PWInsider.com is reporting that AfterBuzz TV host Catherine Kelly has wrapped up her duties with the company and has been hired by WWE as an announcer.
Kelly did the last NXT AfterBuzz show on Wednesday and then tweeted her thanks. “Lucky to call this place home the last 4 yrs. To the friends who’ve become family, thank you for letting me do this,” the 27 year old wrote.
Apart from hosting WWE-related shows on Afterbuzz TV, she is also a red carpet interviewer and producer for JUCE TV. AfterBuzz TV is owned by Maria Menounos, who is a big friend of WWE.
It’s not clear when she will start her WWE work or what name she will be using once she debuts.
28 year old NXT wrestler Bull Dempsey – real name James Smith – was released by WWE today according to his Twitter, two and a half years after signing a developmental deal.
“It’s been real @WWENXT. Amazing group of coaches & coworkers & a helluva boss. Thank you for the opportunity @TripleH. See ya down the road,” Dempsey wrote. “That being said, I’m available for bookings, appearances, birthdays, bar mitzvahs and everything in between!” He gave his booking address as well which is BookBullDempsey@gmail.com.
Dempsey signed on June 2013 and made his NXT debut a couple of months later. While he was never part of something big in NXT, he did wrestle at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4-Way, beating Mojo Rawley. Lately he ran with the gimmick of “Bull-Fit.
Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for February 4th, 2016
Introduction Segment: Welcoming
The regular Smackdown! video plays and the pyro goes off in the arena of Memphis, Tennessee! Mauro Ranallo welcomes us as Roman Reigns’ music plays!
Match #1: Single – Roman Reigns VS. Rusev (with League of Nations members King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio)
An elbow-collar tie-up starts and Roman slaps him. The League on the outside gets Reigns’ attention, allowing Rusev to whip Roman into the steel stairs. Back in the ring, Rusev takes control, hitting an elbow and axe-handle-smash. Rusev continues to punch Roman, but eats the ring post as Reigns moved!
Roman jawbreaks Rusev on the top rope then hits the Drive-By running-front-dropkick. He clotheslines “The Bulgarian Brute” multiple times, then gears up for the Superman Punch. Barrett and Del Rio get a hold of Roman and sling him to the barricade, causing a DQ in the process.
Winner via Disqualification: Roman Reigns
Post-match, Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose charges out for the save but accidentally hits Roman while he his held. The numbers are too strong, as Alberto kicks Dean in the face while Barrett grabbed him. They place Ambrose in the ring where Rusev clutches the Accolade. Roman re-enters with a chair, but The League hightail it to the ramp.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Rene Young asks Dean about the dive off the apron that connected with Roman; he says it was an “accident,” but there have been/will be times they will go at it. Later tonight will not be one of those though, as they will face Del Rio and Barrett.
Match #2: Single – United States Champion Kalisto VS. Kevin Owens (Non-Title)
(Note; Dolph Ziggler is on commentary.) Kevin kicks and punches right as the bell rings, but Kalisto flips out of a backdrop attempt. He elbows Kevin, then gives him a handspring-kick and a soaring somersault-senton over the ropes! Owens pushes Kalisto into the corner then German-suplexes him.
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Kevin is still governing, while taunting Ziggler. Owens splashes Kalisto with a running-senton but only gets two after that and a gutbuster! He goes for another senton, but the United States Champ rolls out of the way and hits the springboard-corkscrew-elbow! Kalisto almost takes this after the hurricanrana-facebuster, but is elbowed down after a run.
Kevin tries a Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Kalisto holds onto the ropes and twirls around with a tilt-a-whirl-DDT! 1 – 2 – Owens gets his shoulder up! He catches Kalisto out of a baseball slide and drops him on the corner barrier. Kevin tears the announcer’s table apart and puts Kalisto in a powerbomb position; he fakes the table and instead powerbombs Kalisto into Dolph, then superkicks “The Show-Off!” Dolph comes back and distracts Owens, which gives Kalisto the chance to roll him up for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Kalisto
Segment #3: Video and Backstage Promo
A recap of MizTV from Raw is shown where Miz didn’t let A.J. Styles get a word in, so A.J. beat him down. JoJo now interviews Miz about their talk. Miz is cheesed that his movie didn’t get nominated for an Oscar and he did not keep the acting part in Grease.
Miz vows to show A.J. what being in the WWE is all about when they wrestle later tonight!
Ryback makes his entrance and will go against Erick Rowan of The Wyatt Family, next.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Ryback VS. Erik Rowan (with Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman)
They lockup, but Ryback ducks a punch and punches back himself. He avoids a couple of clotheslines and pounds away with fists. Rowan goes to the outside and jawbreaks Ryback on the top rope, and then gives him a big shoulder-block. Rowan punches on the mat then walks over him. He hammers Ryback’s back and kicks them, then wears him down with a vice-grip on the sides of his head.
“The Big Guy” gets some momentum with an elbow and dropkick from the middle turnbuckle. he slams him down with a spinebuster then gears up for the Meathook Clothesline. Braun hops the apron, but Ryback counters by throwing Erick into Strowman, and finishing this one with the Meathook!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Post-match, Strowman chucks Ryback out to the floor, then Rowan and Braun glare at Ryback from the ring.
