WWE announced that Mars, Inc, will be the exclusive presenting partner of WrestleMania 32 through its Snickers brand.
Snickers’ partnership with WWE will be highlighted by a series of custom content integration within the WWE Network telecast, promotional activity at WrestleMania Axxess, and integration on Raw and Smackdown. The agreement also includes presence at WWE live events leading up to WrestleMania.
Snickers and WWE will also send one lucky fan to see WrestleMania 32 live, as part of a digital sweepstakes where fans will be asked “who are you when you’re hungry”, launching today at WWE.com/HungryForMania.
“With their larger-than-life personalities, WWE Superstars and Divas are perfect for showcasing the various dramatic effects of hunger, so we’re thrilled to partner with WWE on WrestleMania 32,” said Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Director, SNICKERS® Brand. “Hopefully millions of fans will follow their lead and share who they become when they’re hungry to enter the ‘Hungry for Mania’ promotion.”
One fan who was behind the commentary table shot the last Raw segment – which saw Triple H beating the crap out of Roman Reigns – from an interesting angle on his phone, an alternate angle which revealed that Reigns only started bleeding after Raw commentator Byron Saxton handed something to him while he was off the main television camera.
Triple H kept banging Reigns’ head on the commentary table and when he was stopped, Roman Reigns extended his hand which was swiftly followed by Saxton handing over something. Initial reports suggested it was a blade however it was then said it was a fake blood capsule. The television camera at that point was focusing on Triple H and Reigns was never in the picture and he was only caught due to someone filming in the right place at the right time. From this footage, you could see Reigns applying something and then hit whatever he had left on the table. Triple H then resumed hitting Reigns.
Blading is prohibited from WWE matches and is often the subject of fines. Chris Jericho noted in his book that he and Batista, along with the referee, got fined for blading, a fee which Batista had to fork out $100,000 and then even paid the fine for Jericho and the referee as he was the one who did it.
Almost exactly six years ago after he left the company, Shane McMahon returned to Monday Night Raw to a massive pop that rolled back the years and injected some new life into WrestleMania.
Shane came out during the opening segment to interrupt Stephanie McMahon’s speech about receiving the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award and dropping a bombshell that he’s still very much part of the company. He said that he and his father “cut a deal” and he left the company to go and do other things but his place was always there and Stephanie only managed to go further up the chain because he allowed it. Vince, with a guilty look on his face, said it’s true and Stephanie left the ring.
But Shane wasn’t ready yet as he wanted control of Monday Night Raw. His father tried to bribe him but that didn’t work out very well for him. Vince then caved in, and said that he’d give Shane control of Raw if he wins one match…against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32 in a Hell In A Cell match! If Shane loses however he wants the key to the lockbox that he has so he can’t hold anything against him anymore.
Last week it was being reported that Undertaker’s opponent at WrestleMania would not be anyone on the active roster and Shane’s name was never even rumored suggesting that this angle was kept close to only a handful of people to prevent it from leaking.
Shane’s return sparked a lot of chants from the rowdy crowd including “Shane O’Mac,” “Holy shit,” and “You still got it.”
When he left WWE, Shane McMahon was the Executive Vice President of Global Media. He went to YOU On Demand after WWE and is currently the Chairman of that company.
Fastlane was unfortunately not so much a Pay-Per-View/Network “special,” as it could’ve just been a wrestling-version of Monday Night Raw. It was really a filler show before the biggest one of the year, which now the “road” to starts tonight!
We know the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at WrestleMania (for now), as it was a very-decisive finish last night (no spoilers for those who have not seen the show and are still wanting to), so what path will the combatants take to get there?
It was made known last week that a “prestigious” award would be handed out tonight in honor of the late Vincent J. McMahon; who is going to be the admired recipient?
For a while now, we have not had a Hall-of-Fame announcement, so with only Raw and Smackdown main-shows between now and WrestleMania, hopefully tonight more inductees will be revealed.
