Major League Wrestling (MLW) has entered into another strategic partnership with an international promotion. This latest alliance is with IWA Puerto Rico.
According to a press release sent out on Tuesday, the deal will see IWA Puerto Rico wrestlers competing in MLW, as well as MLW fighters being showcased on IWA shows.
MLW CEO Court Bauer touted the benefits of the two companies working together. “We will share resources with the aim of helping each other on the fight and business sides of our two leagues,” said Bauer. “Our goal is to promote the sport and help athletes and fans live their dreams with big fights in both organizations and collectively grow the global awareness of MLW and AAA.”
MLW is currently gearing up for their return to live events, which they’ve dubbed #TheRestart. Details surrounding the official return date are still unknown, but it’s been reported that MLW recently held the first round of TV tapings for the new ‘season’ of MLW Fusion.
WWE Superstar Big E recently appeared on the WWE After The Bell w/Corey Graves podcast. The (former?) New Day member discussed a number of topics from his time with the company. One of the discussion points involved Big E’s comical demeanor whilst being a ‘powerhouse’ wrestler.
“I think what I realized pretty quickly was ‘okay, I’m a bigger guy. I’m going to be billed as a powerhouse'” Big E began on the podcast. “But I always thought where do I be different? You have Brock, we had Mark Henry…I’m not even six feet tall. And I’m thinking about all these guys that that I’m kind of going to be compared against. All the guys that occupy a similar lane.”
Trying to Figure it Out
“So I kept thinking ‘man if I’m just another serious big guy? I don’t know how much traction I’m ever going to get in this company” Big E would continue. “So for me it was a matter of trying to figure out like…I can’t work like Apollo Crews, I can’t do what Apollo does. I can’t do that stuff, and I’m not as big as a lot of the other guys. So I tried to figure out what makes me different. What allows me to stand apart.”
Big E would also discuss his time in the FCW developmental territory, saying how he worked on his persona whilst in the Florida based promotion. This involved coming up with comical ways to work promo class.
“So for a while you know I was doing stuff and it wasn’t…I’m sure you (Corey Graves) remember. I was doing a lot of stuff that I don’t think I could ever really do inside a WWE ring! As far as we were (the wrestlers) concerned? I was just doing goofy stuff. I forget a lot of the stuff I did!”
Are you excited for Big E to now get a singles run in WWE after such a long time with New Day? Let us know in the comments
Pat McAfee closed out last week’s episode of NXT by revealing his new alliance with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. McAfee recently released a video explaining that he paid Ridge Holland to attack Adam Cole but has since reached a deal with Lorcan and Burch.
McAfee starts his video explaining that he didn’t appreciate Cole flashing him the UE hand-sign after defeating him at Takeover 30.
Pat McAfee Comments On Hiring Ridge Holland
“After the match, instead of reaching out his hand,” McAfee says about Cole in the video. “Instead of doing that, he flexes on me!”
“That didn’t sit lightly with me,” McAfee continued. “And although I couldn’t be hands-on with the dismantling of the Undisputed Era and Adam Cole, I knew there was a way that they could feel my impact.”
“I can’t be down there every single day so I hired somebody to take care of my light work. I hired somebody that is a younger, more handsome, and more built version of me, Ridge Holland. You all saw it, when he dumped Adam Cole’s lifeless body over the barricade and walked it off. Who do you think bought him that Mercedes? That was me, you’re welcome, Ridge.”
McAfee then continued to say that after Holland was injured, he reached out to Burch and Lorcan.
“Now Ridge got hurt, Ts and Ps for him, I will not ask for a refund, you did your job. And now I had to look for a Plan B, my guy that I was going to run alongside and takeover NXT with is now out with a gruesome injury. Who should I call? Well, why not the guy that took out my guy? The psycho from Boston, Oney Lorcan, I reach out to him, I say ‘hey pal, you want to make a little money, huh? Want to go on a little bit of a run? They say ‘no’, they lose to Undisputed Era, they call back, we make a deal.”
Whatever’s left of the Undisputed Era and whoever else from #WWENXT that wants some can come get some at #HalloweenHavoc on Wednesday if they got a problem with it.
Former WWE/WCW/TNA writer and outspoken pro wrestling personality Vince Russo recently commented on an episode of Jim Ross’ Grilling JR podcast.
JR and co-host Conrad Thompson were discussing an episode of RAW from 2005 where JR was fired on-air by Vince McMahon. The next week Steve Austin, a noted real life friend of JR’s, would attack members of the McMahon family, including Linda McMahon, Vince’s wife.
During the podcast JR would state that Linda didn’t actually want to take a Stunner from Austin. As is apparently ‘usually’ the case, Vince McMahon wanted it to happen, so it happened. Russo would jump on that comment and lambast McMahon and the culture that he creates seemingly in WWE.
