Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is reporting that WWE has ditched the services of WWE Hall of Famers Jerry “The King” Lawler and Lita for their Kickoff and pre-show panels.
Lawler and Lita joined Booker T and Renee Young on most panels but they were absent from the TLC pay-per-view. Meltzer adds that the two are now on a Legends deal and are no longer employed full time by WWE. Lita had a backstage role before moving on camera while Lawler was removed from the Smackdown commentary team to join the pre-show panel.
Jerry Lawler had been a staple for WWE commentary for over two decades before he was given the booth while Lita returned full-time after she served as a coach on Tough Enough.
Monday Night Raw last night drew a total of 2,976,000 viewers, down 134,000 viewers from last week’s show.
Hour one started with 3,153,000 viewers, but then dropped to 2,981,000 in the second hour and wrapped up the night with 2,796,000 viewers in the third and final hour. Raw lost 357,000 viewers from hour one to hour three.
Raw was #4, #5, and #6 in the cable chart in 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Smackdown tonight will feature a WWE World Heavyweight title match between champion AJ Styles and James Ellsworth.
Ellsworth won the right to wrestle for the title when he defeated Styles in a ladder match and won a Smackdown Live contract in the process as well. Ellsworth and Styles already wrestled on different occasions and Ellsworth came out victorious always, thanks in part to the assistance of Dean Ambrose.
The newest member of the Smackdown roster screwed Ambrose out of the title win on Sunday at TLC when he pushed him off the ladder while Styles was out. Ellsworth called it the best strategy ever, and since he already defeated AJ Styles three times, it was the best thing he could do as he has “AJ Styles’ number.” He also said that after he defeats AJ Styles for the fourth time and win the title, he will give Dean Ambrose the first title shot.
WWE has signed the stunning-looking Julie Real to a deal and will be reporting to the WWE Performance Center to start her WWE journey.
“So everyone wonders why I’m always MIA. Well, this is why…I’ve been working towards dreams and proud to say I am now officially signed with WWE,” she posted on her Instagram with a partially-blurred photo of her contract.
“This is just the beginning of my journey and I am so thankful for those who have been there for me,” she added, listing those who helped her throughout her career.
Real is an MMA fighter who trained at Black House MMA and is also a model. Real was part of the tryout camp at the WWE Performance Center which took place in September.
You can see some of her photos below and follow her on Instagram here.
It’s been done before at NXT but now the women are going to do it in WWE as last night on Raw it was announced that Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair will be having a 30-minute iron man match at the Roadblock pay-per-view.
The two have been wrestling each other since July and already traded the Raw Women’s title a few times. Banks won it on the first post-draft Raw but then lost it at SummerSlam. She regained it on the October 3 episode of Raw when the women main evented Raw. At Hell In A Cell a few weeks later, Charlotte regained the title but then lost it back to Banks in a falls count anywhere match on the main event of Raw last week.
Sasha was already part of the first women iron man match on NXT wrestling Bayley but she was unsuccessful in regaining the NXT Women’s title. It was Sasha’s last match in NXT.
The women have never done such a match on the main roster so once again the two will be making history. This is expected to be the blow-off match of the six-month feud.
Hey! How’s everyone doing. My name is Kyle, but you can call me MagnumDA. I’ll be writing Raw reports starting tonight, and hopefully for the foreseeable future! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…we have a Raw to report! Send me feedback or questions any time at @TheMagnumDA on Twitter.
We open with a recap video of last week’s Raw, where Jericho and Owens’ friendship seemed to disintegrate. This is followed up by the Rollins/Jericho beatdown video, with Rollins hitting the pedigree on Jericho from the top of the Limo. Recap of the main event, where Reigns becomes the #1 Contender for the WWE Universal Championship. As United States Champion, wouldn’t he already be #1 Contender? Or is that idea thrown out the window too?
Seth Rollins makes his entrance to a great reception. He’s going to be fantastic as a babyface moving forward. His move set compliments being a good guy…he greets Austin, TX to a big cheer. Cheap Pop! Rollins makes it clear…he wants to go face-to-face with Triple H. He talks about “Choices”, and that both Rollins and Triple H made choices throughout their star-crossed paths. Rollins says that Kevin Owens was chosen to be the top guy. Rollins says that Owens is “…not quite ready for prime time.” He’d make a great SNL Cast Member, then. Does this make him the new Chris Farley?
