offical wwe thread

[famicommander]

Stupid ass Raw segment with the champagne firehose. Now they're doing another stupid cinematic match. Also Jericho's "big bump" resulted in him apparently hurting his arm and nothing else?

Orange Cassidy knocked out cold in the match last night. Sloppy shop. Waste of time triple threat title match at the PPV.

Miro sucks ass.

Cody Rhodes doing MURICA GREAT FOREIGN HEELS BAD BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT FROM HERE promo in 2021.

Months of build up to SCU's disbanding, immediately cut to commercial when it happens. Daniels is only a founding father of the four biggest non-WWE promotions in the US, not like anybody wants to see the reaction to the end of his legendary tag team or anything.

 

[famicommander]

Apparently Jericho legitimately fractured his elbow on that cage bump.

So they failed to check either box. It wasn't safe AND it looked like shit. Good job, dipshits.

 

[Pope Sazae]

I'm trying to think how he injured his elbow on that bump. My old and out-of-shape ass could have taken that box. But then again they are in Jacksonville so I'm not surprised that even the cardboard is messed up. Maybe once they bring Tebow back he can go and bless Daily's Place on an off week.

 

[famicommander]

ECW legend New Jack has died today at 58 from a heart attack. He was a 3X ECW World Tag Team Champion and will always be best remembered for being the craziest motherfucker in the business.

 

[jro]

That powerbomb that Cassidy took from Pac looked horrendously unsafe. Pac certainly likes to work snug but that looked flat irresponsible.

Bizarre main event that deserves to tank the show's buyrate. Either one of them going over instead of Omega seems about as likely as Swann beating him last month.

 

[famicommander]

That powerbomb that Cassidy took from Pac looked horrendously unsafe. Pac certainly likes to work snug but that looked flat irresponsible.

Bizarre main event that deserves to tank the show's buyrate. Either one of them going over instead of Omega seems about as likely as Swann beating him last month.

The kick was stiff too. Part of the reason the powerbomb looked so rough is because Cassidy was limp on the way down.

 

[wataru330]

^this.
He was out cold from the kick-
...limp noodle, for the power bomb.

 

[Arcademan]

ECW legend New Jack has died today at 58 from a heart attack. He was a 3X ECW World Tag Team Champion and will always be best remembered for being the craziest motherfucker in the business.

Jerome Young, a wrestler with Extreme Championship Wrestling known by his ring name New Jack, has died. He was 58.

His wife Jennifer told the website PWInsider that Young died of a heart attack on Friday afternoon in North Carolina. The WWE also confirmed the news of Young’s passing.

New Jack was active in wrestling throughout the ’90s and was best known for his time with the ECW. He was notorious for his extreme and quite often risky and controversial wrestling style. His tactics involved dangerous bumps or “shooting,” in which he would do unplanned or unscripted wrestling moves, which was all part of the ECW’s bloodier and more intensely violent performances.

New Jack was also involved in the ECW’s “Mass Transit Incident,” in which Young “bladed” another wrestler, but did so too deeply, severing two of the wrestler’s arteries and causing him to bleed profusely. Years after Young was tried on charges of assault and battery but was acquitted because the other wrestler had requested that New Jack blade him during the match.

New Jack in the ’90s/Creative Commons
New Jack was a member of the wrestling tag team The Gangstas along with wrestler Mustafa Saed and Eliminator John Kronus. Upon their debut in the ECW in 1995, they formed an instant rivalry with another group called Public Enemy and earned antihero acclaim for using weapons like stapler guns, trash can lids and more during their matches.

Young would also famously walk out to the Ice Cube and Dr. Dre song “Natural Born Killaz” during his matches, and he left an imprint on wrestling and pop culture in other ways, including getting a shout out in the Weezer song “El Scorcho.”

 

[Arcademan]

Impact Wrestling Under Siege PPV Results: 5-15-21

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com

(1) BRIAN MYERS VS. BLACK TAURUS (w/Rosemary & Crazzy Steve)

Taurus used his strength to get the initial advantage. Taurus followed with a backbreaker on Myers. They traded the advantage and Myers bailed to the floor. Myers punched Steve on the outside, then caught Taurus with punches and kicks. Back in the ring, Myers went to work on Taurus. Taurus made a comeback after swiftly climbing the ropes and hitting a twisting crossbody block. Taurus got a two count after a crucifix bomb.

