WWE will hold its 10th annual of Tribute to the Troops in Norfolk, Virginia, with the show airing on Wednesday, December 19, on USA Network with a two hour special another television special on NBC on Saturday, December 22, with a one hour show.
Kid Rock and Flo Rida will be in the house to sing live for the thousands of military personnel and their respective families who will pack the Scope Arena later next month. The show will also feature appearances by Disney’s The Muppets, Access Hollywood and NBC Sports’ Michelle Beadle and more.
“We are excited to host WWE Tribute to the Troops in the Norfolk and Hampton Roads area,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “Virginia has long been committed to supporting our troops and this is another opportunity to thank them for their service. We are home to 125,000 active duty members, 830,000 veterans and so many military families. Naval Station Norfolk is the crown jewel of the United States Navy and it’s important to pay tribute to and salute the brave men and women of the military and their families who serve our country. It’s great to see that the WWE has chosen Virginia as the place to continue this holiday tradition.”
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon along with The Miz, R-Truth, Eve, and Layla will travel overseas to meet the men and women of the military for the yearly goodwill visit.
“This is a proud moment for WWE to once again recognize America’s servicemen and women as part of the 10th anniversary of WWE Tribute to the Troops,” McMahon said. “We are honored to bring our unique brand of family-friendly entertainment to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
Former TNA World champion AJ Styles has signed a deal with VP Ink Publishing to release his official autobiography.
“Styles’ autobiography will cover his life from both in and outside the ring. His autobiography will highlight being brought up in a military family that struggled with poverty and alcoholism,” reads a preview on the press release.
Styles is a TNA Triple Crown and Grand Slam champion, winning all the male titles TNA has to offer, including when they were associated with the NWA.
There is no date announced on the press release or on the website when the book will be published.
WWE will be returning to Russia next year for two shows as part of the WrestleMania Revenge Tour which is part of the massive European tour.
Following the success of the first WWE show in Moscow earlier this year, WWE announced that next year St. Petersburg will be getting their taste of WWE action along with Moscow on April 25 and 26 respectively. The show in St. Petersburg will be held at the Ice Palace while the Moscow show will be done at the DS Megasport.
The events are being promoted by a joint group of companies – SAV Entertainment and Russian Show-Center. No ticket details have been announced yet.
The Miz is back in the traditional Survivor Series five on five match however this time he’s on the other side.
Originally picked by Paul Heyman to be on Team Punk, the former WWE champion quit the team a week later and was replaced by Wade Barrett on the new Team Ziggler.
Team Foley still was one man short after Ryback was pulled from the team to participate in the tripe threat main event for the WWE title against CM Punk and John Cena.
Foley announced on RAW yesterday that he wouldn’t be choosing the new team member, but the WWE fans would. A Twitter vote involving Santino Marella, Zack Ryder, and The Miz proceeded and during the third hour of RAW, it was revealed that The Miz was chosen.
According to the poll, Santino Marella got 6%, Zack Ryder got 34%, and The Miz got 60% of the votes.
It’s “go-home” again for Monday Night Raw tonight, as we are just 6 nights away from Survivor Series 2012! (Didn’t I just write a “go-home” show 3 very short weeks ago, even though I was sick last week and had to opt out of one Raw? In other words, ) What will go down as the annual pay-per-view is built up?
One match is for sure, John Cena taking on WWE Champion C.M. Punk again, to warm up for their triple-threat match with Ryback. Who will gain the advantage?
Also, Ryback himself will be in action, as he faces Brad Maddox, the referee who screwed him at Hell In The Cell. The stipulation, if Maddox wins, he gets a $1,000,000 contract! And I’m sure will see more action (granted, maybe not as much as the finale to the NASCAR Race last night!) between Team Foley and Team Ziggler.
Alright, enough speculation, let’s get to it! Read on…
Monday Night Raw Report for November 12th, 2012 – “Welcome Back, King!”
Introduction Segment: Commemoration Video, Recap and Welcoming
A sincere video montage of Veterans and all they fight for freedom airs, narrated by John Cena. This is then followed by the (what is now) “cheesy” recap and preview clip package (except for the mention of Jerry “The King” Lawler – not cheesy at all, of course!).
Match #1: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler
Right into it, as no regular Raw video or pyro, but instead the first bout starting off Raw from Columbus, Ohio. His opponent is…Dolph Ziggler! Jim Ross and Michael Cole speculate on who might be the 5th member of Team Foley, while Orton and Ziggler lock up in the ring. Side headlock and shoulder block by Ziggler, who then gets high-flapjacked by Randy.
Springboard suplex by Orton to the inside for a near-fall! Dolph counters with smacking kick and high, beautiful dropkick for a two-count, followed by a neckbreaker and series of grounding elbow drops. 1 – 2 – Orton gets the shoulder up! Randy makes his comeback with clotheslines and a powerslam, plus his favorite slingshot-DDT. Just as he is gunning for the R.K.O., Alberto Del Rio runs out, but gets taken out from Orton. Dolph tries to take advantage with the Fameasser drop, but Orton side-steps and rolls him up for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Post-match, Alberto, Ricardo Rodriguez, and Dolph attack Orton until Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston runs out to save. Among this melee, Smackdown’s Assistant General Manager Teddy Long comes out and makes a tag-team match for the four competitors, on behalf of Smackdown General Manager Booker T.
Match #2: Tag-Team “The Viper” Randy Orton and Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston VS. “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
Kofi and Dolph begin this contest, with Kofi kicking and punching away at “The Showoff.” Kingston twists Dolph’s arm and takes him down with a beautiful dropkick of his own.
Commercials.
Back live, Del Rio is now in control of Kofi with stomps and head-stretch. Del Rio switches with Ziggler, who tries a neckbreaker but gets reversed into a backslide pin for two! Dolph nails another picture-perfect dropkick then clamps on his headstand-bridging rear-chinlock to wear down the I.C. Champ. Dolph then flies at Kofi in the corner but misses a high-splash, allowing both he and Kingston to tag their partners.
Orton and Del Rio now in and Randy reverses into a powerslam, but Del Rio counters his slingshot-DDT attempt with a kick. Orton gets tagged by Kofi, who springs in with a crossbody for two! Kingston hits another pin combo on Del Rio, but Ziggler comes in and just saves the pinfall.
Rodriguez distracts Kofi, allowing Del Rio to run at him with the enziguri and the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Up next, Vickie Guerrero will be out.
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Segment #1: Arena Promo
Dolph Ziggler is still in the ring and Vickie Guerrero is by his side. He defines the word scandal, as “an action or event that is deemed legally or morally wrong, and leads to public outrage.” He boasts that he still knows that after wrestling two back-to-back matches. Ziggler is out to back his former manager, Vickie, and wants to seek the truth. They go through the “controversial” footage aired from last week of the “meetings” between John Cena and A.J. Lee.
Guerrero then takes the microphone and declares that she will not be threatened by anyone, particularly a “love-struck little girl.” She the demands A.J. to come out and explain the allegations. A.J. questions Vickie’s motives, as she is now already in power. Guerrero promptly cuts her off, encouraging her to admit to her “affair” with John Cena. A.J. will not say anything, as she is not going to lie. Vickie intimidates her, eventually forcing A.J. to “admit it.” A.J. says that “John Cena and I…are just friends. Nothing inappropriate has ever happened between the two of us.”