Owens comes out and interrupts Rollins. Then tells him it’s rude to be interrupted. Awesome. He says Rollins has no friends. He then goes on to talk about stabbing his “brothers” (in The Shield) in the back. Rollins suggests that Jericho and Owens are not texting, and Kevin makes up a story about getting Y2J three (!!!) Christmas gifts. How magnanimous. Owens’ blood pressure seems to be going through the roof. He screams, “FIGHT, OWENS! FIGHT! THAT’S ME.” Rollins challenges Owens to a Championship Match RIGHT NOW. Owens says he’s not defending the title against someone he beat two weeks ago. Then, without any build whatsoever…we get the next (really, truly finally we mean it this time!) chapter in the Zayn vs. Owens feud. KO then announces Jericho vs. Reigns for the US Championship tonight, and then magically books Rollins vs…Big Show?! WHOA. Show looks fantastic! Definitely looks like he lost about 50-75 pounds.
Match #1: Seth Rollins vs. Big Show
Show throws Rollins down from the start, and follows up with some power moves. He chops Rollins in the corner while Owens continues to talk trash. Show continues to throw Rollins around, to the delight of Kevin Owens. So I guess Show’s heel here? Rollins counters with a drop kick to the knees and is caught trying to hit a suicide dive in mid-air! Show tosses Rollins into the guard rail by the neck. Owens screams “Choke Slam or Knock Out! Your choice, up to you!” True friends give you multiple options. Show lifts Rollins up by palming his head in his hand (freakish), but this countered by a springboard knee, and a top rope knee. Rollins tries the pedigree, but Show counters…and just as I thought, Show is going to turn from heel to face, marking the 500th heel/face turn in his career. A remarkable feat calls for a remarkable response from the crowd. Show then walks out and gives Rollins the win by countout, because…well, why the hell not? *1/2 This is followed by a pedigree to Kevin Owens. I give Show about 2 weeks before he turns heel again.
We get a flashback to last week’s debut of 205 Live, and the announcement of Rich Swann defending the Cruiserweight title tonight. Last Tuesday was a great debut, which I wrote about RIGHT HERE on Wrestling-Online.com (cheap pop!!!). Seriously, read it. This is followed by a Jack Gallagher promo video. It’s quite strange that Gallagher gets more airtime than Swann during this segment, but what do I know.
Speaking of SNL, John Cena is hosting SNL this Saturday! That should be fun.
Match #2: Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari
Wait. They didn’t even announce before commercial that Gallagher would be wrestling. Details, people! …and AGAIN, Daivari refuses the handshake. That prick. Armbar reversals to start, and I can tell this crowd is getting into Gallagher. Daiviri and Gallagher basically repeat their entire sequence from last Tuesday, where Gallagher uses a handstand to get out of a headlock. The big difference this week is that these guys turn it on with some intense power moves. I actually like this match a little better, because the impact moves keep the crowd in the match. Set of dropkicks for Gallagher, followed by the headbutt to the chest and running dropkick in the corner to finish. **1/2 Byron calls him Gallaghan. Stupid idiot. Daivari gets intense after the match, attacking Jack during a handshake attempt. Ariya then destroys Gallagher’s knee. So I guess this feud must continue. Couple of rehashes from Tuesday, but it was the good stuff.
Titus O’Neil gives out flyers for his upcoming match tonight…and is apparently hosting some afterparties when Raw goes off the air. Well, shit. Where’s my invitation?
Kevin Owens is backstage yelling at Mick Foley. This dude’s blood pressure, man. Apparently, Stephanie is not here but Owens got the power to book the opening match. Jericho approaches and Owens asks Chris if he saw the opening segment, where he talked about the three (!!!) Christmas gifts he got him. He shares the other good news regarding some upcoming matches, and asks if they’re still buds. Jericho says, “No.”
Enzo and Cass are philosophizing backstage when Rusev and Lana start yelling at each other. Enzo wants to save the day, but Cass holds him back. He eventually speaks up and Rusev puts him in his place by exclaiming, “IT’S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS!” Rusev then calls the boys pathetic. Lana teases leaving Rusev, and Enzo swoops in to save the day. Enzo calls himself a great listener and asks Lana, “How are you doing?” Crowd laughs. So far, so good.
Match #3: Sami Zayn vs. WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens (non-title)
This is CHAPTER CVII…no, seriously. It feels like it’s been over 100 chapters. It’s still good every time.
After a commercial break…apparently we’re back with Enzo and Lana? Speaking of 107 chapters, Lana is once again using a wrestler to make Rusev jealous. Shouldn’t the good guys know better by now?
