klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
Monday
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 27, 2015
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
Summerslam is still coming and tonight's big question is what is going to co-headline the show alongside the showdown between Brock Lesnar and Undertaker. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena in a champion vs. champion match has been teased, but it would be interesting to see if Cena holds onto the title until Summerslam. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's brawl between Undertaker and Lesnar with the entire roster trying to keep them apart.
Here's the Authority and Seth Rollins to open the show. HHH says this is a night of firsts and we're going to start with a major announcements. For the first time ever, Summerslam is going to be a special four hour event, of course with Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar as the main event. Tonight is going to be something special tonight as well as Big Show goes one on one with Dean Ambrose.
On top of that we have Paige vs. Sasha Banks and Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton. Stephanie brings up the Divas Revolution with Alicia Fox/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Charlotte. Rollins takes the mic and brags about how amazing he is, calling himself one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, but here's John Cena to disagree. Cena doesn't like the idea of Rollins calling himself the greatest of all time because Rollins is a joke. On a night like tonight, we need to find out which one of them is right.
If tonight is a night of firsts, we need to find out if Seth Rollins really is a man, so how about Cena vs. Rollins for the World Title tonight? Seth says Cena needs to earn a shot but Stephanie wants to put it up to the people because she can't remember if she's a face or a heel. The fans love the idea and even start a YES chant so Stephanie says NO, complete with a little dance. HHH thinks the idea has merit though so instead it's going to be a US Title match with Rollins having the chance to be a dual champion.
The Austin Podcast returns next week with......Paige?
Dean Ambrose vs. Big Show
This is actually fallout from two weeks ago on Smackdown where Ambrose countered Big Show's chokeslam through a table with a DDT. Miz is on commentary, guaranteeing Ambrose loses because WWE doesn't think stuff through. Show takes him into the corner to start and rips Dean's shirt open before running him over with a shoulder.
Dean low bridges him to the floor and a baseball slide sets up a suicide dive but dives into a chop as we take a WAY too early break. Back with Show working on the leg but has to stop to tie his boot. Miz rants about Ryback missing time, because he could beat up a staph infection. Ambrose's sleeper has as much effect as anyone's sleeper has on Big Show and Show goes old school with the Alley Oop for two. Another chokeslam is countered with another DDT but the rebound lariat is countered with the chokeslam for two.
Show does the smart thing by just chokeslamming him again but Dean rolls to the floor to lay in the light of the video screen. Dean gets back in but a superkick puts him on the floor again, setting up a spear to flatten Dean one more time. Ambrose dives in at nine, only to be thrown outside for a third time in two minutes. This time Show throws him inside but Dean kicks him away for a suicide dive. Show is waiting for him with the KO Punch though and it's a countout at 10:30.
Dean still won't stay down so Show loads up a spear, which goes right through the barricade instead.
Neville vs. Fandango
Fandango tries a powerbomb but opts for a clothesline instead. JBL: When in doubt, hit your opponent really hard. A Gory Stretch has Neville in trouble but he comes back with his series of quick strikes. Having never watched a Neville match, Fandango heads outside in front of the ramp, setting up the big flip dive. Back inside and the Red Arrow is good for the pin on Fandango at 1:54.
Post match, Stardust comes on screen and rips up a comic book while talking about wining and dining with kings and queens. No one wants to talk about the strange but don't worry because he'll rescue the WWE Universe and there is nothing Neville can do to stop him.
Paige gives Charlotte and Becky Lynch a pep talk when Team Bad comes in to trade insults. Paige wins by saying she was the first NXT Women's Champion.
Sasha Banks vs. Paige
Non-title. Sasha's Sky's The Limit theme makes its Raw debut here. Their lockup goes to the mat and then out to the floor without a break. Back in and Paige fires off her elbows in the corner, followed by a fall away slam for two. We hit the hammerlock before Paige drives Banks down into a Fujiwara armbar. Sasha tries to fight up but eats a superkick to put her on the floor with Paige diving on all of Team Bad as we take a break.
Back with Sasha holding a chinlock as everyone else has been ejected from ringside. The double knees to the chest in the corner get two and it's back to the chinlock with Paige in trouble. That doesn't last long though as Paige fights up and fires off a series of knees in the corner and the trio of clotheslines. A superkick looks to set up the PTO but instead it's another knee to Sasha's chest for two. Sasha hits a charge in the corner for two of her own, followed by a sloppy Bank Statement for the clean tap at 13:57.
Rollins says he'll win tonight because he beats the best that WWE throws at him every single time. Tonight, the future passes Cena by.
The Terminator is in WWE 2K16.
Here are Rusev and Lana for a chat. Rusev says he's smitten with her and wants to give Summer a present. First up: a puppy, who is so ugly that they have to name him Dog Ziggler. The second present is.....a headless fish. It's a cold fish, so let's name it Lana. Cue the real Lana who rants about Rusev trying to humiliate her.
Lana goes on about Summer being a Lana ripoff and how Rusev is just trying to replace the real thing. Lana kicks Summer in the leg and put on an armbar while ripping at Summer's hair. Summer goes face first into the fish and Lana leaves. This was, in a word, really stupid.
We see the same recap the opened the show. Saxton says Lesnar is back next week in the city that hosted last year's Wrestlemania: San Jose, California.
Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores
The Prime Time Players are on commentary and this match is to move up the tag team rankings. Cara and Diego flip around to start before the Dragons double team Diego down for two. Kalisto slaps on an armbar as Titus makes fun of Darren's shyness on commentary. It's Diego coming back with a running clothesline to take over but Kalisto grabs the arm again to stop the comeback.
Cara's springboard cross body is caught in midair and they drop him face first onto the post. Even Torito gets in some cheap shots as Titus and JBL argue over Puerto Rican bullfighters. Fernando's chinlock has Cara in more trouble and the slow offense continues with a front facelock.
Cara gets in a belly to back for a breather and the hot tag brings in Kalisto for a springboard tornado DDT. Cara swantons onto Diego on the floor but we've got New Day, with a sign saying Kofi is the REAL Mega Dad of the Year. Kalisto grabs a huricanrana for the pin on Diego at 8:05.
Here are Wyatt and Harper with something to say. Well one of them with something to say at least. Bray thinks everyone here has a family and thinks most people here love their family. There's this idea that if a family stays together, they can survive anything. That's a lie though man. It's a shame that people won't tell their family the truth.
It's in your house, your government and your places of worship: those that trust you the most are the ones you should fear the most. The truth shall set you free, but freedom comes at a very hefty price. A long time ago, Bray had a pet. It wasn't the most charming one but Bray loved him all the same. That pet wanted to know what was over the hills and across the train tracks, so one day Bray loosened his chains and the pet ran away.
One day he came back, but the pet was different, partially because of a scar alongside his eye. The pet never left his side, but it would never be the same. That brings him to Harper, who was a damaged man that Bray picked up from the dirt and fixed him like a broken toy. One day, Bray knew he would have to set Harper free, but now Harper has come home. Harper says he didn't know why he existed or why he was here, but his family found him.
Bray showed him the truth: this is all the people's fault. They made him what he is when they shunned him but Bray saved him. When you pray for the rain, you best be prepared for the mud. Harper is ready to give his life for Bray, and Bray says he knows Harper would go through anything for him. That brings Wyatt back to Roman Reigns, who was told that this was just the beginning. If Reigns really cared for Dean Ambrose, he would tell Dean that he was in danger. This is Reigns' hill to die on and Bray himself will seal Reigns' fate. We're here. Follow the buzzards.
Alicia Fox/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Charlotte
Becky runs Nikki over to start before it's off to Charlotte for a twisting rollup (Charlotte's Web) for two. Off to Fox who has similar success as Charlotte drops a knee to the head. Nikki offers a distraction so Fox can get two off a northern lights suplex. Nikki comes back in for her pushups and some laughter before it's off to Fox for a double arm crank with her feet in Charlotte's back. She pulls on it so hard that Charlotte flips over onto her for two, allowing for the tag off to Becky. A t-bone suplex sends Fox flying as everything breaks down. Lynch's Disarm-Her armbar makes Fox tap at 6:10.
Look back at last week's Tough Enough elimination and a list of the remaining competitors.
Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
Sheamus is on commentary. Owens jaws a lot to start and they slug it out with Randy knocking him outside early on. Back in and Orton rakes his boot over Kevin's face but Owens rolls right back to the floor. It's Orton being sent face first into the post and a fall away slam to launch him into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Owens getting two off the backsplash but walking into Orton's backbreaker to even things up.
