Anthem Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of TNA, announced today that it has secured a new television deal in the United Kingdom with Spike UK starting April 21.
Impact Wrestling, TNA pay-per-views, including One Night Only specials will be available on Spike UK, and TNA Xplosion exclusive to My5, which is part of the Channel 5 stable available on Sky TV (160), Freeview (31), Freesat (141), Virgin Media (154) and other DTT platforms.
New episodes of Impact Wrestling will premiere on Friday nights, less than 24 hours after the broadcast airs in the United States on POP.
“Since our acquisition of IMPACT Wrestling, growing the brand in the UK has been one of our most important initiatives,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Spike UK to fill this important spot in their programme schedule and look forward to rebuilding our presence in the UK market. As one of the hottest wrestling scenes in the world right now, we look forward to taking an active role in the market, both on television and with live events.”
Anna-Belen Dunlop and Kris Graham, Acquisitions and Channel Managers of Spike UK, added, “We are excited that Spike will be the new exclusive home of IMPACT Wrestling in the UK With Anthem’s new leadership and founder Jeff Jarrett back, this is a watershed moment for the franchise, which is a perfect fit for our Spike audience.”
Spike UK is owned by Viacom International Media Networks Europe and launched in April 2015. It is a localised version of the American channel of the same name, and primarily airs entertainment programming geared towards a male audience, including import dramas, programming from its U.S. counterpart, and mixed martial arts.
Jack Swagger announced on the Chael Sonnen Beyond The Fight podcast that he asked for his release from WWE yesterday.
Swagger said that this was a business decision and contract negotiations didn’t go as planned as they did not value him at what he thought he was valued at. The former World champion explained that he was not given the opportunity to make decent income for his family and when it goes down to that, “it’s time to go.”
Swagger added that he’s going to keep on wrestling whether that be Mexico, Japan, or United Kingdom and if someone wants to pay him a lot of money, he’ll get in the cage as well.
The 34-year-old has been signed to a WWE deal since 2006, first starting in developmental and then slowly making his way up to the main roster. He made his television debut in September 2008 on the ECW brand and then moved to Raw in June of the following year. Although being an accomplished wrestler, his WWE career took a nose dive after winning the Money In The Bank ladder match in 2010 and then cashing in to win the World Heavyweight title against Chris Jericho on Smackdown two days after WrestleMania XXVI. Later in his career, he was teamed up with Zeb Colter and Cesaro and then with Alberto Del Rio but slowly drifted away from television.
During his time in WWE, Swagger won the ECW title, World Heavyweight title, and the United States title.
Smackdown yesterday drew a total of 2,566,000 viewers, down 226,000 viewers from last week’s show. Smackdown went head-to-head with President Trump’s address to Congress and was #7 in the top 50 cable chart in the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
After Monday Night Raw went off the air, Brock Lesnar showed up looking for a fight along with his advocate Paul Heyman.
The Big Show answered the challenge – again – and just like a few weeks ago, Show got suplexed and then F5’ed. That was enough to justify Lesnar’s payday, but something funny happened after Lesnar left the ring.
With the referees surrounding a motionless Big Show and arguing with each other, the three in zebra stripes decided to have a little fun. With Big Show on the mat, referee Chad Patton went to cover him for the pinfall while the other two refs – Darrick Moore and John Cone – went for the count. When the two refs hit the two-count simultaneously, the Big Show kicked out, sending Patton flying. The three referees then bolted out as quickly as they could and Big Show stood up fast.
The crowd appreciated the comedy and cheered for Big Show, who waved to the remaining fans before he exited the ring. You can see the video below.
Drew Galloway revealed that the reason he turned down the TNA contract was because they waited until the last second to offer him the deal.
“They came to me last week with an offer and it was very very good one, one of the best in the company and a position as top guy but the reality is that because they waited until the last second I had to turn it down,” Galloway told The Scottish Sun newspaper.
Galloway said that if this was presented to him three weeks ago, he would have signed the deal but the last minute offer made him think about back-up plans and family because it went to the wire. “I was surprised I got no heads-up beforehand and when they got in touch last week they wouldn’t accept no for an answer and the financial offer was great so it was a very hard decision to make,” he said.
The former TNA champion credits WWE for putting his name on the map and opportunities came after he was released because WWE built his name and he made the most of it. “My wife and I live in Florida and got a house here last year. It’s the first big thing I’ve ever owned and I can afford it because I’ve been wrestling all over the world for the last two years,” he added.
He noted that it’s the first time in 10 years apart from the month after leaving WWE that he’s not under a major contract. He said that when he was 21 years old, his dream was to go to WWE, but these days it’s all business.
The upcoming series GLOW on Netflix got a release date as Netflix officially announced that the series will drop on June 23.