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for February 22nd, 2016
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
A recap of the main-event of Fastlane is aired, then the regular Raw video plays. Michael Cole acknowledges us from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The lights are dimmed and the ring is decked in a carpet with the Vincent J. McMahon trophy. Before we get to it, footage of Brock Lesnar attacking Dean Ambrose
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Vince McMahon struts out and puts over the history his family has had in this business. He doesn’t give a long speech and instead just brings out the person who is going to get the award; that person is his own flesh-and-blood, Stephanie McMahon..
The fans drown him and her out with boos, but go ballistic when another McMahon returns! “Here Comes The Money” interrupts Stephanie’s acceptance, and out hops Shane McMahon! The elder sibling makes his long-awaited return (close to ten years, I believe) and is received with “yes,” “holy s—t,” and “this is awesome” chants! Shane does not shake Vince’s hand; he gives props to the crowd for his reception, and then has a family conversation.
He insinuates there is much more to the story and rips on Stephanie for not being deserving of the award. He cites the decline of WWE with ratings, stock, and recent injuries as proof that Triple H and Stephanie “have been running this company into the ground.” Stephanie argues back that Shane has not been here all these years, but Shane exposes a deal that he and Vince made years ago. Steph questions their father if it is real, and Vince admits to it. He makes Stephanie leave and is alone in the ring with Shane, who berates Vince for tarnishing the McMahon “legacy.” He wants to keep the WWE well and wishes for “control of Monday Night Raw.”
Eventually, Vince gives in and will give it to him, only if Shane can win one more time. He challenges Shane to take a match at WrestleMania; if he wins, then he gets Raw; if he loses, Shane has to give up everything he keeps in a lockbox to Vince. Shane accepts, and Vince throws two more curves at him – it will be against The Undertaker inside Hell In A Cell!
Commercials.
Match #1: Six-Man Tag-Team – Adrian Neville and The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and United States Champion Kalisto) VS. Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E., and Xavier Woods)
Kalisto and Xavier begin with wristlock trades and an armdrag. The Tag Champs gather on the outside for a break.
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Woods and Kalisto continue to wrestle, then Big E. and Neville go at it with Big dominating. He and Kofi give Adrian mudhole-stomps in the corner, then Kofi wears Neville down with an arm/neck wrench. Kingston catches Neville and dropkicks him, then switches with Xavier, who dropkicks Neville against the middle rope.
Commercials.
New Day are still in control over Neville, giving him a splash and legdrop combo. The Luchas break up the pin, and Woods is tossed over the top rope onto the steel steps. Neville attempts a tag, but Kofi jumps in and holds him back. Neville fights off and gets the hot-tag to Sin.
The Dragon takes over and rockets through the ropes onto Kingston against the barrier. He springboard-moonsaults back in the ring, but can’t take it thanks to Big. This breaks down, with E soaring through he ropes to the floor, Neville 450-splashing from the apron, Kalisto using Neville to splash on Woods, and Cara going for a Swanton in the ring.
Kofi moves and tears at Sin’s face, then hits him with the Trouble In Paradise Tornado-Kick and covers for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Roman Reigns is checking his cell-phone for updates on Dean when JoJo walks up. She wonders how he is feeling after making the main-event to WrestleMania, but also with his concern about his friend. Roman says it is all about him and Triple H; the other issues that have happened between him and Ambrose and him an The Authority “make no never-mind.”
Up next, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman may give answers to Brock’s assault of Dean.
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Segment #4: Arena Promo
Despite this not being the end of the show, Paul calls this “the main-event,” as no matter where he is, Brock Lesnar “is the main-event!” Heyman reviews the conclusion of the Triple-Threat at Fastlane. He suggests Dean Ambrose’s actions during the match were barbaric, as it went from a wrestling match to a brawl. This is why “The Beast” assailed Dean, and Paul E. says he needs a new challenge at WrestleMania. He dares anyone to “step up” by visiting Ambrose in the hospital.
A whining sound his heard and an ambulance enters the garage. Driving it is Ambrose himself, who struggles to the ring. Dean falls in front of the ring and Lesnar steps on and over him. Ambrose yells at “The Beast,” challenging him to a No Holds Barred Match at WrestleMania; Brock responds with an F-5 on the floor and Paul confirms it is on!
Commercials.
