klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 17, 2017
Location: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
Just in case we haven't had enough going on of late, this is kind of a relaunch for Raw as we have a fresh roster at full strength for the first time. In addition to all the new names, the interesting question is will Roman Reigns be here. After Braun Strowman basically killed him last week, it should be interesting to see if he'll be here tonight. If so, WWE is missing a major opportunity. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Strowman destroying Reigns last week, turning himself into the biggest unintentional face on the roster as a result.
Here's Strowman to open things up. Strowman is proud of the beating he gave Roman last week, which saw Reigns have a separated shoulder and cracked ribs. Reigns will NOT be here tonight and that earns one heck of a YES chant. Strowman says he's ready to tear through the locker room but here's General Manager Kurt Angle to interrupt. The boss gets right to the point and makes Strowman vs. Reigns for Payback. As for tonight, Strowman has the night off but Braun wants more competition. That sounds like a threat.
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Jericho
Seth Rollins, who faces Joe at Payback, is on commentary. Joe goes right after Jericho to start but gets dropkicked out to the floor as we take an early break. Back with Joe in control and hitting his chop to the shoulder blades. We hit the nerve hold for a bit, followed by the scoop powerslam for two. The crowd sounds rather energized tonight, which I'm sure has nothing to do with the lack of Reigns and Stephanie tonight.
Joe misses a middle rope backsplash (though his leg landed on the back of Jericho's head), allowing Chris to grab the Walls. That doesn't last long though as Jericho escapes and grabs the Koquina Clutch. Jericho tries the Bret Hart/Roddy Piper counter but Joe turns over and keeps the hold for the tap out at 9:08.
Post match Joe says he remembers the night he debuts and the noise the fans made. Joe worked for HHH and since he cares about his clients, he'll take care of Seth at Payback. Seth says of course it was personal and Joe is going to learn that Payback is a b****.
Anderson and Gallows are on the way to the ring when they pass by the Drifter playing his guitar. They'll be facing Golden Truth tonight but Strowman runs Golden Truth over and beats the heck out of them.
Strowman won't leave.
Anderson and Gallows are in the ring with Anderson saying Golden Truth just got the United Airlines treatment. They came here for a fight so get someone out here.
Anderson and Gallows vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
After Enzo calls this the realest night of the week, Cass hammers on Anderson with a right hand to the ribs putting Karl down. Cass keeps things up by throwing Enzo at both bald guys as we take a break. Back with Enzo in trouble (some things never change), including a DDT on the arm and an armbar from Gallows. A spinebuster makes things even worse but Enzo comes off the middle rope with the jumping DDT.
Cass comes in and cleans house with the usual, including a big boot to knock Gallows outside. It takes Cass outside as well though, leaving Enzo to try another jumping DDT. Anderson is ready this time though and catches him in midair before throwing him knees first at the top rope. That's some rather unique offense but it's enough to put Enzo away at 10:48.
Video on Mickie James.
Video on Nia Jax.
Here are Miz and Maryse for MizTV. Miz starts talking about the Superstar Shakeup but gets cut off by Dean Ambrose, the scheduled guest, before he can get very far. Ambrose sucks up to the Ohio crowd before ripping on Miz's gear. Miz doesn't want to hear it because he's done everything he can to make the people in that locker room look like superstars while Ambrose makes them look like regular wrestlers.
It doesn't matter though because people love Ambrose, who was #1 pick in the Draft and was WWE Champion at Summerslam. Then Dean wasted all that momentum when he was on the Kickoff Show six months later. Ambrose doesn't care what he looks like because he loves coming out here in front of twenty people or a hundred thousand.
That's why he's the Intercontinental Champion, which he beat Miz for in the first place. Maryse says the title doesn't make the man so Dean asks her to hold the mic. As Miz goes on another rant, Dean empties his pockets and takes his jacket off before hammering Miz down. Dirty Deeds doesn't work though and Miz and Maryse run.
Strowman drags Kalisto through the back and throws him in a trashcan. Big Show runs Strowman over and says pick on someone your own size.
TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher
Neville comes out to watch in what is billed as a special appearance. This brings out Austin Aries for “an even more special appearance”. They trade wristlocks to start with Gallagher taking him to the mat and cranking on both arms at the same time. Perkins does a bit of dabbing but can't handle the fact that Gallagher pops up. William III is sent to the floor to Gallagher's dismay but he misses a charge to the floor for a heck of a crash.
Back from a break with Gallagher flipping out of a suplex and grabbing a t-bone suplex of his own. The headbutt sends Perkins outside but it allows Jack to reclaim his trusty umbrella. That means the Mary Poppins dive but Perkins throws Gallagher into Aries. Austin is about to go inside, only to have Neville break it up. The distraction lets TJ kick the rope into Gallagher, setting up the Detonation Kick for the pin at 9:56.
Titus O'Neil congratulates Apollo Crews on his impending fatherhood but Titus wants to know how Apollo is going to make an impact. The best idea Titus has is joining the Titus Brand. Maybe Crews could get into travel with the Apollo Cruise where they'll dance to Apollo Blues. If that goes badly, they can go to the new law firm: Apollo Sues. Titus gives him a card but Crews doesn't seem convinced.
The Hardys are glad to be back and look forward to working with the new talent. Sheamus and Cesaro come up to talk about how much they respect the Hardys but it'll be an honor to win the titles from such legends.
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James
Winner gets Bayley at Payback. Nia cleans house to start but Bliss bails to the floor, allowing Mickie and Sasha to dropkick Nia outside. Sasha gets the better of it and sends Mickie outside for a dive onto all three as we take a break. Back with Alexa in control until she charges into a slam from Nia.
Jax slams all three on top of each other before swinging Mickie around in a cobra clutch. It's off to a bearhug on Banks with Nia easily suplexing her way out of Sasha's guillotine counter. Mickie armbars her way out of a choke but Nia throws her at Sasha in the corner. Alexa goes up top to try a dropkick but thinks twice when Nia stares her down. A missed charge sends Nia into the post, allowing everyone else to hammer on each other.
The double knees in the corner get two on Bliss with Nia making the save. Mickie gets pulled outside as well and it's down to Sasha vs. Alexa. James has to break up a Bank Statement but here's Nia to knock Mickie off the top. The Samoan drop plants Banks but Bliss runs in for the 13:44.
Show says he'll beat up Strowman.
Finn Balor vs. Curt Hawkins
Coup de Grace finishes Hawkins in 36 seconds. Balor isn't even sweating.
Chris Jericho can't stop thinking about his rematch with Kevin Owens and thinks America deserves a better face. If he wins the title back he heads to Smackdown, but it doesn't matter if it's Smackdown, Velocity, Sunday Night Heat or Nitro: the Friends of Jericho will follow him anywhere. Chris: “You hear them Tom?” Mike Rome: “It's Mike, Chris.” We get the Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck routine as Mike forgets his own name. Chris: “You know what happens when you don't know your own name?” Elias Samson wanders up and plays his guitar so Jericho lets Mike/Tom off the list and puts Samson on instead.