Inspired by the short-lived show from the 80s, GLOW tells the fictional story of Ruth Wilder – played by Alison Brie – an out-of-work, struggling actress in 1980s Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s wrestling. In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan – played by Betty Gilpin – a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby, only to be sucked back into work when her picture perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia – played by Marc Maron – a washed-up, coked-up B-movie director who now must lead 14 women on the journey to wrestling stardom.
GLOW is created by Liz Flahive (Homeland, Nurse Jackie) and Carly Mensch (Nurse Jackie, Orange Is The New Black, Weeds). Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan and Tara Herrmann executive produce alongside Flahive and Mensch who are serving as showrunners.
All episodes of the series will be uploaded on June 23 for binge-watching. You can see the teaser trailer below.
PWInsider.com is reporting that both Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis have also departed TNA, following the exists of Drew Galloway, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy, and will not be at the Impact television tapings that start tomorrow in Orlando.
Both their contracts expired in late 2016 and were working on per-appearance deals according to Mike Johnson who wrote the report. Apparently, the duo initially agreed to sign a new deal but later informed TNA management that they would not be putting pen to paper.
Bennett and his wife – married since October 2014 – made their TNA debut in January of last year after stints with Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He won the X Division title once during his year-long stay with TNA while Maria won the Knockouts title once as well.
The two have yet to publicly address their departure.
During the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, NBA great Shaquille O’Neal shed some tiny light on the status of his involvement at WrestleMania 33 and it does not look good.
Answering the question if his match against The Big Show is going to happen, O’Neal said, “It’s not going to happen? That’s probably right. It’s not my fault, that’s all you need to know. It ain’t my fault. Oh, it ain’t my fault.” O’Neal did not elaborate and what is stalling this match to be made official.
Last week, The Big Show called out Shaq for not taking this challenge seriously and not getting in shape, saying that he is doing Shaq a favor. “This could be my last WrestleMania. He needs to step up. I’m not trying to be mean, but my time’s valuable,” Show told WWE.COM.
Tuesday Night Smackdown! Live Television Report for February 28, 2017
Introduction: Office Promo
Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan are watching the conclusion to last week’s Battle Royale between A.J. Styles and Luke Harper. Despite the video CLEARLY showing A.J. hitting the floor first, they still believe in the “draw.” A.J. walks in and tries to convince them that he did win and he should be going straight to WrestleMania to wrestle WWE Champion Bray Wyatt. Daniel and Shane tell him that he will still be wrestling Luke tonight to determine who meets Bray at WrestleMania. A.J. makes fun of Luke, even when Harper walks up behind him. Bryan and McMahon egg Styles on until A.J. turns around to a glaring Luke. He walks away and Harper says “thank you” to Smackdown! Live’s men in charge.
The regular Smackdown! Live video plays.
Arena Promo
The Miz and Maryse strut to the ring for an edition of MizTV. They don’t waste time, bringing out their guest, John Cena. The host berates and insinuates he has too much influence backstage while Miz works “ten-times” harder “to become ‘the other guy.’” He accuses John of not letting him be anything else, and reverts back to WrestleMania XXVII, where he beat Cena for to retain the WWE Championship, but then lost it to John a couple of weeks later. He reminds Cena of when he (Cena) took on The Rock in 2012 and 2013 because John was mad The Rock left WWE for movies and television, while Cena stayed and worked every day for wrestling. Miz then turns it around, saying John did the exact same thing a couple of years later, while Miz was the one who is still here every week. Miz became really mad when Cena won the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble this year for a record-tying 16th time (World Championships, which includes both the WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Championship), and then took Miz out of the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match and another chance at the main-event of WrestleMania.
John retorts that everything Miz just said is the same stuff that most have been saying for a long while. He discredits Miz’s claims, and says that “you cannot fake ‘heart.’” The crowd starts to chant “let’s go Cena/Cena sucks.” Cena says that reaction is genuine because they know who he is while he questions who Miz is. John blames Miz on complaining too much and thinking that he is held down, all the while copying already-made Superstars when he first broke in. He warns him, “next time we talk, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Because, you’re not The Undertaker, but if you press me again, you a ‘dead man.’”
Maryse gets in John’s face, insulting him. She slaps him, but John says she just did wrong majorly. Nikki Bella marches out, but Maryse and Miz hightail it.
Later tonight, WWE Champion Bray Wyatt will have an “invocation” and up next, Mickie James takes on Becky Lynch in a Two-Out-Of-Three Falls Match.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Becky Lynch VS. Mickie James
(Stipulation: Two-Out-Of-Three Falls Rules)
They lockup and trade waistlocks. Mickie turns a side headlock into a cradle for one, and then clamps on a wristlock and shoulder-blocks. She avoids a springboard-kick from Lynch but not a baseball-slide dropkick!
Commercials.
Mickie is in control, rubbing Becky’s face into the canvas. She knees her in the back of Lynch’s neck, and then clutches her with a half-nelson crossface. (Thanks, Mauro!) Becky works her way out and hits a couple of clotheslines, and then a dropkick (thanks again, Mauro!), and then her running-forearm in the corner. James flatlines Becky into the corner, and then plants her with her Leaping-DDT, pinning her for the first-fall!
