It will be the first time in a long time that tonight’s RAW will not have the presence of former WWE champion John Cena.
Cena was originally scheduled to appear at tonight’s Monday Night RAW but plans to have him on have changed and he is no longer advertised to appear.
The former champ underwent surgery on September 18 in Birmingham, Alabama, to remove bone chips from his elbow. He is expected to be back in action at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
A tag team title tournament kicked off on Smackdown to determine who will be the number one contenders for the WWE tag team titles, currently held by Kane and Daniel Bryan.
Eight tag teams will be participating in this tournament with the winners facing the current champs at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in October.
The qualifying matches are Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow vs The Usos; Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel; Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs Prime Time Players; Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs Epico and Primo.
As a team, only Kofi Kingston and R-Truth and Epico and Primo have been tag team champions before, with Cody Rhodes, Santino Marella, Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, and Rey Mysterio holding the titles with different tag team partners in the past.
Former WWE champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield reached the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro yesterday and planted a WWE flag at the top just like he said he would.
JBL is climbing the seven highest mountain peaks in the world in support for the charity he supports in Bermuda. WWE is sponsoring the climbs, forking around a quarter of a million dollars to help Bradshaw achieve his goal.
“13 1/2 hour day. Beyond tired. I planted a @wwe flag at the top of Africa! All to help kids! #sevensummitsforkids,” JBL tweeted after reaching the summit.
This is his second climb, failing the first one – Mount Elbrus in Russia – after weather complications.
During the UFC on Fuel 5 post-fight press conference on Saturday night in Nottingham, England, UFC President Dana White repeated the fact that he would take Brock Lesnar back if he wants another fight.
“Sure, I would bring Brock back. If Brock wanted to fight in the UFC, I would do it,” White said.
Talking about Lesnar going to WWE earlier this year, White said that his deal with the UFC expired with the fight against Alistair Overeem and Lesnar was free to pursue other deals, ultimately choosing to return to the WWE.
Lesnar has a mega deal with the WWE, one that runs into millions for just only a limited number of appearances. His one year deal runs out at next year’s WrestleMania, ensuring that the former WWE and UFC Heavyweight champion wrestles in New Jersey next year.
Lesnar is one of the most successful MMA fighters in terms of box office revenue, generating over a million buys for most of his UFC fights.
Former WCW champion Lex Luger will make his first wrestling TV appearance in years at the Bound For Glory weekend, helping induct Sting to the TNA Hall of Fame.
The two have shared a long, long history together, sharing many WCW main events over several years. Luger was part of TNA as well, working with the company in 2003 and then in 2006.
Hulk Hogan, AJ Styles, Mike Tenay, and TNA President Dixie Carter will help with the induction, which will happen the day before the Bound For Glory pay-per-view.
The UFC is in Nottingham England at the Capital FM Arena for today’s UFC on Fuel TV 5. The main event will see heavyweights Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve face off with Stipe Miocic. The Skyscraper is 28-5 now in his professional mixed martial arts career and 8-3 inside the Octagon. Struve in those UFC fights has only had 1 go the distance and he walked out with the majority decision. None of his other UFC fights have made it to the 3rd stanza. Struve was known as a submission artist with his long limbs but 3 of his UFC wins have come by Knock out and 4 via a submission. Stipe Miocic is 9-0 in his professional career with 7 coming by way of Knockout and 1 by submission. Stipe in his 3 UFC bouts has defeated Joey Beltran, Phil de Fries and Shane Del Rosario.
In the co-main event former title challenger Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy has returned to his winning ways after the first round KO/TKO stoppage of Duane “Bang” Ludwig back in May. Prior to that Hardy had dropped his last 4 fights starting with his fight with GSP. Tonight he will square off with TUF season 7 winner Amir Saddollah. Amir is 7-3 overall and had not had a professional fight before he entered the TUF house.
Prelims on Facebook 1:45 pm ET/ 10:45 am PT
Featherweights 145 lbs
Robbie “Problems” Peralta vs Jason “Shotgun” Young
Round 1-
Peralta connects with the right hand to the chin. Young hits the mat and Peralta delivers the pounding until the ref can get over to stop it.
Winner by KO at 23 seconds of round 1 Robbie “Problems” Peralta
Catch-weight
Gunnar “Gunni” Nelson vs DaMarques “Darkness” Johnson
Round 1-
Gunnar with a high kick early has a karate background stands like Machida. Nelson with a side kick. Now Nelson ties him up and takes Johnson to the mat. Johnson from his back is going for an omoplata and Nelson moves over to side control is free. Nelson transitions now to the full mount. Johnson gives up his back and Nelson has the hooks in and a rear naked choke around the chin. Nelson now to the body triangle and delivers some hammer fist. Johnson is on his belly and Nelson locks in the Rear Naked Choke and rolls over Johnson. Its over Johnson taps. Nelson lives up to the hype and will be fun to watch.
