klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Thursday
Impact Wrestling
Date: May 3, 2018
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews
Things are starting to get more interesting around here and a lot of that is stemming from the World Title scene. Pentagon Jr. won the World Title at Redemption and now a nice list of people are starting to go after him. It seems that Austin Aries is at the top of the list, but theres also Scott Steiner, who is getting to be a bigger and bigger name as the weeks go by. Lets get to it.
We open with a rather detailed recap of last weeks show.
Opening sequence.
Heres Eli Drake with the Tag Team Title and the World Title Feast or Fired briefcase. Standing on the middle rope, Drake talks about all the dummies that he sees around the arena tonight. Why are they dummies? Thats because theyre booing one half of the World Tag Team Champions. Hes out here with the briefcase and now he wants to talk about becoming a two time World Champion.
Then Austin Aries and Pentagon Jr. want to come out here and talk about being champion, but that doesnt matter because theyre not E-Li-Drake. Eli is cashing in his briefcase next week and Pentagon can take a one way trip on the Gravy Train while Drake takes the World Title back. Cue Pentagon for CERO MIEDO and trash talk ensues. Things dont get physical and they both leave.
The announcers run down the card.
Earlier today, Kiera Hogan said she was ready to challenge Taya Valkyrie to a rematch. Tessa Blanchard came and laughed at her for thinking that any of it mattered. All that matters is Tessa and thats not changing.
Grado is back (erg) and talks to Joseph Park about his (Grados) newest hot woman. Cue Austin Aries to mock them both and give Grado a banana.
OVE vs. KM/Fallah Bahh
KM runs Jake over to start as the announcers talk about an upcoming seminar in Pittsburgh later this month. Jake drives him into the wrong corner and its off to Dave for some choking. KM manages to suplex them both at the same time and its off to Fallah for a big man crossbody. Both Crists are down so Bahh rolls over the two of them in succession and then does it again for good measure. Jake pops up and superkicks Bahh down for a rollup and the pin at 3:43.
Moose promises to win the World Title this year. Jimmy Jacobs comes in and laughs the idea off so Moose chokes him. Jacobs issues a challenge for Moose to face Kongo Kong next week. Tell me they wouldnt have him go over Moose too.
Taya Valkyrie vs. Kiera Hogan
Rematch from Redemption. Taya wastes no time in sending her face first into the buckle but misses a charge. Kiera knocks her to the floor but heres Tessa to jump Hogan for the DQ at 2:43.
Tessa beats the heck out of Hogan post match.
Video on Brian Cage.
From World Series Wrestling in Australia.
Brian Cage vs. Brodie Marshall vs. Mick Moretti vs. Slex
Its not mentioned but this is a Wrestle Circus Ringmaster Title match with Cage defending. At least Josh explains who the three people are and its a big brawl to start with Marshall being sent outside. Marshall crawls away from Moretti (sounds like an Ivory tribute) but its Cage coming back in with a running hurricanrana. Cage backdrops Marshall and its time for a pose down with the fall smaller Moretti.
Marshall takes an F5 and Slex hits Cage by mistake, meaning his days are numbered. Morettis F5 to Cage is no sold and he carries Moretti and Marshall at the same time for a double fall away slam. A big no hands flip dive takes all three down but Slex gets two off a springboard spinning kick to the face. Moretti hits a fishermans buster on Slex for two but Cage hits a buckle bomb to drop Slex. Theres a German suplex to Cage but he pops back up and hits the Drill Claw on Slex to retain at 7:57.
Drago/Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Dezmond Xavier/DJZ/Andrew Everett
Lucha rules. Fantasma and Xavier (who has done nothing after winning the Super X Cup last year) start things off and its a standoff, allowing Aerostar to come in with a springboard hurricanrana. Things speed up in a hurry and the luchadors clear the ring without much effort. Everett scores with a springboard spinning kick to the face and lets hit those upcoming date announcements because its not like theres anything going on in the ring at the moment.
Fantasma chops Everett to slow things down and a kick to the face gives Drago two. Things speed up again as Everett goes to the floor and its off to Dezmond for a Backstabber. Everett and Dezmond try stereo Lionsaults from the same rope (cool) but only hit mat. Its off to a four way submission until Aerostar breaks it up, likely due to the high levels of implausibility. Stereo Octopus Holds are broken up with stereo kicks to the face, followed by Xavier hitting a cartwheel into a moonsault onto the floor.
DJZ, with the horn, hits a dive of his own. Fantasma adds his suicide dive and Aerostar hits a springboard trust fall to take us to a break. Back with the luchadors down and the three Americans going to the top (same corner) for a trio of top rope splashes/dives for three near falls. Aerostar is back up with a springboard backsplash for two on DJZ, only to have Dezmond backflip kick Aerostar. Everett catches Aerostar on the top and the DZT is good for the pin at 16:32.
They do the big post match handshake. It wasnt THAT good of a match.
Aries asks Drake about cashing in next week and wishes him luck. Not that it matters as hes coming for the title no matter what. He knows he can beat Drake too.
We look at Ultimate X from Destination X 2012 with Zema Ion (DJZ) winning the title.
KM and Bahh argue with KM saying he can change Bahhs life and make him cool. As they talk, we see someone else down in the back. The X symbol is seen again.
Last Friday, Eddie Edwards was released from jail when Tommy Dreamer came up and had him get in a car. Eddie: Really?
X-Division Title: Taiji Ishimori vs. Matt Sydal
Sydal is defending. They start slowly until Ishimori sends him to the floor for a teased springboard dive. Back from a break with Sydal grabbing an inverted Muta Lock, followed by a spinwheel kick. Double knees in the corner rock Sydal but he goes right back to the leg in a smart move.