Okay, onto the match. They go outside and Zayn rams Owens into every corner on the outside and breaks the 10-count. Owens gets the advantage and rolls the cannonball on him to the outside. Before I can finish typing that last sentence, Zayn got up and hit a cannonball of his own! SLOW DOWN, BOYS. Maybe it’s my typing. After the commercial, Owens has Zayn in a sleeperhold. Then we get a replay of Owens getting his shit wrecked earlier in the night. I like that touch…gives viewers the idea of the shape that Owens is in going into this match. Which makes me further question CANNONBALL FEVER CVII. They kick each other and the fans cheer for Sami. I think these guys have a different psychology than others…they use the ropes and the apron for much of their offense. It’s innovative, but it’s scary because those corners are the nastiest parts of the ring. Zayn hits the rolling DDT through the corner post, followed by a half-and-half suplex for two. I’m surprised that Byron knows to call it a half-and-half. I figured he wouldn’t know the difference between the wrestling move and the coffee condiment. Incredible spinning fisherman’s buster by Owens gets a two-count. A series of cannonballs in the corner by Owens. Zayn tries to counter with the Exploder Suplex, but Zayn counters by running up the ropes with another spinning DDT. Another half-and-half, an Exploder, and a spinning back bomb gets two. What a trifecta! They go back outside, and when they come back in KO hits the Pop-Up Power Bomb to defeat Zayn. Fuck, that came out of nowhere. That match had another 20 minutes to go! **1/2
Jericho visits Reigns in his locker room, and calls him a “stupid idiot”. Y2J thinks Roman is riding a lucky streak, but it will come to an end tonight. Reigns tells Jericho “Good luck. Get dressed.” Considering that Roman served a 30-day suspension a few months after winning the main event of WrestleMania, I don’t know if Roman is THAT lucky.
Rock is on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Dude’s the man.
Recap of the Divas Championship match last week. I loved the match, but these girls scare me sometimes. I think someone could get seriously hurt. Go back and look at SummerSlam…they take many unnecessary chances. Hopefully everyone stays safe. Charlotte is pinned between the two bars in the aisle way, and has to tap out to the Bank Statement. This leads to an interview with Sasha Banks. Sasha says she left everything in Charlotte last week. Hopefully, that doesn’t include her wallet. Sasha brags about celebrating with Ric Flair in Charlotte’s face. Sasha challenges Charlotte to an Ironwoman match at Roadblock: End of the Line. What do you think? 30 minutes? They couldn’t possibly go 60, could they? Maybe they could.
Then, in another nice touch, they follow this segment with Charlotte announcing that she will publicly apologize to her father.
Match #4:
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rich Swann (c) vs. TJ Perkins
Swann’s theme music is more addicting than morphine, heroin, and cocaine combined. I definitely couldn’t handle that. If you can, find me on Twitter. I want to party with you. They recap the main event from last week’s 205 Live debut. Very good match. I didn’t review it when I wrote it, but it’s definitely ***1/2. I have this feeling that Vince doesn’t get the 8-bit video game theme music. I only imagine that he scoffs at it and says, “Video games are for losers, pal!” Anyways onto the match. They exchange some offensive moves and nearfalls, and Swann is again crisp with the flip and dropkick. The fans love his moves. Swann and TJ are exchanging moves at a furious pace. Swann hits the double stomp on the back for two. Swann hits a snap suplex, as Cole calls Perkins “Kendrick”. They exchange haymakers and Swann hits a suplex and a SWANK rolling thunder for two. Even RVD doesn’t get that high anymore. Well, he does, but…nevermind. Swann puts Perkins in a standing surfboard, and Perkins counters with some offense. Kid, the punches are unconvincing. Lay off the video games and hang out with Jerry Lawler. Perkins then barely hits Swann with a dropkick in the tree of woe for two. After a few counters, TJ hits a springboard dropkick for another two. Swann hits the crescent kick for the three count! Crowd was dead. **
Bayley is approaching the ring for her match-up.
Match #5: Bayley vs. Alicia Fox
Alicia tackles Bayley to start and hits a dropkick when Bayley gets up. Alicia throws Bayley into the corner with a beal for two. She gets Bayley in a sleeperhold, and Bayley powers out. Bayley reverses a flying press for two. Bayley fires up and hits a running Macho Man clothesline. This is followed by the Belly-to-Bayley for the three count. This took place. * What’s all this talk about Bayley’s innocence? Is she a virgin? What’s going on here? Don’t even get me started on “Bayley Bears.”
We’re back with Enzo and Cass. Enzo is singing R. Kelly. Cass reminds Enzo that Lana is trouble. Enzo says, “I’m not stupid.” Yeah, sure. Enzo gets a text from Lana, and starts singing again. He don’t see nothing wrong…with a little bump and grind. Rusev approaches and is looking for “Enzio”. Cass tells him to beat it, and Rusev shoves him. Voila, a match!
THE TUSSLE IN TEXAS IS NEXT. Wait, WHAT is?!
Match #6: Titus O’Neil vs. Mark Henry
Wait, THIS is the Tussle in Texas? What exactly are they going to tussle? Each other?! -***** for that. For some reason, they want to use the political theme with this “tale of the tape”. World’s Strongest Slam ends this in under a minute. What in the hell?! You know what, keep the negative stars. Mark Henry takes selfies with the crowd afterwards and hugs a disabled veteran. I love moments like that.