Winner by round 1 submission(rear naked choke) at 3:43 of round 1 Gunnar “Gunni” Nelson
Middleweight 185lbs
Brad Tavares vs Tom “Kong” Watson
Ref: Leon Roberts
Round 1-
Tavares with a pair of nice jabs to start things off and a right from Watson. Tavares gets the take down against the cage and Watson wall walks up the cage. Watson with a switch kick that grazes the side of the head of Tavares. Tavares with a kick and right hand of his own now. Watson catches Tavares with a knee to the groin. The hug and are back at it. Both men exchange body kicks. Tavares striking is looking the best it has. Watson has gone to the thai clinch a couple times but is just missing with the knee. Tavares with a three jab combo. He ties up Watson and drags him back to the canvas. Watson gets back up to the feet eats an elbow from Tavares and Tavares takes an inside kick to the groin. Watson has been warned one more and he will be deducted a point. Tavares with a nice jumping knee and Watson tries for his own take down but can’t get it.
Round 2-
Tavares with a switch kick to the body and another jab down the middle. Tavares with a left right and than an outside low kick to finish it off. Tavares has the double under hooks on the cage. Tavares with a right hook as they break and Watson delivers a knee. Watson is finding his range with the punches now but Tavares in finding openings down the middle and shots to the body. Tavares ties up Watson and gets the trip. Tavares works right over to the back with both hooks in. Watson is fighting off the rear naked choke. Tavares now with the body triangle and as Watson tries to shake him off Tavares re latches on but Watson is able to survive to the end of the round.
Round 3-
Watson goes back to the leg kick and eats another jab. Watson tries for the take down and Tavares is the one who get it. Watson flips him off of him and Tavares makes him eat a knee on the way up. Tavares gets another take down but Watson is able to walk up the cage. Tavares with a knee to the chest. The ref stops them briefly due to an equipment issue for Watson they are back at it and Tavares is trying to get the take down. Watson with a guillotine but Tavares is able to stay out of trouble by dropping down. Watson with some big punches to Tavares. Tavares gets up and they trade upper cuts. Tavares is able to get one more take down but Watson is up with a minute left. Tavares still trying to get him back down. Both men are swinging with 10 seconds left. Watson with a big knees and combos from Tavares. GREAT FIGHT from these two.
Winner by Split decision( 30-27, 28-29, 29-28) Brad Tavares
Featherweights 145lbs
Akira Corassani vs Andy “The Little Axe” Ogle
Round 1-
Ogle has the home town crowd behind him and is being very patient. Each time Corassani gets close enough that left hook comes flying. Corassani with a right hand now. Ogle connects with a left on the button and drops Corassani and Ogle follows him to the mat. Corassani is able to get back to his feet and delivers a series of right hands to the body. Corassani with a kick and an over hand right that rocks Ogle. Ogle retreating. Corassani with a nice left right combo. Corassani with a cut above his left eye and Ogle with a knot on his head. Corassani blocks a take down. That knot on Ogle looks like it may be swelling up like Aldo vs Hominick.
Round 2-
Ogle lands the left hook to start the round and Ogle gets caught with a cup shot the pauses the action. Ogle now with the left to the body upstairs with the right. Corassani with a leg kick as Ogle tries to circle away to stop him. Ogle has a take down blocked by the underhook from Corassani. Corassani with a nice combo to stop Ogle as he is coming in for a take down. Corassani just landed 3 punch combo all clean on the jaw and surprises Ogle. Ogle with one punch and Corassani makes him eat a pair for trying. Ogle catches a kick and gets the take down but Corassani quickly scoots his butt backwards to the cage. Ogle puts an arm over for a guillotine. Corassani protecting Ogle lets go at the 10 sec mark and delivers big punches the horn sounds the ref steps in and as he does Corassani drops Ogle with a right hand.
Round 3-
Corner men have done a good job to stop the cut and reduce the swelling on the two men. Ogle with a kick but when he comes in for the punches Corassani delivers the counter combo. Ogle shoots Corassani side steps and kicks him in the face. Ogle gets a hold and gets the fight back to the ground. Ogle working to take the back now. Ogle with the right hand and elbows now from in close. Corassani is still on his knees and Ogle is delivering more of the elbows to the side of the head. Corassani can’t do much because his arm is stuck behind Ogle’s leg. Ogle has a hold on one leg and one arm and Corassani can’t get up or defend with other than the hand. Ogle is not pouring it on two heavy though and the fight ends with Ogle delivering the short punches. Hard fight to call last round was all Ogle but other than that it could go either way.