It's Owens staying in control though and slugging away in the corner, setting up the Cannonball but Orton rolls away. The powerslam plants Owens and the t-bone suplex does the same. They fight to the floor again and it's a Brogue Kick to Orton for the DQ at 11:06.
Post match Sheamus goes after Orton but Cesaro runs in to get his hands on Owens. Sheamus offers a distraction though and Owens powerbombs Cesaro and spits on him.
Cena says he's been defending this title for months now but tonight he's up against the golden boy and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. If Rollins is as good as he says he is, then he can shock the world.
US Title: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Cena is defending and for the sake of simplicity, I'll only refer to Cena as the champion. A quick shoulder puts Rollins on the floor and things slow right back down. Back in and an AA attempt is countered, allowing Rollins to kick him down to take over. Rollins slaps on a chinlock and we take a break. Back with Cena fighting out of the chinlock (dang that must have been a dull commercial break) but missing a charge in the corner.
Cena comes back and tries his finishing sequence, only to have Rollins kick him in the head/shoulder for two. The Shuffle is broken up by another kick to the head but Cena avoids a corner dive of his own, setting up a tornado DDT for two on Seth. The top rope knee to the head gets two on the champ but Cena catches him in an electric chair for two. Another knee to the nose puts Cena in the corner but we stop to check for blood (which is flowing from his nose. It could be broken).
Thankfully Cena will have none of that but Rollins kicks him in the head, setting up the buckle bomb for two. The doctor comes in to look at the nose but Cena is right back up with the springboard Stunner. Rollins flips out of the AA though and the low superkick gets a very close two. Fans: THIS IS AWESOME. Not really guys.
An AA gets two (that should be a drinking game) and Cena gets his nose looked at again. A closeup shows that the nose is definitely broken as it's off to one side. Cena gets superplexed off the top and Rollins floats over into a falcon's arrow for two. The fans are getting way into these kickouts. Rollins misses the Phoenix Splash and it's off to the STF for the tap at 17:05.
Results
Big Show b. Dean Ambrose via countout
Neville b. Fandango Red Arrow
Sasha Banks b. Paige Bank Statement
Lucha Dragons b. Los Matadores Hurricanrana to Diego
Becky Lynch/Charlotte b. Nikki Bella/Alicia Fox Disarm-Her to Fox
Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens via DQ when Sheamus interfered
John Cena b. Seth Rollins STF
Tuesday
Nothing.
Wednesday
Layla has retired from WWE.
NXT
Date: July 29, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We have a clear path towards Takeover: Brooklyn now with a main event of Finn Balor defending against Kevin Owens in a rematch from their Beast in the East showdown. Other than that it seems that we're going to get Bayley challenging for the Women's Title, but first she wants to get through Charlotte. However, Charlotte first wants to go through Dana Brooke, who she faces tonight. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Cass keeps it simple here, just saying that you're S-A-W-F-T if you're not a certified G. Enzo and Scott get things going with Enzo taking it to the mat and walking over Dawson's back so he can do some dancing. Everything is about to break down when Dawson and Wilder realize that Cass is a foot taller than everyone else in the ring. Off to Cass, who seems to be a bit more over with the fans.
Back to Enzo for two on Wilder from a high cross body, only to charge shoulder first into the post. Wilder and Dawson start alternating as we get some NXT house show ads. The heels crank on the arm and Wilder stops Enzo from diving through the legs for a hot tag. A slingshot suplex (that's so appropriate for a team like these two) gets two on Enzo but the bad guys collide, allowing for the hot tag to Big Cass. Everything breaks down and Enzo chases Wilder around the ring, only to be caught in a 3D into a Codebreaker (Shatter Machine) to give Wilder the pin at 6:39.
Chad Gable and Jason Jordan say they're not your common team but they get things done when they need to. They're not as loud as the Hype Bros or Enzo/Cass, but they find a way to win. Jason doesn't want to say they're ready, willing and Gable.
We recap Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke, which is over Charlotte being in the Tap Out commercial, because Dana says Charlotte has been given all of her chances because of her last name. Dana wants a match to show her abilities and gets her chance tonight.
Baron Corbin vs. Jesse Sorensen
Yes that's TNA's Jesse Sorensen and he gets taken out by End of Days in 22 seconds.
Tyler Breeze comes in to Regal's office and yells about Regal not answering his Twitter, Facebook or Instagram messages. Regal: I sent a carrier pigeon. Breeze will fight anyone from around the world but Regal says be careful what you wish for.
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable vs. Elias Samson/Levis Valenzuela Jr.
Jordan rides Levis down to start so it's off to Samson who wants Gable. Chad comes in and casually spins out of a wristlock before taking Samson down to the mat and cranking on the legs. Chad's smile as he does this is great stuff. Back up and Levis gets in a knee to Gable's back to take over before a slam gets two. Chad shrugs it off (because it's just a slam) and makes the hot tag to Jason, who quickly puts on the double belly to back suplex (now called the Grand Amplitude) for the pin on Levis at 4:23.
Dana Brooke is ready to conquer Charlotte, just like she's conquered everything else she's ever done. So she's the female Brock Lesnar?
We recap Bull Dempsey's struggles to stay in shape before seeing him trying to work out at the Performance Center. This goes badly, though some of it might have to do with his workout gear looking like it's made of trash bags. The tagline is It's time to get Bull-Fit, which is kind of catchy.
Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke
Charlotte shoves her down to start but has to go after Emma. The distraction doesn't work for once but Dana is able to pound Charlotte down in the corner for two. It's off to a bodyscissors on Charlotte until she lifts Dana up, only to have Brooke fall on top for two. Brooke cranks on an arm and a leg on the mat while shouting about Charlotte wanting to pose for Tap Out. A catapult sends Charlotte throat first into the bottom rope but she pops up with a neckbreaker and spear, followed by Natural Selection for the pin at 4:23.
Samoa Joe is targeting Rhyno because they're both predators. Joe is going to choke Rhyno out.
Last week, Regal was upset that Kevin Owens ran him over, but Owens comes up and apologizes for going into fight or flight mode. Regal can't wait to see him take a beating.
Eva Marie says last week was just the beginning and she's coming for Sasha Banks and the title. They really can't be serious can right?
Kevin Owens vs. Martin Stone
Stone is a British wrestler who looks like a shorter Luke Gallows. Owens nails a clothesline to start and the backsplash. Stone runs into a release German suplex, followed by the Cannonball, a swanton bomb and the Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 1:48.
Owens gives Stone an apron powerbomb post match.
Video on Rhyno's time in NXT.
Tag Team Titles: Blake/Murphy vs. Vaudevillains
Blake and Murphy are defending. Fans: DOWN WITH DUBSTEP! Blake and Gotch fight over a top wristlock to start until Simon grabs a monkey flip into a cross armbreaker, followed by a dropkick for two. English comes in and stays right on Blake with a top wristlock of his own. Murphy comes in but both champions take Japanese armdrags as this is all Vaudevillains so far.
Back from a break with the Vaudevillains working on Murphy's arm some more. English throws both champs to the floor but Blake is able to kick him in the side of the head to finally take over. Running forearms in the corner set up a chinlock on Aiden but he fights up and dives over for a tag to Simon. Fans: OH MY GOTCH! Gotch cleans house and the Whirling Dervish is loaded up, only to have Bliss grad English's leg, allowing Blake to roll him up and grab the tights to retain at 10:18.
The Vaudevillains clean house until they're alone with Bliss. Fans: CHIVALRY! CHIVALRY! They hold the ropes open for her but Bliss slaps both of them and leaves with the champs to end the show.
Results
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady Shatter Machine to Amore
Baron Corbin b. Jesse Sorensen End of Days
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Levis Valenzuela Jr./Elias Samson Grand Amplitude to Valenzuela
Charlotte b. Dana Brooke Natural Selection
Kevin Owens b. Martin Stone Pop Up Powerbomb
Blake/Murphy b. Vaudevillains Rollup to English with a handful of tights
Impact Wrestling
Date: July 29, 2015
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
The big story coming out of last week is Matt Hardy earning the #1 contendership in a tables match over Bobby Roode. This was the result of the night's main story being thrown out due to the Hernandez issue, which is likely going to cause even more problems tonight. Other than changing things up though, we do get Jeff Jarrett's Hall of Fame induction. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's major events, including Jeff Jarrett being announced as the next Hall of Fame inductee, Serena being announced as James Storm's partner and Matt Hardy becoming #1 contender.