Wrestling ‘Lifers’
“The [wrestling] lifers? This is normal to them” Vince Russo began on the 8 Days a Week podcast. “I was reading clips of a JR interview today, and JR was basically saying about the last time he got fired by Vince McMahon in the ring. It was like a shoot, he really got fired.”
“And he’s [then] talking about like the next night” Russo would continue. “Austin Stunners the entire McMahon family. And he [JR] was saying how Linda was ‘very very hesitant to do that.’ But that’s what Vince wanted, bro!?”
Vince Russo would then describe the situation as ‘warped,’ with Vince McMahon seemingly ‘forcing’ his own wife to do something physically on his program. “Do you know how freaking warped it is? That you…your wife is uncomfortable with it, bro!”
“Okay!? She’s uncomfortable” Russo would continue. “You’re forcing your wife to take a Stunner, and your wife is taking the Stunner because ‘that’s what Vince’ wants. Do you know how freaking warped that is!?”
Do you agree with Vince Russo? Let us know in the comments
WWE RAW aired live from the ThunderDome in the Amway Center. It was the first episode of RAW following WWE Hell in a Cell. The build towards Survivor Series began tonight with several Qualifying Matches.
RAW Results (10/26)
AJ Styles def. Jeff Hardy to qualify for RAW’s Survivor Series team
Lucha House Party def. Drew Gulak & Akira Tozawa
Keith Lee def. Elias to qualify for RAW’s Survivor Series team
Hurt Business def. RETRIBUTION via DQ
Drew McIntyre def. The Miz
Lana def. Nikki Cross, Peyton Royce, Lacey Evans to qualify for RAW’s Survivor Series team
Sheamus def. Matt Riddle to qualify for RAW’s Survivor Series team
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
The Miz & Morrison Interrupted Drew McIntyre
John Morrison and The Miz. Image Credit: WWE.com
Drew McIntyre kicked off this week’s show after losing the WWE Championship to Randy Orton last night at Hell in a Cell. McIntyre said he has no excuses for the loss last night but promised to become WWE Champion once again.
McIntyre stated that every time he gets knocked down he gets up twice as strong. The Miz and John Morrison interrupted and made their way to the entrance ramp. Miz showed off the MITB briefcase that he won off of Otis last night at the PPV.
The Miz and Morrison congratulated McIntyre on his great title reign and then Miz boasted about being a two time Mr. Money in the Bank. Miz stated that McIntyre doesn’t have to worry about facing Randy Orton for the WWE Championship anymore because he is Mr. Money in the Bank.
Miz noted that he cashed in on Randy Orton before right here in Orlando. The Miz pointed out that history might repeat itself tonight because Randy Orton is a guest tonight on A Moment of Bliss.
McIntyre leveled The Miz with a headbutt and then launched Morrison across the ring. The Miz hit McIntyre with a chop block and retreated up the ramp with Morrison. McIntyre stomped on The Miz’s sunglasses and said that he has an idea that he is going to run by management and it is going to be a bad night for Miz and Morrison.
AJ Styles battled Jeff Hardy in a Survivor Series Qualifying match. Before the match, AJ Styles bragged about 2-0 on RAW and claimed that he was dominating everyone he steps in the ring with. Styles complained about having to win a match to qualify for RAW’s Survivor Series team. AJ stated that he should be the captain of Team RAW because he is the face that runs the place. Styles added that his associate (Jordan Omogbehin) doesn’t like to be looked at or talked to. AJ started complaining about Jeff Hardy using an illegal knee brace to take the IC Title from him before Hardy made his way to the ring.
Match Recap: Styles controlled the match early but Jeff rolled out of the ring. Styles went after him and Hardy caught him with a Dropkick to the midsection. Jeff went for a Crossbody but Jordan caught him as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Styles connected with a Brainbuster for a near fall. Jeff battled back and connected with a Russian Leg Sweep for a near fall. Hardy climbed to the top rope and hesitated as Jordan slowly walked towards him. AJ capitalized with a Pele Kick and then shoved Jeff into the ring post. Styles followed it up with the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory. AJ Styles qualified for Team RAW at Survivor Series.
After the match, Elias hit Jeff Hardy with his guitar. Hardy and Elias battled last night at Hell in a Cell. The match ended in a DQ after Jeff bashed Elias with the guitar.
Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa faced Lucha House Party tonight.
Match Recap: Tozawa and Gulak controlled the match early before 24/7 Champion R-Truth interrupted. R-Truth walked around the ring and Lince Dorado capitalized on the distraction and rolled up Gulak for the victory. Everyone then chased R-Truth backstage.