Winner by Split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) Akira Corassani
Light Heavyweights 205 lbs
Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa vs Kyle “Kingsbu” Kingsbury
Round 1-
Sorry lost connection and we join them 20 seconds into the fight. Kingsbury is in half guard and has his right arm around the back of the neck of Manuwa. Kingsbu looks to be working a darce choke. Manuwa is able to get to his feet as soon as KIngsbu goes to adjust his grip. Kingsbu goes for another take down and Manuwa sprawls and delivers a series of knees to the body. Manuwa drops Kingsbu with a left. He has the ref stand Kingsbu back up and Manuwa with a foot to the face of Kingsbury. Another right from Manuwa now another face kick. Manuwa with a flying knee. Kingsbury is some how on his feet still but he is taking a pounding.
Round 2-
Manuwa stepping to the side of Kingsbury strike and delivers a right. Kingsbury with a power double is back in the half guard of Manuwa. Kingsbury with elbows from the top now. Manuwa sneaks out the back. Kingsbury gets the clinch and ties him up back on the fence. Kingsbury with dirty boxing now and a lot of body shots. Manuwa spins him around and delivers big lifting knees. Manuwa with another head kick. Manuwa sprawls on a take down and misses with the peruvian neck tie. They are back up and Manuwa with a big left hook and right. Kingsbury gets the double and back in half guard. Kingsbury is in side control now and looking to isolate an arm because he has landed a few short elbows but that is it. Kingsbury moves to north south as the round ends.
Round 3-
The doctor comes out once again to check the eye of Kingsbury. It is swollen shut. Kingsbury tries to open it but it isn’t happening and they stop the fight.
Winner by doctor stoppage after 2 rounds Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa gets the TKO victory
So far the blue corner has won every fight tonight taking all of the prelims.
UFC on Fuel TV Main Card 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT
Welterweights 170lbs
Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs Che “Beautiful” Mills
Round 1-
Mills with the jab down the pipe than gets the clinch after a couple knees Mills gets the trip. Ludwig is able to briefly get up and eats a knee while doing so. Mills has him back down and in side control. Ludwig is bleeding from under the right eye. Mills almost got the mount but is in full guard now. Ludwig creates space and is able to briefly able to get up before his knee gives out under him and he collapses. Dean waves off the fight and they help Ludwig to his stool.
Winner by TKO Che “Beautiful” Mills 2:28 of rd 1
Welterweights 170lbs
John Maguire vs John “The Hitman” Hathaway
Round 1-
Hathaway lands a head kick that is partially checked. Lots of circling in the first minute. Hathaway trying to use the kick to cut him off. Hathaway with a jab and right that just miss there mark. Hathaway briefly pins him to the cage but Maguire deflects most of the strikes before he gets free. Maguire side steps a straight punch and lands a left. Hathaway goes for a take down and Maguire grabs the wrist and flings Hathaway right past him. Maguire with a right hand and shots for a take down. Hathaway counters and they both pop back up to their feet.
Round 2-
After the first round for Hathaway lets see what Maguire can do. So far it is Hathaway with the reach controlling. Hathaway with a stepping knee than a clinch. Hathaway drags them to the mat and is in half guard. Hathaway with short shots as Maguire is trying to keep him in close. Maguire has him in butterfly and Hathaway stands up before settling back into the half guard of Maguire. Hathaway trying to advance and lands a couple more short shots before he stands up and drops back down into the guard. Hathaway pounding away on the body and now he is in side control. Hathaway still punching now bigger shots. Hathaway stands back up and kicks at the legs of Maguire and it is another clear round for Hathaway.
Round 3-
More of the same to the start Hathaway his pressuring Maguire and controlling the striking with his reach. Hathaway tries a stepping knee that misses and now he is trying to landing the steeping right elbow. Maguire is able to land a single punch. Maguire gets the single leg take down and he moves right into side control. A minute left. Maguire with the short elbows now from the top. Maguire in closed guard now. Maguire with some short punches but too little too late. Hathaway with a pair of up kicks right before the horn.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3 ) John “The Hitman” Hathaway
Lightweights 155lbs
Matt “Handsome” Wiman vs Paul Sass
Round 1-
Sass gets the take down off the kick of Wiman as they meet in the middle. Sass has Wiman’s head against the cage and in the open guard. Sass with some vicious elbows from the top over and over again. He switches to a heel hook but the fence is in the way. Sass switches to an omoplata than back to the leg as Wiman pulls away. Sass sweeps from the bottom and is now on top. Sass with aankle lock attempt this time. Wiman tries a triangle of his own and Sass is free and pounding away. Wiman catches the arm and has an arm bar now. Sass is defending with his knees Wiman puts his back to the middle of the cage and pulls Sass arm out of protection and Sass has to tap. Wiman hands Sass his first loss and beats him in the submission game to put the icing on the victory
Winner by submission at 3:48 of round 1 Matt “Handsome” Wiman
Bantamweights 135lbs
Yves “Tiger” Jabouin vs Brad “One Punch” Pickett
Round 1-
Pickett with a body shot with the left and right upstairs that misses gets poked in the eye. Pickett with a right hook up top and right straight to the body. Jabouin with a series of kicks to the body than up top. Pickett is coming in to strike and into a kick. Pickett eats a knee when he came in to the body this time but Pickett partially lands the left. Jabouin with a jab after an uppercut from Pickett. These 135ers are fast. Jabouin with a spinning kick but Pickett catches it and goes for the take down. Pickett with a devastating upper cut that knocks out Jabouin. Pickett dives on top and delivers two clean rights to the chin of an already out Jabouin. Pickett pops up and does the “gangnam style.”