The standing moonsault hits Ishimoris legs but he has to roll through the 450. With that not working, the Tombstone into the double knees to the chest rock Sydal again. Not that it matters as he pops up and pulls Ishimori off the top for the front flip into the rollup to retain at 11:55.
Dreamer talks to Eddie about wasting so much time of his life trying to beat one person and says you cant do this in 2018. You can however continue talking about ECW. Its only been seventeen years.
Rosemary doesnt want Allie at ringside with her tonight because thats how it has to be.
LAX is panicking because theyve lost everything, including the money and the girls. Maybe sell the clubhouse?
Su Yung vs. Rosemary
Yung tries to jump her on the floor and the fight starts on the outside with Yung being sent into the steps. The Panic Switch plants Rosemary on the floor and here come the army of demonic bridesmaids with a casket. There was no bell so no match.
Allie comes out for the save but the bridesmaids pull her away. Rosemary is back up and grabs the kendo stick to point at Yung. Su spits in her eyes and hits a Panic Switch off the stage through a table. Rosemary is put in the casket to end the show. Why do I have a feeling this is going to turn into Rosemary as Yungs minion?
Results
OVE b. Fallah Bahh/KM Rollup to Bahh
Kiera Hogan b. Taya Valkyrie via DQ when Tessa Blanchard interfered
Brian Cage b. Brodie Marshall, Mick Maretti and Slex Drill Claw to Slex
DJZ/Andrew Everett/Dezmond Xavier b. Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma/Drago DZT to Aerostar
Matt Sydal b. Taiji Ishimori Front flip into a rollup
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Backlash 2018
Date: May 6, 2018
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Jonathan Coachman, Tom Phillips
Yes its another big show as were closing in on the end of the longest month in WWE history. This is the third part of the Wrestlemania and Greatest Royal Rumble trilogy, meaning its time to redeem Roman Reigns. Again. Other than that we have AJ Styles defending the Smackdown World Title against Shinsuke Nakamura for the third time this month. Lets get to it.
Kickoff Sow: Ruby Riott vs. Bayley
The Riott Squad is in Rubys corner and theres no Sasha Banks, despite Bayley asking her to be here. They fight over a headlock to start but Bayley takes him down, only to miss an elbow. A Sarah Logan distraction lets Ruby get in an STO and we take a break. Back with Ruby dropping a knee and grabbing a chinlock. Logan offers another distraction to cut off a comeback, followed by Riott sending Bayley face first into the middle buckle.
Its off to a cravate for a bit until Bayley manages a double springboard crossbody (which only kind of hits) for two. Bayley slides outside for a hurricanrana on Logan and snaps Rubys throat across the ropes. The top rope elbow gets two but Liv Morgan gets on the apron, allowing Ruby to hit the Riott Kick for the pin at 10:07.
The opening video asks what Backlash is, which transitions into a discussion about how everything changes tonight with the shows being co-branded. You know, unlike Wrestlemania and Greatest Royal Rumble, which totally werent co-branded.
Intercontinental Title: Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
Miz is challenging and this is Raw vs. Smackdown. Cole already makes me scratch my head by saying the last person to switch brands with the title was Rob Van Dam in 2002. By what I can find, there have been about five such instances in between, including Dean Ambrose last year and MIZ the year before that. They fight over a wristlock to start with Rollins getting the better of it but getting kicked off the top to the floor.
Miz sends him face first into the announcers table and its chinlock time. A knee to the ribs sets up a DDT for two on Seth and its almost all Miz early on. Miz hits a running crotch attack to the back but Rollins sends him into the corner. A suicide dive has Miz in even more trouble and a rollup gets two. The Blockbuster gets the same and Rollins is rolling until Miz pulls him face first into the apron.
Not that it matters as Rollins kicks him down and scores with the frog splash for two. Another suicide dive is broken up with a forearm so its time for a slugout on the apron. The ripcord knee hits the post though (sick thud) and Miz grabs the Figure Four. With the announcers guaranteeing a new champion, Rollins turns it over for a bit but is turned back over, sending him straight to the ropes for the break. The Skull Crushing Finale is broken up and Rollins nails the enziguri.
Rollins tweaks the knee though and now the Finale connects for a close two. The corner clothesline connects but Rollins is able to hit the superplex. The knee gives out on the Falcon Arrow attempt though and a second Skull Crushing Finale gets...two in a nice surprise. Of course thats canceled out as the Finale now looks rather lame but how else are you supposed to make someone look tough other than having them kick out of finishers? A super Stomp misses but Rollins escapes the Finale, setting up the Stomp for a delayed pin to retain the title at 20:34.
We recap Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss. Nia won the title at Wrestlemania after dealing with Alexa bullying her for months. This turned into Bliss saying that Nia was the real bully, including some hilarious PSA style vignettes of Bliss talking about Nia being a horrible person. Tonight is the rematch with Bliss trying to get the title back.
Raw Womens Title: Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
Nia is defending. Bliss goes straight for the knee (she must have been watching the previous match) and tries a quickly broken sleeper. Nia bends the arm back and throws Bliss around but a kick to the head puts the champ down. A little trash talk gets Bliss in trouble as Nia puts her on her shoulders (and calls a ton of spots) until Bliss rakes the eyes.
Nia is still able to toss her off the top and then throws her from corner to corner three straight times. Egads at least dont look like youre stalling. Bliss shoves her off the top to break up a Vader Bomb though and a DDT on the steps knocks the champ silly. Back in and Nia tries the super Samoan drop but gets kicked in the leg to give Alexa two more. Twisted Bliss takes too long though and the Samoan drop retains Nias title at 10:37.
Post match Nia says that was for everyone who has been bullied. So the solution to bullying is to grow to twice the bullys size and beat them up?