Winner of Fall #1 via Pinfall: Mickie James
Commercials.
Mickie is still dominating for a bit until she misses her diving double-knee-press from the top turnbuckle! Lynch rolls her up for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner of Fall #2 via Pinfall: Becky Lynch
They both end up laid-out on the mat and Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss walks down. She distracts the referee as Becky had an advantage, but is knocked down inadvertently by Mickie. Lynch reverses a roll-through into her Disarmer, forcing Mickie to give-up!
Winner of Fall #3 and The Match via Submission: Becky Lynch
Video Promo
Luke Harper is in a darkened room with only a light shining. “I’ve always been fighting. A constant battle in my mind with the demons inside. But I’ve made peace with them now. And now ‘they’ help me. Because I have new eyes, and I can see what true evil is. Bray Wyatt, I am not afraid of you. and when I win tonight, and earn my chance to face you at WrestleMania, you Bray Wyatt, you are going to be very afraid of me.”
The screen turns into Bray’s video. The WWE Champion is in a darkened room with smoke. “May the best man win Harper. ‘cause I have a message for him. A matter of fact, the whole world will want to hear what I have to say to him tonight. Of course, it won’t just be me. It will be me and my brother, my blood, Randy Orton. The man who supplicated himself to me. The man who will go on to make WrestleMania into his very own kingdom. Glory be to me, the holder of the ‘holy grail’ (WWE Championship), the ‘god’ you know as Bray Wyatt.”
Commercials.
Backstage Promo
Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss is interviewed about her actions in Mickie James’ and Becky Lynch’s match. Alexa puts down the interviewer, saying she doesn’t want to talk about them, but should be talking about her being a two-time Women’s Champion. The interviewer obliges and Bliss treats this like an acceptance speech until Natalya walks up and dismisses Dasha.
Natalya foreshadows a match between the two for the Women’s Championship.
Backstage Promo
Rene Young asks A.J. Styles about his match with Luke Harper to determine who faces WWE Champion Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania; he calls it “bogus” as he says that Harper’s feet touched first in the Battle Royal. A.J. is confident that it doesn’t matter though, as he will still defeat Luke and move on to ‘Mania for the WWE Championship.
Luke and A.J. make their entrances before the break.
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Luke Harper VS. A.J. Styles
(Stipulation: Winner will wrestle WWE Champion Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania for the championship.)
Harper pushes Styles off of a lockup and places him on the top turnbuckle after blocking a kick. He avoids a few of A.J.’s leaps and hits a running-dropkick, and then throws him into the corner of the barricade and the steps. He follows A.J. through the ring but is kicked a couple of times. He kicks Luke’s back a few times and then punches. Harper appears to be gearing up, amid “let’s go Harper/A.J. Styles” calls. Luke is run into the corner but floats over and hits a forearm and a Tope Atomico, and then a boot! He then slingshots into the second rope, and then follows with a dive-through-the-ropes! Harper puts A.J. back in the ring and sets up for a sit-down-powerbomb, but Styles reverses into a hurricanrana! A.J. hits quick strikes but Luke counters into a half-nelson suplex for a near-fall!
Commercials.
Harper manages to sit-down powerbomb Styles! 1 – 2 – A.J. kicks out! He picks up Styles in a fireman’s carry but A.J. wiggles out. “The Phenomenal One” hits the “Phenomenal Forearm” and covers. The referee counts to three, even though Luke placed his foot on the bottom rope which would signal a break.
Winner and NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Championship: A.J. Styles
Post-match, Commissioner Shane walks out and changes the decision since Harper’s foot was on the ropes; he restarts the match!
Match #2: Single – Luke Harper VS. A.J. Styles
(Stipulation: Winner will wrestle WWE Champion Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania for the championship.)
A.J. goes for his Styles Clash but Harper reverses into a jackknife cover for two! Styles is thrown to the outside and starts to argue with Shane, but avoids Luke and McMahon is super-kicked! A.J. shoves Luke into the ring post, and then hit on the legs with a springboard 450 Splash! 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall and NEW #1 Contender for the WWE Championship: A.J. Styles
Backstage Promo
Rene Young asks Nikki Bella and John Cena about their confrontation with The Miz and Maryse; Carmella and James Ellsworth walk up, calling them “phonies.” Cena and Nikki challenge them to a mixed tag team match for next week’s Smackdown! Live.
Commercials.
Backstage Promo
A.J. is walking through the halls when GM Bryan walks up, offering his congratulations. Styles denies it, instead saying he will be at Bray’s “invocation” later tonight.
Match #3: Single – Curt Hawkins VS. Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose (Non-Title)
Dean drives Curt to the mat with a Dirty Deeds right away, before the bell rings!
