klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: December 25, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
For reasons of USA Told Us To Do It, WWE presents a three hour Monday Night Raw on Christmas night. As a bonus, the first hour will feature no commercials, because if theres one thing I think of when I watch Raw, its that theres not enough material. John Cena is back for another one night shot so lets get to it.
Speaking of Cena, here he is to open things up. Actually hang on a second as Cena says theres something that needs to change. Cena goes outside and says someone is wearing the wrong colors. He takes off his hat and shirt and hands them to a kid with some sort of a disability who is wearing his old orange gear. And that is why Cena comes off as a superhero and is just flat out awesome to boot.
That earns a MERRY CHRISTMAS chant and Cena talks about how WWE is like a family. However, he wants to say cheers to the good and bad times, but cheers on a special day like today. Cue Elias to interrupt for his big spot of getting a rub from Cena. John actually agrees to walk with him but they get cut off by a CM Punk chant. Elias: CM Punk aint gonna interrupt me.
Cena says we need to have some fun tonight and grabs a chair so Elias can perform. The lights go down and Elias is about to play but the CM PUNK chants cut him off again. The song starts and of course it insults Chicago so Cena cuts him off and says hit the lights. Cena thinks Elias is the real jerk because he keeps insulting every city hes in.
Elias thinks Cena might be right and offers to do the song again if Chicago will give him a second chance. He sings again and this time sings a rather nice version before handing it off to Cena for Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Cena starts off but gets punched in the face for his efforts. Elias goes to leave but comes back to stomp away and challenges Cena to a match right now. A referee is fine with this and were ready to go.
John Cena vs. Elias
Cena, whose shorts look shorter than usual, gets hammered down to start but grabs a desperation headlock. Elias gets two off a release slam before tying Cena in the Tree of Woe. An Alberto Del Rio top rope double stomp gets another near fall but Cena avoids a second attempt.
Cena gets taken down again though and a Batista Bomb gives Elias another near fall. We hit the chinlock to eat up some more time with Elias even flipping forward to get Cena away from the rope. Back up and a hard clothesline gets two on Cena, which does so well that Elias does the same thing again for the same result.
Cena has to pull himself up using Elias body, earning himself another right hand to the face for two more. A quick STF has Elias in trouble but Cena doesnt have it in full. Elias crawls to the ropes so Cena tries to grab it again, only to have Elias pop up for a jumping knee to the face.
That doesnt even get a cover as Cena rolls outside before grabbing the STF again. This time Elias makes the rope but the damage seems to have been done. Something like a slow motion Drift Away gets two but Elias takes his sweet time posing. Cena pops up and initiates his finishing sequence. The AA is good for the pin on Elias at 16:08.
Cena salutes the kid in the crowd.
Samoa Joe video.
Jason Jordan comes in to see Kurt Angle but Seth Rollins cuts them off, saying he wants to face Samoa Joe tonight. In a repeat of the same thing he does every week, Jordan says he wants his match against Joe. Angle suggests that they team up to deal with the Bar first but neither seems interested. Kurt makes the match anyway and puts the titles on the line.
The two of them leave and Roman Reigns comes in. Angle gives him Joe tonight, with the Intercontinental Title on the line.
Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher are in the ring before Kendrick faces Hideo Itami. Kendrick laughs off the idea of being scared of Itami because the two of them are some of the finest competitors around.
Hideo Itami vs. Brian Kendrick
They forearm it out to start with Itami getting the better of it and demanding respect. Back up and a jumping knee to the face gives Kendrick two. We hit a cross arm choke on Itami but hes back up without much effort. The tornado DDT into the neck snap across the top has Kendrick in trouble and a running corner dropkick makes it even worse. The GTS ends Kendrick at 4:00.
Video on the announcement of the Womens Royal Rumble, naturally with Stephanie getting most of the focus. Thankfully we do get some reactions from some of the women.
Mickie James, Sasha Banks and Bayley run into the very Christmas themed Miztourage. They sing some Miz themed Christmas carols. The ladies bail in a hurry.
Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks vs. Absolution
Paige forearms Sasha in the face to start before its off to Mandy. Mickie comes in for a running forearm and its off to Bayley, who gets a heck of a reaction. Its off to Deville who gets in her hard strikes, only to have Bayley take her back into the corner. The fight heads outside with Sonya hitting a heck of a clothesline to drop Banks and take over. The fans are happy to have Paige back in but its quickly back to Sonya for a hard knee.
We hit a bodyscissors for a bit before the villains take turns beating on Banks. The announcers continue to drool over Mandy (they have good taste) as she knocks Bayley and James off the apron to break up a hot tag attempt. As is so often the case though, Banks shoves her away a few seconds later, allowing the hot tag off to Bayley so house can be cleaned. Bayley starts throwing suplexes and even knocks Deville off the apron for good measure. A Bayley to Belly gets two on Paige as everything breaks down on the floor. Back in and the Rampaige ends Bayley at 10:14.
We look at Dean Ambroses arm being destroyed last week. The injury may keep him out up to nine months.
Renee Young isnt happy to interview Samoa Joe, who has no remorse for what he did to Dean last week. Joe is ready to take the Intercontinental Title when Reigns comes seeking vengeance.
Video on Kane and Braun Strowman becoming #1 contenders to Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
Kane vs. Heath Slater
Apparently Rhyno got Slater this match to toughen him up a bit. Merry Christmas buddy. Kane takes him into the corner for some knees to the ribs and theres the side slam for good measure. Slater bails to the floor for a breather and a pep talk from Rhyno. As you might expect, Kane throws him right back to the floor and its time for more pep talking. Back in and Slaters offense is shrugged off, setting up the chokeslam for the pin at 2:13.
Kane goes after Rhyno post match and a quick flurry is cut off by a chokeslam.
Heres Curt Hawkins who has to tell himself to face the facts. 2017 hasnt been his best year but the year isnt over yet. How about a little Christmas miracle tonight? The open challenge is on.
Finn Balor vs. Curt Hawkins
Hawkins grabs a quick rollup for two and gets the same result off the same move. Balor calmly kicks him down and hits the Coup de Grace for the pin at 1:30.
The Miztourage sings to Goldust and throw in a DVD of Santas Little Helper. Titus Worldwide comes up and Goldust gives them the DVD.
Bray Wyatt talks about how Sister Abigail always hated this time of year. Hes ready to face the Woken Warrior because Matt Hardy is surrounded by the fireflies. Bray is here.
Wyatt heads to the ring but Matt runs in and the fight is on. A Twist of Fate misses and Bray bails to the floor. After threatening to DELETE Bray, Matt throws in some maniacal laughter.
The Bar isnt happy with having to defend their titles but theyre ready to fight. Sheamus has a gift for Cesaro, including a char containing their catchphrase. The gift: a Dean Ambrose action figure with a missing arm! Cesaro has a gift for Sheamus as well: a Seth Rollins action figure which Sheamus can break just like the real one tonight. Theres more in the box too as Cesaro has gotten him a Jason Jordan figure too. Sheamus: I dont want this. Cesaro says no one wants Jordan so its perfect.
Cedric Alexander gets his Cruiserweight Title shot next week.
Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa/Mustafa Ali/Cedric Alexander
Miracle on 34th Street Fight but first Enzo (as Santa, with the other two as his elves) has to run his mouth about Cedric not getting a present on Christmas morning. Even though its a street fight, Daivari and Cedric start things off with Alexander cleaning house in short order. Tozawa and Ali take out Daivari and Gulak with dives as we take a break.
Back with Enzo whipping Tozawa back first into a Christmas tree. Tozawa remembers that hes only fighting Enzo though, meaning the hot tag brings in Ali a few seconds later. The rolling X Factor gets two and theres the 054 for two with Gulak making the save. Enzos candy cane kendo stick is taken away from him and begging off ensues. Gulak runs into Enzo by mistake, setting up a few stick shots to his back. The Lumbar Check ends Daivari at 7:49.