In turn, A.J. wants Vickie to admit why she has been doing this to her – because Vince McMahon chose A.J. over Guerrero as Raw General Manager back on July 23rd, at the 1000th episode, and that she has “physically embarrassed” her in this ring, twice, and if she wanted to, A.J. could do it again.
A.J. takes a shot at Vickie’s weight, so Vickie “conveniently” plays some voice mails that incriminate her and Cena even more. A.J. (with common sense) accuses Vickie hacking to Cena’s cell-phone and editing the messages together. Vickie denies this and Dolph makes fun of A.J.’s and Cena’s “encounter.”
All this brings out the man himself, who marches toward the ring. He goes for Dolph, but A.J. holds him back, then turns around and slaps Ziggler herself, followed by a right-hand from John. A.J. and Cena stand in the ring together before break.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
A.J. and John Cena discuss what just transpired, with Cena saying this is nonsense over something that “never even happened and something that never would happen.” A.J. picks up on his language and questions “never would happen?” Cena uncomfortably corrects himself, with “okay, over something that never happened,” then walks off, leaving A.J. smiling.
Match #3: Single – William Regal VS. World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (Non-Title)
Big Show completely dominates and decimates William Regal with harsh punches and hammer blows, finishing him off with the chokeslam.
Winner via Pinfall: World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show
Post-match, Show measures Regal for the Knockout Punch, until Sheamus runs down and saves him. They brawl, with Sheamus getting the best of it and Show escaping with his World Title.
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Match #4: Single for the #1 Contender Spot to the Divas Championship – Layla VS. Kaitlyn
(Note: Divas Champion Eve is on commentary). Kaitlyn and Eve begin by trading pin combos for near-falls, until Layla hits a sit-down faceplant to take control. Kaitlyn ducks kick and catches Layla off the top rope, dropping her with a sit-down reverse DDT for the W!
Winner via Pinfall and #1 Contender to the Divas Championship: Kaitlyn
Eve and Kaitlyn stare each other down.
Segment #3: Recap
With the return of Jerry “The King” Lawler coming up next, unseen footage from the horrific event of his heart-attack on September 10th’s edition of Raw is shown. This includes clips of ringside by the commentator’s table, as well as backstage, where they were working on keeping him alive with the defibrillator and putting him into the ambulance with chest compressions.
Personally, that was the scariest Raw I had to ever watch, as I truly felt scared for Jerry and that it was not going to turn out well. Once again, whole-heartedly, Thank You God for pulling Jerry “The King” Lawler through that ordeal, keeping him with us, and letting him comeback tonight!
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Michael Cole and Jim Ross quickly recall that night, then welcome back their colleague and more importantly, friend, Jerry “The King” Lawler. He walks out, to a HUGE ovation of course, steps in the ring, and hugs both J.R. and Cole.
Lawler is overwhelmed, thanking everyone. He says there is one point when he didn’t think he’d be back in a WWE ring again, so for tonight to happen, Jerry says is “beyond words for me.” He compares the last few weeks of his life to the classic Christmas movie “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Jerry says the movie is about a guy going through a life-changing experience and is shown how much he is meant to his family and friends. Lawler says he felt like that he has lived that movie in the last two months, but truly knows he is loved and that he loves back. He thanks the fans for all their love, support, and prayers, and says that it is good to be back.
Just now, WWE Champion C.M. Punk interrupts, followed by Paul Heyman holding his WWE Title high. Cole goes on a rant of how disrespectful and hypocritical this act is by the WWE Champion. Punk takes the mike and stares at Jerry. Punk mocks Jerry’s situation, but then tells him that he is being disrespectful by thinking he can still go toe-to-toe with the WWE Champion, even at the age of 62. Punk makes more fun of Jerry’s health issues (which I do have a problem with, and I’ll get to that in “bogus.”), then brags about his title reign, citing he is now the 9th-longest running champ, tied with Kevin “Diesel” Nash.
As he’s talking, Paul Heyman then fakes a heart-attack of his own, and C.M Punk “saving” him. (This was in poor, poor taste.) Thankfully, Mick Foley interjects and rips a new one into Punk about what he just did. This doesn’t phase the WWE Champion, and he also makes fun of Foley, but Mick gets the last “laugh,” informing that the WWE Universe will choose the 5th member on his Survivor Series team and that Mick himself will be the special-guest enforcer for Punk’s match tonight.
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Segment #5: Locker Room Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman are in their locker room, with Punk claiming he is being screwed with tonight and Survivor Series. He orders Paul to fix everything, including the Brad Maddox situation.
Match #5: 8-Man Tag-Team – Epico and Primo & “The Prime-Time Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) (with Rosa Mendes) VS. Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Sin Cara, and Rey Mysterio
Gabriel and Titus start off, with O’Neil overpowering Justin. Darren is tagged in to try a quick cover, then tags in Epico, who locks on a grounding rear chinlock. During this, Ricardo Rodriguez walks out and hands a note to Rosa, putting a smile on her face.
Rey is now in, flying around with a headscissors on Primo, then sets him up for the 619, but misses that. He instead chucks Primo out with a hurricanrana, the dives on him with a springboard moonsault. All 8 men face-off on the outside before break.
Commercials.
Back live, Titus is in major control over Mysterio, then he tags in Primo again. Rey counters a sunset-flip attempt with a kick-to-the-head, but cannot make the tag, as Young pulls him back. Rey counters with another Hurricanrana into the post, then manages to get the hot-tag to Kidd. He springboards in with a front dropkick, then quick spin-kicks and another front dropkick. Tyson flies off the top rope with an neckbreaker, but gets a Backstabber from Primo. This breaks down with everyone taking everyone out, and Rey and Justin picking up the win with the 619 and 450 splash, respectively!
Winners via Pinfall: Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Sin Cara, and Rey Mysterio
Segment #6: Video Promo
Footage promoting the WWE’s involvement with the National Guard and then show some of the members of the Ohio National Guard in the audience tonight.
Backstage, Paul Heyman approaches Brad Maddox and walks off with him, obviously “plotting.”
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Segment #7: Video Promo
A new (old) Superstar is featured, with Johnny Curtis now playing “Fandango.” (Interesting, to say the least, as to how they’ll pull it off.)
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
The Miz is trying to figure out how to get on the Survivor Series card, when Dolph Ziggler approaches him. They bicker back and forth about who is better, then Dolph decides that Miz would not be a good fit for Team Ziggler. In walks Mick Foley, who, after taking a great inside-joke shot against Ziggler (“Amy Schumer says ‘hello'”!), offers to put Miz on his ballot for Team Foley.
The choices are Santino Marella, “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder, or The Miz. (Gee, I wonder who’s going to “win.” #rigged!)
Segment #9: Arena Promo
R-Truth makes his entrance for his match, then is promptly promo-ed on by his Survivor Series opponent, United States Champion Antonio Ceasaro. Ceasaro calls Truth a “once-proud superstar” and now he is a joke, much like the once-proud nation of the United States, who are now a joke. Cesaro takes a seat at commentary, and Truth’s opponent will be revealed after the break.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – R-Truth VS. Tensai
In short, R-Truth wins with the Jumping Flatliner. (This was just a build-match, hence no real recap necessary!)
Post-match, R-Truth gets in Cesaro’s face at ringside, then proposes that he will “kick your teeth down your esophagus!”
Up next, Maddox will try his hand at Ryback!