Here's Austin Aries with something to say. Aries may not have a title right now, but politics and backstage issues aside, there is no one on the face of this planet who is better than he is. Therefore, why wasn't he involved in the #1 contenders match last week? Bully Ray may be in charge but he's already off to a bad start with mistakes like that.
Cue Bully Ray, who says his opinion is the only one that matters. Sure Aries is great. He's so great that he even beat Bully himself at one point. Aries is going to get another shot at what he deserves. Austin interprets that as a World Title shot but Ray says Aries already lost that chance. In that case, Aries will settle for a Tag Team Title shot with Bobby Roode. That's a no as well, so Aries can challenge for the X-Division Title later tonight.
Aries isn't happy because that title is beneath him. The X-Division Title is for people like Rockstar Spud, who comes out in objection. Spud is a big Aries fan, but a statement like he just made hurts. Option C gave people like Spud a chance to be World Heavyweight Champion because it gave them a reason to believe in themselves. Austin laughs this off because Option C was made for people like himself, not Rockstar Spud.
Yeah Angle beat him once, but that would only happen one out of ten times. Spud on the other hand would lost to him every time. Since Aries has nothing to do tonight, why doesn't he beat Spud up instead? Spud thinks he can beat Aries instead of just hanging with him, which makes Aries say he'll leave if he loses tonight. Ray accepts that as a contract and the match is on for later tonight. Aries agrees, but wants the Rockstar moniker if he wins.
The Jarretts are here.
Chris Melendez tells Kurt Angle that he has to beat Eric Young to move forward in his career.
Sgt. Chris Melendez vs. Eric Young
Angle is out with Chris. Before the match, Melendez says he'll keep fighting no matter what, just like he did overseas. Young comes out and says Melendez doesn't want him coming in there because it will end badly for him. The bell rings and Eric slaps him in the back of the head a few times as we're suddenly told Aries vs. Spud is next week at No Surrender. Is there even a point to having specials when they're the same shows we get every week? Young stays on him and drives some elbows into the back of the head before a quick piledriver is good for the pin 3:12. Well that was a waste of time.
Sting Hall of Fame video.
Matt Hardy doesn't know what stipulation he's picking for his title match against Ethan Carter III. We will announce the stipulation later. JB wants to know who the other half of we is, even though it was already announced next week.
Knockouts Title: Brooke vs. Marti Bell
Brooke is defending yeah this is just the token title defense against the former champion's lackey. The champ cleans house to start but goes after Taryn (in a tutu), allowing Marti to get in a cheap shot to take over. Brooke comes back with a quick shot to the face for two, only to have a kick to the jaw change control back to Marti. A superplex is broken up though and Brooke nails a middle rope clothesline. Brooke gets two off a Russian legsweep but the Dollhouse tries to interfere, only to have Gail Kim.....play her entrance video for a distraction, allowing Brooke to hit the Butterface Maker on Marti to retain at 4:40.
Kurt Angle Hall of Fame video.
More from Tigre Uno in Tijuana, this time talking about what TNA has done for his family. He loves lucha libre and thinks it's better than anything in the world. These aren't exactly thrilling statements.
Tigre Uno calls Donald Trump a coward.
Ethan Carter III isn't worried about what stipulation Matt picks.
Here are Carter and Tyrus for Matt's announcement. Remember when World Title matches were just wrestling matches? After saying Bully sucks eggs, Carter rips on the Hardys for being a couple of North Carolina hillbillies. If this was against Jeff Hardy then maybe Ethan would be worried but Jeff broke his leg on a motocross bike. Ethan says Matt isn't a World Title contender so here's Jeff to object.
Jeff admits that he cried from the pain of his broken leg but he conquers fears. Before Carter knows it he'll be dropping titanium shins on Ethan's face. Before Carter knows it, Jeff will be the next World Champion. It's nice to see Jeff admitting that his brother has no chance. This brings out Matt who draws a NEXT WORLD CHAMP chant.
Matt talks about the Hardys being told they can't do it and always proving people wrong. It's not a competition between the brothers to see who is best, which is why Jeff is supporting him this week. Jeff gets to make the announcement but instead of saying anything, he asks Matt to pull some stuff out from udner the ring. Matt pulls out a table, a chair and a ladder because WHAT ELSE WOULD THE HARDYS PICK??? In case it's not clear, next week is Full Metal Mayhem. On top of that, no one is allowed at ringside during the match.
Team 3D Hall of Fame video.
Magnus and Mickie James are ready for James Storm and Serena.
James Storm/Serena vs. Mickie James/Magnus
This is a result of Storm being a psycho who tried to get Mickie in the ring for one last match as a way to get inside her head and make her join the Revolution. The guys officially get things going with Magnus in control until Storm gets in a knee from the apron. Storm slaps on a chinlock and we take a break.
Back with Mickie chasing Serena around, only to allow Storm to plant Magnus with a Backstabber. Storm throws his sweat on Mickie and puts Magnus in a quickly broken chinlock. Magnus can't get anything going though as he charges into Closing Time (Codebreaker) to keep him in trouble. Josh thinks it's a gutbuster for reasons not entirely clear.
Both guys try cross bodies and it's off to the girls with Mickie cleaning house. Everything breaks down and Storm goes after Mickie, only to get speared down for his efforts. Serena calls out Khoya, who hits Storm with the stick by mistake. Magnus adds a powerslam to Storm and the MickieDT ends Serena at 12:15.
Storm gets a MickieDT for good measure.
Mr. Anderson is worried about facing Bram because of the depths he'll have to sink to.
Bram suggests Anderson kiss his kids goodnight and tell them goodbye because he isn't going home.
We run down the No Surrender card.
Video on Jeff Jarrett's career.
Here's Dixie Carter to induct Jarrett into the Hall of Fame. She tells a story of meeting Jeff when she lived in Tennessee and compares him to George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life. Dixie welcomes the Jarretts to the ring and after a break, it's time to hear from Jeff. Jeff thanks everyone who has ever bought something from TNA and everyone who has ever worked for TNA. He leaves off people who have done work for them but haven't actually gotten paid but I'm sure they're included too.
Jeff lists off a bunch of production guys and office workers in what felt like something special. Mike Tenay gets thanked for holding things in place when they fell apart at times. Don West not so much. Then you have the X-Division, Knockouts and tag teams who all work so hard and prove that it can be more than just heavyweights main eventing. The heavyweights get a thank you as well, including AJ Styles.
Jarrett talks about a falling out with his dad (a legendary promoter in his own right) over this company but thanks him so much for getting him here. His children are the reason he's here and even though they drive him crazy, they keep him going. Last but not least in family is Jeff's wife Karen, who has been Jeff's rock. A quick thank you to the fans leads to a THANK YOU JEFF chant and the roster (like 15 people) come out to applaud as the show ends. This was a nice ceremony and speech, but it felt really rushed because of the lack of time.
Results
Eric Young b. Sgt. Chris Melendez Piledriver
Brooke b. Marti Belle Butterface Maker
Mickie James/Magnus b. James Storm/Serena MickieDT to Serena
Thursday
Smackdown
Date: July 30, 2015
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Jimmy Uso, Jerry Lawler, Tom Phillips
Smackdown has the potential to be interesting this week as we could get some more midcard build for Summerslam, which could be some of the more interesting stuff going on in WWE at the moment. The big story is likely to be Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens, which could be the match of the night at the pay per view. I don't like that many could's. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Seth Rollins to open things up. Seth: SO WHAT? Those are the words he's heard so many times over the year. He heard them when he was the first person to cash in Money in the Bank at Wrestlemania and the man who stood toe to toe with Brock Lesnar at Battleground and came out with the title. This past Monday he reached his breaking point and the victim of his rage was John Cena, who went to the emergency room with a broken nose.
We see a clip of the knee that broke Cena's nose and Rollins calls himself an artist, but here's Cesaro to interrupt. Cesaro really doesn't want to hear Rollins go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about how great he thinks he is like he does every single week. See, Rollins is leaving out the part where Cena made him tap out. Rollins calls it a strategic move that he made because he has bigger things to worry about than the US Title. Cesaro says he'll see Rollins later tonight, unless they both want to have their match right now.