Enzo is out back waiting for his Uber. Wait, in Austin, TX? Suddenly, RIC FLAIR shows up. They trade “Whoo’s!” and “How You Doin’s?!” Flair puts him over huge and gives him his limo. Hell yeah. Go get it, son.
Match #7:
WWE United States Championship Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Chris Jericho
The US Championship is the only title that has eluded Jericho in his illustrious career. Could tonight be the night? Owens tells Jericho he’s there for him, and Jericho rebuffs him once more. “Stay away from me!” Hmm…
Reigns opens with knees to the face. Jericho counters and tries to hit the bulldog early, but gets crotched in the corner. Reigns is attacking Jericho while he’s stuck as Cole screams THE BIG DOG IS HUNTIN’. Ease up, Cole. You’re part of the problem. Reigns hits a slam for two. Jericho counters again with a dropkick and takes out Reigns with a crossbody on the outside! Wow! At this stage of his career, that’s fearless. After the commercial, we return as Jericho is punching Reigns in the head. Reigns powers out of the sleeperhold, but Jericho hits another crisp dropkick. Jericho gets tangled in the ropes after a failed I-don’t-know-what attempt. Reigns is hitting clotheslines as Cole calls him the big dog once more. Reigns goes for a spear, and Jericho throws him outside. Vintage Jericho as he hits the springboard dropkick outside. Jericho misses a dropkick to the outside and Reigns hits the drive-by. Reigns misses another Superman Punch, and a Lionsault gets a 2.9! Very close. Crowd’s into it. Y2J chant breaks out by all of the 32-year-old males in the audience. Hey, I’m in that demographic. If I was there, I’d cheer for him too. Reigns hits the Samoan Drop and a Superman Punch for two!! Jericho counters into a Codebreaker attempt, which is THEN countered into a power bomb for two. I dug that sequence. Reigns misses another spear and almost gets pinned! Jericho tries three times to hit the Walls of Jericho, and finally gets him on the third attempt. Reigns is climbing to the ropes, and gets there! Owens hits a superkick from the outside, which leads to a Codebreaker! ONE! TWO! NO!!! The crowd is in a frenzy. Jericho tells Owens to shut up and stay out of here. “I DON’T NEED YOU! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! GO!” Aww…breaking up is so hard to do. Jericho turns around and Reigns tries a spear, which is leapfrogged by Jericho! Unfortunately, he didn’t miss the second attempt. Spear gets the three-count. *** I feel like playing Stevie Wonder’s “All In Love is Fair” and crying in my shower.
Match #8: Big Cass vs. Rusev
Cass makes his way to the ring as Corey Graves calls him a “homewrecker”. Rusev…doesn’t show up. Cass comes to the realization that Rusev went after Cass. He calls Enzo, who conveniently has a camera crew with him. Lana opens her hotel room to Enzo, but Enzo tells her this isn’t a good idea. They hug in his hotel room. Then, they both say they’re uncomfortable. Lana drops…I forget what she dropped, but she bent over. Then she started eating fruit. I’m trying to keep it together here, guys. Enzo then decides to leave…but not before Lana rips his shirt off. Enzo goes to bail, but not before he’s told to take off his pants. So much for PG. In a hilarious line, he says, “Okay, I’m taking off my pants, but after that I really have to go!” Lana then calls him a fool in Russian, as Rusev enters the room. In a sick scene, Rusev destroys him while Lana gives directions. He breaks glass over the defenseless Enzo. His lifeless body is thrown out of the hotel room as Lana leaves a “Do Not Disturb” sign on her door. Poor guy. He was warned, though. Cass should’ve sent a text.
Match #9: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
You’d have to figure after that Wrestlecrap scene last Monday (Am I right, RD?), Sheamus and Cesaro are primed to make the push for the tag titles. Sheamus hits the backbreaker for two. New Day play the trombone and start trouble, which leads to Cesaro and Sheamus attacking Luke and Karl on the outside. Cesaro hits the European Uppercut as we go to commercial. When we return, Anderson has a sleeperhold on Cesaro. Gallows and Anderson hit a backbreaker/elbow combo for two. They try to hit the magic killer, which is broken up. Cesaro hot tags to Sheamus, who is a house of fire! He hits the clubbing forearms on Anderson, and hits stereo rolling . Sheamus goes for the Cloverleaf, but Anderson kicks out. While he’s thrown to the corner, Cesaro comes in and takes out both Anderson and Gallows. He tries the Giant Swing, but that’s broken up and suddenly everyone (including the New Day) start to brawl for the DQ. I’m sorry, this didn’t keep my attention at all. I tried my best. * Kofi tries a dive on the Europeans, but it’s countered into a Power Bomb into the rest of the New Day. I smell a triple-threat tag title match coming.
