klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 10, 2016
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We're less than three weeks away from Hell in a Cell and only one of the namesake matches has been set up so far. The interesting question is what will be the second (if not the third): Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens or Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks. Both have been announced for the show but neither has officially been announced as taking place inside the Cell. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Sasha Banks to get things going. Sasha says she's on top of the world right now and wishes Eddie Guerrero a happy birthday. She spent years watching Eddie lie, cheat and steal his way to the top. Last week she was in the main event of Raw, just like Trish Stratus and Lita were all those years ago. Sasha knows the rematch is coming at Hell in a Cell so let's put it inside the Cell for the first time ever.
Cue Charlotte but Rusev (now with sideburns) and Lana of all people come out to interrupt. Rusev says no one cares about this women's revolution but Charlotte takes the mic from him and, with Stephanie style tones, asks Rusev who he thinks he is. The match with Sasha is on inside the Cell.
Rusev takes the mic back and says good for you but he wasn't done. This time it's Sasha taking the mic away and throwing it to the mat. Lana says Sasha and Charlotte need to learn their place because they're whining like little girls. That earns Lana a shove down and Rusev gets dropkicked out to the floor. Roman Reigns comes out to prevent the male on female violence. The match really doesn't need to be inside the Cell from a storyline perspective but this is the next logical step for the women being treated as equals and there's nothing wrong with that.
Here's New Day to talk about the history of sports in Oakland, including the Splash Brothers and the Bash Brothers. That brings them to the most famous friends though: Danny Tanner and Uncle Jesse. See, there's about to be a full house because New Day is three of a kind and they're about to deal with a pair in Cesaro and Sheamus. Kofi has a hot garbage sign to describe Sheamus and Woods says the title match at the pay per view will prove that New Day rocks.
Cesaro vs. Kofi Kingston
Cesaro shoulders him down to start as we hear about Demolition's record again. Apparently Sheamus is on Facebook while he's sitting on the steps, not watching the match. They head outside for a staredown as we take a break. Back with Kofi getting two off a middle rope crossbody as Sheamus is still on Facebook. Trouble in Paradise misses and it's time for the Uppercut Train. Kofi escapes a Sharpshooter attempt but tweaks his leg on a springboard attempt. Sheamus decides to go after Francesca and the distraction lets Kofi small package Cesaro for the pin at 7:45.
Tonight it's Charlotte/Rusev vs. Reigns/Banks. Am I missing something or did Charlotte dropkick Rusev earlier tonight?
We see Goldberg's comments on “Sportscenter”, where he said he'd love to face Brock Lesnar again.
Bayley vs. Cami Fields
Cami starts fast with some shoulders in the corner and stomps her way out of a sunset flip attempt. That's about it though as the Bayley to Belly finishes Fields at 2:19.
Dana Brooke jumps Bayley post match.
Chris Jericho is on the phone with someone and says he wants a pay day. R-Truth comes up and offers him a Payday candy bar. I'll take it if Jericho doesn't want it.
Drew Gulak/Tony Nese vs. Sin Cara/Lince Dorado
You knew Cara would be involved in this sometime. Gulak and Dorado start things off but an early headscissors means it's off to Nese. Dorado gets taken into the wrong corner as the fans are dying by the second. A Gory Special has Dorado in trouble and it's back to Nese for a chinlock. It's back to Cara for a moonsault to both villains and a springboard crossbody for two on Gulak. Everything breaks down and Cara suicide dives onto Nese. Dorado hits a shooting star press to pin Gulak at 3:17.
Stephanie McMahon invites herself to join Mick Foley's Cell address.
Here are the bosses with Stephanie making fun of Foley's red flannel suit. In what sounds like a Home Shopping Network ad, Foley and Stephanie talk about the Women's Title match being inside the Cell and confirm it for a second time tonight. But wait: there's more. In a THIRD Cell match, Seth Rollins will be challenging for Kevin Owens' Raw World Title as well.
This brings out Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens to say Mick has outdone himself this week. Owens doesn't want to be in the Cell because he doesn't want to be an old, broken down man like Foley. Jericho wants to know if he and Kevin can have their own private jet if Mick is just throwing out presents. The recklessness involved in putting Owens in the Cell means FOLEY JUST MADE THE LIST! Foley: “I started the List.” Jericho: “YOU JUST MADE THE LIST AGAIN!”
Stephanie tells Jericho to show Foley respect (MAKE UP YOUR FREAKING MIND ALREADY STEPHANIE!!! TWO WEEKS AGO YOU TREATED FOLEY LIKE A THREE YEAR OLD AND NOW JERICHO NEEDS TO RESPECT HIM???) so she has an idea: if Jericho can beat Rollins tonight, he's in the title match as a triple threat. Because Raw needs to top Smackdown's triple threat!
Rollins says Stephanie loves to pull strings and is always five moves ahead. Tonight though, he's going to ruin those plans by beating Jericho. Rollins wants to know what Owens is thinking though because Jericho might go into business for himself.
Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
And never mind as Anderson and Gallows jump Enzo and Cass from behind before the match starts. No match.
After a break, Axel and Dallas say they want a tag match.
Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas vs. Sami Zayn/Neville
Bo beats on Sami in the corner to start as we hear about Foley making three Cell matches. Well given that they were all challenges issues by wrestlers, that's not the most impressive things in the world. Axel takes over on Sami and hits a good looking dropkick. Not that it matters as an exploder suplex sets up the Helluva Kick and the Red Arrow for the easy pin on Axel at 2:28.
Lana comes into Charlotte's locker room and snipe at each other a bit.
R-Truth vs. Titus O'Neil
Apparently Titus is mad about Truth getting the commercial for Payday earlier tonight. Titus throws Truth around to start as Graves plugs the Titus Brand. Goldust gets on the steps for a distraction and Truth grabs a rollup (with Titus' feet in the ropes) for the pin at 2:12. That's the second distraction finish tonight.
TJ Perkins comes in to see Brian Kendrick and talks about how Kendrick deserves another shot at the title. They shake hands but Kendrick goes after him, earning a right hand from the champ.
Braun Strowman vs. Splash Brothers
The Brothers are Steven and Clay. Strowman treats them like you would expect and splashes Steven while Clay is on Braun's back. A double dropkick puts the Brothers down and it's a running powerslam for Clay. Steven is reversed chokeslammed onto his brother for the pin at 59 seconds.
Braun still wants better competition. In other words: nothing changed this week and the writers get to stretch it out even more.
Roman Reigns and Sasha talk strategy.
Of all things, we get the Rumble by the Numbers video. Tickets go on sale soon it seems.
Charlotte/Rusev vs. Roman Reigns/Sasha Banks
The genders have to match so we start with multiple tags before any contact. Rusev punches Reigns to start and a clothesline gets two. Reigns starts a comeback as the fans want Sasha. The villains are knocked to the floor and we take a break. Back with Reigns caught in a chinlock and more WE WANT SASHA chants. A Superman Punch allows the tag to Charlotte, meaning it's off to Sasha to clean house. Wouldn't it have been smarter to not have Rusev tag so the advantage isn't lost? The double knees in the corner get two on Charlotte and the Bank Statement makes her tap at 9:48.
