klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Billy Corgan lost his lawsuit against TNA and will likely be out of the company soon.
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 31, 2016
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We're past the Cell but since it's a holiday, tonight might feel like an even more important show that we saw last night. In this case, that might be due to Goldberg appearing as we're now less than three weeks away from his showdown with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016. Let's get to it.
We open with Goldberg, who gets the full walking entrance. Before he can say much though, Paul Heyman interrupts. Heyman knows he isn't a physical threat to Goldberg but he's willing to get inside the ring. There's no way he would get into this ring without significant backup because Brock wants to fight tonight.
Goldberg is more than happy with this and takes off the jacket (that man just has the look that suggests he could fight anybody) as Lesnar's music starts up. Of course that's not happening tonight but Heyman realizes this could go badly for him. Cue Rusev of all people to praise Goldberg before challenging him to a fight. A few knees to the ribs (with Goldberg slipping) and a Jackhammer later, Rusev is down. A weak spear takes Heyman down as well and Goldberg gets to pose.
We look at last night's Universal Title match.
Enzo Amore vs. Luke Gallows
This is a Trick or Street Fight, meaning there are a bunch of Halloween themed weapons at ringside. Enzo and Cass come out as Buzz Lightyear and Woody because the world is smiling on us tonight. The pre-match speech hears Enzo say that Cass has a friend in him the beating will last to infinity and beyond. Cass: “There's a snake in my boot!” Gallows throws him to the floor to start but gets beaten with a plastic skeleton. A trip to the bucket of apples has Gallows in trouble and we take a break.
Back with Gallows shoving pumpkin in Enzo's face and throwing jack o'lanters at him for fun. A few orange kendo stick shots and a bulldog have Gallows in trouble and a pie to the face blinds Anderson. Cass kicks him through a table and puts a pumpkin (mostly) on Gallows' head. The DDG sends Gallows chest first into a pumpkin (his head might have been a foot away from the mat) for the pin at 8:00.
Heyman leaves in an ambulance.
Cruiserweight Title: TJ Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick
Kendrick is defending and Roman Reigns says this is being pushed too hard. Before the match, Kendrick says he taught everyone that he doesn't need help to win. Kendrick: “That's psychology.” Last night he played on TJ's emotions so tonight, TJ better have a plan to get the title back. Perkins starts fast with the fireman's carry enziguri for two and we take an early break.
Back with Kendrick losing control of a chinlock and getting dropkicked in the back of the head. The first kneebar sends Kendrick over to the ropes. I might buy that as a possible ending if it wasn't done in EVERY TJ PERKINS MATCH. A hurricanrana off the apron out to the floor sends both guys crashing outside....where Kendrick takes the countout at 6:30.
Perkins gives Kendrick the kneebar on the floor.
Mick Foley thinks Negan got the idea for Lucille from Cactus Jack. Braun Strowman comes up and says he wants to be part of Team Raw at Survivor Series. He's tired of these lame handicap matches and now he wants real competition. Mick: “Is that a threat? Because if it is.....it's working.” Foley puts Braun in a battle royal for a spot on the team. That seems to please the monster for now.
Here's Foley to talk about last night's show with a focus on the Universal Title match. Everything that Owens and Jericho did last night was legal but it all left a bad taste in Foley's mouth. Jericho and Owens come out to brag about getting into the Cell last night and walking out with the title.
That win means they should be anchoring the Survivor Series team because they're the top two guys on Raw. They laugh at Foley and bring up him losing the Cell match against HHH right here in Hartford, Connecticut. Foley gets in Owens' face to yell about how much talent he has but Jericho keeps interfering. Jericho was standing there with a key around his finger and that's what people are going to see on the WWE Network in eighteen years. Jericho: “Lock it in man.”
That's enough for Foley, who says Stephanie only wanted Owens for Raw. However, Foley is going to put them both on the team along with another guy he can trust. That wouldn't be just any guy, but rather THE guy. Reigns comes out and praises Foley's pumpkin shirt while saying Owens and Jericho look like Spongebob and Patrick.
Roman was going to dress up like a stupid idiot but the store was out of Jericho costumes. Jericho teases putting someone on the List but NO ONE GOES ON THE LIST TONIGHT. Chris doesn't like anyone here in the United States but he would still be a better US Champion than Reigns. That sounds good to Foley so the title match is made. To be fair that's the only title Jericho has never won.
Package on Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks.
Battle Royal
Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman, Darren Young, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Titus O'Neil, R-Truth, Jinder Mahal, Goldust, Cesaro, Sheamus, Neville
The winner is on Team Raw with Reigns, Jericho and Owens. A bunch of people go after Strowman to start but he quickly eliminates Truth and Dallas. Neville and Sheamus start double teaming but the Brogue Kick knocks Braun through the ropes instead of over them and we take a break.
Back with several names having been eliminated during the break. Sheamus gets rid of Young and Sami kicks Titus out. Cesaro throws Sheamus out but gets eliminated by Strowman. Braun throws Neville out as well and it's down to Strowman and Sami. Some strikes have Braun in trouble but he throws Sami onto his shoulders. We get the Benoit/Big Show choke on the ropes with Brayn being pulled over the ropes, only to easily power Sami up and throw him out for the final elimination at 8:20.
Emmalina video.
It's New Day costume time....and all three are different variations of Charles Wright (Big E. as Kama, Woods as Papa Shango and Kofi as Godfather). They're looking ahead to the future because they're officially the captains of the Raw Survivor Series tag team. That means the power of positivity vs. the power of cheese and crackers. They're not sure about the rest of their opponents because Shane and Bryan haven't announced the rest of the lineup. Woods is a bit scared of American Alpha and they can't actually come up with any insults for them. Not that it matters because New Day ROCKS.
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak
Daivari gets his arm worked over to start before it's quickly off to Nese vs. Alexander with Cedric being slammed face first into the barricade. A chinlock doesn't last long and the hot tag brings in Rich to clean house. Swann's rolling splash gets two and everyone winds up on the floor for a double dive. Rich kicks Nese in the face and a jackknife cover gets the pin at 6:31.
We look back at the opening segment.
Here's Charlotte for her address as champion. She calls the fans peasants and promises to lead the women's team to victory against Team Smackdown and its captain Nikki Bella. Charlotte is ready to take on all of the Smackdown women but thinks there's a weak link on her team and her name is Bayley.