Rosemary and Steve shouted encouragement at ringside. Taurus got a near fall after a shoulder breaker. Myers hit a flatliner for a two count. After fighting on the top rope, Myers got a thumb in Taurus’ eye then went for his running clothesline and got the pin.

WINNER: Brian Myers in 10:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Good match. It looks like Myers is being rebuilt after his feud with Matt Cardona. I think Taurus is being underutilized in this role.)

(2) SUSAN & KIMBER LEE vs. TENILLE DASHWOOD (w/Kaleb) & TAYLOR WILDE

Taylor won a test of strength over Susan and took her to the mat. Taylor hit a 619-style move on Susan. All four wrestlers fought in the ring, with Tenille and Taylor getting the best of the action. Tenille got a neckbreaker on Lee over the ropes. Susan pulled Tenille off the ring apron. Lee floored Tenille with kicks and got a two count. Susan tagged in and mocked Tenille. Taylor tagged in and got offense on Susan. Taylor got a fisherman suplex on Susan. Lee broke up the pin attempt.

Susan and Taylor battled on the top rope. Tenille accidentally knocked Taylor off the top rope. Susan superplexed Taylor. Taylor small packaged Susan, but Lee broke it up. Tenille hit Susan with a shoe and Taylor hit a suplex on Susan for the pin. Taylor reluctantly posed for pictures with Tenille. Taylor left the ring as Tenille and Kaleb celebrated.

WINNERS: Taylor Wilde & Tenille Dashwood in 5:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Fun match while it lasted, but not long enough to really get going.)

(3) ACE AUSTIN & MADMAN FULTON vs. XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D) vs. ROHIT RAJU & SHERA vs. TJP & PETEY WILLIAMS


This match was to determine a number one contender for the Impact Tag Team Titles. All the wrestlers brawled at the bell. Larry and Fulton went at it. Acey tagged in and brawled with Fulton. Rohit tagged in and punched Acey. Acey slapped Rohit hard. Petey tagged in and tripped Rohit. Petey followed with a dropkick. Petey stood on Rohit’s groin in the corner then super kicked him. TJP and Petey double teamed Rohit.

TJP had Rohit in a submission on the mat. Petey and Rohit battled back and forth. Shera tagged in and overpowered Petey. TJP got the hot tag and hit an offensive flurry on Rohit. TJP did the bootwash on Rohit in the corner. Shera clotheslined TJP and delivered punches and kicks. Rohit tagged back in and took it to TJP. Austin made a blind tag and took over on TJP. Fulton tagged in and went on the attack on TJP.

Austin tagged back in and kept the advantage over TJP. TJP made a comeback and got a tornado DDT on Austin. TJP made a tag to Petey. Petey ran wild on Austin. Fulton ran in to break up a Canadian Destroyer attempt. XXL double teamed Austin. The match broke down and wrestlers traded moves. Rohit knocked TJP off the top rope. Rohit DDT’d Austin. Rohit hit the jumping knee on Austin. Larry D head butted Rohit. XXXL squashed Rohit.

XXXL double teamed Austin. Fulton broke up a pin attempt. Fulton clotheslined Acey. Fulton hit a Bossman slam on Larry. Ace hit a splash on Larry for the pin.

WINNERS: Ace Austin & Madman Fulton in 14:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Fast paced action and a really good match. TJP was the standout with his unique move set. Ace and Fulton will bring a fresh challenge for the tag team belts.)

(4) WILLIE MACK vs. W. MORRISSEY

Mack attacked Morrissey at the bell and sent Morrissey reeling. Morrissey came back with a shoulder tackle to knock Mack down. Mack battled back with punches and forearms. Morrissey bailed to the floor. Mack followed him and fought on the floor. Morrissey got the best of the action on the floor. Back in the ring, Morrissey took control with a chin lock. Morrissey stayed in control of the match and had Mack down on the mat.

Morrissey dropped elbows on Mack. Morrissey choked Mack over the ropes, then returned to the chin lock. Mack powered out, then made a comeback with a series of moves, including a big clothesline off the top rope. Morrissey caught Mack and hit a Bossman Slam. Morrissey followed with a kick to the back of Mack’s head and got the pin.

WINNER: W. Morrissey in 12:00.

Morrissey punched Mack several times after the match. Morrissey grabbed a chair from ringside and was going to go after Mack again. Rich Swann’s music hit and he took the fight to Morrissey. Morrissey missed a charge and flew over the top rope. Swann took the chair and challenged Morrissey to come back in the ring.