We look at Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in the cage match at Greatest Royal Rumble.
Samoa Joe says hell beat Reigns tonight.
US Title: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
Orton is challenging after winning a triple threat match a few weeks back. Jeff gets elbowed in the face to start and a shoulder puts him down for an early two. Back up and Jeff sends him outside for the clothesline from the apron, only to get dropkicked for two back inside. Orton sends him into the Tree of Woe and stomps away as the methodical pace continues. They head outside with Jeff hitting Poetry In Motion off the steps and there goes the shirt.
Back in and Orton dropkicks him outside again, setting up three straight drops onto the barricade. Inside again and this time Orton drops him onto the top rope to change the pace a bit. We hit the chinlock and the announcers bring up Orton losing the Smackdown World Title to Jinder Mahal at this show last year. In case the match wasnt dull enough you see. The RUSEV DAY chants begin so Im guessing you can pencil him in to lose in two minutes on Tuesday.
Jeff finally fights up and hits a basement dropkick to set up Whisper in the Wind (with Orton standing there and staring at him even as Jeff was climbing the ropes). The Twist of Fate and RKO are both countered so Orton settles for two off the powerslam. Jeff misses the slingshot dropkick in the corner (the Hardiac Arrest, which I kind of like) and Orton gets to stand there a bit longer. The hanging DDT connects but the RKO is countered into a Twist of Fate. Jeff drops the Swanton to retain at 12:02.
Heres Elias for a song. Before he starts though, he talks about being friends with Bruce Springsteen, who calls him the boss and regrets being from New Jersey. Elias told Bruce to tune in tonight because Bruce is going to like his song. The fans keep applauding to prevent Elias from singing. He gets up and teases leaving over and over to draw some BOO/YAY chants until New Day cuts him off with Big E. carrying a marching band drum.
Elias: You guys want some autographs or something? New Day wants to walk with Elias but that means a solo performance. Elias tells Jojo to introduce him again but heres Aiden English to cut them off with a song about how New Day needs to stick with the merchandise and Elias plays a nice guitar but today is Rusev Day.
Rusev says this isnt about the bootleg Bob Dylan but Elias says this is his night and tells Jojo to introduce him again. Now its No Way Jose interrupting with a conga line, including Titus Worldwide and Breezango. Elias looks like he wants to shoot himself (I feel for you buddy) and even Graves is feeling sorry for him. Elias says cut the music and Jojo does her intro for the fourth time. This time Bobby Roode interrupts with a Glorious DDT and everyone leaves in the conga line. Well except English who Rusev cuts off.
By the way, its about 9:30pm EST and we have five matches left. This show is on the east coast so yes, theyre really expected to just be in the arena until after midnight on a Sunday night.
We recap Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass. Bryan is back in the ring and Cass came over to Smackdown in the Superstar Shakeup. Cass is a bully to someone Bryans size and wants to show him how a superstar should be. For reasons unclear, Cass isnt Mizs new bodyguard yet.
Big Cass vs. Daniel Bryan
Bryan kicks at the knee to start (this is the second match of four tonight to focus on bullying and the third of four to include someone working on the knee) and tries the YES Kicks until Cass spinebusts him. Due to reasons of being rather horrible people with no taste in wrestling (or life in general), the fans want Enzo.
Cass stops to pose before hitting a loud chop up against the ropes. Bryan slips out of an over the shoulder powerbomb and kicks away in the corner but gets sent up into the air for a big crash. A running clothesline turns Bryan inside out for two but Cass misses the big boot. Thats enough to set up the big kick to the head and Bryan takes him down, hammers at the side of the head, and grabs the YES Lock for the very fast tap at 7:57.
Post match Cass beats Bryan up even more and hits the big boot.
We recap the Smackdown Womens Title match. Carmella cashed in Money in the Bank to take the title from Charlotte on the Smackdown after Wrestlemania and Charlotte is trying to win the title back from the less talented champion. The Iconics have been running around tormenting Charlotte as well.
Smackdown Womens Title: Carmella vs. Charlotte
Carmella is defending and they trade struts to start. Charlotte misses a big boot so badly that I had to rewind to make sure I wasnt seeing things. That sends Carmella to the floor (presumably with the wind knocking her down) and she tries to leave with the title, only to be sent back inside. Charlotte sends her outside but gets caught with a superkick for two. We hit the chinlock with Carmella telling the referee to ask her. Shes not Canadian enough for that.
A lot of screeching ensues, followed by Carmella cranking on both arms at once. Charlotte kicks her away but gets slammed head first onto the apron to cut her off again. Back in and Carmella tries the Staten Island Shuffle but gets speared in half. Carmella is right back with the Code of Silence (the leg Crossface) but Charlotte powers out. Charlotte goes up top for the moonsault, tweaks her knee, gets kicked in said knee, and gets rolled up for the pin at 10:00.
We recap the Smackdown World Title. AJ Styles beat Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the title at Wrestlemania but Nakamura turned heel and has abused Styles groin ever since. Tonight is No DQ with Styles wanting revenge.
And yes, this means Reigns is headlining. Again.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Styles is defending, there are no disqualifications, and this is the third time theyve had a big match in four weeks, making it a recurring dream match. Nakamura channels his inner Kevin Owens and bails to the floor at the bell. AJ will have none of that and sends him into the barricade, followed by kicks to the back inside. They fight to the floor again with Styles sending him face and ribs first into the barricade.
Nakamura comes back by GOING AFTER THE KNEE (take a freaking shot) and hits some running knees to the head as the fans are split again. The pace slows and Nakamura gets two off a knee drop. A hard kick to the head drops AJ again and its off to a front facelock. The No DQ rule has only been a factor for a little bit so far and hasnt meant anything since theyve been back inside. The hold is let go and Nakamura kicks him to the floor. AJ starts a comeback until another shot to the knee cuts him off, followed by a dragon sleeper back inside.