Winner: No Contest due to no official atart
Post-match, Dean says he has learned many lessons, but gives one to Baron Corbin. “Messing with Dean Ambrose is a very, very bad idea.” He calls for Corbin to meet him in the ring right now! Baron meets him from the Titantron instead, and says he will not see Ambrose in the ring. They jab each other verbally back-and-forth for a bit, but don’t settle anything.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Dolph Ziggler VS. Apollo Crews
(Stipulation: Chairs Match – chairs are legal)
Apollo attacks right away but Dolph soon gets the upperhand after kicking Crews in the thigh and dropping him with a neckbreaker. 1 – Apollo kicks out! Crews reverses a whip and hits a dropkick, and then moonsaults off of the apron to the floor!
Commercials.
Ziggler seems in control but is dropped with a jawbreaker. Apollo follows with a kick and a leaping-clothesline! He picks up a chair, tosses it to Dolph, and hits an enziguri. He follows with a standing-moonsault and almost takes this! He runs into the ring post and is rolled-up, but kicks out even though Ziggler had his feet on the ropes! Crews slams Dolph onto a chair, Olympic-style!
He picks Dolph up again but Ziggler rakes the eye. He drops him throat-first on the chair, and then crotch-first onto the chair! Dolph covers to receive the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Up next, WWE Champion Bray Wyatt will be invocated!
Commercials.
Arena Promo
WWE Champion Bray Wyatt saunters out and declares that it didn’t really matter if it was A.J. Styles or Luke Harper; “they are just mortals.” He threatens that A.J. will “feel the spirit of your master and natural force,” when they square-off at WrestleMania. Bray says he is from a deep, earth-like place, just like Randy Orton.
Randy appears on the Titantron, and is in Bray’s compound. He suddenly turns on Bray, saying “if you can’t beat them, join them, and then screw them!” He knows that “Sister Abigail” was “put to rest beneath my feet,” and picks up an axe-pick. “Your black heart is beating through your chest right now because you fear I might destroy what makes you tick.” He says he’s going to get ride of “Sister Abigail.” Randy starts showering the garage and Wyatt’s rocking chair with gasoline. “I’m coming for you Bray; I’m coming for your, I’m coming for your title; at WrestleMania.” As he continues to wet the compound with gas, Bray is visibly crying in the ring. “And now, I am going to burn the soul of ‘Sister Abigail’ to eternal damnation.” He lights a match and sets the compound up in flames. Bray goes ballistic ringside while Orton stares madly and seething into the screen to close the show.
The final Raw before Fastlane drew 3,092,000 viewers, down 123,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast.
Hour one pulled in 3,127,000 viewers, then increased to 3,233,000 in the second hour, but dropped to 2,918,000 viewers for the final hour. Over 300,000 viewers changed channels between hour two and three.
Raw was #2, #3, and #4 in the top 50 cable chart in the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Ryan Satin of ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that there seems to be a fight on who owns the Broken Matt Hardy gimmick, a gimmick which Matt has created during his time in TNA.
TNA says that they own the intellectual property of the gimmick and Matt cannot use it anywhere outside TNA. Meanwhile, Hardy is claiming that while TNA certainly owns any of the footage that was filmed with all his gimmicks during his TNA stint, he still owns all the names and characters.
The Broken gimmick – created in May of last year – is what pretty much set Matt Hardy apart from the rest of the roster and it would be a big problem for him if he cannot use it wherever he lands after TNA. Both Matt and Jeff will be free agents at Midnight tonight.
Three matches have been announced for tonight’s Smackdown broadcast, including the number one contender match for the WWE title.
Last week, a 10-man battle royal to determine who will face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania ended in a draw when AJ Styles and Luke Harper eliminated each other and touched the floor at the same time, kind of. Tonight’s main event will feature Harper taking on Styles with the winner advancing to WrestleMania to take on Bray Wyatt. Randy Orton is also scheduled to be part of that match, so expect a regular one-on-one match to be turned into a three-way by the time April comes around.
Also set for tonight’s broadcast is Becky Lynch taking on Mickie James in a two-out-of-three falls match and Dolph Ziggler vs Apollo Crews in a chair match. John Cena will be a guest on MizTV to continue their build towards the mixed tag team match at WrestleMania which will also involve their significant others – Nikki Bella and Maryse.
Jeff Jarrett, who is back running things at TNA along with Anthem’s Ed Nordholm, made his first public comments on Twitter regarding the departure of three former TNA champions Drew Galloway, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy.
Jarrett said that it’s TNA’s corporate policy not to make any comments on talent contractual matters and wished “nothing but continued success” for Galloway and the Hardys, calling them fantastic talent. “Wherever they land they will obviously do very well. Wrestling business can be tough at times, but one thing is for sure….the business is ALWAYS changing,” he wrote.