Match #2: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)
Prior to this, The Dudleyz come to the stage and talk about what their new goal is. They claim they had to make us remember that they are nine-time Tag-Team Champions and not a “one-trick pony” with the tables. They also rip on Jimmy and Jey’s father, Hall of Famer Rikishi, and Konnor and Viktor hit Jimmy and Jey to start.
Ascension control for a bit, but the twins make a comeback, double-teaming both Konnor and Viktor. They finish this one with a top-rope splash on Viktor by Jey!
Winners via Pinfall: The Usos
Post-match, The Dudleyz approach but back away.
Later tonight, The Wyatt Family will face off against Kane, The Big Show, and Ryback again.
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Segment #5: Arena Promo
Chris Jericho makes his entrance and talks about his familiarity with A.J. Styles. He puts over “The Phenomenal One” for beating him at Fastlane and giving him great matches, then calls him out to talk in person.
Styles answers and meets Jericho in the ring. “Y2J” congratulates A.J. on living up to his moniker, and predicts he will become a WWE Champion one day. Both shake hands, but are interrupted by The Social Outcasts. They can’t figure out this potential new team, but want to try and wrestle them!
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team – Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles VS. The Social Outcasts (Curtis Axel and Heath Slater (with Social Outcasts members Bo Dallas and Adam Rose)
A.J. and Heath are in the ring, with Styles hitting Slater down. he tags in Jericho who dropkicks Heath and then gives him a suplex. Chris switches with A.J. , who is teamed-up on by the Outcasts. Axel puts him to the canvas, then Heath is in and gives him a big side-kick. He tries a backdrop, but Styles flips out and gives him a Pele Kick.
A.J. slaps hands with “Y2J,” who comes in and is all over Curtis. He does miss the Lionsault, but moves shortly later and locks on the Walls of Jericho. A.J. slingshots from the ring to the floor on top of Rose, Bo, and Heath, while Axel taps to Chris!
Winners via Submission: Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles
Segment #6: Office Promo
Stephanie is not looking pleased, but her husband, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, cheers her up by putting Shane down verbally, and letting her tell Roman Reigns the news for him.
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Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Stephanie tells Roman that he will be meeting Sheamus later tonight, and cannot visit his friend Ambrose.
Segment #8: Locker Room Promo
Goldust tries to apologize to R-Truth for costing him his match at Fastlane. Truth doesn’t want to hear it or accept the cake; instead he tricks “The Bizarre One” and shoves the cake into his face.
The Wyatt Family and Kane, Ryback, and The Big Show make their entrances for their upcoming match.
Commercials.
Match #4: Six-Man Tag-Team – The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erik Rowan) (with Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman) VS. The Big Show, Ryback, and Kane
Both teams are even early until Ryback bulldozes through The Family.
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This goes back-and-forth until Big Show is taken out. Ryback suddenly exits to the back, leaving Kane to get planted with Sister Abigail by Bray for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Wyatt Family
Commercials.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
JoJo wonders why Ryback left, and “The Big Guy” explains that it had nothing to do with Kane or Show; he just wants to take control of his career and “look out for number one” now.
Match #5: Single – Sasha Banks VS. Naomi (with Team B.A.D. partner Tamina)
A lockup and headlock begins by Sasha, then Banks turns Naomi into a half-abdominal stretch and a couple of pin combos.
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Sasha hits Naomi to the mat, then rapidly hits forearms and kicks. She plants Naomi with a double-knee Thesz Press, but is yanked off the top turnbuckle by the arm. Suddenly, Becky Lynch charges out and attacks Tamina, allowing Banks to make Naomi give in to the Banks-Statement Crossface!
Winner via Submission: Sasha Banks
Post-match, Divas Champion Charlotte fake-cries over the partnership of Sasha and Becky; she informs them that Triple H has made a #1 Contender’s match between them at one point, then gloats with her father, Ric Flair.
The Godfather is divulged to be the second inductee for the Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
Roman Reigns makes his entrance in preparation for his contests with Sheamus, next!
