves. His idea is a four way for the Tag Team Titles at Money in the Bank with New Day defending against the Club, the Vaudevillains and Enzo/Cass. Stephanie throws him out and then calls marketing to make the match.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Sami Zayn
They're quickly on the floor with Sami hitting a moonsault off the barricade and we take a break less than a minute in. Back with Sami fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught by a Backstabber and the low superkick for two each. Del Rio spends too much time slapping his arm though, allowing Sami to hit his hard clothesline. Sami charges into two raised boots in the corner though and Del Rio puts him in the Tree of Woe for the delayed double stomp and the pin at 8:22.
Owens and Ambrose bump into each other with Kevin saying Dean has been crazier than usual recently. Dean thinks that's a compliment and offers to beat Kevin up tonight and at the pay per view.
It's time for a video from Reigns' perspective. Reigns was the explosive part of the Shield while Seth was the brains. It was Seth's idea to break up the Shield so he could go on his own, which meant him cashing in the Money in the Bank contract at Wrestlemania to take everything away from Reigns. Every time that Rollins has attacked him, it's been from behind. At Money in the Bank, there's nothing to keep them apart and it's head to head.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Cole calls this a rivalry despite their last match being nearly two months ago. They quickly head outside with Owens jumping in on commentary to say he'll win at Money in the Bank. Back in and Owens stomps Dean in the head before saying the briefcase is his. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Owens elbows him in the jaw instead. Kevin takes too much time going up though and gets superplexed down, only to catch Dean in a German suplex.
The Cannonball is blocked with a hard clothesline. The second Cannonball attempt works better but Dean sends him outside. That's it for this offensive flurry though as Dean's suicide dive is caught and rammed into the apron. Owens drops a frog splash off the apron but Dean just grabs Dirty Deeds for the pin at 6:36.
Post match Dean gets a ladder but Owens shoves it over.
Bob Backlund/Darren Young video from Smackdown with Backlund taking his car keys and telling him to walk eight hours to the next town.
Here are Dana Brooke and Charlotte with the latter talking about how she only got rid of her father from her professional life. She'd still love to work out with her father or spend Christmas with him. This brings out Natalya and Becky to talk about how horrible Charlotte was a few weeks back. Charlotte refers to Dana as her protege but that doesn't sit well with her. Becky and Natalya mention all the backstabbing and manipulation that Charlotte has done over the years and Dana is thinking about something. That lasts all of ten seconds before she helps Charlotte (with the title still on) beat down Becky and Natalya.
The Shining Stars brag about some drink from Puerto Rico.
Tyler Breeze vs. R-Truth
Breezango now has matching fur vests. Earlier today, Breeze was shaving Fandango's back to make him more arrowgigantic. Fandango: It's when your body has no hair and you fly through the air like a giant arrow. Truth starts with some hip thrusts but the partners get in an argument on the floor, only to have everyone come in for the no contest at 1:00.
Post match Teddy Long comes out to say let's make it a tag team match but that's not happening because he has no authority. Teddy goes to the back where Stephanie does her best Stephanie impression to get rid of him because SHE wants to run Smackdown. And that is a good example of why I can't stand Stephanie. That segment could have been fun but no, let's have Stephanie go all evil again because it lets her get TV time after a month or so of being all smiles and nice. I'm sure she'll be back to "normal" again next week, or at least until there's someone else she can emasculate.
We get a long tribute to Muhammad Ali and his connections to wrestling, including emulating Gorgeous George and throwing punches at Gorilla Monsoon, who put him in the airplane spin. Of course the big moment was Ali refereeing the main event of the first Wrestlemania, even though it was just a glorified cameo. The video gets a standing ovation.
The Club vs. New Day
New Day wants to know what kind of club this is. It's certainly not the Hair Club For Men. Kofi wishes it was the Mickey Mouse Club because they all want autographs. However, the only club that really matters is the club of WWE World Tag Team Champions because NEW DAY ROCKS.
They start slugging it out before the bell with only Woods and AJ being left inside. Big E. is sent into the steps and Gallows punches Kofi out of the air. Woods flip dives over the top to take Gallows out though and we're still waiting on a bell. Anderson gets in a kick to Woods on the apron, followed by the Styles Clash on the floor to knock Xavier silly as we take a break.
Back with Big E. and Kofi agreeing to fight three on two as we finally get the opening bell. Kofi charges at Gallows to start before it's off to Big E. The fight is sent outside where AJ gets in a Pele Kick, followed by a big clothesline from Gallows to really take over. We hit the chinlock on Big E. for a bit until E. gets in a belly to belly. The hot tag brings in Kofi to go after AJ, including the Boom Drop. The SOS gets two with Anderson making the save, allowing AJ to get in the Phenomenal Forearm for the pin at 5:16.