(D.L.’s Take: The match was pretty much one-sided and about what you would expect. The match was designed to showcase Morrissey and it did that. Probably a little longer than it needed to go. Nice surprise to see the return of Swann, who we haven’t seen since he lost the title to Kenny Omega.)

(5) JORDYNNE GRACE & RACHAEL ELLERING (c) vs. FIRE N FLAVA (Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz) —Impact Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Title match

All four wrestlers fought at the start. Ellering hit a nice leg drop on Kiera. Grace hit a gut wrench suplex on Kiera, followed by two more. Ellering chopped Kiera hard. Ellering hit a senton on Kiera. Fire N Flava double teamed Ellering to get the advantage. Tasha choked Ellering over the ropes. Kiera tagged in and kept the advantage on Ellering. Kiera and Tasha tagged in and out. Ellering hit a stunner, but she was cut off before she could make a tag.

Kiera hit her sliding dropkick on Ellering. Kiera had Ellering in a chin lock. Ellering made a comeback and got the hot tag to Grace. Grace ran wild on Tasha. Ellering and Grace double teamed Tasha. Kiera broke up a pin attempt. Grace hit a spinebuster on Tasha. All four wrestlers fought and exchanged moves. Tasha and Grace battled in the ring. Kiera hit a Sliced Bread on Ellering on the floor. Grace hit a palm strike on Tasha. Grace and Tasha fought on the top rope. Tasha hit a frog splash on Grace for the pin.

WINNERS: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz in 12:00 to regain the Impact Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Titles

(D.L.’s Take: A really good match. Fire N Flava are excellent tag team champs and really shine in that role. Perhaps the seeds are sewn for an Ellering/Grace split.)

(6) JOSH ALEXANDER (c) vs. EL PHANTASMO—Impact Wrestling X Division Title match

Alexander got the initial upper hand. ELP took Alexander down and had him in the bow and arrow briefly. ELP changed the momentum and got a front face lock. Alexander got a powerslam and followed with a chop. ELP escaped to the outside and was followed by Alexander. Back in the ring, ELP took control, but Alexander came right back with a backbreaker. ELP stomped Alexander’s foot to turn the tide. ELP chopped Alexander and choked him.

ELP did some fancy footwork on the top rope and took Alexander down. They traded chops in the corner. ELP hung up Alexander in the ropes, then climbed up and stood on his crotch. ELP mockingly chanted “One more time!” Alexander suplexed ELP, who rolled out of the ring. Alexander accidentally chopped the ring post. ELP rolled Alexander back in. ELP dropped knees on Alexander’s hand, then worked on his fingers.

ELP got on the top rope and walked around three sides. Alexander slammed ELP off the top rope. Alexander knocked ELP down with a forearm. Alexander challenged ELP to hit him, then Alexander went on the attack. ELP rolled Alexander up for a two count. ELP hit a flurry of moves on Alexander. ELP hit a unique neckbreaker for a two count. Alexander got a backbreaker on ELP, then went for an ankle lock, but ELP got out.

Alexander hit a German suplex on ELP. Alexander got a sliding crossbody block on ELP to the outside of the ring. They fought on the top rope. ELP hit a rana off the top, then got a splash off the top rope for a two count. They traded the advantage several times. Alexander put ELP in an ankle lock and a powerbomb over his knee. Alexander locked in an ankle lock for the submission win.

WINNER: Josh Alexander in 16:00 to retain the Impact Wrestling X Division Title.

(D.L.’s Take: An excellent match and these two worked well together. Alexander continues to excel as the X Division champion.)

 

[Arcademan]

Impact Wrestling Under Siege PPV Results: 5-15-21

(continued from previous post)

(7) DEONNA PURRAZZO (c) (w/Susan and Kimber Lee) vs. HAVOK—Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title match

Havok laughed at Deonna at the start, then went on the attack. Havok missed a leg drop. Deonna took Havok down. Deonna worked on Havok’s arm. Havok tried to make a comeback, but Deonna went back to the arm. Havok punched Deonna in the corner. Deonna sidestepped a charge from Havok. Havok knocked Deonna down with a clothesline. Havok missed two stomps then got caught with an elbow. Havok put Deonna in a Boston Crab.

Havok splashed Deonna in the corner. Havok knocked Lee and Susan off the apron. Deonna caught Havok in an armbar. Havok connected with a knee to Deonna’s face. Deonna came back with a kick, a “Divorce Court” from the ropes, followed by an armbar for the tap.