Match #6: Single – Roman Reigns VS. Sheamus (with League of Nations members King Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio)
Sheamus takes control right away by working over Roman’s left arm. Reigns punches back, but is dropped onto the top rope and Sheamus goes back to the left arm. Roman uppercut-slaps Shamus then clotheslines him to the floor; Reigns follows with a leaping punch from the stairs! He puts Sheamus back in the ring then cautiously follows after looking at the League of Nations, who distract the referee and attack Roman.
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Both deliver fists and forearms, then Roman manages a Superman Punch a bit later. Sheamus ends up on the floor, where he is Speared by Reigns. As Roman gets back in the ring, Triple H’s music plays.
The WWE World Heavyweight Champion walks out in his leather jacket and jeans, with a new t-shirt. He is back in “Cerebral Assassin” mode. He completely demolishes Roman, hitting him with the ring bell against his throat and then busting him open after ramming his head face-first against the commentator’s table. “The Game” concludes the beating with a Pedigree on the steps, then gives Roman his own “Superman” sign and “Suck It.” He poses with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as referees and agents tend to Reigns to close the show.
The Madison Square Garden website has updated its information for the upcoming WWE non-televised live event for March 25 and is now listing it as a Daniel Bryan Night.
The recently retired former WWE World Heavyweight champion will be at Madison Square Garden as WWE honors the “Yes!” man one more time just a week before WrestleMania 32.
Matches which are being advertised include Roman Reigns vs Sheamus with Triple H, Kevin Owens vs Dean Ambrose in a 30 minute Iron Man match for the IC title, Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio for the US title, and Big Show vs Bray Wyatt. AJ Styles will also be on hand for his MSG debut as will Ric Flair, The New Day, Kane, The Usos, The Dudley Boyz, Rusev, Ryback, and more.
There will be ho train coming to Dallas as WWE today announced that The Godfather will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016.
The 54 year old behind the gimmick is Charles Wright, a California native who made his pro wrestling debut in 1989 for the USWA as The Soultaker. After a couple of years with USWA, Wright received a call to head up to New York after his friend, The Undertaker, put his name forward. In 1992, he was repackaged as Papa Shango, and his arrival at WrestleMania VIII is still talked about this day..due to the wrong reasons.
Papa Shango was supposed to interfere in the Sid vs Hulk Hogan match, breaking the three count after Hogan dropped the leg drop. Papa Shango however was miles away when the move happened, and Sid kicked out of the leg drop and then the referee called for the bell after his manager, Harvey Wippleman jumped in the ring.
After leaving the WWE in 1993, he went back to the USWA however he returned in 1994 as Kama the supreme fighting machine. His return was also short-lived and left in 1996 but then returned again in 1997 under the same name as part of the Nation of Domination group. With the Attitude Era kicking off, Kama was repackaged as The Godfather, a pimp who was usually accompanied by a “ho train” – girls hired from local strip clubs.
In 2000 he joined the Right to Censor group after the Parents Television Council started objecting to several WWE gimmicks, one of which was The Godfather. Since then he appeared sporadically on WWE television and in 2013 was one of the mystery entrants in the Royal Rumble. A year later he appeared on the Old School Raw, joining other WWE Legends.
Today, Charles Wright is a manager at the Cheetah’s gentleman club in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The road to WrestleMania 32 officially starts today with 40 days to go and no other pay-per-views in between between now and then. With the main event of HHH vs Reigns set, the focus now also shifts on other matches and up until this point there’s no clear indication of what those might be.
Tonight’s Raw will take place from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, and set to appear are the WWE champion, the number one contender, and also the beast incarnate, Brock Lesnar. The Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award will also be presented tonight with a big possibility that it will result into an angle leading up to WrestleMania.
More Hall of Fame class of 2016 inductees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as so far only Sting’s induction has been made public. The Hall of Fame ceremony has been sold out for weeks.
John Cena has once again teased an early return to the ring by writing another tweet saying he’s been putting in 12 hours a day as he recovers from a torn rotator cuff surgery he underwent just six weeks ago.
“Putting in 12 hours a day for the past 6 weeks to try and defy science. It’s make or break,” Cena said. It’s not the first time that he defied science as back in 2008 he came back at the Royal Rumble just four months after he tore his pectoral muscle completely off the bone.