Tom Phillips asks Jericho and Owens about the possible change to the title match at the pay per view. Jericho: “That's a stupid idiom.” Jericho says if one of them is champion, both of them are champion. Owens throws Phillips out but since Tom doesn't get out fast enough, HE MAKES THE LIST, under the name Felipe Thomastein.
We see the Goldberg clip again.
Here's Paul Heyman to discuss said Goldberg comments but first we get another WWE2K17 video, this time of Lesnar vs. Goldberg. Heyman has heard people whispering about Goldberg returning for years now because they want one more spear and Jackhammer. You still hear the chants today and there they go again.
Everyone that got in the same ring as Goldberg was conquered while he was running parallel to Brock Lesnar. It keeps Heyman up at night that Goldberg is one up on Brock so as of tonight, Goldberg is officially challenged to a fight any place anytime. Goldberg can either live in the past or step in this ring and be conquered. In Suplex City, Goldberg is next.
Emmalina video.
TJ Perkins vs. Ariya Daivari
Non-title with Brian Kendrick on commentary. Daivari has to go to the ropes to get out of an early kneebar and we hit the chinlock on Perkins. A neckbreaker gets two on TJ but he comes right back with one of his own. The slingshot dropkick sets up the kneebar to make Daivari tap at 5:14.
Jericho and Stephanie run into each other with Chris saying he thought about putting her on the list. Stephanie is cool with that though, as long as the Raw triple threat beats Smackdown's triple threat. Jericho needs to remember that Stephanie can't help him inside the Cell. Not that Jericho asked about it but Stephanie seems to think everyone needs her help. Owens comes up and asks what that was about but Jericho just says friendship.
Hispanic Heritage Month video on Tito Santana. It's nice to have it be about a wrestler again.
A Tweet from Goldberg says he'll be on Raw next week.
Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho
If Jericho wins, the Universal Title match becomes a triple threat. Rollins doesn't care for having a toothpick thrown in his face so he smacks Jericho around. A Blockbuster gets two for Seth and Jericho bails to the floor, only to get caught by a slingshot dropkick. Cue Owens for a distraction so Jericho can take over and we take a break.
Back with Jericho kicking Rollins off the top and slapping on an abdominal stretch. Rollins sends him face first into the middle turnbuckle and gets two off a Sling Blade (which Jericho called loudly). Seth goes up top and slams Jericho off, only to have his crossbody dropkicked out of the air. The low superkick gets two on Jericho but Owens offers a distraction, allowing Jericho to grab the Walls.
A belt shot from Owens gets the same and Rollins takes him down with a suicide dive. The springboard knee to the head gets two on Jericho but he avoids the frog splash. A Lionsault gives Jericho a near fall of his own but he misses a high crossbody. Jericho reverses the Pedigree into another Walls attempt, only to get small packaged for the pin at 19:14.
Post match Owens and Jericho beat on Seth but Rollins fights back and gives Jericho a Pedigree as Owens bails to end the show.
Results
Kofi Kingston b. Cesaro – Small package
Bayley b. Cami Fields – Bayley to Belly
Sin Cara/Lince Dorado b. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese – Shooting star press to Nese
Sami Zayn/Neville b. Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas – Red Arrow to Axel
R-Truth b. Titus O'Neil – Rollup
Braun Strowman b. Splash Brothers – Reverse chokeslam to Steven
Sasha Banks/Roman Reigns b. Rusev/Charlotte – Bank Statement to Charlotte
TJ Perkins b. Ariya Daivari – Kneebar
Seth Rollins b. Chris Jericho – Small package
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: October 11, 2016
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
It's the show after No Mercy and that means it's time to start getting ready for Survivor Series. There isn't another Smackdown only pay per view until later in the year so we'll get to see some stuff with both brands interacting. Other than that we'll need a new #1 contender for AJ Styles. Let's get to it.
We open with a pay per view recap, focusing as the Smackdown World and Intercontinental Title matches.
Here's Dolph Ziggler to get things going. The fans tell Ziggler that he did it and Ziggler says WE DID IT. Ziggler didn't know how things were going to go until Sunday and check your cable guide if you don't believe him. (My cable guide for this show says “and a look at Dolph Ziggler's exit from WWE.” Well done if that was a fake out.) He didn't know if Sunday was going to be his last time but he pulled it off one more time.
Cue Miz and Maryse with Miz going on a rant about how this is just the second act of the story. This is the Empire Strikes Back before he beats Ziggler once and for all. Miz gets in a great line about how people like him get the girl and the gold and he's already got the girl. Ziggler shows us a clip of Miz crying on Sunday but Miz says he isn't done with Ziggler....and neither are there. Cue the Spirit Squad and it's time for a handicap match.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Spirit Squad
Non-title with Ziggler clearing the ring in about thirty seconds before we go to a quick break. For a bonus, we can actually see what's going on during the breaks via a split screen. Back with the Squad in control and Kenny putting on a chinlock. Mikey gets caught in a sleeper before a double DDT plants both cheerleaders. A superkick knocks Kenny silly (Mauro: “OH MY GOD! HE KILLED KENNY!”
for the pin at 6:43.
Post match Miz goes after Ziggler but Heath Slater and Rhyno of all people make the save.
We see a WW2K17 version of Miz vs. Ziggler from Sunday. Ignore Ziggler's tights being the wrong colors.
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have a special announcement for Survivor Series: a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series match, a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown tag team Survivor Series match and a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown women's Survivor Series match. I'd much rather them beef up a big pay per view than make it into its own show again.
Naomi vs. Carmella
Carmella jumps her before the bell and we take a break. We come back joined in progress with Carmella holding Naomi in a chinlock and talking trash as Alexa Bliss is shown watching backstage. Naomi's dancing kicks have Carmella reeling but she pulls Naomi off the middle rope to take over. Cue Nikki Bella (who Carmella attacked earlier today) for a distraction though and Naomi rolls Carmella up for the pin at 2:57 shown. That's becoming way too common of a finish again.
Alexa says she can beat Naomi any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Bryan comes in and says she can prove that next Tuesday.
Jimmy Uso vs. Chad Gable
Gable takes him to the mat and works on an armbar but gets superkicked in the ribs. The Samoan drop keeps Jimmy in his comfort zone and we hit a chinlock. Gable pops right back up and hits a spinning top rope clothesline to show off a bit. A cross armbreaker over the ropes has Jimmy in trouble but Jimmy grabs a rollup with Jey holding him in place for the pin at 2:50.
The Hype Bros talk about picking up women and Ghostbusters when the Ascension interrupt. Evil staring ensues and a tag match is probably set up for later.
Here's AJ Styles to brag about his win on Sunday. He beat Dean Ambrose and John Cena in a single match and that's simply phenomenal. The fans are a bunch of losers for wanting to cheer Cena when he's off trying to be Kelly Ripa's co-host or for cheering someone as weird as Ambrose. Most champions would take a year off after a win like he had at No Mercy but AJ isn't even taking a night off. Instead he's giving someone a chance tonight so bring out his opponent. Cue Ambrose but that's not who AJ meant. Ambrose accuses Dean of ducking him but AJ has a newcomer in mind.
AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth
It's chin guy! Non-title of course. Dean kind of wants to see this because Ellsworth 3:16 says if you've got two hands, you've got a fighting chance. AJ wants Dean gone but here's Bryan to say hang on a second. The match will take place and Ambrose will be the guest referee. Dean steals the referee's shirt and makes AJ hold everything in his pockets, including a flask and Tic-Tacs.
The bell rings and we get a weapons check before going to a break. Back with barely any contact having taken place, which makes me wonder why bothered ringing the bell before the break. Dean won't let him use a closed fish but AJ argues that everyone uses it in WWE. James throws a right hand and AJ is so incensed that he chases AJ around the ring. Back in and Dean trips AJ so Ellsworth can get a rollup for two.
The Calf Crusher makes Ellsworth tap but Dean stops to take a phone call. JBL: “HE CAN'T HEAR THAT BEHIND HIM???” JBL annoys me as much as anyone but he's hilarious when he snaps like that. Ellsworth is thrown outside but Dean throws him back in, only to stop to flirt with a good looking woman. Back in and the Styles Clash gives AJ two as Dean stops to stare at him before three. Dirty Deeds lays AJ out and Ellsworth gets a very close two. Dean heads outside to steal a soda before giving AJ another Dirty Deeds. A fast count gives Ellsworth the pin at 10:34.
Randy Orton asks Kane if he wants to go on the ride through his nightmares. Kane agrees, but says Orton has issues.
Royal Rumble By the Numbers video.
AJ yells at the bosses so he'll take issues into his own hands. Daniel says he has an idea for Ellsworth for next week.
Wyatt Family vs. Kane/Randy Orton
Before the match, the Wyatts say the world being crazy has brought them back together. Tonight Randy and his monster can join them in the abyss. Bray hammers on Kane to start so Kane throws him into the corner for right hands of his own. A big boot looks to set up the chokeslam but Bray bails to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Orton superplexing Harper and making the tag to Kane. That goes bad for the masked one though as he gets double teamed in the corner with the Wyatts starting in on his ankle. Kane easily fights them off and brings Orton back in to clean house. The elevated DDT plants Wyatt but Orton gets distracted by the big guys fighting outside.
The referee yells at Kane, allowing Harper to superkick Orton down. Wyatt misses the backsplash though...and there go the lights again. They come back on to have Harper in Kane's place on the apron, allowing Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail for the pin on Orton at 10:49. Kane is nowhere to be seen. JBL: “You don't just lose a 7ft tall superstar!”
Results
Dolph Ziggler b. Spirit Squad – Superkick to Kenny
Naomi b. Carmella – Rollup
Jimmy Uso b. Chad Gable – Rollup with assistance from Jey Uso
James Ellsworth b. AJ Styles – Pin after Dirty Deeds from Dean Ambrose
Wyatt Family b. Randy Orton/Kane – Sister Abigal to Orton
Wednesday
Hideo Itami has injured his neck and may be out for several months.
NXT
Date: October 12, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
We're still in the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic but more importantly we're seeing more in the Samoa Joe path of rage as he tries to get his NXT Title back. In the next few weeks we should also be seeing more matches announced for the upcoming Takeover: Toronto special. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Sanity vs. Glorious Ten
Before Sanity comes out, we have Roode and Dillinger exchanging cheers from the crowd. Sanity are four people in masks and leather jackets who receive a rather impressed reaction. Two of them take off their masks to reveal Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe, both of whom attack Dillinger while Roode stays on the floor. The double teaming continues with Roode walking away just over a minute and a half in to make this a handicap match. A powerslam/suplex combo put Dillinger away at 1:59.
The smallest member of Sanity (a woman named Nikki Cross) beats on Dillinger until the leader gives Dillinger a wheelbarrow suplex into a neckbreaker. The leader is.....Eric Young. Granted the Canadian flag patch on his jacket was a bit of a hint.
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce laugh off the idea of fighting Liv Morgan because she has no friends.
Roode blames Dillinger for what happened because Roode isn't a tag wrestler.
Liv Morgan vs. Billie Kay
Morgan starts with a dropkick and backslide for two before a gutbuster gets two for Billie. The torture rack with an arm trap makes it even worse for Morgan until an STO gets her out of trouble. Not that it matters though as Royce trips Morgan, allowing Billie to hit the big boot for the pin at 3:30.
We look back at Andrade Cien Almas turning on Cedric Alexander last week.
Almas yelled in Spanish after last week's show.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: TM61 vs. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss
Moss (formerly known as Mike Rawlis) and Sabbatelli compete against each other so often that they figured they might as well team up. Miller starts with Moss and it's TM61 taking over early on. Thorn comes in with a slingshot senton until Tino low bridges him out to the floor. Back from a break with Tino coming in for some forearms to the chest as the crowd is split on him.
Sabbatelli starts cranking on an armbar and we get some muscular posing. Moss gets in some trash talking but walks into a jawbreaker. The hot tag brings in Miller to clean house as everything breaks down. Sabbatelli's interference doesn't work and it's Thunder Valley for the pin on Tino at 12:02.
Buddy Murphy vs. Wesley Blake
Murphy has had a run of bad luck such as travel issues and having his furniture sold for not paying the bill on his storage unit. They stare at each other to start as the fans are more into Blake than Murphy. Buddy nips to his feet and both guys try big kicks at the same time. Blake is knocked out to the floor so Murphy hits a big running flip dive to take over. Fan: “MAMA MIA!” Cue Samoa Joe to jump Murphy for the DQ at 3:12.
Joe says time is up so Regal needs to bring him Shinsuke Nakamura or his title. After a break, here's Nakamura with a quickly removed neckbrace. The fight is on and security is suddenly the most hated team in the building. Their attempt to break up the fight goes nowhere and it continues on the ramp with Nakamura kicking Joe low.
Nakamura is dragged backstage but comes right back, only to be taken back again and again. Joe walks away on his own while Nakamura fights security. The distracted Nakamura is blindsided by Joe but nails Kinshasa inside to end the show. That's more emotion than I've ever seen from Nakamura and it added another gear to his awesomeness.
Results
Sanity b. Glorious Ten – Powerslam/suplex combo to Dillinger
Billie Kay b. Liv Morgan – Big boot
TM61 b. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss – Thunder Valley to Sabbatelli
Buddy Murphy b. Wesley Blake via DQ when Samoa Joe interfered
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: October 18, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
A lot happened last week with the biggest change of events seeing Eddie Edwards becoming the new TNA World Champion by defeating Lashley. Tonight we have Maria Kanellis' rematch for the Knockouts Title as she challenges Gail Kim in a No DQ match, though there's always the chance that Maria's cronies could screw things up again. Let's get to it.
We open with a long recap of last week's show, primarily focusing on Lashley losing the World Title.