Thats escaped as well and Nakamura hits a running knee in the corner. The jumping middle rope knee gets two on AJ and its time for a chair. AJ knocks it away but gets kicked in the head for his efforts. The reverse exploder onto the chair gets two but AJ chucks the chair at Nakamuras knee (with the chair bouncing back into AJs face, drawing blood from his knee). The Calf Crusher goes on but Nakamura reverses into a triangle choke.
AJ powers up and hits a running forearm to the back of Nakamuras head for two. Theres the low blow but AJ hits one of his own to even things out. They fight to their feet and stereo low blows take both guys down. The referee gets to ten and thats a double knockout, meaning AJ retains at 21:12.
Bobby Lashley/Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens
Fallout from some recent tag matches, including the first match between these teams a few weeks ago on Raw. Sami hides from Lashley to start before headlocking him for little success. Owens comes in, gets suplexed, and hands it back to Sami who gets sent into the announcers table. A dropkick knocks Lashley off the apron and the beating begins, including Samis chinlock. Lashley comes back with a Downward Spiral but Owens breaks up a hot tag attempt.
The actual hot tag comes in a few seconds later and its Strowman coming in to clean house. The chase is on with Strowman running Owens over, catching Sami to throw him into the barricade, and then running Owens over again to continue the rather running (ahem) gag. Sami loads up a Helluva Kick but opts to walk out instead. Owens talks him back into staying, but Sami throws Owens back in to face Strowman. Sami tries his luck and bails again, leaving Owens to take a spinebuster from Lashley. The delayed vertical suplex pins (the illegal) Owens at 8:20.
Post match Sami yells as Owens takes a running powerslam.
We recap Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe. In short, Roman is all sad because he cant beat Brock Lesnar so Joe is going to choke him out of his misery.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
Joe jumps him before the bell, drawing even stronger cheers than he had earlier. They fight to the floor and Joe Rock Bottoms him through the table before the match actually starts. Reigns gets thrown over two announcers tables but makes it into the ring, saying he can go. The bell rings and Joe hammers away in the corner, followed by a knee drop. Coles analysis: Reigns doesnt want to lose tonight. We hit the neck crank with Joe saying Reigns just has to go away. So Joe is the new voice of the voiceless.
Reigns fights up but eats an enziguri in the corner for two. Its off to another chinlock as the BORING chants start up. Joe sends him outside for the suicide elbow and we hit the armbar because this hasnt felt long enough already. The fans try a THIS IS BORING chant before just going with the booing. Reigns fights up and hits a big boot, followed by the apron dropkick. Some clotheslines (running and corner variety) have Joe in trouble but he knocks Reigns down and gets two off the backsplash. Fans: PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
A spinebuster gives Reigns two but a second apron dropkick is countered into a choke. Thats broken up as well and Reigns gets two off the Superman Punch. The Rusev Day chants are cut off as Joe cuts off a spear with a kick to the head. The spear hits a few seconds later with Joe getting his foot on the ropes for two.
Another spear is blocked with another spear and the Koquina Clutch goes on. Reigns stacks him up into a rollup for two but an OConnor Roll is countered into another Clutch. Reigns is almost out but fights up, which is enough to make Joe let the hold go for whatever reason. Back up and the spear ends Joe at 18:08.
Results
Seth Rollins b. The Miz Stomp
Nia Jax b. Alexa Bliss Samoan drop
Jeff Hardy b. Randy Orton Swanton Bomb
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass YES Lock
Carmella b. Charlotte Kick to the leg
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura went to a double knockout
Braun Strowman/Bobby Lashley b. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn Suplex to Owens
Roman Reigns b. Samoa Joe Spear
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Elias b. Bobby Roode via referee stoppage
Authors of Pain b. Jean-Paul/Francois Last Chapter to Francois
Ruby Riott b. Sasha Banks Riott Kick
Bobby Lashley/Braun Strowman/Roman Reigns b. Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens/Jinder Mahal Running powerslam to Owens
No Way Jose b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Natalya b. Mickie James Small package
Seth Rollins b. Finn Balor The Stomp
Smackdown
Jeff Hardy/Randy Orton b. Shelton Benjamin/The Miz Swanton Bomb to Benjamin
Xavier Woods b. Sheamus Small package
Charlotte/Becky Lynch/Asuka b. Iconics/Carmella Asuka Lock to Royce
NXT
Kairi Sane b. Shazza McKenzie Insane Elbow
TM61 b. Street Profits Rollup to Ford with feet on the ropes
Bianca Belair b. Candice LeRae Alley Oop
Pete Dunne b. Roderick Strong via DQ when Undisputed Era interfered
Impact Wrestling
OVE b. Fallah Bahh/KM Rollup to Bahh
Kiera Hogan b. Taya Valkyrie via DQ when Tessa Blanchard interfered
Brian Cage b. Brodie Marshall, Mick Maretti and Slex Drill Claw to Slex
DJZ/Andrew Everett/Dezmond Xavier b. Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma/Drago DZT to Aerostar
Matt Sydal b. Taiji Ishimori Front flip into a rollup
Backlash 2018
Seth Rollins b. The Miz Stomp
Nia Jax b. Alexa Bliss Samoan drop
Jeff Hardy b. Randy Orton Swanton Bomb
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass YES Lock
Carmella b. Charlotte Kick to the leg
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura went to a double knockout
Braun Strowman/Bobby Lashley b. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn Suplex to Owens
Roman Reigns b. Samoa Joe Spear
Impact Wrestling
Date: May 3, 2018
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews
Things are starting to get more interesting around here and a lot of that is stemming from the World Title scene. Pentagon Jr. won the World Title at Redemption and now a nice list of people are starting to go after him. It seems that Austin Aries is at the top of the list, but theres also Scott Steiner, who is getting to be a bigger and bigger name as the weeks go by. Lets get to it.