Post break Enzo isnt happy but runs into Nia, now with red and blue hair. It turns out theyre underneath the mistletoe and are about to kiss but Alexa Bliss runs in and needs Nia. Enzo doesnt look happy.
Reigns is ready to hurt Joe for what he did to Ambrose last week.
Intercontinental Title: Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Reigns is defending and punches Joe in the face at the bell. Joe gets knocked into the ropes and its the apron boot for good measure. Back in and Joe grabs a belly to back suplex for two but Reigns snaps off the corner clotheslines. A big boot drops Joe again but hes right back up with right hands to take us to a break.
We come back with Reigns getting two off a Samoan drop but getting punched in the face some more. Its already off to the Koquina Clutch but Reigns is just too close to the ropes for the break. Joe takes him outside and the suicide elbow drives Reigns into the barricade. Reigns comes up holding his elbow so we hit the armbar in a logical move. The hold is broken and Reigns unloads in the corner before shoving the referee for the DQ at 12:45.
Post match Reigns beats on Joe even more, including a steps shot to the arm. Joe avoids a heck of a chair shot and looks a bit shaken up while bailing.
Rollins tells Jordan to bring it tonight and Jordan is ready.
The Miztourage is in the ring to sing about their Secret Santa match. I think you know where this is going.
Braun Strowman vs. Miztourage
The goons are thrown around with ease and the running powerslam ends Dallas at 58 seconds.
Powerslam to Axel, powerslam to Dallas, powerslam to Axel.
Heres Alexa Bliss for a chat. Shes here tonight to give us the Gift of a Goddess because this has been her year. Bliss has dominated his year like a Jedi from Star Wars (unlike one from the DMV). That brings us to the announcement of the Womens Royal Rumble, which Bliss takes credit for taking place. Cue Asuka to say shes entering the Rumble because no one is ready for her. Bliss gets kicked down.
Brock Lesnar is back next week.
Tag Team Titles: The Bar vs. Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan
Cesaro and Sheamus are defending. Jordan wrestles Sheamus to the mat to start but the champs take him down with a double hiptoss. Rollins comes in off the hot tag and hits a suicide dive as we take a break. Back with Rollins in trouble as the champs take turns beating him down.
We hit the chinlock for a good while until Rollins fights up with some forearms to Cesaros head. Thats not enough for the hot tag though as its Sheamus cutting him off. A middle rope legdrop gives Sheamus two and were back in chinlock. Sheamus gets frustrated at Rollins fighting up again so Seth is sent outside for a clothesline from Cesaro. Jordan actually makes a save, earning himself a hard trip into the barricade.
Seth gets in a few shots but theres no one to tag. Instead its the Irish Curse for two on Seth, followed by a hard knee to the face for the same. Jordan charges in for a save and the hot tag brings him back in. Everything breaks down and a pair of something like the Demolition Decapitators get two on Jason.
Cesaro unloads with right hands and a Brogue Kick takes Rollins down. The Cloverleaf sends Jordan scurrying over to the ropes and the champs are frustrated. Super White Noise is broken up though and Rollins takes Cesaro out to the floor. Back in, Jordans wheelbarrow neckbreaker is good for the pin and the title at 15:24.
Results
John Cena b. Elias Attitude Adjustment
Hideo Itami b. Brian Kendrick GTS
Absolution b. Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks Rampaige to Bayley
Kane b. Heath Slater Chokeslam
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins Coup de Grace
Akira Tozawa/Cedric Alexander/Mustafa Ali b. Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari Lumbar Check to Daivari
Samoa Joe b. Roman Reigns via DQ when Reigns shoved the referee
Braun Strowman b. Miztourage Running powerslam to Dallas
Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan b. The Bar Wheelbarrow neckbreaker to Cesaro
Tuesday
Smackdown Live
Date: December 26, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Were still in Chicago to wrap up the year and the big story seems to be finding AJ Styles next challenger for the Smackdown World Title. We also need to find out whats going on with the United States Title, which was left in the middle of the ring by champion Dolph Ziggler. Lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Heres Daniel Bryan to open things up. Before he says much though, we see a clip of Ziggler leaving the title in the ring last week. The title is now vacant and well be having a tournament to crown a new champion. Fans: RUSEV! Bryan says the first match is tonight with Baron Corbin facing Bobby Roode but here are Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin to ask about the Tag Team Title situation. Fans: RUSEV DAY!
Shelton says they never got a one on one rematch with the Usos, which of course brings up Rusev and Aiden English being added to the match. They get in the ring and HERE THEY COME! English and Rusev come out with English singing about why they deserve to face the Usos. English: Just listen, and we will disclose.
They didnt lose at Clash but more importantly, Rusev Day is the day after Christmas! Gable: Its Boxing Day! Rusev: No you fool. ITS RUSEV DAY!!! Now its New Day with a True False Challenge. Big E.: Did the team of Chad Gable and Old Jason Jordan get pinned at Clash of Champions? New Day gets in the ring to dance with Bryan but Rusev, and the RUSEV DAY chants, cut them off. After mentioning Bryan needs Shane McMahons approval, a triple threat #1 contenders match is made for right now.
Rusev Day vs. New Day vs. Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin
The Usos come out for commentary and its Xavier, Chad and English starting things off as were in the WCW formula again. Chad gets sent into Rusev but everything breaks down with everyone being sent outside. Xavier hits a big flip dive to take the pile down, followed by Big E. powerbombing him onto English for two. Gable German suplexes English and Big E. at the same time (thats not normal) and its off to Shelton for some stomping.
Rusev comes in for some stomping and more chants in his honor, only to have Big E. run everyone over. A suplex cuts Woods off but English kicks Xavier down. The hot tag brings in Rusev for the house cleaning, including a spinwheel kick to drop Big E. Rolling Chaos Theory takes Rusev down and Woods missile dropkick gets two on English.
A Rock Bottom/Backstabber gets two on Gable but Woods jumps into a knee to the head. Gable adds a moonsault for two in a good false finish. English blocks another Rolling Chaos Theory and Woods kicks Gable in the head. A quick reverse AA gets two on Gable with Benjamin making the save. Rusev breaks up a Tower of Doom and powerbombs Gable and Benjamin down, allowing English to add a top rope splash for a VERY close two on Chad.
The second hot tag brings in Rusev for a kick to Woods, setting up a double Accolade for the two of them. Benjamin makes ANOTHER save as the false finishes are strong with this one. Big E. spears Benjamin through the ropes but Shelton escapes the Big Ending. One heck of a running knee staggers Big E. and its the powerbomb/top rope clothesline to give Gable the pin at 13:51.
The title match is next week.
Shane McMahon comes in to see Daniel and talks about Bryan saying Shane is becoming Vince. Shane defends his father, which certainly doesnt sound like a speech to make people believe that Vince is a business genius who can totally pull off the XFL II. On top of that, Shane isnt cool with the US Title Tournament because Corbin should get a one on one singles match.
Bryan likes the idea of giving multiple people chances and Shane can go with that. What he cant go with is AJ vs. Kevin Owens (non-title) tonight in the main event Bryan has made. Theres been talk of favoritism being shown to Kevin and Sami Zayn, which Shane needs to prevent. Bryan thinks we should finish the year with another entry in a great rivalry. Shane reluctantly agrees.
Breezango vs. Bludgeon Brothers
Ascension got Breezango this match as a present. Breezango goes straight at them, earning Fandango a spinning Boss Man Slam and Breeze a face plant on the apron. Back in and Harpers big boot drops Breeze, followed by an assisted sitout powerbomb for two with Rowan pulling him up. The beating continues but the Ascension runs in to attack the Brothers for the DQ at 2:06.
The Ascension say Breezango arent ready for an interview but theyre ready to challenge the Brothers to a rematch next week. Breezango doesnt look happy.
Video on the Womens Royal Rumble, including the Womens Revolution history.
Ruby Riott vs. Naomi
Naomi goes right at her to start and hits a springboard kick to the face. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan offer distractions though, allowing Riott to kick Naomi in the leg. The Riott Kick is good for the pin at 57 seconds.