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins
Non-title. Cesaro goes after the leg with some dragon screw leg whips to start but the threat of a Sharpshooter sends the champ bailing to the floor. Cue Kevin Owens to watch as we take a break. Back with Rollins holding a headlock and Owens' head holding a headset for commentary. Cesaro double stomps Seth for two and catches a diving Rollins in midair. That's not enough of a power display for Cesaro though so he throws Rollins up for a suplex. As I say every week, that man is scary strong.
Rollins is able to send him into the buckle with the release Downward Spiral and now it's Seth with the European uppercuts for a change of pace. A chinlock doesn't get Rollins very far as Cesaro powers out (I'm as shocked as you are) with a belly to back suplex. Cesaro loads up the Swing but Owens comes in for the DQ at 8:35.
Owens lays out Cesaro and Rollins gets in a few shots of his own.
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons vs. New Day/Ascension
Weren't the two masked teams fighting on Monday? Before the match, New Day says the Lucha Dragons and Los Matadores could be #1 contenders, so if New Day wins tonight, they should be the #1 contenders! After some WAY over the top introductions, it's Woods on the floor as Diego leg sweeps Viktor to start. A slingshot elbow from Diego sets up a slingshot hilo from Sin Cara, who starts working on the arm.
It's off to Konnor for some hard kicks to the ribs before New Day breaks up a dive and sends Cara out to the floor. Well that sucks. Back from a break with Woods calling Cara stupid as the villains take turns stomping away in the corner. Viktor's chinlock doesn't work very well as the Players say they'd love to face the Usos. Big E. holds Cara for a running knee to the face (well mask) from Kofi as Woods is still going on.
Darren passes the time by wearing glasses and taking notes. That's not something you often see but it makes sense. Viktor runs Cara over for two more as hear about Big E. making Young sick for some reason that Young doesn't want to get into. A Crossface keeps Cara in trouble but he finally avoids a charge, allowing for the Kalisto. Everything breaks down and Kalisto kicks Big E. down, leaving Torito to hit a kind of 619 to knock Woods silly. Big E. loads up the Midnight Hour but Viktor takes Kofi's tag, only to get rolled up by Kalisto for the pin at 10:10.
Owens is told that the Authority has made Owens/Rollins vs. Cesaro/whomever he can find. Kevin isn't pleased and is going to take it out on Cesaro's partner.
Video on Becky Lynch, complete with some old school pictures of her in Japan with Natalya.
Luke Harper says Bray Wyatt saved him by showing him the truth so now Harper has everything he needs. Wyatt talks about Harper liking where he is now and deciding to stay. Anyone but you Roman.
Rusev comes out for his match but first up he and Summer have something to say.....about the fish thing from Raw. Lana ruined the hot Summer because she's jealous and now Rusev would never fall for her again. After winning tonight, Rusev is going to take Summer and Dog Ziggler for a walk anywhere but Oklahoma. Maybe they'll lay on a blanket, stare into each other's eyes and....oh geez here we go again.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger starts with some AMERICAN armdrags to send Rusev outside as Tom makes the mistake of talking about their rivalry last year, because that's so thrilling to hear about. Back in and Swagger wrestles him to the mat but Rusev just throws him into the corner and drives a knee into the face.
Rusev starts in on the back but since Swagger used to be something years ago, Rusev can't just beat him in three minutes and shorten our agony. The slow stomping continues as the fans try to believe. So Oklahoma is the new center of delusion? Swagger comes back with some clotheslines and punches in the corner, only to have Rusev blast him in the face as we go to a break, because this feud just has to keep going. Back with Rusev holding a front facelock as the fans are already dying.
Swagger fights up and kicks Rusev's ducked face but the Vader Bomb misses. Instead Jack plants him with a belly to belly and is promptly nailed with a spinwheel kick. The back and forth continues as Swagger goes after the leg to set up the Vader Bomb. Tom: What is it going to take to put away Rusev? A different opponent Tom. The superkick sets up the Accolade so Swagger can tap to Rusev at 14:40, because that's the entirety of Swagger's job description.
Post match Swagger pulls himself up and avoids a charge, followed by the Patriot Lock to Rusev for Oklahoma's consolation prize.
Cesaro isn't going to hunt for a partner because no one here owes him anything. He's gotten here on his own (I'd try to forget the Heyman era too) and if he has to, he'll fight on his own. I liked this but Cesaro can't connect to me so maybe it's a desire for nachos that I'm interpreting as caring about a wrestler.
We recap Neville vs. Stardust. It might not lead anywhere, but it's certainly different.
Stardust vs. R-Truth
R-Truth has been using that theme song for over 12 years. When is it time that he gets started? He's really bad about procrastinating. They run the ropes to start and we get a bit of an awkward pause as Truth has to hit a running fist to take over. Stardust gets in some shots, R-Truth gets in his kicks, Stardust sends him into the buckle and the Queen's Crossbow (Cross Rhodes) is good for the pin at 2:01.
Stardust says Neville has failed this city (a line from Arrow) so here's Neville to save Truth from further beating. Again, nothing great, but I'm kind of liking this.
Sheamus says he kicked Orton in the face on Monday for Orton showing him up at Battleground. He did it because he's a real man, unlike Orton who just thinks he's a real man. How many REAL MAN characters are there going these days? The idea of WWE without Orton is like Oklahoma without Tulsa: a dream come true. Hey, did you know that Vince hates Oklahoma?
Video on Undertaker vs. Lesnar. Brock is back on Monday.
Cesaro/??? vs. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins
Cesaro is here alone until Dean Ambrose comes down as a surprise. It's a big brawl before the bell with the good guys cleaning house twice in a row as we wait for the opening bell. We take a break and come back with the bell, meaning it's Dean vs. Seth before Cesaro quickly comes in to keep the champ on the mat. Owens gets punched off the apron but the distraction lets Rollins gets in a shot to take over.
The bad guys take over with Owens firing off knees in the corner and it's back to Rollins for a chinlock. Back to Owens for some right hands for two (seriously?) and a chinlock of his own. Rollins comes back in and misses the top rope knee to the head, allowing the hot tag to Dean. He backdrops Seth to the floor for a suicide dive. Dean's superplex doesn't work as well as Rollins counters into a buckle bomb for two. You wouldn't expect a power move like that to work for someone like Rollins but he makes it look good.
The top rope knee to the head and low superkick get two more but Owens takes too much time going up and gets crotched for his efforts. You don't try to superplex Kevin Owens though as he counters into the swinging superplex for another near fall as Cesaro dives in with a double stomp for the save. The backsplash misses too and it's the real hot tag to Cesaro.
That kind of reverse Angle Slam sets up the Crossface on Owens but Rollins' attempt at a save earns him a Swing. Cesaro clotheslines Owens outside, leaving Dean to stop Rollins from diving on the two of them. Instead Dean superplexes Rollins down, only to have Owens try the Pop Up Powerbomb. Dean is ready though and slips out, setting up a rollup from Cesaro for the pin on Kevin at 14:03.
Results
Cesaro b. Seth Rollins via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons b. New Day/Ascension Rollup to Viktor
Rusev b. Jack Swagger Accolade
Stardust b. R-Truth Queen's Crossbow
Cesaro/Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins Rollup to Owens
Friday
Roddy Piper has passed away from a heart attack at 61.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing again.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Big Show b. Dean Ambrose via countout
Neville b. Fandango Red Arrow
Sasha Banks b. Paige Bank Statement
Lucha Dragons b. Los Matadores Hurricanrana to Diego
Becky Lynch/Charlotte b. Nikki Bella/Alicia Fox Disarm-Her to Fox
Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens via DQ when Sheamus interfered
John Cena b. Seth Rollins STF
NXT
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady Shatter Machine to Amore
Baron Corbin b. Jesse Sorensen End of Days
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Levis Valenzuela Jr./Elias Samson Grand Amplitude to Valenzuela
Charlotte b. Dana Brooke Natural Selection
Kevin Owens b. Martin Stone Pop Up Powerbomb
Blake/Murphy b. Vaudevillains Rollup to English with a handful of tights
Impact Wrestling
Eric Young b. Sgt. Chris Melendez Piledriver
Brooke b. Marti Belle Butterface Maker
Mickie James/Magnus b. James Storm/Serena MickieDT to Serena
Smackdown
Cesaro b. Seth Rollins via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons b. New Day/Ascension Rollup to Viktor
Rusev b. Jack Swagger Accolade
Stardust b. R-Truth Queen's Crossbow
Cesaro/Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins Rollup to Owens
Monday Night Raw
Date: July 27, 2015
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
Summerslam is still coming and tonight's big question is what is going to co-headline the show alongside the showdown between Brock Lesnar and Undertaker. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena in a champion vs. champion match has been teased, but it would be interesting to see if Cena holds onto the title until Summerslam. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's brawl between Undertaker and Lesnar with the entire roster trying to keep them apart.