We open with a rather detailed recap of last weeks show.
Opening sequence.
Heres Eli Drake with the Tag Team Title and the World Title Feast or Fired briefcase. Standing on the middle rope, Drake talks about all the dummies that he sees around the arena tonight. Why are they dummies? Thats because theyre booing one half of the World Tag Team Champions. Hes out here with the briefcase and now he wants to talk about becoming a two time World Champion.
Then Austin Aries and Pentagon Jr. want to come out here and talk about being champion, but that doesnt matter because theyre not E-Li-Drake. Eli is cashing in his briefcase next week and Pentagon can take a one way trip on the Gravy Train while Drake takes the World Title back. Cue Pentagon for CERO MIEDO and trash talk ensues. Things dont get physical and they both leave.
The announcers run down the card.
Earlier today, Kiera Hogan said she was ready to challenge Taya Valkyrie to a rematch. Tessa Blanchard came and laughed at her for thinking that any of it mattered. All that matters is Tessa and thats not changing.
Grado is back (erg) and talks to Joseph Park about his (Grados) newest hot woman. Cue Austin Aries to mock them both and give Grado a banana.
OVE vs. KM/Fallah Bahh
KM runs Jake over to start as the announcers talk about an upcoming seminar in Pittsburgh later this month. Jake drives him into the wrong corner and its off to Dave for some choking. KM manages to suplex them both at the same time and its off to Fallah for a big man crossbody. Both Crists are down so Bahh rolls over the two of them in succession and then does it again for good measure. Jake pops up and superkicks Bahh down for a rollup and the pin at 3:43.
Moose promises to win the World Title this year. Jimmy Jacobs comes in and laughs the idea off so Moose chokes him. Jacobs issues a challenge for Moose to face Kongo Kong next week. Tell me they wouldnt have him go over Moose too.
Taya Valkyrie vs. Kiera Hogan
Rematch from Redemption. Taya wastes no time in sending her face first into the buckle but misses a charge. Kiera knocks her to the floor but heres Tessa to jump Hogan for the DQ at 2:43.
Tessa beats the heck out of Hogan post match.
Video on Brian Cage.
From World Series Wrestling in Australia.
Brian Cage vs. Brodie Marshall vs. Mick Moretti vs. Slex
Its not mentioned but this is a Wrestle Circus Ringmaster Title match with Cage defending. At least Josh explains who the three people are and its a big brawl to start with Marshall being sent outside. Marshall crawls away from Moretti (sounds like an Ivory tribute) but its Cage coming back in with a running hurricanrana. Cage backdrops Marshall and its time for a pose down with the fall smaller Moretti.
Marshall takes an F5 and Slex hits Cage by mistake, meaning his days are numbered. Morettis F5 to Cage is no sold and he carries Moretti and Marshall at the same time for a double fall away slam. A big no hands flip dive takes all three down but Slex gets two off a springboard spinning kick to the face. Moretti hits a fishermans buster on Slex for two but Cage hits a buckle bomb to drop Slex. Theres a German suplex to Cage but he pops back up and hits the Drill Claw on Slex to retain at 7:57.
Drago/Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Dezmond Xavier/DJZ/Andrew Everett
Lucha rules. Fantasma and Xavier (who has done nothing after winning the Super X Cup last year) start things off and its a standoff, allowing Aerostar to come in with a springboard hurricanrana. Things speed up in a hurry and the luchadors clear the ring without much effort. Everett scores with a springboard spinning kick to the face and lets hit those upcoming date announcements because its not like theres anything going on in the ring at the moment.
Fantasma chops Everett to slow things down and a kick to the face gives Drago two. Things speed up again as Everett goes to the floor and its off to Dezmond for a Backstabber. Everett and Dezmond try stereo Lionsaults from the same rope (cool) but only hit mat. Its off to a four way submission until Aerostar breaks it up, likely due to the high levels of implausibility. Stereo Octopus Holds are broken up with stereo kicks to the face, followed by Xavier hitting a cartwheel into a moonsault onto the floor.
DJZ, with the horn, hits a dive of his own. Fantasma adds his suicide dive and Aerostar hits a springboard trust fall to take us to a break. Back with the luchadors down and the three Americans going to the top (same corner) for a trio of top rope splashes/dives for three near falls. Aerostar is back up with a springboard backsplash for two on DJZ, only to have Dezmond backflip kick Aerostar. Everett catches Aerostar on the top and the DZT is good for the pin at 16:32.
They do the big post match handshake. It wasnt THAT good of a match.
Aries asks Drake about cashing in next week and wishes him luck. Not that it matters as hes coming for the title no matter what. He knows he can beat Drake too.
We look at Ultimate X from Destination X 2012 with Zema Ion (DJZ) winning the title.
KM and Bahh argue with KM saying he can change Bahhs life and make him cool. As they talk, we see someone else down in the back. The X symbol is seen again.
Last Friday, Eddie Edwards was released from jail when Tommy Dreamer came up and had him get in a car. Eddie: Really?
X-Division Title: Taiji Ishimori vs. Matt Sydal
Sydal is defending. They start slowly until Ishimori sends him to the floor for a teased springboard dive. Back from a break with Sydal grabbing an inverted Muta Lock, followed by a spinwheel kick. Double knees in the corner rock Sydal but he goes right back to the leg in a smart move.