Bray Wyatt welcomed everyone to a tea party at the Firefly Fun House. Alexa Bliss showed up with tea and Bray & the puppets clapped. Abby the Witch said “off with her head” as Bliss poured Ramblin Rabbit a cup. Bliss said there was a touch of strawberry, a touch of sugar, and a secret ingredient. Alexa then laughed and said it was arsenic and Ramblin Rabbit died.
Wyatt said that this is a very magical place and The Fiend protects them and there is only one thing they need to do. . Alexa’s eyes turned red after Bray put his “Heal” hand on her forehead and she said “let him in”. Bliss went back to normal and stated she gets to have a fun chat with new WWE Champion Randy Orton. Bray remembered Orton burning down his compound as Ramblin Rabbit came back to life. Bray then beat him to death as Alexa laughed.
The card for next month’s WWE Survivor Series is taking shape.
Coming out of Monday’s Raw, we have six matches confirmed for the event. As we’ve been reporting for a few weeks, Survivor Series will have a ‘brand warfare’ theme, with the top champions from Raw and SmackDown squaring off.
The current card includes four inter-brand ‘Champion vs. Champion’ matches and two traditional 5-on-5 elimination matches:
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman)
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks
Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
United States Champion Bobby Lashley vs. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
5-on-5 Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team RAW (Keith Lee, AJ Styles, 3 TBD) vs. Team SmackDown (5 TBD)
5-on-5 Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match (Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke & 1 TBD) vs. Team SmackDown (5 TBD).
WWE Survivor Series takes place Saturday, November 22nd at the Thunderdome in Orlando, FL.
Cody Rhodes has tried to make the AEW TNT Title as special as any title that the promotion has to offer. On Monday, it took things up a notch and no doubt got fans talking with a post on his Twitter account. According to the All Elite Wrestling executive, this is the most important belt in all of wrestling over the past year.
Rhodes will make his next title defense against Orange Cassidy this Wednesday night on Dynamite.
If he can get past the fan-favorite star, then he will defend it against Darby Allin at the AEW Full Gear pay-per-view event on November 7th from Jacksonville, Florida at Daily’s Place. Rhodes was the inaugural champion before dropping it to Brodie Lee only to win it back after a brief absence from television.
AEW Dynamite Card
TNT Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Orange Cassidy
Wardlow vs. Hangman Page – AEW Semi-Finals World Title Eliminator Tournament Match
Kenny Omega vs. Penta El Zero M – AEW Semi-Finals World Title Eliminator Tournament Match
Inner Circle Town Hall Meeting to decide if MJF will join the group
The Rock prides himself on being the hardest worker in the room and that includes the gym.
However, sometimes situations can get a little out of hand and things happen. The former WWE Champion found this out the hard way while throwing around some chains in a recent training session.
The chain hit him on the side of the face and got some color. He showed off the wound in a post on Instagram. He wrote the following in the caption:
“We ain’t playin’ tiddlywinks and we ain’t reciting nursery rhymes – it’s called the #ironparadise for a reason and things get extremely intense.Threw around my 50lb chains ? for a drop set – I got lumped up and need stitches ??Taste your blood, keep training and stitch up later – rules of the house. And I can confirm my blood tastes like Teremana, calluses and BlaMoan (black and samoan) Hot Sauce????? Have a productive week, my friends – keep it light and a lil’ fun, but get after it like a MF.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0bKZslpFM/
The Rock has been tied with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in the rumor mills as of late as “The Great One” has gone on record by noting that if he were to come out of retirement then a match with his cousin at WrestleMania would be something that he’d be interested in.
Over the weekend, The Rock did the induction speech for Ken Shamrock’s Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame induction.
Ring of Honor has returned to producing content for its weekly television program. Marty Scurll has not been involved, however. Scurll was the subject of allegations during the #SpeakingOut movement and it was announced that ROH would be launching an investigation into his past conduct. There have been no updates from ROH regarding the investigation.
Scurll is said to not be involved in creative with the company at the moment. He isn’t be used as a wrestler either.
Dave Meltzer addressed Scurll’s situation on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“Marty Scurll was taken off the Ring of Honor roster page,” Meltzer said. “Obviously, Marty Scurll’s not worked, he’s not the booker anymore, he’s had nothing to do with creative. From the #SpeakingOut allegations, at this point, there’s no plans to use him. As far as is that forever? I don’t know. I just know he was taken off the active roster, has not been used at any of the TVs, he’s not booked at any of the TVs going forward for right now.”
“As far as I know he hasn’t been fired, so I don’t know what the exact situation is other than they’re not using him,” he continued.
Kenny Omega will defend the AAA Mega Championship at TripleMania 28 against Laredo Kid. Omega has held the title for over a year after winning it from Fenix on October 19th, 2019.