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Match #7: Brad Maddox VS. Ryback
As Brad makes his way to the ring, an ambulance rolls out in the aisle way. Just after the bell, E.M.T.S. wheel down a gurney. Maddox slides in and out of the ring a few times, before Ryback gets his hands on him. Powerful fall-a-way slam by Ryback, then he slams Maddox’s head into the mat seven times. Ryback picks him up and drives Brad down with a running powerslam, a la the late, great, “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith.
Ryback drops Maddox three consecutive times with powerbombs, then the crowd riles him up with “feed me more” chants, allowing Ryback to nail him with the clothesline and marching Samoan drop – “Shellshocked” for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Post-match, Ryback continues to demolish Maddox around the ring, eventually finally throwing him into the ambulance to calls of “feed me more.”
Up next, David Otunga will try to wrestle Sheamus!
Commercials.
Match #8: David Otunga VS. Sheamus
Again, in short, Sheamus destroys Otunga with the Brogue Kick!
Winner via Pinfall: Sheamus
Post-match, Sheamus tells Big Show that what happened to Otunga will happen to him at Survivor Series, then he will regain his World Heavyweight Championship. On the titantron, Big Show appears beating up William Regal again. Sheamus runs to the back for the rescue.
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Segment #10: Backstage Promo
Tag-Team Champion Kane is walking the hallway when his partner, Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan catches up. He is jealous that Kane will be teaming with another partner tonight, to which Kane depicts as “teammate.” Bryan wants them to go to Mick Foley and say they will never team with anyone else because they are partners, however he turns around and Kane is gone. Daniel screams “no” a bunch of times in displeasure.
Match #9: Tag-Team – “The Rhodes Scholars” (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) VS. Tag-Team Champion Kane and ??? (Non-Title)
Before the contest, the results for the 5th member of Team Foley are known, and surprise, surprise, it’s The Miz. He joins Kane, as does Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan to shake hands with Miz and offer support for the bout.
Commercials.
Back live, Kane suplexes Sandow for a quick cover, then tags Miz for a high-knee. Miz runs at Sandow in the corner with a clothesline, then tags Kane back in. Low front-dropkick onto Sandow, who tags in Rhodes. Miz is also in (and “Miz is awesome” chants escalate among the fans), dumping Cody to the floor and jumping off the apron with an axe handle.
Bryan distracts Miz, allowing Rhodes to hit the Disaster Kick and switch with Sandow, who drops the Elbow Of Disdain. Miz ducks a clothesline and drops Damien with the knee-to-the-back-of-the-head and neckbreaker combo. Kane and Cody are tagged in respectively, and Kane dominates over Cody. Kane ascends the turnbuckles and flies off with the clothesline, and he takes Sandow to the outside. On the floor, Miz chucks Bryan into Cody and the post, then Cody gets rolled back into the ring to receive a Chokeslam and pin.
Winner via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champion Kane and The Miz
Post-match, Miz and Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan celebrate with Tag-Team Champion Kane caught in the middle.
Up next, it’s Punk VS. Cena (3?)!
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Match #10: Single with Special Enforcer Mick Foley – WWE Champion C.M. Punk (with Paul Heyman) VS. John Cena (Non-Title)
Lock up with Punk taking advantage via a side headlock and shoulder block push. Cena comes back with a hip-toss and (nice) armdrag, then clamps an armlock on the WWE Champion. Punk out via the ropes and waits on the outside for a break.
Commercials.
Back live, Punk dives off onto Cena on the outside, then rolls him back in to continue. “The Second-City Saint” grapples Cena with an inverted chinlock, then clamps on a sleeper. Cena breaks it by running Punk into the turnbuckles, then a slugfest of punches and kicks ensue between the two. Cena gets the upper with a couple running-shoulder blocks, but Punk victory-rolls Cena for a two-count! Punk nails the high-knee and clothesline, then attempts and misses a diving elbow!
Cena is fired up again, eventually hitting the 5-Knuckle Shuffle. He tries the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk gets out of it and kicks Cena down. The Champion signals for the Go To Sleep, but Cena reverses into another A.A. attempt, but Punk counters that into a face-first drop and Anaconda Vice. Cena manages to get to the ropes. Punk attempts another springboard move, but misses and gets caught in the S.T.F. submission.
As he’s about to tap, Heyman jumps into the ring but gets yanked out by Enforcer Foley. Cena unfortunately turns around into a high-kick, but gets his shoulder up and 2 and 1/2! Punk picks up Cena for the G.T.S. again, but Cena reverses back into the S.T.F. Punk gives every effort and manages to crawl to the ropes at the last second. He falls back outside and begins to leave up the ramp.
However, he is cut off the other way by Ryback, who walks him back to the ring, where Cena drops him with the Attitude Adjustment to receive the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: John Cena
Post-match, Ryback and Cena have a staredown, and both grab the WWE Championship, playing tug of war, with C.M. Punk staring in between to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Overall, this was just an average Raw, in my opinion, all because of the build-up to Survivor Series. Other than Jerry Lawler’s return, nothing “special” happened, it really just felt like a hold-over and countdown show. So, onto the analysis, followed by my predictions for the Pay-Per-View.
Excellence: #1 is Jerry “The King” Lawler returning. He looked and sounded awesome tonight, like his old-self, so I am super glad he’s back and able to return to the commentary booth. Way to go “King”! Thank You, Lord!
Liked the two opening matches, as all of them have great in-ring chemistry and the moves flowed smoothly.
Even though I don’t like the storyline, Vickie Guerrero is superb at playing up whatever character (in this case a “meddling, jealous, boss”) she is portraying. More of her skills were exhibited tonight in her interactions with A.J.
Still liking the feud between Sheamus and World Heavyweight Champ Big Show, as the storyline is simple – two men fighting over a title and who’s bigger/stronger/better, etc…
Kaitlyn and Layla had a nice little match tonight. The 8-man tag was exciting and also flowed wonderfully. U.S. Champion Antonio Ceasaro is also gold on the mike, and has some great facial expressions to go along with whatever he is talking about.
Not entirely sure where the Kane/Bryan/Miz storyline will go, but I’m cool with it for now. Nice quick and easy face-turn too for The Miz!
Cena/Punk another wrestling classic!
Bogus: only two major “gripes.” #1 a short one – mainly from last week (which I was sick and did not write about, but still caught up on), I do not like the switching of the Survivor Series match. I thought it was a nice change of pace to have the WWE Champion in a non-title bout on a major pay-per-view like that, and that was the perfect scenario. It gave meaning back to the Traditional 10-Man (2, 5-person teams) match and really could’ve been something special. Now, it’s just the mid-card to upper-card guys fighting it out, really for no reason, and Mick Foley should not be involved anymore, because his issue was with Punk, not anyone else on the opposing side.
Grievance #2 – The tacy segment where Punk and Heyman mocked Jerry Lawler’s heart-attack. I know they were told what to say and how to act (most of it anyway), and I’m sure (and hope) it would’ve been cleared with Lawler too, but still, I really don’t find making fun of real life and death situations amusing, especially for “cheap heat.” They are better than this and can find many better ways to receive a negative reaction that is not possibly “controversial.” It’s a topic that shouldn’t ever be gone near in that context and Jerry should’ve been allowed a nice welcome back promo and gone to commentary as usual.
Obviously, there were many more likes in this episode, which is a good thing, but I still feel it was just a “write-off” show to get us to Survivor Series, which below, are my picks:
WWE Champion C.M. Punk somehow retains to continue his streak.