WINNER: Deonna Purrazzo in 8:00 to retain the Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title.

(D.L.’s Take: It was fine while it lasted, but I wouldn’t have minded seeing it go longer.)

(8) KENNY OMEGA & THE GOOD BROTHERS (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. EDDIE EDWARDS & FINJUICE (David Finlay & Juice Robinson)

Don Callis came out to introduce Omega. Omega came out with the three belts. Team Omega took the early advantage but Finjuice and Edwards made a comeback. Juice took control over Omega. Omega got the advantage back by attacking Juice on the floor then rolled Juice back in. Omega and Anderson took control over Juice. Finlay made the hot tag and took over on Omega and Anderson. Finlay knocked Doc off the apron.

The match broke down and everyone started fighting. Omega held Finlay’s leg from the outside to cause the distraction. Anderson took the advantage over Finlay, then tagged out to Doc. Doc put Finlay in a chinlock. Eddie finally made the hot tag and went wild on Omega. Omega hit a rana on Eddie. The Good Brothers knocked Finjuice off the apron. Eddie fought 3 on 1 until Finjuice rejoined the fight. Eddie hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Omega for a two count. Juice teed off with punches on Doc. Omega hit a V-Trigger on Juice.

Omega and the Good Brothers triple teamed Eddie. Finjuice double suplexed Doc. The match broke down and the wrestlers traded moves. Anderson hit a TKO on Eddie. Finjuice double teamed Anderson. Finlay did a dive to the outside on Doc. Juice did a dive to the outside on Omega. Eddie hit a Boston Knee Party running knee on Anderson for the win.

WINNERS: Eddie Edwards and Finjuice in 20:00.

-Finjuice and Eddie celebrated in the ring as Team Omega walked up the ramp angry.

(D.L.’s Take: Good action-packed match with star power. Eddie was featured in the match and perhaps is being positioned for something big.)

(9) SAMI CALLIHAN vs. CHRIS BEY vs. MATT CARDONA vs. TREY MIGUEL vs. CHRIS SABIN vs. MOOSE

This match was to decide a number one contender for Kenny Omega’s Impact World Title. All six wrestlers stood in the ring at the start and fought. Moose caught Trey with an overhead suplex. Sabin super kicked Moose, who no-sold it. Bey and Sabin hit a double superkick to take out Moose. Sabin and Bey went at it. Trey cleared the ring, then he and Sami battled. Cardona sidestepped Moose and sent him sailing over the top rope. Cardona dove on Moose to the outside.

Trey and Bey hit double dives to the outside. Back in the ring, Sami hung up Bey in the ropes. Bey suplexed Sami and Cardona off the top rope. Sabin got in the ring and battled Bey and Trey. Trey put Sabin in a submission. Moose broke it up and threw Trey in the corner. Moose dropkicked Sabin. Moose dropkicked Bey on the top rope. Moose and Trey battled on the top rope. Moose quickly climbed the ropes and superplexed Trey. Bey hit a splash on Moose.

Sami broke up a pin attempt by using a chair. Sami set up the chair in the ring. Sami suplexed Bey on the chair. Cardona and Sami fought. Sabin hit a DDT/flatliner on Cardona and Sami. Sami was about to go for a piledriver on Cardona. The Good Brothers ran down and took out Sami and left him laying outside the ring. The Good Brothers left. Sabin hit a Cradle Shock on Cardona for a two count. Sabin hit a dive to the outside on Moose. Sabin got a two count on Moose. Moose went after Sabin’s knee. Moose hit a spear on Sabin for the win.

WINNER: Moose in 11:00 to become the new number one contender for the Impact World Title.

(D.L.’s Take: Action packed match from beginning to end. Moose predictably won the match and this should set up a really good title match between him and Omega. The Good Brothers attack on Sami Callihan sets up some intriguing storylines.)

 

[famicommander]

WWE had zombies on their show today.

It's like AEW, WWE, and Impact are in a war to see who can put on the worst television.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE had zombies on their show today.

It's like AEW, WWE, and Impact are in a war to see who can put on the worst television.