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Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Young is with Becky Lynch, who talks about helping Sasha Banks on Raw against Team B.A.D. She starts to explain until Sasha promptly interrupts. The two argue about the situation but somewhat agree to team against Naomi and Tamina. Both also say they will be going for Divas Champion Charlotte as well.
Chris Jericho joins commentary and Miz saunters to the ring for his Miz and A.J. Styles’ match, next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – The Miz VS. A.J. Styles
A.J. is aggressive early with quick punches and a dropkick, then a snap-suplex. Styles sweeps Miz up and punches away, then lands on him on the floor with a slingshot-elbow! He rolls Miz back in the ring, then pulls the ropes down as Miz runs at him. He kicks at Miz, but Miz catches his foot and yanks him face-first onto the apron. Miz runs him into the corner barricade then back into the ring.
Miz mount-punches Styles and wears him down with a sleeper. A.J. reverses it into a jawbreaker, but Miz slams Styles down with a back-neckbreaker combo. Miz chokes Styles with his knee against the middle rope then runs against him. He stretches A.J. with a surfboard, but “The Phenomenal One” stands up and chops Miz. He runs into a knee from Miz, who then boots him in the head for a two-count. He boots A.J. couple more times, but A.J. punches back. Miz clotheslines him off a run. He clotheslines him for a one-count then kicks him a couple of times. Miz goes for a third, but Styles ducks and rolls Miz up for two, then quickly punches and backhands him! Both run into each other with a clothesline and are down!
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Styles is back up with a running forearm in the corner then a fireman’s carry knee-to-the-head. Miz kicks out at two and reverses into a DDT! After a near-fall, Miz looks for the Skull Krushing Finale, but A.J. counters into a Pele Kick! 1 – 2 – Miz gets his shoulder up! A.J. tries the Styles Clash but Miz shoves him into the corner. Miz misses a run, and Styles capitalizes with a springboard-flying-forearm! He goes again for a Styles Clash, but Miz reverses into a hurricanrana pin, but A.J. reverses into a sunset-flip pin for two!
Miz runs at A.J., but is caught and rolled into a Calf-Crusher hold, and has to tap!
Winner via Submission: A.J. Styles
Post-match, Jericho takes the mike and offers cheers from the fans for “The Phenomenal One.” He puts over Styles for his wins so far, but asks him “are you ‘great?’” He wants to know if A.J. can become WWE World Heavyweight Champion and talk to J.B.L. on the Network. “Y2J” wonders if Styles is “good enough to beat me twice.” He challenges A.J. to match number two on next week’s Smackdown! “You think you’re ‘great?’ Prove it!” Chris puts out his hand and Styles accepts, then pulls him close. “I’m not ‘great,’ I’m ‘phenomenal’ Chris, and you’re going to find out, again!” The two superstars stare then Jericho walks away.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
JoJo inquires Roman Reigns about Dean’s diving elbow. Reigns concludes that it was an accident, but it won’t be at Fastlane. For Smackdown however, “we ride together, we fight together, and we’re going to win together. Believe that.”
Tag-Team Champions The New Day prance out now.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E. are in the ring. They brag about the “gold” they have, referring to their Tag-Team Titles. They put the crowd down with insults by comparing them to caterpillars and “participation trophies.”
The Social Outcasts interject. Heath Slater and Adam Rose vow to take the Tag Championships away while Curtis Axel makes fun of the horns on New Day’s head.
Match #5: Six-Man Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champion The New Day (Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E.) VS. The Social Outcasts (Adam Rose, Heath Slater, and Curtis Axel) (Non-Title)
Slater counters a punch with a punch then clotheslines Woods, and both tumble to the mat! The two teams yell at each other.
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Outcasts are now in control over Kofi, with Heath switching with Adam. Kofi moves from a splash, then tags in Big, who gives Rose an overhead belly-to-belly! New Day gives Adam the “Unicorn Stampede,” a.k.a. triple-corner-kicks. Kingston is back in and kicks Rose hard, then slaps hands with Xavier who Tornado-DDTs Adam! Woods is caught in a spinebuster, which allows Adam to get a tag to Axel. Kofi is also tagged in and it is just those two on/in the ring. they move around each other until Curtis knees Kofi in the face. He covers but it is broken up and this one breaks down. Axel tries to use the ropes for an advantage, but Xavier pushes his feet off. Kofi uses the technique, and gives his team the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champion The New Day
Divas Champion Charlotte will be wrestling next!
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Alicia Fox (with Team Bella member Brie Bella) VS. Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) (Non-Title)
Charlotte grapples Fox into a side headlock, but is pushed down with a shoulder-block. Charlotte forearms Alicia in the back, but is elbowed in the face. She yanks Fox down from the middle turnbuckle with a neckbreaker, then dropkicks her to the outside.
Charlotte puts Alicia back in the ring then reminds Brie it was only “one time” Bella defeated her. Fox almost takes his with a sunset-flip out of the corner, but is clotheslined right after. Charlotte elbow-smashes her then slams her with the Figure-4 Necklock. Alicia pushes back with a bridging-pin, but Charlotte kicks off/out! Both boot each other then Fox knees Charlotte in the gut.