Here's Edwards for his first address as champion. Edwards says he's worked to get here and the fans tell him he's deserved it. He's fought Lashley a few times now but something was different this time around. Edwards promises to be a fighting champion who will defend this title anywhere anytime and that includes facing Lashley again. Cue Lashley who quickly beats Edwards down and demands a referee out here for a rematch. Instead it's Moose and Ethan Carter III for the save as Lashley leaves. That's not exactly the best way to showcase the new champion but at least he didn't lose the title yet.
The Tribunal wants to see Billy Corgan but get Aiden O'Shea instead. The boss hasn't been impressed with them lately and they're on the bubble. O'Shea advises them to do something to impress Corgan and soon.
Corgan says Lashley has just lost his automatic title rematch. Now that's actually interesting. I'm glad we don't immediately have to sit through Lashley getting yet another shot just because he was champion a week ago.
Grand Championship: Aron Rex vs. Jesse Godderz
Rex is defending and Godderz is coming in with a hamstring injury. They hit the mat to start and exchange some early headlocks as Josh and Pope argue over who is closer to Corgan. Jesse's rollup gets two but he grabs at his hamstring on the kickout. The round wraps up with Godderz working on the arm and that's enough to win the round.
A frustrated Rex rolls Jesse up a few times to start the second round, only to get caught in the Adonis Lock. Rex grabs the ropes but Jesse works on the arm some more as the round ends. Godderz wins round two and we take a break before the final round. Back with Rex being a bit less aggressive than you would expect and forearming Godderz outside. Jesse is smart enough to sit on the floor and eat up some time, only to have Rex kick him in the hamstring on the way back inside. The Revelator retains Rex's title at 13:15 (including commercial and time between rounds).
Lashley tells O'Shea he has a surprise later tonight.
The Hardys talk about getting things back to where they were a year ago, which Jeff thinks means they're even again. Matt says no because he can only indulge his addiction for one night only. Jeff seems a bit more like his old self here.
Allie gets an e-mail from someone (presumably Corgan) saying everyone is banned from ringside for Maria's title defense. Maria freaks out and yells at Allie for not telling her.
Lashley interrupts Moose and Ethan Carter III and tells them that they're in the main event tonight.
Here are the Hardys for a chat. Matt says he set his brother on an odyssey to regain the Tag Team Championships of the World and that debt was repaid at Bound For Glory. They're the best team in the world, including the Bucks of Youth and the Day of the New. Jeff sings the theme song and Matt makes noises because he's having a pre-mo-nition: there will be new #1 contenders crowned tonight in the Zone of Impact. Cue the Tribunal to jump the Hardys from behind.
Video on Mike Bennett vs. Cody. Bennett isn't pleased with Cody showing up and trying to make an impact. Tonight they'll settle things in the ring.
Cody vs. Mike Bennett
Feeling out process to start with Cody grabbing a sunset flip for two but missing the Beautiful Disaster. With Bennett on the floor, Cody hits a springboard dive to take him out in a big crash. Maria offers a distraction though and Mike gets in an elevated DDT off the barricade. Since it's 2016, that's not even enough for a close call though as Cody is back in by eight.
A dropkick gets two for Mike but Cody starts his comeback with some forearms and an Alabama Slam. The Beautiful Disaster connects but Bennett ducks the moonsault press. Instead it's a Pedigree from Bennett for another near fall, only to have Cody take him down and try what looks like a Figure Four. Maria offers another distraction but Cody comes right back with Cross Rhodes for the pin at 8:45.
Moose is ready for Ethan.
X-Division Title: Marshe Rockett vs. DJZ
Rockett is challenging and we get a quick video package on him before the match. Marshe is 6'4 and 250lbs so he's not your normal member of the division. DJZ goes after him in the corner but gets shoved away by the much bigger Rockett. The champ is launched out to the floor and Rockett hits a good looking dropkick back inside. DJZ speeds things up and sends Marshe outside for a flip dive. The ZDT retains the title at 4:48.
Bennett says he'll have Maria's back tonight but Allie says he's banned as well.
Knockouts Title: Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Gail Kim
Kim is defending, there are no disqualifications and Madison Rayne is on commentary. If Maria loses, she's out of power in the Knockouts division. Maria tries to bring in some weapons but is quickly thrown to the floor. Gail puts her in a dumpster and sends her flying down the ramp into the post. Back in and Maria uses some trashcan lids to take over, followed by a spinebuster for two. A kendo stick shot puts Maria down but Gail lets her up at two. Instead Gail goes with Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid to retain at 4:57.
Eli Drake tells Ethan not to choke tonight.
Cody comes up to see Eddie Edwards in the back and asks if he'll be ok for their title match next week. Eddie says he'll be fine and they're cool.
We get a vignette with a clock spinning. Three men in masks are sitting behind a table covered in masks. They're bringing clarity and order to Impact and they're not afraid to take a stand.
Moose vs. Ethan Carter III
The winner of this faces Lashley in a #1 contenders match. They start fast with both guys going for their finishers early on. An exchange of dropkicks goes better for Moose and they head outside with Carter taking over off some forearms to the chest. Moose is right back with a bicycle kick to the face and an AA onto the apron for good measure. Back in and Carter missile dropkicks Moose down and it's time to chop it out. A pop up powerbomb and senton give Moose two but Carter is right back up with a Stinger Splash. The chokebomb sets up a discus lariat to the back of Carter's head for the pin at 7:43.
Lashley comes out to stare down Moose as the show ends.
Results
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Revelator
Cody b. Mike Bennett – Cross Rhodes
DJZ b. Marshe Rockett – ZDT
Gail Kim b. Maria Kanellis-Bennett – Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid
Moose b. Ethan Carter III – Discus lariat to the back of the head
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Kofi Kingston b. Cesaro – Small package
Bayley b. Cami Fields – Bayley to Belly
Sin Cara/Lince Dorado b. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese – Shooting star press to Nese
Sami Zayn/Neville b. Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas – Red Arrow to Axel
R-Truth b. Titus O'Neil – Rollup
Braun Strowman b. Splash Brothers – Reverse chokeslam to Steven
Sasha Banks/Roman Reigns b. Rusev/Charlotte – Bank Statement to Charlotte
TJ Perkins b. Ariya Daivari – Kneebar
Seth Rollins b. Chris Jericho – Small package
Smackdown
Dolph Ziggler b. Spirit Squad – Superkick to Kenny
Naomi b. Carmella – Rollup
Jimmy Uso b. Chad Gable – Rollup with assistance from Jey Uso
James Ellsworth b. AJ Styles – Pin after Dirty Deeds from Dean Ambrose
Wyatt Family b. Randy Orton/Kane – Sister Abigal to Orton
NXT
Sanity b. Glorious Ten – Powerslam/suplex combo to Dillinger
Billie Kay b. Liv Morgan – Big boot
TM61 b. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss – Thunder Valley to Sabbatelli
Buddy Murphy b. Wesley Blake via DQ when Samoa Joe interfered
Impact Wrestling
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Revelator
Cody b. Mike Bennett – Cross Rhodes
DJZ b. Marshe Rockett – ZDT
Gail Kim b. Maria Kanellis-Bennett – Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid
Moose b. Ethan Carter III – Discus lariat to the back of the head
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 10, 2016
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We're less than three weeks away from Hell in a Cell and only one of the namesake matches has been set up so far. The interesting question is what will be the second (if not the third): Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens or Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks. Both have been announced for the show but neither has officially been announced as taking place inside the Cell. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Sasha Banks to get things going. Sasha says she's on top of the world right now and wishes Eddie Guerrero a happy birthday. She spent years watching Eddie lie, cheat and steal his way to the top. Last week she was in the main event of Raw, just like Trish Stratus and Lita were all those years ago. Sasha knows the rematch is coming at Hell in a Cell so let's put it inside the Cell for the first time ever.