Luchablog has been Tweeting news from a AAA press conference held today.
AAA press conference starts with talk about AutoLuchas. They have two more shows on Sunday with a Dia del Muertos theme.
It will be a 7-match event with a hair vs hair match between Chessman and Pagano also confirmed for the show.
Normally, TripleMania is held every August. Due to the pandemic, however, that did not occur this year.
Kenny Omega & The AAA Mega Championship
Only 11 wrestlers in history have won the AAA Mega Championship. El Mesias won an 8-person tournament in 2007 to be crowned the inaugural champion. He defeated Chessman in the finals.
El Texano Jr.’s reign with the title from 2012-14 holds several records. At 735 days, it is the longest single reign in the title’s lineage. He also defended the title 9x during the reign, which is also a record. Omega has defended the title 3x during his year-long reign.
WWE SmackDown announcer Corey Graves recently discussed the WWE Draft. The Draft took place just over a week ago and saw some of WWE’s biggest Superstars make the move to either to Blue or Red brand.
On the WWE After The Bell Podcast, Corey Graves would outline some of the moves that he was and wasn’t happy about from the Draft.
Corey Graves on The WWE Draft
“Off the top my head? I’m bummed to see The Fiend and all the madness that follows him head to Monday Night Raw” Corey Graves began on the podcast. “But of course it makes for some fresh new matchups.”
Graves would then make a prediction about a major angle for The Fiend Bray Wyatt on RAW. Corey made it clear that he wants one of the commentary team on RAW to leave the desk and get back in the ring.
“I’m putting it out in the universe, here first on After The Bell. I want Samoa Joe to get out from behind the commentary table and fight The Fiend. There’s my big bold prediction. Maybe it’ll happen by the end of 2020? I have a bad habit of making it worse.”
Corey Graves would also lament the loss of AJ Styles from Friday nights, but also discuss the move of Seth Rollins to FOX Network. “AJ Styles also headed back to Monday nights…but my man, one of my favourites, one of my closest friends Seth Rollins has arrived on Friday night SmackDown, to bring the greater good, your way. Keep your eyes peeled, I’m sure it’s gonna be gud as Booker T so often says.”
Would you like to see The Fiend vs Samoa Joe? Do you think that AJ Styles will work on RAW and Seth Rollins will be a major asset for SmackDown? Let us know in the comments
WWE announced an agreement with Orlando’s Amway Center back in August to host its RAW, Smackdown, and PPV shows. WWE’s agreement with the venue has less than 1-month left on it, however, and with the NBA possibly returning to the venue in December, WWE could be looking for a new home soon.
Orlando-based reporter Jon Alba tweeted out several updates to this story today. He noted that he has obtained a copy of the amended contract between WWE and the Amway Center.
I have received the amendment to the contract between the city of Orlando and #WWE to hold the ThunderDome at Amway Center. Officially, it runs through November 24. pic.twitter.com/QRLMiCzb1k
Alba continued to note that with the Orlando Magic returning to the venue in December, in addition to the Orlando Solar Bears hockey team, WWE will be looking for a new home venue for December.
“The contract itself has not changed between #WWE and Amway Center. With the #NBA looking to start its season in December, and the #ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears beginning play as well on approximately Dec. 11, this appears to be the end of ThunderDome’s run in Orlando,” Alba continued to Tweet.
I had been working on this request for information for nearly a month. Apologies for the delay. Finally was able to get it today.
Amazingly, #WWE has run every single one of its shows in Orlando since March 13, the first Smackdown empty-arena show.
At one point, it was felt the NBA would not be returning until January. The league has recently floated the idea of returning in late December, however.
WWE Survivor Series 2020 is scheduled for November 22nd, 2020. No matches have been officially announced for the show but it is believed that the event will once again follow a brand-versus-brand format. Unlike last year, however, we may get a men’s singles champion vs men’s single’s champion match.
According to comments made by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the plan at the moment is for Randy Orton vs Roman Reigns to headline the event.
This would also mean there are no plans to add the NXT champion to such a match. Finn Balor’s status as champion is up in the air at the moment, anyway, due to the broken jaw he suffered at TakeOver 31.
Last year’s event did not pit the men’s world champions against each other. Brock Lesnar defended his WWE Championship against Rey Mysterio and Bray Wyatt defended the Universal strap against Daniel Bryan.
If the RAW vs Smackdown vs NXT format takes place at this year’s event, it would also pit Sasha Banks vs Asuka vs Io Shirai. Some fans have expressed enthusiasm for such a match online.
Shayna Baszler defeated Becky Lynch and Bayley at Survivor Series 2019.
Rumored Retribution vs WWE Match At Survivor Series
Last month there were also rumors that Retribution would be involved in a big Survivor Series match against a WWE team. The faction is involved in a stable vs stable feud with the Hurt Business right now. Their rivalry could potentially culminate in a traditional Survivor Series match on the PPV.