Bray Wyatt asks what we're afraid of. Maybe the unknown? The dark? Or the monster underneath our bed. Fear lives in his house and we hear about how much Bray wants to hear Randy Orton scream. I love Bray but these things are getting really tiresome as there's no reason to believe he has a chance of winning and he'll just keep plugging along like the loss means nothing.
Alicia Fox and Dana Brooke are watching clips from 205 Live when Emma comes up to say Dana was laughing at Alicia getting powder thrown in her face all week long. Fox doesn't want to be Dana's friend anymore. Dana calls Emma out for lying but Emma says that's what she gets for standing on her own two feet.
Jeff Hardy vs. Cesaro
Cesaro takes him down to start but gets sent to the floor for a clothesline from the apron. Jeff seems to be banged up on the floor and gets caught with the running uppercut. Back from a break with Cesaro getting two and having his chinlock broken in a hurry. Jeff's knee seems to be fine but Cesaro nails him with the springboard corkscrew elbow for two.
Jeff fights up and gets the same off the Whisper in the Wind, followed by the Twisting Stunner, which isn't the Twist of Fate but you can't expect the announcers to be able to really call the moves properly. I mean, it might run them afoul of JBL and that just sounds scary. Anyway, the Swanton is good for the pin at 13:01.
Golden Truth and Kalisto are injured but here are Heath Slater and Rhyno, the latter of whom is eating cheese whiz and crackers. Slater is VERY excited about being back on Raw but they both hide when Strowman comes by. Rhyno even dropped his crackers!
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman
The brawl starts in the aisle with Strowman tossing him into the barricade. Show sends him into it as well and we actually start the match. A baseball slide of all things puts Strowman on the floor but he comes back with a running dropkick of his own. Strowman gets in a suplex and drops an elbow as they're moving in very slow motion here.
Show escapes the powerslam and hits a splash in the corner. The chokeslam gets two and Strowman's powerslam is good for the same. Braun gets crotched on top but knocks Show away, only to dive into the KO Punch for two. With nothing else working, Show goes up top but gets superplexed down......and they break the ring for the no contest 12:36.
Strowman gets up and poses, which I guess is WWE's version of a follow up, to end the show.
Results
Samoa Joe b. Chris Jericho – Koquina Clutch
Anderson and Gallows b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass – Anderson threw Amore knees first into the corner
TJ Perkins b. Jack Gallagher – Devastation Kick
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax, Mickie James and Sasha Banks – Samoan Drop to James
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins – Coup de Grace
Jeff Hardy b. Cesaro – Swanton Bomb
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman went to a no contest when the ring broke
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: April 18, 2017
Location: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
Smackdown is in a weird place and is basically at the mercy of the upcoming Raw pay per view until we can settle things down. Randy Orton is the World Champion and has a lame duck challenger in the form of Bray Wyatt, who is now on Raw. Tonight we'll have a Six Pack Challenge to crown a new Smackdown #1 contender. Let's get to it.
I was in the arena for this show so I'll have a bit of a different perspective.
In Memory of Rosey who passed away earlier in the day.
We open with a long recap of the Superstar Shakeup.
Here's Charlotte for an opening chat. She's been on Smackdown Live for seven days now and for some reason she hasn't received her shot at the Smackdown Women's Title. Maybe Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have been watching Fast and the Furious but she's getting furious very fast. She wants her title shot now so here's Naomi to interrupt.
Naomi doesn't think we have queens on this show and she's never scared (I feel a Nikki Bella appearance coming, perhaps in the form of talking to a camera and a stupid, forced argument with Brie). The fight is on but here's Shane McMahon to say not so fast. They'll have a match tonight and if Charlotte wins, she gets a title match next week. The brawl is on again and Naomi clears the ring.
Natalya is in Shane's office and says she deserves the title match. Shane brings up the loss at Wrestlemania and says all she had to do was ask for a one on one match. Cue Carmella and James Ellsworth to say Carmela should get the shot. Tamina comes in to ask about her shot. An argument ensues because that's what WWE thinks women do until Natalya says they should band together against Charlotte.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper vs. Mojo Rawley
One fall to a finish and the winner gets a shot at the Smackdown World Title. Everyone pairs off to start with Harper and Rowan being the only two to stay in the ring. Sami replaces Rowan but charges into a Falcon's Arrow for two as we take a break. Back with Rowan, Ziggler and Zayn all about to be superplexed.
Dolph and Rowan crash to the mat but Sami sunset bombs Mahal for two. Ziggler superkicks Zayn but Harper blasts him with the discus lariat for a near fall of his own. Almost everyone winds up on the floor (Complete with those still stupid crowd shots, because we're not smart enough to know that something is exciting on our own. No, we NEED to see what some average fans think of a clothesline to really get the full feeling.) with Harper hitting a big dive.
Rowan's spinning kick gets two on Ziggler in a good false finish before Ziggler gets powerbombed onto the pile at ringside. We take a second break and come back with Rawley cleaning house and hitting the running punch to knock Ziggler out. Mahal dumps Rawley and steals a VERY close two, followed by Ziggler running back in for two off a Zig Zag on Rowan.
Harper's Batista Bomb gets two on Dolph but Mahal sends him into the steps. For some reason Sami dives onto Harper instead of going for a cover, followed by the springboard moonsault to Rawley. Back in and Sami hits the exploder on Mahal but two men (the Bollywood Boyz, though not announced by name) grab his feet, allowing Jinder to grab a cobra clutch slam for the pin and the title shot at 18:42.
As for Mahal......yeah I'm not sure on this one. I get the idea of trying something fresh but is Jinder Mahal really the kind of guy you want to make the focal point when you're in a new era? Odds are Orton destroys him but that's going to make for a long four weeks as we get to Backlash. I'm sure Mahal looking like he swallowed a few boxes of ICO-PRO products has nothing to do with his push either.
Post match Mahal says people boo him because he's not your typical All-American and comes from a wealthy family. Americans don't accept diversity but they'll have to accept Jinder Mahal. Cue Randy Orton to say Mahal won the Jackpot with a prize of an RKO. First though, Orton has to burn down the House of Horrors (whatever that is).
Bray Wyatt pops up on screen to talk about torturing Randy and showing him what fear means. The show went to a break here, during which Rowan tried to sneak in and attack Orton, only to take the RKO. During the entire post match promo exchange, Zayn sat at ringside staring at the announcers, completely distraught.
New Day is coming, likely as soon as Kofi's ankle is healed up.
Video on Shinsuke Nakamura.
AJ Styles is ready to win the US Title when Baron Corbin interrupts. Corbin says AJ didn't pin him last week so none of it matters. Styles is more than willing to face Corbin tonight so the match is made.
Charlotte runs into Natalya, Tamina and Carmella, who completely fail to intimidate her.
Naomi vs. Charlotte
Non-title but if Charlotte wins, she gets a title shot next week. The Glow entrance is still insane and really cool in person. Charlotte sends her into the corner and grabs an early chinlock to slow Naomi down. The Figure Four necklock with the faceplants and front flips keep Naomi in trouble and it's right back to the chinlock. Naomi pops up for a slugout and hits those dancing kicks, capped off by a big one to the head for two.