Cue Bayley, who says she's glad Charlotte called her out here. Seeing last night's main event choked her up and she wants to congratulate Charlotte on her win. Unfortunately she's also become the biggest jerk and the kind of champion Bayley never wants to be. Charlotte says this isn't NXT anymore and she sees a glorified fan looking back at her. Therefore, tonight Bayley has a match with one of her teammates.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Charlotte is on commentary. Nia starts fast with a shoulder breaker and throws Bayley around a bit before grabbing a bearhug. Bayley reverses into the guillotine but Nia is a learning monster and drives her into the buckle for the break. Some kicks to the legs and a few dropkicks stagger Jax, only to have the standing Vader splash crush Bayley. Instead of the legdrop, Nia goes to the middle rope, only to have to fight out of a super Bayley to Belly. Bayley comes up holding her knee and a ram into the barricade makes it even worse. The knee seems to be fine as Nia hits the Samoan drop for the pin at 5:52.
Sheamus/Cesaro vs. Shining Stars
Epico is part of an early uppercut train as the fans call Sheamus a shame. The cousins start taking over on Cesaro with a dropkick and sunset flip for two. That means some PUERTO RICO chants....from the cousins but they do in fact exist. The tag brings in Sheamus to throw Primo to the floor and give Epico the ten forearms to the chest. The Cloverleaf makes Epico tap at 4:06.
Earlier today, Golden Truth went to a haunted house and shenanigans ensue.
Jericho and Owens talk about the US Title match with Chris suggesting that Kevin be out there for some help. Owens is cool with the idea and thinks they can go get.......IT.
US Title: Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns
Reigns is defending and we get some Big Match Intros. Feeling out process to start until Jericho gets in a shot off the middle rope. They head outside with Owens throwing the weakened champ into the post as we take a break. Back with Jericho in control until he misses a charge in the corner.
Roman hits his string of clotheslines but the Superman Punch misses. The Lionsault hits knees so Jericho opts for the Walls in the middle of the ring. Roman powers out of that (duh) and grabs a sitout powerbomb for two more. Owens' distraction doesn't work and now the Superman Punch connects. The spear looks to finish but Owens comes in for the DQ at 14:50.
Post match the beatdown is on until Seth Rollins comes out for the save. Rollins and Reigns share a staredown so maybe they'll get back together for Survivor Series.
Results
Enzo Amore b. Luke Gallows – DDG
TJ Perkins b. Brian Kendrick via countout
Braun Strowman won a battle royal last eliminating Sami Zayn
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander b. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak – Spinning kick to Nese's head
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Samoan drop
Sheamus/Cesaro b. Shining Stars – Cloverleaf to Epico
Roman Reigns b. Chris Jericho via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: November 1, 2016
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
Survivor Series is coming up soon and Raw has announced a lot of the participants on its teams for the promotion vs. promotion matches. As luck would have it, tonight we'll be getting most of the announcements for the Smackdown counterparts with the help of General Manager Daniel Bryan. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's James Ellsworth to tell us goodbye. He hasn't been able to eat and sleep since he cost Dean Ambrose that match last week. Dean comes out and calls Ellsworth his pal, whose head he's been thinking about ripping off. James begs for a chance to apologize and mentions beating AJ twice but Dean just tells him to stay out of his way from now on.
Cue AJ to say he was going to take it easy on Ellsworth but Dean kept convincing him to do more. Dean says Ellsworth doesn't take the cheap way out like AJ, which means Ellsworth has to break up a fight. AJ shoves Ellsworth into Dean and kicks Ambrose in the head. The Phenomenal Forearm leaves Dean laying.
We look back at Randy Orton seemingly joining the Wyatt Family last week.
Ellsworth is near tears trying to apologize to Dean. Bryan says Dean gets AJ again tonight and if he wins, he's the new #1 contender but it's his last chance no matter what. On top of that, Ellsworth is banned from ringside.
Randy Orton vs. Kane
No DQ. Orton is in his regular gear but doesn't do his pose. Randy takes it start to the floor and has a chair less than fifteen seconds in. Kane takes it away and hits Orton in the ribs and back. It's almost time for a chokeslam but here are the Wyatts for a distraction. The RKO doesn't work and Kane boots Orton down. Bray and Luke pull Kane to the floor but he knocks the slightly smaller monsters away. Now the RKO connects and puts Kane away at 2:08.
Post match Harper gives Kane the discus lariat and Orton shoves Kane into Sister Abigail. Now Orton does the signature pose.
Baron Corbin vignette.
Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella vs. Alexa Bliss/Carmella
Nikki seems to have dyed her hair black. Carmella hides from Nikki to start so it's off to Alexa, who is quickly shoved down. Stereo baseball slides have the good ones in control as we take a break. Back with Bliss getting caught in a reverse DDT but Carmella distracts the referee. A quick rake of the eyes and a DDT gives Bliss the pin on Lynch at 5:54.
Post match Carmella and Alexa brag about how awesome they're going to be in the Survivor Series match. Oh and Alexa is going to win the title next week in Glasgow. Bliss has those evil eyes that get you to notice her and it makes her seem so much better as a villain.
Bryan and Shame put Naomi on the Survivor Series team, which is officially comprised of her and the four in the tag match. Naomi leaves and Natalya comes in to say she would be a perfect leader so Bryan makes her the coach.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Spirit Squad vs. American Alpha
Gable gets slammed down to start and Mikey gets two off a moonsault. We hit a chinlock before a double headbutt puts both guys down. Kenny misses the guillotine legdrop and it's off to Jordan to clean house until he misses the shoulder in the corner. The blind tag brings Gable back in though and it's Grand Amplitude for the pin on Mikey at 2:03.
Video on Goldberg's appearance last night (with the slip edited out of course).
It's time for MizTV with special guest Daniel Bryan. Daniel gets straight to the point and announces the Survivor Series team: Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles. Miz isn't pleased and asks if he was even considered. Bryan says no, but eventually changes gears and says Miz was considered until Daniel realized Miz didn't want to fight.
If he did, he would have taken up Dolph Ziggler's challenge for an Intercontinental Title shot. Miz rants against Bryan for not wanting to fight. That's enough for Daniel who turns the set over and says Miz should stick to talking while Ziggler has an open challenge for the title right now.
Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. ???
It's Curt Hawkins answering the challenge and he gets the city wrong on the way to the ring. Bell, superkick, Ziggler retains in seven seconds.
Ziggler issues an open challenge for any wrestler on Raw to come get a title shot, presumably for Survivor Series. Miz freaks out.
The new interviewer asks Ambrose if he's confident now that James Ellis is banned from ringside. Dean corrects her but has to talk to Ellsworth. James begs to be at ringside but Dean says no way because he's done enough already.
Bray says someone like Orton is welcome in the Wyatt Family. Harper doesn't look pleased as Orton says he's done trying to fight the devil whispering in his ear. Orton's eyes light up in a bad looking effect.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Usos vs. Headbangers
Jimmy punches Thrasher in the face before the bell and of course the referee is fine with this. A Samoan drop gets two early on and we hit the choke. It's off to Mosh vs. Jey with a Downward Spiral planting Jey for two. Not that it matters as Jimmy rolls Mosh up and grabs the skirt for the pin at 1:25.