Cue Charlotte but Rusev (now with sideburns) and Lana of all people come out to interrupt. Rusev says no one cares about this women's revolution but Charlotte takes the mic from him and, with Stephanie style tones, asks Rusev who he thinks he is. The match with Sasha is on inside the Cell.
Rusev takes the mic back and says good for you but he wasn't done. This time it's Sasha taking the mic away and throwing it to the mat. Lana says Sasha and Charlotte need to learn their place because they're whining like little girls. That earns Lana a shove down and Rusev gets dropkicked out to the floor. Roman Reigns comes out to prevent the male on female violence. The match really doesn't need to be inside the Cell from a storyline perspective but this is the next logical step for the women being treated as equals and there's nothing wrong with that.
Here's New Day to talk about the history of sports in Oakland, including the Splash Brothers and the Bash Brothers. That brings them to the most famous friends though: Danny Tanner and Uncle Jesse. See, there's about to be a full house because New Day is three of a kind and they're about to deal with a pair in Cesaro and Sheamus. Kofi has a hot garbage sign to describe Sheamus and Woods says the title match at the pay per view will prove that New Day rocks.
Cesaro vs. Kofi Kingston
Cesaro shoulders him down to start as we hear about Demolition's record again. Apparently Sheamus is on Facebook while he's sitting on the steps, not watching the match. They head outside for a staredown as we take a break. Back with Kofi getting two off a middle rope crossbody as Sheamus is still on Facebook. Trouble in Paradise misses and it's time for the Uppercut Train. Kofi escapes a Sharpshooter attempt but tweaks his leg on a springboard attempt. Sheamus decides to go after Francesca and the distraction lets Kofi small package Cesaro for the pin at 7:45.
Tonight it's Charlotte/Rusev vs. Reigns/Banks. Am I missing something or did Charlotte dropkick Rusev earlier tonight?
We see Goldberg's comments on “Sportscenter”, where he said he'd love to face Brock Lesnar again.
Bayley vs. Cami Fields
Cami starts fast with some shoulders in the corner and stomps her way out of a sunset flip attempt. That's about it though as the Bayley to Belly finishes Fields at 2:19.
Dana Brooke jumps Bayley post match.
Chris Jericho is on the phone with someone and says he wants a pay day. R-Truth comes up and offers him a Payday candy bar. I'll take it if Jericho doesn't want it.
Drew Gulak/Tony Nese vs. Sin Cara/Lince Dorado
You knew Cara would be involved in this sometime. Gulak and Dorado start things off but an early headscissors means it's off to Nese. Dorado gets taken into the wrong corner as the fans are dying by the second. A Gory Special has Dorado in trouble and it's back to Nese for a chinlock. It's back to Cara for a moonsault to both villains and a springboard crossbody for two on Gulak. Everything breaks down and Cara suicide dives onto Nese. Dorado hits a shooting star press to pin Gulak at 3:17.
Stephanie McMahon invites herself to join Mick Foley's Cell address.
Here are the bosses with Stephanie making fun of Foley's red flannel suit. In what sounds like a Home Shopping Network ad, Foley and Stephanie talk about the Women's Title match being inside the Cell and confirm it for a second time tonight. But wait: there's more. In a THIRD Cell match, Seth Rollins will be challenging for Kevin Owens' Raw World Title as well.
This brings out Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens to say Mick has outdone himself this week. Owens doesn't want to be in the Cell because he doesn't want to be an old, broken down man like Foley. Jericho wants to know if he and Kevin can have their own private jet if Mick is just throwing out presents. The recklessness involved in putting Owens in the Cell means FOLEY JUST MADE THE LIST! Foley: “I started the List.” Jericho: “YOU JUST MADE THE LIST AGAIN!”
Stephanie tells Jericho to show Foley respect (MAKE UP YOUR FREAKING MIND ALREADY STEPHANIE!!! TWO WEEKS AGO YOU TREATED FOLEY LIKE A THREE YEAR OLD AND NOW JERICHO NEEDS TO RESPECT HIM???) so she has an idea: if Jericho can beat Rollins tonight, he's in the title match as a triple threat. Because Raw needs to top Smackdown's triple threat!
Rollins says Stephanie loves to pull strings and is always five moves ahead. Tonight though, he's going to ruin those plans by beating Jericho. Rollins wants to know what Owens is thinking though because Jericho might go into business for himself.
Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
And never mind as Anderson and Gallows jump Enzo and Cass from behind before the match starts. No match.
After a break, Axel and Dallas say they want a tag match.
Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas vs. Sami Zayn/Neville
Bo beats on Sami in the corner to start as we hear about Foley making three Cell matches. Well given that they were all challenges issues by wrestlers, that's not the most impressive things in the world. Axel takes over on Sami and hits a good looking dropkick. Not that it matters as an exploder suplex sets up the Helluva Kick and the Red Arrow for the easy pin on Axel at 2:28.
Lana comes into Charlotte's locker room and snipe at each other a bit.
R-Truth vs. Titus O'Neil
Apparently Titus is mad about Truth getting the commercial for Payday earlier tonight. Titus throws Truth around to start as Graves plugs the Titus Brand. Goldust gets on the steps for a distraction and Truth grabs a rollup (with Titus' feet in the ropes) for the pin at 2:12. That's the second distraction finish tonight.
TJ Perkins comes in to see Brian Kendrick and talks about how Kendrick deserves another shot at the title. They shake hands but Kendrick goes after him, earning a right hand from the champ.
Braun Strowman vs. Splash Brothers
The Brothers are Steven and Clay. Strowman treats them like you would expect and splashes Steven while Clay is on Braun's back. A double dropkick puts the Brothers down and it's a running powerslam for Clay. Steven is reversed chokeslammed onto his brother for the pin at 59 seconds.
Braun still wants better competition. In other words: nothing changed this week and the writers get to stretch it out even more.
Roman Reigns and Sasha talk strategy.
Of all things, we get the Rumble by the Numbers video. Tickets go on sale soon it seems.
Charlotte/Rusev vs. Roman Reigns/Sasha Banks
The genders have to match so we start with multiple tags before any contact. Rusev punches Reigns to start and a clothesline gets two. Reigns starts a comeback as the fans want Sasha. The villains are knocked to the floor and we take a break. Back with Reigns caught in a chinlock and more WE WANT SASHA chants. A Superman Punch allows the tag to Charlotte, meaning it's off to Sasha to clean house. Wouldn't it have been smarter to not have Rusev tag so the advantage isn't lost? The double knees in the corner get two on Charlotte and the Bank Statement makes her tap at 9:48.