Back from a break with Charlotte grabbing a dragon sleeper of all things and getting two off a neckbreaker. A knee to the back of the head gets the same as this has been almost all Charlotte so far. She's just a few steps ahead of Naomi and there's no much the champ can do about it. Naomi makes her comeback with a clothesline and what looked like a sitout Stunner for two. The Rear View is easily blocked though as Charlotte kicks her in the back. Natural Selection gives Charlotte the pin at 12:51.
Charlotte WOOs at her detractors.
Colons vs. American Alpha
They're Primo and Epico again, which is probably better for everyone involved. This is the result of the Colons attacking Alpha last week as they debuted on Smackdown. Chad takes Epico down with ease and it's time to work on the arm. A Primo distraction allows Epico to send him into the post though and things slow down. Epico gets two off a double underhook gutbuster, only to have Chad grab the armbar over the ropes. Jordan comes in off the hot tag but Primo kicks him in the face, sending Jordan into a rollup for the pin at 3:15.
Video on Lana, who likes to dance on chairs.
Video on Tye Dillinger.
Kevin Owens vs. Gary Gandy
Non-title. This is a Face of America Open Challenge and Gandy is from Louisville. Pop Up Powerbomb ends Gandy at 34 seconds.
Post match Owens says he's the Face of America as long as he's the US Champion. No one can take that away from him and now he's going to sit in on commentary for the main event.
AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin shoves him down as Kevin talks about AJ stealing his moniker from John Cena. Owens: “The only way he's taking this title from me is by stealing it too.” AJ gets tossed outside and dropped face first onto the apron as we take a break. Back with Corbin holding a chinlock before sending him ribs first into the post.
Baron tries his slide under the ropes into the clothesline but gets sent into the post instead. A chokebreaker gives Baron two more but there's the Calf Crusher for the submission attempt that isn't going anywhere. One heck of a Deep Six gives Corbin a close near fall, only to have AJ hit him in the head a few times. They head outside again with AJ loading up the Clash but Corbin backdrops him onto Owens. One more forearm off the steps drops Corbin long enough for Styles to beat the count at 13:12.
Results
Jinder Mahal b. Sami Zayn, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler and Mojo Rawley – Cobra clutch slam to Zayn
Charlotte b. Naomi – Natural Selection
Colons b. American Alpha – Rollup to Jordan
Kevin Owens b. Gary Gandy – Pop Up Powerbomb
AJ Styles b. Baron Corbin via countout
Wednesday
NXT
Date: April 19, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Corey Graves, Tom Phillips
We're back to Full Sail with a major match to wrap up the set of tapings. This week we have Tye Dillinger's NXT farewell as he steps inside a steel cage with Eric Young. Dillinger has already moved up to the main roster so it's his last chance to get a major win in NXT. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's NXT Champion Bobby Roode to get things going. It's a momentous occasion as he's made back to back Wrestlemania weekends GLORIOUS. This year he sold out the Amway Center with 15,000 people seeing the biggest box office superstar in the business today. The future of NXT is in his control and the transformation of Bobby Roode's NXT was completed.
Last week he saw Shinsuke Nakamura's farewell and thought it was pathetic. There was no Roode on stage to say goodbye to him because he didn't want to listen to Nakamura's garbage. Nakamura had to run away from NXT after the beatings that Roode gave him so everyone can either get on the Roode train or get out. Cue the returning Hideo Itami to slap Roode in the face. Bobby takes his jacket off and starts talking trash, only to walk into the GTS. Itami straightens his tie and holds up the title. Hideo is fine for a quick challenger and as sad as this sounds, it's probably better to get him in the title match before he's hurt again.
Tyler Bate and Jack Gallagher have a very polite discussion about their upcoming UK Title match.
Roode is still getting up after the break.
Earlier today, Andrade Cien Almas interrupted Drew McIntyre during his workout and challenged him for next week.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Danny Burch
Burch sends him into the ropes but Almas hangs on and shouts a bit. A belly to back sends Almas down again but he gets in a hard clothesline to take over. The double knees in the corner set up the hammerlock DDT for the pin on Burch at 2:57. Basically a squash.
Video on Asuka, who is still completely dominant. Some people, including Ember Moon and Ruby Riot, might see some weaknesses though.
Long recap of Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger. Tye lost to Eric a few months ago but refused to join Sanity. This set off a major feud with Tye finding a bunch of friends to help him fight. Sanity won in Orlando but tonight it's one on one in a cage for the final blowoff.
Liv Morgan/Aliyah vs. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce
Billie and Liv get things going with nothing happening for a good while until Liv grabs a sunset flip and rolls Billie around in a circle for some near falls. Aliyah comes in for a middle rope legdrop, only to eat a discus forearm. It's off to Peyton for a spinning kick to the face and what looked to be a three count. Aliyah grabs a sunset flip with Liv dropkicking Billie away so Aliyah can get the pin at 3:14.
Almas vs. McIntyre is official for next week.
Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger
In a cage and Young sends Sanity to the back. Tye pulls him inside and hammers away to start but can't hit a very early Tyebreaker. Eric gets a toss into the cage and Tye is in trouble as we take a break. Back with Young getting two off a middle rope forearm to the back of Tye's neck.
Tye's right hands don't get him very far as Young powerbombs him out of the corner for two. It's too early to escape though as Young gets tossed off the top, sending us to another break. Back again with Young catching Tye on top and throwing him down again. One heck of a top rope elbow drop gets a very delayed two but Eric can't follow up.
Eric is busted open but takes too long to go after Tye, who grabs a Tyebreaker to put both guys down. Dillinger goes for the door but here's Sanity to slam it shut. Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno and Ruby Riot run out for the save (so much for No Way Jose) but Dain runs both them and the referee over. Killian gets inside so Tye dives off the top to take out both Young and Dain before crawling out for the win at 23:06.
Dillinger locks Sanity inside the cage and celebrates to end the show.
Results
Andrade Cien Almas b. Danny Burch – Hammerlock DDT
Liv Morgan/Aliyah b. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce – Sunset flip to Royce
Tye Dillinger b. Eric Young – Dillinger escaped the cage
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: April 20, 2017
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jeremy Borash, D'Angelo Dinero
It's a fresh batch of tapings with this episode being billed as live, even though it was taped a few hours ago. The big story coming into tonight is the lack of Josh Matthews on commentary after his team lost the eight man tag last week. In other news, Lashley will defend the World Title against James Storm after a fan vote. Let's get to it.
In Memory of Rosey.
We look at James Storm winning the title nearly six years ago. Now it's time for him to get the title back though Lashley doesn't think much of it. Lashley: “I'm not good, I'm not bad. I'm me.”
Opening sequence.
Tag Team Titles: Joel Coleman/Jake Holmes vs. LAX
LAX is defending. Ortiz takes over on Coleman to start and it's a suplex/high crossbody combination for two. Holmes comes in but is quickly sent into the corner for Poetry in Motion into a cannonball. The Street Sweeper (powerbomb/Blockbuster combo) is enough to put Holmes away at 2:36.
Konnan talks about how awesome the team is and mentions everyone by name. Cue Decay for the brawl and we take a break.