Big Show keeps his new World Championship
Kaitlyn dethrones Eve as the Divas Champion
Dolph Ziggler gets the push going by being the last wrestler survived in the ring for the Teams’ match
Antonio Cesaro walks out with his U.S. Championship
That’s all for tonight everyone. Enjoy Survivor Series, if you’re watching. As always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Tonight’s Monday Night RAW is the last one before the Survivor Series pay-per-view and with only three matches announced so far on the card you can bet that WWE will make some more announcements on who will be wrestling at the 26th annual Series show.
The main event for RAW is CM Punk taking on John Cena and the other big news for the show is the return of Jerry “The King” Lawler to the announce table, just two months after he suffered a heart attack in Montreal.
Here are the results from yesterday’s Turning Point pay-per-view which took place from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida:
Samoa Joe defeated Magnus to retain the Television title; ODB and Eric Young defeated Tara and Jessie; Rob Van Dam defeated Joe Ryan to retain the X Division title; Doc from Aces & Eights defeated Joseph Park; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Christopher Daniels and Kazarian to retain the Tag Team titles; James Storm defeated AJ Styles and Bobby Roode in a number one contender’s match; Kurt Angle defeated Devon; Jeff Hardy defeated Austin Aries in a ladder match to retain the TNA World title.
W-O reader Mark Roda attended the live WWE event in Lisbon, Portugal, yesterday and sent in the following results:
Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara defeated Prime Time Players; R-Truth defeated El Local (Ricardo Rodriguez); Wade Barrett defeated Justin Gabriel; Kaitlyn defeated Natalya; Randy Orton defeated Alberto Del Rio; Jack Swagger defeated Ted DiBiase; Kofi Kingston defeated Miz; Sheamus defeated Big Show via disqualification.
Monday Night RAW will have a three-man commentary team tomorrow as Michael Cole and Jim Ross will welcome back Jerry “The King” Lawler to the announce table.
Lawler suffered a heart attack in Montreal during the September 10 edition of Monday Night RAW and has been out of action ever since. He appeared during the Smackdown tapings in his home town of Memphis, Tennessee, last month but his appearance was not shown on television.
It’s safe to say that the WWE Hall of Famer will get the royal treatment tomorrow for his first day back on the job since the heart attack. Lawler is expected to work RAW every week from tomorrow with Michael Cole. Jim Ross, who has filled for Lawler ever since, is expected to leave the commentary position after tomorrow and fill in when necessary.
Live tonight from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, TNA Wrestling presents Turning Point on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries for the TNA World title in a ladder match; James Storm vs Bobby Roode vs AJ Styles in a number one contender’s match; Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez for the TNA Tag Team titles; Samoa Joe vs Magnus in a no disqualification match for the TNA Television title; Rob Van Dam vs Joey Ryan for the TNA X Division title; Devon vs Kurt Angle; Tara and Jesse vs ODB and Eric Young; Joseph Park vs Doc from Aces & Eights.
WWE Superstars and Divas wrapped up a very long and tiring European tour which spanned over a period of 11 days.
In 11 days, the RAW brand performed 11 shows while the Smackdown brand did 9, with 20 shows in total including two television tapings in Birmingham, England.
The tour went through France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal.
The last two shows were yesterday in Minehead, England, and Lisbon, Portugal, and both rosters and crew will be back in the United States today and then straight to Monday Night RAW for tomorrow’s live three hour broadcast. No rest for the wicked.
If you thought $2,000 for a WrestleMania 29 ringside ticket is a lot, you have seen nothing yet!
Ticketmaster is selling official platinum preferred seats going up to $9,000 for a pair. Yes, $9,000 for two row A seats at WrestleMania in probably freezing cold New Jersey.
The tickets website has 55 platinum seats listed starting from $1,500 all the way to nine grand. Not all seats are first row ringside, some are in the risers which for some reason are also classified as platinum seats.
Tickets went on sale to the general public this morning.
If you are on the west coast of the United States it is an early morning start time today. Live from China the UFC is back in action with a free fight card for everyone. The prelims are streaming on Facebook here in about 20 minutes with three fights than the rest will follow on Fuel TV in the United States and Fox Deportes.
Prelims on Facebook 7:40 AM ET/ 4:40 AM PT
Middleweights(185lbs)
Riki Fukuda vs Tom DeBlass
Ref: Marc Goodard
Round 1-
DeBlass using the outside leg kick and circling. Fukuda gets the take down and is in full guard against the cage. Fukuda with short lefts and rights. DeBlass with an up kick and Fukuda goes to work on the body. DeBlass is able to get space and walk up the cage and circles free. DeBlass with a left right combo as Fukuda comes in. Fukuda eats a right and pokes Deblass in the eye for a brief break. Fukuda now trying to get a single and DeBlass is able to avoid after bouncing around on one leg. Fukuda with a body kick and left upper cut. Fukuda with a looping right hand that is partially blocked. Fukuda is able to get the single this time and punches away till the end of the round.
Round 2-
Fukuda the aggressor so far and is getting the better from the clinch. DeBlass is able to get that right cross in. Fukuda puts him against the fence and works the knee to the body and short right hand. DeBlass is jabbing with the left than following with that right cross behind it. Fukuda using head movement to avoid a punch and puts DeBlass back on the cage and goes to work on the body with knees and punches. DeBlassable to get away from the cage but is eating some shots now as Fukuda goes to high volume combos to the head and body.
Round 3-
Fukuda told to go left hand than head kick Deblass’ corner tells him to throw the power punches. Fukuda gets the clinch works DeBlass to the cage uses the dirty boxing again till he gets the body lock and trip. Fukuda is just peppering the body with shots and mixes in a left to the head when DeBlass takes away the body. DeBlass briefly gets him pushed off but that allows Fukuda to posture up and drop head shots. Fukuda with a right to the chin and Goodard stands them up with just a minute left. Fukuda lands a head kick but eats a right. Fukuda uses the clinch to get DeBlass back on the cage they break with 10 left and trade left and rights. Fukuda raises his arms after the final bell and I would have to agree he took all three rounds.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Riki Fukuda
Flyweights (125lbs)
Yashuhiro Urushitani vs John “Hands of Stone” Lineker
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Urushitani is rapid firing leg kick s and head kicks here early. These flyweights are so quick they are in and out before the punches or kicks are in the area. Urushitani with a head kick that does connect this time but Lineker isn’t fazed. Urushitani goes to the body with a kick now. Lineker lands a left but isn’t able to connect with much here in the first. Urushitani has his head kick checked after he feints to the body. Lineker lands a left hook and drops Urushitani. Urushitani is able to get back up and lands a straight left right before the end of the round.
Round 2-
Spinning back kick from Lineker has Urushitani backpedaling. Lineker now the aggressor and goes to work on the body with a series of punches. Lineker goes body than head. Urushitani hands are not up as high and he eats a right to the body left up stairs. Lineker firing away body head body head. Urushitani circles away from the cage and goes for a knee to the body and eats a right. Urushitani lower leg kick than a left to the head. Lineker pokes Urushitani in the eye and we are breaking. Minute twenty left in the round as we resume. Urushitani is coming in to punch and there is a outstretched left from Lineker waiting to meet him. Lineker with three leg kicks and a right up stairs that lands before the end of the round.
