– PWInsider is reporting that Aro Lucha’s Jason Brown, Ron Harris, and Don Harris were backstage at Friday’s Lucha Underground tapings. Two days later on Sunday, IMPACT Wrestling’s Ed Nordholm was in attendance for a taping as well. The visits were reportedly part of the organizations trying to build a working relationship with one another of some sort.
IMPACT is already set to partner with Lucha Underground April 6th for a Twitch live event special as part of WrestleCon in New Orleans on WrestleMania weekend. Aro Lucha is currently looking for talent for its upcoming TV tapings that are scheduled to go down later this year in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Kevin Owens recently took to Twitter to suggest he thinks he should be WWE Champion. During last night’s Fastlane pay-per-view (PPV) main event; a Six Pack Challenge between AJ Styles, John Cena, Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and Baron Corbin, Owens looked as though he had the match won at one point.
SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon, who was sitting ringside for the entire match, interfered in both Owens and Zayn’s pinfalls that would’ve likely secured them the match. Owens took to Twitter to voice his frustrations:
– Sports Illustrated is reporting that The Big Show’s WWE contract did expire in February last month. WWE has reportedly signed him to an agents contract in order to keep him with the company and prevent him from working elsewhere. Show recently stated that he plans to be back by WrestleMania 34.
– Just prior to WWE’s Fastlane pay-per-view (PPV) on the pre-show last night, Dolph Ziggler spoke to Cathy Kelly and Renee Young to hype his involvement in the main event of the evening – a Six Pack Challenge match for the WWE Title. During his promo Ziggler seemed to take a shot at WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.
Ziggler said that SmackDown Live has their champion who defends his title week after week, seemingly taking a shot at Brock Lesnar’s part-time status over on Monday Night RAW:
“He [AJ Styles] is definitely a fighting champion and that’s been a huge factor that I like about SmackDown Live for RAW more. We have our champion, every night defending it but that also opens the door for me to slide in there and steal it.”
During a recent appearance for the Northeast Wrestling promotion earlier this month, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio suffered a bicep injury in the middle of his Tag Team match. Mysterio was still able to move his arm after the injury, however, had it been a complete tear he wouldn’t have been able to move it at all. As a result of the injury Mysterio did, and will continue to, miss some dates he was scheduled for.
Dave Meltzer recently discussed Mysterio’s injury on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio and reports that the Mexican star is expected to miss a month of action. His status for the upcoming Long Beach show is currently unknown as it happens in two weeks from now:
“He was in Lexington yesterday and he said he would be out of action for one month. Now the long Beach show is two weeks from today and he said he didn’t know. At least I am going to say it’s touch and go. It may just be go. We’ll probably know in a day or two. I think he may wait until the end because he probably has this idea.
“If he can possibly do it because it’s New Japan then he will do it, but I think there is a recognition that he may not be ready in time.”
With Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract set to expire soon after WrestleMania 34 in April, it’s still up-in-the-air whether or not “The Beast” will stay with the company or return to mixed martial arts (MMA) competition in the UFC. Lesnar is currently scheduled to defend his WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania in New Orleans next month.
It’s expected that Lesnar will drop the strap to “The Big Dog.” WWE would like for Lesnar to enter a program with the returning Bobby Lashley soon after, but that’s dependent on whether or not he re-signs with WWE. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reports that if Lesnar does want to return to the MMA world he won’t be allowed to work for the UFC simultaneously while with WWE:
“They won’t let him do it again and that’s why he’s leaving. Failed drug test is probably why. It’s a big risk for them. I was really surprised they let him fight with Mark Hunt. He had to kind of talk them into that. I think that they thought that he would beat Mark Hunt, which is surprising to a degree just because – well he did win. I thought that fight was far from a given that he would win.”
Meltzer then noted that a possible superfight at heavyweight against former 205-pound UFC champion Jon Jones is a key reason Lesnar is interested in returning to UFC. He also suggested, however, that “The Beast” could simply be leveraging WWE for more money:
“The big fight with Jon Jones is probably one he won’t win but there is so much money to be made and I think that’s why he wants to do that fight. I don’t think UFC is that comfortable having to work through WWE to get somebody that they don’t have under contract. I mean they did because it was UFC 200 and it was a special show but I think that they would rather not do that.
“I think that he would rather not have to go and get Vince McMahon’s approval on everything he does. So it just makes sense. If the right fight is there, then the money is there for him to leave. If it’s not, it’s different. The flip is this may all be a bluff anyways and he’s just doing it to leverage and to get a better deal from Vince.”
Daniel Bryan was not present for Smackdown’s Fastlane pay-per-view last night. Brie Bella recently posted the reason why Bryan was not in Columbus last night to her Instagram account. Both Bryan and Brie were attending the wedding of Daniel’s cousin, Billy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgK0dXmnCZp/
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon Storyline
Daniel Bryan’s absence from the show last night could play into WWE storyline. In the main event in Columbus last night, Shane McMahon cost both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn chances to win the WWE championship.
Bryan hasn’t posted on social media since the pay-per-view but will most likely have something to say tomorrow night.
The road to WrestleMania continues as Monday Night Raw rolls into Detroit, Michigan. The following items are being advertised for tonight’s show from the Little Cesars Arena:
– WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will be on hand to face off with Roman Reigns. WWE is billing Lesnar as the “entitled” Universal Champion, which reinforces how the Beast is being portrayed in this feud.
– Can Bayley and Sasha Banks mend their fractured friendship?
– Braun Strowman is the “Maestro Among Monsters” – whatever that means.
– Will Ronda Rousey regret putting her hands on Stephanie McMahon?
WWE is also teasing when “The Ultimate Deletion” take place. With Jeff Hardy being arrested over the weekend, it will be interesting to see if WWE airs the original footage as intended or if reshoots are required to delete Brother Nero.
Join us here tonight for our weekly WWE RAW Live Coverage
The 1st round of the 2018 New Japan Cup concluded last night/early this morning. Toru Yano defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr via count-out and SANADA defeated Chuckie T on the 4th night of the tour.
The quarter-finals take place March 14th and 15th and will include English commentary. The semi-finals will be held on the 16th and 18th with the finals on the 21st.
As noted, Jeff Hardy was arrested for Driving While Impaired on Saturday night in Concord, North Carolina after an accident on Concord Parkway. The incident occurd at 8:11pm. Hardy was arrested at 10:39pm EST and released later that night. The police report notes that Hardy totaled his 2016 Cadillac CTS-V with an estimated $8,000 in damages. Hardy was not traveling over the speed limit but was going an estimated 50 mph at the time of impact.
