Matt Hardy in his full Broken gimmick did a pretty hilarious and entertaining interview with TMZ Sports regarding his future and had a very special message for Vince McMahon.
Hardy said that as of now, he is able to go anywhere although currently he will wrestle for Ring of Honor. When asked if there’s a chance of seeing him and Jeff at Orlando for WrestleMania week, Hardy replied, “Oh when you are dealing with Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero, anything can happen!”
Matt said that he has held conversations with every promoter that runs ever major promotion including speaking with people “from Meekmahan’s show” and then said that has deployed his trusted drone, Vanguard 1, to monitor McMahon 24/7.
“If you try anything shady, I will be the first person to DELETE you,” Broken Matt warned McMahon.
Smackdown did a total of 2,738,000 viewers last night, an increase of 172,000 viewers from the previous show. It’s the third best number of 2017 so far. The show was #1 in the top 50 cable chart in the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Austin Aries has moved from NXT and is now part of the 205 Live cruiserweight roster.
The former TNA champion was injured at the end of October, suffering a large orbital fracture during a non-televised live event match against Shinsuke Nakamura. Aries needed titanium plates inserted to fix the damage, and has been on the sidelines ever since.
Since then, Aries transitioned to the commentary team, providing color commentary for Main Event as well as joining Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo for 205 Live. During last night’s 205 Live broadcast on the WWE Network, Aries wrestled Tony Nese in his first match back since he suffered the injury and 24 hours after he attacked Neville on Monday Night Raw.
TNA, or should we say, Impact Wrestling, will be using a slogan made famous by Donald Trump to highlight the arrival of the new regime starting with tomorrow’s show.
The company is using the hash tag #MakeImpactGreat in its social media campaigns, a take off of Donald Trump’s successful Make America Great Again slogan that catapulted him to the presidency and the White House.
Tomorrow’s Impact will serve as “show one” under the reigns of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, with Jeff Jarrett back leading the pack. A couple of stars have departed the company, but new ones will be unveiled tomorrow, including former WWE champion Alberto El Patron.
Also as from tomorrow, the TNA name will be thrown out of the window as the company rebrands itself to just Impact Wrestling.
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler was supposed to travel to the United Kingdom next week for five spoken word shows but all events have been canceled according to ticket processor Ticketline.
W-O reader Liam Johnson sent in word that an e-mail was sent out to all ticket holders with the text, “Due to circumstances beyond both Eros Comedy & Jerry Lawler’s control we’ve been left with no alternative except to postpone his tour currently scheduled for next week. Obviously this is going to be beyond gutting for all the fans that were looking forward to hearing The King’s stories and meeting the man himself.” Eros Comedy was the promoter for the shows.
The statement also said that they are working on rescheduling the tour for later this year but no exact dates can be provided for now.
The tour was supposed to start on March 15 in Birmingham, then London on the March 16, Manchester on March 17, Glasgow on March 18, and Belfast on March 19.
Fans who purchased a ticket will be refunded via the point of sale for each venue and will go back to the payment method used for booking them.
With 25 days to go to WrestleMania, the city of Orlando placed a massive WWE replica title at Lake Eola, a popular destination in downtown Orlando.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer noted on Twitter that “this event is a BIG deal” for the city and he was present for the unveiling of the 12-foot tall WWE championship title on the shore of the lake. NXT Superstars Peyton Royce, Mandy Rose, No Way Jose, and Shinsuke Nakamura were also present during the short event.
The title is hanging from three tall posts and has the WrestleMania 33 logo on the side plates.
The number one contender spot for the WWE title has finally been settled…or so it seems after Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles last night on Smackdown.
Orton last main evented WrestleMania three years ago when he wrestled Batista and Daniel Bryan in New Orleans. Prior to that, he main evented WrestleMania 25 with Triple H, so this will be his third time in the top billing assuming the WWE title match goes on last as usual.
Last week AJ Styles won the right to face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania but then Randy Orton turned on Bray Wyatt. Since he won the Royal Rumble, he was then given the opportunity to take on Styles to determine the number one contender for the title.
There were rumors that Luke Harper will also be added in the mix although that plan looks like it’s no longer in place.
Ronald Heard, better known to wrestling fans as “Outlaw” Ron Bass, passed away yesterday at age 68 due to complications from recent surgery according to News Channel 8 in Tampa, Florida. Bass died while he was admitted to Tampa General Hospital.