Here's Karen Jarrett for a chat. Karen introduces herself and makes a major announcement: Global Force Wrestling and Impact Wrestling have officially merged. After a very weak “thank you Jarretts” chant, Karen declares this the Night of Champions with three title matches (not counting the Tag Team Titles).
She's ready to bring someone out but here's Sonjay Dutt to interrupt. He used to be a big deal in the X-Division so let's make the X-Division Title match tonight's main event. Oh and let's throw him in there and make it a three way so he can win the title for the first time. This brings out Andrew Everett (the original challenger) to say it's his shot tonight alone. Now it's Gregory Helms and Trevor Lee interrupting, saying Helms runs the division. As for Dutt, if he never won anything around here, maybe it's because he sucks.
Bruce Prichard comes out and says, on behalf of Karen and Dutch Mantel (So they all officially have power? Got it.) that the main event will be for the X-Division Title. We can also add three more people to the match to make it a six way. A brawl breaks out with Dutt and Everett standing tall but getting into an argument over the belt.
Anthony Mayweather (better known as Crimson) talks about growing up in a single parent household. He's lived recklessly but now he's changing because of his five year old son. He joined the US Army after dropping of college and that helped bring him here.
Knockouts Title: ODB vs. Rosemary
Rosemary is defending. ODB starts fast with a discus forearm but it's way too early for the Bam. They head outside with Rosemary clotheslining her onto the ramp, only to miss a top rope backsplash inside. ODB's rams into almost her crotch sets up a middle rope Thesz press for two but another Bam is broken up. The Bronco Buster doesn't work either and it's the Red Wedding to retain the title at 3:44.
LAX defends against Decay in a street fight next week.
Bruce and Karen say Suicide has been added to the main event. Sienna comes up to Karen and asks where the GFW Women's Champion is. Karen doesn't think Sienna should be that excited to see the champ because she's coming. No name is given.
Long recap of Laurel Van Ness and company vs. Allie/Braxton Sutter.
Chris Silvio vs. Kongo Kong
Kong suplexes him to start and hits the cannonball. A top rope splash ends Silvio at 1:18.
James Storm is ready to leave Lashley flat on his back.
Alberto El Patron is in Arizona and is going to be watching the World Title match.
Magnus says he should be #1 contender because he's the GFW Champion and he got the fall in last week's eight man tag.
Impact Wrestling World Title: James Storm vs. Lashley
Lashley is defending and has Josh Matthews in his corner. Josh sits in on commentary while JB does the ring announcing, much to Borash's dismay. Storm gets backed into the corner to start as we hear about James being here for the first day. Well that's what JB is talking about at least. Josh on the other hand is saying he's the Jim Ross to Lashley's Steve Austin.
Now it's a talk about upcoming house shows (no dates mentioned) as Storm clotheslines Lashley outside. Cue Ethan Carter III so Josh grabs a beer bottle, only to have James hit Lashley from behind. A suplex onto the steps slows Storm down as we take a break. Back with Lashley still in control until Storm fights out of a chinlock. Storm gets in a few clotheslines and a running neckbreaker for two. Lashley heads up top but gets pulled back down, setting up an ugly top rope elbow.
Closing Time looks to set up the Last Call but Storm settles for two off a powerbomb instead. Lashley's Dominator gets the same and there goes the referee (of course). Two Last Calls get no count so Storm goes outside and grabs the aforementioned beer bottle. Carter gets in as well though and blasts Storm with the bottle. The spear retains Lashley's title at 17:07.
Josh is very happy with the result.
Dutch Mantel says Dezmond Xavier is the fifth man in the X-Division match.
We look at Chris Adonis attacking Moose at a Border City Wrestling show.
Moose is all fired up but here's Adonis with his arm in a sling. Davey Richards jumps Moose from behind and will be challenging for the title next week.
Josh is still on commentary.
Quick recap of the main event.
X-Division Title: Trevor Lee vs. Dezmond Xavier vs. Suicide vs. Andrew Everett vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. ???
Lee is defending and this is one fall to a finish. The last entrant is.....Low Ki, who hasn't been around here for about two years. Low Ki is in the suit and there are no tags here, as is usually the custom. Dutt grabs a tornado DDT on Xavier while walking across everyone else's chest in something out of the Matrix. A six way standoff sees Lee get dropkicked out to the floor.
Dutt moonsaults onto Suicide and Everett before sending Lee face first into the apron. Xavier avoids a Low Ki charge and moonsaults onto the pile as we take a break. Back with Everett taking the standing chest stomp from Lee. Trevor throws everyone out as Dutt seems to have an eye injury.
Things slow down a bit as Josh clarifies his status: “I said I'd leave. I left for a week and now I'm back.” Lee keeps throwing people out until Everett Pele's him. We get a parade of kicks, including Xavier hitting a 619 around the post to Ki's ribs. Dutt's top rope splash gets two and Suicide does the fall onto everyone else. We're officially in an overrun because we're “LIVE” and you don't know what's going to happen.
Everett dives onto everyone but Xavier breaks up the shooting star. With Xavier on top, Everett tries a springboard reverse hurricanrana but only gets his legs on Xavier's back. Thankfully Xavier lands on his feet instead of actually taking the move. Everett hits the Frankendriver on Lee, only to have Ki kick him to the floor. A top rope double stomp to Trevor gives Ki the title at 19:00.
The announcers bicker again and Pope walks off. JB punches Josh to end the show.
Results
LAX b. Jake Holmes/Joe Coleman – Street Sweeper to Holmes
Rosemary b. ODB – Red Wedding
Kongo Kong b. Chris Silvio – Top rope splash
Lashley b. James Storm – Spear
Low Ki b. Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt, Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett and Suicide – Top rope double stomp to Lee
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Samoa Joe b. Chris Jericho – Koquina Clutch
Anderson and Gallows b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass – Anderson threw Amore knees first into the corner
TJ Perkins b. Jack Gallagher – Devastation Kick
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax, Mickie James and Sasha Banks – Samoan Drop to James
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins – Coup de Grace
Jeff Hardy b. Cesaro – Swanton Bomb
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman went to a no contest when the ring broke
Smackdown
Jinder Mahal b. Sami Zayn, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler and Mojo Rawley – Cobra clutch slam to Zayn
Charlotte b. Naomi – Natural Selection
Colons b. American Alpha – Rollup to Jordan
Kevin Owens b. Gary Gandy – Pop Up Powerbomb
AJ Styles b. Baron Corbin via countout
NXT
Andrade Cien Almas b. Danny Burch – Hammerlock DDT
Liv Morgan/Aliyah b. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce – Sunset flip to Royce
Tye Dillinger b. Eric Young – Dillinger escaped the cage
Impact Wrestling
LAX b. Jake Holmes/Joe Coleman – Street Sweeper to Holmes
Rosemary b. ODB – Red Wedding
Kongo Kong b. Chris Silvio – Top rope splash
Lashley b. James Storm – Spear
Low Ki b. Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt, Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett and Suicide – Top rope double stomp to Lee
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 17, 2017
Location: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T.