The post match beatdown is on but Charlotte makes the save. The numbers game gets the better of Charlotte as well though, only to have Tamina, Lana, Natalya (So were just dropping the turning her back on Smackdown story?) and Carmella make the save. The Squad loses a quick fight and gets chased off. As usual, Carmella shows no interest in cashing in on the downed Charlotte.
AJ Styles talks about challenging himself in 2017. He started the year as WWE Champion and hes ending it the same way. Owens isnt outworking him and AJ is ending the year on a high note.
US Title Tournament First Round: Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin sends him into the corner to start and hammers away, including some forearms to the chest. A spinning side slam gives Corbin two and he follows it up with a hard running clothesline on the floor. Back in and Roode hits some clotheslines followed by the Blockbuster for his first near fall.
End of Days is broken up and Corbins slide underneath the ropes only earns him a spinebuster. The Glorious DDT is countered into Deep Six for two more. Corbin takes him up top for a superplex but Roode slips out and shoves him down. He dives right into a chokeslam but counters that into a rollup for the fast pin to put Corbin away at 8:39.
US Title Tournament First Round: Jinder Mahal vs. Tye Dillinger
Tye sends him outside to start and we take a very early break. Back with Jinder holding him in a chinlock until Tye fights up with the left hands. The Tyebreaker is broken up so Tye goes up, only to have Jinder roll through a high crossbody for two. Jinder grabs a firemans carry but tosses him up for a gutbuster and another near fall. Tye gets crotched in the corner though and the Khallas sends Jinder on at 5:58. Not enough shown to rate but this is where Mahal should have been seven months ago and a lot of the damage has been done.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have a bottle of champagne to celebrate tonights win. Its the same bottle that Daniel Bryan wouldnt accept from them but tonight theres no cheating guest referee. After tonight, theres a party which only the two of them are invited to.
Randy Orton officially enters the Royal Rumble. Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say that sounds like a good idea so hes in too.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title with Sami Zayn at ringside. Owens charges into a dropkick at the bell and Styles hits his jumping knee. An early Calf Crusher sends Owens bailing to the ropes and Owens kicks AJ out to the floor in a heap. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a kick to the back as we take a break.
We come back with AJ fighting out of another chinlock but eating a hard clothesline. A neckbreaker on the knee gives Owens two more but the Cannonball misses. AJ wins a slugout with the Phenomenal Blitz into the seated forearm. The Pele drops Owens again but a springboard is countered into a gutbuster.
Owens goes up for a middle rope Vader Bomb elbow for two more as frustration is setting in. Theres another neckbreaker to send Owens outside but AJ dives onto Zayn this time around. Another distraction lets Owens superkick him down for two so heres Shane to eject Sami. That means the referee misses Owens getting rolled up, allowing Owens to grab his own rollup for the pin at 16:30.
Shane apologizes to AJ, who doesnt seem pleased to end the show.
Results
Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin b. New Day and Rusev Day Powerbomb/Top rope clothesline combination to Big E.
Bludgeon Brothers b. Breezango via DQ when Ascension interfered
Ruby Riott b. Naomi Riott Kick
Bobby Roode b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Jinder Mahal b. Tye Dillinger Khallas
Kevin Owens b. AJ Styles Rollup
Wednesday
NXT
Date: December 27, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo
I know I say this a lot but its a big night around here. This time around we have the four way match for the #1 contendership to the NXT Title as Johnny Gargano, Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain and Aleister Black fight for a shot at Andrade Cien Almas. That should be a nice way to wrap up the year so lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Street Profits vs. Chris Star/Riley Apex
Those are some rather jobberish names. Ford and well say Star start things off with a shoulder dropping Chris. Its off to Dawkins for some rapid fire high fiving. A corner splash crushes Apex and its the spinebuster into a frog splash to give Ford the pin at 1:49. Total squash with the only noteworthy moment being Apex having a fitting description of NWO JBL.
The Profits hit the crowd and say they want the titles in 2018. Its not like theyre getting anywhere else squashing jobbers so this works.
Womens Title: Sonya Deville vs. Ember Moon
Moon is defending. Deville goes straight for a kneebar but Moon is way too close to the ropes. Back up and they both miss some kicks to give us a standoff. A dropkick puts Deville on the floor for a breather as Moon is seemingly a bit hesitant to follow up. Moon speeds things back up with a dive off the apron to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Deville striking away and grabbing a waistlock. Moon finally sends her face first into the turnbuckle for a breather but cant follow up. Some hard strikes to the chest give Moon two more and a springboard dropkick has Deville in more trouble. The Eclipse retains the title at 10:03.
Post match Kairi Sane comes out and motions that she wants the title. Moon agrees but Shayna Baszler sneaks in and chokes Sane out.
Paul Ellering says the Authors of Pains time isnt over yet and theyre coming for the titles.
Moon says bring on all the challengers.
Video on how everyone qualified for the four way.
Next week is a two hour Year in Review show.
In two weeks, Sanity gets their rematch for the Tag Team Titles.
Killian Dain vs. Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Lars Sullivan
One fall to a finish and the fans are WAY behind Gargano here. Black goes after Sullivan to start and a hard shot sends him outside. After moonsaulting into his seated position, Black moonsaults out onto Sullivan ..who catches him. Dain takes Sullivan down with a suicide dive and we take a break.
Back with Black kicking Sullivan up the ramp but getting shoved into the barricade. Dain throws Gargano onto Black before loading up the announcers table. Gargano climbs the set to escape a powerbomb and kicks Sullivan onto the table instead. Dain DIVES off the stage to crush Sullivan through the table and Gargano is stunned.
Black and Gargano head back to the ring and the fans REALLY like this one. The slingshot spear is countered with a hard knee to the head. One heck of a superkick staggers Black into the Gargano Escape but Dain comes in for the save. A backsplash gets two on Black and a powerbomb into an elbow is good for the same on Gargano. Dain heads up but its a double powerbomb to pull him out of the corner for another big crash. Somehow Sullivan staggers back to the ring to clean house, including a powerslam for two on Gargano.
Its time for another big man showdown and back to back clotheslines put both guys down. Black comes back in and cleans house with the kicks including Black Mass to Sullivan, only to have the Undisputed Era come out to break up the pin. A Last Shot on the floor drops Black until Gargano dives onto Adam Cole. Gargano sends the monsters into the steps and the slingshot DDT gives Johnny the pin on Black at 16:40.
Results
Street Profits b. Chris Star/Riley Apex Frog splash to Apex
Ember Moon b. Sonya Deville Eclipse
Johnny Gargano b. Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black and Killian Dain Slingshot DDT to Black
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: December 28, 2017
Host: Josh Matthews
Its the second half of the Best of 2017 show and that means a lot more copying and pasting. There are several options that they could choose to air here but the Bound For Glory main event has already been announced. Next week is the show that really matters though so lets get to it.
We open with a quick video from Slammiversary.
Speaking of Slammiversary.
Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title/Global Force Wrestling Women's Title: Rosemary vs. Sienna
Unification match and Gail Kim is at ringside. Rosemary has an army of freaks with her. Rosemary goes right after her and here are Laurel Van Ness and KM for the nearly immediate distraction. Sienna gets thrown out onto them and orders them to the back, leaving us one on one again.
Back in and Sienna hammers away before grabbing a chinlock. Rosemary gets sent hard into the barricade, only to fight out of a Tree of Woe for a German superplex. That doesn't do much actually as the Red Wedding is broken up and Sienna gets two off the Silencer. The second Red Wedding attempt connects but here's Van Ness to pull out the ref. Allie comes in for the save but the distraction lets Sienna get in a belt shot for two. The mist is blocked and Sienna rubs it in Rosemary's eyes, setting up a guillotine to make Rosemary tap at 10:03.
From Slammiversary again. This was joined in progress but heres the full thing.