These departures, especially the Hardys leaving, was Jarrett’s first major headache after taking back the reigns at TNA. Ed Nordholm, Anthem’s Executive Vice President, was said to be rather “cold” when it came to the Hardys and basically presented them a take it or leave it scenario, setting an example that everyone is replaceable in the company.
Despite claiming that the doctors will not clear him in time for WrestleMania, Seth Rollins has vowed to be at the show.
During a segment on Raw last night, Triple H interrupted a sit-down interview Rollins was having with Corey Graves, and called him a washed-up and a has-been, saying that he used Rollins and then “spit him out.” Triple H advised Rollins not to call him out at WrestleMania because that would be the last thing he would do in his career.
Rollins replied saying that what he told Stephanie last month – that he had nothing left to lose – couldn’t be any more truer than now. The former champion said that he will be at WrestleMania, and if that is the last thing he ever does, it will also be the last thing Triple H will ever do.
Seth Rollins missed last year’s WrestleMania due to his knee injury.
Former TNA champion Matt Hardy confirmed that the Hardys are packing their bags and moving out of TNA after an amazing stint that saw the birth of one of the greatest characters in professional wrestling today, the Broken Matt Hardy gimmick.
“My stint with @IMPACTWRESTLING was DELIGHTFUL. EXCEPTIONAL talent & locker room. A great, respectful team that worked hard in tough times,” Hardy wrote in a post on Twitter. “I wish @IMPACTWRESTLING all the best going forward, especially the INDUSTRIOUS talent. I hope they’re all treated with respect & fairness.”
Regarding the future, which he described as exhilarating, Matt said that he’s never been more awake and this creative renaissance is just the beginning. “Anything is possible in my #BROKEN Universe…ANYTHING.”
He then used a popular Roddy Piper quote to address those who think they know everything. “When you think you know all the answers, #HouseHardy will change the questions. We are MAGIC.”
Meanwhile, his wife Reby was not too thrilled about hearing that TNA was trying to paint her in a negative light after all communications broke down. “Should I help em out & clarify a few things? SURPRISE! Yes, I am a HUGE BITCH if you disrespect me or my family,” she wrote. “Are you surprised Oh, no? Okay, can we move on now?”
She also wrote how TNA was the perfect place for her family and how she was grateful for the open communication and respect they showed before.
“Now think about what kinda negative changes & straight f*ckery would have to go down for us to leave,” she added.
Hey everybody! It’s @TheMagnumDA with another installment of the Raw Report. We are LIVE from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
We start with GOLDBERG, who comes out to a great reaction. I still love that they use his WCW theme music. Did you know…that used to be Pat Tanaka’s music in WCW? Who’s Pat Tanaka, you ask? Well, I’ll just say this…he has a win over Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania. Look it up.
Goldberg thanks the fans and takes in the cheers. He tells the fans that KO simply talks and talks, but Goldberg lets his actions do the talking. Bill makes a promise that he will spear and jackhammer KO, he will become the WWE Universal Champion at Fast Lane, and that he will defend the title at WrestleMania against Brock Lesnar.
This brings out Kevin Owens for (you guessed it!) MORE TALKING. KO’s now rocking the suit two weeks in a row (unless it’s the same one? Gross…) Kevin talks about beating everyone on the roster, so Goldberg will be no different. KO even name drops “Evolution” along the way. Hmm. Triple H, Joe, KO, and…Bluetista? Just kidding. 😀 Goldberg sarcastically tells him what a great speech that was, and then challenges him to (what would become) a Green Bay Street Fight. The place erupts, and then KO takes it off the table. HATE that spot, two weeks in a row! KO says that the fans in Green Bay don’t deserve to see KO, but they’ll get a chance this Sunday.
Seth Rollins will join us later tonight to give us an update on his WrestleMania status.
Match #1 – New Day vs. Jinder Mahal & Rusev
There is a TERRIBLE Oscars joke before the match that I’m not even going to discuss. Okay, I’ll try. Apparently, the Shining Stars thought they were the opponents of the New Day, but at the last minute…Primo and Epico are notified that the New Day will actually be wrestling Mahal and Rusev. Plus, there’s a card revealing the *actual* opponents of the New Day, and sure enough…it’s Jinder Mahal and Rusev. This actively killed brain cells. Why did I even waste time typing about it? In brighter news, Handsome Rusev has lost the facemask!
Woods and Mahal start. Mahal misses a few clotheslines and Woods catches him with a headscissors. Big E is tagged in and they hit the Honor Roll for two. Woods catches Rusev with a dropkick as Big E hits a splash to Mahal on the apron! Ouch!
After the break, Rusev have Woods in a front face lock. Woods fights out with a jawbreaker, but he can’t reach Big E. Rusev takes Woods to the opposite side of the ring and hits him with a huge fallaway slam for two. HARDBODY Mahal is tagged in, and he knocks down Woods for two. Cole was a bit too enthusiastic with that call. He drops Woods with a high elbow after Xavier fought out of a sleeper. Rusev tags in and continues to beat down Woods. Xavier tries to fight towards E again, but Rusev takes him to the opposite corner again, nailing him with shoulder blocks and a stiff right hand. Rusev drives his knee into Xavier’s face.