AJ isn't worried.
Dean has Ellsworth leave the arena.
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose
Non-title. If Dean wins, he's #1 contender for a match at some point in the future. Dean knocks him outside at the bell and sends AJ face first into the announcers' table. Back in and a small package gets two on AJ and it's off to a Texas Cloverleaf. A butterfly superplex gets two on AJ but he grabs the Calf Crusher to change momentum in a hurry.
That goes nowhere either so Dean takes him outside again for a crotching on the barricade. Back in and Dean misses a Blockbuster of all things, resulting in a bad knee. We come back from a break with Dean breaking up a springboard to knock AJ outside. The top rope elbow to the floor has Styles in more trouble but he suplexes Dean into the corner to get a breather. Both guys are down so here's Ellsworth at ringside.
The distraction lets AJ get in a Pele for two as Otunga wants James to take his chin and go home. Cue security to go chase Ellsworth through the crowd as the inverted DDT is countered into Dirty Deeds which is countered into the Calf Crusher. The rope is grabbed but here's Ellsworth AGAIN so AJ finally runs him over. The Phenomenal Forearm is countered into Dirty Deeds and Dean gets the pin and the title shot at 13:57.
Ellsworth is dragged away with a very satisfied look on his face. Dean hugs him before leaving.
Results
Randy Orton b. Kane – RKO
Alexa Bliss/Carmella b. Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella – DDT to Lynch
American Alpha b. Spirit Squad – Grand Amplitude to Mikey
Dolph Ziggler b. Curt Hawkins – Superkick
Usos b. Headbangers – Rollup with a handful of trunks
Dean Ambrose b. AJ Styles – Dirty Deeds
Wednesday
NXT
Date: November 2, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips
We're down to three shows before heading north to Toronto and that means it's time to start hammering out the rest of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The quarterfinals begin tonight and we'll need to get down to the finals in the next three weeks. Some of the matches have been taped at house shows so it might be time to take a field trip. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
We're going straight to San Jose, California for the first quarterfinal match.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Roderick Strong/Austin Aries vs. TM61
So here's the thing: Austin Aries has a fractured orbital bone and is unable to compete so Austin suggests we have a singles match to determine who advances (assuming that's not made really obvious by the stipulations). Regal comes out to say that's cool with him and TM61 agrees.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Roderick Strong vs. Shane Thorn
At least I don't have to remember which is which. Shane does a very complicated spin out of a wristlock before kicking Strong in the face. A standing moonsault gets two but Strong's first backbreaker puts Thorn down on the top turnbuckle as we take a break. Back with Thorn hitting a good looking dropkick to put both guys down. We hit an Australian uppercut train until another backbreaker gives Strong two. He really can hit those things from everywhere and he makes them look different enough to keep it fresh.
Strong tries a superplex but gets knocked down for Alberto Del Rio's top rope double stomp (Fans: “SI SI SI!”
. A Falcon Arrow gets two on Strong, followed by a sitout powerbomb to bring Aries up to the apron. Strong kicks Miller down but walks into a small package to send TM61 to the final four at 10:45.
Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura will sign the contract next week.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: DIY vs. Revival
Non-title. Actually hang on a second as Scott Dawson is on crutches. Dawson has hurt everything in his knee and it would cripple a normal man (Dawson: “Like you two.” but a little rest will make a man like him just fine. Therefore, the Revival is sitting this one out and DIY can have a pass to the next round. I like this much better than A, wasting another edition of a great series and B, having either team lose a match. No match.
Gargano and Ciampa are ready for whoever they face next.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Rich Swann/No Way Jose vs. Authors of Pain
Back to San Jose. Akum and Jose start things off with No Way being driven straight into the corner. Some dancing sends the bull charging through the ropes and a big right hand actually staggers him a bit. Swann comes in for an assisted hurricanrana which really just annoys Akum. Instead it's off to Razar but Swann keeps the speed up with a dropkick to stagger him. For some reason Rich decides to dive onto both Authors at the same time but it takes Jose diving onto all three to put them down.
Back in and the beating begins with Akum throwing Rich into the corner for a running splash from Razar. Paul Ellering even gets in a little choking of his own on the bottom rope like the good old school manager he is. A spinning kick to Razar's face gives Rich a breather and an enziguri to Akum allows the hot tag to Jose (BIG pop for that). A TKO drops Akum for two but Razar sends Swann into the steps. The lack of a partner means Jose gets caught in the Last Chapter for the pin at 8:06.
Video on Mickie James.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Sanity vs. TJ Perkins vs. Kota Ibushi
Wolfe and Ibushi start things off with a headlock slowing Kota down so much that it's off to TJ for the always broken up first kneebar. Fulton comes in and gets kneebarred as well with Wolfe's save not working. Back from a break with the crusierweights starting up their dives until TJ gets pulled out of the air. A slam sends him onto Wolfe's knees and it's off to the chinlock.
That's switched up to a bearhug to keep Perkins in trouble for a big longer. A shot to the face allows the tag to Kota and it's time for the kicks. The Gold Star Bomb gets two on Wolfe but Eric Young and Nikki Cross get the referee's attention. A suplex/powerslam combo puts Kota away at 12:15.
The final four:
Sanity
TM61
DIY
Authors of Pain
Results
Shane Thorn b. Roderick Strong – Small package
Authors of Pain b. Rich Swann/No Way Jose – Last Chapter to Jose
Sanity b. Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins – Suplex/powerslam combination to Ibushi
Thursday
According to Billy Corgan, he has not been paid back his $1.8 million loan to TNA. A judge had ordered it paid by this past Tuesday.
Impact Wrestling
Date: November 3, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
It's a big show this week as we've got three title matches, including the TNA World Title being defended as Lashley challenges Eddie Edwards to get his title back. Lashley has another problem though as he attacked Cody to end last week's show, which might come back to haunt him tonight. Let's get to it.
We recap Lashley vs. Edwards, including Eddie winning the title and Lashley's path to becoming #1 contender again.
Here's Brandi Rhodes to open the show and talk about some of the decisions she and Cody have had to make in three years of marriage. Cody was attacked last week but Lashley can rest assured that he'll be back. Cue Maria and Sienna to interrupt and ask if Brandi is going to stick around or run home and take care of her husband.
Maria says she gives people opportunities but sometimes she slams doors in their faces, like she did with Allie. She sees something in Brandi though and that's why she wants to help. Brandi says the Rhodes name means something and she doesn't need help from anyone. Sienna gets in her face and a fight breaks out with Sienna taking over without much effort. The AK-47 leaves Brandi laying.
Video on Eddie Edwards' childhood and family.