Jeremy Borash/Joseph Park vs. Josh Matthews/Scott Steiner
No DQ and D'Angelo Dinero joins commentary. Josh starts with Park and flips around a bit, followed by a kick to the head. A crossbody doesn't work so it's off to Steiner, who looks to be about 50lbs (of muscle) lighter than he was in his regular career. He's also wearing a shirt, which he would never do given that his character was built around a great physique. Again, there was NO ONE ELSE on the active roster that could play this role?
Borash hands it right back to Park....and they run to the back for a pre-taped segment. Park and Borash grab a fire extinguisher while Steiner and Matthews are in a golf cart. A car with a random fan (I think he was in one of the Final Deletion segments) shows up so Matthews and Steiner steal that to give chase, but they can't catch an announcer and an out of shape lawyer on foot.
They finally get out of the car (which had cameras inside) and chase after them with Matthews being backdropped into a pool while Steiner throws Park through a wall. With a camera under the water, the Jaws theme starts playing and Shark Boy shows up to bite Matthews. Steiner leaves Park and here's Father James Mitchell (Abyss' old manager) to say happy anniversary.
Back inside (and after an unnecessary cameo from celebrity chef Robert Irvine) and Matthews misses a Swanton. Josh spears him down but here's Steiner for the save. Matthews grabs a hug which is called a Steiner Recliner, only to have Shark Boy come in for the failed save attempt. Now Steiner puts on the Recliner and we've got Abyss to get rid of Scott without much effort. The Black Hole Slam onto the tacks crushes Josh and Borash adds a top rope splash to give Abyss the pin at 10:50.
From August 24, we see the final five entrants in Gauntlet for the Gold. The match ran over fifty five minutes but we only see about five minutes.
Videos on the international partnerships, including long videos on Eddie Edwards as the GHC World Champion and Johnny Impact as the triple champion of AAA.
Video on Taya Valkyrie.
From September 14, joined in progress again.
X-Division Title: Sonjay Dutt vs. Trevor Lee
Dutt is defending and this is falls count anywhere. Lee gets two on the floor off a baseball slide but Dutt sends him into the barricade for a breather. They head inside for the first time with Lee kicking him in the face, only to get dropped again. Dutt throws in a chair but Lee throws it right back out.
They hit kicks to the head at the same time for a double knockdown. Why theres no count when Dutts leg is over Lee isnt clear, but Id guess its because thats not in the script and the referee doesnt know any better. Dutts tornado DDT plants Lee but a superplex plants Dutt just as fast. They head outside again with Lee throwing a chair at his head before fighting into the crowd.
We take a break (of course we do) and come back with the fight heading into the back. Caleb Konley jumps Dutt, because falls count anywhere now means No DQ. A trashcan to the head gives Lee two but heel miscommunication lets him get a breather. Dutt is busted open and its time to hit Lee in the head with a trashcan lid. A tornado DDT off the wall is countered with a crotching onto a barricade and Lee rolls him up (with tights) for the pin and the title at 13:57.
From Bound For Glory.
Tag Team Titles: OVE vs. LAX
LAX is defending and this is a street fight. Theres no Homicide, suggesting that he was the one down in the back. Santana and Ortiz dive onto the champs to start in a hurry. The brawl splits in two with Jake kicking a trashcan wrapped around Ortiz as Dave and Santana fight in the crowd. Ortiz fights back and grabs a running Liger Bomb off the ramp through a table to basically kill Jake.
Santana climbs the scaffolding as the fans chant about how they cant see anything. A big splash from near the roof crushes Dave through a table and thankfully theyre both alive. Back at ringside, Jake fights off a table and pelts a chair at Ortizs head to save himself. Some chairs are set up in the ring and its Jake superplexing Ortiz through them, banging up his own back pretty badly in the process.
Santana is back inside and the Street Sweeper onto a pile of chairs plants Jake, only to have Dave come back in for the save. Four strikes to the face give us a quadruple knockdown with LAX getting the better of it. Some ladders and tables are set up at ringside but heres Callihan to throw powder in Konnans face. He throws Ortiz onto a ladder and piledrives Santana through a table, giving OVE a double pin to retain at 10:21.
Video on Gail Kim. Now you knew they were getting this in there somewhere.
From November 16. As in were skipping the title win, because that might put some focus on ANYONE other than Gail.
Gail comes out for her speech and Allie comes out as an invited guest. Kim talks about wanting to wrestle eighteen years ago and finding a wrestling school so she could do just that. We get the required YOU DESERVE IT chants, even though no one deserves as much praise as Gail gets around here. She thanks the women who helped pave the way to get her here (Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, Awesome Kong) and shes at peace with her decision.
Shes vacating the title and cant wait to see where things go from here. No interruption, nothing for anyone else and just Gail. Im so glad she got this one last moment to add to her collection of other moments. Theres no denying that Gail is great but this company seems to think shes Austin and Rock combined. Did I miss it when she became the biggest star the company has ever had?
Video on Moose/Stephan Bonnar vs. American Top Team.
Video on Johnny Impact vs. Eli Drake.
And well close it out at Bound For Glory. Joined in progress again, but at least we got to talk about Gail Kim and TripleMania.
Impact Wrestling World Title: Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact
Drake is defending and has Chris Adonis in his corner. Impact avoids a pre-bell jumping and starts fast with a clothesline. The champ bails to the floor so Johnny is right on him with a slingshot dive. A running flip kick off the apron has Drake in more trouble and a backdrop makes things even worse. Johnny adds a sliding German suplex as Josh says this is the first real test for Drake as champion. Keep in mind that Impact already had a title shot, making Josh sound dumber than usual.
Adonis gets in a cheap shot though and Drake takes over with an elbow off the apron. Drake keeps him outside and throws him into the barricade before choking with a boot. Back in and Drake gets two off a powerslam, followed by some elbow drops. They head outside again with Johnny kicking him in the face, knocking the champ into the post. Johnnys leg hits post though and Drake takes it back inside.
Thats fine with Impact, who kicks him down and tries a moonsault, only to get elbowed for his efforts. A belly to back superplex drops Drake and another moonsault gets two. The standing shooting star gets the same as that leg seems just fine after hitting the post. Countdown to Impact misses as were just waiting on the ref bump/Alberto. Johnny kicks him in the head and goes up again, only to have Adonis offer a distraction.
This time its Drake running the corner for a superplex and another near fall. They head up at the same time this time around with Johnny scoring with a super Spanish Fly. Thats not enough either so Adonis throws Drake the belt. Johnny takes it away though and takes Adonis down, followed by Countdown to Impact for two. The Gravy Train is countered into a Shining Wizard but Drake sends him shoulder first into the post.
They head up again (fourth time) but Johnny kicks him down, setting up Starship Pain for two as Alberto pulls the referee out. Thats not a DQ for no logical reason so Johnny dives over the top at Alberto, hitting the referee by mistake. Alberto hits Drake with the belt before breaking a chair over Johnnys head (Who needs PG?). Drake is pulled onto Johnny to retain the title at 19:49.
Josh wraps things up.
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
John Cena b. Elias Attitude Adjustment
Hideo Itami b. Brian Kendrick GTS
Absolution b. Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks Rampaige to Bayley
Kane b. Heath Slater Chokeslam
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins Coup de Grace
Akira Tozawa/Cedric Alexander/Mustafa Ali b. Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari Lumbar Check to Daivari
Samoa Joe b. Roman Reigns via DQ when Reigns shoved the referee
Braun Strowman b. Miztourage Running powerslam to Dallas
Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan b. The Bar Wheelbarrow neckbreaker to Cesaro
Smackdown
Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin b. New Day and Rusev Day Powerbomb/Top rope clothesline combination to Big E.
Bludgeon Brothers b. Breezango via DQ when Ascension interfered
Ruby Riott b. Naomi Riott Kick
Bobby Roode b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Jinder Mahal b. Tye Dillinger Khallas
Kevin Owens b. AJ Styles Rollup
NXT
Street Profits b. Chris Star/Riley Apex Frog splash to Apex
Ember Moon b. Sonya Deville Eclipse
Johnny Gargano b. Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black and Killian Dain Slingshot DDT to Black
Monday Night Raw
Date: December 25, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
For reasons of USA Told Us To Do It, WWE presents a three hour Monday Night Raw on Christmas night. As a bonus, the first hour will feature no commercials, because if theres one thing I think of when I watch Raw, its that theres not enough material. John Cena is back for another one night shot so lets get to it.