According to TMZ.com, Hardy submitted to a breathalyzer test and blew a .25 – more than three times the legal limit.
Officer Kelemecz wrote the following on the accident in the police report:
“Driver of Vehicle #1 ran off the roadway to the right, in turn striking about 105 feet of guardrail before the back end of the car spun out 90 degrees to the left, coming to rest in the middle of the right N bound lane of travel. The driver was arrested and charged with DWI.”
The police report lists an estimated $5,000 in damages to the 105 foot of guardrail, owned by the NC Department of Transportation, which could be a factor in any restitution that the court orders Hardy to pay. As is standard in NC following a DWI arrest, Hardy’s license have been suspended. His first court date is scheduled for Monday, April 16th in Cabarrus County.
In an update, WWE issued the following statement on the arrest:
“Jeff Hardy is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”
While Jeff has not commented on the arrest, it looks like brother Matt Hardy did reference the arrest in a late tweet on Sunday. Matt tweeted:
EVAH since the #7Deities have come to me, I do not put alcohol, drugs, or foreign substances into my VESSEL.
Jeff Hardy was arrested yesterday and charged with DWI in Concord, North Carolina. Hardy’s arrest came after he crashed his car into a guardrail and spun out into the middle of the road. He was released and given a court date next month.
After news of his brother’s arrest broke, Matt Hardy posted the following:
EVAH since the #7Deities have come to me, I do not put alcohol, drugs, or foreign substances into my VESSEL.
Matt Hardy himself has had an issue with DWI arrests in North Carolina. In 2011, he was arrested twice in one summer for the offense. He was fired from TNA Wrestling as a result and wouldn’t be brought back for 3 years. The next month Reby called the cops to say Matt was strung out on pills and they raided his house.
After the police raid, Matt checked himself into WWE-sponsored rehab and hasn’t had any issues since.
As noted, Jeff Hardy was arrested for Driving While Impaired on Saturday night in Cabarrus County, North Carolina after an accident on Concord Parkway in Concord, NC. The accident happened at 8:11pm where Concord Parkway South meets Bruton Smith Boulevard. Hardy was arrested at 10:39pm EST and released later that night.
The police report notes that Hardy totaled his 2016 Cadillac with an estimated $8,000 in damages. The VIN listed on the police report is registered to a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V. Hardy was not traveling over the speed limit but was going an estimated 50 mph at the time of impact. The area of the accident is about 2 hours from Hardy’s home in Cameron, NC. The report also indicates Hardy underwent some sort of test for alcohol but that the results were pending at the time of the arrest.
Officer Kelemecz wrote the following on the accident:
“Driver of Vehicle #1 ran off the roadway to the right, in turn striking about 105 feet of guardrail before the back end of the car spun out 90 degrees to the left, coming to rest in the middle of the right N bound lane of travel. The driver was arrested and charged with DWI.”
The police report lists an estimated $5,000 in damages to the 105 foot of guardrail, owned by the NC Department of Transportation. This could be a factor in any restitution that the court orders Hardy to pay.
Hardy has had his driver’s license suspended for 30 days, which is standard in North Carolina following a DWI arrest. Hardy’s first court date is scheduled for Monday, April 16th in Cabarrus County.
No word yet on WWE’s reaction to the arrest or if this could delay his return to TV. WWE filmed The Ultimate Deletion with Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt last week at Matt’s home in Cameron, NC but we don’t know if Jeff was used in that match or not, or if WWE would edit him out. Hardy has been out of action since undergoing surgery in September 27th but he was recently cleared to return and was scheduled to begin training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this month.
Below is Hardy’s mugshot photo from the weekend arrest:
AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship at Fastlane in a Six-Pack Challenge against John Cena, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin. On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, Cena claimed that he was going to win the title and dared AJ Styles to invoke his rematch clause and make it a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania between Cena, Styles and Nakamura.
Cena stated that this was his last chance at making it to WrestleMania. He admitted that he failed at Elimination Chamber, but vowed to capture the WWE Championship at Fastlane. However, Cena once again came up short at WWE Fastlane 2018 and AJ Styles retained his WWE Championship. After the match, Cena raised AJ Styles’ hand and then clapped for him on the entrance ramp.
After his victory, WWE Champion AJ Styles was interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley. AJ was asked about overcoming the odds and walking out of WWE Fastlane as the WWE Champion. Styles immediately brought up Shinsuke Nakamura and the dream match that is now official for WrestleMania 34. AJ said that now that the match is official, he is going to kick Shinsuke Nakamura’s ass at WrestleMania.
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura posted the following tweets after WWE Fastlane:
It’s been called a dream match… A fantasy born in Japan…
Open your eyes, pinch your arms. AJ Styles vs. @ShinsukeN for the @WWE Championship in THE main event of @WrestleMania.
Injured WWE RAW Superstar Jeff Hardy was arrested on the night of Saturday, March 10th for DWI in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
UPDATE: Raj Giri of WrestlingINC reports that Hardy was arrested in Concord, NC and that the accident happened on Concord Parkway South. Concord is in Cabarrus County. The police report has the accident time listed at 8:11pm. The report also says Hardy ran off the road and struck about 105 feet of guardrail before spinning to the left and coming to rest in the middle of the northbound lane.
Hardy was arrested at 10:20pm EST and released that same night at 11:24pm. No word yet on what led to the arrest or the release from jail. As is law in North Carolina, Hardy has had his driver’s license suspended for 30 days until the case is tried.
Hardy is currently scheduled to be in court on Monday, April 16th for his first hearing on these charges.
Hardy has been out of action since suffering a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in September 2017. He was recently cleared to return to the ring and has been scheduled to start training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando later this month. It’s believed that Hardy will be added to the current feud between brother Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt. WWE taped The Ultimate Deletion match with Hardy vs. Wyatt at Matt’s compound in Cameron, NC last week but there’s no word yet on if Jeff was used at the filming or if WWE would edit him out due to the DWI charge.
Stay tuned for updates on Jeff’s legal situation and status with WWE.
AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship tonight at WWE Fastlane in a Six-Pack Challenge against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin and John Cena. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon was ringside for the match and wound up playing a pivotal role in the decision. Both Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens had the match won, but Shane decided to intervene during both pinfalls. After WWE Fastlane 2018 went off the air, the SmackDown Commissioner joined Renee Young and Sam Roberts on Talking Smack.
Shane claimed that he was totally provoked tonight. Renee Young stated that Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan seem to constantly let their emotions get in the way of their job. Shane admitted that his emotions got the best of him tonight due to Kevin Owens accidentally Superkicking him in the face.
Renee asked where Shane draws the line on letting his emotions control his decisions. Shane McMahon stated that Daniel Bryan was correct in his assessment that he has let his emotions get in the way. Sam Roberts asked if Shane regretted his actions tonight and Shane quickly said he doesn’t know. Shane added that his adrenaline is still pumping and that he is not pleased with what happened tonight and once again brought up being kicked in the face.
Sam Roberts brought up that Kevin Owens was trying to kick Sami Zayn in the face tonight and Sami ducked, which led to Shane getting kicked in the face. Shane simply said “okay”. Roberts asked why Shane was even ringside for the match tonight but was quickly cut off by Renee Young. Renee brought up Owens attacking Vince McMahon last year and added that must have left a mark on Shane McMahon. Shane agreed that is where it all started and noted that he and Owens never liked each other. Shane said that he respected Owens’ talent but doesn’t care for him at all as a person.
Shane noted that he will never forget what Owens did to his father and that he has had this coming to him for a very long time. Shane complained about Sami Zayn interfering in the Hell in a Cell match against Kevin Owens last year, just as he was about to get his revenge on Owens. Sam Roberts asked Shane if it was time to let Daniel Bryan have more control as Shane works through these issues and Shane said that they have already tried that. Shane added that he and Daniel have a great relationship, but they don’t always see eye-to-eye. Shane once again claimed that Daniel Bryan is living vicariously through Owens and Zayn.
Shane admitted that he was happy to see neither Owens and Zayn walk away with the WWE Championship tonight. Shane claimed that he stayed out of the way tonight until he got booted in the face. Renee Young disagreed and pointed out that Shane McMahon deliberately cost both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn the chance to become WWE Champion on back to back occasions tonight. Shane once again admitted that his emotions got the better of him but claimed that he didn’t regret it at the moment. He continued to say that he might regret it later after he gets a chance to chill out and calm down.
As seen at Sunday night’s WWE Fastlane pay-per-view, the title match between The New Day and SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos ended in a no contest after The Bludgeon Brothers, Harper and Rowan, came to ringside and destroyed both teams.
WWE noted after the show that Woods was suffering from a thoracic spine injury, contusions to the spine, and that he was being taken to a local hospital to be checked out. This is likely a storyline injury but Woods was stretchered away from ringside while the others were helped to the back by officials.
It appears Rowan and Harper are up for some sort of title match at WrestleMania 34, perhaps a Triple Threat with The New Day and The Usos or a Fatal 4 Way with another blue brand tag team.
WWE announced Woods suffered an injury to his thoracic spine due to The Bludgeon Brothers’ attack.
“Our preliminary diagnosis is multiple thoracic contusions,” explained WWE medical personnel of Woods’ injury. “We’re currently in the process of having him evaluated with X-rays and possibly an MRI for any further damage, such as ruptured discs or fractures of the thoracic spine.”
WWE stated that we should have an update on Woods’ condition on Monday.
Guess who didn't want to see #TheNewDay and The @WWEUsos finish their rivalry…
Charlotte defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott tonight at WWE Fastlane. Charlotte emerged victorious but her celebration was interrupted following the match. Asuka made her way down to the ring and pointed at the WrestleMania sign hanging in the arena. It is now official, Charlotte will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka at WrestleMania 34.
Charlotte joined Renee Young and Sam Roberts on Talking Smack following WWE Fastlane 2018. Charlotte stated that she knows what it is like to come from NXT and want to make a name for herself. Charlotte said Riott made a name for herself tonight and added that she thought she was going to lose a couple of times tonight in their match.
Renee Young asked what was going through Charlotte’s head when Asuka’s music hit. Charlotte said that she has been watching Asuka for a long time and has witnessed her takeout everybody. Charlotte stated that she has never faced anyone like Asuka, but Asuka has never faced anyone like Charlotte. She added that this moment was made for WrestleMania and then vowed to defeat Asuka and leave WrestleMania 34 as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Sam Roberts stated that it has been a consensus that Charlotte was at the top of the women’s division in WWE, until Asuka arrived and then it became a conversation. Charlotte said that it motivates her and that having the opportunity to face her will cement her legacy. She stated that she felt like she has proven a lot on the main roster but she has never faced Asuka. Charlotte noted that Bayley defeated her last year at Fastlane and still lost to Asuka. Charlotte claimed that she wakes up every morning and wonders how to get better. Charlotte noted that she has to get better to defeat Asuka.
Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode tonight at WWE Fastlane to become the new United States Champion. Jinder Mahal attacked Orton after the match. Roode wound up planting them both a Glorious DDT. Orton joined Renee Young and Sam Roberts on Talking Smack following the PPV.
Orton stated that the US Title was the only championship that eluded him throughout his career and that winning it was very special to him and that he will never forget this moment. Randy said that it was one of those things that it was hard to explain. He has accomplished so much but the US Title made him a Grand Slam Champion and it felt good to be on that list.
Randy addressed what went down after the match. Orton said that he wasn’t mad at Mahal or Roode for their actions. Orton praised Roode for busting his ass to make it to WWE and added that he had a lot of fun out there tonight. Orton added that he thinks the WWE Universe saw potential for a hell of a feud between the two Superstars and Orton vowed to give it to them as long as he is the United States Champion.
Orton was asked if Mahal had his number and Sam Roberts joked that The Great Khali wasn’t here tonight. Orton noted that Roode hasn’t been here long enough to get under his skin. Orton said that if he were Roode, he would have done the same exact thing tonight after losing the title. Orton added that it is always nice going into WrestleMania with a title around his waist and said that he planned on representing the title the best he can at WrestleMania.
Renee Young asked Orton about John Cena still not having a match at WrestleMania. Orton brought up watching RAW Talk with his kids following the Elimination Chamber and thanked them for making see John Cena cry during the interview. Orton also complimented Cena and said he put on a hell of a show tonight.Randy noted that Mahal and Roode stacked up with the best of them in terms of opponents that he has faced in the ring as the interview concluded.