Making his debut in 1971, he started wrestling for different NWA territories and then moved to Florida Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions in the early 80s. In 1987, Bass joined the then WWF and his most memorable feud came against Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake when he cut his head open on an episode of Superstars of Wrestling. The climax of the feud arrived in January 1989 when the two wrestled in a hair vs hair match on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Bass retired in 1991 due to several injuries and in 2016 he was named in the list of more than 50 former wrestlers who sued WWE for brain injuries, a lawsuit spearheaded by attorney Konstantine Kyros.
Tuesday Night Smackdown! Live Television Report for March 7, 2017 – “A Final Decision?”
Introduction: Video Promo
A recap of Randy Orton burning down WWE Champion Bray Wyatt’s compound from last week’s Smackdown! Live airs.
Arena Promo
Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan come to the ring to discuss the man who will wrestle WWE Champion Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania. They are both split, with Daniel saying Randy Orton should get the chance since he won the Royal Rumble Match, but Shane says A.J. Styles has it after defeating Luke Harper last week and Orton giving up his shot a few weeks ago on Smackdown!.
Commercials.
Backstage Promo
A.J. Styles is not pleased with GM Bryan or Commissioner McMahon, but he does say that he will get the job done tonight and move on to WrestleMania.
Match #1: Mixed Tag-Team – James Ellsworth and Carmella VS. John Cena and Nikki Bella
Just before this starts, The Miz and Maryse walk out, distracting Cena and Bella. Carmella hits a kick as Miz and Maryse smile.
Commercials.
Carmella is in control over Nikki, while Miz and Maryse are on commentary. Bella chucks Carmella out of the ring and gets the hot-tag to John. He stares and smiles at James, who seemingly does not want to square-off with Cena. He is forced by Carmella but is quickly slammed with a spin-out backdrop. Nikki knocks down Carmella with a forearm, and then both she and John hit a Five-Knuckle Shuffle on both Carmella and Ellsworth. They then plant James and Carmella with their finishers and make them give-in to STFs!
Winners via Pinfall: John Cena and Nikki Bella
Post-match, Miz and Maryse attack Cena and Bella. Miz cuts a promo on how Nikki and John’s relationship is “fake.” He says that “real love” is not what they have since Cena does whatever Nikki says. Maryse yells at Nikki and then drops the microphone.
Later tonight, we will have Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss’ “Blissertation” about WrestleMania.
Locker Room Promo
Rene Young interviews Randy Orton about facing A.J. Styles to determine who wrestles WWE Champion Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania for the championship. He warns A.J. that if he’s willing to burn down a man’s home, then what would he do to Styles for a shot at the WWE Championship?
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Curt Hawkins VS. Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose (Non-Title)
Hawkins is in the ring but is super-quickly clotheslined by Ambrose! The Intercontinental Champion calls out Baron Corbin again, but “The Lone Wolf’ only appears on the Titantron, saying that he appears in person when he wants. Dean charges to the back, looking for Baron.
Winner: No Contest due to no official start
Video Promo
Women’s History is being celebrated this month, so we look back at Lita VS. Trish Stratus in the early-2000s.
Dean is still looking for Baron Corbin.
Commercials.
It is announced that John Cena will host The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards this Saturday.
I.C. Champion Dean Ambrose is still looking for Baron Corbin.
Backstage Promo
Mojo Rawley is with Dasha Fuentes. He declares that he will be in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Dolph Ziggler walks up and tells him he has to “earn a WrestleMania Moment,” but Rawley fires back “is that why you don’t have one.” Dolph takes another verbal-shot and walks away.
Backstage Promo
Ambrose is still searching for Baron, but finds him the hard way. Corbin snuck up on him and viciously attacks with a lead pipe. He then flattens him with a forklift vehicle until referees and other personnel scurry him away.
Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and Mickie James make their way to the ring.
Commercials.
Arena Promo
Bliss runs down the women on Smackdown! that will not get a title shot at WrestleMania, which includes Naomi, Carmella, Natalya, and Becky Lynch.
“The Irish Lasskicker” interrupts as does Natalya. They both state their claim to wrestle for the Women’s Championship; GM Daniel Bryan interjects. He takes Bliss’ comments about her being “the best” on Smackdown! and informs her that she will be wrestling “every available woman” on Smackdown! Live at WrestleMania for the Women’s Championship. He follows this up with a Tag-Team Match between the four of the woman in the ring, right now!