Speaking of Cena, here he is to open things up. Actually hang on a second as Cena says theres something that needs to change. Cena goes outside and says someone is wearing the wrong colors. He takes off his hat and shirt and hands them to a kid with some sort of a disability who is wearing his old orange gear. And that is why Cena comes off as a superhero and is just flat out awesome to boot.
That earns a MERRY CHRISTMAS chant and Cena talks about how WWE is like a family. However, he wants to say cheers to the good and bad times, but cheers on a special day like today. Cue Elias to interrupt for his big spot of getting a rub from Cena. John actually agrees to walk with him but they get cut off by a CM Punk chant. Elias: CM Punk aint gonna interrupt me.
Cena says we need to have some fun tonight and grabs a chair so Elias can perform. The lights go down and Elias is about to play but the CM PUNK chants cut him off again. The song starts and of course it insults Chicago so Cena cuts him off and says hit the lights. Cena thinks Elias is the real jerk because he keeps insulting every city hes in.
Elias thinks Cena might be right and offers to do the song again if Chicago will give him a second chance. He sings again and this time sings a rather nice version before handing it off to Cena for Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Cena starts off but gets punched in the face for his efforts. Elias goes to leave but comes back to stomp away and challenges Cena to a match right now. A referee is fine with this and were ready to go.
John Cena vs. Elias
Cena, whose shorts look shorter than usual, gets hammered down to start but grabs a desperation headlock. Elias gets two off a release slam before tying Cena in the Tree of Woe. An Alberto Del Rio top rope double stomp gets another near fall but Cena avoids a second attempt.
Cena gets taken down again though and a Batista Bomb gives Elias another near fall. We hit the chinlock to eat up some more time with Elias even flipping forward to get Cena away from the rope. Back up and a hard clothesline gets two on Cena, which does so well that Elias does the same thing again for the same result.
Cena has to pull himself up using Elias body, earning himself another right hand to the face for two more. A quick STF has Elias in trouble but Cena doesnt have it in full. Elias crawls to the ropes so Cena tries to grab it again, only to have Elias pop up for a jumping knee to the face.
That doesnt even get a cover as Cena rolls outside before grabbing the STF again. This time Elias makes the rope but the damage seems to have been done. Something like a slow motion Drift Away gets two but Elias takes his sweet time posing. Cena pops up and initiates his finishing sequence. The AA is good for the pin on Elias at 16:08.
Cena salutes the kid in the crowd.
Samoa Joe video.
Jason Jordan comes in to see Kurt Angle but Seth Rollins cuts them off, saying he wants to face Samoa Joe tonight. In a repeat of the same thing he does every week, Jordan says he wants his match against Joe. Angle suggests that they team up to deal with the Bar first but neither seems interested. Kurt makes the match anyway and puts the titles on the line.
The two of them leave and Roman Reigns comes in. Angle gives him Joe tonight, with the Intercontinental Title on the line.
Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher are in the ring before Kendrick faces Hideo Itami. Kendrick laughs off the idea of being scared of Itami because the two of them are some of the finest competitors around.
Hideo Itami vs. Brian Kendrick
They forearm it out to start with Itami getting the better of it and demanding respect. Back up and a jumping knee to the face gives Kendrick two. We hit a cross arm choke on Itami but hes back up without much effort. The tornado DDT into the neck snap across the top has Kendrick in trouble and a running corner dropkick makes it even worse. The GTS ends Kendrick at 4:00.
Video on the announcement of the Womens Royal Rumble, naturally with Stephanie getting most of the focus. Thankfully we do get some reactions from some of the women.
Mickie James, Sasha Banks and Bayley run into the very Christmas themed Miztourage. They sing some Miz themed Christmas carols. The ladies bail in a hurry.
Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks vs. Absolution
Paige forearms Sasha in the face to start before its off to Mandy. Mickie comes in for a running forearm and its off to Bayley, who gets a heck of a reaction. Its off to Deville who gets in her hard strikes, only to have Bayley take her back into the corner. The fight heads outside with Sonya hitting a heck of a clothesline to drop Banks and take over. The fans are happy to have Paige back in but its quickly back to Sonya for a hard knee.
We hit a bodyscissors for a bit before the villains take turns beating on Banks. The announcers continue to drool over Mandy (they have good taste) as she knocks Bayley and James off the apron to break up a hot tag attempt. As is so often the case though, Banks shoves her away a few seconds later, allowing the hot tag off to Bayley so house can be cleaned. Bayley starts throwing suplexes and even knocks Deville off the apron for good measure. A Bayley to Belly gets two on Paige as everything breaks down on the floor. Back in and the Rampaige ends Bayley at 10:14.
We look at Dean Ambroses arm being destroyed last week. The injury may keep him out up to nine months.
Renee Young isnt happy to interview Samoa Joe, who has no remorse for what he did to Dean last week. Joe is ready to take the Intercontinental Title when Reigns comes seeking vengeance.
Video on Kane and Braun Strowman becoming #1 contenders to Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
Kane vs. Heath Slater
Apparently Rhyno got Slater this match to toughen him up a bit. Merry Christmas buddy. Kane takes him into the corner for some knees to the ribs and theres the side slam for good measure. Slater bails to the floor for a breather and a pep talk from Rhyno. As you might expect, Kane throws him right back to the floor and its time for more pep talking. Back in and Slaters offense is shrugged off, setting up the chokeslam for the pin at 2:13.
Kane goes after Rhyno post match and a quick flurry is cut off by a chokeslam.
Heres Curt Hawkins who has to tell himself to face the facts. 2017 hasnt been his best year but the year isnt over yet. How about a little Christmas miracle tonight? The open challenge is on.
Finn Balor vs. Curt Hawkins
Hawkins grabs a quick rollup for two and gets the same result off the same move. Balor calmly kicks him down and hits the Coup de Grace for the pin at 1:30.
The Miztourage sings to Goldust and throw in a DVD of Santas Little Helper. Titus Worldwide comes up and Goldust gives them the DVD.
Bray Wyatt talks about how Sister Abigail always hated this time of year. Hes ready to face the Woken Warrior because Matt Hardy is surrounded by the fireflies. Bray is here.
Wyatt heads to the ring but Matt runs in and the fight is on. A Twist of Fate misses and Bray bails to the floor. After threatening to DELETE Bray, Matt throws in some maniacal laughter.
The Bar isnt happy with having to defend their titles but theyre ready to fight. Sheamus has a gift for Cesaro, including a char containing their catchphrase. The gift: a Dean Ambrose action figure with a missing arm! Cesaro has a gift for Sheamus as well: a Seth Rollins action figure which Sheamus can break just like the real one tonight. Theres more in the box too as Cesaro has gotten him a Jason Jordan figure too. Sheamus: I dont want this. Cesaro says no one wants Jordan so its perfect.
Cedric Alexander gets his Cruiserweight Title shot next week.
Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa/Mustafa Ali/Cedric Alexander
Miracle on 34th Street Fight but first Enzo (as Santa, with the other two as his elves) has to run his mouth about Cedric not getting a present on Christmas morning. Even though its a street fight, Daivari and Cedric start things off with Alexander cleaning house in short order. Tozawa and Ali take out Daivari and Gulak with dives as we take a break.
Back with Enzo whipping Tozawa back first into a Christmas tree. Tozawa remembers that hes only fighting Enzo though, meaning the hot tag brings in Ali a few seconds later. The rolling X Factor gets two and theres the 054 for two with Gulak making the save. Enzos candy cane kendo stick is taken away from him and begging off ensues. Gulak runs into Enzo by mistake, setting up a few stick shots to his back. The Lumbar Check ends Daivari at 7:49.
Post break Enzo isnt happy but runs into Nia, now with red and blue hair. It turns out theyre underneath the mistletoe and are about to kiss but Alexa Bliss runs in and needs Nia. Enzo doesnt look happy.