Grand Championship: Aron Rex vs. Jesse Godderz
Rex is defending. Josh wonders if there are big rings under the tape on Rex's fingers. I'm sure there's no way to, I don't know, CHECK THEM BEFORE THE MATCH but wrestling referees are stupid by definition. Jesse takes over to start and goes for the Adonis Lock but gets spun away.
Josh goes into analyst mode to ask Pope who he has for the first two minutes. A crossbody gets two on Aron and it's off to an armbar (a beautiful one according to Josh). Godderz's Fujiwara armbar takes us to the end of round one, which goes to Jesse. Rex snapmares him down and grabs a chinlock to start round two.
Back up and Rex gets rolled up for two before headbutting Jesse into the corner. A slow motion powerslam gets two on Rex but the round ends as the Adonis Lock goes on. Round two goes to Godderz and we take a break before round three. Back with Rex getting punched in the face as Jesse would be smart to waste time. The champ rakes the eyes though and a big right hand retains the title at 12:24.
Video on Team X Gold, another unnecessary concept. Team Go For Broke respects each other.
Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett vs. Rockstar Spud/Decay vs. Go For Broke
This is probably 75% of the division (if not more) in one match. There are three men in the ring at a time and Josh confirms that yes, the flag is the bragging rights trophy. Lee, DJZ and Steve start things off but instead of explaining the match, let's hear about a sale at TNA's website.
Double teaming DJZ doesn't do much good as he takes the other two down with a dropkick and flip dive to the floor. Mandrews comes in for a double stomp to Steve but gets buckle bombed by Lee. Spud and Rockett get the tag and the big Marshe intimidates him into a tag off to Abyss. Clotheslines and shoulders don't put anyone down but Mandrews springboards in with a dropkick to both guys.
Sutter comes in to clean house but Abyss starts chokeslamming people. One such chokeslam puts Steve onto Sutter....and that's an ejection for Decay, leaving Spud on his own. Wait so there are elimination rules? Shouldn't that be a DQ for the whole team? Not that it matters as Sutter gives Spud a Flatliner for the pin at 5:19.
Video on Eddie winning the X-Division Title.
Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. DCC
The Hardys are defending and the DCC now appear in the ring after their freaky video. The Hardys get beaten down but the DCC walk away without the bell ever ringing. Jeff says it's not time to punch the clock because the Hardys still want to fight. That means we get a bell and a referee (Shouldn't he have been down there for the scheduled match?) and it's a big wild brawl. Josh says this is the strangest thing he's ever seen and actually says he's seen Delete or Decay and the Great War. I repeat my often stated opinion: Josh Matthews is a stupid, stupid man.
Things settle down with Matt getting double teamed by the two masked men, who I'll call Porkchop and Cash for lack of anything better. Porkchop gets his mask bitten and something like a headlock neckbreaker allows the tag off to Jeff. Cash has to break up the Twist of Fate but a double clothesline allows Jeff to Twist Porkchop. The third one (Toaster Oven) comes in for the DQ at 2:40.
The five head to the back with a score playing over their fight. They actually interrupt a Grado interview and Grado stops to ask Jeff for a picture.....which Jeff actually grants in a funny moment. Jeff is in trouble so Matt throws the magic water on him and it's Immortal Jeff, who burns a cigarette on Porkchop.
Matt commandeers a forklift to chase Cash as Porkchop puts Jeff in a case, along with the water bucket. That makes the regular Jeff (as regular as he gets) come out with a Twisting Stunner. Matt takes Cash's mask off to reveal another mask, only to have Matt get kicked off the forklift for a huge crash. Jeff goes to check on his brother.....and Matt has amnesia.
Ethan Carter III (because transitions mean NOTHING in TNA) is going to call out Eli Drake.
Here's Ethan in the ring and Drake comes out shortly thereafter. After turning down Ethan's challenge, Drake says he earned everything he's gotten around here and Ethan has been handed everything instead. That sends Ethan onto one of his traditionally great rants about how he's earned the right to be called the man around here. Eli brings up Bound For Gold so Ethan suggests the title shot against Ethan's right to ever challenge for a shot again. Drake says next week....is his title shot because he's cashing in, which leaves Ethan “Midcarder” III right where he's always been.
Lashley says he's ready and Eddie has no idea what's coming.
Video on Eddie losing the X-Division Title to Lashley and losing his mentor right around the same time. Then he won the World Title and now believes anything is possible.
TNA World Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Lashley
Lashley is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros with JB calling this the super fight. I'll give TNA this: they do a solid job of making the big matches feel important. Or maybe it's that JB is really good at his job(s). The bell rings after the break (thank goodness) and Lashley throws the champ around before elbowing him in the face.
They head outside with Eddie chopping him up against the barricade but getting dropped throat first across the steel. Some choking with a wristband takes us to the last break. Back with Lashley in full control with a chinlock and a knee to the face. The champ fights back and sends Lashley outside for a suicide dive.
A Shining Wizard gets two on Lashley, who comes right back with a Dominator for the same. They head outside for a few moments before Eddie misses a top rope double stomp. Lashley pulls the referee in the way and then hits the spear for two, earning the second referee a right hand to the face. The first referee goes to call for the DQ but the Boston Knee Party gives Eddie the fast counted pin at 18:53.
Results
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Right hand
Go For Broke b. Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett and Rockstar Spud/Decay – Flatliner to Spud
Hardys b. DCC via DQ when the third DCC member interfered
Eddie Edwards b. Lashley – Boston Knee Party
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Enzo Amore b. Luke Gallows – DDG
TJ Perkins b. Brian Kendrick via countout
Braun Strowman won a battle royal last eliminating Sami Zayn
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander b. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak – Spinning kick to Nese's head
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Samoan drop
Sheamus/Cesaro b. Shining Stars – Cloverleaf to Epico
Roman Reigns b. Chris Jericho via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Smackdown
Randy Orton b. Kane – RKO
Alexa Bliss/Carmella b. Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella – DDT to Lynch
American Alpha b. Spirit Squad – Grand Amplitude to Mikey
Dolph Ziggler b. Curt Hawkins – Superkick
Usos b. Headbangers – Rollup with a handful of trunks
Dean Ambrose b. AJ Styles – Dirty Deeds
NXT
Shane Thorn b. Roderick Strong – Small package
Authors of Pain b. Rich Swann/No Way Jose – Last Chapter to Jose
Sanity b. Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins – Suplex/powerslam combination to Ibushi
Impact Wrestling
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Right hand
Go For Broke b. Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett and Rockstar Spud/Decay – Flatliner to Spud
Hardys b. DCC via DQ when the third DCC member interfered
Eddie Edwards b. Lashley – Boston Knee Party
Billy Corgan lost his lawsuit against TNA and will likely be out of the company soon.