She hits a couple of dropkicks and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near-fall! Alicia yells at Flair, who yells back, then Charlotte smashes her in the mouth with a forearm. Fox turns around into a Northern-Lights suplex but only gets two. She runs at Charlotte, but is put into the ropes and chop-blocked. The Divas Champion clamps on the Figure-8, making Alicia give-in!
Winner via Submission: Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair)
Segment #7: Video Promo
R-Truth is at a hotel but protests the movies on his bill. Goldust appears in a bellhop’s uniform and still wants to be his Tag-Team partner. They argue over Truth’s suitcase, which is in a tug-of-war and ends up opened up. Truth yells at him and still insists they will not team up. Goldust is left with R’s boxers, which Truth comes back for.
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns enter the arena to take on the League of Nations next!
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Match #7: Tag-Team – Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns VS. The League of Nations (Rusev and Alberto Del Rio) (with League of Nations member King Barrett)
Rusev and Dean begin with a waistlock by Ambrose and he turns it into a side headlock takedown. Dean kicks at Rusev’s arm but is put to the canvas with a shoulder-tackle. Dean counters a run by tripping Rusev, then wipes his face into the mat. He tags in his “brother” Roman, and he and Rusev punch back-and-forth. Rusev takes over with a big kick for a two!
Del Rio now in and dives off the second turnbuckle with a hand-smash. He clasps on a grounding rear chinlock then clotheslines him a bit later. Rusev is back in and too clotheslines, then knocks Ambrose off the apron. He suplexes Reigns, getting two, then stomps away on Roman’s back. Dean distracts Rusev, giving Roman the chance to Samoan Drop “The Bulgarian Brute!”
Roman hot-tags Ambrose who bulldogs and dropkicks Rusev. He pulls the ropes down, sending Rusev tumbling to the outside. He follows with a dive-through-the-ropes. In the ring, he tries a crossbody, but Rusev catches him. Ambrose turns it into a roll-up for two, then clotheslines Rusev off the ropes.
He makes the hot-tag to Reigns, who gives Rusev his second Drive-By of the night! He uppercuts Del Rio off the apron, then Superman Punches Rusev. Del Rio breaks up the cover with a kick-too-the-head, then takes him to the outside. Ambrose tries to help with another dive, but lands on Roman. They have a talk, then Roman has to give Rusev the Superman Punch! He puts him into the ring, where he roars and Spears for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns
Roman and Dean converse the about the finish as Styles and Jericho for next week’s Smackdown is promo’ed to close the show.
Brian Knighton, better known to fans as former ECW wrestler Axl Rotten, passed away at age 44 yesterday. He was found dead at a McDonald’s close to a motel where he was staying in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rotten wrestled briefly in WCW in 1991 before moving to ECW in 1993 where he made a name for himself. He stayed with the promotion till 1999 before returning on the indy circuit. In 2005, he made one appearance for WWE in the build-up to the ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view where he was part of one of the most successful WWE-produced events ever. He also made one single appearance for TNA as part of the Hardcore Justice show in August 2010, teaming with Balls Mahoney to take on Team 3D.
The former wrestler was confined to a wheelchair for the past several years after he suffered a spine injury and spent time at a rehab center in Maryland.
His last cryptic tweet posted hours before he passed away read, “The way I do things may not be the way you do things but you will find out there is only 1 way. My away! (sic) #AxlsTruth.”
WWE posted a statement on the WWE.COM website acknowledging the passing of Axl Rotten. “WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Brian Knighton, best known for competing in ECW as Axl Rotten from 1993 to 1999, has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to Knighton’s family, friends and fans,” the statement read.
Tammy “Sunny” Sytch’s autobiography titled A Star Shattered: The Rise & Fall & Rise of Wrestling Diva was released today and is available on paperback from bookstores and will be available also online via Amazon.com and Apple’s iTunes although the eBook versions still don’t show up online at time of this writing.
The book promises to take readers behind the scenes to learn what was really going on with her and Sunny shares her dramatic highs and lows in the world of professional wrestling and in her personal life.
“I didn’t hold anything back,” says Sunny. “I spilled my guts out in this book. I think it’s raunchy, obscene, racy and heartfelt. Readers will go with me in the ring and on the road, through my romantic relationships, my domestic abuse, my battling cancer, my incarceration, getting sober and much more. I don’t regret one moment of my life. I’ve been battered and should be bitter but instead, I learn from my experiences and move on. I’m excited about what the future holds for me,” the WWE Hall of Famer said.
Riverdale Avenue Books Publisher Lori Perkins said that Sunny’s story is inspirational and readers will get an honest truth about the inside workings of professional wrestling in the 90s and 2000s.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, former WWE Performance Center coach Billy Gunn explained his dismissal from WWE, which happened in mid November of last year.
Unbeknownst to WWE, Gunn was participating in powerlifting competitions and it was then revealed that Gunn failed one of their drug tests after he went over their limit.