Winner by KO at 3:40 of round 1 Brad “One Punch” Pickett
Welterweights 170lbs
Amir Sadollah vs Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy
Round 1-
Sadollah the aggressor early with the lead jab and leg kicks. Hardy is getting the timing down of Sadollah coming in and landing the counter left. The left hook from Hardy is a fight stopper if he lands it. Amir with a right over the top and eats a right on the way back out. Hardy is conving him to come in and is getting close to landing that left hook. The crowd chants Hardy. Hardy is up against the cage and Sadalloh gets a short elbow in but Hardy uses the oppurtunity to reverse positions. Sadollah gets free and Hardy comes charging forward with a combo of punches. Sadollah with his own combo and Hardy shoots for a take down. Sadollah now is back is on the cage and once Hardy gets the clinch he lands an upper cut body shot and one over the top Hardy can’t get the take down before the round ends.
Round 2-
Hardy with a straight right and left. Hardy with a stepping right outside kick as he comes forward. Sadollah takes the center briefly. Sadollah with good head movement now a right hook from Hardy and a Kick up stairs that is partially blocked. Hardy shoots and presses Sadollah against the cage. before he picks him up and tries to slam him. Sadollah gets a hand down and is quickly able to get to his feet. Sadollah briefly gets Hardy on the cage. Hardy with a short elbow and Sadollah with a jab down the middle. Outside leg kick from Sadollah. Sadollah is keeping his hands up well to block the strikes from Hardy. Hardy drops a level and gets the double. Hardy raining down elbows. Sadollah looks to be going for a triangle but Hardy stands all the way up. Hardy drops back down and delivers some ground and pound till the round ends.
Round 3-
Both men looking to the leg kick straight combo early.30 seconds in and Hardy shoots a double but can’t get it. He has Sadollah against the cage. Sadollah with knees and tries for a trip of his own that doesn’t work but he is able to reverse positions. Sadollah backs off and Hardy puts him on the cage again and delivers an elbow. Sadollah is bleeding. Hardy steps back and clips Sadollah with a right that staggers him. Hardy gets the double leg take down and Sadollah is working to get the legs up for a triangle. Hardy has Sadollah’s head on the cage. Hardy dropping more short elbows has now cut Sadollah under the other eye. Sadollah gets the butterfly so Hardy starts punching instead. Hardy with a knee now as they get back up. Hardy with a right and left combo. Hardy locked up the fight with round.
Winner by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27 ) Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy
Heavyweights
Stipe Miocic vs Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve
Round 1-
Miocic with the low kick and pops inside with a jab. Miocic with a lunging straight than a blitz 3 punch combo. Struve covers the head and Miocic goes to the body. Struve now with a couple leg kicks. Struve looks uncomfortable out there and eats a right from Miocic. Struve with a head kick the clips Miocic and he circles out of the way of a flying knee that was following it. Miocic has landed a couple over hand rights now. Struve with a knee to the body and Miocic gets him down. Struve goes for a leg and Miocic lets him back up. Miocic feints up high and lands to the body with a combo. Struve steps in with a knee to the body and stepping leg kick. Miocic with that right over the top again.
Round 2-
WWE is bringing the big guns for the first main event for the new WWE Main Event show on ION Television on October 3.
As announced on Smackdown, the current WWE champion CM Punk will be taking on the current World Heavyweight champion Sheamus in their first-ever one on one meeting.
All matches for Main Event will be taped on Tuesdays before the Smackdown tapings.
Main Event premieres on Wednesday, October 3, at 8PM ET on ION Television.
Jerry “The King” Lawler plans to attend the Smackdown tapings in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when WWE rolls into town on October 16.
The WWE Hall of Famer suffered a heart attack three weeks ago and made a quick recovery, although there is no timetable on when he will be back working behind the broadcast table for RAW every week.