Monday Night Raw
Date: October 31, 2016
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We're past the Cell but since it's a holiday, tonight might feel like an even more important show that we saw last night. In this case, that might be due to Goldberg appearing as we're now less than three weeks away from his showdown with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016. Let's get to it.
We open with Goldberg, who gets the full walking entrance. Before he can say much though, Paul Heyman interrupts. Heyman knows he isn't a physical threat to Goldberg but he's willing to get inside the ring. There's no way he would get into this ring without significant backup because Brock wants to fight tonight.
Goldberg is more than happy with this and takes off the jacket (that man just has the look that suggests he could fight anybody) as Lesnar's music starts up. Of course that's not happening tonight but Heyman realizes this could go badly for him. Cue Rusev of all people to praise Goldberg before challenging him to a fight. A few knees to the ribs (with Goldberg slipping) and a Jackhammer later, Rusev is down. A weak spear takes Heyman down as well and Goldberg gets to pose.
We look at last night's Universal Title match.
Enzo Amore vs. Luke Gallows
This is a Trick or Street Fight, meaning there are a bunch of Halloween themed weapons at ringside. Enzo and Cass come out as Buzz Lightyear and Woody because the world is smiling on us tonight. The pre-match speech hears Enzo say that Cass has a friend in him the beating will last to infinity and beyond. Cass: “There's a snake in my boot!” Gallows throws him to the floor to start but gets beaten with a plastic skeleton. A trip to the bucket of apples has Gallows in trouble and we take a break.
Back with Gallows shoving pumpkin in Enzo's face and throwing jack o'lanters at him for fun. A few orange kendo stick shots and a bulldog have Gallows in trouble and a pie to the face blinds Anderson. Cass kicks him through a table and puts a pumpkin (mostly) on Gallows' head. The DDG sends Gallows chest first into a pumpkin (his head might have been a foot away from the mat) for the pin at 8:00.
Heyman leaves in an ambulance.
Cruiserweight Title: TJ Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick
Kendrick is defending and Roman Reigns says this is being pushed too hard. Before the match, Kendrick says he taught everyone that he doesn't need help to win. Kendrick: “That's psychology.” Last night he played on TJ's emotions so tonight, TJ better have a plan to get the title back. Perkins starts fast with the fireman's carry enziguri for two and we take an early break.
Back with Kendrick losing control of a chinlock and getting dropkicked in the back of the head. The first kneebar sends Kendrick over to the ropes. I might buy that as a possible ending if it wasn't done in EVERY TJ PERKINS MATCH. A hurricanrana off the apron out to the floor sends both guys crashing outside....where Kendrick takes the countout at 6:30.
Perkins gives Kendrick the kneebar on the floor.
Mick Foley thinks Negan got the idea for Lucille from Cactus Jack. Braun Strowman comes up and says he wants to be part of Team Raw at Survivor Series. He's tired of these lame handicap matches and now he wants real competition. Mick: “Is that a threat? Because if it is.....it's working.” Foley puts Braun in a battle royal for a spot on the team. That seems to please the monster for now.
Here's Foley to talk about last night's show with a focus on the Universal Title match. Everything that Owens and Jericho did last night was legal but it all left a bad taste in Foley's mouth. Jericho and Owens come out to brag about getting into the Cell last night and walking out with the title.
That win means they should be anchoring the Survivor Series team because they're the top two guys on Raw. They laugh at Foley and bring up him losing the Cell match against HHH right here in Hartford, Connecticut. Foley gets in Owens' face to yell about how much talent he has but Jericho keeps interfering. Jericho was standing there with a key around his finger and that's what people are going to see on the WWE Network in eighteen years. Jericho: “Lock it in man.”
That's enough for Foley, who says Stephanie only wanted Owens for Raw. However, Foley is going to put them both on the team along with another guy he can trust. That wouldn't be just any guy, but rather THE guy. Reigns comes out and praises Foley's pumpkin shirt while saying Owens and Jericho look like Spongebob and Patrick.
Roman was going to dress up like a stupid idiot but the store was out of Jericho costumes. Jericho teases putting someone on the List but NO ONE GOES ON THE LIST TONIGHT. Chris doesn't like anyone here in the United States but he would still be a better US Champion than Reigns. That sounds good to Foley so the title match is made. To be fair that's the only title Jericho has never won.
Package on Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks.
Battle Royal
Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman, Darren Young, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Titus O'Neil, R-Truth, Jinder Mahal, Goldust, Cesaro, Sheamus, Neville
The winner is on Team Raw with Reigns, Jericho and Owens. A bunch of people go after Strowman to start but he quickly eliminates Truth and Dallas. Neville and Sheamus start double teaming but the Brogue Kick knocks Braun through the ropes instead of over them and we take a break.
Back with several names having been eliminated during the break. Sheamus gets rid of Young and Sami kicks Titus out. Cesaro throws Sheamus out but gets eliminated by Strowman. Braun throws Neville out as well and it's down to Strowman and Sami. Some strikes have Braun in trouble but he throws Sami onto his shoulders. We get the Benoit/Big Show choke on the ropes with Brayn being pulled over the ropes, only to easily power Sami up and throw him out for the final elimination at 8:20.
Emmalina video.
It's New Day costume time....and all three are different variations of Charles Wright (Big E. as Kama, Woods as Papa Shango and Kofi as Godfather). They're looking ahead to the future because they're officially the captains of the Raw Survivor Series tag team. That means the power of positivity vs. the power of cheese and crackers. They're not sure about the rest of their opponents because Shane and Bryan haven't announced the rest of the lineup. Woods is a bit scared of American Alpha and they can't actually come up with any insults for them. Not that it matters because New Day ROCKS.
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak
Daivari gets his arm worked over to start before it's quickly off to Nese vs. Alexander with Cedric being slammed face first into the barricade. A chinlock doesn't last long and the hot tag brings in Rich to clean house. Swann's rolling splash gets two and everyone winds up on the floor for a double dive. Rich kicks Nese in the face and a jackknife cover gets the pin at 6:31.
We look back at the opening segment.
Here's Charlotte for her address as champion. She calls the fans peasants and promises to lead the women's team to victory against Team Smackdown and its captain Nikki Bella. Charlotte is ready to take on all of the Smackdown women but thinks there's a weak link on her team and her name is Bayley.
Cue Bayley, who says she's glad Charlotte called her out here. Seeing last night's main event choked her up and she wants to congratulate Charlotte on her win. Unfortunately she's also become the biggest jerk and the kind of champion Bayley never wants to be. Charlotte says this isn't NXT anymore and she sees a glorified fan looking back at her. Therefore, tonight Bayley has a match with one of her teammates.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Charlotte is on commentary. Nia starts fast with a shoulder breaker and throws Bayley around a bit before grabbing a bearhug. Bayley reverses into the guillotine but Nia is a learning monster and drives her into the buckle for the break. Some kicks to the legs and a few dropkicks stagger Jax, only to have the standing Vader splash crush Bayley. Instead of the legdrop, Nia goes to the middle rope, only to have to fight out of a super Bayley to Belly. Bayley comes up holding her knee and a ram into the barricade makes it even worse. The knee seems to be fine as Nia hits the Samoan drop for the pin at 5:52.