Cena was supposed to be out between seven to twelve months at that time but his super hero powers got him back in half that time. There are 40 days left until April 3 for WrestleMania.
Today WWE officially announced the signing of former IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura during a press conference held at Hard Rock Cafe in Tokyo, Japan. Nakamura arrived earlier this month in the United States after wrapping up his NJPW duties.
“Talent is the lifeblood of our company, and the signing of Shinsuke Nakamura further demonstrates NXT’s commitment to bringing in the best talent from all over the world,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative said. “His explosive style will make an immediate impact to an already dynamic NXT men’s division.”
Nakamura has been wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling since 2002 and won every accolade possible in the company, including the IWGP Heavyweight title three times, the IWGP Intercontinental title five times, and the IWGP Tag Team title once. He gave back the IWGP Intercontinental title back to New Japan on January 25 and wrestled his last match for the company five days later, joining Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii to defeat Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata.
Shinsuke Nakamura will make his official debut at NXT Takeover: Dallas, on April 1, against Sami Zayn.
Barring any injuries or fan revolt, the WrestleMania 32 main event was set up last night at the end of Fastlane as WWE World Heavyweight champion Triple H will be defending the gold against number one contender Roman Reigns.
Reigns had to go through crowd favorites Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar to book his ticket to the main event but the fans, just like last year, did not really respond well to the outcome. This is the second time in a row that Reigns will main event WrestleMania after winning the Royal Rumble last year. The fans showered Reigns with boos and eventually cheered Lesnar during the main event. Reigns was the favorite back then to walk out with the title but a decision was taken to have Seth Rollins cash in the Money In The Bank briefcase and he eventually pinned Reigns for the title.
For Triple H, this is his first time since WrestleMania 25 in Houston where he is closing the show in the real main event spot. On that night, he defeated Randy Orton to retain the WWE title.
Here are the results from last night’s Fastlane which took place from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Kalisto defeated Alberto Del Rio in a 2 out of 3 falls match to retain the United States title. Kalisto won the first fall, Del Rio won the second, and Kalisto got the third pin for the victory; Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch defeated Tamina and Naomi; Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler to retain the Intercontinental title; Big Show, Kane, and Ryback defeated The Wyatt Family in a six-man tag match; Charlotte defeated Brie Bella to retain the Divas title; AJ Styles defeated Chris Jericho; Curtis Axel defeated R-Truth; Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose in a triple threat match to become the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight title.
John Cena was the honorary pace car driver today at the 58th annual Daytona 500 and was interviewed by FOX Sports about his chances of being at WrestleMania 32 on April 3.
Just six weeks out from rotator cuff surgery, Cena said, “Percentage-wise, I’m somewhere between zero and 100. That’s a safe estimation for me.” He then jokingly told the interviewer that as far as him participating at WrestleMania, “the Magic 8-Ball says ‘ask again later,'”
He said it would be personally unfortunate for him to miss the big event. Cena has not missed one since WrestleMania 19.
“I take a very unselfish approach to my job and what I do because people spend their hard-earned money to enjoy what we do,” added Cena. “And our goal is to deliver the best show possible. If I can contribute to that, great. If I can’t then, it not helping any of fans … we’ll see how it works.”
WWE Diva Paige had a Q&A panel at the Portland Comic Con this weekend and was asked about the current Divas title design and if WWE should drop the term Diva altogether in favor of bringing the Women’s title back.
The former champion said that when she initially came to WWE, she wanted them to remove the word Diva but ever since she started working there, the term Diva immediately reflects to the WWE women so she’s fine with it now. The word now “means a lot” to her so she’s okay with the company keeping that term to refer to their female talent.
However the Brit didn’t mince any words when discussing the WWE Divas title. “Just redesign the Divas belt, because that butterfly sucks,” she said. The Divas title, along with the Tag Team titles, are considered to be the worst the company has at the moment in terms of looks so it was no surprise that Paige isn’t a fan of it either.
Paige returns to Comic Con next month in Las Vegas, holding photo and autograph sessions as well as a Q&A panel.
Edge and Christian will return on WWE television tonight, first at Fastlane, and then with their own show on the WWE Network.