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team – Mickie James and Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss VS. Becky Lynch and Natalya
Alexa and Natalya start-out with Natalya giving Alexa a headlock-takedown.
Becky and Mickie enter and lockup. They trade holds, and Mickie works over Becky’s arm with a hammerlock. Lynch flies around after springboarding herself, but James kicks back and drags her into Bliss. The Women’s Champ controls for a bit, but Becky counters with a dragon-screw leg-twist. Alexa goes tot the outside for a break, but Lynch follows with a forearm off of the apron! She knocks Mickie to the floor, but James trips her up. Bliss takes advantage.
Commercials.
Mickie is back in and has a rear chinlock on Becky and then gives her a hurricanrana from the corner. she tags in Alexa who continues the domination for a bit. She and Mickie switch back-and-forth until Becky hits Bliss with a boot and backslide for two! Alexa manages to tag James back in, but Lynch hits her with a few clotheslines and a jumping calf-kick. She has her in the corner when Natalya German-suplexes her! Nattie walks away and Bliss tags in and covers for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Mickie James and Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss
Post-match, Alexa wants to celebrate with Mickie, but James is shocked and kicks Bliss in the back-of-the-head! She places the Women’s Championship over a facedown Alexa and leaves.
Up next, the main-event #1 Contender’s Match!
Commercials.
A.J. Styles makes his entrance and cuts a promo. He proclaims that Smackdown! Live is “the house that A.J. Styles built,” because it was a high-rated show when he was WWE Champion. “I took a ‘B show’ and made it into ‘THE show.’” He is infuriated that he got nothing for that from GM Bryan and Commissioner McMahon while Randy Orton got a promise after his actions last week! He vows that no one will stop him from making WrestleMania “phenomenal.”
Randy Orton makes his entrance and the match is next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – A.J. Styles VS. Randy Orton
(Stipulation: #1 Contender’s Bout to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania)
A.J. goes for a forearm right away but Orton moves and tries the R.K.O.! Styles goes to the outside and then they lockup back in the ring. A.J. side-headlocks Randy but is backdropped. Styles still has the headlock clamped but is whipped off of the ropes and hit with a shoulder-block. A.J. fakes a test-of-strength and kicks Randy into the corner. He whips Orton into the opposite corner, but Randy turns it around!
“The Viper” front-suplexes Styles onto the top rope and then punches him in the corner. He tosses him with an exploder-suplex a bit later, which sends A.J. to the floor. Randy backdrops him onto the barricade, but is chopped at the knee when he entered in the ring.
Commercials.
Styles is focussed on Orton’s knee, stretching it out. He clutches on a rear-chinlock but Randy fights out of it. He places A.J. atop the turnbuckle, but Styles slides underneath and trips him. He drops him with a fireman’s-carry knee but can’t take this! He goes for Styles Clash but Randy dumps him over the ropes. Orton tries the Draping-DDT, but A.J. stops it and rolls Randy into the Calf-Crusher! Orton struggles but is able to get to the bottom rope for a break!
A.J. tries a Phenomenal-Forearm, but Orton pushes him and drives him to the canvas with a Draping-DDT! He goes for the R.K.O. but Styles counters with a Pele Kick! He tries another Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton sees it. A.J. stops and Randy drops to the mat! Styles goes for a springboard-450-splash, but Orton moves and Styles rolls through. Styles runs into a flapjack and R.K.O! Randy covers for the victory!
Winner and #1 Contender: Randy Orton
Post-match, Orton celebrates while A.J. sulks from the ramp to close the show.
The post-Fastlane Raw last night drew a total of 3,216,000 viewers, up 124,000 viewers from last week’s show.
Hour one started with 3,318,000 viewers, then went up to 3,380,000 viewers for the second hour, before crashing down to 2,950,000 in the third and final hour. Between hour two and hour three, Raw lost a total of 430,000 viewers.
The show was #2, #3, and #5 in the top 50 cable chart in the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
At this year’s Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns dumped The Undertaker out of the 30-man over-the-top rope match and Taker returned last night on Raw for some payback.