Sheamus/Cesaro vs. Shining Stars
Epico is part of an early uppercut train as the fans call Sheamus a shame. The cousins start taking over on Cesaro with a dropkick and sunset flip for two. That means some PUERTO RICO chants....from the cousins but they do in fact exist. The tag brings in Sheamus to throw Primo to the floor and give Epico the ten forearms to the chest. The Cloverleaf makes Epico tap at 4:06.
Earlier today, Golden Truth went to a haunted house and shenanigans ensue.
Jericho and Owens talk about the US Title match with Chris suggesting that Kevin be out there for some help. Owens is cool with the idea and thinks they can go get.......IT.
US Title: Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns
Reigns is defending and we get some Big Match Intros. Feeling out process to start until Jericho gets in a shot off the middle rope. They head outside with Owens throwing the weakened champ into the post as we take a break. Back with Jericho in control until he misses a charge in the corner.
Roman hits his string of clotheslines but the Superman Punch misses. The Lionsault hits knees so Jericho opts for the Walls in the middle of the ring. Roman powers out of that (duh) and grabs a sitout powerbomb for two more. Owens' distraction doesn't work and now the Superman Punch connects. The spear looks to finish but Owens comes in for the DQ at 14:50.
Post match the beatdown is on until Seth Rollins comes out for the save. Rollins and Reigns share a staredown so maybe they'll get back together for Survivor Series.
Results
Enzo Amore b. Luke Gallows – DDG
TJ Perkins b. Brian Kendrick via countout
Braun Strowman won a battle royal last eliminating Sami Zayn
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander b. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak – Spinning kick to Nese's head
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Samoan drop
Sheamus/Cesaro b. Shining Stars – Cloverleaf to Epico
Roman Reigns b. Chris Jericho via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: November 1, 2016
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
Survivor Series is coming up soon and Raw has announced a lot of the participants on its teams for the promotion vs. promotion matches. As luck would have it, tonight we'll be getting most of the announcements for the Smackdown counterparts with the help of General Manager Daniel Bryan. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's James Ellsworth to tell us goodbye. He hasn't been able to eat and sleep since he cost Dean Ambrose that match last week. Dean comes out and calls Ellsworth his pal, whose head he's been thinking about ripping off. James begs for a chance to apologize and mentions beating AJ twice but Dean just tells him to stay out of his way from now on.
Cue AJ to say he was going to take it easy on Ellsworth but Dean kept convincing him to do more. Dean says Ellsworth doesn't take the cheap way out like AJ, which means Ellsworth has to break up a fight. AJ shoves Ellsworth into Dean and kicks Ambrose in the head. The Phenomenal Forearm leaves Dean laying.
We look back at Randy Orton seemingly joining the Wyatt Family last week.
Ellsworth is near tears trying to apologize to Dean. Bryan says Dean gets AJ again tonight and if he wins, he's the new #1 contender but it's his last chance no matter what. On top of that, Ellsworth is banned from ringside.
Randy Orton vs. Kane
No DQ. Orton is in his regular gear but doesn't do his pose. Randy takes it start to the floor and has a chair less than fifteen seconds in. Kane takes it away and hits Orton in the ribs and back. It's almost time for a chokeslam but here are the Wyatts for a distraction. The RKO doesn't work and Kane boots Orton down. Bray and Luke pull Kane to the floor but he knocks the slightly smaller monsters away. Now the RKO connects and puts Kane away at 2:08.
Post match Harper gives Kane the discus lariat and Orton shoves Kane into Sister Abigail. Now Orton does the signature pose.
Baron Corbin vignette.
Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella vs. Alexa Bliss/Carmella
Nikki seems to have dyed her hair black. Carmella hides from Nikki to start so it's off to Alexa, who is quickly shoved down. Stereo baseball slides have the good ones in control as we take a break. Back with Bliss getting caught in a reverse DDT but Carmella distracts the referee. A quick rake of the eyes and a DDT gives Bliss the pin on Lynch at 5:54.
Post match Carmella and Alexa brag about how awesome they're going to be in the Survivor Series match. Oh and Alexa is going to win the title next week in Glasgow. Bliss has those evil eyes that get you to notice her and it makes her seem so much better as a villain.
Bryan and Shame put Naomi on the Survivor Series team, which is officially comprised of her and the four in the tag match. Naomi leaves and Natalya comes in to say she would be a perfect leader so Bryan makes her the coach.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Spirit Squad vs. American Alpha
Gable gets slammed down to start and Mikey gets two off a moonsault. We hit a chinlock before a double headbutt puts both guys down. Kenny misses the guillotine legdrop and it's off to Jordan to clean house until he misses the shoulder in the corner. The blind tag brings Gable back in though and it's Grand Amplitude for the pin on Mikey at 2:03.
Video on Goldberg's appearance last night (with the slip edited out of course).
It's time for MizTV with special guest Daniel Bryan. Daniel gets straight to the point and announces the Survivor Series team: Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles. Miz isn't pleased and asks if he was even considered. Bryan says no, but eventually changes gears and says Miz was considered until Daniel realized Miz didn't want to fight.
If he did, he would have taken up Dolph Ziggler's challenge for an Intercontinental Title shot. Miz rants against Bryan for not wanting to fight. That's enough for Daniel who turns the set over and says Miz should stick to talking while Ziggler has an open challenge for the title right now.
Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. ???
It's Curt Hawkins answering the challenge and he gets the city wrong on the way to the ring. Bell, superkick, Ziggler retains in seven seconds.
Ziggler issues an open challenge for any wrestler on Raw to come get a title shot, presumably for Survivor Series. Miz freaks out.
The new interviewer asks Ambrose if he's confident now that James Ellis is banned from ringside. Dean corrects her but has to talk to Ellsworth. James begs to be at ringside but Dean says no way because he's done enough already.
Bray says someone like Orton is welcome in the Wyatt Family. Harper doesn't look pleased as Orton says he's done trying to fight the devil whispering in his ear. Orton's eyes light up in a bad looking effect.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Usos vs. Headbangers
Jimmy punches Thrasher in the face before the bell and of course the referee is fine with this. A Samoan drop gets two early on and we hit the choke. It's off to Mosh vs. Jey with a Downward Spiral planting Jey for two. Not that it matters as Jimmy rolls Mosh up and grabs the skirt for the pin at 1:25.