“Let’s face it: I’m 52 years old. I have my [prescription] from the doctor, but it was the way it all came out is what they had to do. I don’t blame them at all, and I’m going to take every single bit of it because it wasn’t fair to NXT for what Hunter had done for the company,” Gunn said.
He called Triple H’s work with NXT as amazing and is perfectly fine with the decision the company took against him because it was his fault. However, he hopes that one day they hire him back.
“I feel I was a pretty good coach. It’s just the way it all came out. It wasn’t anything that WWE did; they [had] to do what they did, and I feel like I let the NXT kids down. I never, ever wanted to do that. Ever. So I’ll take that,” Gunn concluded.
Impact on Pop last night drew a total of 295,000 viewers, the first time that the show lost viewers over the previous week ever since the show made its debut on Pop on January 5.
Last week the show had 339,000 viewers so 44,000 viewers less tuned in yesterday. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Episode 3 of season 5 of Total Divas which was titled The Truth About Cats and Divas did a total of 840,000 viewers on E! yesterday which is down 100,000 viewers from the previous week.
Last night’s episode featured the introduction of former Tough Enough contestant and the newest WWE Diva, Mandy. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Bret Hart has main evented hundreds of arenas across the world but just like most Superstars, headlining Madison Square Garden is a special occasion.
Following his announcement that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, “the mecca” of professional wrestling Madison Square Garden showed its true class by honoring Hart on their outside electronic billboard in the middle of New York.
“@WWE icon @BretHart is a hero with his fight against cancer. MSG stands by Bret in his latest battle #GetWellHitman,” a tweet posted by the MSG Twitter read along with a picture of the billboard showing a photo of Bret Hart with the message, “Get well soon Bret ‘HitMan’ Hart. From your friends and family at Madison Square Garden,” accompanying it.
Vivid Entertainment issued a press release announcing the immediate availability of Tammy “Sunny” Sytch’s new sex tape titled Sunny Side Up: In Through The Backdoor. Perhaps the most surprising tidbit in the PR is that she published an autobiography as well, titled A Star Shattered, which will be available in paperback and eBook formats starting this week from riverdaleavebooks.com as well amazon.com, iTunes.com and wherever books are sold online.
The full press release is as follows:
LOS ANGELES – (Feb. 2, 2016) — Vivid Entertainment, internationally known for its celebrity sex tapes, introduces Sunny Side Up, a movie starring world famous female pro wrestling legend Tammy Lynn “Sunny” Sytch, at Vivid.com and on VividTV starting today, Feb. 2, and on DVD Feb. 9.
“We are thrilled that Sunny will be joining such celebrities as Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson, Farrah Abraham, Pamela Anderson, Chyna and others who have also starred in Vivid-Celeb movies,” said Vivid’s founder/co-chairman Steven Hirsch.
“I’ve always been a fan of adult movies,” says Sunny. “I consider myself extremely sexual and I’m also a voyeur. When I first thought about making the movie I was terrified. But then, as I was making it, I loved it. Vivid made the process a pleasure and I found everything about the company more professional than any wrestling experience.”
Known as the original “Diva,” Sunny is one of the most popular female personalities in the history of sports. In her adult movie debut she shows off her highly erotic side in three scorching scenes, including one with memorable back door action.
Sunny’s achievements include being a two time Slammy Award Winner, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year.
Born in Matawan, NJ, Sunny and grew up with a strict father who was retired from the U.S. Navy. She was introduced to professional wrestling by her long-time high school boyfriend, Chris Candido.
Sunny reveals everything about her life in her new autobiography A Star Shattered in ebook and paperback form which is out this week and will be available at riverdaleavebooks.com as well amazon.com, iTunes.com and wherever books are sold online.
About Vivid: Founded in 1984, Vivid Entertainment is known as the leading source for quality erotic film entertainment. It achieves wide brand-name awareness through its films, innovative marketing and licensing programs for products ranging from condoms to vodka and apparel to gentlemen’s clubs. Vivid’s movies are seen online, in DVD, VOD and on VividTV worldwide. Its Vivid-Celeb imprint made “celebrity sex tape” a household word and helped launch the Kardashian phenomenon in the process. Vivid is the most awarded studio in the history of the industry. Vivid’s 24/7 radio channel is available on vividradio.com and the SiriusXM app 791. For more on Vivid visit twitter.com/VividCorp or facebook.com/Vivid.
In an interview released today by Ring Rust Radio with WWE Hall of Famer Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Hart revealed that he’s almost 100% sure that his brother Owen will not be in this year’s Hall of Fame or any time soon.
Hart said that while he wasn’t told officially yet that Owen is not on this year’s list, other family members who work with WWE said it’s not looking likely that Owen will make it.
Bret said that the main obstacle is Martha, Owen’s widow, who is doing everything in her power to bury Owen’s legacy. “I think it’s a real shame and it breaks my heart,” Bret said, calling Martha bitter and a woman who never could understand that it wasn’t wrestling fans or wrestlers who killed Owen.
“I just think it’s really sad that Martha is still so obtuse and has it in her head that the only ones that can grieve over Owen are her and her kids,” Bret added.
Total Divas returns on E! tonight with episode 3 of season 5 titled The Truth About Cats and Divas.