When Braun Strowman called out Roman Reigns in the final segment of the show, The Undertaker’s theme song hit the speakers much to the surprise of fans in Chicago. Strowman eventually backed off and left through the stands, but before The Undertaker exited the ring, Roman Reigns came out to confront him.
Accompanied by a chorus of boos, Reigns told Taker that this was now his yard. When the ring veteran looked at the WrestleMania sign hanging from the top, Reigns also looked, but then got a chokeslam for his trouble.
The match between the two has been rumored for quite a while and this is one bout which fans will probably feel that The Undertaker has another good chance of losing his second at WrestleMania due to the nature of how Reigns is often booked by WWE.
ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that Matt Hardy has applied to trademark his Broken Matt Hardy gimmick with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The application is for “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.” It also lists the date of April 20, 2016 as the first time it was used and May 20, 2016 as the first commercially used. The filing date was a week ago, March 1.
The application will certainly be opposed by TNA as they already claimed ownership of the gimmick while Hardy insists that the creation of the gimmick was his and he is entitled to keep using it.
What is mind boggling is that over the past year, none of the parties decided that it was a good idea to trademark the creation to protect their intellectual property after the gimmick took off.
For the third year in a row, one of the largest pay-per-view providers in the United States, DirecTV, is not offering WrestleMania 33 on traditional pay-per-view.
DirecTV severed all ties with WWE in April 2014 following the introduction of the WWE Network. WrestleMania XXX from New Orleans was the last pay-per-view that DirecTV aired.
The company, now owned by AT&T and based in El Segundo, California, was the second broadcaster to drop WWE shows after DISH Network pulled the plug first three years ago. DISH Network however made a u-turn and is now showing pay-per-views on event-by-event basis. DISH’s corporate communications office already confirmed with us that they will be airing WrestleMania 33 on pay-per-view for $59.99.
WrestleMania will be available for free for first-time subscribers to the WWE Network this year as well. To subscribe, simply go to http://w-o.it/wwentwrk.
Two matches were made official for WrestleMania last night on Monday Night Raw, with the United States and Raw Women’s titles on the line.
Former best friends Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens will fight each other for Jericho’s United States title. Jericho’s distraction at Fastlane caused Owens the Universal title against Goldberg so now KO will be going after Jericho’s title.
The Raw Women’s title will be defended in a triple threat match for the second year in a row at WrestleMania as champion Bayley will take on Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks. Last year, Charlotte walked in – and out – as the champion in a match which also involved Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch. There are rumors that Nia Jax will be added to the mix to make this a fatal four way match.
Goldberg and Brock Lesnar will now face each other for the WWE Universal title while the challenger for Bray Wyatt’s WWE title will be determined tonight on Smackdown.
Hey! It’s @TheMagnumDA here for another edition of the Raw report. Fast Lane was a pretty good show…my only complaint would be that there are some booking decisions that make me shake my head. But enough of that! We are LIVE in one of my favorite cities in America…Chicago, Illinois. Hello to my many friends there. Love you all, hope to see you soon.
Speaking of friendship, we start with CHRIS JERICHO, the man who cost Kevin Owens the Universal Championship at Fast Lane. Chris says that Y2J was born RIGHT HERE in Chicago. He wants to know why Kevin Owens stabbed him in the back. KO interrupts! KO tells a story about Jericho playing the fool…until Jericho stepped in and challenged Goldberg on KO’s behalf. Kevin says he spared Jericho by beating him down at the Festival of Friendship, because it could have been much worse.
Jericho said he doesn’t want KO’s friendship…he wants a match at WrestleMania. KO tells him to put up the US Championship, and it’s a deal. Jericho immediately says “You got it” as the crowd laughs. Jericho challenges KO to a fight right now, and Owens charges into the ring. THE FIGHT IS ON! Out of nowhere, SAMOA JOE appears and beats Y2J to the mat. Just as the double team begins, SAMI ZAYN appears with a chair! He lays out Joe, but KO catches up to him. As a double team on Zayn starts, Jericho shows up to even the odds! They separate as the place goes wild. What a great opening segment!
After the commercial, Owens vs. Zayn and Joe vs. Jericho are booked for tonight. However, nobody can interfere in each others matches tonight.
Match #1 – Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
CHAPTER CII: Stop the Insanity!!!