Here's the Authority and Seth Rollins to open the show. HHH says this is a night of firsts and we're going to start with a major announcements. For the first time ever, Summerslam is going to be a special four hour event, of course with Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar as the main event. Tonight is going to be something special tonight as well as Big Show goes one on one with Dean Ambrose.
On top of that we have Paige vs. Sasha Banks and Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton. Stephanie brings up the Divas Revolution with Alicia Fox/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Charlotte. Rollins takes the mic and brags about how amazing he is, calling himself one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, but here's John Cena to disagree. Cena doesn't like the idea of Rollins calling himself the greatest of all time because Rollins is a joke. On a night like tonight, we need to find out which one of them is right.
If tonight is a night of firsts, we need to find out if Seth Rollins really is a man, so how about Cena vs. Rollins for the World Title tonight? Seth says Cena needs to earn a shot but Stephanie wants to put it up to the people because she can't remember if she's a face or a heel. The fans love the idea and even start a YES chant so Stephanie says NO, complete with a little dance. HHH thinks the idea has merit though so instead it's going to be a US Title match with Rollins having the chance to be a dual champion.
The Austin Podcast returns next week with......Paige?
Dean Ambrose vs. Big Show
This is actually fallout from two weeks ago on Smackdown where Ambrose countered Big Show's chokeslam through a table with a DDT. Miz is on commentary, guaranteeing Ambrose loses because WWE doesn't think stuff through. Show takes him into the corner to start and rips Dean's shirt open before running him over with a shoulder.
Dean low bridges him to the floor and a baseball slide sets up a suicide dive but dives into a chop as we take a WAY too early break. Back with Show working on the leg but has to stop to tie his boot. Miz rants about Ryback missing time, because he could beat up a staph infection. Ambrose's sleeper has as much effect as anyone's sleeper has on Big Show and Show goes old school with the Alley Oop for two. Another chokeslam is countered with another DDT but the rebound lariat is countered with the chokeslam for two.
Show does the smart thing by just chokeslamming him again but Dean rolls to the floor to lay in the light of the video screen. Dean gets back in but a superkick puts him on the floor again, setting up a spear to flatten Dean one more time. Ambrose dives in at nine, only to be thrown outside for a third time in two minutes. This time Show throws him inside but Dean kicks him away for a suicide dive. Show is waiting for him with the KO Punch though and it's a countout at 10:30.
Dean still won't stay down so Show loads up a spear, which goes right through the barricade instead.
Neville vs. Fandango
Fandango tries a powerbomb but opts for a clothesline instead. JBL: When in doubt, hit your opponent really hard. A Gory Stretch has Neville in trouble but he comes back with his series of quick strikes. Having never watched a Neville match, Fandango heads outside in front of the ramp, setting up the big flip dive. Back inside and the Red Arrow is good for the pin on Fandango at 1:54.
Post match, Stardust comes on screen and rips up a comic book while talking about wining and dining with kings and queens. No one wants to talk about the strange but don't worry because he'll rescue the WWE Universe and there is nothing Neville can do to stop him.
Paige gives Charlotte and Becky Lynch a pep talk when Team Bad comes in to trade insults. Paige wins by saying she was the first NXT Women's Champion.
Sasha Banks vs. Paige
Non-title. Sasha's Sky's The Limit theme makes its Raw debut here. Their lockup goes to the mat and then out to the floor without a break. Back in and Paige fires off her elbows in the corner, followed by a fall away slam for two. We hit the hammerlock before Paige drives Banks down into a Fujiwara armbar. Sasha tries to fight up but eats a superkick to put her on the floor with Paige diving on all of Team Bad as we take a break.
Back with Sasha holding a chinlock as everyone else has been ejected from ringside. The double knees to the chest in the corner get two and it's back to the chinlock with Paige in trouble. That doesn't last long though as Paige fights up and fires off a series of knees in the corner and the trio of clotheslines. A superkick looks to set up the PTO but instead it's another knee to Sasha's chest for two. Sasha hits a charge in the corner for two of her own, followed by a sloppy Bank Statement for the clean tap at 13:57.
Rollins says he'll win tonight because he beats the best that WWE throws at him every single time. Tonight, the future passes Cena by.
The Terminator is in WWE 2K16.
Here are Rusev and Lana for a chat. Rusev says he's smitten with her and wants to give Summer a present. First up: a puppy, who is so ugly that they have to name him Dog Ziggler. The second present is.....a headless fish. It's a cold fish, so let's name it Lana. Cue the real Lana who rants about Rusev trying to humiliate her.
Lana goes on about Summer being a Lana ripoff and how Rusev is just trying to replace the real thing. Lana kicks Summer in the leg and put on an armbar while ripping at Summer's hair. Summer goes face first into the fish and Lana leaves. This was, in a word, really stupid.
We see the same recap the opened the show. Saxton says Lesnar is back next week in the city that hosted last year's Wrestlemania: San Jose, California.
Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores
The Prime Time Players are on commentary and this match is to move up the tag team rankings. Cara and Diego flip around to start before the Dragons double team Diego down for two. Kalisto slaps on an armbar as Titus makes fun of Darren's shyness on commentary. It's Diego coming back with a running clothesline to take over but Kalisto grabs the arm again to stop the comeback.
Cara's springboard cross body is caught in midair and they drop him face first onto the post. Even Torito gets in some cheap shots as Titus and JBL argue over Puerto Rican bullfighters. Fernando's chinlock has Cara in more trouble and the slow offense continues with a front facelock.
Cara gets in a belly to back for a breather and the hot tag brings in Kalisto for a springboard tornado DDT. Cara swantons onto Diego on the floor but we've got New Day, with a sign saying Kofi is the REAL Mega Dad of the Year. Kalisto grabs a huricanrana for the pin on Diego at 8:05.
Here are Wyatt and Harper with something to say. Well one of them with something to say at least. Bray thinks everyone here has a family and thinks most people here love their family. There's this idea that if a family stays together, they can survive anything. That's a lie though man. It's a shame that people won't tell their family the truth.
It's in your house, your government and your places of worship: those that trust you the most are the ones you should fear the most. The truth shall set you free, but freedom comes at a very hefty price. A long time ago, Bray had a pet. It wasn't the most charming one but Bray loved him all the same. That pet wanted to know what was over the hills and across the train tracks, so one day Bray loosened his chains and the pet ran away.
One day he came back, but the pet was different, partially because of a scar alongside his eye. The pet never left his side, but it would never be the same. That brings him to Harper, who was a damaged man that Bray picked up from the dirt and fixed him like a broken toy. One day, Bray knew he would have to set Harper free, but now Harper has come home. Harper says he didn't know why he existed or why he was here, but his family found him.
Bray showed him the truth: this is all the people's fault. They made him what he is when they shunned him but Bray saved him. When you pray for the rain, you best be prepared for the mud. Harper is ready to give his life for Bray, and Bray says he knows Harper would go through anything for him. That brings Wyatt back to Roman Reigns, who was told that this was just the beginning. If Reigns really cared for Dean Ambrose, he would tell Dean that he was in danger. This is Reigns' hill to die on and Bray himself will seal Reigns' fate. We're here. Follow the buzzards.
Alicia Fox/Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch/Charlotte
Becky runs Nikki over to start before it's off to Charlotte for a twisting rollup (Charlotte's Web) for two. Off to Fox who has similar success as Charlotte drops a knee to the head. Nikki offers a distraction so Fox can get two off a northern lights suplex. Nikki comes back in for her pushups and some laughter before it's off to Fox for a double arm crank with her feet in Charlotte's back. She pulls on it so hard that Charlotte flips over onto her for two, allowing for the tag off to Becky. A t-bone suplex sends Fox flying as everything breaks down. Lynch's Disarm-Her armbar makes Fox tap at 6:10.
Look back at last week's Tough Enough elimination and a list of the remaining competitors.
Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
Sheamus is on commentary. Owens jaws a lot to start and they slug it out with Randy knocking him outside early on. Back in and Orton rakes his boot over Kevin's face but Owens rolls right back to the floor. It's Orton being sent face first into the post and a fall away slam to launch him into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Owens getting two off the backsplash but walking into Orton's backbreaker to even things up.