This would be his first in-person appearance at a WWE show since that almost tragic Monday night. Last week he appeared live via satellite from his home for a short interview with Michael Cole.
Lawler appeared on News Channel 3 yesterday to talk about his heart attack, recovery, the support he received from fans worldwide, returning to wrestling for sure, and his announcement that he’ll appear in person on the 16th.
You can see the full segment courtesy of YouTube user carrierlp below.
In a short statement on WWE.COM today it was announced that WWE Diva Kelly Kelly has been released from her contract and is no longer part of the company.
“WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Diva Kelly Kelly as of today, September 28, 2012. WWE wishes Kelly Kelly the best in all her future endeavors,” the statement said.
Kelly took an almost three month break from her WWE duties this year and returned during an episode of RAW in early August.
The 25 year old Florida native joined WWE in 2006 after signing a developmental contract. Kelly – real name Barbara Blank – made her WWE TV debut on ECW in the first episode of the new weekly show in May that year, becoming the youngest Diva on the WWE roster.
In 2008 she moved to Monday Night RAW and started her way on becoming one of the most popular WWE Divas ever. During her WWE stint she won one major title, the WWE Divas title.
The UFC today announced the appointment of Garry Cook, the former Manchester City football club chief as the new Executive Vice President and Managing Director for UFC Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Before joining City, Cook spent 12 years at Nike, and UFC President Dana White said the company is confident that Cook will continue the huge developments the UFC has made overseas.
“Garry is a man with a fantastic record for high-profile achievements in the sports industry with tremendous international experience,” White said.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the UFC,” Cook said. “Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular sports globally and to be working in such a dynamic and exciting industry, with the UFC’s talented, passionate and committed staff and athletes, is an honour. I look forward to being a part of the team as they continue to grow internationally.”
The former City chief resigned from his position at the English football club following an e-mail controversy involving the mother of one of the players.
Jerry Lawler is set to make his first public appearance since his heart attack today at the Mid-South Fair in Southaven, Memphis, according to the Memphis-based The Commercial Appeal.
The WWE Hall of Famer will be part of a meet and greet at the Landers Center in Southaven during wrestling matches at the fair. He was originally scheduled to compete in two different matches during the fair but obviously he won’t be doing any in-ring action now.
Instead of wrestling, Lawler will be doing ringside commentary according to the paper.
“We can’t tell you how excited we are that he’s willing to come down and be a part of the Mid South Fair. Jerry has been a true ambassador for the Mid-South Fair. This is a great example of that ambassadorship,” Mid-South Fair board president Mike McGee said.
With WWE Main Event premiering next week on October 3, ION Television issued a press release reminding everyone that WWE is coming to their network.
The show will air every Wednesday starting at 8PM EST and will feature original matches filmed prior to the Smackdown television tapings.
With the arrival of Main Event, WWE will now have shows on Monday with RAW, Wednesday with Main Event, Thursday with Superstars, Friday with Smackdown, and Saturday with Saturday Morning Slam.
Yesterday night on IMPACT, Samoa Joe became the third ever TNA Grand Slam champion, defeating Mr. Anderson for the vacated TNA TV title.
The TNA TV title was vacated after Devon left the company as the champion and negotiations to bring him back for one more match to drop the title on the show did not result into anything.
Since joining TNA in 2005, Samoa Joe has won the World title once, tag team title twice, as well as the X Division title on four different occasions.
Shaul Guerrero, the daughter of Vickie and the late Eddie Guerrero, has reportedly asked to be let go from her WWE developmental contract and her request was honored.
Guerrero wrestled at FCW as Raquel Diaz ever since she was signed to a deal in October 2010. She recently was wrestling on the new season of NXT, which doesn’t air in the United States, but airs as a weekly episode carried by WWE’s International broadcasters.
The 21 year old last appeared on the show last month. During her time at FCW she won the Divas title once and was crowned Queen of FCW as well.
Her photos and bio have also been taken off the FCWwrestling.info website.
Impact starts off tonight with Hulk Hogan coming to the ring. Hogan tells us that tonight the TV title will be on the line as part of “Championship Thursday.” Devon was the TV champion, but apparently Devon is in negotiations with TNA management and Hogan needs a TV title match tonight. Hogan has chosen Samoa Joe, Magnus, Garrett Bischoff, and Mr. Anderson as the 4 contenders for the TV title.
Hogan has also decided that he needs to address the ongoing feud between James Storm and Bobby Roode and books them in a street fight at Bound for Glory. Hogan also announces that MMA star King Mo will be the special guest referee. Great, just what the world needs, more replacement refs. Hogan also tells us that tonight he will be going to the “clubhouse” of Aces and Eights, the motorcycle gang that has terrorized TNA for months. Sting comes out to tell Hogan that he’s got his back and they’ll both fight Aces and Eights.