Sami starts with a somersault tope, but that’s about all the offense he will get. When they go back in, KO destroys him with a Pop Up Powerbomb. KO hits a cannonball to Sami’s neck, followed by a SICK neckbreaker suplex. He hits a SECOND Pop Up Powerbomb on Zayn for the ONE, TWO, THREE! Another beatdown by KO on Zayn. Will Sami ever learn?
Winner: Kevin Owens (*)
Chris Jericho vs. Samoa Joe is booked for later tonight! Goldberg is also announced for later, which gets HUGE boo’s from the Chicago faithful.
Austin Aries joins us to talk about his beautiful (video) package! This leads to…
Match #2 – WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match – Neville (c) vs. Rich Swann
The CM Punk chants start right away. Swann hits a running clotheslines and fists to start. Swann hits a huge dropkick after that. Neville gets thrown to the outside, where Swann continues the offense. Neville counters an irish whip, and an incredible moment happens: Neville throws Swann headfirst into the LED board on the apron curtain, but the momentum actually throws Swann arse-first onto the surface of the apron. I’ve never seen anything like it. I DVR’ed it and watched it 12 times to make sure that it actually happened. Incredible.
After the break, Neville has Swann in a…you guessed it! A chinlock! Swann tries to fight out, but he gets dropped. A huge “AUSTIN ARIES” chant breaks out. Swann gets in a fist fight with Neville on the apron, and crotches Neville to the outside. Swann climbs up and hits a somersault swanton version of the Bombs Away! This match is just miles better than the Rumble match. Swann hits a GREAT headscissors, a kick, and a Michinoku Driver gets ONE, TWO, NO! Swann goes back up but Neville catches him. Neville climbs for the Windham Superplex and CONNECTS. Swann rolls outside to the ring, in a move that reminded me of Warrior vs. Hogan from Halloween Havoc 1998. On the outside, Neville throws Swann into the barricades as we go to ANOTHER break. Wow, it’s cool that they’re getting this much time.
We come back to Neville hitting Swann with kicks. Swann fights back with a vicious set of rights. Neville and Swann trade counters, leading to a sick suplex by Swann on Neville! SICK KICK! ONE, TWO, NO! Swann goes back up, flips off another Neville charge, and hits ANOTHER SICK KICK. Swann goes up for the Phoenix Splash, but he misses! Neville immediately catches him in the Rings of Saturn!!! Swann taps!!! An absolutely fantastic one-on-one cruiserweight bout. One of the best that Raw has put on since last year.
Winner: Neville (***3/4)
After the match, Aries tries to interview Neville but a huge AUSTIN ARIES chant breaks out! The fans give Neville the “What?” treatment. Come on, Chicago, you’re better than that. Aries asks Neville to clarify…”Are you sure that there’s no one on your level?” Aries polls the fans and they cheer for him. Neville tells Aries that he is delusional if he thinks he’s on a championship level. Adrian tells him to GET OUT and go back to his announcing desk. Neville spits in his face while talking, insulting him and calling him a lowly “commentator”. Austin has one more question for Neville, but actually it’s more of a statement…BAM! Aries puts the mic right in Neville’s mush! He knocks him down once more, and Neville runs off. This could be a WrestleMania match!
Enzo & Cass walk up to Sheamus & Cesaro, who call the boys “chokers.” Enzo sasses back by calling Cesaro a loser last week (in his match vs. Samoa Joe). Enzo & Cass get a rematch against Anderson & Gallows later tonight for the tag titles!
Up next, we have the NEW Universal Champion GOLDBERG with us. He poses with the title and the mixed reaction immediately becomes apparent. Goldberg tells us that he could not have done it without the fans. He tells the audience that he stands humbled to be here as Universal Champion. Bill starts to speak but he’s interrupted by a CM Punk chant!
THAT is interrupted by Paul Heyman! He introduces BRRRROCK LESNAR! Brock wants to shake Goldberg’s hand in congratulations for last night’s win. Heyman mentions that on April 2nd at WrestleMania, Goldberg will be the one who walks out the loser. Heyman then announces the “spoiler”, which is that Brock Lesnar will become the Universal Champion. Lesnar then drops Goldberg with an F-5. Sorry, but Goldberg looked like a complete loser just getting picked up like that without putting up any sort of fight. I don’t like it…the crowd’s going to shit all over this at XXXIII just like they did at XX.