Worse...it was a PPV

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania Backlash PPV Results: 5-16-21

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com

(1) RHEA RIPLEY vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR vs. ASUKA – WWE Raw Title match

Charlotte and Ripley knocked Asuka to the floor and then yapped at each other for a while. Charlotte got the better of Ripley, then took it to Asuka. A few minutes later, Charlotte knocked Asuka and Ripley to the floor, then moonsaulted off the top rope. She overshot both women, but of course they both bumped for after trying to break her fall. (That move just looks awful, especially so here. They replayed it in slo-mo with fast-speed at the end, and it didn’t save it.) Ripley set up a superplex, but Asuka entered and went for a powerbomb. Ripley held her ground. Virk said, “Two is company, three is a crowd.” Ripley and Asuka ended up shifting to superplex Charlotte together.

A minute later, Charlotte landed Natural Selection on both opponents and covered both. They both kicked out since she couldn’t get good leverage on either. Virk said, “She went for two for the price of one.” Charlotte went for a moonsault, but Asuka moved. Charlotte landed on her feet. Asuka gave Charlotte double knees. Ripley came up behind Asuka and went for the Rip Tide. Asuka slipped free and went for an Asuka lock. Ripley blocked it. Charlotte re-entered and gave Ripley a kick to the face. Asuka applied an Asuka lock, but Charlotte slipped free. Ripley re-entered, but Asuka gave her a spin wheel kick to the head. Asuka hit Charlotte with a spinning backfirst. Ripley then gave Asuka a Rip Tide for the win.

WINNER: Ripley to retain the WWE Raw Title. (***3/4)

Even with a few silly spots, including the contrived double Natural Selection, overall good action and exciting counters and drama at the end. Good to see Ripley win since a loss here could define her down as having “failed” already at a top act.

(2) DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE vs. REY MYSTERIO – WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title match

Cole asked if Rey is going to go “go it alone.” (It’s not big deal, but that phrase never made any sense to me. What is “go it”? Is that a thing? Maybe “go to it” or “go at it” makes some sense. Also, why should Rey have to wrestle without a partner when Roode & Ziggler attacked his partner illegally? Shouldn’t Rey get to at the very least pick a new partner? This feels contrived and arbitrary that Rey would pay a price and have to wrestle along given the circumstances of the injury, a dumb rule just to create a greater sense of “underdog drama.”)

Sure enough, Rey opened alone. Cole said at least momentarily Rey would be wrestling alone. Rey made a comeback early with a slide splash at ringside on Ziggler. Roode hit Rey from behind to take back control. Cole talked about Rey’s wife and daughter watching live. The heel duo took it to Rey for several minutes. Rey made a comeback and Dominik made his way to the ring. Rey was concerned, opening himself up to a Zig Zag by Dolph for a two count. Roode then gave Rey a lift-and-drop gut-buster over his knee. Rey eventually tagged Dominik in. He charged at Roode, but Roode fired back with a quick spinebuster. Cole said Rey can only watch his son take a beating. Roode berated Dominik and said he should have stayed down and he doesn’t belong there. Dominik fired at Ziggler with a superkick. Ziggler and Dominik both tagged out. Roode intercepted Rey mid-air with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall.

Rey sent Roode into the corner with a head scissors and then landed a 619. He tagged in Dominik, then took out Ziggler at ringside. Dominik landed a top rope frog splash for a three count. Cole yelled, “They did it! You have got to be kidding me!” Rey and Dominik both looked emotional after the win as they celebrated.

WINNERS: Rey & Dominik in 17:00 to capture the Smackdown Tag Team Titles.

I like that the injury angle didn’t lead to an excuse for a loss, but instead just stacked the odds against them. The rationale for Rey having to fight alone made no sense, but in the end, they overcame bigger odds as a result. I’m curious if it turns out there’s another reason behind the angle.

(3) THE MIZ (w/John Morrison) vs. DAMIAN PRIEST – Lumberjack match

Graves said, “No, we’re not relaunching ECW again.” (Zombies are not that closely aligned with ECW. That’s was brief tie-in with Sci-Fi Network.) The zombies acted like zombie and kind of became the center of attention. They had smoke at ringside and changed the ThunderDome screens to show an apocalyptic style vibe. The zombies yanked Priest and Miz out of the the ring a few minutes in. Graves said, “When you survive a zombie apocalypse, it’s generally a bonding experience.” Priest took control back in the ring when Morrison ran out and DISTRACTED Priest. Priest fought him off, but Miz caught Priest with a surprise knee fora near fall. Morrison scooted into the ring to avoid the zombie and then did a flip dive onto three zombies at ringside. He kicked another, then climbed onto the ringside barricade, but two zombies popped up and pulled him down. Priest then caught Miz with a Hit the Lights for the win.

WINNER: Priest in 7:00.