In the late 1980s, Paul Heyman managed the Samoan Swat Team of Fatu and Samu in WCW. The team would later win WWF tag team titles as the Headshrinkers. Fatu would later be dubbed Rikishi and is the father of Jimmy & Jey Uso in WWE.
Following last night’s Hell in a Cell PPV, Paul Heyman commented on his history with the Anoa’i/Fatu wrestling dynasty:
Atn @WWEUniverse: Let's be very clear. I respect #RomanReigns' father #Sika and his Uncle #Afa and every member of his family, who were very good to me when they had no reason to be good to me except they appreciated my passion for this business. But business IS business! #Samoan
Afa and Sika appeared on the stage following Roman Reigns’ victory over Jey Uso at Hell in a Cell. They presented him with a traditional lei and embraced him as the Tribal Chief.
With Jey Uso saying “I Quit” last night at Hell in a Cell, him and his brother must now recognized Reigns as the Tribal Chief. Jey Uso recently spoke with Chris Van Vliet about the feud with his cousin.
“We showing you real emotion, we showing you feeling. You can put the Fiend with Roman, you can put Seth Rollins with Roman, whoever, whatever, whatever top guy they got, put him with Roman, I guaran-damn-tee you, uce, they didn’t pull out emotion, they didn’t pull out real feeling, they didn’t pull out storytelling the way me and uce did that thing.”
“Tell me you didn’t feel like you were watching a damn movie, you forgot you were watching wrestling,” he continued.
WWE celebrate 30 years of The Undertaker at next month’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. The Dead Man made his WWE debut at the 1990 installment of the fall classic.
A promo video aired announcing the celebration during Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. It was later announce don commentary that The Undertaker will be at Survivor Series to mark this anniversary.
The Undertaker last competed at WrestleMania earlier this year. He was victorious against AJ Styles in the cinematic Boneyard match. It might be his final sanctioned match for WWE.
“Never say never” is a popular phrase in the world of professional wrestling, but The Undertaker said he has no plans to wrestle again during the conclusion of the WWE Network’s Last Ride docuseries.
In the lead up to Survivor Series, the WWE Network is celebrating “30 Days of the Deadman” with a weekly special focusing on different aspects of the Undertaker’s legendary career.
WWE Survivor Series takes places Sunday, November 22nd from the Thunderdome in Orlando, FL.
Sasha Banks is your new Smackdown Women’s Champion after defeating Bayley at Sunday’s Hell in a Cell PPV. With the win, Banks is now just the 3rd female grand-slam champion in WWE.
“The boss” has now won the WWE women’s tag-team, NXT, RAW, and Smackdown women’s championship. Only Bayley and Asuka have done the same. More on that below.
Here’s a look at Sasha Banks’ nine title reigns in WWE/NXT:
1x NXT Champion
5x RAW Women’s champion
1x SmackDown Women’s Champion
2x WWE Women’s tag champion (with Bayley)
Bayley’s Path to the Grand Slam
Bayley became the 1st ever women’s grand slam winner on May 19th, 2019. That was when she first won the Smackdown women’s title. She had previously won the RAW title in 2017 and the tag titles with Sasha banks in 2019. Bayley first won the NXT title in 2015.
Asuka’s Path to the Grand Slam
Asuka became the 2nd grand-slam winner in WWE women’s divisions on May 10th, 2020 when she won the RAW Women’s Championship. She won the MITB match and it was revealed on RAW the next night that the match was actually for the RAW women’s title as Becky Lynch was vacating it. Asuka first won Smackdown women’s title on December 16th, 2018. She won the tag titles with Kairi Sane on October 6th, 2019. Asuka’s NXT reign began on April 1st, 2016.
Impact Wrestling’s Bound For Glory PPV saw some unscheduled changes take place. In the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match, Heath was in obvious discomfort and needed the ropes to hold himself up. Alex Shelley was taken out of the 4-way tag-team match early and Kylie Rae did not perform in her scheduled match against Deonna Purrazzo.
According to updates from the Wrestling Observer, Heath suffered a hernia in the gauntlet match. At the time, he thought he suffered a torn groin. Heath was also scheduled to win the match but the plan changed after he was injured. In storyline, one of either Heath or Rhino needed to win the match or they would both be gone from Impact. An on-the-fly decision saw Rhino defeat Sami Callihan in the finals of the match. This keeps Rhino and Heath in the company from a storyline perspective, though now it is Rhino who has a title shot owed instead of Heath.