Commercial
Match #1: Kurt Angle (with AJ Styles) versus Chavo (with Hernandez) and Daniels (with Kazarian)
Angle and Chavo yank Daniels into the ring and double team him, hitting him with punches, chops, and European uppercuts. Chavo and Angle slam Daniels into the corner repeatedly and stomp him on the mat. Daniels reverses an Irish whip and sends Angle into the corner shoulder first, hitting the steel post. Chavo clotheslines Daniels, and then Kaz trips up Chavo. Chavo apparently didn’t see who tripped him because he starts arguing with AJ. The rest of the wrestlers get involved and the action starts to break down. Kaz and Daniels watch from outside the ring until they are chased out by the other teams.
Commercial
When we return, the tag partners have been thrown out so Angle, Chavo and Daniels can finish their match. Daniels has Angle in an armbar but Angle escapes and flattens Daniels. Angle hits Daniels with a German release suplex, and then Chavo clotheslines Angle to the floor. Chavo hits Daniels with a series of punches and a hurricanrana. Chavo hits Daniels with a dropkick and then rolls him up for a pinfall attempt. Angle comes in and makes the save and suplexes Chavo. Angle hits Daniels with an Angle Slam and then puts on the ankle lock.
Chavo grabs Angle and tries to roll him up. Angle punches Chavo, Chavo tries to retaliate with a suplex but Angle blocks it. Daniels gets back to his feet and knocks Angle down. Chavo hits Daniels with 3 straight vertical suplexes (the 3 amigos, a tribute to the legendary Eddie Guerrero) Chavo climbs to the top turnbuckle, but as he’s climbing, Angle applies the ankle lock to Daniels. Daniels rolls out of the ankle lock and sends Angle flying into the corner, knocking Chavo off the top. Daniels hits Chavo with an STO for the win!
In the back, Hogan is talking with the 4 people he has chosen to compete for the TV title tonight. He asks each of them why they should get a shot, and after hearing from each of them decides to eliminate Magnus.
The other Hogan, Brooke, is talking to Tara in the back. Tara is talking to her boyfriend on the phone and complaining about Brooke right in front of her. Brooke steals Tara’s phone and tells her that she is going to suffer consequences for her behavior in recent weeks; she has to win a #1 contender’s match tonight to earn her title shot.
Commercial
Match #2: Tara versus ODB for the #1 contenders spot.
ODB comes to the ring with her husband and co tag champion-Eric Young. ODB yanks Tara into the ring and hits her with a forearm. The two women exchange punches as the match gets underway. ODB knocks Tara down and then throws her across the ring by her hair. Tara rolls to the floor to take a breather and then rolls back in. ODB knocks Tara down with a shoulder block and then whips her into the corner where she shoulder blocks her again. ODB hits Tara with a chop and then whips her to the corner. ODB hits Tara with a Stinger Splash and then a Bronco Buster.
Eric Young sits down in the opposite corner in hopes of getting a bronco buster from his wife, but she’s a little busy with her match. Tara rolls to the floor and ODB hits her with a baseball slide dropkick. ODB slams Tara’s face into the edge of the ring and then rolls her back in. Tara offers her hand to ODB but ODB refuses to fall for it and hits Tara with a clothesline. ODB hits Tara with a fallaway slam and then kicks her to the floor. Tara acts like her knees is hurting her as she tries to pick herself up off the floor. ODB goes after Tara and beats her on the floor before rolling her back in.
Tara is asking the ref for helping and removing her knee brace. ODB goes over to check on Tara, and Tara rolls her up and covers her. Tara has her foot on the rope but the ref doesn’t see it and Tara wins the match. The ref helps Tara hobble back to the locker room, but I suspect she’s faking that knee injury.
Commercial
In the back, Bruce Pritchard and Al Snow are talking about Gut Check. Bruce is angry that Al hit former Gut Check contestant Joey Ryan recently, and Al apologizes. Bruce is still irritated and asks Al if he wants to be an executive or a wrestler. Eventually Taz shows up and they start to talk about this week’s contestant, 18 year old Evan Markopoulos. Taz seems to like him.
Hulk Hogan continues his interview session with Joe, Mr. Anderson and Garrett Bischoff. Hogan tells Garrett his time isn’t yet and eliminates him. Joe and Anderson will fight for the TV title tonight.