Main Event Promo
Ric & Charlotte Flair – What Could Go Wrong?
They show another recap video from the main event last week, and then Cole confirms Sasha vs. Charlotte in a 30-minute Ironwoman match at Roadblock. Charlotte’s face looks extra orange tonight, brother. Oh, no…she’s getting the “What?” treatment already. We get the 30th video recap of Charlotte berating Ric Flair back in May. You know, if you’re ashamed that you acted that way, wouldn’t you avoid showing this video? Just thinking out loud. Ooh, and we get the extended version where Charlotte sounds like an incredible tone-deaf brat. These fans reacted extremely well to this segment back then. After the video, she’s talking through tears…to more “What” treatment. To make things better, she acknowledges it. Rookie mistake. We’re really closing with all of this? Charlotte seems to gravitate towards all of these awkward and very real promos, much like Survivor Series last year. She talks about being a failure of a daughter, and that she hasn’t seen him in six months. She asks him to come out, which he obliges to a great reaction. Charlotte puts on the goofiest, most sinister smile. So fake. Great delivery. She immediately apologizes to him and they hug to a chorus of boo’s. Charlotte then slaps him and calls him a son of a bitch! “WHO IS SHE TO DEDICATE HER VICTORY TO MY FATHER?!” Sasha interrupts but gets caught in the ropes and kicked to the outside. Charlotte beats down Sasha and throws her in the barricade. Flair is brought to tears, which is nothing new. Sasha goes face-first into the corner post and is knocked out. Eh, at least it wasn’t a referee’s knee this time. Sasha’s body is dragged into the ring, as Charlotte says to Ric, “There’s your trophy!” She insults Sasha and the crowd as we close the show. I had a feeling something would go wrong.
Some good continuity, and a lot of effort. Roadblock should be solid and entertaining.
ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that WWE has offered Mickie James a new deal to join the main roster.
James made her WWE in-ring return at NXT Takeover: Toronto last month and wrestled Asuka, her first time in a WWE ring since her departure in 2008.
The 37-year-old has not formally accepted the deal yet but Smackdown would certainly benefit from having such a veteran join the weaker-than-Raw women roster.
After departing WWE in 2008, Mickie James joined TNA and had a run on the independent circuit as well. She is married to former TNA champion Nick “Magnus” Aldis.
For the first time ever, a Chinese commentary duo were present at a WWE pay-per-view last night to provide commentary for the WWE Network alternate audio streams.
Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, and Portuguese commentary teams are always present for the shows and last night the Chinese team joined for the Chinese voice overs, described on the WWE Network as Zhōngwén. The alternate audio of each pay-per-view is uploaded after the show is over and cannot be listened live.
While WWE is trying to make big moves into China, breaking in the communist country is a difficult task to do and China remains the last big market where WWE Network is not available.
James Ellsworth explained his actions from last night’s TLC pay-per-view on Talking Smack immediately following the pay-per-view.
Ellsworth called it the best strategy ever, and since he already defeated AJ Styles three times, it was the best thing he could do as he has “AJ Styles’ number.”
When Renee Young pointed out to him that he robbed “his best friend” the WWE title opportunity, Ellsworth didn’t really care much and he said the two “go way back” and Dean would have done the same thing to him if the roles were reversed. Ellsworth said to make it up to him, he would give Ambrose the first title shot after he wins the WWE title.
Ellsworth also revealed that he is cashing in his WWE World Heavyweight title match tomorrow night on Smackdown.
Welcome to the live coverage of TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016 pay-per-view / WWE Network broadcast. The event is live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
KICKOFF MATCH
This was a 5-on-5 match (hey, Survivor Series was last month, but, whatever) featuring the team of Apollo Crews, American Alpha, and The Hype Bros vs Curt Hawkins, The Ascension, and The Vaudevillains. The faces picked up the win.
Renee Young and Booker T were joined by Peter Rosenberg during the Kickoff panel. Rosenberg is the co-host of Ebro in the Morning, a morning show on New York’s Hot 97, as well as the co-host of The Michael Kay Show, which airs on ESPN 98.7 FM. No Jerry Lawler.
HEATH SLATER AND RHYNO VS RANDY ORTON & BRAY WYATT (SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH)
Rhyno and Bray Wyatt start the match but Wyatt quickly tags in Orton and afterward Rhyno tags Slater who is on the receiving end of the usual “long” babyface beatdown during a tag team match. Slater tries a sunset flip from the apron but Orton beautifully turns it into a slam. Slater tags in Rhyno and goes to spear Orton on the outside but Luke Harper pushes him aside and takes the gore instead. As Rhyno gets back in the ring, Orton RKO’s him and pins him. 1, 2, 3 and new Smackdown Tag Team champions. This was quick. After the match, Wyatt and Orton place the Tag Team titles on Harper’s shoulders and they all pose together.