WWE Fastlane 2018 aired live from the Nationwide Arena in Colombus, OH. AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship in a Six-Pack Challenge against John Cena, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. Bobby Roode defended the United States Championship against Randy Orton. Charlotte Flair defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott. The Usos put the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line against New Day. It was the final PPV before WWE WrestleMania 34.
During the Kickoff Show, Jinder Mahal crashed the panel and complained about not being in the United States Championship match tonight. He claimed to be the “unofficial” United States Champion. Sam Roberts asked if Mahal would prefer to face Randy Orton or Bobby Roode for the US Title following tonight and Mahal stated that it didn’t matter because he would defeat both of them.
Breezango & Tye Dillinger faced Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable and Mojo Rawley in the WWE Fastlane Kickoff Show. The crowd greeted Mojo Rawley with “you can’t wrestle!” chants. Mojo shouted back at them “you think I care about being a wrestler?!”. Dillinger got a great reaction from the crowd and beatdown Gable and Mojo when he entered the match. Dillinger wound up picking up the victory for his team with a knee to the face.
Nakamura vs. Rusev at WWE Fastlane 2018. (Photo Credit: WWE.com)
Rusev took Nakamura to the mat to start off the match. Nakamura battled back to his feet but Rusev drove his elbow into Shinsuke’s shoulder and brought him back down to the canvas. Shinsuke got back up but Rusev leveled him with a shoulder tackle. Nakamura connected with a knee for a two count.
Rusev connected with a right hand as dueling “Nakamura!” and “Rusev Day!” chants broke out in the crowd. Rusev missed with another right hand and Nakamura trotted across the ring. Shinsuke posed in the middle of the ring and shouted “come on!” and Rusev responded by rolling out of the ring. Rusev regrouped with Aiden English outside the ring as Nakamura dared him to get back into the ring. Rusev hopped up on the ring apron but quickly hopped back down and paced around the ring.
Rusev finally got back in the ring to break up the count but quickly rolled outside again. Nakamura chased after him and brought him back to the ring arpon. Shinsuke delivered a knee to the back of Rusev’s head on the apron. Nakamura took his eye off of Rusev for a moment and Rusev knocked him off the ring apron. Rusev slammed Nakamura into the barricade and followed it up by driving him into the ring apron. Rusev shoved Nakamura into the barricade one more time and then went for a cover in the ring but Shinsuke kicked out at two. Rusev applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd cheered Nakamura on.
Shinsuke countered into a Heel Hook in the middle of the ring. Rusev quickly grabbed the middle rope to break up the hold. Shinsuke went for a kick but Rusev caught him and slammed Nakamura to the mat for two. Rusev dropped an elbow across Nakamura’s neck and applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as Aiden sang a few notes from outside the ring.
Nakamura battled back to his feet but Rusev hit him with a couple of knees to the midsection. Shinsuke ducked a Clothesline and then booted Rusev in the face. Shinsuke delivered a couple of kicks to the midsection and then one to the back of Rusev’s head. Shinsuke draped Rusev across the top rope and delivered a running knee to the midsection for a two count.
Shinsuke hit a couple more knees to the midsection and locked in a Guillotine choke in the middle of the ring. Rusev lifted Nakamura a couple of times but his knee gave out and he couldn’t break the hold. Rusev fought through the pain on the third attempt and planted Nakamura with a Fallaway Slam to break up the hold.
Rusev launched Nakamura in the air and kneed him in the ribs. Rusev followed it up with a massive kick to the face and went for the cover but Nakamura powered out at two. Rusev shouted and stomped in the corner. Rusev continued to stomp as he waited for Nakamura to get up. Rusev went for another kick but Nakamura dodged it. Shinsuke knocked Rusev to his knees and then hit him with a kick to the back of his head.
Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Rusev dodged it and launched Shinsuke into the corner. Rusev went for the Accolade but Nakamura escaped and booted Rusev in the face. Nakamura geared up in the corner and went for the Kinshasa but instead he ran into an awesome looking Machka Kick for a two count.
Rusev stomped on Nakamura’s spine and went for the Accolade but Nakamura once again escaped. Nakamura then hit a kick to the back of Rusev’s head and followed it up with a Kinshasa for the pinfall victory.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev put on a hell of a match to kickoff WWE Fastlane 2018. Unfortunately, the match really didn’t accomplish anything besides slightly build up Nakamura before WrestleMania. I wish Rusev wasn’t in this spot. The crowd was split tonight and people seem to really enjoy Rusev and Aiden English as a team. In my opinion, WWE is missing the boat here by having Nakamura run through both Rusev and Aiden English leading into WrestleMania 34.
The crowd loves Rusev Day and have gotten behind them recently on SmackDown. Maybe Rusev and English weren’t in WWE creative’s plans and they were caught off guard by the fan interest. If that was the case, the plans should have been changed anyways because they sucked and SmackDown has been absolutely dreadful as of late. I would have rather seen Rusev Day versus The Usos tonight over yet another title match with New Day. Like I said, Nakamura and Rusev put on a great match but it didn’t really mean anything.
Randy Orton Is The New United States Champion
Bobby Roode defended his United States Championship against Randy Orton tonight at WWE Fastlane. The match started out back and forth and Orton went for the RKO early but Roode was able avoid it and roll out of the ring. Bobby took his time getting back in the ring and locked up with Orton.
Orton drove Roode into the corner and hit him with an uppercut. Roode kicked Orton in the midsection and went for the Glorious DDT but Orton escaped and rolled out of the ring. Jinder Mahal was shown backstage watching the match on a monitor as Orton made his way back into the ring.
Orton kicked Roode in the ribs and then dropped him across the top rope. Orton went for the cover but Roode kicked out at two. Randy stomped on Roode’s ribs and delivered another quick to the midsection as Roode hobbled to the corner. Orton slammed Roode into the turnbuckle but Bobby exploded out of the corner and hit a Clothesline for a one count.
Roode applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Orton quickly battled back to his feet but Roode dragged him back down to his knees with the Chin Lock still applied. Roode booted Orton in the ribs and went for a Suplex but Orton blocked it and hit a Suplex of his own.
A brief “Byron Saxton” chant broke out in the crowd as Roode connected with a Clothesline. Roode went for the Glorious DDT but Orton escaped and connected with a Powerslam. Roode battled back and hit a Blockbuster off the second rope for two. Orton hung up Roode in the ropes and connected with a DDT.