It's Owens staying in control though and slugging away in the corner, setting up the Cannonball but Orton rolls away. The powerslam plants Owens and the t-bone suplex does the same. They fight to the floor again and it's a Brogue Kick to Orton for the DQ at 11:06.
Post match Sheamus goes after Orton but Cesaro runs in to get his hands on Owens. Sheamus offers a distraction though and Owens powerbombs Cesaro and spits on him.
Cena says he's been defending this title for months now but tonight he's up against the golden boy and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. If Rollins is as good as he says he is, then he can shock the world.
US Title: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Cena is defending and for the sake of simplicity, I'll only refer to Cena as the champion. A quick shoulder puts Rollins on the floor and things slow right back down. Back in and an AA attempt is countered, allowing Rollins to kick him down to take over. Rollins slaps on a chinlock and we take a break. Back with Cena fighting out of the chinlock (dang that must have been a dull commercial break) but missing a charge in the corner.
Cena comes back and tries his finishing sequence, only to have Rollins kick him in the head/shoulder for two. The Shuffle is broken up by another kick to the head but Cena avoids a corner dive of his own, setting up a tornado DDT for two on Seth. The top rope knee to the head gets two on the champ but Cena catches him in an electric chair for two. Another knee to the nose puts Cena in the corner but we stop to check for blood (which is flowing from his nose. It could be broken).
Thankfully Cena will have none of that but Rollins kicks him in the head, setting up the buckle bomb for two. The doctor comes in to look at the nose but Cena is right back up with the springboard Stunner. Rollins flips out of the AA though and the low superkick gets a very close two. Fans: THIS IS AWESOME. Not really guys.
An AA gets two (that should be a drinking game) and Cena gets his nose looked at again. A closeup shows that the nose is definitely broken as it's off to one side. Cena gets superplexed off the top and Rollins floats over into a falcon's arrow for two. The fans are getting way into these kickouts. Rollins misses the Phoenix Splash and it's off to the STF for the tap at 17:05.
Results
Big Show b. Dean Ambrose via countout
Neville b. Fandango Red Arrow
Sasha Banks b. Paige Bank Statement
Lucha Dragons b. Los Matadores Hurricanrana to Diego
Becky Lynch/Charlotte b. Nikki Bella/Alicia Fox Disarm-Her to Fox
Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens via DQ when Sheamus interfered
John Cena b. Seth Rollins STF
Tuesday
Nothing.
Wednesday
Layla has retired from WWE.
NXT
Date: July 29, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We have a clear path towards Takeover: Brooklyn now with a main event of Finn Balor defending against Kevin Owens in a rematch from their Beast in the East showdown. Other than that it seems that we're going to get Bayley challenging for the Women's Title, but first she wants to get through Charlotte. However, Charlotte first wants to go through Dana Brooke, who she faces tonight. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Cass keeps it simple here, just saying that you're S-A-W-F-T if you're not a certified G. Enzo and Scott get things going with Enzo taking it to the mat and walking over Dawson's back so he can do some dancing. Everything is about to break down when Dawson and Wilder realize that Cass is a foot taller than everyone else in the ring. Off to Cass, who seems to be a bit more over with the fans.
Back to Enzo for two on Wilder from a high cross body, only to charge shoulder first into the post. Wilder and Dawson start alternating as we get some NXT house show ads. The heels crank on the arm and Wilder stops Enzo from diving through the legs for a hot tag. A slingshot suplex (that's so appropriate for a team like these two) gets two on Enzo but the bad guys collide, allowing for the hot tag to Big Cass. Everything breaks down and Enzo chases Wilder around the ring, only to be caught in a 3D into a Codebreaker (Shatter Machine) to give Wilder the pin at 6:39.
Chad Gable and Jason Jordan say they're not your common team but they get things done when they need to. They're not as loud as the Hype Bros or Enzo/Cass, but they find a way to win. Jason doesn't want to say they're ready, willing and Gable.
We recap Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke, which is over Charlotte being in the Tap Out commercial, because Dana says Charlotte has been given all of her chances because of her last name. Dana wants a match to show her abilities and gets her chance tonight.
Baron Corbin vs. Jesse Sorensen
Yes that's TNA's Jesse Sorensen and he gets taken out by End of Days in 22 seconds.
Tyler Breeze comes in to Regal's office and yells about Regal not answering his Twitter, Facebook or Instagram messages. Regal: I sent a carrier pigeon. Breeze will fight anyone from around the world but Regal says be careful what you wish for.
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable vs. Elias Samson/Levis Valenzuela Jr.
Jordan rides Levis down to start so it's off to Samson who wants Gable. Chad comes in and casually spins out of a wristlock before taking Samson down to the mat and cranking on the legs. Chad's smile as he does this is great stuff. Back up and Levis gets in a knee to Gable's back to take over before a slam gets two. Chad shrugs it off (because it's just a slam) and makes the hot tag to Jason, who quickly puts on the double belly to back suplex (now called the Grand Amplitude) for the pin on Levis at 4:23.
Dana Brooke is ready to conquer Charlotte, just like she's conquered everything else she's ever done. So she's the female Brock Lesnar?
We recap Bull Dempsey's struggles to stay in shape before seeing him trying to work out at the Performance Center. This goes badly, though some of it might have to do with his workout gear looking like it's made of trash bags. The tagline is It's time to get Bull-Fit, which is kind of catchy.
Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke
Charlotte shoves her down to start but has to go after Emma. The distraction doesn't work for once but Dana is able to pound Charlotte down in the corner for two. It's off to a bodyscissors on Charlotte until she lifts Dana up, only to have Brooke fall on top for two. Brooke cranks on an arm and a leg on the mat while shouting about Charlotte wanting to pose for Tap Out. A catapult sends Charlotte throat first into the bottom rope but she pops up with a neckbreaker and spear, followed by Natural Selection for the pin at 4:23.
Samoa Joe is targeting Rhyno because they're both predators. Joe is going to choke Rhyno out.
Last week, Regal was upset that Kevin Owens ran him over, but Owens comes up and apologizes for going into fight or flight mode. Regal can't wait to see him take a beating.
Eva Marie says last week was just the beginning and she's coming for Sasha Banks and the title. They really can't be serious can right?
Kevin Owens vs. Martin Stone
Stone is a British wrestler who looks like a shorter Luke Gallows. Owens nails a clothesline to start and the backsplash. Stone runs into a release German suplex, followed by the Cannonball, a swanton bomb and the Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 1:48.
Owens gives Stone an apron powerbomb post match.
Video on Rhyno's time in NXT.
Tag Team Titles: Blake/Murphy vs. Vaudevillains
Blake and Murphy are defending. Fans: DOWN WITH DUBSTEP! Blake and Gotch fight over a top wristlock to start until Simon grabs a monkey flip into a cross armbreaker, followed by a dropkick for two. English comes in and stays right on Blake with a top wristlock of his own. Murphy comes in but both champions take Japanese armdrags as this is all Vaudevillains so far.
Back from a break with the Vaudevillains working on Murphy's arm some more. English throws both champs to the floor but Blake is able to kick him in the side of the head to finally take over. Running forearms in the corner set up a chinlock on Aiden but he fights up and dives over for a tag to Simon. Fans: OH MY GOTCH! Gotch cleans house and the Whirling Dervish is loaded up, only to have Bliss grad English's leg, allowing Blake to roll him up and grab the tights to retain at 10:18.
The Vaudevillains clean house until they're alone with Bliss. Fans: CHIVALRY! CHIVALRY! They hold the ropes open for her but Bliss slaps both of them and leaves with the champs to end the show.
Results
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady Shatter Machine to Amore
Baron Corbin b. Jesse Sorensen End of Days
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Levis Valenzuela Jr./Elias Samson Grand Amplitude to Valenzuela
Charlotte b. Dana Brooke Natural Selection
Kevin Owens b. Martin Stone Pop Up Powerbomb
Blake/Murphy b. Vaudevillains Rollup to English with a handful of tights
Impact Wrestling
Date: July 29, 2015
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: D'Angelo Dinero, Josh Matthews
The big story coming out of last week is Matt Hardy earning the #1 contendership in a tables match over Bobby Roode. This was the result of the night's main story being thrown out due to the Hernandez issue, which is likely going to cause even more problems tonight. Other than changing things up though, we do get Jeff Jarrett's Hall of Fame induction. Let's get to it.
We open with a recap of last week's major events, including Jeff Jarrett being announced as the next Hall of Fame inductee, Serena being announced as James Storm's partner and Matt Hardy becoming #1 contender.