Match #3 – WWE Tag Team Championship Match – Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows (c) vs. Enzo & Big Cass
Gallows immediately beats down Enzo to start. Enzo counters and tags in Cass. Cass gets thrown into the corner and Anderson tags in. Cass powers him into the corner, and takes a knee to the gut. Gallows tags back in, and so does Enzo. As Enzo’s about to fly outside, we have SHEAMUS and CESARO walking down the aisle as we go to break!
When we return, Enzo fights out of a sleeper, but Anderson knocks him down. A suplex gets two. Anderson gets European Uppercuts in the corner, and then tags in Gallows. Gallows beats Enzo down, but a spinebuster is countered into a DDT. CASS TAGS IN AND HE’S A HOUSE OF FIRE. Fallaway Slams on Gallows and Anderson! Splash in the corner to Anderson! Cass hits the Empire Elbow for two! Gallows breaks up the pin, and Enzo flies in to nail Gallows. Enzo with a suicide dive to Gallows! Enzo hits Cesaro during the celebration, knocking his coffee into his shirt! What was Cesaro even doing with coffee? Anyways, Cesaro is pissed and hits the first person that gets in his way, which happens to be Anderson. The ref calls for the DQ. Well, that finish sucked! Afterwards, there’s a Pier 6 where Cesaro and Sheamus get the last word.
Winners by DQ: Anderson & Gallows (*1/2, retain titles)
RICK RUDE IS GOING INTO THE WWE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017! YES! YES!
Foley makes a match for next week between Enzo & Cass vs. Cesaro & Sheamus, where the winners get Anderson & Gallows at WrestleMania. After that, Stephanie McMahon demands that Foley join her in her office immediately to “have a nice day.” Anything but.
Match #4 – Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
They lock up and Daivari beats Akira down in the corner. Daivari takes Tozawa down with a gnarly half-nelson lariat. Ariya hits the knee on the back of the head and puts him in a chinlock. Akira fights up, but Ariya knocks him right back down. They trade chops, and Akira screams to the audience. He drills Daivari with a hard right, a kick, and a senton for two. Daivari rolls outside, and Akira hits a suicide dive. They both come in, and Akira immediately hits the Snap German Suplex for the win!
Winner: Akira Tozawa (**1/4)
After the match, The Brian Kendrick comes out to warn him that LESSON #5 IS COMING. Oooo.
Match #5 – The New Day vs. Shining Stars
New Day comes out with their new ice cream trolley! THE NEW DAY POPSICLE! Big E considers themselves great hosts, qualified to host WrestleMania and other events as well! Tonight, they plan on hosting their foot up the butts of the Shining Stars! Stars get the early advantage, as Epico hits a SWEET gutbuster onto Kofi. Primo gets tagged in, but then both Stars go down to the Popcycle to start trouble. Big E thwarts their effort, and back inside Kofi and Big E hit the Midnight Hour for three! Damn, that was short.
Winners: New Day (*)
Bayley is introduced by Mick Foley! She comes out to the cheers of the Chicago crowd. The announcers continue to tease that Bayley hasn’t won her championship matches fairly. With Bayley’s victory last night, she ends the 16-month PPV winning streak of Charlotte Flair. Bayley starts to tell fans that she doesn’t feel like a champion today. With Sasha’s interference, Bayley feels guilty about winning the match last night. Bayley told herself she needs to look forward to WrestleMania, because it’s a dream that she has waited her entire life for. Foley assures her that she doesn’t need to feel guilty about her situation, and that she should look forward to her next opponent at WrestleMania. This brings out Sasha Banks, who tries to persuade Bayley into a Championship Match at WrestleMania.
Just as Foley is about to make the match official, Charlotte interrupts! Charlotte tells Sasha that she knows exactly what she’s doing with Bayley. Charlotte considers herself the victim, and before Foley can say anymore…we get Stephanie McMahon. Another HUGE CM Punk chant breaks out. Stephanie calls them all losers. Steph says that Charlotte’s right…Sasha is trying to play everyone. We then get a bizarre set of stipulations (or missed lines) that lead to the following: If Sasha beats Bayley (booked for RIGHT NOW), then the Championship Match (Bayley vs. Charlotte) becomes a triple threat.