Post match the beating continues but the fans want Cena. That's exactly what they get as well with Cena charging down for the save, only to be beaten down by AJ from behind. New Day gets back in though and the good guys clean house to end the show.
The wrestling tonight was watchable and the AJ vs. Cena promo was outstanding but the Stephanie stuff where she yelled at Teddy came off as cruel instead of anything else. It's not a bad show or anything like that but I had a hard time sitting through a lot of the same reason I have every year: the matches between these guys means nothing but it's all they do all the time. Find something, ANYTHING, different for a change because I really don't care about this stuff.
Results
Cesaro b. Chris Jericho Sharpshooter
Rusev b. Jack Swagger via countout
Vaudevillains b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass via DQ when Cass wouldn't stop attacking in the corner
Alberto Del Rio b. Sami Zayn Top rope double stomp
Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens Dirty Deeds
The Club b. New Day Phenomenal Forearm to Kingston
Tuesday
Impact Wrestling
Date: June 7, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
It's the go home show for Slammiversary and the big question is what the heck Matt and Jeff Hardy are going to do after last week's bizarre video from inside Matt's barn with the fake baby and difficult to destroy table. Good or bad, it's been a hot topic in wrestling ever since so they're doing something right. Let's get to it.
We open with a clip from Matt attacking Jeff.
Here's Matt in the arena to a JEFF IS BETTER chant. Matt talks about how Jeff was jealous of Matt being World Champion so he had to be destroyed. That's why you won't see Jeff here tonight, tomorrow or on Sunday. However, before Matt can be whole again, he needs his World Title back. This brings out Drew Galloway, who Matt says would never be champion without Jeff's help. Matt wants to be added to the main event of Slammiversary but Drew says no. Hardy calls him a coward so Drew agrees to defend the title tonight against Matt.
Madison Rayne vs. Sienna
Winner gets Jade (at ringside here) for the title on Sunday. Allie offers an early verbal distraction, allowing Sienna to get in a few cheap shots from behind. Sienna starts working on the back but can't hit the AK-47 (that spinning faceplant as dubbed by Dinero). Madison gets in a dropkick but a few shots to the back sets up the AK-47 for the pin and the title shot at 2:33.
Post match Jade saves Madison from a beating. Can we just get the title on Sienna so Gail can get it back in the big special moment at Bound For Glory? You know, for a change of pace.
Maria and Mike Bennett say they'll win tonight.
Eli Drake is on a mountain and tells Bram to come get him.
Here's Eli Drake for Fact of Life. Drake's guest is....himself. Yeah last week he beat Bram because Bram is a dummy. He'll be champon as long as he wants but tonight he wants to recognize some other champions so here's Decay. Drake compares them to a basketball team and thinks Rosemary might be the hottest Knockout around under all that makeup. He asks how they're going to take the BroMans apart on Sunday so Steve talks about all the evil inside them. Abyss says the BroMans aren't beautiful and they'll decay at Slammiversary.
Cue the BroMans and Raquel to say they want a fight tonight. A match is teased and it's Grado and Mahabali Shera coming out because we were starting to get a bit serious. Drake says they should be worried about the Tribunal and presses the DUMMY button a lot. The Tribunal comes out for the big brawl and Bram attacks Drake from behind as we go to a commercial.
Eli Drake/Decay/Tribunal vs. Mahabali Shera/Grado/BroMans/Bram
Shera works on Drake's arm to start and Eli bails from Bram in a hurry. Abyss comes in and hammers away on Bram before Steve bites his forehead. It's off to Robbie for a beating from Steve and then another one from Baron Dax as Al Snow continues blowing his whistle. He's a coach now you see. Basile chinlocks Robbie for a good while but Robbie gets up and brings in Robbie.
A quick BroDown drops Steve but Abyss makes the save as everything breaks down. Robbie gets in a nice dive before Bram starts cleaning house with knees and clotheslines. Grado gets in a Bionic Elbow on Drake but a frog splash only gets two. The referee is distracted though so Drake hits Grado low and does that knee lift/clothesline combo for the pin at 7:50.
Gail Kim does her basic promo about how she wants to show Maria how serious this is. Ethan Carter III talks about how he wants to use the sword of redemption on Bennett this Sunday.