Reigns is ready to hurt Joe for what he did to Ambrose last week.
Intercontinental Title: Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Reigns is defending and punches Joe in the face at the bell. Joe gets knocked into the ropes and its the apron boot for good measure. Back in and Joe grabs a belly to back suplex for two but Reigns snaps off the corner clotheslines. A big boot drops Joe again but hes right back up with right hands to take us to a break.
We come back with Reigns getting two off a Samoan drop but getting punched in the face some more. Its already off to the Koquina Clutch but Reigns is just too close to the ropes for the break. Joe takes him outside and the suicide elbow drives Reigns into the barricade. Reigns comes up holding his elbow so we hit the armbar in a logical move. The hold is broken and Reigns unloads in the corner before shoving the referee for the DQ at 12:45.
Post match Reigns beats on Joe even more, including a steps shot to the arm. Joe avoids a heck of a chair shot and looks a bit shaken up while bailing.
Rollins tells Jordan to bring it tonight and Jordan is ready.
The Miztourage is in the ring to sing about their Secret Santa match. I think you know where this is going.
Braun Strowman vs. Miztourage
The goons are thrown around with ease and the running powerslam ends Dallas at 58 seconds.
Powerslam to Axel, powerslam to Dallas, powerslam to Axel.
Heres Alexa Bliss for a chat. Shes here tonight to give us the Gift of a Goddess because this has been her year. Bliss has dominated his year like a Jedi from Star Wars (unlike one from the DMV). That brings us to the announcement of the Womens Royal Rumble, which Bliss takes credit for taking place. Cue Asuka to say shes entering the Rumble because no one is ready for her. Bliss gets kicked down.
Brock Lesnar is back next week.
Tag Team Titles: The Bar vs. Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan
Cesaro and Sheamus are defending. Jordan wrestles Sheamus to the mat to start but the champs take him down with a double hiptoss. Rollins comes in off the hot tag and hits a suicide dive as we take a break. Back with Rollins in trouble as the champs take turns beating him down.
We hit the chinlock for a good while until Rollins fights up with some forearms to Cesaros head. Thats not enough for the hot tag though as its Sheamus cutting him off. A middle rope legdrop gives Sheamus two and were back in chinlock. Sheamus gets frustrated at Rollins fighting up again so Seth is sent outside for a clothesline from Cesaro. Jordan actually makes a save, earning himself a hard trip into the barricade.
Seth gets in a few shots but theres no one to tag. Instead its the Irish Curse for two on Seth, followed by a hard knee to the face for the same. Jordan charges in for a save and the hot tag brings him back in. Everything breaks down and a pair of something like the Demolition Decapitators get two on Jason.
Cesaro unloads with right hands and a Brogue Kick takes Rollins down. The Cloverleaf sends Jordan scurrying over to the ropes and the champs are frustrated. Super White Noise is broken up though and Rollins takes Cesaro out to the floor. Back in, Jordans wheelbarrow neckbreaker is good for the pin and the title at 15:24.
Results
John Cena b. Elias Attitude Adjustment
Hideo Itami b. Brian Kendrick GTS
Absolution b. Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks Rampaige to Bayley
Kane b. Heath Slater Chokeslam
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins Coup de Grace
Akira Tozawa/Cedric Alexander/Mustafa Ali b. Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari Lumbar Check to Daivari
Samoa Joe b. Roman Reigns via DQ when Reigns shoved the referee
Braun Strowman b. Miztourage Running powerslam to Dallas
Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan b. The Bar Wheelbarrow neckbreaker to Cesaro
Tuesday
Smackdown Live
Date: December 26, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Were still in Chicago to wrap up the year and the big story seems to be finding AJ Styles next challenger for the Smackdown World Title. We also need to find out whats going on with the United States Title, which was left in the middle of the ring by champion Dolph Ziggler. Lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Heres Daniel Bryan to open things up. Before he says much though, we see a clip of Ziggler leaving the title in the ring last week. The title is now vacant and well be having a tournament to crown a new champion. Fans: RUSEV! Bryan says the first match is tonight with Baron Corbin facing Bobby Roode but here are Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin to ask about the Tag Team Title situation. Fans: RUSEV DAY!
Shelton says they never got a one on one rematch with the Usos, which of course brings up Rusev and Aiden English being added to the match. They get in the ring and HERE THEY COME! English and Rusev come out with English singing about why they deserve to face the Usos. English: Just listen, and we will disclose.
They didnt lose at Clash but more importantly, Rusev Day is the day after Christmas! Gable: Its Boxing Day! Rusev: No you fool. ITS RUSEV DAY!!! Now its New Day with a True False Challenge. Big E.: Did the team of Chad Gable and Old Jason Jordan get pinned at Clash of Champions? New Day gets in the ring to dance with Bryan but Rusev, and the RUSEV DAY chants, cut them off. After mentioning Bryan needs Shane McMahons approval, a triple threat #1 contenders match is made for right now.
Rusev Day vs. New Day vs. Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin
The Usos come out for commentary and its Xavier, Chad and English starting things off as were in the WCW formula again. Chad gets sent into Rusev but everything breaks down with everyone being sent outside. Xavier hits a big flip dive to take the pile down, followed by Big E. powerbombing him onto English for two. Gable German suplexes English and Big E. at the same time (thats not normal) and its off to Shelton for some stomping.
Rusev comes in for some stomping and more chants in his honor, only to have Big E. run everyone over. A suplex cuts Woods off but English kicks Xavier down. The hot tag brings in Rusev for the house cleaning, including a spinwheel kick to drop Big E. Rolling Chaos Theory takes Rusev down and Woods missile dropkick gets two on English.
A Rock Bottom/Backstabber gets two on Gable but Woods jumps into a knee to the head. Gable adds a moonsault for two in a good false finish. English blocks another Rolling Chaos Theory and Woods kicks Gable in the head. A quick reverse AA gets two on Gable with Benjamin making the save. Rusev breaks up a Tower of Doom and powerbombs Gable and Benjamin down, allowing English to add a top rope splash for a VERY close two on Chad.
The second hot tag brings in Rusev for a kick to Woods, setting up a double Accolade for the two of them. Benjamin makes ANOTHER save as the false finishes are strong with this one. Big E. spears Benjamin through the ropes but Shelton escapes the Big Ending. One heck of a running knee staggers Big E. and its the powerbomb/top rope clothesline to give Gable the pin at 13:51.
The title match is next week.
Shane McMahon comes in to see Daniel and talks about Bryan saying Shane is becoming Vince. Shane defends his father, which certainly doesnt sound like a speech to make people believe that Vince is a business genius who can totally pull off the XFL II. On top of that, Shane isnt cool with the US Title Tournament because Corbin should get a one on one singles match.
Bryan likes the idea of giving multiple people chances and Shane can go with that. What he cant go with is AJ vs. Kevin Owens (non-title) tonight in the main event Bryan has made. Theres been talk of favoritism being shown to Kevin and Sami Zayn, which Shane needs to prevent. Bryan thinks we should finish the year with another entry in a great rivalry. Shane reluctantly agrees.
Breezango vs. Bludgeon Brothers
Ascension got Breezango this match as a present. Breezango goes straight at them, earning Fandango a spinning Boss Man Slam and Breeze a face plant on the apron. Back in and Harpers big boot drops Breeze, followed by an assisted sitout powerbomb for two with Rowan pulling him up. The beating continues but the Ascension runs in to attack the Brothers for the DQ at 2:06.
The Ascension say Breezango arent ready for an interview but theyre ready to challenge the Brothers to a rematch next week. Breezango doesnt look happy.
Video on the Womens Royal Rumble, including the Womens Revolution history.
Ruby Riott vs. Naomi
Naomi goes right at her to start and hits a springboard kick to the face. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan offer distractions though, allowing Riott to kick Naomi in the leg. The Riott Kick is good for the pin at 57 seconds.