WWE Network commercial airs. Remember, you can subscribe at http://w-o.it/wwentwrk. Dean Ambrose is interviewed backstage regarding his title match later tonight. AJ Styles backstage interview follows.
NIKKI BELLA VS CARMELLA (NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH)
New hair-do for Nikki Bella, black hair and in braids similar to how female UFC fighters do their hair for fights. Nikki goes for a power bomb outside but Carmella turns it into a headscissors to the steel steps. Not even the heavy make-up can cover Carmella’s shiner. Carmella kept working on Nikki’s leg and hit her with a few kendo stick shots. Action spills outside and Nikki Bella hits one stiff roundhouse kick from the security barricade that flattens Carmella. Carmella goes for Nikki but surprise, Nikki empties a fire extinguisher on her. She hits the Rack Attack 2.0 and pins Carmella for the victory.
After the match, Carmella spilled the beans on the Survivor Series attack and said that her Total Divas friend Natalya was the one who attacked her backstage.
Product placement segment with TLC sponsors Kay Jewelers as Natalya helps a WWE fan pick a ring for his girlfriend. Weird.
THE MIZ VS DOLPH ZIGGLER (LADDER MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE)
This is the last time the two will fight over the Intercontinental title. No rematches. The Miz started the match with the upper hand, getting the better of Ziggler as the two fought over the use of ladders. Ziggler regains control after hitting a DDT on the ladder and then delivers an elbow drop, using the ladder which was wedged on the middle ropes, using it as a springboard. Ziggler gets the tall ladder and goes first for the title but The Miz stops him. Ziggler tries again and could’ve gotten it as Miz was late, but he stalls and Miz pushes him off the ladder. The Miz traps Ziggler between the tall ladder and the turnbuckle and does his Daniel Bryan dropkicks to the corner, but the third one didn’t work as Ziggler throws the ladder at him. The Miz works on Ziggler’s left leg and then wraps his leg around the ladder and does the figure four leg lock. Pretty cool. Ziggler taps but there’s no submission. Ziggler goes for the superkick but he can’t with the injured leg and The Miz turns it into a Skull Crushing Finale on the ladder. The Miz goes for the title and Ziggler removes the ladder, leaving The Miz hanging by the title. He then hits him with the ladder and The Miz comes crushing down to the mat. Ziggler climbs up the ladder with one leg but The Miz recovers and catches him in a power bomb delivered on the ladder still wedged between the middle and top ropes. The Miz sets up another ladder and both climb opposing ladders, fighting at the top within an inch of getting the title. The Miz low blows Ziggler on the ladder, Dolph falls off and The Miz capture the belt, retaining the Intercontinental title.
After the match, The Miz taunts Daniel Bryan on the mic, and then makes out with Maryse. Maryse helps The Miz out of the ring and then kisses her at the top of the stage again.
Tribute to the Troops commercial airs. 14th annual show airs next week on USA Network.
BARON CORBIN VS KALISTO (CHAIRS MATCH)
Kalisto out first and throws half a dozen chairs in the ring already. Kalisto immediately goes on the offensive but Corbin no-sells him. Corbin chokes Kalisto outside the ring in front of a row filled with kids…not very TV PG! Corbin hits a jacknife power bomb and nearly pins Kalisto, who kicks out in the last second. Corbin sets six chairs up in the middle of the ring but ends up on the wrong end of it after Kalisto flies and sits on him, driving Corbin through the six chairs. Kalisto goes for a suicide dive but Corbin catches him and splats him to the floor. Corbin gets angry and slams all the chairs in the ring and then runs after Kalisto around the ring trying to hit him with a chair. Kalisto hits a hurricanrana off the barricade and throws a chair in Corbin’s face. Back in the ring, Corbin is down and Kalisto places a chair on him, goes on the top rope and hits a moonsault and a very close pin. Kalisto hits several chair shots on Corbin but then Corbin flattens Kalisto after he jumped from the top rope and got hit by a chair to the face. Corbin then hits the End of Days finisher on a pile of chairs for the pinfall.
After the match, Corbin hits out at the Smackdown commentary booth, especially at a scared Mauro Ranallo.
Natalya is interviewed backstage and quizzed over Carmella’s allegations. She called them “absurd” and asked why would she lie, Natalya fires back, “I don’t know, because she’s a liar!”