Orton posed for the crowd and geared up for the RKO. Randy looked at the WrestleMania sign and began slamming on the mat. Roode got back up and Orton went for the RKO but Roode blocked it. Orton missed with a Clothesline and Roode hit a Clothesline of his own that sent Randy to the floor outside the ring.
Roode followed him out there but Randy was ready and slammed Roode into the barricade. Orton brought Roode back into the ring and went for the cover but Roode kicked out at the last second. Orton perched Roode up on the top ropes and blasted him in the face with a couple of jabs. Orton joined Bobby on the top rope and went for a Superplex but Roode blocked it and delivered a couple shots to Orton’s midsection. Roode flipped over Orton and connected with a Powerbomb off the top for a two count.
Roode climbed back up to the top rope but Orton sprung to his feet and shoved Bobby’s leg and Roode landed crotch-first on the top rope. Orton smirked and then climbed back up to the top and this time successfully hit the Superplex for two. Roode and Orton got back up after a bit and started exchanging punches and kicks. Orton hit an uppercut and went for another but Roode countered into a backslide pin for two.
Roode went for the Glorious DDT but Orton blocked it. Orton went for the RKO but Roode blocked it. Bobby then planted Orton with a Spinebuster and went for the cover but Randy kicked out at the last moment. Roode climbed up to the second rope and leaped towards Orton but Randy was ready and connected with an RKO out of nowhere for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Jinder Mahal stormed down to the ring and attacked Randy Orton. Bobby Roode turned Mahal around and planted him with a Glorious DDT. Roode then delivered a Glorious DDT to Randy Orton.
WWE Fastlane 2018 is 2 for 2 so far in terms of good matches tonight. I really enjoyed this one and it obviously would have been even better if it had a better build. I wanted to bash my head against the wall when Jinder Mahal came down to the ring. I don’t ever want to see another feud between Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal in my life. Thanfully, that likely won’t happen after what Bobby Roode did tonight.
Both Bobby Roode and Randy Orton have been astoundingly boring on SmackDown. They both are clearly better as heel characters. If Roode losing the title tonight results in him turning heel and becoming the entertaining character he was in NXT, then I’m cool with it. I have absolutely zero interest in a Randy Orton United States Championship run. I’m guessing we will see the Triple Threat match everyone expected tonight between Orton, Mahal and Roode at WrestleMania 34. I’ll even settle for Roode invoking his rematch clause at WrestleMania 34 and we just get a rematch. Anything besides Orton versus Mahal again. Please.
Carmella & Natalya Picked Up The Victory
Carmella & Natalya faced Becky Lynch & Naomi tonight at WWE Fastlane. Becky and Carmella started off the match . They taunted and shoved each other to start off the match. Becky locked in the Dis-Arm-Her quickly but Carmella was already at the ropes. Carmella shrieked and the referee quickly broke the hold.
Natalya tagged in and Becky quickly took control and tagged in Naomi. Naomi slid across the ring and slapped Natalya in the face for a two count. Natalya lifted Naomi in the air but Naomi countered into a Stunner. Naomi climbed up to the top rope but Carmella distracted her. Natalya planted Naomi with a Powerbomb. Natalya then shouted “you like Naomi?!” and posed in the ring.
Carmella tagged back in as the crowd chanted “we want Becky!”. Natalya shouted “shut up!” from the ring apron. Carmella moonwalked across the ring and then connected with a Bronco Buster for a two count on Naomi. Carmella connected with a couple of elbows and followed it up with a Chin Lock. Carmella shouted at Naomi to “feel the glow”. Naomi escaped the hold and ran towards the corner but Carmella dragged her back to the canvas. Carmella dragged Naomi back to the corner of the ring and tagged in Natalya.
Natalya once again asked the crowd if they were fond of Naomi and applied a Chin Lock. Naomi escaped and tried to tag out but Natalya once again drove Naomi back to the corner. Carmella tagged in and pulled on Naomi’s hair from the ring floor. Carmella then beat the hell out of Naomi on the apron and kneed her in the face. Carmella finally returned to the ring and went for the cover but Naomi kicked out at two.
Natalya tagged back in and went for a Back Body Drop but Naomi landed on her feet and tagged in Becky Lynch. Becky connected with an Exploder Suplex to Natalya and climbed to the top rope. Becky hit a Dropkick that knocked Natalya to the corner. Carmella tagged in and delivered a Jawbreaker to Becky. Naomi tagged back in and kicked Carmella in the head. Becky tagged back in and hit a Leg Drop off the top and went for the cover but Natalya broke it up.
Natalya launched Naomi out of the ring. Becky then threw Natalya out of the ring. Becky elbowed Carmella and climbed up to the top rope. Natalya distracted Becky and Carmella planted Lynch with a Hurricanrana for two. Carmella shouted at Natalya to bring in the MITB briefcase. Becky knocked Natalya off the ring apron and turned around into a Superkick from Carmella for the pinfall victory.
Nobody could blame if you if you have forgotten that Carmella was on the SmackDown roster or that she still has her MITB contract. She needs to cash that thing in eventually, so I guess it makes sense to have her win a couple of matches going forward. I have no idea. This match was pointless and a way to kill 10 minutes on the show. Becky Lynch and Naomi have fallen off the face of the earth on SmackDown. It shouldn’t be this way at all, but the SmackDown women’s division is essentially Charlotte and everyone else right now.
The Bludeon Brothers Destroyed The Usos & New Day
The Usos once again faced New Day tonight at WWE Fastlane. Jimmy and Jey took turns beating the hell out of Xavier Woods to start off the match. Kofi Kingston was on the ring apron as Big E was the odd man out for the match tonight.
Woods eventually escaped and tagged in Kingston. Kofi cleaned house and the crowd was silent. Kofi pumped them up but walked into a kick from Jey Uso. Jimmy tagged in and Kofi knocked him to the mat. Kofi then knocked Jey off the ring apron. Jey got back in ring and hit Xavier with a Samoan Drop. Jimmy Uso tagged in and connected with an “Uso Boom Drop”. Jimmy went for Trouble in Paradise but Kofi avoided it. The Usos then hit the Midnight Hour on Kofi for a two count.