The post match beatdown is on but Charlotte makes the save. The numbers game gets the better of Charlotte as well though, only to have Tamina, Lana, Natalya (So were just dropping the turning her back on Smackdown story?) and Carmella make the save. The Squad loses a quick fight and gets chased off. As usual, Carmella shows no interest in cashing in on the downed Charlotte.
AJ Styles talks about challenging himself in 2017. He started the year as WWE Champion and hes ending it the same way. Owens isnt outworking him and AJ is ending the year on a high note.
US Title Tournament First Round: Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin sends him into the corner to start and hammers away, including some forearms to the chest. A spinning side slam gives Corbin two and he follows it up with a hard running clothesline on the floor. Back in and Roode hits some clotheslines followed by the Blockbuster for his first near fall.
End of Days is broken up and Corbins slide underneath the ropes only earns him a spinebuster. The Glorious DDT is countered into Deep Six for two more. Corbin takes him up top for a superplex but Roode slips out and shoves him down. He dives right into a chokeslam but counters that into a rollup for the fast pin to put Corbin away at 8:39.
US Title Tournament First Round: Jinder Mahal vs. Tye Dillinger
Tye sends him outside to start and we take a very early break. Back with Jinder holding him in a chinlock until Tye fights up with the left hands. The Tyebreaker is broken up so Tye goes up, only to have Jinder roll through a high crossbody for two. Jinder grabs a firemans carry but tosses him up for a gutbuster and another near fall. Tye gets crotched in the corner though and the Khallas sends Jinder on at 5:58. Not enough shown to rate but this is where Mahal should have been seven months ago and a lot of the damage has been done.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have a bottle of champagne to celebrate tonights win. Its the same bottle that Daniel Bryan wouldnt accept from them but tonight theres no cheating guest referee. After tonight, theres a party which only the two of them are invited to.
Randy Orton officially enters the Royal Rumble. Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say that sounds like a good idea so hes in too.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Non-title with Sami Zayn at ringside. Owens charges into a dropkick at the bell and Styles hits his jumping knee. An early Calf Crusher sends Owens bailing to the ropes and Owens kicks AJ out to the floor in a heap. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a kick to the back as we take a break.
We come back with AJ fighting out of another chinlock but eating a hard clothesline. A neckbreaker on the knee gives Owens two more but the Cannonball misses. AJ wins a slugout with the Phenomenal Blitz into the seated forearm. The Pele drops Owens again but a springboard is countered into a gutbuster.
Owens goes up for a middle rope Vader Bomb elbow for two more as frustration is setting in. Theres another neckbreaker to send Owens outside but AJ dives onto Zayn this time around. Another distraction lets Owens superkick him down for two so heres Shane to eject Sami. That means the referee misses Owens getting rolled up, allowing Owens to grab his own rollup for the pin at 16:30.
Shane apologizes to AJ, who doesnt seem pleased to end the show.
Results
Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin b. New Day and Rusev Day Powerbomb/Top rope clothesline combination to Big E.
Bludgeon Brothers b. Breezango via DQ when Ascension interfered
Ruby Riott b. Naomi Riott Kick
Bobby Roode b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Jinder Mahal b. Tye Dillinger Khallas
Kevin Owens b. AJ Styles Rollup
Wednesday
NXT
Date: December 27, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo
I know I say this a lot but its a big night around here. This time around we have the four way match for the #1 contendership to the NXT Title as Johnny Gargano, Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain and Aleister Black fight for a shot at Andrade Cien Almas. That should be a nice way to wrap up the year so lets get to it.
Opening sequence.
Street Profits vs. Chris Star/Riley Apex
Those are some rather jobberish names. Ford and well say Star start things off with a shoulder dropping Chris. Its off to Dawkins for some rapid fire high fiving. A corner splash crushes Apex and its the spinebuster into a frog splash to give Ford the pin at 1:49. Total squash with the only noteworthy moment being Apex having a fitting description of NWO JBL.
The Profits hit the crowd and say they want the titles in 2018. Its not like theyre getting anywhere else squashing jobbers so this works.
Womens Title: Sonya Deville vs. Ember Moon
Moon is defending. Deville goes straight for a kneebar but Moon is way too close to the ropes. Back up and they both miss some kicks to give us a standoff. A dropkick puts Deville on the floor for a breather as Moon is seemingly a bit hesitant to follow up. Moon speeds things back up with a dive off the apron to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Deville striking away and grabbing a waistlock. Moon finally sends her face first into the turnbuckle for a breather but cant follow up. Some hard strikes to the chest give Moon two more and a springboard dropkick has Deville in more trouble. The Eclipse retains the title at 10:03.
Post match Kairi Sane comes out and motions that she wants the title. Moon agrees but Shayna Baszler sneaks in and chokes Sane out.
Paul Ellering says the Authors of Pains time isnt over yet and theyre coming for the titles.
Moon says bring on all the challengers.
Video on how everyone qualified for the four way.
Next week is a two hour Year in Review show.
In two weeks, Sanity gets their rematch for the Tag Team Titles.
Killian Dain vs. Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Lars Sullivan
One fall to a finish and the fans are WAY behind Gargano here. Black goes after Sullivan to start and a hard shot sends him outside. After moonsaulting into his seated position, Black moonsaults out onto Sullivan ..who catches him. Dain takes Sullivan down with a suicide dive and we take a break.
Back with Black kicking Sullivan up the ramp but getting shoved into the barricade. Dain throws Gargano onto Black before loading up the announcers table. Gargano climbs the set to escape a powerbomb and kicks Sullivan onto the table instead. Dain DIVES off the stage to crush Sullivan through the table and Gargano is stunned.
Black and Gargano head back to the ring and the fans REALLY like this one. The slingshot spear is countered with a hard knee to the head. One heck of a superkick staggers Black into the Gargano Escape but Dain comes in for the save. A backsplash gets two on Black and a powerbomb into an elbow is good for the same on Gargano. Dain heads up but its a double powerbomb to pull him out of the corner for another big crash. Somehow Sullivan staggers back to the ring to clean house, including a powerslam for two on Gargano.
Its time for another big man showdown and back to back clotheslines put both guys down. Black comes back in and cleans house with the kicks including Black Mass to Sullivan, only to have the Undisputed Era come out to break up the pin. A Last Shot on the floor drops Black until Gargano dives onto Adam Cole. Gargano sends the monsters into the steps and the slingshot DDT gives Johnny the pin on Black at 16:40.
Results
Street Profits b. Chris Star/Riley Apex Frog splash to Apex
Ember Moon b. Sonya Deville Eclipse
Johnny Gargano b. Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black and Killian Dain Slingshot DDT to Black
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: December 28, 2017
Host: Josh Matthews
Its the second half of the Best of 2017 show and that means a lot more copying and pasting. There are several options that they could choose to air here but the Bound For Glory main event has already been announced. Next week is the show that really matters though so lets get to it.
We open with a quick video from Slammiversary.
Speaking of Slammiversary.
Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title/Global Force Wrestling Women's Title: Rosemary vs. Sienna
Unification match and Gail Kim is at ringside. Rosemary has an army of freaks with her. Rosemary goes right after her and here are Laurel Van Ness and KM for the nearly immediate distraction. Sienna gets thrown out onto them and orders them to the back, leaving us one on one again.
Back in and Sienna hammers away before grabbing a chinlock. Rosemary gets sent hard into the barricade, only to fight out of a Tree of Woe for a German superplex. That doesn't do much actually as the Red Wedding is broken up and Sienna gets two off the Silencer. The second Red Wedding attempt connects but here's Van Ness to pull out the ref. Allie comes in for the save but the distraction lets Sienna get in a belt shot for two. The mist is blocked and Sienna rubs it in Rosemary's eyes, setting up a guillotine to make Rosemary tap at 10:03.
From Slammiversary again. This was joined in progress but heres the full thing.
Jeremy Borash/Joseph Park vs. Josh Matthews/Scott Steiner
No DQ and D'Angelo Dinero joins commentary. Josh starts with Park and flips around a bit, followed by a kick to the head. A crossbody doesn't work so it's off to Steiner, who looks to be about 50lbs (of muscle) lighter than he was in his regular career. He's also wearing a shirt, which he would never do given that his character was built around a great physique. Again, there was NO ONE ELSE on the active roster that could play this role?