Lashley isn't pleased with Matt getting a title shot tonight and promises to make sure things go right tonight. Matt says the title is his and Lashley just needs to understand that.
We see Ethan Carter III and Mike Bennett having a weigh-in. A fight broke out of course.
Gail Kim/Ethan Carter III vs. Maria Kanellis/Mike Bennett
Not so fast yet as Maria is going to have Allie take her place. Allie screeches a lot until Ethan actually begs her to stop. Gail comes in to run Allie over but Maria trips her up to give Allie an opening. A double faceplant drops both women though and it's a double tag to bring in the guys. The 1%er is broken up but Bennett is sent to the floor. Allie goes after Ethan to no avail so the guys run up the ramp. Back inside and Eat Defeat is broken up but Allie's brainbuster is countered into a small package to give Gail the pin at 4:44.
Post match Sienna runs in and Gail gets a Conchairto on her leg.
Willow hijacks a feed. Great.
X-Division Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Trevor Lee
Lee is defending and has Shane Helms in his corner. Eddie starts the fight on the floor but a Helms distraction lets Trevor stomp him down. A comeback is cut off by another distraction and Trevor stomps away again. Trevor's atomic drop doesn't do much as Eddie sends him outside for a plancha followed by a suicide dive.
Back in and Lee uppercuts him in the back of the head before a lifting German suplex gets two. Cue Andrew Everett for a distraction but Lee's jumping knee only gets two. DJZ comes out for a save but Helms hits Eddie in the head with the title belt to give Lee the pin at 7:09.
Lashley comes up to Galloway and says he hopes Drew keeps the title tonight. Galloway talks about making Kurt Angle tap out so he's ready for Lashley.
Gail Kim's knee is hurt. Uh, thanks as I wouldn't have gotten that otherwise.
Braxton Sutter vs. Billy Callis
Callis powers him down in to the corner to start but Sutter punches him back. A few kicks to the ribs set up a jumping Downward Spiral to pin Callis at 2:10. Sutter looks good but the name sucks.
Sutter says he's worked hard to get here and he's going to take over. That's no BS.
Willow talks about Jeff Hardy's war with Matt.
Ethan gives a fired up promo about the showdown with Bennett on Sunday.
We run down the Slammiversary card with Trevor Lee defending the X-Division Title against Andrew Everett, DJZ and Eddie Edwards added. Well that was obvious.
Video on Galloway vs. Lashley.
TNA World Title: Matt Hardy vs. Drew Galloway
Drew is defending. Josh isn't sure if Matt vs. Jeff will be happening because no one has seen Jeff, though we've seen Willow. They quickly head outside with Drew catching a charging Matt and tilt-a-whirl slamming him on the apron. A Side Effect onto the steps puts Matt in control though and a neckbreaker gets two back inside.
Matt bites the champ's forehead and puts on his guillotine choke. Drew flips him over for the break and it's time for some chops to make Matt's chest red. The Celtic Cross drops Matt but he counters a superplex attempt, only to have Drew lift himself up and throw Matt off the top. The Claymore is loaded up but Lashley comes in for the DQ at 6:15.
Post match Galloway and Lashley fight to the back and the lights go out. They come back on and most of the fans (at least in the lower arena) are wearing Willow masks. Cue a bunch of Willows on the stage when the real Willow appears on screen to say Jeff will be free on Sunday to end Matt once and for all. Here's Jeff to come out and stare at Matt, who is shocked by this for some reason. They brawl to end the show.
Results
Sienna b. Madison Rayne AK-47
Decay/Eli Drake/Tribunal b. BroMans/Bram/Grado/Mahabali Shera Clothesline to Grado
Gail Kim/Ethan Carter III b. Mike Bennett/Allie Small package to Allie
Trevor Lee b. Eddie Edwards Pin after Shane Helms hit Edwards with the X-Division Title
Braxton Sutter b. Billy Callis Jumping Downward Spiral
Drew Galloway b. Matt Hardy via DQ when Lashley interfered
Wednesday
NXT Takeover: The End
Date: June 8, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
We're back with a big show at Full Sail for the first time since last fall. It also might be the final show under the Takeover banner depending on which news source you believe. If nothing else it's likely to be the final match between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe for Joe's NXT Title inside a steel cage as the gimmick makes its debut in NXT. Let's get to it.
The opening video looks at the beginnings of NXT with names like Seth Rollins, Paige and the Wyatt Family. Then it was the era of Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks. However, all things that have a beginning must come to an end. We look at Samoa Joe and Asuka winning their respective titles as the old THE END IS HERE theme plays. Tonight is the end of the beginning.
Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade Cien Almas
This is Almas' (formerly known as La Sombra in Mexico) debut. The place goes NUTS for Dillinger's count to ten entrance and you would think he was a huge star based on the reception. Almas' entrance attire is all white, including suspenders and a hat with a feather but no mask. The white comes off to reveal some blue and white tights for a pretty basic look. So he's a male stripper?
Dillinger takes him down into a sunset flip and the fans are just going nuts for him. Almas sends him outside as the fans chant BETTER THAN ONE HUNDRED (as in ten is better than Cien, which is Spanish for one hundred). A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker (very popular move these days) gets two on Almas but he pops up to put Dillinger down.
Almas misses a moonsault as Tye rolls away, only to have Almas hit a standing moonsault for two instead. Andrade tries a headstand in the corner, only to have Dillinger superkick him down for two instead. Almas backflips into a double kick to the back before a bulldog puts Tye in the corner, setting up a double running knee in the corner for the pin at 5:18.
We look back at American Alpha taking the Tag Team Titles from the Revival in a great match at Takeover: Dallas. This turned the Revival into a much more serious and aggressive team coming into the rematch here.
Tag Team Titles: Revival vs. American Alpha
Alpha is defending. Dawson and Gable start things off with Chad taking him to the mat but getting dropped with a shoulder block. It's quickly off to Jordan who hits that really high dropkick for two on Scott, drawing a JORDAN chant. Back in and it's a four way standoff with Alpha sending Revival at each other, only to have Dawson and Dash get behind the champs' backs for double belly to back suplexes.
Those are reversed as well and it's a double ankle lock to send Revival scurrying for the ropes. Back in and Alpha starts working on Dash's arm and the referee doesn't count a tag to Dawson. Not that it matters as the distraction lets Dash get in a cheap shot on Chad so the real tag can go through. That's fine with Gable who works on Dawson's arm, earning himself an uppercut to take it outside.
Everything breaks down again and Gable scores with a top rope double clotheslines, followed by a double dropkick to send Revival outside again. Back in and Chad tries a flying headscissors but gets caught in a hot shot to finally change control. They be clubberin in the corner for two on Gable and it's time for an armbar. Dawson gets two off a spinebuster and it's back to Dash for the armbar sequel.
Dash loads up something on top but gets pulled down into an armbar over the ropes. The hot tag is broken up by Dawson and a Trash Compactor (I haven't seen that in years. It's kind of like a delayed spinebuster from Dash with Dawson adding a top rope legdrop.) of all things for two on Gable. Not that it matters as Gable crawls through Revival's legs and makes the hot tag off to Jordan as house is cleaned.
The spear in the corner gets two on Wilder but a sunset flip/clothesline combo gets two with Dash spearing Gable down for good measure. Jordan grabs a backslide and tags out at the same time, allowing Gable to sneak in for a German suplex with Jordan adding a dropkick for two. The fans accurately call this awesome as Chad puts Dawson in an ankle lock, only to be kicked away into an uppercut from Dawson.
That and a rollup with trunks is only good for two so Revival loads up their powerbomb/top rope clothesline combo, only to have Gable reverse it with a belly to belly ala Rick Steiner back at Wrestlemania IX. Another quick tag brings in Jordan as everything breaks down but Grand Amplitude is broken up and the Shatter Machine gives Revival the titles back at 16:00. That's the first time any team/wrestler has won a title twice (not including Neville as he won the Tag Team Titles with different partners).
Alpha is getting a standing ovation when two big guys who look a lot alike hit the ring and destroy them with splashes in the corner. A swinging side slam/running boot to the head drops Gable and a Russian legsweep/running clothesline does the same to Jordan. As they stand dominant (and receive a WHO ARE YOU) chant, Paul Ellering of all people comes out to watch. Those two would be Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani, collectively known as the Authors of Pain and normally under masks.
Asuka is warming up when Bayley comes up to look at her.
We recap Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, which is built around Aries wanting to prove that he really is the best in the world. Simple story and that's all it needs to be.
Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Aries is coming in with taped up ribs. The fans are split but singing Nakamura's theme tilts it in his favor. They hit the mat to start and that's a standoff. It's back to the mat with Aries jumping out of a headscissors and both guys ducking kicks, leading to a staredown. Nakamura puts his hands on the bad ribs and tells Austin to bring it. The fans think Shinsuke is going to kill him as he starts firing off more knees to the ribs.