Just in case we haven't had enough going on of late, this is kind of a relaunch for Raw as we have a fresh roster at full strength for the first time. In addition to all the new names, the interesting question is will Roman Reigns be here. After Braun Strowman basically killed him last week, it should be interesting to see if he'll be here tonight. If so, WWE is missing a major opportunity. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of Strowman destroying Reigns last week, turning himself into the biggest unintentional face on the roster as a result.
Here's Strowman to open things up. Strowman is proud of the beating he gave Roman last week, which saw Reigns have a separated shoulder and cracked ribs. Reigns will NOT be here tonight and that earns one heck of a YES chant. Strowman says he's ready to tear through the locker room but here's General Manager Kurt Angle to interrupt. The boss gets right to the point and makes Strowman vs. Reigns for Payback. As for tonight, Strowman has the night off but Braun wants more competition. That sounds like a threat.
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Jericho
Seth Rollins, who faces Joe at Payback, is on commentary. Joe goes right after Jericho to start but gets dropkicked out to the floor as we take an early break. Back with Joe in control and hitting his chop to the shoulder blades. We hit the nerve hold for a bit, followed by the scoop powerslam for two. The crowd sounds rather energized tonight, which I'm sure has nothing to do with the lack of Reigns and Stephanie tonight.
Joe misses a middle rope backsplash (though his leg landed on the back of Jericho's head), allowing Chris to grab the Walls. That doesn't last long though as Jericho escapes and grabs the Koquina Clutch. Jericho tries the Bret Hart/Roddy Piper counter but Joe turns over and keeps the hold for the tap out at 9:08.
Post match Joe says he remembers the night he debuts and the noise the fans made. Joe worked for HHH and since he cares about his clients, he'll take care of Seth at Payback. Seth says of course it was personal and Joe is going to learn that Payback is a b****.
Anderson and Gallows are on the way to the ring when they pass by the Drifter playing his guitar. They'll be facing Golden Truth tonight but Strowman runs Golden Truth over and beats the heck out of them.
Strowman won't leave.
Anderson and Gallows are in the ring with Anderson saying Golden Truth just got the United Airlines treatment. They came here for a fight so get someone out here.
Anderson and Gallows vs. Enzo Amore/Big Cass
After Enzo calls this the realest night of the week, Cass hammers on Anderson with a right hand to the ribs putting Karl down. Cass keeps things up by throwing Enzo at both bald guys as we take a break. Back with Enzo in trouble (some things never change), including a DDT on the arm and an armbar from Gallows. A spinebuster makes things even worse but Enzo comes off the middle rope with the jumping DDT.
Cass comes in and cleans house with the usual, including a big boot to knock Gallows outside. It takes Cass outside as well though, leaving Enzo to try another jumping DDT. Anderson is ready this time though and catches him in midair before throwing him knees first at the top rope. That's some rather unique offense but it's enough to put Enzo away at 10:48.
Video on Mickie James.
Video on Nia Jax.
Here are Miz and Maryse for MizTV. Miz starts talking about the Superstar Shakeup but gets cut off by Dean Ambrose, the scheduled guest, before he can get very far. Ambrose sucks up to the Ohio crowd before ripping on Miz's gear. Miz doesn't want to hear it because he's done everything he can to make the people in that locker room look like superstars while Ambrose makes them look like regular wrestlers.
It doesn't matter though because people love Ambrose, who was #1 pick in the Draft and was WWE Champion at Summerslam. Then Dean wasted all that momentum when he was on the Kickoff Show six months later. Ambrose doesn't care what he looks like because he loves coming out here in front of twenty people or a hundred thousand.
That's why he's the Intercontinental Champion, which he beat Miz for in the first place. Maryse says the title doesn't make the man so Dean asks her to hold the mic. As Miz goes on another rant, Dean empties his pockets and takes his jacket off before hammering Miz down. Dirty Deeds doesn't work though and Miz and Maryse run.
Strowman drags Kalisto through the back and throws him in a trashcan. Big Show runs Strowman over and says pick on someone your own size.
TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher
Neville comes out to watch in what is billed as a special appearance. This brings out Austin Aries for “an even more special appearance”. They trade wristlocks to start with Gallagher taking him to the mat and cranking on both arms at the same time. Perkins does a bit of dabbing but can't handle the fact that Gallagher pops up. William III is sent to the floor to Gallagher's dismay but he misses a charge to the floor for a heck of a crash.
Back from a break with Gallagher flipping out of a suplex and grabbing a t-bone suplex of his own. The headbutt sends Perkins outside but it allows Jack to reclaim his trusty umbrella. That means the Mary Poppins dive but Perkins throws Gallagher into Aries. Austin is about to go inside, only to have Neville break it up. The distraction lets TJ kick the rope into Gallagher, setting up the Detonation Kick for the pin at 9:56.
Titus O'Neil congratulates Apollo Crews on his impending fatherhood but Titus wants to know how Apollo is going to make an impact. The best idea Titus has is joining the Titus Brand. Maybe Crews could get into travel with the Apollo Cruise where they'll dance to Apollo Blues. If that goes badly, they can go to the new law firm: Apollo Sues. Titus gives him a card but Crews doesn't seem convinced.
The Hardys are glad to be back and look forward to working with the new talent. Sheamus and Cesaro come up to talk about how much they respect the Hardys but it'll be an honor to win the titles from such legends.
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James
Winner gets Bayley at Payback. Nia cleans house to start but Bliss bails to the floor, allowing Mickie and Sasha to dropkick Nia outside. Sasha gets the better of it and sends Mickie outside for a dive onto all three as we take a break. Back with Alexa in control until she charges into a slam from Nia.
Jax slams all three on top of each other before swinging Mickie around in a cobra clutch. It's off to a bearhug on Banks with Nia easily suplexing her way out of Sasha's guillotine counter. Mickie armbars her way out of a choke but Nia throws her at Sasha in the corner. Alexa goes up top to try a dropkick but thinks twice when Nia stares her down. A missed charge sends Nia into the post, allowing everyone else to hammer on each other.
The double knees in the corner get two on Bliss with Nia making the save. Mickie gets pulled outside as well and it's down to Sasha vs. Alexa. James has to break up a Bank Statement but here's Nia to knock Mickie off the top. The Samoan drop plants Banks but Bliss runs in for the 13:44.
Show says he'll beat up Strowman.
Finn Balor vs. Curt Hawkins
Coup de Grace finishes Hawkins in 36 seconds. Balor isn't even sweating.
Chris Jericho can't stop thinking about his rematch with Kevin Owens and thinks America deserves a better face. If he wins the title back he heads to Smackdown, but it doesn't matter if it's Smackdown, Velocity, Sunday Night Heat or Nitro: the Friends of Jericho will follow him anywhere. Chris: “You hear them Tom?” Mike Rome: “It's Mike, Chris.” We get the Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck routine as Mike forgets his own name. Chris: “You know what happens when you don't know your own name?” Elias Samson wanders up and plays his guitar so Jericho lets Mike/Tom off the list and puts Samson on instead.