BECKY LYNCH VS ALEXA BLISS (TABLES MATCH FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE)
There’s no pinfalls or submissions in this one, and the only way to win is by putting your opponent through a table. Becky immediately goes for the table but Alexa hides it back under the ring. Becky sets one up outside the ring and tries to suplex Alexa on it but Bliss blocks it and gets the advantage in this match. Bliss gets a table in the ring and puts Becky on it, goes on the top rope but Becky recovers and hits the ropes to drop Bliss. Becky tries to superplex her on the table but Bliss blocks the move. Bliss sets up the table in the corner but Becky recovers. Both nearly go through the table but hit the breaks before. Becky goes for the AA but Bliss, turns the table and then hits a DDT on the flattened table. Becky goes for her finisher but there are no submissions in this match. Becky places the table on the bottom ropes and puts Alexa on it. She goes on the top rope but Bliss throws her away. Remember the table outside from earlier? Well, it came to play as Bliss power bombs Becky through it, winning the Smackdown Women’s title.
After the match, Becky is interviewed and tells the interviewer that she doesn’t appreciate her shoving a mic in her face at this time.
The Kay Jewelers product placement returns as the guy who bought the ring with the help of Natalya earlier in the show proposes to his girlfriend in the middle of the ring in an empty arena. Uh oh! She said yes.
Plug for Saturday Night Live as John Cena hosts next week.
AJ STYLES VS DEAN AMBROSE (TLC MATCH FOR THE WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE)
This is the 19th TLC match in WWE history according to Mauro Ranallo’s stats. Ambrose throws a chair and places a ladder in the ring as soon as the bell rings. The action spills outside where all the tables, ladders, and chairs are nicely showcased in the entrance way. Ambrose puts a trash can over AJ’s head and punches him away all the way back to ringside. AJ regains control after dropkicking Ambrose who was coming off the barricade. His upper hand didn’t last long though as Ambrose uses a chair to get back in business. Dean tries to climb the ladder for the title but AJ recovers and throws him off, then bodyslams him on a ladder. AJ sets up four chairs in the ring and tries to suplex Dean through them but Ambrose blocks and reverses the move, throwing AJ instead. Ouch! Ambrose sets up a table in the corner but this time he eats it as he’s suplexed through it. Outside the ring, Ambrose places a ladder on the German announce table and puts AJ on the US announce table. Ambrose climbs up and hits an elbow drop on Styles, driving him through the table. Ambrose climbs a ladder in the middle of the ring and goes for the title but AJ recovers and hits a beautiful flying forearm to knock Ambrose off. At this point, the German and US announcers are calling the show standing up. Styles goes for a powerbomb but Ambrose turns it into a hurricanrana and sends Styles out of the ring. With Styles back up, he hits a moonsault-into-reverse-DDT on the outside, leaving Ambrose looking at the bright lights. He puts Ambrose on the table outside and AJ hits a picture perfect springboard 360 splash through a table. James Ellsworth walks out, with a neckbrace, and gets beat up by AJ Styles. Ambrose hits the Dirty Deeds on the ring steps and quickly goes inside to climb the ladder. James Ellsworth however had other plans and pushed the ladder sending Dean Ambrose through two tables outside. AJ Styles gets back in the ring, and with Ellsworth cheering him on, he climbs the ladder and gets the title for the win!
The pay-per-view ends with James Ellsworth celebrating in the middle of the entrance way as AJ Styles stands tall on the ladder with the WWE World Heavyweight title!
Former WWE Superstar Tajiri announced on his Twitter that he will be returning to the WWE on a full-time basis starting in the beginning of 2017.
Tajiri wrote that he got the okay to publish the news from NXT General Manager William Regal after the NXT live event in Osaka, suggesting that he might stop in NXT before heading to the main roster. He added that his last performance in Japan will be on December 27.
The man known as the Japanese Buzzsaw made his WWE debut in 2001 and wrestled his last match for WWE in 2005. He then popped up at the ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view in 2006 for one more match.
Tajiri participated in the Cruiserweight Classic this year and defeated Damien Slater in the first round before being eliminated by Gran Metalik in the next round. He wrestled yesterday at the NXT live event in Osaka, teaming up with Akira Tozawa to take on DIY.
Current WWE World Heavyweight champion AJ Styles is the overwhelming favorite to retain the title tonight against Dean Ambrose according to the bookies, with Styles at 1/33 to retain and Ambrose at a distant 12/1 for the upset.
Alexa Bliss is also the big favorite to win the Smackdown Women’s title tonight with odds at 1/12 for the victory while the champion Becky Lynch is at 6/1 to retain. The Tag Team titles are also in danger of being switched according to bookies with Orton and Wyatt at 1/25 for the win while Slater and Rhyno are at 10/1 to retain.
The final match between The Miz and Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title seems like it’s swaying more towards The Miz as he’s at 1/16 to retain while Ziggler is at 15/2 to win the title again.