Nakamura does his shaky leg in the corner (Good Vibrations) but a third attempt is countered into a shinbreaker. Aries drives a knee into Nakamura's ribs but his slingshot hilo hits raised knees. For once it actually hurts the legs though and Aries kicks away at them to keep control. Off to a modified chinlock with a knee in the back as the fans sing the song again. Nakamura pops up and shrugs off the leg injuries to start firing off kicks. He really shouldn't be able to do that. A knee to the ribs in the corner has Aries in trouble but he fights out of the reverse exploder suplex.
The knees to the head can't set up the Last Chancery so Aries discus forearms him out to the floor, followed by the suicide elbow. That's only good for two back inside as this is really starting to heat up. Aries goes up top but gets pulled into a triangle choke, only to make the ropes for the break. A release gordbuster looks to set up Kinshasa but Aries counters into another shinbreaker and throws on the Last Chancery.
As usual the hold can only stay on so long so Aries hits the running corner dropkick but he has to roll through the 450. Another running knee is blocked and Aries take him to the apron for a slugout with Nakamura scoring off an enziguri. Nakamura charges into a Death Valley Driver on the apron for a nine count but Aries screws himself over by missing a suicide dive and hitting the barricade. Back in and a middle rope Kinshasa sets up the real thing for the pin on Aries at 17:05.
We recap Asuka vs. Nia Jax, which is the basic giant vs. giant slayer story. Both of them beat Bayley up pretty badly but the question is whether Asuka's strikes can work on a monster like Jax.
Women's Title: Nia Jax vs. Asuka
Asuka is defending and is quickly headbutted, followed by a hair toss to send her flying across the ring. A modified Octopus Hold of all things has Nia in trouble but she reverses into a backbreaker for two. Nia rubs at the face but gets caught in a guillotine, only to reverse with a big old suplex for two. Nia has to spin out of an armbar but gets caught in most of a triangle. It's on loosely enough that Nia can lift her up for a buckle bomb to escape.
The champ's back is bent around the post as this has been mostly one sided so far. Off to a bearhug but Asuka escapes and grabs a quick kneebar. A rope is grabbed so Nia plants her with a spinebuster, only to miss a legdrop. Asuka comes back with a quick middle rope dropkick and a running hip attack for two. The powerbomb gets two on Asuka but she grabs an armbar to start a TAP chant. Nia powers out of that as well but gets kicked in the head three times in a row. A running kick/knee to the head retains Asuka's title at 9:09.
Earlier today, William Regal was talking about the show when Bobby Roode walked past him. Regal immediately left to talk to him.
The cage is lowered.
We recap Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe. Balor beat Joe twice at previous Takeovers but lost the title to him at a house show. Tonight is the final match between the two and it's being held in the first ever steel cage match in NXT history.
Neville is here.
NXT Title: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
In a cage with Joe defending. Balor is the Demon again and comes out from behind a piece of cage, which he shoves over and crawls across for a really cool visual. Pinfall, submission or escape to win here. Joe goes straight for the door to start but it's barely even worth trying that early. The fans are behind Balor as he raises his boots to stop a charging Joe in the corner. A hard shot to Joe's head lets Balor try a climb but Joe quickly pulls him back to the mat.
It's time to go into the cage for the first time with Balor tasting the steel. Joe kicks him in the face but it's too early to escape. An enziguri almost lets Balor escape but a German suplex drops him for two instead. Joe chops him to make everyone go WOO but he misses a charge and gets caught between the ropes and the cage. Balor hits a string of running strikes but can't get over the top.
Instead Finn kicks him square in the jaw, only to have Joe fall on the ropes to crotch Balor down. The Muscle Buster is countered and they strike it out to put both guys down. Back up and Balor heads for the top, only to have to come down with a Sling Blade for two. A second Sling Blade gets two more but Joe pulls him out of the corner and gets two of his own off the Muscle Buster.
Joe shouts that he's going to end Balor but Finn sends him into the cage a few times, followed by a third Sling Blade. A quick Coup de Grace gets two and Joe grabs the Koquina Clutch. Balor tries to flip out of the corner onto Joe but the hold is broken, meaning Finn has to settle for most of a standing double stomp. Balor gets his legs over the top of the cage but Joe pulls his head down and hits a middle rope Muscle Buster to retain the title at 16:07.
Balor is helped out to end the show.
Results
Andrade Cien Almas b. Tye Dillinger Running double knees in the corner
Revival b. American Alpha Shatter Machine to Jordan
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Austin Aries Kinshasa
Asuka b. Nia Jax Running knee to the head
Samoa Joe b. Finn Balor Super Muscle Buster