The synopsis for tonight’s broadcast reads, “The Divas Division is shaken up when Eva Marie makes her long-awaited return and a new Diva is added to the roster, Nattie throws a Superstar surprise party for TJ to lift his spirits, and the Bellas clash over signing an endorsement.”
Monday Night Raw failed to keep its viewership from the big bump last week and returned to its sort-of average number of 3,83,000 viewers this week, a drop of a whopping 715,000 viewers from last week’s show which featured the Rumble fallout and the return of The Rock.
Hour one did 3,592,000, followed by 3,464,000 in the second hour, and then down to 3,094,000 in the third and final hour. From hour one to hour three Raw lost 498,000 viewers. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Former WWE Diva and Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch has challenged fellow former Diva Chyna to a match. But the kind of match Sunny wants is not in the ring, but rather in the bedroom!
Sytch told TMZ.COM that, “without a doubt she can kick my ass in the wrestling ring, but I really don’t think she stands a chance against me where it matters most. In the bedroom.”
Chyna is obviously not a stranger to porn movies as she herself has a few videos with Vivid Entertainment, the same company that has published Sunny’s latest masterpiece titled Sunny Side Up: In Through the Backdoor.
“Tammy even gave her the option of either a one-on-one sex match or they could bring in a man and see who taps out first,” TMZ reported.
The WWE Shop website is running a Groundhog Day special with 310 items up for sale.
Items on sale include t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, headwear and muscle tees and feature Superstars such as Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, New Day, Finn Balor and others.
Most of the popular t-shirts are running for $15 each instead of $24.99 and apart from these savings you can use one of these four codes to get additional discounts. $5 off for orders $35 or more use WWESAVE5, $10 off for orders $70 or more use WWESAVE10, $15 off for orders of $100 or more use WWEAFF15, and $25 off for orders of $150 or more use WWEAFF25.
This offer ends today at 2:59AM EST. You can go to w-o.it/wweshopcom to start shopping.
Even seasoned ring announcers sometime slip up and Lilian Garcia found that out last night on Raw.
No, she didn’t literally slip up physically, although she did that in the past, but had an oops! moment while introducing former tag team champions The Usos.
Ever since winning a Slammy Award, The Usos have been introduced as the Slammy Award-winning Usos. This time, Garcia messed up and introduced them as the “Grammy Award-winning tag team of the year,” The Usos.
Obviously the folks backstage capitalized on this and did not let it die, replaying the segment again with the announcers cracking jokes.
“Music side of me came out in that match,” Garcia joked afterward on Twitter. She then posted a photo of herself holding a Grammy Award saying that when you have one of these in your hand, you can’t think of anything else!
“AMAZING NEWS!! Congratulations to the #GRAMMY award-winning @WWEUsos! #RAW #WWEMusicFam,” the WWE Music Group Twitter then posted today.
Brothers Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas missed Monday Night Raw along with their father, producer/agent Mike “IRS” Rotunda, after their grandfather – and Mike’s father-in-law – Blackjack Mulligan was hospitalized and is not in good shape.
The three Rotunda family members flew from Birmingham, Alabama to Tampa, Florida, during the day to be by his side. Mulligan – whose real name is Robert Windham – suffered a heart attack last year.
The WWE Hall of Famer who is now 73 years old was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006 along with his former tag team partner Blackjack Lanza.
The regular Raw video plays and we go live to the arena in Birmingham, Alabama, where Michael Cole greets us.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Brock Lesnar’s music starts and “The Beast” himself enters with Paul Heyman in tow. Heyman announces himself and Lesnar, then gets to business regarding what Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family tried to do to him at the Royal Rumble. Heyman says this did not phase Lesnar, and he is now focused on Fastlane, where he will be in a Triple-Threat Match with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at WrestleMania on April 3rd.
Heyman declares that Brock will be the winner of the Triple-Threat, then he will defeat “The Game” at WrestleMania and regain the WWE World Heavyweight Title. He puts Reigns over though, as Roman did already take on Lesnar at last year’s WrestleMania, so he knows who he’s going against. However, Heyman tells Reigns that he needs to talk to his “brother” more, as Dean has not faced Lesnar.
“The Lunatic Fringe” interrupts and challenges Brock to give him all he’s got because he’s “the ironman of WWE.” Ambrose says he wanted to say that for “respect,” and apologies to Heyman for interjecting then walks away.
Later tonight, Dolph Ziggler will wrestle Kevin Owens again, and up next, United States Champion Kalisto meets Rusev!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – United States Champion Kalisto VS. Rusev (with League of Nations member/manages Lana)
(Note: League of Nations member Alberto Del Rio is on commentary and it is made known that he and Kalisto will wrestle again for the United States Title at Fastlane)
Rusev locks up with Kalisto and pushes him into the corner; he does the same in another but Kalisto ducks a punch and kicks. Rusev pushes Kalisto back and he rolls out of the ring and runs around, then dropkicks Rusev as they went back in the ring. Kalisto hops out of a scoop-slam try, but is caught from a hurricanrana-attempt. Kalisto hops off again and kicks, but is hit with an elbow as he ran off the ropes. Rusev goes for a powerbomb, but Kalisto reverses into a hurricanrana over the ropes. He follows with a dive, but Rusev counters with a kick!