Match #6 – WWE Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (play-in match for Sasha)
Bayley gets an early advantage with a headlock on Sasha. Sasha tries to counter, but Bayley continues to ride the headlock to the ground. Sasha finally gets an armbar on Bayley and drags her to the ground. Bayley breaks out and gets an early cover for one. Bayley gets another headlock and a hiptoss for two. This has a “Pillman vs. Owen Hart” speed to it. Sasha gets a hiptoss and an armdrag to bring Bayley down. This crowd is getting restless. Bayley gets another armbar and a second rope armdrag, followed by a splash in the corner for two. She goes back into the armbar, but Sasha counters out and tries a few rollups for two. Sasha gets the headscissors on Bayley, sending her to the outside. They come back in and Sasha takes advantage with a huge lariat.
After the break, they are trading rollups for two. The crowd is just not into this. Sasha tries another headscissors, and turns this into a potential crossface. Bayley fights her into the corner and tries her finisher from there. Sasha fights out, and they take turns in the corner. Charlotte walks ringside as Sasha rolls Bayley up for another two. Banks puts Bayley in the corner, but misses a double knee attempt. Bayley tries a body press but misses! Sasha catches her in the Bank Statement, but Bayley gets to the corner. Bayley gets caught in another Bank Statement in the middle of the ring. As both Dana and Charlotte try to interfere on Bayley’s behalf, Banks kicks Charlotte away and rolls back into the submission move in the middle of the ring for a second time! This is enough for Bayley to tap!
Winner: Sasha Banks (*3/4, just thought it never really got going)
After the match, Charlotte lays waste to everyone. Then she poses with the belt. We have a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania XXXIII!!
We get recap videos of Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns from last night at Fast Lane. It was a pretty good match, to be honest. Strowman promises to finish what he started last night. Charly interviews Roman about this, and Roman says that Strowman knows where to find him. We then get a recap video of Seth Rollins training to get back in shape for WrestleMania.
Triple H is then interviewed about the video, which he scoffs at. Triple H has a ridiculous promo where he says “I never had to give myself the title of ‘”The Man'”. No, but you DID call yourself “The Game”. We have video proof of this, Paul. Triple H tells Seth once more…don’t show up at WrestleMania.
Match #7 – WWE US Champion Chris Jericho vs. Samoa Joe (non-title)
Joe jabs Jericho down into the corner. Jericho fights out of the corner, but gets beaten down some more. Joe puts a foot on Jericho’s throat in the corner. Jericho gets sent outside, but he catches Joe with a flying press for two. Joe takes Chris down and hits a Senton for two. Joe continues to stomp Jericho to the ground. Joe with a Fujiwara Armbar on Y2J as the crowd cheers on Jericho. Jericho fights out, and tries the Walls on Joe. Jericho hits Samoa Joe with a set of kicks, including a dropkick to the apron. Jericho slides outside but gets caught in the Kokina Clutch! Joe takes him down the the Clutch as the ref continues to count! Joe gets back in the ring, leaving Y2J outside for the count-out loss.
Winner: Samoa Joe by Count-Out (**)
After the match, Joe says “Now the REAL pain begins!” but Chris Jericho catches him with a Codebreaker! Joe heads outside in retreat.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT!
Braun Strowman vows to end Roman Reigns once and for all. Just when Roman’s music hits, we get the BELLS! IT’S THE UNDERTAKER!!! In a very strange occurence, Braun nods in respect to The Undertaker and walks off, eyeing him down all the way. After this, we get Roman Reigns’ music. Roman stands at the top of the stage and makes his way down to the ring. He tells The Undertaker that this wasn’t his business, and this isn’t his yard. Those are fighting words, son. The Undertaker is back to reclaim his yard! He stares at the WrestleMania sign, which is his way of challenging Roman (I guess). Taker then GOOZLES Roman and chokeslams him to hell! I guess we have another match at WrestleMania!
Final Thoughts: This was a great way to start the Raw matches for WrestleMania. Everything meant something. I liked this show a lot…I just worry about that title match. If it goes longer than 10 minutes, the crowd is going to turn on it. For now, though, this is a solid thumbs up. See you next week!
In a decision long overdue, “Ravishing” Rick Rude was announced as the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017.
Rude, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 40, was one of the most gifted wrestlers and wrestled for the NWA, WCCW, Jim Crockett, WWE, WCW, and ECW.