For one of the dumbest things WWE has ever done, it was well done. Is that a compliment? There’s a certain level of how far wrestling fans will let reality gets stretched, and when it involves a cash-grab for a movie cross promotion, I think it crosses into unacceptable territory.

(4) BIANCA BELAIR vs. BAYLEY – Smackdown Title match

Belair shoved Bayley to the floor, then rubbed her hands together like it was super-easy and then waved Bayley back in. Belair applied an early armbar. Bayley came back and applied a chinlock. They struggled over a suplex attempt. Belair suplexed Bayley. Bayley went for a small package. They rolled to the floor where Bayley dropped Belair over the ringside steps. Bayley scored a two count back in the ring a minute later after some more offense. She landed a running knee and made the cover. Belair kicked out, sending Bayley out of the ring to the floor. Bayley returned and pummeled Belair with punches. Cole said that embarrassed Bayley. Bayley came back and cackle-laughed at Belair. Belair slapped her and took control. “Now Bianca Belair is fired up!” said Cole. She landed a dropkick and clapped and bobbed her head.

Bayley clipped her leg from behind. Bayley went for a dive, but Belair moved and Bayley crashed to the floor. Belair threw Bayley into the ring and scored a two count. Cole said she didn’t want to win by countout. Bayley raked Belair’s eyes to regain control. Bayley yanked on Belair’s braid and then landed a Bayley-to-Belly for a belieable near fall. Bayley used Belair’s braid to try to gain extra leverage for a Rose Plant finisher, but Belair countered into a roll-through for a leverage pin. It appeared Belair was supposed to use her braid to add leverage to the leg hook, but she lost her grip. Cole pushed the idea that Bayley’s attempt to use the hair braid to her advantage backfired. Bayley pounded the announce desk and asked for a replay that would prove Belair used her hair to wrap up her legs. “Belair is a cheater!” she yelled.

WINNER: Belair in 16:00 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Title. (***1/4)

Solid title match. Both worked hard, most everything looked good. The braid finish was a little sloppy and gimmicky, though.

Continued in next post (stupid 10k post rule!)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania Backlash PPV Results: 5-16-21

Continued from previous post...

(5) BOBBY LASHLEY vs. DREW MCINTYRE vs. BRAUN STROWMAN – WWE Title match

Virk talked about the “past history” with Lashley and his opponents (as opposed, I suppose, to his “present history” or “future history”?) Lashley and Drew suplexed Braun together, then turned to fight each other. Drew gave Lashley an overhead suplex. When Lashley rolled to ringside, Braun went after him. Drew gave him a Glasgow Kiss. Lashley yanked Drew to the floor. When he lifted Drew onto his shoulders, Drew slipped free and shoved him into the ringpost. Braun leaped with a flip dive onto both Drew and Lashley at ringside. The announcers sold it big. He chokeslammed Lashley mid-ring and scored a two count. They replayed it in slo-mo. Drew leaped onto both of them with a flying bodypress. Drew scored a two count on Braun after a sling blade.

Lashley took it to Drew in the corner, then tossed him across the ring. He lifted and slammed a charging Braun and scored a two count. Lashley beat up Drew at ringside until Braun hit Lashley with ringside steps. Graves said it’s perfectly legal because Triple Threat matches are no-DQ (which is a TOP FIVE DUMB THING in WWE as there’s no reason to make everything legal just because there’s an extra wrestler in the match).

On the stage, Lashley tried to suplex Drew into the LED entrance wall, but Drew escaped and headbutted Lashley. He then slammed Lashley’s head into the wall. He threw Lashley through part of the wall, and sparks flew and explosions were heard. Graves said the last time that happened, they didn’t see Lashley for weeks. Braun then went after Drew on the stage. He threw him back into the ring and landed a hard forearm to his chest followed by a senton for a two count.

Drew landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall on Braun a minute later. Both were slow to get up. Braun backdropped Drew over the top rope. Drew gave Braun an overhead suplex at ringside. Braun came back with a powerbomb of Drew through the announce table at ringside. The table collapsed. After 30 seconds, Braun dragged Drew back to the ring. Drew fired back with a Claymore. Lashley snuck back into the ring, threw Drew to the floor, speared Braun, and got the three count.

WINNER: Lashley in 14:00 to retain the WWE Title. (***1/2)

That was pretty much by the numbers what you’d expect if you were looking at WWE booking patterns and where each of these wrestlers are positioned. Anything else would have been a surprise. The action was good with a lot of power moves. Having Lashley written out of the match for several minutes after crashing through the set worked.