Jey Uso tagged in and went for a Splash in the corner but Kofi dodged it and Jey hit the ring post. Woods tagged back in and blasted Jimmy off the ring apron. Jey went for a roll-up but Woods kicked out at two. Woods punched Jey in the face and hit him with a Superkick. Jimmy got back in the ring and got hit with a Superkick from Woods. Xavier hit Jey with another Superkick and tagged in Kofi. Kingston hit an Uso Splash off the top rope for a two count.
Woods tagged back in and climbed up to the top rope as Kofi climbed to the top in the opposite corner. Both Woods and Kingston were quickly knocked out of the ring and Big E joined them outside the ring. The Usos then leaped onto the New Day outside the ring and everyone was laid out on the floor.
The Bludgeon Brothers music hit and Harper & Rowan came out from backstage with their mallets. Harper booted Big E in the face and then they started attacking everyone and the referee called for the bell. Harper and Rowan rolled Big E into the ring and placed Woods on the apron. They both then booted Woods in the head at the same time and followed it up with a double Suplex to the floor.
Harper threw Big E out of the ring and Rowan leveled him with a Crossbody. Harper and Rowan then slammed The Usos on top of each other. Rowan Body Slammed Harper on top of The Usos and then Rowan followed it up with a Splash. Rowan swung a mallet at one of the Usos but he escaped. Harper then knocked him over the barricade and the Bludgeon Brothers started to make their way up the entrance ramp. They stopped and grabbed the steel steps. Rowan and Harper then Powerbombed Woods on top of the steps and stood over him before finally leaving.
Guess who didn't want to see #TheNewDay and The @WWEUsos finish their rivalry…
Up until the Bludgeon Brothers arrived, this match had absolutely nothing going for it. The crowd was dead silent for the match. The Usos and New Day did their best to get them engaged, but it just wasn’t happening tonight. Everyone had seen this match far too many times and just weren’t into it. It was great to see Harper and Rowan destroy these two teams, but I couldn’t help feeling like this was a glorified SmackDown segment. SmackDown’s tag division has been pretty weak lately, maybe Harper and Rowan can inject some life into it heading into WrestleMania 34.
Asuka vs. Charlotte At WrestleMania Is Official
Charlotte defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott at WWE Fastlane. Ruby went for the Riott Kick right away but Charlotte avoided it. Charlotte went for the Figure Four but Ruby booted her away. Riott applied a Headlock but Charlotte sent her to the ropes and planted her with a Fallaway Slam that sent Ruby to the corner.
Ruby hopped up on the first turnbuckle and grabbed Charlotte around the neck. Charlotte rolled through and both Superstars crashed to the floor outside the ring. Charlotte slammed Riott into the barricade a couple of times and sent Ruby back into the ring. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan showed up ringside and Charlotte became distracted. Riott booted Charlotte in the face from the apron and then brought Charlotte back into the ring. Riott connected with the Riott Kick for a two count.
Riott claimed that there was something in her eye and the referee became distracted as Charlotte was on the floor outside the ring. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan made their way towards Charlotte but Becky Lynch and Naomi sprinted down to the ring to back them up. Ruby brought Charlotte back into the ring and connected with a Suplex. Riott went for another one but Charlotte countered into a slingshot Suplex.
Ruby slammed Charlotte face-first into the middle turnbuckle and followed it up with a Senton for two. Ruby applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as Logan and Morgan cheered her on from ringside. Charlotte eventually broke free but Ruby planted her with an STO for a two count.
Riott climbed up to the second rope and went for another Senton but Charlotte got her knees up. Charlotte hung up Riott on the second rope and connected with a Neckbreaker. Charlotte climbed to the top rope but Ruby shoved her off and Charlotte crashed to the floor ouside the ring.
Ruby went for a Suicide Dive but Charlotte caught her and delivered a Fallaway Slam into the barricade. Charlotte followed it up with a Moonsault off the barricade onto a standing Ruby Riott. Charlotte brought Ruby back into the ring and went for the cover but Riott kicked out. Charlotte connected with a running knee to the face and followed it up with a boot to the face.
Charlotte and Ruby battled on the top rope. Riott connected with a Hurricanrana and went for the cover but Charlotte kicked out at two. Ruby hit Charlotte with a couple of chops but Charlotte responded with a slap to the face. Charlotte then hit some chops of her own as the crowd chanted “woo!”.
Riott slammed Charlotte into the second turnbuckle. Becky and Naomi got into the ring to try and prevent Logan and Morgan from getting involved. Referee Mike Chioda then threw out Becky and Naomi as Logan and Morgan beatdown Charlotte. Chioda then ejected Logan and Morgan from ringside.
Ruby argued with the referee and allowed Charlotte to get back up. Charlotte spun Ruby around into a chop and hit a Back Drop. Charlotte connected with a big boot and then went for the Figure Four but Ruby countered into a roll-up for two. Charlotte slingshotted Ruby into the top turnbuckle and followed it up with a Spear. Charlotte then locked in the Figure Four and bridged into the Figure Eight for the submission victory.
Charlotte and Ruby Riott had a decent match tonight, but once again the crowd was dead because the ending was predictable. It was expected that Asuka would wind up facing Charlotte at WrestleMania 34. I’m glad that turned out to be the case because the SmackDown women’s division desperately needs Asuka. I’m way more excited for a match between Asuka and Charlotte than I would have been for Alexa Bliss versus Asuka.
AJ Styles Retained The WWE Championship
SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon came down to the ringside for the Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Championship. AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler and John Cena.
John Cena hit Sami, Owens, Corbin and Ziggler with an Attitude Adjustment to start off the match. AJ Styles stood in the corner and then pretended to charge at Cena. John geared up for the AA but Styles backed away and the two Superstars circled each other in the ring as the crowd went bananas.
Dueling “lets go Cena!” and “AJ Styles” broke out in the arena as the two Superstars locked up. Cena leveled AJ with a shoulder tackle and the crowd booed. AJ and Cena traded punches in the ring as the crowd cheered every time AJ connected. Cena went for the AA but AJ escaped. Styles was knocked to the ring apron and Cena taunted him.
Owens, Ziggler, Corbin and Zayn hopped on the ring apron and stared at Cena. The crowd chanted “yes!” as AJ got back into the ring. Everyone then attacked Cena in the ring and the crowd erupted. Cena was then deposited out of the ring and the crowd cheered again. A brawl broke out between the remaining five Superstars in the ring. All five Superstars quickly battled outside of the ring.