Round 3-
Urushitani with multiple kicks but eats a right and is back on the canvas. Urushitani gets up and takes an uppercut it looks like but stays on his feet this time. Lineker with a left and right that land up stairs. Urushitani comes in with a stepping knee and eats a left. That left hook is landing each time he comes in now. Now it is the right hand Urushitani looks a little dazed as he tries to backpedal out of trouble. Lineker gets a brief take down and lands an elbow as they separate. Urushitani with a right hand this time that lands and as he goes for a kick eats another counter from Lineker.
Winner by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) John “Hands of Stone” Lineker
Bantamweights (135lbs)
Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres vs Motonobu Tezuka
Ref: Marc Goodard
Round 1-
Tezuka comes out with his face covered with a shirt than reveals a mask underneath. Tezuka changes levels and goes for a single switches to the double and gets the triangle. Caceres threatens a triangle and Tezuka pops his head free and gets side control. Tezuka has one arm trapped under his body and the Goodard stands them up. Caceres is able to stuff a take down. Tezuka drops for another single gets Caceres to the cage and switches to a double. Caceres is able to pull free than drops down into the guard of Tezuka. Caceres takes his back. Tezuka working for a leg. These two with some great grappling now Caceres is in half guard and delivers a nice elbow before the horn ends the round.
Round 2-
Caceres using his reach now to land his punches. Caceres goes for a side kick and Tezuka gets the take down. Caceres looking for a triangle but Tezuka was already watching for it and in no trouble. Caceres pushes off and is back up. Caceres with a jumping knee and a few rights coming in behind it. Tezuka goes for another single. Caceres is able to separate the arms of Tezuka and is free. Caceres with a grazing elbow. Caceres with a two arm punch/push to the head and body ala Street Fighter.
Round 3-
Caceres slips than as he gets up eats a left it looks like from Tezuka and briefly falls back down. Caceres gets the right jab in now a right that misses but the left behind it lands. Caceres looks more comfortable now lands the right jab and bounces back out. Tezuka has a single again but can’t get the take down. Caceres is doing a good job with the stepping right jab to establish the distance. Caceres lands that jab again and a little back hand slap also. Caceres with another side kick attempt and Tezuka grabs another single and briefly gets the take down as Caceres locks in an triangle. The fight ends though.
Winner by Split Decision(28-29, 30-27, 30-27) Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres
Main Card on Fuel TV 9 am ET/ 6 AM PT
Bantamweights(135lbs)
Takeya Mizugaki vs Jeff “Hell Bound” Hougland
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Both men looking to bang in close early. Mizugaki is signaling he got poked in the eye but the ref lets them continue. Hougland misses a double eats a couple rights than tries it again. He isn’t able to get it but gets the double under hooks and goes for a trip. Mizugaki is raining down punches as Hougland tries for a submission. Hougland bails on that idea to protect himself. Mizugaki is postured up and landing some big punches. Hougland closes the guard and pulls him in close. Mizugaki postures back up and lands more big punches as Hougland tries for a triangle. Mizugaki with another postured up left hand to the head. Hougland going for an arm choke from the bottom but can’t hold it. Mizugaki is able to finish the round on top.
Round 2-
Mizugaki getting the better of the striking and Hougland goes for another take down. Mizugaki gets the trip and is in the guard again. Hougland tries for another triangle but ends up eating more punches and Mizugaki is able to get his head free. Hougland gives up his back now and Mizugaki flips him back over and is in the open guard again. Hougland now is trying to utilize the butterfly guard but that doesnt work and Mizugaki is back in closed guard and dropping short punches. Ref stands them back up and Mizugaki lands a right the stumbles Hougland. Hougland tries for another take down and it is stuffed. Mizugaki powers him over and is back in closed guard and dropping more short punches to end the round.
Round 3-
Mizugaki with a big shot and Hougland drops down picks him up and slams him only to have Mizugaki pop right back up and go back to the butterfly guard of Hougland. Mizugaki with more punches from the top. Mizugaki steps back and lets him up. Mizugaki with an uppercut and Hougland tries to tie him up. Mizugaki gets the trip and is in half guard this time. Mizugaki with some short elbows now is smoothering Hougland and not giving him a chance to utilize his bjj. Ref stands them up and Hougland ducks under an overhand right and goes for a double. Mizugaki defends and pushes him over to get back into the guard. Mizugaki has busted Hougland open now and the blood is pouring out of the left eye from the short left elbow.
Winner by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) Takeya Mizugaki
Lightweights(155lbs)
Tiequan “The Wolf” Zhang vs Jon “The Super Saiyan” Tuck
Ref: Marc Goodard
Round 1-
Right hand from Zhang now a left as Tuck comes in. Zhang gets the take down and lands in side control. Tuck gets him moved over to full guard. Tuck rolls and is locking an arm bar. Zhang is defending by getting Tucks head stuck between Zhang’s legs. Tuck gets free and takes the back of Zhang. Tuck with both hooks now is trying to soften up Zhang with punches. Tuck now takes the mount now he switches to side control. Tuck back to the mount and Zhang rolls over to give Tuck his back again. Tuck going for the rear naked choke but can’t get it under the chin. 45 seconds left and Tuck still has his back. Tuck punching again from the back and Zhang gets up and free in time to eat a head kick and the horn to blow.
Round 2-
Zhang is getting the better of the striking and lands a big left. Tuck takes it on the chin and returns his own. These two are just punching each other in the face. Zhang with the take down and ground and pound from the full guard. Tuck gets his legs up and is able to get Zhang onto his back. Tuck in half guard now dropping short elbows. Tuck now working the body shots. Tuck threatens a kimura but uses it to get his leg free and take the mount position again. Tuck pins the right arm of Zhang under his leg and is punching away. Zhang tries to roll and Tuck takes his back and locks in the body triangle. Tuck looking for the neck switches to the hooks and is trying to pin the right arm of Zhang. Tuck pounding away on the body now with his heel.
Round 3-
Zhang throwing the big wild punches and is even trying to land a back fist just to connect in some way. Tuck with the right jab is keeping Zhang out of reach. Zhang with a clean right and left stunned Tuck briefly. Zhang with a right and left again that find a home. Zhang misses with another right but the left lands. Tuck with a leg kick and Zhang counters with the right upstairs. Zhang is the aggressor in this round and lands a left. Tuck fires that jab again but nothing behind it. Zhang with a left jab and a right as Tuck tries for a head kick.
Winner by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) Jon “The Super Saiyan” Tuck
Lightweights(155lbs)
Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi vs Mac Danzig
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Gomi utilizing that low stance and jab Danzig is counter with low leg kicks and kicks to the body. Gomi nice head head body combo. Damzig stepping in with the lead left jab has Gomi back stepping. Danzig with the clinch and delivers a nice series of knees. Danzig with two nice left hooks but Gomi drops down and gets the take down. Gomi in the full guard is working Danzig towards the cage. Danzig is able to turn and get back to his feet. Danzig with a short left as Gomi comes in. Gomi with a leg kick and punch up high that is blocked. Gomi with a straight right and Danzig counters with a body kick. Gomi with a left hook that sneaks in and Danzig blocks the right. Danzig with a charging take down and gets it. Danzig with ground and pound. Gomi goes for a heel hook and the round ends.
Round 2-
Gomi with a straight left but misses with the left hook. Danzig gets the thai clinch again and lands a couple knees. Gomi pulls free and Gomi goes body head combo but doesnt finish it. Danzig with the right hand cocked is looking to counter with it. Gomi connects with the right and Danzig needs to adjust his mouth piece. Both men land the lefts. Danzig lands that left hook again. Gomi coming forward with the straight lead left. Danzig lands that sneaky right again. Danzig with a three punch combo and a double after it. Danzig is in half guard. Gomi getting back to his feet and Danzig locks in a head and arm gullotine. Danzig rolls him over and is on top now. Gomi rolls over and Danzig lets the arm out but Gomi is able to survive in the gullotine to the end of the round.