Here's Austin Aries with something to say. Aries may not have a title right now, but politics and backstage issues aside, there is no one on the face of this planet who is better than he is. Therefore, why wasn't he involved in the #1 contenders match last week? Bully Ray may be in charge but he's already off to a bad start with mistakes like that.
Cue Bully Ray, who says his opinion is the only one that matters. Sure Aries is great. He's so great that he even beat Bully himself at one point. Aries is going to get another shot at what he deserves. Austin interprets that as a World Title shot but Ray says Aries already lost that chance. In that case, Aries will settle for a Tag Team Title shot with Bobby Roode. That's a no as well, so Aries can challenge for the X-Division Title later tonight.
Aries isn't happy because that title is beneath him. The X-Division Title is for people like Rockstar Spud, who comes out in objection. Spud is a big Aries fan, but a statement like he just made hurts. Option C gave people like Spud a chance to be World Heavyweight Champion because it gave them a reason to believe in themselves. Austin laughs this off because Option C was made for people like himself, not Rockstar Spud.
Yeah Angle beat him once, but that would only happen one out of ten times. Spud on the other hand would lost to him every time. Since Aries has nothing to do tonight, why doesn't he beat Spud up instead? Spud thinks he can beat Aries instead of just hanging with him, which makes Aries say he'll leave if he loses tonight. Ray accepts that as a contract and the match is on for later tonight. Aries agrees, but wants the Rockstar moniker if he wins.
The Jarretts are here.
Chris Melendez tells Kurt Angle that he has to beat Eric Young to move forward in his career.
Sgt. Chris Melendez vs. Eric Young
Angle is out with Chris. Before the match, Melendez says he'll keep fighting no matter what, just like he did overseas. Young comes out and says Melendez doesn't want him coming in there because it will end badly for him. The bell rings and Eric slaps him in the back of the head a few times as we're suddenly told Aries vs. Spud is next week at No Surrender. Is there even a point to having specials when they're the same shows we get every week? Young stays on him and drives some elbows into the back of the head before a quick piledriver is good for the pin 3:12. Well that was a waste of time.
Sting Hall of Fame video.
Matt Hardy doesn't know what stipulation he's picking for his title match against Ethan Carter III. We will announce the stipulation later. JB wants to know who the other half of we is, even though it was already announced next week.
Knockouts Title: Brooke vs. Marti Bell
Brooke is defending yeah this is just the token title defense against the former champion's lackey. The champ cleans house to start but goes after Taryn (in a tutu), allowing Marti to get in a cheap shot to take over. Brooke comes back with a quick shot to the face for two, only to have a kick to the jaw change control back to Marti. A superplex is broken up though and Brooke nails a middle rope clothesline. Brooke gets two off a Russian legsweep but the Dollhouse tries to interfere, only to have Gail Kim.....play her entrance video for a distraction, allowing Brooke to hit the Butterface Maker on Marti to retain at 4:40.
Kurt Angle Hall of Fame video.
More from Tigre Uno in Tijuana, this time talking about what TNA has done for his family. He loves lucha libre and thinks it's better than anything in the world. These aren't exactly thrilling statements.
Tigre Uno calls Donald Trump a coward.
Ethan Carter III isn't worried about what stipulation Matt picks.
Here are Carter and Tyrus for Matt's announcement. Remember when World Title matches were just wrestling matches? After saying Bully sucks eggs, Carter rips on the Hardys for being a couple of North Carolina hillbillies. If this was against Jeff Hardy then maybe Ethan would be worried but Jeff broke his leg on a motocross bike. Ethan says Matt isn't a World Title contender so here's Jeff to object.
Jeff admits that he cried from the pain of his broken leg but he conquers fears. Before Carter knows it he'll be dropping titanium shins on Ethan's face. Before Carter knows it, Jeff will be the next World Champion. It's nice to see Jeff admitting that his brother has no chance. This brings out Matt who draws a NEXT WORLD CHAMP chant.
Matt talks about the Hardys being told they can't do it and always proving people wrong. It's not a competition between the brothers to see who is best, which is why Jeff is supporting him this week. Jeff gets to make the announcement but instead of saying anything, he asks Matt to pull some stuff out from udner the ring. Matt pulls out a table, a chair and a ladder because WHAT ELSE WOULD THE HARDYS PICK??? In case it's not clear, next week is Full Metal Mayhem. On top of that, no one is allowed at ringside during the match.
Team 3D Hall of Fame video.
Magnus and Mickie James are ready for James Storm and Serena.
James Storm/Serena vs. Mickie James/Magnus
This is a result of Storm being a psycho who tried to get Mickie in the ring for one last match as a way to get inside her head and make her join the Revolution. The guys officially get things going with Magnus in control until Storm gets in a knee from the apron. Storm slaps on a chinlock and we take a break.
Back with Mickie chasing Serena around, only to allow Storm to plant Magnus with a Backstabber. Storm throws his sweat on Mickie and puts Magnus in a quickly broken chinlock. Magnus can't get anything going though as he charges into Closing Time (Codebreaker) to keep him in trouble. Josh thinks it's a gutbuster for reasons not entirely clear.
Both guys try cross bodies and it's off to the girls with Mickie cleaning house. Everything breaks down and Storm goes after Mickie, only to get speared down for his efforts. Serena calls out Khoya, who hits Storm with the stick by mistake. Magnus adds a powerslam to Storm and the MickieDT ends Serena at 12:15.
Storm gets a MickieDT for good measure.
Mr. Anderson is worried about facing Bram because of the depths he'll have to sink to.
Bram suggests Anderson kiss his kids goodnight and tell them goodbye because he isn't going home.
We run down the No Surrender card.
Video on Jeff Jarrett's career.
Here's Dixie Carter to induct Jarrett into the Hall of Fame. She tells a story of meeting Jeff when she lived in Tennessee and compares him to George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life. Dixie welcomes the Jarretts to the ring and after a break, it's time to hear from Jeff. Jeff thanks everyone who has ever bought something from TNA and everyone who has ever worked for TNA. He leaves off people who have done work for them but haven't actually gotten paid but I'm sure they're included too.
Jeff lists off a bunch of production guys and office workers in what felt like something special. Mike Tenay gets thanked for holding things in place when they fell apart at times. Don West not so much. Then you have the X-Division, Knockouts and tag teams who all work so hard and prove that it can be more than just heavyweights main eventing. The heavyweights get a thank you as well, including AJ Styles.
Jarrett talks about a falling out with his dad (a legendary promoter in his own right) over this company but thanks him so much for getting him here. His children are the reason he's here and even though they drive him crazy, they keep him going. Last but not least in family is Jeff's wife Karen, who has been Jeff's rock. A quick thank you to the fans leads to a THANK YOU JEFF chant and the roster (like 15 people) come out to applaud as the show ends. This was a nice ceremony and speech, but it felt really rushed because of the lack of time.
Results
Eric Young b. Sgt. Chris Melendez Piledriver
Brooke b. Marti Belle Butterface Maker
Mickie James/Magnus b. James Storm/Serena MickieDT to Serena
Thursday
Smackdown
Date: July 30, 2015
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Jimmy Uso, Jerry Lawler, Tom Phillips
Smackdown has the potential to be interesting this week as we could get some more midcard build for Summerslam, which could be some of the more interesting stuff going on in WWE at the moment. The big story is likely to be Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens, which could be the match of the night at the pay per view. I don't like that many could's. Let's get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here's Seth Rollins to open things up. Seth: SO WHAT? Those are the words he's heard so many times over the year. He heard them when he was the first person to cash in Money in the Bank at Wrestlemania and the man who stood toe to toe with Brock Lesnar at Battleground and came out with the title. This past Monday he reached his breaking point and the victim of his rage was John Cena, who went to the emergency room with a broken nose.
We see a clip of the knee that broke Cena's nose and Rollins calls himself an artist, but here's Cesaro to interrupt. Cesaro really doesn't want to hear Rollins go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about how great he thinks he is like he does every single week. See, Rollins is leaving out the part where Cena made him tap out. Rollins calls it a strategic move that he made because he has bigger things to worry about than the US Title. Cesaro says he'll see Rollins later tonight, unless they both want to have their match right now.
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins
Non-title. Cesaro goes after the leg with some dragon screw leg whips to start but the threat of a Sharpshooter sends the champ bailing to the floor. Cue Kevin Owens to watch as we take a break. Back with Rollins holding a headlock and Owens' head holding a headset for commentary. Cesaro double stomps Seth for two and catches a diving Rollins in midair. That's not enough of a power display for Cesaro though so he throws Rollins up for a suplex. As I say every week, that man is scary strong.