Corbin launched AJ into the barricade and then punched Owens in the face. Styles and Corbin returned to the ring for a second but AJ quickly knocked Corbin back to the outside. Zayn got back into the ring but AJ threw him out as well. Owens got into the ring and AJ went for a roll-up for two. AJ slammed Owens face-first into the mat and then hit Corbin with a forearm. AJ connected with a Neckbreaker to Ziggler and then planted Zayn with an inverted DDT and Owens broke up the cover.
Owens knocked AJ to the canvas and climbed to the top rope. AJ greeted him up there with a couple of punches to the face. Owens responded with a headbutt that sent AJ to the mat. Corbin got back into the ring and threw AJ out. Corbin booted Zayn in the face but Cena sprinted into the ring and leveled him with a Clothesline. Ziggler planted Owens with a DDT and then Owens hit a Frog Splash out of nowhere on Dolph. Owens went for the cover but AJ Styles broke it up.
Styles and Owens traded punches in the ring. AJ hit a Pele Kick and went for the Styles Clash but Owens launched him out of the ring with a Back Body Drop. Corbin planted Owens with a Chokeslam Backbreaker. Dolph came up from behind and hit Corbin with a Zig Zag. Cena planted Zayn and Ziggler on the mat and delivered a double Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Cena turned his attention to Ziggler and went for the AA but Dolph countered into a Fameasser for a two count. Dolph geared up in the corner of the ring and stomped on the mat. Ziggler went for a Superkick but Cena countered into the STF in the middle of the ring. AJ rushed the ring and clubbed Cena to break up the submission hold.
AJ set up for the Styles Clash but Cena blocked it. AJ quickly went for it again and connected with the Styles Clash but Sami Zayn broke up the pinfall. Sami Zayn unloaded a few punches to AJ’s face. Corbin got back into the ring and traded jabs with Zayn. Corbin sent Zayn to the ring apron and punched him to the floor outside the ring. Corbin then turned Owens inside out with a Clothesline and Owens fell out of the ring. Baron planted Styles with a Deep Six.
Corbin went for End of Days to Ziggler but Dolph sent him out of the ring. Corbin dragged Ziggler out of the ring and threw Dolph over the barricade. Corbin decided to follow Ziggler into the crowd and shoulder tackled him through the glass from the Columbus Blue Jacket’s rink. Back at ringside, Owens cleared off an announce table and dragged Styles on top of it. Styles hit Owens with a Pele Kick on top of the table and Owens fell on the table. AJ then Clotheslined Zayn into the timekeeper’s area right next to Shane McMahon. Cena hopped onto the table and lifted Owens onto his shoulders. Owens escaped and AJ charged onto the table and Cena caught him and planted him with an Attitude Adjustment through the announce table.
Tables are BREAKING… Bodies are FLYING…#WrestleMania dreams are SOARING…
Back in the ring, Zayn connected with a Clothesline that knocked Cena out of the ring. It was just Zayn and Owens in the ring. Sami said he was a man of his word and started to lay down in the ring. Owens slowly made his way towards Sami and Zayn went for a roll-up. Owens kicked out and started trading punches with Sami. Zayn knocked Owens out of the ring and followed him out there. Owens grabbed Sami and launched him into the barricade. Owens went for a Powerbomb on the apron but Sami escaped. Owens went for it again but Sami countered into a Back Body Drop on the apron.
Sami got up and saw Shane McMahon sitting ringside. Sami started yelling at Shane and Shane got up and got in his face. Owens went to Superkick Zayn but Sami ducked and Shane got booted in the face. Sami leaped through the ropes and planted Owens with a DDT.
Zayn brought Owens back into the ring as the crowd chanted “this is awesome!”. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Owens hit a Superkick. Owens then planted Ziggler with a Pop-Up Powerbomb and went for the cover but Shane McMahon pulled the referee out of the ring. Sami Zayn then hit Owens with a Helluva Kick and went for the cover but Shane McMahon dragged Zayn out of the ring. Sami started arguing with Shane and Ziggler went for the cover but Zayn got back into the ring to break it up.
Shane casually sat back in his chair ringside as Corbin blasted Cena in the face with the steel steps. Corbin brought the steps into the ring and hit Sami and Ziggler. Corbin then blasted Owens with the stairs and Owens fell out of the ring. Corbin went to hit Cena in the ring with the steps but Cena blocked it and grabbed the steps away. Cena struck Corbin a couple of times with the steps and set them up in the middle of the ring. Cena then hit an Attitude Adjustment to Corbin on the steps and went for the cover but Dolph Ziggler broke it up.
Cena lifted the steps over his head and charged at Dolph. Ziggler ducked and the steps went falling out of the ring. Cena hit Ziggler with an Attitude Adjustment. Owens got back into the ring and connected with a Pop-Up Powerbomb to Cena. AJ Styles hopped on the ring apron and delivered a Phenomenal Forearm to Kevin Owens for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Shane McMahon smirked at Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn before exiting the ring. John Cena sat in the corner as Styles celebrated with the title. Cena shoved the camera away from his face as his road to WrestleMania 34 remains in question.
This match was very entertaining. It would have been absurd if AJ Styles lost the title before WrestleMania 34. Thankfully, that was not the case and now AJ Styles will face Shinsuke Nakamura at the biggest show of the year for the WWE Championship.
There better be a big payoff for this never-ending feud between Owens, Zayn and Shane McMahon. Shane cost them both the title tonight and it was announced during the match that SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan wasn’t there due to a family event. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens on SmackDown between Owens, Zayn, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan.
What did you think of WWE Fastlane 2018? Let us know in the comment section below.
Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is now on for WrestleMania 34, making it the first and possibly the only RAW vs. SmackDown match to take place at this year’s big event in New Orleans.
Asuka, who earned a title shot by winning the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match back in January, confronted Flair in the ring after her title defense over Ruby Riott at Fastlane.
With that match set, here is the updated card for WrestleMania 34, which takes place from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on April 8th:
WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
WWE Title Match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles
Triple Threat for the WWE Intercontinental Title
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz
RAW Women’s Title Match
TBA vs. Alexa Bliss
SmackDown Women’s Title Match
Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
Finals of the WWE Cruiserweight Title Tournament
Cedric Alexander or Roderick Strong vs. Mustafa Ali or Drew Gulak
Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H
Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode to become the new WWE United States Champion at tonight’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
This actually Orton’s first United States Title reign. Roode has been champion since January 16th after defeating Jinder Mahal in tournament finals for the vacant title.