Round 3-
Danzig gets the clinch and Gomi drops him with the right hand. Danzig lands an up kick as Gomi dives in. Gomi works them over to the cage and is half guard now. Gomi alternating head and body punches. Danzig on his butt now. Gomi pulls him away from the cage. Gomi in side control. Danzig graps the leg and is going for a knee bar. Gomi with foot lock. Danzig now with a foot lock and Gomi spins and is back in half guard. Danzig gets the full guard and works his way back to his feet. Gomi still holding on has a body lock against the cage. Danzig stuffs a take down and spins to Gomi’s back. Gomi stands up and has Danzig against the cage. Danzig with the right hook as they break. Danzig with a right cross to the chin. Danzig with the thai clinch again a knee now back with the right hand. Gomi drops his hands and is talking to Danzig. Danzig with a left than a double leg that Gomi stuffs. Danzig with the dirty boxing creates space. Danzig with the left hook right before the horn.
Winner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28 ) Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi
Welterweights (170lbs)
Dong Hyun Kim vs Paulo Thiago
Ref: Marc Goodard
Round 1-
Kim grabs the lead leg for a single right from the begining. Kim ends up getting the trip. Thiago gives up his back and Kim gets his hooks in than works for an arm and head choke. Thiago is up on his knees and Kim is punching away. Kim loses one hook but is able to keep around the shoulder of Thiago Kim now with a body triangle. Kim punching the body now. 2 minutes left. Thiago sits up on his legs but can’t shake Kim. Kim with hammer fist to the side of Thiago’s head. Thaigo on all fours now. Kim goes for a rear naked but Thiago keeps his chin tucked. Kim flattens him out and rolls onto his back working the neck crank but Thaigo survives till the horn.
Round 2-
Kim gets the throw but Thiago pops back up. Kim goes for a trip and Thaigo latches on the kimura. Kim in a half guard of Thiago now. Thiago on his knees now and Kim knees the body of Thiago. Thiago working for a leg now. Kim holding on tight around the waist to keep Thaigo from turning. Thiago gets briefly back to his feet. Thiago sitting against the cage trying to geet the foot of Kim. Kim spins and is in a craddle position. Thiago trying to stand up but gets out the back and they are back up but Thiago his spinning to his back. Kim gets the trip and is working for a darce. Kim is spinning his body around and Thiago survives again!
Round 3-
Kim with a spinning elbow attempt but Thaigo steps out the way and Kim face plants into the corner. Kim with a kick to the body and Thiago with a head kick that is checked. Kim bouncing around grabs a single as Thiago drops to a knee and Kim spins to his back. Kim with one hook in now. Kim gets the second and Thiago tries to dumb him forward. Kim holding on has an arm hooked around Thiago’s leg to keep him from slipping out the back. Kim slides back once Thiago hits the canvas again. Kim falls backwards and pulls Thaigo with him. Kim with ground and pound to head and body. Kim with a nice right and Thiago has to cover now. Kim now has a mount. Kim is fired up and dropping big elbows now both fist are raining down at the same time. Thaiago gives up his back and is able to hold out till the end.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27 ) Dong Hyun Kim
Light Heavyweights (205lbs)
Thiago Silva vs Stanislav “Stucky” Nedkov
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Silva who turns 30 in two days doesn’t want to touch gloves. Nedkov blitzes Silva with punches and now has over under on Silva against the cage. Silva punching away at the head of nedkov. Silva lands a knee and slips. Silva pops up and they throw with reckless abadon. Silva lands a knee and exits the clinch. Nedkov ties him up again and works the knees to the legs against the cage. Silva lands a knee to the chest of Nedkov and gets free. Silva back in the center of the cage and Nedkov bull rushes forward again and puts him back on the cage. Silva gets the thai clinch and tries for another knee. Nedkov backs off and charges back in. Silva with some slaps to the ear and horn ends the round.
Round 2-
Silva catches Nedkov in the groin with his foot. Silva now goes for a head kick that is checked. Nedkov trying to walk Silva back to the cage and ties him up. Silva with a knee to the body and switches to over under with Nedkov. Silva catches Nedkov in the groin again. Nedkov comes forward again and Silva swings big hooks at him but the shorter Nedkov ducks under and puts Silva back on the fence and ties him up. Crowd is booing now. Silva lands a thai clinch knee and gets free. Nedkov says he got kicked in the nuts again Silva looks pissed and the ref tells them to keep fighting. Nedkov has him pressed back against the cage and is working for a high crotch take down but Silva circles free. Nedkov puts his hands down and tries to get Silva to come forward. Silva with an outside leg kick and Nedkov drops Silva with a right hand over the top. Silva covers up until the round ends.
Round 3-
Nedkov looking for that overhand right again. Silva with a nice combo and knee to the body. Silva’s striking is working now. Silva with a high kick. Silva gets the take down. Silva in the mount and raining down punches. Nedkov ties him up. Silva with body punches now elbows. Silva with an arm triangle. Silva hops his leg over to the side and we have our first finish as Nedkov taps out.
Winner by Submission(arm triangle) at 1:45 of round 3 Thiago Silva
Middleweights (185lbs)
Rich “Ace” Franklin vs Cung Le
Ref: Marc Goodard
Round 1-
Franklin is back down to the weight in which he captured the UFC championship at. Le just looks kind of off early. Franklin with the jab and Le with a body kick. Franklin is staying on the balls of his feet to move out the way of Le’s kicks. Le misses with a spinning back kick. Franklin with the right hand and Le lands one of his own. Franklin with a nice right bounces the head back of Le. Franklin resets and lands an outside leg kick Le with a counter right hand on the chin of Franklin that spins him around and knocks him out cold. Franklin does a face plant. Le jumps on top of the cage looking surprised to catch him. Le doing back flips now. Pretty good for a 40 year old actor. See him now in theaters in The Man with Iron Fist with Dave Bautista.
Winner by Knock Out at 2:17 of Round 1 Cung Le
Each award winner will take home an extra $40K today.
Former WWE and World Heavyweight champion Adam “Edge” Copeland underwent successful neck surgery this week which was performed by Dr. Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This is his second neck surgery following his first one in 2003 which was performed by Dr. Lloyd Youngblood.
The man formerly known as the Rated-R Superstar had to retire from WWE the night after WrestleMania XXVII after doctors forced him to hang up his boots following further tests and MRI on his neck revealed he had cervical spinal stenosis.
Speaking to Business Week, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon said that she doesn’t see herself running for public office again although things can always change.
McMahon is fresh off a second – and much wider – defeat in the Senate elections, having blown almost $100 million for the two campaigns spanning over 4 years. For the first campaign in 2010, McMahon did not accept any donations and funded the whole thing with her own money to a tune of $50 million.
“I feel really good about what I’ve accomplished. I think people were more thoroughly convinced the second time around that I was passionate about these issues,” McMahon said.
When asked about running again, McMahon said she gave it a really good and strong shot but it didn’t work out.
“At this moment, it’s not a consideration. Things can always change but it’s not something I anticipate right now.”