Tom Phillips asks Jericho and Owens about the possible change to the title match at the pay per view. Jericho: “That's a stupid idiom.” Jericho says if one of them is champion, both of them are champion. Owens throws Phillips out but since Tom doesn't get out fast enough, HE MAKES THE LIST, under the name Felipe Thomastein.
We see the Goldberg clip again.
Here's Paul Heyman to discuss said Goldberg comments but first we get another WWE2K17 video, this time of Lesnar vs. Goldberg. Heyman has heard people whispering about Goldberg returning for years now because they want one more spear and Jackhammer. You still hear the chants today and there they go again.
Everyone that got in the same ring as Goldberg was conquered while he was running parallel to Brock Lesnar. It keeps Heyman up at night that Goldberg is one up on Brock so as of tonight, Goldberg is officially challenged to a fight any place anytime. Goldberg can either live in the past or step in this ring and be conquered. In Suplex City, Goldberg is next.
Emmalina video.
TJ Perkins vs. Ariya Daivari
Non-title with Brian Kendrick on commentary. Daivari has to go to the ropes to get out of an early kneebar and we hit the chinlock on Perkins. A neckbreaker gets two on TJ but he comes right back with one of his own. The slingshot dropkick sets up the kneebar to make Daivari tap at 5:14.
Jericho and Stephanie run into each other with Chris saying he thought about putting her on the list. Stephanie is cool with that though, as long as the Raw triple threat beats Smackdown's triple threat. Jericho needs to remember that Stephanie can't help him inside the Cell. Not that Jericho asked about it but Stephanie seems to think everyone needs her help. Owens comes up and asks what that was about but Jericho just says friendship.
Hispanic Heritage Month video on Tito Santana. It's nice to have it be about a wrestler again.
A Tweet from Goldberg says he'll be on Raw next week.
Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho
If Jericho wins, the Universal Title match becomes a triple threat. Rollins doesn't care for having a toothpick thrown in his face so he smacks Jericho around. A Blockbuster gets two for Seth and Jericho bails to the floor, only to get caught by a slingshot dropkick. Cue Owens for a distraction so Jericho can take over and we take a break.
Back with Jericho kicking Rollins off the top and slapping on an abdominal stretch. Rollins sends him face first into the middle turnbuckle and gets two off a Sling Blade (which Jericho called loudly). Seth goes up top and slams Jericho off, only to have his crossbody dropkicked out of the air. The low superkick gets two on Jericho but Owens offers a distraction, allowing Jericho to grab the Walls.
A belt shot from Owens gets the same and Rollins takes him down with a suicide dive. The springboard knee to the head gets two on Jericho but he avoids the frog splash. A Lionsault gives Jericho a near fall of his own but he misses a high crossbody. Jericho reverses the Pedigree into another Walls attempt, only to get small packaged for the pin at 19:14.
Post match Owens and Jericho beat on Seth but Rollins fights back and gives Jericho a Pedigree as Owens bails to end the show.
Results
Kofi Kingston b. Cesaro – Small package
Bayley b. Cami Fields – Bayley to Belly
Sin Cara/Lince Dorado b. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese – Shooting star press to Nese
Sami Zayn/Neville b. Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas – Red Arrow to Axel
R-Truth b. Titus O'Neil – Rollup
Braun Strowman b. Splash Brothers – Reverse chokeslam to Steven
Sasha Banks/Roman Reigns b. Rusev/Charlotte – Bank Statement to Charlotte
TJ Perkins b. Ariya Daivari – Kneebar
Seth Rollins b. Chris Jericho – Small package
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: October 11, 2016
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
It's the show after No Mercy and that means it's time to start getting ready for Survivor Series. There isn't another Smackdown only pay per view until later in the year so we'll get to see some stuff with both brands interacting. Other than that we'll need a new #1 contender for AJ Styles. Let's get to it.
We open with a pay per view recap, focusing as the Smackdown World and Intercontinental Title matches.
Here's Dolph Ziggler to get things going. The fans tell Ziggler that he did it and Ziggler says WE DID IT. Ziggler didn't know how things were going to go until Sunday and check your cable guide if you don't believe him. (My cable guide for this show says “and a look at Dolph Ziggler's exit from WWE.” Well done if that was a fake out.) He didn't know if Sunday was going to be his last time but he pulled it off one more time.
Cue Miz and Maryse with Miz going on a rant about how this is just the second act of the story. This is the Empire Strikes Back before he beats Ziggler once and for all. Miz gets in a great line about how people like him get the girl and the gold and he's already got the girl. Ziggler shows us a clip of Miz crying on Sunday but Miz says he isn't done with Ziggler....and neither are there. Cue the Spirit Squad and it's time for a handicap match.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Spirit Squad
Non-title with Ziggler clearing the ring in about thirty seconds before we go to a quick break. For a bonus, we can actually see what's going on during the breaks via a split screen. Back with the Squad in control and Kenny putting on a chinlock. Mikey gets caught in a sleeper before a double DDT plants both cheerleaders. A superkick knocks Kenny silly (Mauro: “OH MY GOD! HE KILLED KENNY!”
for the pin at 6:43.Post match Miz goes after Ziggler but Heath Slater and Rhyno of all people make the save.
We see a WW2K17 version of Miz vs. Ziggler from Sunday. Ignore Ziggler's tights being the wrong colors.
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have a special announcement for Survivor Series: a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series match, a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown tag team Survivor Series match and a five on five Raw vs. Smackdown women's Survivor Series match. I'd much rather them beef up a big pay per view than make it into its own show again.
Naomi vs. Carmella
Carmella jumps her before the bell and we take a break. We come back joined in progress with Carmella holding Naomi in a chinlock and talking trash as Alexa Bliss is shown watching backstage. Naomi's dancing kicks have Carmella reeling but she pulls Naomi off the middle rope to take over. Cue Nikki Bella (who Carmella attacked earlier today) for a distraction though and Naomi rolls Carmella up for the pin at 2:57 shown. That's becoming way too common of a finish again.
Alexa says she can beat Naomi any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Bryan comes in and says she can prove that next Tuesday.
Jimmy Uso vs. Chad Gable
Gable takes him to the mat and works on an armbar but gets superkicked in the ribs. The Samoan drop keeps Jimmy in his comfort zone and we hit a chinlock. Gable pops right back up and hits a spinning top rope clothesline to show off a bit. A cross armbreaker over the ropes has Jimmy in trouble but Jimmy grabs a rollup with Jey holding him in place for the pin at 2:50.
The Hype Bros talk about picking up women and Ghostbusters when the Ascension interrupt. Evil staring ensues and a tag match is probably set up for later.
Here's AJ Styles to brag about his win on Sunday. He beat Dean Ambrose and John Cena in a single match and that's simply phenomenal. The fans are a bunch of losers for wanting to cheer Cena when he's off trying to be Kelly Ripa's co-host or for cheering someone as weird as Ambrose. Most champions would take a year off after a win like he had at No Mercy but AJ isn't even taking a night off. Instead he's giving someone a chance tonight so bring out his opponent. Cue Ambrose but that's not who AJ meant. Ambrose accuses Dean of ducking him but AJ has a newcomer in mind.
AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth
It's chin guy! Non-title of course. Dean kind of wants to see this because Ellsworth 3:16 says if you've got two hands, you've got a fighting chance. AJ wants Dean gone but here's Bryan to say hang on a second. The match will take place and Ambrose will be the guest referee. Dean steals the referee's shirt and makes AJ hold everything in his pockets, including a flask and Tic-Tacs.
The bell rings and we get a weapons check before going to a break. Back with barely any contact having taken place, which makes me wonder why bothered ringing the bell before the break. Dean won't let him use a closed fish but AJ argues that everyone uses it in WWE. James throws a right hand and AJ is so incensed that he chases AJ around the ring. Back in and Dean trips AJ so Ellsworth can get a rollup for two.
The Calf Crusher makes Ellsworth tap but Dean stops to take a phone call. JBL: “HE CAN'T HEAR THAT BEHIND HIM???” JBL annoys me as much as anyone but he's hilarious when he snaps like that. Ellsworth is thrown outside but Dean throws him back in, only to stop to flirt with a good looking woman. Back in and the Styles Clash gives AJ two as Dean stops to stare at him before three. Dirty Deeds lays AJ out and Ellsworth gets a very close two. Dean heads outside to steal a soda before giving AJ another Dirty Deeds. A fast count gives Ellsworth the pin at 10:34.
Randy Orton asks Kane if he wants to go on the ride through his nightmares. Kane agrees, but says Orton has issues.
Royal Rumble By the Numbers video.
AJ yells at the bosses so he'll take issues into his own hands. Daniel says he has an idea for Ellsworth for next week.
Wyatt Family vs. Kane/Randy Orton
Before the match, the Wyatts say the world being crazy has brought them back together. Tonight Randy and his monster can join them in the abyss. Bray hammers on Kane to start so Kane throws him into the corner for right hands of his own. A big boot looks to set up the chokeslam but Bray bails to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Orton superplexing Harper and making the tag to Kane. That goes bad for the masked one though as he gets double teamed in the corner with the Wyatts starting in on his ankle. Kane easily fights them off and brings Orton back in to clean house. The elevated DDT plants Wyatt but Orton gets distracted by the big guys fighting outside.
The referee yells at Kane, allowing Harper to superkick Orton down. Wyatt misses the backsplash though...and there go the lights again. They come back on to have Harper in Kane's place on the apron, allowing Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail for the pin on Orton at 10:49. Kane is nowhere to be seen. JBL: “You don't just lose a 7ft tall superstar!”
Results
Dolph Ziggler b. Spirit Squad – Superkick to Kenny
Naomi b. Carmella – Rollup
Jimmy Uso b. Chad Gable – Rollup with assistance from Jey Uso
James Ellsworth b. AJ Styles – Pin after Dirty Deeds from Dean Ambrose
Wyatt Family b. Randy Orton/Kane – Sister Abigal to Orton
Wednesday
Hideo Itami has injured his neck and may be out for several months.
NXT
Date: October 12, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
We're still in the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic but more importantly we're seeing more in the Samoa Joe path of rage as he tries to get his NXT Title back. In the next few weeks we should also be seeing more matches announced for the upcoming Takeover: Toronto special. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Sanity vs. Glorious Ten
Before Sanity comes out, we have Roode and Dillinger exchanging cheers from the crowd. Sanity are four people in masks and leather jackets who receive a rather impressed reaction. Two of them take off their masks to reveal Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe, both of whom attack Dillinger while Roode stays on the floor. The double teaming continues with Roode walking away just over a minute and a half in to make this a handicap match. A powerslam/suplex combo put Dillinger away at 1:59.
The smallest member of Sanity (a woman named Nikki Cross) beats on Dillinger until the leader gives Dillinger a wheelbarrow suplex into a neckbreaker. The leader is.....Eric Young. Granted the Canadian flag patch on his jacket was a bit of a hint.
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce laugh off the idea of fighting Liv Morgan because she has no friends.
Roode blames Dillinger for what happened because Roode isn't a tag wrestler.
Liv Morgan vs. Billie Kay
Morgan starts with a dropkick and backslide for two before a gutbuster gets two for Billie. The torture rack with an arm trap makes it even worse for Morgan until an STO gets her out of trouble. Not that it matters though as Royce trips Morgan, allowing Billie to hit the big boot for the pin at 3:30.
We look back at Andrade Cien Almas turning on Cedric Alexander last week.
Almas yelled in Spanish after last week's show.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: TM61 vs. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss
Moss (formerly known as Mike Rawlis) and Sabbatelli compete against each other so often that they figured they might as well team up. Miller starts with Moss and it's TM61 taking over early on. Thorn comes in with a slingshot senton until Tino low bridges him out to the floor. Back from a break with Tino coming in for some forearms to the chest as the crowd is split on him.
Sabbatelli starts cranking on an armbar and we get some muscular posing. Moss gets in some trash talking but walks into a jawbreaker. The hot tag brings in Miller to clean house as everything breaks down. Sabbatelli's interference doesn't work and it's Thunder Valley for the pin on Tino at 12:02.
Buddy Murphy vs. Wesley Blake
Murphy has had a run of bad luck such as travel issues and having his furniture sold for not paying the bill on his storage unit. They stare at each other to start as the fans are more into Blake than Murphy. Buddy nips to his feet and both guys try big kicks at the same time. Blake is knocked out to the floor so Murphy hits a big running flip dive to take over. Fan: “MAMA MIA!” Cue Samoa Joe to jump Murphy for the DQ at 3:12.
Joe says time is up so Regal needs to bring him Shinsuke Nakamura or his title. After a break, here's Nakamura with a quickly removed neckbrace. The fight is on and security is suddenly the most hated team in the building. Their attempt to break up the fight goes nowhere and it continues on the ramp with Nakamura kicking Joe low.
Nakamura is dragged backstage but comes right back, only to be taken back again and again. Joe walks away on his own while Nakamura fights security. The distracted Nakamura is blindsided by Joe but nails Kinshasa inside to end the show. That's more emotion than I've ever seen from Nakamura and it added another gear to his awesomeness.
Results
Sanity b. Glorious Ten – Powerslam/suplex combo to Dillinger
Billie Kay b. Liv Morgan – Big boot
TM61 b. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss – Thunder Valley to Sabbatelli
Buddy Murphy b. Wesley Blake via DQ when Samoa Joe interfered
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: October 18, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
A lot happened last week with the biggest change of events seeing Eddie Edwards becoming the new TNA World Champion by defeating Lashley. Tonight we have Maria Kanellis' rematch for the Knockouts Title as she challenges Gail Kim in a No DQ match, though there's always the chance that Maria's cronies could screw things up again. Let's get to it.
We open with a long recap of last week's show, primarily focusing on Lashley losing the World Title.