Woods tries to fight out of another fallaway slam, catching Rusev with an enziguiri. HOT TAGS! Big E is a HOUSE OF FIRE, hitting three belly-to-belly slams on Mahal, followed by the Ultimate Splash! Big E tries to hit the Big Ending, but gets caught with a nasty kick by Mahal. Woods tags in to splash Mahal for ONE, TWO! NO! Kofi and Rusev argue outside, allowing Woods to roll up Mahal for ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winners: New Day (*3/4)
Afterwards, Mahal and Rusev argue with each other. Uh oh…something’s simmering there. Bayley/Sasha vs. Charlotte/Dana is announced for later tonight.
Enzo and Cass are backstage. Enzo is talking about wearing the title…literally everywhere. Cass points out that they’ve never won the tag titles, but he feels confident about this Sunday. We then go to Cesaro and Sheamus, who proceed to argue over losing the #1 Contender’s spot last week. Samoa Joe interrupts, and Cesaro calls Joe “the guy who carries Triple H’s jock. This leads to Cesaro vs. Samoa Joe for later tonight. After this? We get another FOOLISH! burial from Stephanie McMahon to Mick Foley! Christmas came REALLY early for me. God, she’s a puke.
Match #2 – Akira Tozawa vs. Noam Dar
We get a really weird video from The Brian Kendrick before the match. He talks about lessons.
LESSON #1: Handshakes are for losers!
LESSON #2: Getting your feet stuck in the ring is for losers!
Lesson learned…Kendrick is a creeper. Akira takes Dar in the corner and screams at him. Akira drops a HUGE knee and a senton for two. Akira yells “TIMMAAY” and trades offense with Dar. Akira fakes out Dar with a HUGE forearm. Akira gets dropped from the corner right on his head. Tozawa landed awkward on his leg, too. Dar, the Cruiserweight genius…goes for the shoulder. FOOLISH! Akira hits another big forearm and Dar gets knocked outside. Akira with a SUICIDE HEADBUTT through the middle rope! Akira goes to the top but lands on his feet to kick Dar, allowing him a chance to hit the SNAP German Suplex for ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winner: Akira Tozawa
After the match, Brian Kendrick appears and throws Tozawa into the post! This is followed by a nasty superkick from the apron! Kendrick is wearing the powder blue “Dude Love” tights tonight. Doesn’t exactly match with a purple leather jacket, though.
LESSON #3: Keep an eye out for cheapshot artists…and don’t be a loser!
Backstage, Samoa Joe is called a “puppet” by Mick Foley. Joe vs. Cesaro is confirmed for later tonight. I can’t wait.
Match #3 – Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair & ???
They have a promo before the match of no real consequence. Mainly building up Charlotte vs. Bayley at Fast Lane. Just before the tag match, NIA JAX is announced as Charlotte’s partner. I’ll say this about the promo…Charlotte was sowing the seeds for a Bayley/Sasha rivalry.
The match starts with Nia vs. Sasha. Nia powers Sasha down, but Sasha gets her in a brief armlock that gets tossed off. Sasha, in the corner, catches Nia with a kick, but gets thrown into said corner. Bayley tags in, but gets slammed HARD to the ground. Bayley fights up and tries a suplex on Nia. FOOLISH.
Bayley jumps on Nia in the corner and hits a 10-punch. Nia throws her off, but Sasha tags in blind. Nia Jax is destroying both women at once. Charlotte tags in and chops Bayley. WHOOO! Another HURRRD chop (whooo!) for two. Sasha fights back and gets a roll-up for two. Sasha with a headscissors and a dropkick to Charlotte for two. Bayley tags in, and tries some chops of her own. FOOLISH! Dana tries to cheat, but it backfires and Charlotte flies to the outside. Bayley hits her suplex on Dana to the mats outside!
After the break, Sasha fights away from Nia but gets a headbutt. Sasha tries an armdrag on a woman twice her size. This goes as well as you think. A HUGE set of…elbows…from Nia Jax. Charlotte gets tagged in, and hits a Stinger Splash. Charlotte with the HEADSCISSORS FROM HELL, as Sasha is bridged and tossed everywhere. Nia is tagged in, and she bullies around Sasha some more. Charlotte tags in, but Sasha avoids the double team.
Bayley is a HOUSE OF FIRE, nailing Charlotte with a back elbow, a corner splash, and a back suplex. ONE, NO. Charlotte knocks Bayley to the apron, but Bayley catches her with the rope. Nia is tagged in, but Bayley tries to tangle with her! She gets thrown off, and Nia drops her immediately. Sasha is then slammed onto a prone Bayley! Wow! BIG LEGDROP! ONE, TWO, THREE! Wow, the champ has been pinned!