The dynamic duo welcome WWE tag team champions The New Day to The Cutting Edge Peep Show during Fastlane to continue something that started back in September of last year. During the September 7 edition of Raw, a few hours before getting interviewed for the Stone Cold Podcast, Edge and Christian were in a backstage segment with The New Day, Seth Rollins, and the Dudley Boyz. The New Day showed off their trombone skills but it was E&C who stole the segment by bringing back the fan favorite kazoo to the tune of “New…Day sucks.”
Then right after Fastlane, the newest WWE Network show – The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness – will premiere at 11PM EST with the synopsis, “Edge and Christian take a look back at some very memorable ‘FIRSTS!’ in WWE History.” It is a 30 minute comedy show that will air every week.
Roman Reigns is the favorite among online bookmakers to win the triple treat match tonight with odds at 1/6 in his favor, with Dean Ambrose second at 5/1 and Brock Lesnar a distant 9/1.
In the title matches, Charlotte is at 2/9 to retain against Brie Bella who is at 3/1. Kevin Owens stands at 1/5 against Dolph Ziggler who is at 100/30. Kalisto is at 1/3 to keep his title against Alberto Del Rio who is at 9/4.
Other non-title matches see AJ Styles at 1/7 to win against Jericho who is at 4/1, Sasha and Becky at 1/9 with Team B.A.D. at 5/1, and the Wyatts favorite at 1/5 against the trio of Show, Ryback, and Kane who are at 100/30.
The odds will most likely change once smart money comes in later in the day.
Live from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, WWE presents Fastlane on the WWE Network. The full card is as follows:
Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight title; Kevin Owens vs Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title; Charlotte vs Brie Bella for the Divas title; Ryback, Big Show, and Kane vs The Wyatt Family in a six-man tag team match; AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho; Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks vs Naomi and Tamina; and Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the US title in the Kickoff match.
Edge & Christian will also be on hand for The Cutting Edge Peep Show with guests The New Day.
Fastlane is free for new WWE Network subscribers and you can watch it by signing up for an account at http://w-o.it/wwentwrk.
Finn Balor and Bayley are having the time of their lives at NXT and it was evident at last night’s non-televised NXT live event in Albany, New York.
After the main event was over, Balor walked to the back and Bayley came out to the top of the stage and waited for a few seconds before her theme song kicked in and Balor came out dressed as Bayley.
The two did the whole Bayley entrance and once in the ring, hilarity continued when Bayley removed her jacket revealing a Balor Club shirt and Balor arm sleeves.
As the crowd chanted “hug him,” Balor grabbed the mic and said “Finn 3:16 says I just hugged your ass!” and hugged Bayley, going down on the mat and rolling on each other like children.
The crowd obviously ate it all up, enjoying the moment. Last time around Bayley came out looking like Balor when he was injured to cheer him up!
Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for February 18th, 2016
Introduction Segment: Video Promos and Welcoming
A review of the feud between Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar, also featuring Roman Reigns, airs; the regular Smackdown! video plays and the pyro goes off!
Byron Saxton greets us to Smackdown! with Jerry “The King” Lawler and Michael Cole, who is subbing for regular commentator Maura Ranallo as he has the flu.
Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens strut
Match #1: Six-Man Tag-Team – Dolph Ziggler and The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and United States Champion Kalisto) VS. The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio) (with League of Nations member Wade Barrett)
Kalisto and Rusev begin with a lockup, then Kalisto hits “The Bulgarian Brute” with fast kicks. He leaps off the middle turnbuckle with a Tornado-DDT, then monkey-flips his Dragon partner after a tag.
The Luchas continue to get the best of The League with dives, and Dolph joins the action with a big elbow off the top turnbuckle to the floor!
Commercials.
Rusev is now in control of Cara with a rear chinlock, then scoop-slams him. He switches with Alberto who jumps off the turnbuckle with a modified-axe-handle smash. He gives Sin a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then wears him down with the chinlock. Cara tries to fight back, but is punched and stomped. Del Rio throws Sin into the ring post, then tags in Sheamus who mudhole-stomps Cara. He gives the Dragon three-consecutive Irish Curse Backbreakers.