In the two remaining matches, Nikki Bella is at 1/10 to win while Carmella is at 11/2 as the underdog and Baron Corbin is the favorite at 1/20 over Kalisto who’s at 9/1 in the chairs match.
Odds are most likely to change as the event gets closer to bell time.
The animated feature Moana with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson kept its number one spot in the box office chart this weekend with an estimated weekend gross of $28,373,000 according to Box Office Mojo.
The movie has so far grossed nearly $120 million domestically plus almost $58 million internationally for a worldwide box office sum of $177,388,330.
Moana has also taken over the 12-day total of Frozen, which had amassed $98.9 million. Frozen currently tops the Walt Disney Animation Studios chart with $400.7 million in domestic revenue.
Live tonight from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas WWE presents TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on the WWE Network and pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose in a TLC match for the WWE World Heavyweight title; Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss in a tables match for the WWE Smackdown Women’s title; The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler in a ladder match for the Intercontinental title; Heath Slater and Rhyno vs Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team titles; Nikki Bella vs Carmella in a no disqualification match; and Kalisto vs Baron Corbin in a chairs match.
TLC is free for first time subscribers on the WWE Network. If you never subscribed, go to http://w-o.it/wwentwrk to start your 30-day free trial!
Brock Lesnar returned to the ring last night at a non-televised live event in Mexico City, Mexico to face Rusev.
This was Lesnar’s first match since he was defeated by Goldberg in one minute and twenty six seconds at the Survivor Series and a rare appearance at a non-televised event.
Lesnar, who was accompanied by Paul Heyman, beat Rusev with the F5 and after he got his hand raised, he quickly left the ring and walked to the back.
The former WWE and UFC Heavyweight champion does not work a lot of house shows but has some dates in his contract that he has to work and it’s usually those dates when WWE visits the usual big markets in the United States.
The NXT title match between Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura which was held earlier today in Osaka, Japan will air this coming Wednesday on NXT on the WWE Network.
WWE did not really keep the win as a surprise and splashed the news all over their social media, app notifications, and WWE.COM as well.
Many questioned the decision of Nakamura losing the title a few weeks ago at NXT Takeover: Toronto but with the Osaka show on schedule it was a bit evident what the company was going for.
Joe is rumored to be called up to the main roster soon and will be out of the title picture completely as a new number one contender for the NXT title has already been decided during last week’s NXT TV tapings.
Earlier this week, DirecTV started its over-the-top, no-contract streaming service titled DirecTV Now, enabling users in the United States to get their favorite stations streaming live on the web.
The service, which starts at $35 a month, includes USA Network and there will be live broadcasts of Monday Night Raw and Smackdown every week which is great news for cord cutting wrestling fans who don’t have cable television but still want to watch WWE shows.
DirecTV Now is also running an offer where if you pay for a month, you get a free Amazon Fire TV stick and if you pre-pay for three months, you get an Apple TV 4 for free.
Meanwhile, remaining on the cord cutting subject, Hulu is now showing 205 Live for those who have a subscription to their service as well.
NXT just wrapped up its live event in Osaka, Japan with cameras filming the event for inclusion in upcoming NXT TV episodes.
Perhaps the biggest surprise, although somewhat expected by many people, is that Shinsuke Nakamura has regained the NXT title from Samoa Joe in the main event of the show.
Nakamura, who is one of the most over stars in Japan, is now also a two-time NXT champion, regaining the belt after losing it at NXT Takeover: Toronto a few weeks ago on the eve of the Survivor Series. This is the second time that the NXT title changed hands in the Land of the Rising Sun. Last year, Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens to win the title during the July 4 show event which was broadcast on the WWE Network.
Hideo Itami, who’s currently out injured again, also appeared and spoke to the crowd after he was introduced by NXT General Manager William Regal. Asuka wrestled on the show and defeated Nia Jax to retain the NXT Women’s title.
The NXT Tag Team champions DIY also took on Japanese talent, the tag team of Akira Tozawa and Tajiri, and retained the titles.
John Cena will become the third wrestler to host Saturday Night Live following the footsteps of Hulk Hogan and The Rock.
The former WWE champion will be taking over the hosting duties of the popular show on December 10. “So incredibly honored & excited to host @nbcsnl on Dec. 10th. Can’t wait to be live from NYC on a Saturday night,” Cena wrote on Twitter after the official account for Saturday Night Live revealed the last hosts for 2016.
Hogan hosted SNL along with Mr T during the buildup for WrestleMania I while The Rock hosted SNL on four different occasions so far, with his first one being in 1999 during the boom of the Attitude Era.
Impact this week with the women main eventing the show did 338,000 viewers, up from last week’s Thanksgiving show which did only 165,000. Taking last week’s show out, it did 3,000 viewers more than the previous week. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