Commercial
When we return, Bobby Roode is approaching the man that ended his title reign, Austin Aries. Roode says that even though he can’t get a title shot as long as Aries is champ, he doesn’t want to see Hardy beat Aries for the title. Roode points out that he’s beaten Jeff Hardy more than once in the last year, but he’s never been able to beat Aries. Roode says he thinks Aries is better than Hardy and doesn’t want to see someone like Jeff Hardy as champ.
Match #3: Samoa Joe versus Mr. Anderson for the TV title.
The two men exchange punches and Anderson goes for the mic check, but Joe blocks it. Joe goes for the rear naked choke but Anderson slips out of it. The two men lock up. Joe pushes Anderson to the corner and hits him with a series of punches. Joe hits Anderson in the corner with a running back splash and then a kick to the head. Joe and Anderson exchange several punches with Anderson starting to get the better of it until Joe knocks him down with an elbow. Joe kicks Anderson and then takes him down with a snapmare.
Joe goes for a kick but Anderson ducks it and then takes Joe down with a swinging neckbreaker. Anderson starts to pound on Joe but Joe hits Anderson with an elbow and then climbs to the top. Anderson cuts Joe off in the corner and hoists him up on his shoulders. Joe slips out and tries to apply the rear naked choke. Anderson escapes and hits Joe with a rolling fireman’s carry slam. Joe responds with a European uppercut and twists Anderson’s arm. Anderson frees his arm but Joe hits him with a headbutt.
Anderson clotheslines Joe and goes for the Mic check, but Joe blocks it. Anderson tries to roll Joe up but Joe reverses it and locks in the rear naked choke. Anderson tries to make it to the ropes, but Joe pulls his arm back in and then re applies the rear naked choke. Anderson tries to roll out, or to make it to the ropes, but Joe holds on. Anderson is in the choke for a very, very long time. Eventually Anderson passes out and Joe wins the match.
Samoa Joe is the new TV champ and is now a grand slam champion: Heavyweight champ, X Division champ, tag champ, and now the current TV champ.
Commercial
When we return, Hogan and Sting are in the back talking about Aces and Eights. A woman walks up to Hogan with some papers for him to sign that she claims are from Bruce Pritchard. She sprays Hogan and Sting in the face with something, and Aces and Eights abduct Hogan and Sting and drive off with them in a white van.
Commercial
In the ring, Jeremy Borash introduces the Gut Check judges; Al Snow, Bruce Pritchard, and Taz. Evan Markopoulos is invited to the ring to get the judge’s decision. All three judges praise Evan’s passion and commitment. Taz goes first and votes yes, Bruce Pritchard goes second and votes no. Evan now gets a chance to persuade the third and final judge, Al Snow. Evan gives an OK speech about wanting a chance to prove himself. Al tells Evan he has a lot of potential, but isn’t ready yet. Al votes no and Evan is rejected.
Commercial
When we return, Aces and Eights have Hogan and Sting in their clubhouse. (shouldn’t that be an evil lair, or something like that? If you were an evil villain, would you rather have an evil lair or a clubhouse? A clubhouse could mean a delicious sandwich. I’m not afraid of delicious sandwiches.) Hogan tells them to let Joe Parks free now that they have Sting and Hogan, but they aren’t going to do that yet. They promise to release everyone eventually, but want something from Hogan first.
They claim to like Hogan and Sting now and miss being able to play with them in the Impact Zone every week since Hogan started locking the doors. So Aces and Eights say that they will agree to release Joe Parks under one condition: Hogan has to pick two guys from TNA to go up against two guys from the Aces and Eights ‘brotherhood’ at Bound for Glory.
If Aces and Eights win, Hogan keeps the doors unlocked and they get full access every week. If Hogan’s chosen wrestlers win, they promise to leave TNA alone. Hogan agrees. I don’t know why he trusts them. They said they are men of their word, but they promised to release Joe Parks in exchange for Hogan and they didn’t. Also, they are evil. Most evil people will lie to you, even if they tell you they won’t. Evil people are very evil that way.
Commercial
Match #4: Bully Ray and Bobby Roode versus Jeff Hardy and Austin Aries.
Hardy and Bully Ray start things off. Ray beats Hardy down and then pummels him some more in the corner. Jeff gets back to his feet and takes Ray down with a headscissors takeover. Hardy takes Ray down again with an armdrag and then tags in Aries. Ray taunts Aries and then tags in Roode. Aries puts Roode in a headlock and then takes him down twice in a row with arm drags. Ray runs in to trip up Aries. Hardy runs in and clotheslines both Ray and Roode to the floor.
Commercial
When we return, Jeff Hardy hits Roode with a splash from the top rope. The commercial break wasn’t really over; they just gave us a little teaser to keep us watching the commercials. I hate that.