AJ isn't worried.
Dean has Ellsworth leave the arena.
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose
Non-title. If Dean wins, he's #1 contender for a match at some point in the future. Dean knocks him outside at the bell and sends AJ face first into the announcers' table. Back in and a small package gets two on AJ and it's off to a Texas Cloverleaf. A butterfly superplex gets two on AJ but he grabs the Calf Crusher to change momentum in a hurry.
That goes nowhere either so Dean takes him outside again for a crotching on the barricade. Back in and Dean misses a Blockbuster of all things, resulting in a bad knee. We come back from a break with Dean breaking up a springboard to knock AJ outside. The top rope elbow to the floor has Styles in more trouble but he suplexes Dean into the corner to get a breather. Both guys are down so here's Ellsworth at ringside.
The distraction lets AJ get in a Pele for two as Otunga wants James to take his chin and go home. Cue security to go chase Ellsworth through the crowd as the inverted DDT is countered into Dirty Deeds which is countered into the Calf Crusher. The rope is grabbed but here's Ellsworth AGAIN so AJ finally runs him over. The Phenomenal Forearm is countered into Dirty Deeds and Dean gets the pin and the title shot at 13:57.
Ellsworth is dragged away with a very satisfied look on his face. Dean hugs him before leaving.
Results
Randy Orton b. Kane – RKO
Alexa Bliss/Carmella b. Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella – DDT to Lynch
American Alpha b. Spirit Squad – Grand Amplitude to Mikey
Dolph Ziggler b. Curt Hawkins – Superkick
Usos b. Headbangers – Rollup with a handful of trunks
Dean Ambrose b. AJ Styles – Dirty Deeds
Wednesday
NXT
Date: November 2, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips
We're down to three shows before heading north to Toronto and that means it's time to start hammering out the rest of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The quarterfinals begin tonight and we'll need to get down to the finals in the next three weeks. Some of the matches have been taped at house shows so it might be time to take a field trip. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
We're going straight to San Jose, California for the first quarterfinal match.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Roderick Strong/Austin Aries vs. TM61
So here's the thing: Austin Aries has a fractured orbital bone and is unable to compete so Austin suggests we have a singles match to determine who advances (assuming that's not made really obvious by the stipulations). Regal comes out to say that's cool with him and TM61 agrees.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Roderick Strong vs. Shane Thorn
At least I don't have to remember which is which. Shane does a very complicated spin out of a wristlock before kicking Strong in the face. A standing moonsault gets two but Strong's first backbreaker puts Thorn down on the top turnbuckle as we take a break. Back with Thorn hitting a good looking dropkick to put both guys down. We hit an Australian uppercut train until another backbreaker gives Strong two. He really can hit those things from everywhere and he makes them look different enough to keep it fresh.
Strong tries a superplex but gets knocked down for Alberto Del Rio's top rope double stomp (Fans: “SI SI SI!”
. A Falcon Arrow gets two on Strong, followed by a sitout powerbomb to bring Aries up to the apron. Strong kicks Miller down but walks into a small package to send TM61 to the final four at 10:45.Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura will sign the contract next week.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: DIY vs. Revival
Non-title. Actually hang on a second as Scott Dawson is on crutches. Dawson has hurt everything in his knee and it would cripple a normal man (Dawson: “Like you two.”
but a little rest will make a man like him just fine. Therefore, the Revival is sitting this one out and DIY can have a pass to the next round. I like this much better than A, wasting another edition of a great series and B, having either team lose a match. No match.Gargano and Ciampa are ready for whoever they face next.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Rich Swann/No Way Jose vs. Authors of Pain
Back to San Jose. Akum and Jose start things off with No Way being driven straight into the corner. Some dancing sends the bull charging through the ropes and a big right hand actually staggers him a bit. Swann comes in for an assisted hurricanrana which really just annoys Akum. Instead it's off to Razar but Swann keeps the speed up with a dropkick to stagger him. For some reason Rich decides to dive onto both Authors at the same time but it takes Jose diving onto all three to put them down.
Back in and the beating begins with Akum throwing Rich into the corner for a running splash from Razar. Paul Ellering even gets in a little choking of his own on the bottom rope like the good old school manager he is. A spinning kick to Razar's face gives Rich a breather and an enziguri to Akum allows the hot tag to Jose (BIG pop for that). A TKO drops Akum for two but Razar sends Swann into the steps. The lack of a partner means Jose gets caught in the Last Chapter for the pin at 8:06.
Video on Mickie James.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Sanity vs. TJ Perkins vs. Kota Ibushi
Wolfe and Ibushi start things off with a headlock slowing Kota down so much that it's off to TJ for the always broken up first kneebar. Fulton comes in and gets kneebarred as well with Wolfe's save not working. Back from a break with the crusierweights starting up their dives until TJ gets pulled out of the air. A slam sends him onto Wolfe's knees and it's off to the chinlock.
That's switched up to a bearhug to keep Perkins in trouble for a big longer. A shot to the face allows the tag to Kota and it's time for the kicks. The Gold Star Bomb gets two on Wolfe but Eric Young and Nikki Cross get the referee's attention. A suplex/powerslam combo puts Kota away at 12:15.
The final four:
Sanity
TM61
DIY
Authors of Pain
Results
Shane Thorn b. Roderick Strong – Small package
Authors of Pain b. Rich Swann/No Way Jose – Last Chapter to Jose
Sanity b. Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins – Suplex/powerslam combination to Ibushi
Thursday
According to Billy Corgan, he has not been paid back his $1.8 million loan to TNA. A judge had ordered it paid by this past Tuesday.
Impact Wrestling
Date: November 3, 2016
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
It's a big show this week as we've got three title matches, including the TNA World Title being defended as Lashley challenges Eddie Edwards to get his title back. Lashley has another problem though as he attacked Cody to end last week's show, which might come back to haunt him tonight. Let's get to it.
We recap Lashley vs. Edwards, including Eddie winning the title and Lashley's path to becoming #1 contender again.
Here's Brandi Rhodes to open the show and talk about some of the decisions she and Cody have had to make in three years of marriage. Cody was attacked last week but Lashley can rest assured that he'll be back. Cue Maria and Sienna to interrupt and ask if Brandi is going to stick around or run home and take care of her husband.
Maria says she gives people opportunities but sometimes she slams doors in their faces, like she did with Allie. She sees something in Brandi though and that's why she wants to help. Brandi says the Rhodes name means something and she doesn't need help from anyone. Sienna gets in her face and a fight breaks out with Sienna taking over without much effort. The AK-47 leaves Brandi laying.
Video on Eddie Edwards' childhood and family.