Bray Wyatt asks what we're afraid of. Maybe the unknown? The dark? Or the monster underneath our bed. Fear lives in his house and we hear about how much Bray wants to hear Randy Orton scream. I love Bray but these things are getting really tiresome as there's no reason to believe he has a chance of winning and he'll just keep plugging along like the loss means nothing.
Alicia Fox and Dana Brooke are watching clips from 205 Live when Emma comes up to say Dana was laughing at Alicia getting powder thrown in her face all week long. Fox doesn't want to be Dana's friend anymore. Dana calls Emma out for lying but Emma says that's what she gets for standing on her own two feet.
Jeff Hardy vs. Cesaro
Cesaro takes him down to start but gets sent to the floor for a clothesline from the apron. Jeff seems to be banged up on the floor and gets caught with the running uppercut. Back from a break with Cesaro getting two and having his chinlock broken in a hurry. Jeff's knee seems to be fine but Cesaro nails him with the springboard corkscrew elbow for two.
Jeff fights up and gets the same off the Whisper in the Wind, followed by the Twisting Stunner, which isn't the Twist of Fate but you can't expect the announcers to be able to really call the moves properly. I mean, it might run them afoul of JBL and that just sounds scary. Anyway, the Swanton is good for the pin at 13:01.
Golden Truth and Kalisto are injured but here are Heath Slater and Rhyno, the latter of whom is eating cheese whiz and crackers. Slater is VERY excited about being back on Raw but they both hide when Strowman comes by. Rhyno even dropped his crackers!
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman
The brawl starts in the aisle with Strowman tossing him into the barricade. Show sends him into it as well and we actually start the match. A baseball slide of all things puts Strowman on the floor but he comes back with a running dropkick of his own. Strowman gets in a suplex and drops an elbow as they're moving in very slow motion here.
Show escapes the powerslam and hits a splash in the corner. The chokeslam gets two and Strowman's powerslam is good for the same. Braun gets crotched on top but knocks Show away, only to dive into the KO Punch for two. With nothing else working, Show goes up top but gets superplexed down......and they break the ring for the no contest 12:36.
Strowman gets up and poses, which I guess is WWE's version of a follow up, to end the show.
Results
Samoa Joe b. Chris Jericho – Koquina Clutch
Anderson and Gallows b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass – Anderson threw Amore knees first into the corner
TJ Perkins b. Jack Gallagher – Devastation Kick
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax, Mickie James and Sasha Banks – Samoan Drop to James
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins – Coup de Grace
Jeff Hardy b. Cesaro – Swanton Bomb
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman went to a no contest when the ring broke
Tuesday
Smackdown
Date: April 18, 2017
Location: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
Smackdown is in a weird place and is basically at the mercy of the upcoming Raw pay per view until we can settle things down. Randy Orton is the World Champion and has a lame duck challenger in the form of Bray Wyatt, who is now on Raw. Tonight we'll have a Six Pack Challenge to crown a new Smackdown #1 contender. Let's get to it.
I was in the arena for this show so I'll have a bit of a different perspective.
In Memory of Rosey who passed away earlier in the day.
We open with a long recap of the Superstar Shakeup.
Here's Charlotte for an opening chat. She's been on Smackdown Live for seven days now and for some reason she hasn't received her shot at the Smackdown Women's Title. Maybe Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have been watching Fast and the Furious but she's getting furious very fast. She wants her title shot now so here's Naomi to interrupt.
Naomi doesn't think we have queens on this show and she's never scared (I feel a Nikki Bella appearance coming, perhaps in the form of talking to a camera and a stupid, forced argument with Brie). The fight is on but here's Shane McMahon to say not so fast. They'll have a match tonight and if Charlotte wins, she gets a title match next week. The brawl is on again and Naomi clears the ring.
Natalya is in Shane's office and says she deserves the title match. Shane brings up the loss at Wrestlemania and says all she had to do was ask for a one on one match. Cue Carmella and James Ellsworth to say Carmela should get the shot. Tamina comes in to ask about her shot. An argument ensues because that's what WWE thinks women do until Natalya says they should band together against Charlotte.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper vs. Mojo Rawley
One fall to a finish and the winner gets a shot at the Smackdown World Title. Everyone pairs off to start with Harper and Rowan being the only two to stay in the ring. Sami replaces Rowan but charges into a Falcon's Arrow for two as we take a break. Back with Rowan, Ziggler and Zayn all about to be superplexed.
Dolph and Rowan crash to the mat but Sami sunset bombs Mahal for two. Ziggler superkicks Zayn but Harper blasts him with the discus lariat for a near fall of his own. Almost everyone winds up on the floor (Complete with those still stupid crowd shots, because we're not smart enough to know that something is exciting on our own. No, we NEED to see what some average fans think of a clothesline to really get the full feeling.) with Harper hitting a big dive.
Rowan's spinning kick gets two on Ziggler in a good false finish before Ziggler gets powerbombed onto the pile at ringside. We take a second break and come back with Rawley cleaning house and hitting the running punch to knock Ziggler out. Mahal dumps Rawley and steals a VERY close two, followed by Ziggler running back in for two off a Zig Zag on Rowan.
Harper's Batista Bomb gets two on Dolph but Mahal sends him into the steps. For some reason Sami dives onto Harper instead of going for a cover, followed by the springboard moonsault to Rawley. Back in and Sami hits the exploder on Mahal but two men (the Bollywood Boyz, though not announced by name) grab his feet, allowing Jinder to grab a cobra clutch slam for the pin and the title shot at 18:42.
As for Mahal......yeah I'm not sure on this one. I get the idea of trying something fresh but is Jinder Mahal really the kind of guy you want to make the focal point when you're in a new era? Odds are Orton destroys him but that's going to make for a long four weeks as we get to Backlash. I'm sure Mahal looking like he swallowed a few boxes of ICO-PRO products has nothing to do with his push either.
Post match Mahal says people boo him because he's not your typical All-American and comes from a wealthy family. Americans don't accept diversity but they'll have to accept Jinder Mahal. Cue Randy Orton to say Mahal won the Jackpot with a prize of an RKO. First though, Orton has to burn down the House of Horrors (whatever that is).
Bray Wyatt pops up on screen to talk about torturing Randy and showing him what fear means. The show went to a break here, during which Rowan tried to sneak in and attack Orton, only to take the RKO. During the entire post match promo exchange, Zayn sat at ringside staring at the announcers, completely distraught.
New Day is coming, likely as soon as Kofi's ankle is healed up.
Video on Shinsuke Nakamura.
AJ Styles is ready to win the US Title when Baron Corbin interrupts. Corbin says AJ didn't pin him last week so none of it matters. Styles is more than willing to face Corbin tonight so the match is made.
Charlotte runs into Natalya, Tamina and Carmella, who completely fail to intimidate her.
Naomi vs. Charlotte
Non-title but if Charlotte wins, she gets a title shot next week. The Glow entrance is still insane and really cool in person. Charlotte sends her into the corner and grabs an early chinlock to slow Naomi down. The Figure Four necklock with the faceplants and front flips keep Naomi in trouble and it's right back to the chinlock. Naomi pops up for a slugout and hits those dancing kicks, capped off by a big one to the head for two.