Commercial
When we REALLY return, Hardy and Ray are in the ring. Hardy hits Ray with a series of punches and an elbow before climbing to the top rope. Ray trips Hardy up and Hardy hits the canvas hard. Ray knocks Aries off the ring apron onto the floor and then hits Hardy with an elbow drop. Ray tags in Roode and Roode lands a knee drop and a punch. Hardy responds with a chinbreaker and the twist of fate. Hardy is too tired to go for a cover, but he tags in Aries at the same time that Roode tags in Ray.
Aries lands a couple forearm shots to Ray, but Roode hits Aries with a cheap shot from behind and Ray knocks Aries to the floor. Roode whips Aries into the steel steps and then rolls him back into the ring where Ray stomps on him. Ray hits Aries with a couple forearm shots to the head and then tags in Roode. Roode hits Aries with kicks and knee strikes in the corner. Aries tries to fight back but Roode slams him into the corner and then tags in Ray. Ray hits Aries with a double axe handle from the top rope and then slams him to the mat for a two count.
Ray picks Aries up into a bear hug. Aries tries to fight his way out by boxing Ray’s ears, and when that doesn’t work, he bites him. Aries hits Ray with a dropkick to the knees. Aries looks tired and hurt and has a clear opening to tag in Hardy, but he ignores Hardy’s outstretched hand and fights on. Aries downs Roode with a leaping clothesline and then applies the last chancery. Ray comes in to make the save and also knocks Hardy off the ring apron with a kick. Ray tries to clothesline Aries but misses and knocks his partner Bobby Roode down instead.
Aries hits Roode and then Ray with a dropkick, knocking Roode to the floor. Aries hits Roode with a suicide dive outside. Aries climbs to the top rope and hits Bully Ray with a dropkick. Hardy is back up on the ring apron begging for a tag, but Aries refuses. Roode comes after Aries but Aries hits him with a brainbuster. Hardy tags himself in, and Aries looks mad. Hardy hits Roode with the Swanton for the win! Aries angrily confronts Hardy after the match.
In the parking lot outside the Impact Zone, Sting and Hogan are released by Aces and Eights, but still no Joseph Parks. Sting unties Hogan and yells at the departing Aces and Eights van as Impact goes off the air.
WWE Diva Kelly Kelly was part of a select group of athletes and artists to do a photo shoot to promote the Let It Fly Energy drinks.
The former Divas champ was joined by UFC’s Gray Maynard and Ryan Bader, producer Timbaland, Miami Heat’s Mike Miller, and American Idol finalist Erica Van Pelt during the shoot.
You can see four photos from the shoot below.
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In a recent interview on Beneath The Mat radio show, former World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan explained how he no longer is a vegan and the issues that arose from being a vegan in the first place.
Bryan said that he turned vegan for health issues but lately he’s been getting sick all the time. His doctors eventually figured out that he has soy intolerance and had to change his diet. Bryan went over the difficulties of being vegan on the road and the limited amount of food you can eat when you’re traveling around doing this job.
The former champion said that the vegan community has been pretty mean to him, bashing him on Twitter after it came out that he is no longer a vegan. Last year Bryan filmed a pro-vegan ad for PETA, explaining how his energy levels have been great since turning vegan and how he was stronger than ever before.
PWinsider.com is reporting that TNA is now preventing its talent from appearing for other independent promotions if they will be taped for Internet pay-per-view or if they are set for a DVD release.
Most of the TNA wrestlers were allowed to be booked for other promotions, giving them an opportunity to earn extra money when they are not touring or needed by TNA.
This new rule will halt most of the bookings as most indy shows do sell their shows on DVD to help generate revenue.
Indy promotion NSPW was supposed to have Chavo Guerrero on an upcoming show but he had to be dropped due to the new TNA policy. Guerrero blamed NSPW for “not honoring their contract,” saying that they decided to film and sell the show on DVD which “was never discussed.”
The promotion fired back saying that Guerrero’s claims are incorrect as they always sell DVDs of their shows and this was never an issue with any of previous guests.
“NSPW doesn’t hold anything against Mr Guerrero and wishes him nothing but the best with TNA Wrestling,” the promotion said in a statement.
A new TNA TV champion will be crowned tomorrow night on IMPACT Wrestling as the title which is currently held by the departed Devon was vacated.
Four men will plead their case as to why they should get the title shot to Hulk Hogan in the ‘Championship Thursday’ episode. These are Samoa Joe, Garett Bischoff, Magnus and Mr. Anderson.
Later in the show, the Hulkster will make the decision on who will be wrestling who for the title, giving two men their chance while disappointing the remaining two.
The TNA website states that negotiations between Devon and TNA reached an impasse after a month full of negotiations. “As of today, The TNA TV Championship last held by Devon is vacated. TNA hopes that Devon returns to the active roster in the future,” read the small statement.