(6) ROMAN REIGNS (w/Paul Heyman) vs. CESARO – Universal Title match

Cole said Reigns has a certain aura and a confidence he will win. McAfee said Reigns believed in himself the day he entered it. Cole said Cesaro has a jacket that said, “I believe I can.” McAfee said many have believed they can beat Reigns, but this is where Reigns lives and dominates and most comfortable. He said he’s “the face of the company and the face of the best show in sports entertainment.” McAfee said he thinks Cesaro doesn’t fully grasp what he has signed up for. They did format ring introductions. Cesaro had a game face on and seemed to be in a more serious mode than maybe ever before. He had it in him, in other words.

Reigns and Cesaro started at a deliberate methodical pace. Reigns took Cesaro down first and then locked on a side headlock. Cesaro pushed out of it and knocked Reigns down with a shoulder block for a quick two count. Cesaro went for another cover. Reigns rolled to the floor. Heyman, looking concerned, had a few words with him. Cesaro landed a springboard uppercut. Reigns upkicked to send Cesaro backwards. He threw Cesaro to the floor. Cole noted Cesaro landed on his arm and it could come into play. Reigns took control when Cesaro returned to the ring. He threw Cesaro into the ringpost. After a near fall, Reigns looked at Cesaro with what Cole described as a disdain indicative of feeling Cesaro doesn’t belong in the ring with him. Reigns settled into a mat hold.

Reigns went for a Superman Punch at 10:00, but Cesaro countered with a lift-and-drop European Uppercut. He stomped on Reigns’s legs and applied a Sharpshooter. Reigns grabbed the ropes and dragged himself to the floor. Cesaro went at Reigns at ringside including a running uppercut. Then he landed a top rope crossbody for a near fall back in the ring. McAfee said Cesaro is starting to believe, but noted he has inexperience in World Championship matches. Reigns knocked Cesaro off balance on the rope rope, then kicked Cesaro in the head as he held onto his arm draped over the top rope. Reigns slidekicked Cesaro’s shoulder into the post and scored a two count mid-ring.

Reigns stood and smiled. He went back to Cearo’s battered arm. Reigns told Cesaro, “I love wrestling, it’s fun for me!” He told Cesaro he has a lot of responsibility. He lifted Cesaro by his chin and continued to pelt him with punches and kicks. Cesaro fought back, but grabbed his arm in pain. Cole said Cesaro realizes he might never get another chance at the Universal Title if he doesn’t win here. Cole said this is about being the Face of Smackdown, the Face of Fox, and representing WWE worldwide. Cesaro headbutted Reigns and began to hulk up a bit. He shook out his arm and went on a barrage of offense against Reigns in the corner. The ref backed him away. Cesaro pulled Reigns by his hair and delivered a superplex of Reigns back into the ring for a near fall at 20:00.

Cesaro kicked away at Reigns’s hamstring area, but Cesaro’s sore arm gave out on him. Reigns then applied an armbar. He leaned hard on it as Cesaro yelled in agony. Cesaro leveraged Reigns’s shoulders down for a near fall. Reigns came back with a sudden Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns locked on a guillotine. Cesaro lifted and slammed Reigns to power out. He scored a two count, then went for a sharpshooter. Reigns went to rake Cesaro’s face, but Cesaro rotated into the full sharpshooter. Cole asked, “Can Cesaro do the unthinkable?” Cesaro shifted into a crossface. “This is the moment Cesaro has been fighting for!” Cole exclaimed. Reigns escaped and elbowed Cesaro in the face a few times. Cole wondered if that was the last gasp for Cesaro. Reigns gave Cesaro a quick powerbomb for a near fall. Reigns applied a guillotine again. Cesaro tried to power out. Reigns cinched it tighter. Cesaro managed to break the grip. The ref called for the bell.

WINNER: Reigns in 28:00 to retain the Universal Title. (****1/2)

I actually really like this, not just because it was a really good match, but because it established a match can end clean with a heel champion beating a babyface challenger even without the storyline going into the match coming into play, in this case Jey and Jimmy Uso. It establishes that a finish can happen in future Reigns matches even before something happens with the Usos.

 

[norton9478]

I'm all for zombies in wrestling.... If it is done right.

I don't have to have a crystal ball to assume that it wasn't done right.