She noted that she discovered that she lost this year’s election when she was sitting by herself while she was gathering thoughts of would would be a victory speech. She said she saw on ABC that Chris Murphy’s name popped up as the winner just 40 minutes after polls in Connecticut closed, leaving her “stunned for a moment.”
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is reporting that WWE executives are holding talks with different officials from football (soccer) stadiums in the United Kingdom for a potential SummerSlam pay-per-view next year.
London hosted the only pay-per-view outside North America in 1992 with SummerSlam, featuring a double-header main event of Macho Man vs Ultimate Warrior and Bret Hart vs The British Bulldog. That event still ranks as one of the largest ever attendance in WWE history with over 80,000 fans packing the original Wembley Stadium.
According to Meltzer, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester, and other stadiums in the London area are being considered. Both the Millennium Stadium and the new Wembley Stadium in London have roofs which would hold off any rain, a big plus considering weather in the UK is very unpredictable.
Wade Barrett, a Brit himself, tweeted yesterday that it’s about time that SummerSlam makes a return to Wembley.
“After showing that they are the best fans on the planet this week in Brum, I think it’s about time Summerslam made a return to Wembley,” he said, adding that there would be no other place in the world he’d rather beat Sheamus than in the greatest stadium in the world.
TNA is helping with the relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy with the TNA Make An Impact campaign, a campaign drawn up by TNA President Dixie Carter after she had dinner with a friend of hers a few days ago who shared stories about the immense damage from the area on the Jersey Shore where she grew up and where her family still lives.
Starting effective immediately, you can go to tnamakeanimpact.com to help spread this message, share your personal stories, donate money or find out how to volunteer. A “Make An Impact” t-shirt has been created and fans can buy it for $20 plus shipping with all proceeds from the purchase going to the American Red Cross aiding the relief efforts.
In addition in the coming weeks, many TNA Superstars and other celebrities will be wearing the same t-shirts then autographing them for auction on the website.
UFC on Fuel TV 6 is headlined by the five round middleweight bout between Rich “Ace” Franklin and Cung Leand the light heavyweight bout between Thiago Silva and undefeated Stanislav Nedkov, will air live on FUEL TV from the Cotai Arena in Macao, China at 9am ET / 6am PT. Fans who “like” the UFC on Facebook can also see prelim bouts at 7:15 am ET / 4:15 am PT.
MAIN EVENT
Cung Le (186) VS Rich Franklin (185)
FUEL TV MAIN CARD
Stanislav Nedkov (203) VS Thiago Silva (205)
Paulo Thiago (169.5) VS Dong Hyun Kim (170.5)
Mac Danzig (155) VS Takanori Gomi (155)
Jon Tuck (156) VS Tiequan Zhang (155)
Jeff Houghland(135) vs Takeya Mizugaki (135.5)
ONLINE FIGHTS
Motonobu Tezuka (135.5) VS Alex Caceres (136)
John Lineker (126) VS Yasuhiro Urushitani (125.5)
Tom DeBlass (185) VS Riki Fukuda (186)
The Hyun Gyu Lim vs David Mitchell bout has been canceled after Lim wasn’t medically cleared to compete. Mitchell will receive his show money.
Ronda Rousey was just the first and now the opponent that she captured the Strikeforce championship from, Miesha “Cupcake” Tate, has also joined the UFC Women’s Bantamweight ranks. Cupcake tweeted the following message last night:
“So Stoked to be fighting for the @UFC it’s been a dream of mine for along time! SO happy it’s finally come true :-D”
The former Strikeforce Women’s 135 champ is 13-3 as a professional with 6 of those wins coming by way of submission. She last competed in August at Strikeforce: Rousey vs Kaufman and was able to defeat Julie Kedzie in the third round by arm bar. Tate is a Tacoma, Washington, native who is currently affiliated with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento.
Impact begins this week with a recap of the unveiling of the Aces and Eights member once known as Luke Gallows. In the Aces and Eights clubhouse, the leader lectures “Doc” (Luke’s new name) for letting himself get unmasked last week. Devon tells Doc he needs to try and make up for what he’s done by teaming up with him to face Sting and Kurt Angle later tonight.
The first person to make his way out to the Impact Zone is James Storm. Storm joins the broadcast team to scout his opponents at Turning Point, AJ Styles and James Storm, who are in the first match.
Match #1: AJ versus Bobby Roode.
The two men lock up and AJ twists Roode’s arm behind his back. Roode reverses the hold and twists Styles’ arm. Roode switches to a headlock but Styles pushes Roode off and whips him into the ropes. AJ Styles leapfrogs Roode; Roode hits Styles with a back elbow. AJ retaliates with a dropkick. Roode goes out to the floor and AJ pursues. The two men exchange several punches on the floor. AJ whips Roode into the steel steps and then rolls him back into the ring.
AJ re enters the ring and bodyslams Roode. The two men exchange a series of punches and chops. AJ hits Roode with a backdrop. Roode punches AJ and then clotheslines him. Roode gives AJ a neckbreaker.
Commercial
AJ lands a kick and whips Roode to the corner. AJ drives his shoulder into Roode’s gut. Roode snaps AJ’s head down onto the top rope. Roode climbs to the second rope and hits AJ with a neckbreaker. Roode hits AJ with an elbow drop and then covers him for a two count. AJ lands several punches; Roode responds by whipping AJ hard into the corner. Roode takes AJ over with a snapmare and then applies a chin lock. AJ escapes and hits Roode with a forearm. Roode responds with a punch and then AJ hits him with an Enzuigiri. AJ hits Roode with a leaping clothesline and a pair of chops in the corner. AJ throws Roode out onto the edge of the ring apron.
Roode snaps AJ’s head down across the top rope. Roode climbs to the top but AJ cuts him off and takes him down with a Frankensteiner. AJ tries the Styles Clash but Roode fights it off and hits AJ with a spinebuster. AJ tries the styles clash again but Roode again blocks it. AJ tries a Pele kick but Roode avoids it. Roode hits AJ with a fisherman’s suplex into a bridge and a cover, but AJ kicks out at 2. Roode exits the ring to grab a steel chair. James Storm takes off his headset and makes his way to the ring.
AJ hits Roode with a springboard crossbody to Roode on the floor. AJ rolls Roode into the ring and starts arguing with Storm. AJ tries to springboard back into the ring but Roode trips him up. AJ crashes to the canvas and Roode rolls him up for the win.
In the back, Austin Aries confronts Hogan. Hogan tells Aries that if he doesn’t return the title he stole, he will strip Aries of his title shot at Turning Point this Sunday.
Commercial
Joseph Park is in the ring and he still wants a match with Aces and Eights. Hogan comes out to tell him he’s still worried about putting a lawyer in the ring with Aces and Eights. Bully Ray comes out to take Joe Park’s side. Bully argues that Park is tough and has heart, and he also has more reason than anyone to hate Aces and Eights. Hogan agrees this one time.
Tara and Jesse are in the back talking about Jesse’s ‘big win’ over ODB recently. Jesse brags about all the technical moves he was using, and ODB interrupts to call him a douche and remind him that the only move he used was a ‘schoolgirl’ roll-up. ODB says she and Eric Young are the only real power couple in TNA, and she challenges Tara and Jesse to a two on one handicap match.
Commercial
When we return, AJ and Storm are arguing. AJ is mad that Storm came to the ring to scout him before their match Sunday. Storm says he’ll kick AJ’s face in.
Match #2: ODB versus Tara and Jesse.