Grand Championship: Aron Rex vs. Jesse Godderz
Rex is defending. Josh wonders if there are big rings under the tape on Rex's fingers. I'm sure there's no way to, I don't know, CHECK THEM BEFORE THE MATCH but wrestling referees are stupid by definition. Jesse takes over to start and goes for the Adonis Lock but gets spun away.
Josh goes into analyst mode to ask Pope who he has for the first two minutes. A crossbody gets two on Aron and it's off to an armbar (a beautiful one according to Josh). Godderz's Fujiwara armbar takes us to the end of round one, which goes to Jesse. Rex snapmares him down and grabs a chinlock to start round two.
Back up and Rex gets rolled up for two before headbutting Jesse into the corner. A slow motion powerslam gets two on Rex but the round ends as the Adonis Lock goes on. Round two goes to Godderz and we take a break before round three. Back with Rex getting punched in the face as Jesse would be smart to waste time. The champ rakes the eyes though and a big right hand retains the title at 12:24.
Video on Team X Gold, another unnecessary concept. Team Go For Broke respects each other.
Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett vs. Rockstar Spud/Decay vs. Go For Broke
This is probably 75% of the division (if not more) in one match. There are three men in the ring at a time and Josh confirms that yes, the flag is the bragging rights trophy. Lee, DJZ and Steve start things off but instead of explaining the match, let's hear about a sale at TNA's website.
Double teaming DJZ doesn't do much good as he takes the other two down with a dropkick and flip dive to the floor. Mandrews comes in for a double stomp to Steve but gets buckle bombed by Lee. Spud and Rockett get the tag and the big Marshe intimidates him into a tag off to Abyss. Clotheslines and shoulders don't put anyone down but Mandrews springboards in with a dropkick to both guys.
Sutter comes in to clean house but Abyss starts chokeslamming people. One such chokeslam puts Steve onto Sutter....and that's an ejection for Decay, leaving Spud on his own. Wait so there are elimination rules? Shouldn't that be a DQ for the whole team? Not that it matters as Sutter gives Spud a Flatliner for the pin at 5:19.
Video on Eddie winning the X-Division Title.
Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. DCC
The Hardys are defending and the DCC now appear in the ring after their freaky video. The Hardys get beaten down but the DCC walk away without the bell ever ringing. Jeff says it's not time to punch the clock because the Hardys still want to fight. That means we get a bell and a referee (Shouldn't he have been down there for the scheduled match?) and it's a big wild brawl. Josh says this is the strangest thing he's ever seen and actually says he's seen Delete or Decay and the Great War. I repeat my often stated opinion: Josh Matthews is a stupid, stupid man.
Things settle down with Matt getting double teamed by the two masked men, who I'll call Porkchop and Cash for lack of anything better. Porkchop gets his mask bitten and something like a headlock neckbreaker allows the tag off to Jeff. Cash has to break up the Twist of Fate but a double clothesline allows Jeff to Twist Porkchop. The third one (Toaster Oven) comes in for the DQ at 2:40.
The five head to the back with a score playing over their fight. They actually interrupt a Grado interview and Grado stops to ask Jeff for a picture.....which Jeff actually grants in a funny moment. Jeff is in trouble so Matt throws the magic water on him and it's Immortal Jeff, who burns a cigarette on Porkchop.
Matt commandeers a forklift to chase Cash as Porkchop puts Jeff in a case, along with the water bucket. That makes the regular Jeff (as regular as he gets) come out with a Twisting Stunner. Matt takes Cash's mask off to reveal another mask, only to have Matt get kicked off the forklift for a huge crash. Jeff goes to check on his brother.....and Matt has amnesia.
Ethan Carter III (because transitions mean NOTHING in TNA) is going to call out Eli Drake.
Here's Ethan in the ring and Drake comes out shortly thereafter. After turning down Ethan's challenge, Drake says he earned everything he's gotten around here and Ethan has been handed everything instead. That sends Ethan onto one of his traditionally great rants about how he's earned the right to be called the man around here. Eli brings up Bound For Gold so Ethan suggests the title shot against Ethan's right to ever challenge for a shot again. Drake says next week....is his title shot because he's cashing in, which leaves Ethan “Midcarder” III right where he's always been.
Lashley says he's ready and Eddie has no idea what's coming.
Video on Eddie losing the X-Division Title to Lashley and losing his mentor right around the same time. Then he won the World Title and now believes anything is possible.
TNA World Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Lashley
Lashley is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros with JB calling this the super fight. I'll give TNA this: they do a solid job of making the big matches feel important. Or maybe it's that JB is really good at his job(s). The bell rings after the break (thank goodness) and Lashley throws the champ around before elbowing him in the face.
They head outside with Eddie chopping him up against the barricade but getting dropped throat first across the steel. Some choking with a wristband takes us to the last break. Back with Lashley in full control with a chinlock and a knee to the face. The champ fights back and sends Lashley outside for a suicide dive.
A Shining Wizard gets two on Lashley, who comes right back with a Dominator for the same. They head outside for a few moments before Eddie misses a top rope double stomp. Lashley pulls the referee in the way and then hits the spear for two, earning the second referee a right hand to the face. The first referee goes to call for the DQ but the Boston Knee Party gives Eddie the fast counted pin at 18:53.
Results
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Right hand
Go For Broke b. Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett and Rockstar Spud/Decay – Flatliner to Spud
Hardys b. DCC via DQ when the third DCC member interfered
Eddie Edwards b. Lashley – Boston Knee Party
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Enzo Amore b. Luke Gallows – DDG
TJ Perkins b. Brian Kendrick via countout
Braun Strowman won a battle royal last eliminating Sami Zayn
Rich Swann/Lince Dorado/Cedric Alexander b. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak – Spinning kick to Nese's head
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Samoan drop
Sheamus/Cesaro b. Shining Stars – Cloverleaf to Epico
Roman Reigns b. Chris Jericho via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Smackdown
Randy Orton b. Kane – RKO
Alexa Bliss/Carmella b. Becky Lynch/Nikki Bella – DDT to Lynch
American Alpha b. Spirit Squad – Grand Amplitude to Mikey
Dolph Ziggler b. Curt Hawkins – Superkick
Usos b. Headbangers – Rollup with a handful of trunks
Dean Ambrose b. AJ Styles – Dirty Deeds
NXT
Shane Thorn b. Roderick Strong – Small package
Authors of Pain b. Rich Swann/No Way Jose – Last Chapter to Jose
Sanity b. Kota Ibushi/TJ Perkins – Suplex/powerslam combination to Ibushi
Impact Wrestling
Aron Rex b. Jesse Godderz – Right hand
Go For Broke b. Marshe Rockett/Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett and Rockstar Spud/Decay – Flatliner to Spud
Hardys b. DCC via DQ when the third DCC member interfered
Eddie Edwards b. Lashley – Boston Knee Party