I have no idea what they did. But LIke... The idea of having a lumber jack match... But instead of being dressed in boots and flannels, the jacks dress and act as zombies.... Good shit.

 

[famicommander]

ROH will run its Best in the World PPV on July 11 from Baltimore, with limited fans in attendance.

That makes AEW, WWE, MLW, and now ROH returning to fans in attendance in July. That just leaves Impact as the last major US promotion to announce a return to fans. Hopefully they let some people into Slammiversary.

 

[Pope Sazae]

I am very curious about what Impact is doing. There has been material mentioning Naito and Okada for Slammiversary. FinJuice is one thing to bring over from New Japan but those other two guys are on a completely different level and I have heard that Okada wasn't very happy with Impact after how his TNA run went.

 

[famicommander]

Naito and Okada aren't coming in for Slammiversary. Impact is just using old footage of them to get people hyped.

They also used footage of Samoa Joe recently.

 

[famicommander]

ROH's return to fans details:

-Seating will be limited. Tickets are being sold in 1-6 person pods and each pod will be a minimum of 6 feet away from any other pods
-Masks will still be required
-All fans will be subject to a temperature check upon entry to the arena
-Floor seats will be $50 or $40 if you are an Honor Club member and you buy them on the presale
-Bleacher seats will be $30 or $20 for the Honor Club presale
-Tickets go on sale to the general public June 7
-Honor Club presale is from May 24-May 31
-Show will be live at the former UMBC Arena, now called the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore on July 11 at 5 PM

 

[famicommander]

Apparently the Miz tore his ACL in that retarded zombie match.

Hope it was worth it you fucking morons.

 

[famicommander]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1392666389937328128

AEW is a bad cover band of late 1990s wrestling

 

[famicommander]

Some big news:
-AEW Dynamite is moving from TNT to TBS in 2022
-A second TNT show, AEW Rampage, will debut Friday, August 13. It will be a one hour B-show. It will also move to TBS in 2022.
-TNT will begin airing four quarterly AEW specials per year
-MLW will have their "open draft" tomorrow, where they will reveal new signings
-MLW is focused on upgrading production and hiring more staff ahead of their July 10 relaunch
-Their July 10 show in Philly was sold out, but more tickets just got released due to relaxed COVID restrictions
-LA Park is recovering at home from pneumonia
-Jay White, David Finlay, and Juice Robinson have tested positive for COVID and are currently quarantining for 10 days at the NJPW Dojo
-Triplemania is confirmed for August 14 with Psycho Clown vs Rey Escorpion headlining and Omega vs Andrade in the co-main
-Impact's Deonna Purrazzo will also take on AAA's Faby Apache in a title vs title match
-ROH TV next week features Kingdom vs Foundation for the Tag Titles and Rocky Romero vs Fred Yehi in a Pure Rules match

 

[jro]

I like how AEW manages to push young dudes with upside:
-The Acclaimed are both solid workers, Bowens has a really solid presence in-ring and Caster is excellent on mic. Good call by Tony Khan, which yeah, I wouldn't have expected to agree with. Loved that Renee Paquette line, I'm sorry.
-Starks is awesome. He's young Rock a little smaller. How did WWE miss on him? I assume he was supposed to get ultimate Sting rub pre-injury, hopefully that's still the plan.
-Varsity Blondes - love these guys. Pillman Jr. has a great story obviously, and they're both solid workers. Garrison is hilarious on BTE. Adding Hart makes me think TK likes them a lot, nice rub in the loss to Bucks.

 

[Pope Sazae]

So Will Osprey has vacated his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship due to a neck injury. I wonder how they are going to fill the title or maybe just wait a bit and have the G1 determine who will be champion.

 

[famicommander]

I like how AEW manages to push young dudes with upside:
-The Acclaimed are both solid workers, Bowens has a really solid presence in-ring and Caster is excellent on mic. Good call by Tony Khan, which yeah, I wouldn't have expected to agree with. Loved that Renee Paquette line, I'm sorry.
-Starks is awesome. He's young Rock a little smaller. How did WWE miss on him? I assume he was supposed to get ultimate Sting rub pre-injury, hopefully that's still the plan.
-Varsity Blondes - love these guys. Pillman Jr. has a great story obviously, and they're both solid workers. Garrison is hilarious on BTE. Adding Hart makes me think TK likes them a lot, nice rub in the loss to Bucks.

The Acclaimed are as green as goose shit and those raps are terrible. Change the channel heat for me.

Pillman Jr is green as fuck too.