Back from a break with Charlotte grabbing a dragon sleeper of all things and getting two off a neckbreaker. A knee to the back of the head gets the same as this has been almost all Charlotte so far. She's just a few steps ahead of Naomi and there's no much the champ can do about it. Naomi makes her comeback with a clothesline and what looked like a sitout Stunner for two. The Rear View is easily blocked though as Charlotte kicks her in the back. Natural Selection gives Charlotte the pin at 12:51.
Charlotte WOOs at her detractors.
Colons vs. American Alpha
They're Primo and Epico again, which is probably better for everyone involved. This is the result of the Colons attacking Alpha last week as they debuted on Smackdown. Chad takes Epico down with ease and it's time to work on the arm. A Primo distraction allows Epico to send him into the post though and things slow down. Epico gets two off a double underhook gutbuster, only to have Chad grab the armbar over the ropes. Jordan comes in off the hot tag but Primo kicks him in the face, sending Jordan into a rollup for the pin at 3:15.
Video on Lana, who likes to dance on chairs.
Video on Tye Dillinger.
Kevin Owens vs. Gary Gandy
Non-title. This is a Face of America Open Challenge and Gandy is from Louisville. Pop Up Powerbomb ends Gandy at 34 seconds.
Post match Owens says he's the Face of America as long as he's the US Champion. No one can take that away from him and now he's going to sit in on commentary for the main event.
AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin shoves him down as Kevin talks about AJ stealing his moniker from John Cena. Owens: “The only way he's taking this title from me is by stealing it too.” AJ gets tossed outside and dropped face first onto the apron as we take a break. Back with Corbin holding a chinlock before sending him ribs first into the post.
Baron tries his slide under the ropes into the clothesline but gets sent into the post instead. A chokebreaker gives Baron two more but there's the Calf Crusher for the submission attempt that isn't going anywhere. One heck of a Deep Six gives Corbin a close near fall, only to have AJ hit him in the head a few times. They head outside again with AJ loading up the Clash but Corbin backdrops him onto Owens. One more forearm off the steps drops Corbin long enough for Styles to beat the count at 13:12.
Results
Jinder Mahal b. Sami Zayn, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler and Mojo Rawley – Cobra clutch slam to Zayn
Charlotte b. Naomi – Natural Selection
Colons b. American Alpha – Rollup to Jordan
Kevin Owens b. Gary Gandy – Pop Up Powerbomb
AJ Styles b. Baron Corbin via countout
Wednesday
NXT
Date: April 19, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Corey Graves, Tom Phillips
We're back to Full Sail with a major match to wrap up the set of tapings. This week we have Tye Dillinger's NXT farewell as he steps inside a steel cage with Eric Young. Dillinger has already moved up to the main roster so it's his last chance to get a major win in NXT. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's NXT Champion Bobby Roode to get things going. It's a momentous occasion as he's made back to back Wrestlemania weekends GLORIOUS. This year he sold out the Amway Center with 15,000 people seeing the biggest box office superstar in the business today. The future of NXT is in his control and the transformation of Bobby Roode's NXT was completed.
Last week he saw Shinsuke Nakamura's farewell and thought it was pathetic. There was no Roode on stage to say goodbye to him because he didn't want to listen to Nakamura's garbage. Nakamura had to run away from NXT after the beatings that Roode gave him so everyone can either get on the Roode train or get out. Cue the returning Hideo Itami to slap Roode in the face. Bobby takes his jacket off and starts talking trash, only to walk into the GTS. Itami straightens his tie and holds up the title. Hideo is fine for a quick challenger and as sad as this sounds, it's probably better to get him in the title match before he's hurt again.
Tyler Bate and Jack Gallagher have a very polite discussion about their upcoming UK Title match.
Roode is still getting up after the break.
Earlier today, Andrade Cien Almas interrupted Drew McIntyre during his workout and challenged him for next week.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Danny Burch
Burch sends him into the ropes but Almas hangs on and shouts a bit. A belly to back sends Almas down again but he gets in a hard clothesline to take over. The double knees in the corner set up the hammerlock DDT for the pin on Burch at 2:57. Basically a squash.
Video on Asuka, who is still completely dominant. Some people, including Ember Moon and Ruby Riot, might see some weaknesses though.
Long recap of Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger. Tye lost to Eric a few months ago but refused to join Sanity. This set off a major feud with Tye finding a bunch of friends to help him fight. Sanity won in Orlando but tonight it's one on one in a cage for the final blowoff.
Liv Morgan/Aliyah vs. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce
Billie and Liv get things going with nothing happening for a good while until Liv grabs a sunset flip and rolls Billie around in a circle for some near falls. Aliyah comes in for a middle rope legdrop, only to eat a discus forearm. It's off to Peyton for a spinning kick to the face and what looked to be a three count. Aliyah grabs a sunset flip with Liv dropkicking Billie away so Aliyah can get the pin at 3:14.
Almas vs. McIntyre is official for next week.
Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger
In a cage and Young sends Sanity to the back. Tye pulls him inside and hammers away to start but can't hit a very early Tyebreaker. Eric gets a toss into the cage and Tye is in trouble as we take a break. Back with Young getting two off a middle rope forearm to the back of Tye's neck.
Tye's right hands don't get him very far as Young powerbombs him out of the corner for two. It's too early to escape though as Young gets tossed off the top, sending us to another break. Back again with Young catching Tye on top and throwing him down again. One heck of a top rope elbow drop gets a very delayed two but Eric can't follow up.
Eric is busted open but takes too long to go after Tye, who grabs a Tyebreaker to put both guys down. Dillinger goes for the door but here's Sanity to slam it shut. Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno and Ruby Riot run out for the save (so much for No Way Jose) but Dain runs both them and the referee over. Killian gets inside so Tye dives off the top to take out both Young and Dain before crawling out for the win at 23:06.
Dillinger locks Sanity inside the cage and celebrates to end the show.
Results
Andrade Cien Almas b. Danny Burch – Hammerlock DDT
Liv Morgan/Aliyah b. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce – Sunset flip to Royce
Tye Dillinger b. Eric Young – Dillinger escaped the cage
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: April 20, 2017
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jeremy Borash, D'Angelo Dinero
It's a fresh batch of tapings with this episode being billed as live, even though it was taped a few hours ago. The big story coming into tonight is the lack of Josh Matthews on commentary after his team lost the eight man tag last week. In other news, Lashley will defend the World Title against James Storm after a fan vote. Let's get to it.
In Memory of Rosey.
We look at James Storm winning the title nearly six years ago. Now it's time for him to get the title back though Lashley doesn't think much of it. Lashley: “I'm not good, I'm not bad. I'm me.”
Opening sequence.
Tag Team Titles: Joel Coleman/Jake Holmes vs. LAX
LAX is defending. Ortiz takes over on Coleman to start and it's a suplex/high crossbody combination for two. Holmes comes in but is quickly sent into the corner for Poetry in Motion into a cannonball. The Street Sweeper (powerbomb/Blockbuster combo) is enough to put Holmes away at 2:36.
Konnan talks about how awesome the team is and mentions everyone by name. Cue Decay for the brawl and we take a break.