Borash hands it right back to Park....and they run to the back for a pre-taped segment. Park and Borash grab a fire extinguisher while Steiner and Matthews are in a golf cart. A car with a random fan (I think he was in one of the Final Deletion segments) shows up so Matthews and Steiner steal that to give chase, but they can't catch an announcer and an out of shape lawyer on foot.
They finally get out of the car (which had cameras inside) and chase after them with Matthews being backdropped into a pool while Steiner throws Park through a wall. With a camera under the water, the Jaws theme starts playing and Shark Boy shows up to bite Matthews. Steiner leaves Park and here's Father James Mitchell (Abyss' old manager) to say happy anniversary.
Back inside (and after an unnecessary cameo from celebrity chef Robert Irvine) and Matthews misses a Swanton. Josh spears him down but here's Steiner for the save. Matthews grabs a hug which is called a Steiner Recliner, only to have Shark Boy come in for the failed save attempt. Now Steiner puts on the Recliner and we've got Abyss to get rid of Scott without much effort. The Black Hole Slam onto the tacks crushes Josh and Borash adds a top rope splash to give Abyss the pin at 10:50.
From August 24, we see the final five entrants in Gauntlet for the Gold. The match ran over fifty five minutes but we only see about five minutes.
Videos on the international partnerships, including long videos on Eddie Edwards as the GHC World Champion and Johnny Impact as the triple champion of AAA.
Video on Taya Valkyrie.
From September 14, joined in progress again.
X-Division Title: Sonjay Dutt vs. Trevor Lee
Dutt is defending and this is falls count anywhere. Lee gets two on the floor off a baseball slide but Dutt sends him into the barricade for a breather. They head inside for the first time with Lee kicking him in the face, only to get dropped again. Dutt throws in a chair but Lee throws it right back out.
They hit kicks to the head at the same time for a double knockdown. Why theres no count when Dutts leg is over Lee isnt clear, but Id guess its because thats not in the script and the referee doesnt know any better. Dutts tornado DDT plants Lee but a superplex plants Dutt just as fast. They head outside again with Lee throwing a chair at his head before fighting into the crowd.
We take a break (of course we do) and come back with the fight heading into the back. Caleb Konley jumps Dutt, because falls count anywhere now means No DQ. A trashcan to the head gives Lee two but heel miscommunication lets him get a breather. Dutt is busted open and its time to hit Lee in the head with a trashcan lid. A tornado DDT off the wall is countered with a crotching onto a barricade and Lee rolls him up (with tights) for the pin and the title at 13:57.
From Bound For Glory.
Tag Team Titles: OVE vs. LAX
LAX is defending and this is a street fight. Theres no Homicide, suggesting that he was the one down in the back. Santana and Ortiz dive onto the champs to start in a hurry. The brawl splits in two with Jake kicking a trashcan wrapped around Ortiz as Dave and Santana fight in the crowd. Ortiz fights back and grabs a running Liger Bomb off the ramp through a table to basically kill Jake.
Santana climbs the scaffolding as the fans chant about how they cant see anything. A big splash from near the roof crushes Dave through a table and thankfully theyre both alive. Back at ringside, Jake fights off a table and pelts a chair at Ortizs head to save himself. Some chairs are set up in the ring and its Jake superplexing Ortiz through them, banging up his own back pretty badly in the process.
Santana is back inside and the Street Sweeper onto a pile of chairs plants Jake, only to have Dave come back in for the save. Four strikes to the face give us a quadruple knockdown with LAX getting the better of it. Some ladders and tables are set up at ringside but heres Callihan to throw powder in Konnans face. He throws Ortiz onto a ladder and piledrives Santana through a table, giving OVE a double pin to retain at 10:21.
Video on Gail Kim. Now you knew they were getting this in there somewhere.
From November 16. As in were skipping the title win, because that might put some focus on ANYONE other than Gail.
Gail comes out for her speech and Allie comes out as an invited guest. Kim talks about wanting to wrestle eighteen years ago and finding a wrestling school so she could do just that. We get the required YOU DESERVE IT chants, even though no one deserves as much praise as Gail gets around here. She thanks the women who helped pave the way to get her here (Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, Awesome Kong) and shes at peace with her decision.
Shes vacating the title and cant wait to see where things go from here. No interruption, nothing for anyone else and just Gail. Im so glad she got this one last moment to add to her collection of other moments. Theres no denying that Gail is great but this company seems to think shes Austin and Rock combined. Did I miss it when she became the biggest star the company has ever had?
Video on Moose/Stephan Bonnar vs. American Top Team.
Video on Johnny Impact vs. Eli Drake.
And well close it out at Bound For Glory. Joined in progress again, but at least we got to talk about Gail Kim and TripleMania.
Impact Wrestling World Title: Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact
Drake is defending and has Chris Adonis in his corner. Impact avoids a pre-bell jumping and starts fast with a clothesline. The champ bails to the floor so Johnny is right on him with a slingshot dive. A running flip kick off the apron has Drake in more trouble and a backdrop makes things even worse. Johnny adds a sliding German suplex as Josh says this is the first real test for Drake as champion. Keep in mind that Impact already had a title shot, making Josh sound dumber than usual.
Adonis gets in a cheap shot though and Drake takes over with an elbow off the apron. Drake keeps him outside and throws him into the barricade before choking with a boot. Back in and Drake gets two off a powerslam, followed by some elbow drops. They head outside again with Johnny kicking him in the face, knocking the champ into the post. Johnnys leg hits post though and Drake takes it back inside.
Thats fine with Impact, who kicks him down and tries a moonsault, only to get elbowed for his efforts. A belly to back superplex drops Drake and another moonsault gets two. The standing shooting star gets the same as that leg seems just fine after hitting the post. Countdown to Impact misses as were just waiting on the ref bump/Alberto. Johnny kicks him in the head and goes up again, only to have Adonis offer a distraction.
This time its Drake running the corner for a superplex and another near fall. They head up at the same time this time around with Johnny scoring with a super Spanish Fly. Thats not enough either so Adonis throws Drake the belt. Johnny takes it away though and takes Adonis down, followed by Countdown to Impact for two. The Gravy Train is countered into a Shining Wizard but Drake sends him shoulder first into the post.
They head up again (fourth time) but Johnny kicks him down, setting up Starship Pain for two as Alberto pulls the referee out. Thats not a DQ for no logical reason so Johnny dives over the top at Alberto, hitting the referee by mistake. Alberto hits Drake with the belt before breaking a chair over Johnnys head (Who needs PG?). Drake is pulled onto Johnny to retain the title at 19:49.
Josh wraps things up.
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
John Cena b. Elias Attitude Adjustment
Hideo Itami b. Brian Kendrick GTS
Absolution b. Bayley/Mickie James/Sasha Banks Rampaige to Bayley
Kane b. Heath Slater Chokeslam
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins Coup de Grace
Akira Tozawa/Cedric Alexander/Mustafa Ali b. Enzo Amore/Drew Gulak/Ariya Daivari Lumbar Check to Daivari
Samoa Joe b. Roman Reigns via DQ when Reigns shoved the referee
Braun Strowman b. Miztourage Running powerslam to Dallas
Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan b. The Bar Wheelbarrow neckbreaker to Cesaro
Smackdown
Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin b. New Day and Rusev Day Powerbomb/Top rope clothesline combination to Big E.
Bludgeon Brothers b. Breezango via DQ when Ascension interfered
Ruby Riott b. Naomi Riott Kick
Bobby Roode b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Jinder Mahal b. Tye Dillinger Khallas
Kevin Owens b. AJ Styles Rollup
NXT
Street Profits b. Chris Star/Riley Apex Frog splash to Apex
Ember Moon b. Sonya Deville Eclipse
Johnny Gargano b. Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black and Killian Dain Slingshot DDT to Black