Del Rio dives off again, but Sin counters with a dropkick and makes the hot-tag to Dolph. He is all over Sheamus and gears up for the superkick, but Sheamus catches him. He tries a backdrop, but Ziggler lands on his feet and drives Sheamus with the Leaping-DDT!
Outside, Del Rio hurls Kalisto into the corner of the barricade. Dolph hits the Fameasser on Sheamus and almost takes this, then Owens hops the apron, allowing Sheamus to regain himself and Brogue Kick Dolph. He covers for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: The League of Nations
Post-match, Owens stares at a downed Ziggler as The League celebrates.
Brock Lesnar will be on Smackdown later tonight!
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Match #2: Single – Tamina (with Team B.A.D. member Naomi) VS. Sasha Banks
The bell rings and Naomi tries to get in the ring right away; the referee stops her and Tamina shoves Sasha down out of an elbow-collar tie-up. Banks fights back with multiple double-knees in the corner, then she knocks Naomi off the apron. She reverses Tamina into a bulldog and straight into the Bank Statement Crossface, forcing Tamina to give up!
Winner via Submission: Sasha Banks
Post-match, Team B.A.D. beat down Sasha until Becky Lynch charges out for the save. She clears house and helps Banks up; however, Sasha shoves her away and walks up the ramp.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Becky confronts Sasha about her actions and reminds her what is at stake Sunday at Fastlane in their match with Team B.A.D., a WrestleMania moment. They agree that they don’t like each other, but to want to win against Naomi and Tamina.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
Chris Jericho is out and invites A.J. Styles to meet him, so he can let A.J. know in person if they will wrestle at Fastlane for a third time. Instead, he gets The Miz, who has a “major” announcement. Jericho hopes that it is Miz quitting WWE, but Miz reveals that he and Jericho will square off now. Chris responds by hammering away and chucking Miz from the ring.
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Match #3: Single – Chris Jericho VS. The Miz
Jericho is slapping Miz around then elbows him off a run. Chris holds Miz in a short-stalling suplex, and gives him a 10-punch in the corner a bit later. Miz comes back by running Jericho into the ring post, then stomps away. He runs against Jericho in the corner with a clothesline, then wretches his nose and clamps on a chinlock.
He gives Chris a shoulder-block, but “Y2J” hits a dropkick. Jericho is tossed over the top rope but lands on the apron and ascends the turnbuckle. He fights Miz off the corner, then soars with a crossbody for a near-fall! Jericho dumps “The Awesome One” to the floor, then springboard dropkicks him as he got back onto the apron. Jericho climbs back in the ring, but Miz kicks the middle rope and continues to kick away.
Commercials.
Miz is still in control, working Jericho over around his head. Chris lands on his feet again on the apron and takes over. He almost gets this with a running-enziguri, then gives him a running-bulldog. He misses the Lionsault and Miz capitalizes with a face-first DDT! 1 – 2 – Jericho gets his shoulder up! Miz measures Chris for the Skull-Krushing-Finale, but Jericho reverses and gives him a Butterfly/double-underhook backbreaker. He soon catches Miz in the Walls of Jericho from a run, making him tap!
Winner via Submission: Chris Jericho
Post-match, Jericho puts over Miz as a “great performer,” and asks A.J. to meet him; “The Phenomenal One” obliges. Chris gets why Styles wants to face him again, but denies him another contest. He does respect him, but is not going to budge.
A.J. is not pleased, and hits a flurry of back-elbows and kicks. He tosses the mike to Jericho, who is now infuriated and accepts the third challenge after-all.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose are chatting, then Dean runs into Paul Heyman.
Ads.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
JoJo is with Tag-Team Champions The New Day, who talk about how “old” Edge and Christian’s antics are. They display some antics of their own by dancing and trombone-playing.
Segment #6: Video Promo
A short clip on Divas Champion Charlotte’s career is shown.
Match #4: Single – Natalya VS. Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) (Non-Title)
They start out evenly then Natalya gets the better for a bit.
Commercials.