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Rusev is in control for a bit, but Kalisto counters with an elbow and boots-to-the-face, then a leaping Tornado DDT from the corner! He springboards from the top rope with a senton, and hits a corkscrew-elbow, but is slammed to the mat out of a crossbody. Rusev almost takes this! Kalisto is in the corner and moves as Rusev ran at him. Kalisto rolls him up but only gets two! He jawbreaks Rusev then dropkicks him at his knee, and hurricanrana-facebusters Rusev for another two-count!
Rusev rolls to the outside, where Kalisto baseball-slides him, then ascends the turnbuckle. He soars with another crossbody but is caught. Kalisto gets out of this one and dropkicks Rusev into the steel steps. Rusev gets up before the ten-count, then tosses Kalisto onto the announce table. Kalisto lands on his feet and runs at Rusev with a hurricanrana that sends Rusev into the barrier! Kalisto slides in and Rusev doesn’t make it!
Winner via Count-Out – United States Champion Kalisto
Later tonight, The Miz will interview new WWE Superstar A.J. Styles!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Office Promo
Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose are in The Authority’s office when Stephanie McMahon walks in. She insinuates that Fastlane will breakup the pair, much like Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels, and Evolution and Randy Orton, and even them and Seth Rollins. They laugh off her strategy, but she also books them in the main-event to face Tag-Team Champions The New Day.
Segment #4: Arena and Backstage Promo
The three commentators give an update on Nikki Bella, who had neck surgery last week; the procedure was successful. We go backstage to Rene Young, who interviews Brie Bella about her sister’s injury and recovery. Before she can answer too much, Divas Champion Charlotte and her father Ric Flair interrupt. Charlotte gives Brie her sympathies for Nikki, and Brie says she will let her sister know. Charlotte takes credit, however, and says she is “well on her way” to breaking Nikki’s Divas Title reign record. She walks off to a disgusted Brie.
The Usos make their entrance, and unfortunately, ring announcer Lillian Garcia announces them as “Grammy” Tag-Team of the Year; it should be Slammy.
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Match #2: Tag-Team – The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) VS. The Social Outcasts (Adam Rose and Curtis Axel (with Social Outcasts partner Heath Slater)
(Note: poor Lillian gets ribbed on her “Grammy” mistake, as it is replayed and the commentators make a few jokes.) Axel and Jey start, with Curtis giving Jey many kicks. He sets up the twin and tags in Rose, who dives off the turnbuckle with a knee drop. Adam chokes Jey with the middle rope, then clotheslines him three times in the corner. He switches with Axel, who also chokes Jey against the rope, then knees him in the face. Curtis wears Jey down with a grounding rear chinlock. The Outcasts control for a bit until Jey counters with a spinning-enziguri. He makes the hot-tag to his brother and hits a couple of superkicks. Both Usos hit a double-superkick on Rose, then Jey rockets off the top with a splash for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Usos
Up next, The Miz will have chat with A.J. Styles!
Commercials.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
The Miz is in the ring and says “it’s guests like A.J. that are the reason that I provide a public service like MizTV.” He says that MizTV is to be a place for their life to be told, and then brings him out. A.J. shakes Miz’s hand then sits down.
Miz asks Styles who he is, then pulls the mic away quickly as A.J. went to answer. Miz sums up Styles’ life, which is a “rags-to-riches/underdog/hard-worker,” then recaps his WWE week in the Royal Rumble and on Raw. A.J. tries to answer again, but Miz continues to talk, comparing Styles to Daniel Bryan, who Miz also “trained.” Miz wants to do the same for A.J. and offers, but the fans are all over him negatively, so he rips on them. Miz proclaims “there is no chance in hell” that A.J. will be a big star in WWE without his help.
Miz turns around and is punched by “The Phenomenal One!” A.J. continues to hit Miz with fists and kicks until Miz escapes to the ramp. A.J. yells “you know me now? Huh? I’m A.J. Styles and I belong here!”
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Michael says that WWE will celebrate Black History month all February.
Match #3: Single – Brie Bella (with Team Bella mate Alicia Fox) VS. Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) (Non-Title)
An elbow-collar tie-up begins, as does many punches from Brie. She kicks Charlotte to her knees, then repeatedly kicks her in the chest and dropkicks her. She goes for her “Brie Mode” running-knee, but Charlotte catches and tosses her to the floor.
She rolls Brie back in the ring and slams her face to the canvas a few times. Charlotte works her over with a neck lock and knees, then snapmares her and rams her face into the mat while her legs are wrapped around Brie’s neck in a Figure-4. brie ducks a boot then clotheslines Charlotte a couple times, and bulldogs her. Brie goes for her sit-down facebuster, but it is blocked.
Brie reverses into a backslide for two, then knees Charlotte in the face. She goes to the top turnbuckle and drops into a sleeper with her legs around Charlotte’s stomach. Flair goes to the apron and tries to distract. Alicia yells at Ric, and Charlotte spins around for the Figure-8, but Brie reverses into a small package to take this one!