The standing moonsault hits Ishimoris legs but he has to roll through the 450. With that not working, the Tombstone into the double knees to the chest rock Sydal again. Not that it matters as he pops up and pulls Ishimori off the top for the front flip into the rollup to retain at 11:55.
Dreamer talks to Eddie about wasting so much time of his life trying to beat one person and says you cant do this in 2018. You can however continue talking about ECW. Its only been seventeen years.
Rosemary doesnt want Allie at ringside with her tonight because thats how it has to be.
LAX is panicking because theyve lost everything, including the money and the girls. Maybe sell the clubhouse?
Su Yung vs. Rosemary
Yung tries to jump her on the floor and the fight starts on the outside with Yung being sent into the steps. The Panic Switch plants Rosemary on the floor and here come the army of demonic bridesmaids with a casket. There was no bell so no match.
Allie comes out for the save but the bridesmaids pull her away. Rosemary is back up and grabs the kendo stick to point at Yung. Su spits in her eyes and hits a Panic Switch off the stage through a table. Rosemary is put in the casket to end the show. Why do I have a feeling this is going to turn into Rosemary as Yungs minion?
Results
OVE b. Fallah Bahh/KM Rollup to Bahh
Kiera Hogan b. Taya Valkyrie via DQ when Tessa Blanchard interfered
Brian Cage b. Brodie Marshall, Mick Maretti and Slex Drill Claw to Slex
DJZ/Andrew Everett/Dezmond Xavier b. Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma/Drago DZT to Aerostar
Matt Sydal b. Taiji Ishimori Front flip into a rollup
Friday
Nothing.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Backlash 2018
Date: May 6, 2018
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Jonathan Coachman, Tom Phillips
Yes its another big show as were closing in on the end of the longest month in WWE history. This is the third part of the Wrestlemania and Greatest Royal Rumble trilogy, meaning its time to redeem Roman Reigns. Again. Other than that we have AJ Styles defending the Smackdown World Title against Shinsuke Nakamura for the third time this month. Lets get to it.
Kickoff Sow: Ruby Riott vs. Bayley
The Riott Squad is in Rubys corner and theres no Sasha Banks, despite Bayley asking her to be here. They fight over a headlock to start but Bayley takes him down, only to miss an elbow. A Sarah Logan distraction lets Ruby get in an STO and we take a break. Back with Ruby dropping a knee and grabbing a chinlock. Logan offers another distraction to cut off a comeback, followed by Riott sending Bayley face first into the middle buckle.
Its off to a cravate for a bit until Bayley manages a double springboard crossbody (which only kind of hits) for two. Bayley slides outside for a hurricanrana on Logan and snaps Rubys throat across the ropes. The top rope elbow gets two but Liv Morgan gets on the apron, allowing Ruby to hit the Riott Kick for the pin at 10:07.
The opening video asks what Backlash is, which transitions into a discussion about how everything changes tonight with the shows being co-branded. You know, unlike Wrestlemania and Greatest Royal Rumble, which totally werent co-branded.
Intercontinental Title: Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
Miz is challenging and this is Raw vs. Smackdown. Cole already makes me scratch my head by saying the last person to switch brands with the title was Rob Van Dam in 2002. By what I can find, there have been about five such instances in between, including Dean Ambrose last year and MIZ the year before that. They fight over a wristlock to start with Rollins getting the better of it but getting kicked off the top to the floor.
Miz sends him face first into the announcers table and its chinlock time. A knee to the ribs sets up a DDT for two on Seth and its almost all Miz early on. Miz hits a running crotch attack to the back but Rollins sends him into the corner. A suicide dive has Miz in even more trouble and a rollup gets two. The Blockbuster gets the same and Rollins is rolling until Miz pulls him face first into the apron.
Not that it matters as Rollins kicks him down and scores with the frog splash for two. Another suicide dive is broken up with a forearm so its time for a slugout on the apron. The ripcord knee hits the post though (sick thud) and Miz grabs the Figure Four. With the announcers guaranteeing a new champion, Rollins turns it over for a bit but is turned back over, sending him straight to the ropes for the break. The Skull Crushing Finale is broken up and Rollins nails the enziguri.
Rollins tweaks the knee though and now the Finale connects for a close two. The corner clothesline connects but Rollins is able to hit the superplex. The knee gives out on the Falcon Arrow attempt though and a second Skull Crushing Finale gets...two in a nice surprise. Of course thats canceled out as the Finale now looks rather lame but how else are you supposed to make someone look tough other than having them kick out of finishers? A super Stomp misses but Rollins escapes the Finale, setting up the Stomp for a delayed pin to retain the title at 20:34.
We recap Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss. Nia won the title at Wrestlemania after dealing with Alexa bullying her for months. This turned into Bliss saying that Nia was the real bully, including some hilarious PSA style vignettes of Bliss talking about Nia being a horrible person. Tonight is the rematch with Bliss trying to get the title back.
Raw Womens Title: Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
Nia is defending. Bliss goes straight for the knee (she must have been watching the previous match) and tries a quickly broken sleeper. Nia bends the arm back and throws Bliss around but a kick to the head puts the champ down. A little trash talk gets Bliss in trouble as Nia puts her on her shoulders (and calls a ton of spots) until Bliss rakes the eyes.
Nia is still able to toss her off the top and then throws her from corner to corner three straight times. Egads at least dont look like youre stalling. Bliss shoves her off the top to break up a Vader Bomb though and a DDT on the steps knocks the champ silly. Back in and Nia tries the super Samoan drop but gets kicked in the leg to give Alexa two more. Twisted Bliss takes too long though and the Samoan drop retains Nias title at 10:37.
Post match Nia says that was for everyone who has been bullied. So the solution to bullying is to grow to twice the bullys size and beat them up?