The North attacked Alex Shelley before the tag title match at Bound For Glory. This forced Chris Sabin to wrestle the match by himself. The North would regain the tag titles in the match. Shelley provided his own detailed medical evaluation on Twitter:
Wrestling is a really dangerous sport and sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to. I apologize to @BLabelPro and @SORBilly who was coming out of retirement as well as any independent companies I was negotiating with. Piledrivers are very dangerous. https://t.co/VzRCxTUlJq
So, the C6 nerve root controls your pointer finger and bicep and C5 can refer to your pectoralis. If you feel intense burning in either of these areas following trauma, please seek medical attention. I feel somewhat grateful to have the education to know what the red flags are.
Kylie Rae also missed the show. According to a report from PW Insider, she traveled to Nashville but was unable to make it to the venue Saturday evening. The reason she missed the show is a private matter and Impact has said they won’t publicly comment on it. She is said to be doing well and is in good-standing with the company. She’ll be back when she is ready to be.
At Impact Wrestling’s Bound For Glory PPV over the weekend, the company announced the Knockouts tag team championships will be returning. New champions will be crowned on the next Impact PPV at Hard to Kill on January 16th.
BREAKING: You've asked for it – the Knockouts Tag Team Titles are BACK!
Sarita and Taylor Wilde were the first-ever winners of the Knockouts tag team championships. They won a tournament and defeated Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky in the finals. Awesome Kong and Hamada would defeat them for the belts 106 days later.
The titles were then vacated when Awesome Kong left the company in 2010. The Beautiful People would then win the vacated belts that March.
In March of 2012, Eric Young became the first male wrestler to win 1/2 of the titles. His team with ODB defeated Gail Kim and Madison Rayne to win the belts. Impact executive Brooke Hogan would eventually strip them of the titles due to Young being a male competitor, however. The titles were eventually deactivated.
Randy Orton added another impressive achievement to his long list of accomplishments when he defeated Drew McIntyre at tonight’s Hell In A Cell PPV to win his 14th world title.
The new WWE Champion was interviewed backstage after the show where he was asked if the 14th world title is the sweetest yet. Replying to it, the Legend Killer mentioned how he has put many legends out to pasture.
Orton then discussed how there is a very short yet impressive list of competitors who have won the world title for 14 times in their careers and claimed that if this win doesn’t make him a legend, at least it’s sweet:
“There is a very short yet impressive list of men that have held this title for 14 times or more. My mentor Triple H, my mentor Ric Flair, one of my greatest opponents, John Cena.
That’s a short list I am now a part of.” said Randy “So yes I would say if tonight’s win didn’t make me a legend, well at the very least it definitely is sweet.”
This title change with Randy Orton makes the upcoming few weeks very interesting considering the fact that Survivor Series is the next big show in WWE’s yearly lineup of PPVs.
The company has focused on the rivalry between brands for the last few years of the Survivor Series PPV and fans are waiting to see if officials continue this approach this year as well.
Check out the complete Hell In A Cell results here
WWE Hell in a Cell 2020 aired on the WWE Network from the ThunderDome in the Amway Center. Drew McIntyre defended the WWE Championship against Randy Orton in the main event.
Hell in a Cell Results
Roman Reigns def. Jey Uso to retain the Universal Championship
Elias def. Jeff Hardy via DQ
The Miz def. Otis to capture the Money in the Bank contract
Sasha Banks def. Bayley to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Bobby Lashley def. Slapjack to retain the United States Championship
Randy Orton def. Drew McIntyre to capture the WWE Championship
Here are the takeaways from the PPV:
Roman Reigns Retained In An Incredible Match With Jey Uso
Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Jey Uso in a I Quit Hell in a Cell match. Before he entered the ring, Roman Reigns asked for forgiveness for what he was about to do.
Match Recap: Roman Reigns and Jey locked up to start off the match. Reigns threw Jey to the ropes and leveled him with a shoulder tackle. Roman followed it up with a massive right hand to the face and then a Suplex. Reigns knocked Jey to the canvas with a Clothesline and said that he was wasting his time.
Jey caught Roman with a boot to the face and followed it up with an Enziguri. Jey launched Roman into the cell and then connected with a Crossbody. Reigns leveled Jey with a Spear and told Jey that in a few minutes he is going to wish that he never came here.
Uso hit Reigns with a Dropkick and went for another one but Roman caught him with a right hand to the face. Reigns hit Jey with another massive Spear but Jey refused to quit. Roman went for another Spear but Jey blocked it and connected with a Superkick.
Jey made his way to the top rope and hit the Uso Splash. Jey followed it up with another Uso Splash and Reigns said “the head of the table never quits”. Uso grabbed a leather strap and brought it into the ring. Jey whipped Reigns across the back several times but Roman shrugged it off and hit Uso with a third Spear.