Winner via Pinfall: Brie Bella (with Alicia Fox)
Up next, Big Show goes against Erick Rowan of The Wyatt Family.
Commercials.
The announcers talk about Hall of Famer Bret Hart’s revelation of his battle with prostate cancer. Bret posted on his Instagram, “I’ve had a great lifelong dance and I’m a survivor of many hard battles. I know face my toughest battle. With hesitation and fear, I openly declare myself in my fight against prostate cancer. In the next few days, I will undergo surgery with the hope of defeating this nemesis once and for all.” Jerry Lawler, Triple H, Natalya, the announcers, all give prayers and well-wishes for Bret to beat this. I also acknowledge and pray that Bret will be cured and continue living a very long while.
Match #4: Single – Erick Rowan (with Wyatt Family members Luke Harper and Braun Strowman) VS. The Big Show
Rowan goes for a punch but is blocked and Show punches a few times instead. He whips Erick into the corner, but Rowan hits back with an elbow. He attempts a suplex, but Big reverses into his own and takes over. He splashes Erick in the corner and gives him a shoulder-block. He goes for the chokeslam, but Harper gets up on the apron for the distraction. Show fends him and Strowman off, as well as Erick, then chokeslams him and picks up the W!
Winner via Pinfall: The Big Show
Post-match, the three Wyatt Family members put the boots to Show and slam him on the steel steps.
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Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil VS. Tyler Breeze
Tyler goes from a lockup into a headlock, but is caught off a diving crossbody from the second turnbuckle. Titus gives him a couple rib-breakers, then chucks him around. Breeze hits O’Neil in the knee and takes over. He locks in a half-crab, but Titus power-lifts and crawls to the ropes. Chants of “let’s go Titus” ring out as O’Neil hurls Breeze. He soon finishes with the Clash of the Titus sit-down spinebuster!
Winner via Pinfall: Titus O’Neil
Segment #6: Locker Room Promo
Heyman is talking with Brock Lesnar when WWE World Heavyweight Champion and C.O.O. Triple H walks in. he orders Paul to leave, then wonders if “Suplex City” is “soft” because Dean Ambrose confronted him and walked away. Brock says “I guess we’ll find out at WrestleMania, won’t we?” and taps Trips on the shoulder. HHH replies, “looking forward to it.”
Commercials.
Match #6: Single- Dolph Ziggler VS. Kevin Owens
Dolph tries the superkick but Owens goes to the outside. Dolph follows and they punch away, then in the ring, Kevin takes over. Dolph hits back with a dropkick, but is tossed over the timekeeper’s area after trying a leaping-DDT on the floor.
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Owens is in firm control, harshly whipping him into the turnbuckle. Kevin follows with the Cannonball splash in the corner and covers but only gets two! Owens stomps on Dolph and kicks at him, but Dolph punches back, however gets a hard elbow to put him back to the mat. Kevin dominates again and taunts/yells at him as he punishes “The Show-Off.” He misses the running-senton and running shoulder-block, allowing Ziggler to splash him in the corner a few times. Dolph is put back to the canvas with a clothesline, but grips the ropes when Owens tries the Pop-Up Powerbomb. Kevin runs at him, but Dolph yanks the ropes down,. Dolph superkicks him to the floor then plants him with the Fameasser! Both men are down as the referee counts.
Dolph puts Kevin back in the ring, but Kevin raises his shoulder before three! Owens hits a superkick of his own, but Dolph also gets his shoulder up! Owens climbs the turnbuckle and Dolph jumps up there a couple times. Owens trips him up and Ziggler hangs upside down as Owens hits him with a second Cannonball splash! Dolph hops over another Pop-Up Powerbomb attempt and brings Kevin down with a Zigzag for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Segment #7: Video Promo
A montage on Mark Henry’s career is shown to celebrate Black History Month.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single- Sasha Banks VS. Becky Lynch
Prior to the bout, Sasha takes the microphone and she has dismissed herself from Team B.A.D. “Nothing and no one is going to stop me from becoming Divas Champion.” She says that Becky Lynch and Brie Bella can’t “hold a candle” to her, because “I’m ‘The Boss,’ legit!”
Tamina and Naomi walk out and claim to be happy for Sasha, and say they are there for her anyway. They all signal unity, then Becky makes her entrance.
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Banks shoves Lynch down out of a lockup, then armlocks her. They trade waistlocks, takedowns, and pin combos. Becky armdrags Sasha a couple of times, then armlocks her against the canvas; Sasha gets out of it and whips Lynch into the corner. She drops double-knees on Lynch’s stomach, then chokes her with her boot. She runs the turnbuckle ropes and armdrags her, then boots her to the floor. She talks to the referee while Tamina and Naomi go for an advantage. Banks meets them and wants to wrestle Becky on her own, then gets into a confrontation with her former teammates; this causes a DQ in Sasha’s favor.
Winner via Disqualification: Sasha Banks
Post-match, Naomi and Tamina beat on Banks, but Becky makes the save! The crowd chants “NXT” as Lynch and Sasha are in the ring while Tamina and Naomi back up the ramp.