We look at Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in the cage match at Greatest Royal Rumble.
Samoa Joe says hell beat Reigns tonight.
US Title: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
Orton is challenging after winning a triple threat match a few weeks back. Jeff gets elbowed in the face to start and a shoulder puts him down for an early two. Back up and Jeff sends him outside for the clothesline from the apron, only to get dropkicked for two back inside. Orton sends him into the Tree of Woe and stomps away as the methodical pace continues. They head outside with Jeff hitting Poetry In Motion off the steps and there goes the shirt.
Back in and Orton dropkicks him outside again, setting up three straight drops onto the barricade. Inside again and this time Orton drops him onto the top rope to change the pace a bit. We hit the chinlock and the announcers bring up Orton losing the Smackdown World Title to Jinder Mahal at this show last year. In case the match wasnt dull enough you see. The RUSEV DAY chants begin so Im guessing you can pencil him in to lose in two minutes on Tuesday.
Jeff finally fights up and hits a basement dropkick to set up Whisper in the Wind (with Orton standing there and staring at him even as Jeff was climbing the ropes). The Twist of Fate and RKO are both countered so Orton settles for two off the powerslam. Jeff misses the slingshot dropkick in the corner (the Hardiac Arrest, which I kind of like) and Orton gets to stand there a bit longer. The hanging DDT connects but the RKO is countered into a Twist of Fate. Jeff drops the Swanton to retain at 12:02.
Heres Elias for a song. Before he starts though, he talks about being friends with Bruce Springsteen, who calls him the boss and regrets being from New Jersey. Elias told Bruce to tune in tonight because Bruce is going to like his song. The fans keep applauding to prevent Elias from singing. He gets up and teases leaving over and over to draw some BOO/YAY chants until New Day cuts him off with Big E. carrying a marching band drum.
Elias: You guys want some autographs or something? New Day wants to walk with Elias but that means a solo performance. Elias tells Jojo to introduce him again but heres Aiden English to cut them off with a song about how New Day needs to stick with the merchandise and Elias plays a nice guitar but today is Rusev Day.
Rusev says this isnt about the bootleg Bob Dylan but Elias says this is his night and tells Jojo to introduce him again. Now its No Way Jose interrupting with a conga line, including Titus Worldwide and Breezango. Elias looks like he wants to shoot himself (I feel for you buddy) and even Graves is feeling sorry for him. Elias says cut the music and Jojo does her intro for the fourth time. This time Bobby Roode interrupts with a Glorious DDT and everyone leaves in the conga line. Well except English who Rusev cuts off.
By the way, its about 9:30pm EST and we have five matches left. This show is on the east coast so yes, theyre really expected to just be in the arena until after midnight on a Sunday night.
We recap Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass. Bryan is back in the ring and Cass came over to Smackdown in the Superstar Shakeup. Cass is a bully to someone Bryans size and wants to show him how a superstar should be. For reasons unclear, Cass isnt Mizs new bodyguard yet.
Big Cass vs. Daniel Bryan
Bryan kicks at the knee to start (this is the second match of four tonight to focus on bullying and the third of four to include someone working on the knee) and tries the YES Kicks until Cass spinebusts him. Due to reasons of being rather horrible people with no taste in wrestling (or life in general), the fans want Enzo.
Cass stops to pose before hitting a loud chop up against the ropes. Bryan slips out of an over the shoulder powerbomb and kicks away in the corner but gets sent up into the air for a big crash. A running clothesline turns Bryan inside out for two but Cass misses the big boot. Thats enough to set up the big kick to the head and Bryan takes him down, hammers at the side of the head, and grabs the YES Lock for the very fast tap at 7:57.
Post match Cass beats Bryan up even more and hits the big boot.
We recap the Smackdown Womens Title match. Carmella cashed in Money in the Bank to take the title from Charlotte on the Smackdown after Wrestlemania and Charlotte is trying to win the title back from the less talented champion. The Iconics have been running around tormenting Charlotte as well.
Smackdown Womens Title: Carmella vs. Charlotte
Carmella is defending and they trade struts to start. Charlotte misses a big boot so badly that I had to rewind to make sure I wasnt seeing things. That sends Carmella to the floor (presumably with the wind knocking her down) and she tries to leave with the title, only to be sent back inside. Charlotte sends her outside but gets caught with a superkick for two. We hit the chinlock with Carmella telling the referee to ask her. Shes not Canadian enough for that.
A lot of screeching ensues, followed by Carmella cranking on both arms at once. Charlotte kicks her away but gets slammed head first onto the apron to cut her off again. Back in and Carmella tries the Staten Island Shuffle but gets speared in half. Carmella is right back with the Code of Silence (the leg Crossface) but Charlotte powers out. Charlotte goes up top for the moonsault, tweaks her knee, gets kicked in said knee, and gets rolled up for the pin at 10:00.
We recap the Smackdown World Title. AJ Styles beat Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the title at Wrestlemania but Nakamura turned heel and has abused Styles groin ever since. Tonight is No DQ with Styles wanting revenge.
And yes, this means Reigns is headlining. Again.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Styles is defending, there are no disqualifications, and this is the third time theyve had a big match in four weeks, making it a recurring dream match. Nakamura channels his inner Kevin Owens and bails to the floor at the bell. AJ will have none of that and sends him into the barricade, followed by kicks to the back inside. They fight to the floor again with Styles sending him face and ribs first into the barricade.
Nakamura comes back by GOING AFTER THE KNEE (take a freaking shot) and hits some running knees to the head as the fans are split again. The pace slows and Nakamura gets two off a knee drop. A hard kick to the head drops AJ again and its off to a front facelock. The No DQ rule has only been a factor for a little bit so far and hasnt meant anything since theyve been back inside. The hold is let go and Nakamura kicks him to the floor. AJ starts a comeback until another shot to the knee cuts him off, followed by a dragon sleeper back inside.