Reigns grabbed the leather strap and started whipping Jey across the back. Roman tied the strap around Jey’s wrist and whipped him across the chest. Jey dodged a Superman Punch and tied the strap around Roman’s neck. Jey started choking Roman and Reigns passed out.
Jey grabbed a steel chair but Roman popped up and hit a Superman Punch. Reigns then locked in the Guillotine choke as Roman shouted that he will make Jey take his last breath. Jey didn’t give up and Roman released the hold. Roman leaned over Jey and told him to quit or he is going to take this next level.
Roman brought Jey the apron and connected with the Drive By. Reigns put Jey’s head up against the ring post and set up the steel steps next to him. Roman patted Jey on the head and hit another Drive By that sent the steps into Jey’s head. The referee tried to stop the match but Reigns prevented it and launched him out of the ring.
Officials rushed the ring and tried to stop Roman but he threw the steel steps into the ring. Roman put the steps on top of Jey and said that he is better, he is the man, and is the Tribal Chief. Reigns was about to bash the steel steps on Jey’s head but Jimmy Uso got into the ring.
Jimmy had tears in his eyes and told Roman that he didn’t have to do this. Reigns got choked up and sat down in the middle of the ring. Jimmy told Reigns that whatever he is going through they will help him but this is not it. Reigns stated that he doesn’t even know who he is anymore and that he is sorry. Roman hugged Jimmy and then locked in the Guillotine choke. Jey grabbed Jimmy’s hand and said that he quit. Roman Reigns is still the Universal Champion. After the match, Reigns’ uncle and father (Afa and Sika) presented him a lei as the Tribal Chief.
Opinion: I thought that this match was awesome. The performances by Reigns, Jimmy, and Jey were amazing and I was completely invested for the 45 minutes. I haven’t seen storytelling executed this well in wrestling in a long time. The Hell in a Cell was largely irrelevant during this match but I didn’t care. Reigns and Jey could have this match at a mall and I would have been just as riveted because of their performances.
Jeff Hardy faced Elias tonight at WWE Hell in a Cell.
Match Recap: Jeff Hardy controlled the action early and focused his attack on Elias’ arm. The action spilled out of the ring and Elias sent Jeff into the barricade. Jeff got back into the ring right before the referee counted to ten and Elias greeted him with a stomp to the back.
Jeff went for the Twist of Fate but Elias countered into a Powerbomb for a near fall. Jeff hit Whisper in the Wind and then a Twist of Fate. Hardy climbed to the top of the ring post but Elias rolled out of the ring. Jeff hopped down and then hit Elias across the back with the guitar to end the match in a DQ.
It has been over 1 year since I have lost a match. #HIAC
The Miz battled Otis tonight at Hell in a Cell. The Money in the Bank contract was on the line and Tucker & John Morrison were ringside for the match.
Match Recap: Otis dominated early and The Miz begged for mercy. Miz sent Otis out of the ring and went for a Dropkick but Otis got out of the way. Otis hit Miz with a Clothesline and then bounced Miz’s head of the announce table a couple of times.
Back in the ring, Morrison hopped on the apron for a distraction and Miz capitalized with a DDT for a near fall. Morrison hit Otis with a cheap shot and Miz hit some It Kicks in the corner of the ring. Otis took back control and Morrison hopped on the apron once again. The referee kicked Morrison out as Otis rolled up Miz for a two count. Tucker hit Otis in the head with the briefcase and The Miz covered him. The Miz is now Mr. Money in the Bank.
After the match, Tucker said that they were supposed to be a team but he did everything for the team. Tucker claimed that Otis cannot function without him and he was the one that gave him the confidence to ask out Mandy Rose. Otis showed up and chased Tucker away.
The third match between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton ended up serving as the main event of the WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event.
The contest was held inside of the Hell in a Cell structure. It was a long match with them using various weapons.
Orton used bolt cutters to get out of the cell only for them to climb the cell and brawl on top of it. They crawled down the cell until Orton sent him flying through the air and crashing onto the announce table. Back in the ring, McIntyre missed the claymore kick and Orton hit the RKO to win the title. Orton is now a 14-time world champion.
This feud dates back to August. McIntyre successfully retained the WWE Title over Orton at SummerSlam with a backslide.
Orton would then drop a loss to Keith Lee at Clash of Champions. So, WWE decided to have three separate singles matches with the winners of those bouts advancing to a Triple Threat Match later in an August 31st episode of RAW.
Orton beat Kevin Owens to advance to the finals where he would defeat Lee and Seth Rollins to earn a second title match. However, at Payback, McIntyre retained the WWE Title in an Ambulance Match.
The third match was set up with McIntyre wanting to get revenge on Orton, who attacked Big Show, Ric Flair, Christian, and Shawn Michaels on an episode of RAW. These legends got involved in their Payback match with Orton blaming them for costing him the title.