Kind of a silly match, but still fun. Tara and Jesse apparently don’t have to tag, ODB is going to try and beat them both at the same time. ODB dominates the start of the match with clotheslines, chops, and a lot of chest grabbing and BAM yelling. Tara and Jesse knock ODB down with a double clothesline and then Tara starts to choke her.
The ref breaks up the choke and ODB goes back on offense. ODB body slams Jesse and then bodyslams Tara onto Jesse’s prone body. ODB whips Jesse into the corner and hits him with a splash. ODB whips Tara into the corner and hits them both with a double Bronco Buster. ODB spears Tara and covers her for the win! ODB is TNA’s Ryback.
After the match, Jesse tries to sneak up on ODB but she sees him. Unfortunately she does not see Tara sneak up on her. Tara cheap shots ODB and then hits her with Widow’s Peak. Tara and Jesse steal ODB’s booze flask and empty it out on her unconscious body.
Commercial
When we return, ODB is on the phone. She is trying to get in touch with her husband and is screaming into his voice mail. ODB says she needs him to team with her against Tara and Jesse, then angrily screams I LOVE YOU into the phone.
Match #3: Kurt Angle and Sting versus Devon and Doc.
Before the match even starts, all four men start brawling outside the ring. Eventually the match begins with Doc and Sting in the ring. Sting DDT’s Doc but is distracted by Devon. Doc takes advantage of the distraction and clotheslines Sting to the mat. Doc tags in Devon and Devon hits Sting with a headbutt. Devon hits Sting with a series of strikes and tags in Doc. Devon and Doc hit Sting with a double Shoulder block. Doc hits Sting with an elbow and suplex. Doc hits Sting with a back elbow and tags in Devon. Devon hits Sting with a leg drop.
Devon pretends that he’s going to let Sting tag Angle, and then Devon knocks Angle off the ring apron. Devon tags in Doc and Doc punches Sting repeatedly. Doc hits Sting with a running splash and goes for a cover; Angle makes the save. Doc tags in Devon and Devon hits Sting with a back elbow and then tags Doc back in. Sting and Doc clothesline each other and they both go down. Doc makes his way over to Devon and tags him in; Sting tags Angle at the same time. Kurt hits Devon with a kick and then a missile dropkick from the second rope. Angle hits Doc with a German Suplex and Devon with an Angle Slam.
Sting enters the ring and hits Doc with a Scorpion Death Drop, and then puts him in the Scorpion Death Lock (or Sharp Shooter, as we call it here in Canada.) Devon grabs Sting’s bat and takes out Sting and Kurt with it. Bully Ray runs to the ring and clotheslines Devon. Ray gets a table and sets it up in the ring, but Devon runs away. Doc grabs Sting, but Sting hits him with a low blow. Sting hits Doc with a kick and a punch, but more Aces and Eights members join the fight, ganging up on Sting and Kurt.
Doc puts Sting through the table. One of the Aces and Eights members gives Doc a hammer, and Doc pounds Sting with it repeatedly, hitting him in the back, ribs, and each hand. Joe, Chavo and Hernandez chase Aces and Eights away, but the damage is already done to Sting.
Commercial
When we return, it’s Gut Check time. Christian York makes his way to the ring to find out if Taz, Al Snow and Bruce Prichard are going to give him a TNA contract. For the first time so far, all three judges agree: Christian York gets the contract and is now on the TNA roster.
Commercial
When we return, Hogan is in his office trying to find out about Sting’s condition. Hogan is interrupted by Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan. Hogan tells Morgan he won’t be allowed at ringside for Ryan’s match with RVD for the X Division title this Sunday. Morgan tells Hogan he has no idea who he’s messing with. After Morgan and Ryan leave, Hogan chuckles and says “oh but I do know.” I think he’s gone senile.
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Match # 4: Samoa Joe and Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez versus Magnus, Kaz and Daniels.
The match begins with all 6 men brawling in the middle of the ring. Chavo, Hernandez, and Joe get the upper hand and chase the heels out of the ring. Chavo and Daniels start the match off. Chavo hits Daniels with a clothesline and suplex. Chavo hits a knee lift and a European uppercut. Chavo whips Daniels hard into the corner. Chavo charges, but Daniels gets his knees up and tags in Kaz. Chavo takes Kaz down with a drop toe hold and tags in Hernandez. Hernandez splashes onto Kaz and then tries a suplex but Kaz escapes and hits Hernandez with a spinning heel kick. Hernandez tags in Joe and Kaz tags in Magnus.
Daniels grabs Joe and Magnus beats Joe down. Daniels and Kaz double team Joe in the corner. Joe fights his way out and puts a beating on Daniels. Joe hits Daniels with a running back elbow and a kick to the head. Joe lands some more strikes and a knee drop before tagging in Chavo. Joe bodyslams Daniels and Chavo hits Daniels with a slingshot senton. Chavo tags in Hernandez and Hernandez puts Daniels in a bear hug. Hernandez takes Daniels over with a Belly to Belly suplex and tag Chavo back in. Chavo hits Daniels with a dropkick followed by a knee strike.
Chavo punches Daniels out to the floor. Daniels pulls Chavo out to the floor and then slams him into the steel barrier. Kaz hits Chavo with several cheap shots and Daniels tags Kaz in. Kaz hits Chavo with running neckbreaker and then tags in Magnus. Magnus lands several strikes and tags in Daniels. Daniels scores with a neckbreaker and tags in Kaz. Kaz clotheslines Chavo and Daniels hip tosses Kaz onto Chavo. Kaz puts Chavo in a bow and arrow submission. Chavo fights his way out of it, but Kaz rakes his eyes and regains the advantage. Chavo responds with a hurricanrana and several strikes.
Chavo tags in Hernandez and Hernandez hits Kaz with a pair of shoulder blocks, a clothesline, and a splash. Daniels comes in to help Hernandez and they try to double suplex Hernandez, but Hernandez blocks it and suplexes them both at the same time. Joe enters the ring and scores with a clothesline and a powerslam. All 6 men are back in the ring and the action breaks down into chaos. Eventually Joe gets his hands on Magnus and sets him up for the muscle buster. Kaz and Daniels trip Joe up and Magnus climbs to the top rope. Magnus hits Joe with a flying elbow drop for the win.
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When we return, Bobby Roode is laughing at the way James Storm and AJ Styles are arguing. Roode thinks this gives him the edge in their three way match this weekend.
Austin Aries has makes his way to the ring, presumably to return the old TNA title and preserve his title shot this weekend. Aries mocks Hardy for calling himself “the best on the planet.” Aries notes that a lot of people call themselves “Best in the World”, Aries is actually the best wrestler in the universe. Aries gives Hardy credit for being the greatest daredevil in wrestling, but promises to beat Hardy at his own game this Sunday when they face off for the TNA title in a ladder match.
Aries promise that if he wins, he’ll keep the old TNA belt, but melt the one with Jeff Hardy’s face on it and turn it into a belt buckle; that way Hardy’s face will always be near his crotch. Aries says he will NOT give the belt back, and challenges Hardy to come and take it.
Hardy comes and takes it after a short fight. Hardy takes both belts and asks for the hook to be lowered and places the belts on the hook and has it raised back up. Hardy climbs a ladder underneath the belts, but Aries suddenly re enters the ring and knocks the ladder over. Hardy hits the mat hard and Aries beats him down. Aries climbs the ladder and poses with both belts as TNA goes off the air.