Thats escaped as well and Nakamura hits a running knee in the corner. The jumping middle rope knee gets two on AJ and its time for a chair. AJ knocks it away but gets kicked in the head for his efforts. The reverse exploder onto the chair gets two but AJ chucks the chair at Nakamuras knee (with the chair bouncing back into AJs face, drawing blood from his knee). The Calf Crusher goes on but Nakamura reverses into a triangle choke.
AJ powers up and hits a running forearm to the back of Nakamuras head for two. Theres the low blow but AJ hits one of his own to even things out. They fight to their feet and stereo low blows take both guys down. The referee gets to ten and thats a double knockout, meaning AJ retains at 21:12.
Bobby Lashley/Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens
Fallout from some recent tag matches, including the first match between these teams a few weeks ago on Raw. Sami hides from Lashley to start before headlocking him for little success. Owens comes in, gets suplexed, and hands it back to Sami who gets sent into the announcers table. A dropkick knocks Lashley off the apron and the beating begins, including Samis chinlock. Lashley comes back with a Downward Spiral but Owens breaks up a hot tag attempt.
The actual hot tag comes in a few seconds later and its Strowman coming in to clean house. The chase is on with Strowman running Owens over, catching Sami to throw him into the barricade, and then running Owens over again to continue the rather running (ahem) gag. Sami loads up a Helluva Kick but opts to walk out instead. Owens talks him back into staying, but Sami throws Owens back in to face Strowman. Sami tries his luck and bails again, leaving Owens to take a spinebuster from Lashley. The delayed vertical suplex pins (the illegal) Owens at 8:20.
Post match Sami yells as Owens takes a running powerslam.
We recap Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe. In short, Roman is all sad because he cant beat Brock Lesnar so Joe is going to choke him out of his misery.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
Joe jumps him before the bell, drawing even stronger cheers than he had earlier. They fight to the floor and Joe Rock Bottoms him through the table before the match actually starts. Reigns gets thrown over two announcers tables but makes it into the ring, saying he can go. The bell rings and Joe hammers away in the corner, followed by a knee drop. Coles analysis: Reigns doesnt want to lose tonight. We hit the neck crank with Joe saying Reigns just has to go away. So Joe is the new voice of the voiceless.
Reigns fights up but eats an enziguri in the corner for two. Its off to another chinlock as the BORING chants start up. Joe sends him outside for the suicide elbow and we hit the armbar because this hasnt felt long enough already. The fans try a THIS IS BORING chant before just going with the booing. Reigns fights up and hits a big boot, followed by the apron dropkick. Some clotheslines (running and corner variety) have Joe in trouble but he knocks Reigns down and gets two off the backsplash. Fans: PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
A spinebuster gives Reigns two but a second apron dropkick is countered into a choke. Thats broken up as well and Reigns gets two off the Superman Punch. The Rusev Day chants are cut off as Joe cuts off a spear with a kick to the head. The spear hits a few seconds later with Joe getting his foot on the ropes for two.
Another spear is blocked with another spear and the Koquina Clutch goes on. Reigns stacks him up into a rollup for two but an OConnor Roll is countered into another Clutch. Reigns is almost out but fights up, which is enough to make Joe let the hold go for whatever reason. Back up and the spear ends Joe at 18:08.
Results
Seth Rollins b. The Miz Stomp
Nia Jax b. Alexa Bliss Samoan drop
Jeff Hardy b. Randy Orton Swanton Bomb
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass YES Lock
Carmella b. Charlotte Kick to the leg
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura went to a double knockout
Braun Strowman/Bobby Lashley b. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn Suplex to Owens
Roman Reigns b. Samoa Joe Spear
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Elias b. Bobby Roode via referee stoppage
Authors of Pain b. Jean-Paul/Francois Last Chapter to Francois
Ruby Riott b. Sasha Banks Riott Kick
Bobby Lashley/Braun Strowman/Roman Reigns b. Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens/Jinder Mahal Running powerslam to Owens
No Way Jose b. Baron Corbin Rollup
Natalya b. Mickie James Small package
Seth Rollins b. Finn Balor The Stomp
Smackdown
Jeff Hardy/Randy Orton b. Shelton Benjamin/The Miz Swanton Bomb to Benjamin
Xavier Woods b. Sheamus Small package
Charlotte/Becky Lynch/Asuka b. Iconics/Carmella Asuka Lock to Royce
NXT
Kairi Sane b. Shazza McKenzie Insane Elbow
TM61 b. Street Profits Rollup to Ford with feet on the ropes
Bianca Belair b. Candice LeRae Alley Oop
Pete Dunne b. Roderick Strong via DQ when Undisputed Era interfered
Impact Wrestling
OVE b. Fallah Bahh/KM Rollup to Bahh
Kiera Hogan b. Taya Valkyrie via DQ when Tessa Blanchard interfered
Brian Cage b. Brodie Marshall, Mick Maretti and Slex Drill Claw to Slex
DJZ/Andrew Everett/Dezmond Xavier b. Aerostar/El Hijo Del Fantasma/Drago DZT to Aerostar
Matt Sydal b. Taiji Ishimori Front flip into a rollup
Backlash 2018
Seth Rollins b. The Miz Stomp
Nia Jax b. Alexa Bliss Samoan drop
Jeff Hardy b. Randy Orton Swanton Bomb
Daniel Bryan b. Big Cass YES Lock
Carmella b. Charlotte Kick to the leg
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura went to a double knockout
Braun Strowman/Bobby Lashley b. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn Suplex to Owens
Roman Reigns b. Samoa Joe Spear