Sasha Banks didn’t come up short while trying to get revenge on Bayley
As seen at Sunday’s WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event in Orlando, Florida, Bayley defended the SmackDown Women’s Title against her former best friend inside of the Hell in a Cell structure.
It was a slow start and then they started using various weapons such as tables, kendo sticks, a fire extinguisher, and the cell. The finish saw Banks use a chair while putting Bayley into the Bank Statement for the win.
This snapped Bayley’s 380-day reign as champion and the first time that Banks has been the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Last month on an episode of SmackDown after failing to reclaim the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship from the team of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, the betrayal happened. Bayley turned on Banks, who was kept off television to sell the angle.
After Bayley retained her SmackDown Women’s Title via disqualification at Clash of Champions, Banks returned to attack Bayley with a steel chair.
Time will tell whether WWE continues this feud or goes into a different direction heading into the Survivor Series pay-per-view event on November 22nd.
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso brought a different intensity to their rematch.
Unlike their previous encounter, which was a singles match, WWE booked them in a Hell in a Cell I Quit Match at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event.
The match with the Universal Title on the line saw them open the show. Reigns got the early offense while talking trash. The trend of the match was Reigns dominating with Jey having moments of life only for Reigns to put him down again.
Reigns hit Uso with back-to-back drive-bys on the apron with one of them being with a steel step. Reigns attacked a referee for trying to stop the match. Reigns was about to hit Jey with the steps until Jimmy Uso talked him out of it. When Reigns put Jimmy in the guillotine choke, Jey said he quit and that was the finish.
Their first match took place last month at the WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view event. Reigns beatdown Jey so much that Jimmy, his brother, had to come out while still injured to throw in the towel.
The following week on SmackDown, WWE set up the rematch during a celebration ceremony was held to crown Reigns as the tribal chief. When Reigns refused to be named as such because Jey did not acknowledge him, it led to this contest being made.
We have an update on AEW star Abadon, who was injured earlier this week at a taping for AEW Dynamite. She wrestled Tay Conti at Thursday’s TV tapings from Jacksonville, FL in a match is scheduled to air next week on Dynamite.
The injury took place mid-way through the match, which was cut short before Abadon was sent to the hospital for an evaluation. Brian Alvarez reports (via Wrestling Observer Radio) that Abadon took an elbow to the throat, which rendered her unable to breathe. This made for a very scary situation and
Despite the serious nature of the injury, doctors determined that she will be fine without any longterm damage. We wish Abadon a speedy recovery.
Abadon is the #3 ranked female competitor in AEW. She first competed for AEW back in March in an AEW Dark match against current Women’s Champion, Hikaru Shida. She currently holds a 5-1 record.
Former WWE Superstar Ryback recently discussed the contentious AEW Dynamite segment featuring MJF and ‘Le Champion’ Chris Jericho.
The musical segment caused a ton of conversation since it aired on Wednesday, with the actual low rating for that quarter hour of the show adding to the back and forth. It would turn out that the quarter hour had an audience of 676,000 viewers.
Chris Jericho, however, would tout the success of the actual musical number, saying that the minute by minute rating proved it was a success. Jericho tweeted, “Just saw minute by minute ratings for #LeDinnerDebonair. I’m stoked that almost 800k checked out our song and dance! Fifth highest demo for #AEWDynamite as well. Add over a million views on Twitter & it looks like our experiment paid off!”
Ryback’s Take
“I watched the entire thing and was entertained by it” Ryback began on the Shooting Blanks Wrestling podcast. “It caught me completely off guard, I was not expecting that at all. I don’t know if anybody was expecting that!? We’ve ever seen it.”
“I’m not against stuff like that at all” The Big Guy would continue. “Because I think you do need to try things. I mean, that was why I asked that question ‘let’s see what the rating said and if the rating showed an increase? It’s not something you’re gonna do every week. They’re not gonna have Jericho and MJF just do Broadway’s every week you know?”
Ryback would further praise the pair for the creativity of the segment. “I think it was a way to do something outside the box in a creative way at a time where creativity is kind of. We need creativity right now with everything going on. I didn’t hate it at all and I enjoyed it. I watched the entire thing, and I go ‘whoa I’ve never seen anything like this before.’ And I thought, both of them? They pulled that off as well as they could have.”
The Big Guy would finish by discussing how the segment worked from a character standpoint. “They had the the character stuff up front, and I thought it created a really interesting dynamic and story with them. Just how they’re both kind of scumbags and dropping the girls at the same time and doing little things like that. I thought it was really cool and interesting.”
Do you agree with Ryback? Did you enjoy the segment? Will this help the MJF and Chris Jericho feud? Let us know in the comments