Anderson distracts Cass early, allowing Gallows to get the advantage. Gallows with a splash in the corner, followed by a massive lariat for two. Cass fights out of a sleeper, and tries a chokeslam…but gets kicked by Gallows. They tussle and Cass takes advantage with a tacle. Splash in the corner, followed by a fallaway slam for two. Cass gets a sidewalk slam, but that only gets two! Empire Elbow! Anderson gets thrown in the steps by Enzo, as Cass gets the big kick on Gallows for the ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winner: Big Cass (*1/2)
Match #5 – Titus O’Neil vs. Sheamus
Apparently, this match came about from a tissyfit that took place on Facebook Live. Titus immediately destroys Sheamus on the apron, and then beats him down outside. Sheamus is barely able to continue! WHOA. Titus continues to completely dominate, but a BROGUE KICK ends this immediately. Silly, but fun.
Winner: Sheamus (*)
We get a long video package, followed by an introduction for Seth Rollins! Unfortunately, he’s…hobbling into the ring. Sad stuff. Fans are extremely sympathetic. This is a very dressed down interview…feeling like a conversation. Seth feels like this could be karma for what happened at WrestleMania 31. Corey asks if Seth’s going to be at WrestleMania, and Seth becomes emotional and says the doctors will not clear him in time.
Of course, this leads to the arrival of Triple H…with the world’s biggest shit-eating grin. Triple H informs Rollins that Samoa Joe is also ringside. Hunter tells Seth not be at WrestleMania. Seth then proceeds to tell Hunter that he will end The Game at WrestleMania. Uh oh…what do you think? Is he going to be there?
Match #6 – Shining Stars vs. Big Show
Big Show immediately throws Primo to the mat. Epico comes in and both men get thrown around and chopped by Show. Choke slam attempt to both men, but they fight out, and Primo gets tagged in. Primo jumps off the top and gets chopped down. KO Punch and the Chokeslam finishes for three!
Winner: Big Show (1/4*)
Backstage, Tony Nese poses and Neville mugs for the camera.
Match #7 – Neville & Tony Nese vs. Jack Gallagher & TJ Perkins
Neville attacks Jack, but TJ attacks Neville in turn. TJ accidentally nails Jack while running the ropes! Neville takes advantage on Perkins, and then tags in Nese by chopping his chest. Perkins rolls up Nese for two, followed by a drop kick! Jack tags in and hits a running flying cross body for two. Neville causes a distraction, leading to a Detonation Kick by Perkins. Jack is tagged in again, hitting the dropkick in the corner, followed by the rolling wheel lock! Neville refuses to help Tony Nese, leading to the tapout!
Winner: Gallagher & Perkins (*)
Beth Phoenix is announced for the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame!
Match #8 – Samoa Joe vs. Cesaro
These two beat the crap out of each other to start. Cesaro catches him with a gutwrench suplex, followed by a European Uppercut. Cesaro tries to go up top, but Joe knocks him off. Oh wow, Cesaro landed really badly. Cesaro hits a cross body from the top for two. Cesaro is favoring his left leg from falling off the apron earlier. Joe, like a shark that smells blood…goes in for the kill. They suddenly go to commercial. I wonder if Cesaro is truly hurt?
After the break, Joe catches Cesaro with the Ghetto Blaster. There’s some variety! Beats a chinlock. Cesaro powers Joe up for a standing suplex. They trade forearms and uppercuts, and Joe continues to work on the knee. Great transition into the kneebar! Cesaro powers into the Sharp Shooter, but Joe counters! Running flying uppercut by Cesaro. 10 uppercuts in the corner for Cesaro, and a slam gets two! Double knee to the chest of Joe! ONE, TWO, NO! Neutralizer attempt is countered, and Cesaro gets caught in the ropes. Joe capitalizes on the knee once more. Uranage Slam gets ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winner: Samoa Joe (**1/2)
Afterwards, Charley asks how Joe made such an impact in a short amount of time. Joe said it’s by beating people, including Cesaro tonight. Joe does not care who you are, or who loves you…when you come against The Destroyer…SAMI ZAYN HAS ARRIVED! They’re fighting out near the crowd. Security pulls the two apart, but Joe gets a cheap shot on Sami Zayn. As they’re pulled away from each other, Zayn runs off the stage and hits a somersault plancha right onto Samoa Joe! I give Zayn credit for fighting Joe, but it’s not as impressive considering Joe just had a hard match.
MAIN EVENT CONTRACT SIGNING
Foley begins to speak, but he’s immediately cut off by Strowman’s music. Strowman proceeds to bury Foley and tell him to leave. Foley begins to stand up for himself, but Braun knocks the mic out of his hands. Roman comes out, and Braun throws him into the steps. Roman comes out with the Superman Punch! Braun gets up in mere seconds, catching Roman and putting him in the post. They fight into the crowd, all the way back to the tech stage.