Here's Karen Jarrett for a chat. Karen introduces herself and makes a major announcement: Global Force Wrestling and Impact Wrestling have officially merged. After a very weak “thank you Jarretts” chant, Karen declares this the Night of Champions with three title matches (not counting the Tag Team Titles).
She's ready to bring someone out but here's Sonjay Dutt to interrupt. He used to be a big deal in the X-Division so let's make the X-Division Title match tonight's main event. Oh and let's throw him in there and make it a three way so he can win the title for the first time. This brings out Andrew Everett (the original challenger) to say it's his shot tonight alone. Now it's Gregory Helms and Trevor Lee interrupting, saying Helms runs the division. As for Dutt, if he never won anything around here, maybe it's because he sucks.
Bruce Prichard comes out and says, on behalf of Karen and Dutch Mantel (So they all officially have power? Got it.) that the main event will be for the X-Division Title. We can also add three more people to the match to make it a six way. A brawl breaks out with Dutt and Everett standing tall but getting into an argument over the belt.
Anthony Mayweather (better known as Crimson) talks about growing up in a single parent household. He's lived recklessly but now he's changing because of his five year old son. He joined the US Army after dropping of college and that helped bring him here.
Knockouts Title: ODB vs. Rosemary
Rosemary is defending. ODB starts fast with a discus forearm but it's way too early for the Bam. They head outside with Rosemary clotheslining her onto the ramp, only to miss a top rope backsplash inside. ODB's rams into almost her crotch sets up a middle rope Thesz press for two but another Bam is broken up. The Bronco Buster doesn't work either and it's the Red Wedding to retain the title at 3:44.
LAX defends against Decay in a street fight next week.
Bruce and Karen say Suicide has been added to the main event. Sienna comes up to Karen and asks where the GFW Women's Champion is. Karen doesn't think Sienna should be that excited to see the champ because she's coming. No name is given.
Long recap of Laurel Van Ness and company vs. Allie/Braxton Sutter.
Chris Silvio vs. Kongo Kong
Kong suplexes him to start and hits the cannonball. A top rope splash ends Silvio at 1:18.
James Storm is ready to leave Lashley flat on his back.
Alberto El Patron is in Arizona and is going to be watching the World Title match.
Magnus says he should be #1 contender because he's the GFW Champion and he got the fall in last week's eight man tag.
Impact Wrestling World Title: James Storm vs. Lashley
Lashley is defending and has Josh Matthews in his corner. Josh sits in on commentary while JB does the ring announcing, much to Borash's dismay. Storm gets backed into the corner to start as we hear about James being here for the first day. Well that's what JB is talking about at least. Josh on the other hand is saying he's the Jim Ross to Lashley's Steve Austin.
Now it's a talk about upcoming house shows (no dates mentioned) as Storm clotheslines Lashley outside. Cue Ethan Carter III so Josh grabs a beer bottle, only to have James hit Lashley from behind. A suplex onto the steps slows Storm down as we take a break. Back with Lashley still in control until Storm fights out of a chinlock. Storm gets in a few clotheslines and a running neckbreaker for two. Lashley heads up top but gets pulled back down, setting up an ugly top rope elbow.
Closing Time looks to set up the Last Call but Storm settles for two off a powerbomb instead. Lashley's Dominator gets the same and there goes the referee (of course). Two Last Calls get no count so Storm goes outside and grabs the aforementioned beer bottle. Carter gets in as well though and blasts Storm with the bottle. The spear retains Lashley's title at 17:07.
Josh is very happy with the result.
Dutch Mantel says Dezmond Xavier is the fifth man in the X-Division match.
We look at Chris Adonis attacking Moose at a Border City Wrestling show.
Moose is all fired up but here's Adonis with his arm in a sling. Davey Richards jumps Moose from behind and will be challenging for the title next week.
Josh is still on commentary.
Quick recap of the main event.
X-Division Title: Trevor Lee vs. Dezmond Xavier vs. Suicide vs. Andrew Everett vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. ???
Lee is defending and this is one fall to a finish. The last entrant is.....Low Ki, who hasn't been around here for about two years. Low Ki is in the suit and there are no tags here, as is usually the custom. Dutt grabs a tornado DDT on Xavier while walking across everyone else's chest in something out of the Matrix. A six way standoff sees Lee get dropkicked out to the floor.
Dutt moonsaults onto Suicide and Everett before sending Lee face first into the apron. Xavier avoids a Low Ki charge and moonsaults onto the pile as we take a break. Back with Everett taking the standing chest stomp from Lee. Trevor throws everyone out as Dutt seems to have an eye injury.
Things slow down a bit as Josh clarifies his status: “I said I'd leave. I left for a week and now I'm back.” Lee keeps throwing people out until Everett Pele's him. We get a parade of kicks, including Xavier hitting a 619 around the post to Ki's ribs. Dutt's top rope splash gets two and Suicide does the fall onto everyone else. We're officially in an overrun because we're “LIVE” and you don't know what's going to happen.
Everett dives onto everyone but Xavier breaks up the shooting star. With Xavier on top, Everett tries a springboard reverse hurricanrana but only gets his legs on Xavier's back. Thankfully Xavier lands on his feet instead of actually taking the move. Everett hits the Frankendriver on Lee, only to have Ki kick him to the floor. A top rope double stomp to Trevor gives Ki the title at 19:00.
The announcers bicker again and Pope walks off. JB punches Josh to end the show.
Results
LAX b. Jake Holmes/Joe Coleman – Street Sweeper to Holmes
Rosemary b. ODB – Red Wedding
Kongo Kong b. Chris Silvio – Top rope splash
Lashley b. James Storm – Spear
Low Ki b. Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt, Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett and Suicide – Top rope double stomp to Lee
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Samoa Joe b. Chris Jericho – Koquina Clutch
Anderson and Gallows b. Enzo Amore/Big Cass – Anderson threw Amore knees first into the corner
TJ Perkins b. Jack Gallagher – Devastation Kick
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax, Mickie James and Sasha Banks – Samoan Drop to James
Finn Balor b. Curt Hawkins – Coup de Grace
Jeff Hardy b. Cesaro – Swanton Bomb
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman went to a no contest when the ring broke
Smackdown
Jinder Mahal b. Sami Zayn, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler and Mojo Rawley – Cobra clutch slam to Zayn
Charlotte b. Naomi – Natural Selection
Colons b. American Alpha – Rollup to Jordan
Kevin Owens b. Gary Gandy – Pop Up Powerbomb
AJ Styles b. Baron Corbin via countout
NXT
Andrade Cien Almas b. Danny Burch – Hammerlock DDT
Liv Morgan/Aliyah b. Billie Kay/Peyton Royce – Sunset flip to Royce
Tye Dillinger b. Eric Young – Dillinger escaped the cage
Impact Wrestling
LAX b. Jake Holmes/Joe Coleman – Street Sweeper to Holmes
Rosemary b. ODB – Red Wedding
Kongo Kong b. Chris Silvio – Top rope splash
Lashley b. James Storm – Spear
Low Ki b. Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt, Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett and Suicide – Top rope double stomp to Lee