Commercials.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
After clips of Chris Jericho’s match with A.J. Styles from Raw last week, where Jericho lost, Rene Young talks to “Y2J.” Chris says Styles has been on his mind since then and he has lived up to the hype. He was happy about the match itself and puts A.J. over, but not the fact that Jericho lost. He will be watching A.J. Styles’ match with The Miz this week on Smackdown closely.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
R-Truth goes into the bathroom, looking for Goldust who texted him. He finds “The Bizarre One” barefooted in a stall. Goldust hops down into the toilet; he wants to be Truth’s tag-team partner. Truth doesn’t because Goldust is strange. Goldust retorts, and implies the same because Truth had an “imaginary” partner in “Little Jimmy.” This hurts Truth’s feelings and he storms off.
Tag-Team Champions The New Day make their entrance and they will wrestle Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, next.
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Match #8: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E.) (with Tag-Team Champion and New Day partner Xavier Woods) VS. Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
(Note: Paul Heyman is on commentary.)
Kofi and Roman start evenly and Kofi taunts Reigns. He gets out of a Samoan Drop attempt, but Reigns uppercuts Kofi to the mat then switches with Dean. The IC Champ backdrops the Tag Champ, then runs at him with a low clothesline. Kingston chops away, but it has no effect on Dean. Reigns is back in and elbow-drops Kofi, then boots him directly in the face. Roman signals for the Superman Punch, but Woods and E. pull Kofi from the ring.
Commercials.
Kofi is now in control, pounding away with fists on Reigns. He tags in Big, who stomps on Roman numerous times. He runs on the apron but misses the splash, landing on the edge of the apron instead.! Reigns gets the hot-tag to Dean, who fast-fists E then bulldogs him out of the corner. He chucks Kofi to the floor and into the corner barrier. Big runs at Ambrose back in the ring, but Dean holds the ropes down and follows with a dive. He mocks Big’s power, but as Kofi is checked on by the referee, Xavier kicks Dean down.
Kingston is now the legal wrestler and he trades corner-kicks with Big E. he is whipped into Ambrose and lands a front-dropkick, then Woods celebrates with Francesca the Trombone. Kofi goes back to work on Dean, as does Big E.
Ambrose eventually slaps hands with Roman, who is all over New Day. He gives Kingston ten-consecutive clotheslines and surveys the fans. Reigns signals for the Superman Punch again, but has to knock Big E. off the apron first. Kofi kicks Roman then gets Big in, but he is quickly Samoan Dropped! Reigns tags Dean back in who jumps off the turnbuckle with an elbow. Kingston stops the count, then all hit each other. Big belly-to-belly suplexes Reigns onto the announce table (it doesn’t break) but both Roman and Ambrose comeback with their finishers to receive the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
Post-match, Brock Lesnar marches out, but Xavier and Kofi hit Roman and Dean. Lesnar enters and F-5’s Ambrose as Roman was fighting with Kofi on the outside. Lesnar and Heyman walk away to close the show.
As of today, Kurt Angle is officially a free agent after he wrestled his last match for TNA yesterday in Birmingham, England, a match against Lashley which will air in an upcoming episode of Impact on Pop sometime in March.
Kurt Angle said last year that he will be taking a break from professional wrestling and would not be signing a new deal with the company. WWE offered him a full time gig earlier in 2015 but Angle was looking for a part time deal, something that WWE didn’t want. Angle then re-signed with TNA for another year, with his contract ending at the end of January.
Many of his colleagues and friends used Twitter using the hashtag #ThankYouKurt to express their thanks to the Olympic gold medalist and former TNA and WWE champion.
Angle made his much anticipated TNA debut on October 19, 2006, two and a half months after he was released from his WWE contract. He spent just over 9 years with the company and had some of the best feuds in TNA, with Angle himself saying his best years wrestling-wise was with TNA and not WWE.
His illustrious career in both TNA and WWE saw him winning a total of 20 titles, 6 as the TNA World champion and 6 as the WWE/WCW/World Heavyweight champion.
Angle’s wife Giovanna told her husband to “hurry back home” to her on Twitter after thanking TNA and its fans for making Kurt’s last days with the company very special.
One half of The Wolves, Davey Richards, suffered a knee injury during last night’s final stop of the TNA Maximum Impact Tour in the United Kingdom while wrestling with his tag team partner against Beer Money.
The TNA Twitter account confirmed that Richards was diagnosed with a meniscus issue and an MRI is scheduled as soon as everyone heads back home. Richards tweeted that the worst part of getting hurt is that when he lands back in St. Louis, he will have to go to college to take his math test before undergoing the MRI!
The 32 year old apologized to the fans and said when he’s back he will give them the match that they deserve as they deserved better than what he gave. “Thanx for your concern. Getting hurt is part of the job, but at least I got hurt fighting 2 of the best @REALBobbyRoode & @JamesStormBrand.“
He also thanked the TNA family for the help and kindness they showed to him, gestures that put him “almost in tears.” Richards shot down the rumors of bad morale in the locker room, a sentiment which was also echoed by Gregory Helms who said he hopes he never again hears this “bullshit” lies.