Charlotte regains control after booting Natalya on the outside, then wrapping her in a leg/body scissors. Natalya turns around, but Charlotte grabs her in a guillotine-chokehold. She slams Nattie down for two, but Natalya clotheslines her back and gives her a German suplex. She goes to the outside, but Charlotte trips her up with the ring apron skirt. Nattie hops back in the ring, but is swept up and trapped in the Figure-8, which gives the Divas Champion the finish!
Winner via Submission: Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair)
Post-match, Charlotte mocks Daniel Bryan, which brings his wife Brie Bella out. She Lou Thesz-presses Charlotte and kicks away like her husband. Charlotte and Flair retreat, and Brie holds the championship high to entice them more.
It is announced that A.J. Styles VS. Chris Jericho at Fastlane is official, and that Ryback, Kane, and The Big Show will take on The Wyatt Family at the show too
Segment #7: Video Promo
A montage of The Wyatt Family’s actions against Show, Kane, and “The Big Guy,” along with Kane’s return is played.
Ads.
Match #5: Tag-Team – The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) VS. Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns
Dean and D-Von start with Ambrose fast with punches and a bulldog. D-Von tags in Bubba, who slaps Reigns and yells at him. Reigns tags, then he and Ray trade fists. Roman tries a Samoan Drop but Bubba wiggles out of it. reigns switches with Dean, but they give Ray a and D-Von double-suplexes first. They both clothesline The Dudleyz over to the floor.
Commercials.
The “brothers” are now in control after a back/neckbreaker drop combo on Dean during the ads. D-Von hammers away on Ambrose in the corner, then Bubba rams Dean’s head against the commentator’s table. In the ring, D-Von wears Ambrose down, but “The Lunatic Fringe” gives him a jawbreaker to stop it. D-Von hits back with a clothesline, and The Dudleyz are in control.
As Bubba makes fun of Ambrose, Dean counters and gets the hot-tag to Roman. He comes in and is all over both Bubba and D-Von. He gears up for the Superman Punch, but Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman make their entrance and distract Reigns and Ambrose. The Dudleyz hit Dean and Roman from behind, and this breaks down with everyone brawling, and a DQ-ensuing.
Winners via Disqualification: Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns
Post-match, Lesnar German suplexes both Dean and Reigns, but is it with a Superman Punch after. Roman goes for the Spear, but Brock throws him into Ambrose. Dean responds with a Dirty-Deeds DDT attempt, but Reigns reveres into a Samoan Drop. Lesnar answers with an F-5, then is met by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. The C.O.O. and “The Beast” glare at each other to close the show.
End of Smackdown!
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a good Smackdown to wrap things up before Fastlane. Lots of action and some good story provided!
Former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista took offense at the Manny Pacquiao recent comments about gay saying that the statement hits close to home as his mother is a lesbian.
Pacquiao – who was dropped by Nike following his anti-gay comments – said on national television that “if men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals,” as animals don’t mate with the same gender. He then issued an apology for comparing homosexuals to animals.
Bautista, who was caught at LAX airport by TMZ, called Manny a f**king idiot and said, “My mom happens to be a lesbian so I don’t f**king take that shit. I don’t think it’s funny. If anyone called my mother an animal I’d stick my foot in his ass.”
He said that his comments makes him respect the boxer a lot less. Bautista is currently busy filming Guardians of the Galaxy 2 for Marvel. The former WWE champ is also half Filipino – Manny’s home country – and has the Philippines flag tattooed on his bicep.
AXS TV, the home of New Japan Pro Wrestling in the United States, has uploaded a sneak peek of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross calling the action with Josh Barnett.
Ross will make his NJPW AXS TV debut on March 4 which will feature WWE NXT’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs Hirooki Goto. This is Ross’ first full-time commentary gig since leaving WWE and his second time calling NJPW after last year he did NJPW’s WrestleKingdom 9 pay-per-view for Jeff Jarrett.
JR is doing the commentary with Barnett in Los Angeles, taping several episodes at a time. His voice won’t be part of NJPW’s online streaming service as his deal is with AXS TV.
Ross will also be doing boxing commentary for CBS Sports Network with a deal to be announced next Tuesday at a press conference in Las Vegas.