As they start to come back towards the ring, Reigns spears Strowman (and a security guard plant!) through the barricade. Reigns signs the contract as Strowman RISES FROM THE DEAD! Reigns tries to finish Braun, but BRAUN THROWS REIGNS INTO THE CORNER, BUSTING THE ROPE OFF THE BUCKLE (!!!) As Strowman starts to walk away, Reigns signs the contract to mild cheers! Wow. Something tells me they were expecting a bigger reaction.
Final Thoughts: I hate teasing the main event a week early. I hate burying Mick Foley for no reason. I didn’t mind everything else, though! See you next week! Don’t forget to check out Fast Lane this Sunday!
According to multiple sources including PWInsider.com and ProWrestlingSheet.com, Matt and Jeff Hardy are not going back to TNA, refusing to sign a new deal that was only presented to them just days before the contract was set to expire.
John Pollock from The Fight Network, the company which shares the same parent company as TNA in Anthem, confirmed the news as well. “The Hardys are not going to re-sign w/ TNA and not expected at tapings this week,” he wrote.
The contracts offered reportedly even called for 10% profit from all appearances outside TNA, and while the brothers agreed in principal back in December over a new deal, there were some changes that they wanted included which the new TNA front office did not agree with and basically were told to either take it or leave it. Less creative control over their characters was also factored in.
The Hardys are currently the TNA Tag Team champions and both have offered to drop the titles and wrap up their storyline during this week’s tapings according to PWInsider.com. However, no agreement was reached and TNA is not allowing them to appear on television without a contract in place. The physical titles remain in possession of the Hardys.
Both brothers can command serious money on the independent scene, so even if WWE does not come knocking on the door, this is not the end for Matt and Jeff Hardy. Of course, a return to WWE would be the best possible outcome for fans but maybe not for the Hardys considering they would be traveling full-time again and still not have 100% creative control over their gimmicks.
Triple H will be making three appearances at non-televised live events in March, his first non-TV house shows in years.
The former WWE champ will be in Buffalo on March 10, Toronto on March 11, and White Plains on March 26, and all three dates have another return in common, Finn Balor. HHH is supposed to be wrestling Seth Rollins at WrestleMania but that match is up in the air since Rollins’ injury might not be healed in time. Rollins will be on Raw tonight to address his situation.
Triple H announced his involvement in these shows himself on Twitter, writing “Welcome the destroyer” and a photo of his signature pose in the corner on the middle rope.
Beth Phoenix was today announced as the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017. The exclusive for the news was given to USA Today.
The 36-year-old New York native had a seven-year career in the WWE which started in 2004 as a developmental wrestler assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling. Her main roster debut came in May 2006 on an episode of Raw, attacking Mickie James and coming to the rescue of Trish Stratus. A year later she was given the moniker of The Glamazon and returned on TV as a heel after a couple of months out injured. Phoenix, considered one of the best female wrestlers in the company at the time, then had an angle with Santino Marella, and feuded with the popular duo LayCool before making a run for the Divas title in the Summer of 2011.
Phoenix left the company in 2012, having her last match against AJ Lee on an episode of Monday Night Raw in October. In 2014, she welcomed her first daughter with WWE Hall of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland and then had another baby girl in 2016. The couple married in October of last year.
Edge and Beth Phoenix become the first married couple to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. During her time in WWE, she won the Women’s title three times and the Divas title once along with a Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in 2008.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, 16-time World champion John Cena touched on his WrestleMania involvement this year and his feud with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Speaking on WrestleMania, Cena said that he has no say on who he faces at WrestleMania and he shows up to do the work no matter who the opponent is. Cena referenced last year’s WrestleMania, where he said that he was “healthy, and one-hundred percent activated by early March,” but still was told that he will have no match and his only involvement in the show will be assisting The Rock in his segment with the Wyatt Family.
“Quite honestly, if it weren’t for The Rock’s involvement in WrestleMania, I would have been told that I would have been sitting out WrestleMania,” Cena said.
Regarding The Rock and his feud with him, Cena said it was genuinely stupid from his part to trash talk The Rock several years ago. “We have our blinders on, sometimes, in these daily situations of life, and, to me, my thing was, ‘Hey man, as a fan, I loved you performing in this venue all the time, you left us high and dry, why aren’t you back here?’” Cena said.
Cena added that he was “foolish and ignorant” not to see what The Rock was doing for professional wrestling while he was out there conquering the box office and television shows.
“I’m very thankful to Dwayne Johnson. His success has gotten me a lot of opportunities that I’m extremely thankful for, and certainly wouldn’t have without him,” Cena concluded, adding that he has apologized to him in person and in public for the wrong approach he took. “It was one-sided and selfish, and I’m glad the way it worked out, but I apologize for not being able to see his side of the fence.”
