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.
Sub of Night: Thiago Silva
KO of Night: Cung Le
Fight of Night: Gomi vs Danzig
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.
You can follow her on twitter @MieshaTate.
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.
Commercial
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.
Commercial
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.
TMZ began reporting a couple hours ago that Ronda Rousey will become the first female fighter in the UFC. Rousey will bring her 135lb Women’s Bantamweight championship with her from Strikeforce to the UFC making her also the first ever female champion. The 25 year old champion will defend her belt for the first time in the new organization in 2013. Dana White tweeted a smiley face once the story began to circulate but is yet to confirm or deny the rumors.
TMZ in the same article is also saying that according to their source that the newly announced Strikeforce card on January 12th in Oklahoma City will be their last before they shut the doors for good.
Check back later for further news as it becomes available.
The New York Post has an interview with Triple H regarding WrestleMania 29, discussing several topics on what makes WrestleMania the biggest event of the year.
Triple H mentioned that Axxess will be a bit different this year, including more autograph and meet-and-greet sessions along with new stuff like VIP experience where fans will get to see how backstage works during WWE television shows.
Asked about the show being outdoor in April in New Jersey, Triple H said it “could be a bit nippy,” adding that for fans in the area it won’t make much of a difference but fans from outside that area will have to bring appropriate clothing.
“We’ve got it all figured out to have the heating right and make sure that everybody being there is going to have an enjoyable experience,” HHH said. “I think that at the end of the day, it’s not going to make a difference where we are, enclosed or open, the atmosphere is going to be the same, it’s going to be electric.”
You can read the rest of the interview at http://bitly.com/VVv5jx (Thanks to W-O reader ‘rockypita’ for the link)
Former WWE champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield has announced that he is returning to the WWE full-time doing commentary for Smackdown along with Josh Matthews and on pay-per-views with Cole and King.
“Very happy WWE and I have worked out a deal for me to return on a full time basis. There came a need when my friend Jerry Lawler had a heart attack and was not able to work, however, I realized how much I enjoyed being back and this was the basis for my decision to return.”
Apart from doing Smackdown, JBL will fill in for The Miz when The Miz will be wrestling on Main Event.
Bradshaw said that his return does not involve getting in the ring again as he doesn’t want to risk getting injured while doing training for his Seven Summits climbs.
Regarding doing RAW as well, JBL said that the show is “100% Jerry’s” and there are no plans to turn it in a three-man booth.
2013 will kick off with the second season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. This morning, the media got a chance to speak with the two men that will try to take a group of fighters and turn them into the next big thing in the UFC. This upcoming season will see heavyweights Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira and Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum pick teams of welterweight fighters. Nogueira and Werdum both are extremely honored to coach these men in their home country of Brazil. They are hoping for a good healthy war to take place in the house but also want to set the foundation of good diets and training techniques to their teams.
The rematch between these two coaches will take place at the conclusion of the season. The first time they met was back in Pride in 2006. Nogueira walked out that night as the winner by unanimous decision. There has been a lot of change and experience gained for both of these men since than. Werdum, who was almost solely a jiu-jitsu practitioner at that time, has developed a devastating set of striking skills. In his last fight he stopped Mike Russow with punches in the first round and the fight before he absolutely pounded Roy Nelson. The hard chinned Big Country was able to make it the distance but had little to offer other than being able to take a punch.
Nogueira submitted Dave Herman last month in Brazil in his first return to action since suffering a horrific broken arm at the hands of Frank Mir. Nogueira had a plate put in and 16 screws in his upper arm felt that his last fight with Herman was a great confidence builder to show him he still can compete and wants to get back to the top of the division.
While both fighters would love to hold the UFC Heavyweight belt Nogueira has made it clear over and over that he will not fight Junior Dos Santos. JDS has been training with the Nogueira’s since he was a blue belt and is considered family. Werdum had one run in with JDS already back at UFC 90 and was stopped by the current champ by punches in the first round. Werdum than went to fight for Strikeforce before returning to the UFC.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONFERENCE CALL AUDIO BELOW.
On January 26th, live from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, the UFC’s Flyweight champion will defend his crown for the first time as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson takes on John Dodson in the main event.
Also, one of most anticipated fights will finally happen as 155 pounders Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will finally meet in the cage to settle their differences. These two outstanding kick boxing fighters could easily put on a fight full of highlight reel material. Both fighters and fans have been looking forward to this fight for a while but it has been put off due to other scheduled fights and Pettis’ shoulder injury.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has verbally agreed, according to the UFC, to take on a red hot Glovier Teixeira who is on a 17 fight win streak. This fight was originally booked to take place at UFC 153.
The Round Lake, Illinois native Clay “The Carpenter” Guida will make his debut in the featherweight division as he will face former Sengoku champion Hatsu Hioki. Also in the 145 weight class, the man who put a stop to Hioki’s six fight win streak back in June, Ricardo Lamas will step inside the Octagon against the 13-1 Erik Koch to determine who will get the next shot at the winner of February’s Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar title fight.
In the lightweight division “Handsome” Matt Wiman will face T.J. Grant. Heavyweight Shawn “The Savage” Jordan will take on the hometown fighter in Mike Russow. Russow suffered the second defeat of his career back in June when he was stopped in the first round by an outstanding looking Fabricio Werdum.
WrestleMania 29 tickets went on sale this morning in a pre-sale that will go through the whole day tomorrow, ending at 11:59PM EST.
Apart from the IZODVIP code, fans can now also use the codes FB1WWE and ACCESS to try their luck in getting the best possible seat for the pay-per-view. (Thanks to W-O reader ‘rockypita’ for the second code.)
As of this writing, floor seats for $850 are still available for purchase.
TNA will return to the popular MTV show Made this Saturday, November 10, for the episode titled ‘Pro Wrestler’ airing at 11AM EST.
The show will feature several TNA Superstars and Knockouts including Tara and Miss Tessmacher, Robbie E and Robbie T, and more as they help Deanna Washington in her attempt to become a professional wrestler.
Several TNA personalities have appeared on MTV’s Made in the past in hopes of helping would-be wrestlers achieve their dream.
You can see a preview of this episode of Made – which involves a mom trying to change her daughter’s mind from doing pro wrestling – below.