Here's Edwards for his first address as champion. Edwards says he's worked to get here and the fans tell him he's deserved it. He's fought Lashley a few times now but something was different this time around. Edwards promises to be a fighting champion who will defend this title anywhere anytime and that includes facing Lashley again. Cue Lashley who quickly beats Edwards down and demands a referee out here for a rematch. Instead it's Moose and Ethan Carter III for the save as Lashley leaves. That's not exactly the best way to showcase the new champion but at least he didn't lose the title yet.
The Tribunal wants to see Billy Corgan but get Aiden O'Shea instead. The boss hasn't been impressed with them lately and they're on the bubble. O'Shea advises them to do something to impress Corgan and soon.
Corgan says Lashley has just lost his automatic title rematch. Now that's actually interesting. I'm glad we don't immediately have to sit through Lashley getting yet another shot just because he was champion a week ago.
Grand Championship: Aron Rex vs. Jesse Godderz
Rex is defending and Godderz is coming in with a hamstring injury. They hit the mat to start and exchange some early headlocks as Josh and Pope argue over who is closer to Corgan. Jesse's rollup gets two but he grabs at his hamstring on the kickout. The round wraps up with Godderz working on the arm and that's enough to win the round.
A frustrated Rex rolls Jesse up a few times to start the second round, only to get caught in the Adonis Lock. Rex grabs the ropes but Jesse works on the arm some more as the round ends. Godderz wins round two and we take a break before the final round. Back with Rex being a bit less aggressive than you would expect and forearming Godderz outside. Jesse is smart enough to sit on the floor and eat up some time, only to have Rex kick him in the hamstring on the way back inside. The Revelator retains Rex's title at 13:15 (including commercial and time between rounds).
Lashley tells O'Shea he has a surprise later tonight.
The Hardys talk about getting things back to where they were a year ago, which Jeff thinks means they're even again. Matt says no because he can only indulge his addiction for one night only. Jeff seems a bit more like his old self here.
Allie gets an e-mail from someone (presumably Corgan) saying everyone is banned from ringside for Maria's title defense. Maria freaks out and yells at Allie for not telling her.
Lashley interrupts Moose and Ethan Carter III and tells them that they're in the main event tonight.
Here are the Hardys for a chat. Matt says he set his brother on an odyssey to regain the Tag Team Championships of the World and that debt was repaid at Bound For Glory. They're the best team in the world, including the Bucks of Youth and the Day of the New. Jeff sings the theme song and Matt makes noises because he's having a pre-mo-nition: there will be new #1 contenders crowned tonight in the Zone of Impact. Cue the Tribunal to jump the Hardys from behind.
Video on Mike Bennett vs. Cody. Bennett isn't pleased with Cody showing up and trying to make an impact. Tonight they'll settle things in the ring.
Cody vs. Mike Bennett
Feeling out process to start with Cody grabbing a sunset flip for two but missing the Beautiful Disaster. With Bennett on the floor, Cody hits a springboard dive to take him out in a big crash. Maria offers a distraction though and Mike gets in an elevated DDT off the barricade. Since it's 2016, that's not even enough for a close call though as Cody is back in by eight.
A dropkick gets two for Mike but Cody starts his comeback with some forearms and an Alabama Slam. The Beautiful Disaster connects but Bennett ducks the moonsault press. Instead it's a Pedigree from Bennett for another near fall, only to have Cody take him down and try what looks like a Figure Four. Maria offers another distraction but Cody comes right back with Cross Rhodes for the pin at 8:45.
Moose is ready for Ethan.
X-Division Title: Marshe Rockett vs. DJZ
Rockett is challenging and we get a quick video package on him before the match. Marshe is 6'4 and 250lbs so he's not your normal member of the division. DJZ goes after him in the corner but gets shoved away by the much bigger Rockett. The champ is launched out to the floor and Rockett hits a good looking dropkick back inside. DJZ speeds things up and sends Marshe outside for a flip dive. The ZDT retains the title at 4:48.
Bennett says he'll have Maria's back tonight but Allie says he's banned as well.
Knockouts Title: Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Gail Kim
Kim is defending, there are no disqualifications and Madison Rayne is on commentary. If Maria loses, she's out of power in the Knockouts division. Maria tries to bring in some weapons but is quickly thrown to the floor. Gail puts her in a dumpster and sends her flying down the ramp into the post. Back in and Maria uses some trashcan lids to take over, followed by a spinebuster for two. A kendo stick shot puts Maria down but Gail lets her up at two. Instead Gail goes with Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid to retain at 4:57.
Eli Drake tells Ethan not to choke tonight.
Cody comes up to see Eddie Edwards in the back and asks if he'll be ok for their title match next week. Eddie says he'll be fine and they're cool.
We get a vignette with a clock spinning. Three men in masks are sitting behind a table covered in masks. They're bringing clarity and order to Impact and they're not afraid to take a stand.
Moose vs. Ethan Carter III
The winner of this faces Lashley in a #1 contenders match. They start fast with both guys going for their finishers early on. An exchange of dropkicks goes better for Moose and they head outside with Carter taking over off some forearms to the chest. Moose is right back with a bicycle kick to the face and an AA onto the apron for good measure. Back in and Carter missile dropkicks Moose down and it's time to chop it out. A pop up powerbomb and senton give Moose two but Carter is right back up with a Stinger Splash. The chokebomb sets up a discus lariat to the back of Carter's head for the pin at 7:43.
Lashley comes out to stare down Moose as the show ends.
Results
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Revelator
Cody b. Mike Bennett – Cross Rhodes
DJZ b. Marshe Rockett – ZDT
Gail Kim b. Maria Kanellis-Bennett – Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid
Moose b. Ethan Carter III – Discus lariat to the back of the head
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Kofi Kingston b. Cesaro – Small package
Bayley b. Cami Fields – Bayley to Belly
Sin Cara/Lince Dorado b. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese – Shooting star press to Nese
Sami Zayn/Neville b. Curtis Axel/Bo Dallas – Red Arrow to Axel
R-Truth b. Titus O'Neil – Rollup
Braun Strowman b. Splash Brothers – Reverse chokeslam to Steven
Sasha Banks/Roman Reigns b. Rusev/Charlotte – Bank Statement to Charlotte
TJ Perkins b. Ariya Daivari – Kneebar
Seth Rollins b. Chris Jericho – Small package
Smackdown
Dolph Ziggler b. Spirit Squad – Superkick to Kenny
Naomi b. Carmella – Rollup
Jimmy Uso b. Chad Gable – Rollup with assistance from Jey Uso
James Ellsworth b. AJ Styles – Pin after Dirty Deeds from Dean Ambrose
Wyatt Family b. Randy Orton/Kane – Sister Abigal to Orton
NXT
Sanity b. Glorious Ten – Powerslam/suplex combo to Dillinger
Billie Kay b. Liv Morgan – Big boot
TM61 b. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss – Thunder Valley to Sabbatelli
Buddy Murphy b. Wesley Blake via DQ when Samoa Joe interfered
Impact Wrestling
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Revelator
Cody b. Mike Bennett – Cross Rhodes
DJZ b. Marshe Rockett – ZDT
Gail Kim b. Maria Kanellis-Bennett – Eat Defeat into a trashcan lid
Moose b. Ethan Carter III – Discus lariat to the back of the head