Rollins is able to send him into the buckle with the release Downward Spiral and now it's Seth with the European uppercuts for a change of pace. A chinlock doesn't get Rollins very far as Cesaro powers out (I'm as shocked as you are) with a belly to back suplex. Cesaro loads up the Swing but Owens comes in for the DQ at 8:35.
Owens lays out Cesaro and Rollins gets in a few shots of his own.
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons vs. New Day/Ascension
Weren't the two masked teams fighting on Monday? Before the match, New Day says the Lucha Dragons and Los Matadores could be #1 contenders, so if New Day wins tonight, they should be the #1 contenders! After some WAY over the top introductions, it's Woods on the floor as Diego leg sweeps Viktor to start. A slingshot elbow from Diego sets up a slingshot hilo from Sin Cara, who starts working on the arm.
It's off to Konnor for some hard kicks to the ribs before New Day breaks up a dive and sends Cara out to the floor. Well that sucks. Back from a break with Woods calling Cara stupid as the villains take turns stomping away in the corner. Viktor's chinlock doesn't work very well as the Players say they'd love to face the Usos. Big E. holds Cara for a running knee to the face (well mask) from Kofi as Woods is still going on.
Darren passes the time by wearing glasses and taking notes. That's not something you often see but it makes sense. Viktor runs Cara over for two more as hear about Big E. making Young sick for some reason that Young doesn't want to get into. A Crossface keeps Cara in trouble but he finally avoids a charge, allowing for the Kalisto. Everything breaks down and Kalisto kicks Big E. down, leaving Torito to hit a kind of 619 to knock Woods silly. Big E. loads up the Midnight Hour but Viktor takes Kofi's tag, only to get rolled up by Kalisto for the pin at 10:10.
Owens is told that the Authority has made Owens/Rollins vs. Cesaro/whomever he can find. Kevin isn't pleased and is going to take it out on Cesaro's partner.
Video on Becky Lynch, complete with some old school pictures of her in Japan with Natalya.
Luke Harper says Bray Wyatt saved him by showing him the truth so now Harper has everything he needs. Wyatt talks about Harper liking where he is now and deciding to stay. Anyone but you Roman.
Rusev comes out for his match but first up he and Summer have something to say.....about the fish thing from Raw. Lana ruined the hot Summer because she's jealous and now Rusev would never fall for her again. After winning tonight, Rusev is going to take Summer and Dog Ziggler for a walk anywhere but Oklahoma. Maybe they'll lay on a blanket, stare into each other's eyes and....oh geez here we go again.
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger starts with some AMERICAN armdrags to send Rusev outside as Tom makes the mistake of talking about their rivalry last year, because that's so thrilling to hear about. Back in and Swagger wrestles him to the mat but Rusev just throws him into the corner and drives a knee into the face.
Rusev starts in on the back but since Swagger used to be something years ago, Rusev can't just beat him in three minutes and shorten our agony. The slow stomping continues as the fans try to believe. So Oklahoma is the new center of delusion? Swagger comes back with some clotheslines and punches in the corner, only to have Rusev blast him in the face as we go to a break, because this feud just has to keep going. Back with Rusev holding a front facelock as the fans are already dying.
Swagger fights up and kicks Rusev's ducked face but the Vader Bomb misses. Instead Jack plants him with a belly to belly and is promptly nailed with a spinwheel kick. The back and forth continues as Swagger goes after the leg to set up the Vader Bomb. Tom: What is it going to take to put away Rusev? A different opponent Tom. The superkick sets up the Accolade so Swagger can tap to Rusev at 14:40, because that's the entirety of Swagger's job description.
Post match Swagger pulls himself up and avoids a charge, followed by the Patriot Lock to Rusev for Oklahoma's consolation prize.
Cesaro isn't going to hunt for a partner because no one here owes him anything. He's gotten here on his own (I'd try to forget the Heyman era too) and if he has to, he'll fight on his own. I liked this but Cesaro can't connect to me so maybe it's a desire for nachos that I'm interpreting as caring about a wrestler.
We recap Neville vs. Stardust. It might not lead anywhere, but it's certainly different.
Stardust vs. R-Truth
R-Truth has been using that theme song for over 12 years. When is it time that he gets started? He's really bad about procrastinating. They run the ropes to start and we get a bit of an awkward pause as Truth has to hit a running fist to take over. Stardust gets in some shots, R-Truth gets in his kicks, Stardust sends him into the buckle and the Queen's Crossbow (Cross Rhodes) is good for the pin at 2:01.
Stardust says Neville has failed this city (a line from Arrow) so here's Neville to save Truth from further beating. Again, nothing great, but I'm kind of liking this.
Sheamus says he kicked Orton in the face on Monday for Orton showing him up at Battleground. He did it because he's a real man, unlike Orton who just thinks he's a real man. How many REAL MAN characters are there going these days? The idea of WWE without Orton is like Oklahoma without Tulsa: a dream come true. Hey, did you know that Vince hates Oklahoma?
Video on Undertaker vs. Lesnar. Brock is back on Monday.
Cesaro/??? vs. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins
Cesaro is here alone until Dean Ambrose comes down as a surprise. It's a big brawl before the bell with the good guys cleaning house twice in a row as we wait for the opening bell. We take a break and come back with the bell, meaning it's Dean vs. Seth before Cesaro quickly comes in to keep the champ on the mat. Owens gets punched off the apron but the distraction lets Rollins gets in a shot to take over.
The bad guys take over with Owens firing off knees in the corner and it's back to Rollins for a chinlock. Back to Owens for some right hands for two (seriously?) and a chinlock of his own. Rollins comes back in and misses the top rope knee to the head, allowing the hot tag to Dean. He backdrops Seth to the floor for a suicide dive. Dean's superplex doesn't work as well as Rollins counters into a buckle bomb for two. You wouldn't expect a power move like that to work for someone like Rollins but he makes it look good.
The top rope knee to the head and low superkick get two more but Owens takes too much time going up and gets crotched for his efforts. You don't try to superplex Kevin Owens though as he counters into the swinging superplex for another near fall as Cesaro dives in with a double stomp for the save. The backsplash misses too and it's the real hot tag to Cesaro.
That kind of reverse Angle Slam sets up the Crossface on Owens but Rollins' attempt at a save earns him a Swing. Cesaro clotheslines Owens outside, leaving Dean to stop Rollins from diving on the two of them. Instead Dean superplexes Rollins down, only to have Owens try the Pop Up Powerbomb. Dean is ready though and slips out, setting up a rollup from Cesaro for the pin on Kevin at 14:03.
Results
Cesaro b. Seth Rollins via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons b. New Day/Ascension Rollup to Viktor
Rusev b. Jack Swagger Accolade
Stardust b. R-Truth Queen's Crossbow
Cesaro/Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins Rollup to Owens
Friday
Roddy Piper has passed away from a heart attack at 61.
Saturday
Nothing.
Sunday
Nothing again.
Quick Results
Monday Night Raw
Big Show b. Dean Ambrose via countout
Neville b. Fandango Red Arrow
Sasha Banks b. Paige Bank Statement
Lucha Dragons b. Los Matadores Hurricanrana to Diego
Becky Lynch/Charlotte b. Nikki Bella/Alicia Fox Disarm-Her to Fox
Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens via DQ when Sheamus interfered
John Cena b. Seth Rollins STF
NXT
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady Shatter Machine to Amore
Baron Corbin b. Jesse Sorensen End of Days
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Levis Valenzuela Jr./Elias Samson Grand Amplitude to Valenzuela
Charlotte b. Dana Brooke Natural Selection
Kevin Owens b. Martin Stone Pop Up Powerbomb
Blake/Murphy b. Vaudevillains Rollup to English with a handful of tights
Impact Wrestling
Eric Young b. Sgt. Chris Melendez Piledriver
Brooke b. Marti Belle Butterface Maker
Mickie James/Magnus b. James Storm/Serena MickieDT to Serena
Smackdown
Cesaro b. Seth Rollins via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons b. New Day/Ascension Rollup to Viktor
Rusev b. Jack Swagger Accolade
Stardust b. R-Truth Queen's Crossbow
Cesaro/Dean Ambrose b. Kevin Owens/Seth Rollins Rollup to Owens