Trained under Eddie Sharkey, Rude made his professional wrestling debut in 1982 in the NWA, before moving to Championship Wrestling from Florida two years later. He was managed by Percy Pringle, the man later known as Paul Bearer, while down in Florida. In 1985, along with Pringle, he moved to World Class Championship Wrestling and then jumped ship again to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1986.
In 1987, Rude’s big break in pro wrestling came when he joined the WWE and quickly aligned himself with Bobby Heenan and became part of the Heenan Family. Rude had some epic feuds in WWE, including two famous ones with Jake “The Snake” Roberts and The Ultimate Warrior.
Rude’s WWE journey was not long and in 1991 he joined WCW, making his debut as the masked Phantom at Halloween Havoc. Rude joined The Dangerous Alliance and had feuds with Sting, Nikita Koloff, Ron Simmons, and many others. In 1993, he defeated Ric Flair to become the new NWA champion, which is probably one of the best highlights of his career.
After a short stint in ECW in 1997, Rude joined the WWE again that same year and aligned himself with D-Generation X. He made history in November of that year by appearing on Raw and WCW Nitro at the same time, made possible due to Raw being pre-taped and Nitro being live, starting his second stint with WCW which ran till 1999.
While in WWE, he won the Intercontinental title once and in WCW he won the International World Heavyweight title three times and the United States title once.
Rick Rude died on April 20, 1999 after suffering form a heart failure which was caused from an overdose of mixed drugs. He has three children, but his youngest son, Colton, died in September of last year at the age of 19 in a motorcycle accident.
Bully Ray, who is now going by that name instead of Bubba Ray Dudley, has joined SiriusXM’s Busted Open radio show and will be co-hosting with Dave LaGreca.
Busted Open can be heard nationwide every weekday between 2PM and 4PM EST on SiriusXM Rush, channel 93 on satellite radios and the SiriusXM app.
Bully Ray will make his debut on the show today, March 6, and will host again tomorrow, March 7. Starting next week, he will host the show every Thursday and Friday. He and LaGreca will take calls from wrestling fans around the country and discuss the headline stories happening across the world of wrestling.
Ray will also be an integral part of Busted Open’s coverage of WrestleMania 33 in Orlando later this month.
Travel packages for this year’s SummerSlam have been released, with three different packages – Gold, Platinum, and Big Apple – for sale staring today.
All three packages include a SummerSlam ticket, an NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III ticket, Breakfast Slam session with WWE Superstars, Monday Night Raw and Smackdown tickets, round-trip subway transportation, and a Times Square area hotel. The Big Apple package also includes an exclusive reception with WWE Superstars on SummerSlam Sunday as well as as the Coney Island experience.
The Gold package starts at $1,225, the Platinum package at $1,850, and the Big Apple package at $2,850. The prices quoted here are only for the 3-night package – excluding Smackdown – and on a 4-person occupancy. The prices pretty much double for a single occupant and 4-nights accommodation.
Discussions between WWE and Shaquille O’Neal have restarted in hopes to come to an agreement to wrestle The Big Show at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando next month.
Addressing his listeners on The Big Podcast on PodcastOne, the NBA legend said that he talked with “somebody high up” in WWE and now they’re back talking, once again making sure to say whatever happened before was not his fault. “I just want the people to know it had nothing to do with me, despite what you hear,” O’Neal said.
When his co-host said that it’s not what everyone else is saying, quoting headlines from websites, O’Neal said, “No, I haven’t seen them. We talked yesterday. I didn’t know that. I’m going to see you. I’m not worried about it Big Show. I’m going to see you. The world ain’t that big for me not to see you.”
Shaq last appeared in a WWE ring at WrestleMania last year when he was one of the surprise entrants in the Andre The Giant Memorial battle royal.
With his WWE Universal title win last night at Fastlane, Bill Goldberg became the second oldest champion to carry a major singles title in the WWE, surpassed only by Vince McMahon.
McMahon was 53 years old on September 14, 1999 when he won the WWE title from Triple H on an episode of Smackdown from Las Vegas. Vince did another title run in 2007 at nearly 61 years of age when he won the ECW title at Backlash in April 2007, defeating Bobby Lashley.
Goldberg becomes the Universal champion at 50 years of age, and this is only his third run with a major singles world title in his wrestling career. He won the WCW title once and the World Heavyweight title once while in WWE before.