Orton is now the 10th Grand Slam champion in WWE under the current format. He joins Big Show, Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Chris Jericho, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Edge, Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero.
Below are photos and videos from tonight’s big title change:
WWE’s Fastlane 2018 event took place at the Nationwide Arena in Colombus, OH.
Fastlane Kickoff Show Results:
– Renee Young welcomes us to the Fastlane Kickoff pre-show at the Nationwide Arena. She is joined by David Otunga, Sam Roberts, and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
– We go backstage to Charly Caruso who says things have been tense backstage, but Sami Zayn is one person who seems to be in a good mood. Dolph Ziggler will join her later to answer questions from fans on Twitter.
– We see a pre-taped promo from Baron Corbin hyping up tonight’s main event.
– The New Day does an interview in the back where they take some shots at The Usos.
– Sunil Singh and Jinder Mahal interrupt the pre-show panel next, and Jinder rants about Randy Orton and Bobby Roode. Fans chant “Jinder sucks.” Jinder says he might come out for commentary during the pay per view tonight.
– Ziggler does an interview in the back with Charly Caruso where he gets fired up talking about the possibility of going to WrestleMania with the WWE Title.
– Mojo Rawley, Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable vs. Tyler Breeze, Fandango and Tye Dillinger: Gable and Breeze start this one off. Fandango tags in early and puts on some wrestling headgear that Tye hands him. Fandango tries to wrestle Gable on the mat, but Gable suplexes him down. Breeze comes back in now and Gable invites him to try outwrestling him on the mat. Breeze jumps on Gables back, then comes off and hits a dropkick. Shelton comes in and gets dropkicked too. Mojo comes in next but Tye and Fandango dump him outside. Back in the ring, Shelton fires up and starts beating on Breeze. Breeze tries to tag in, but Benjamin takes him back down then tags in Gable for the double team. Gable hits a belly to belly suplex, but Fandango breaks up the pin attempt. Mojo tags in now and starts beating down Breeze as the fans chant “You can’t wrestle” at Mojo. Mojo yells that he didn’t come here to wrestle, then rams Breeze into the corner and pummels on him. Mojo knocks Fandango off the apron and taunts Tye. Breeze comes back with a shot on Mojo, then Gable and Tye tag in. Tye cleans house and looks for the Tye Breaker, but it doesn’t happen and Gable rolls up Tye for a close two count. Gable hits a boot, then Shelton tags in and goes for the double team. Tye fights them off before they can strike. Breeze drops Gable, then Tye drops Shelton. Mojo and Tye go at it in the ring now, and Tye ends dropping Mojo and rolling him up for the three count.
Winners: Breezango & Tye Dillinger
WWE Fastlane 2018 Results:
– Fastlane opens up with a video package looking at the road to WrestleMania, and the battles over the Championship belts. Tom Phillips welcomes us to the arena, and he’s joined by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
– Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev: Aiden English does an introduction where he sings and raps about Rusev Day. There are dueling chants in the crowd for “Rusev Day” and “Nakamura.” They go back and forth off the opening bell, but Shinsuke gets the upper hand and starts controlling the pace. Rusev starts to fire up, but Nakamura walks away and taunts him. Rusev rolls outside for a breather and a pep-talk from Aiden.
Rusev taunts Nakamura from ringside, so Nakamura runs outside and drops Rusev. Nakamura puts him up on the apron and hits a running knee to the face. Nakamura rolls Rusev inside, then stares at Aiden and takes his time getting back in the ring. Rusev is able to recover, and he hits a shot to Nakamura’s face and drops him off the apron. Rusev starts beating Nakamura down around ringside before rolling him back in the ring for a two count. Rusev wrestles Nakamura back down to the mat and works on keeping the former NJPW star grounded.
Nakamura locks in a heel hook, but Rusev fights out and hits a big slam for a two count. Rusev starts laying into Nakamura with stomps and knee drops on the mat. Nakamura comes back with a kick, and both men are down. Nakamura is up first and he hits a series of kicks. He hits a couple of running knee strikes in the corner on Rusev for a two count.
Nakamura holds Rusev in a front face lock as Rusev tries to fight his way up. Rusev appears to be selling his leg from the heel hook earlier. Rusev hulks up and hits a fallaway slam to get out of the front face lock. They both get up and start trading strikes until Rusev hits a big boot to the face for a two count.
Rusev goes for another boot, but Nakamura ducks it and starts throwing punches. Rusev fires back with kicks to the leg, but Nakamura dodges one and hits some kicks of his own. Nakamura charges and misses, which leads to Rusev going for the Accolade. Nakamura escapes and hits a spinning heel kick. Nakamura charges, but Rusev hits a big boot that sends Nakamura flying back. Rusev covers but only gets a two count.
Rusev goes for the Accolade, but Nakamura escapes and hits a knee to the back of the head. Nakamura follows up with the Kinshasa for the three count.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– Nakamura points up at the WrestleMania sign after the match, and both men sell the beating they took in the match.
– We see a video package looking at the U.S. Title feud between champion Bobby Roode and challenger Randy Orton.
– U.S. Title: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Randy Orton: Roode starts off strong in this one and wrestles Orton down to the mat. They trade holds back and forth; and Orton fires up and hits an elbow to the face. Orton looks for an RKO early on, but Roode escapes and rolls outside for a breather.
Back in the ring, Roode fires back with some stiff strikes, and now the Champion sends Orton rolling outside for a breather. Jinder and Sunil are backstage watching on a monitor. Back in the ring, Orton hits a kick on Roode then a reverse suplex.
Roode fires up and starts taking control. He looks for the Glorious DDT, but Orton fights out and comes back with a spinning power slam. Roode starts coming back and stuns Orton, then the Champion goes up top and hits the Blockbuster for a two count.
They fight out to the apron, which leads to Orton hitting the DDT through the ropes. Orton looks for the RKO, but Roode escapes. They go back and forth until Roode clotheslines the challenger to the outside. Roode follows him outside and they brawl around ringside. Orton slams Roode into the fan barricade, then tags him in the ring for a two count.
Roode and Orton fight up to the top rope, which leads to Roode hitting a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count. Both men are slow to get up and they trade strikes. Roode escapes an RKO attempt and hits a spinebuster on the challenger for a near-fall. Roode goes up top and looks to follow up with a Blockbuster, but Orton leaps up and hits an RKO in mid-air. Orton immediately pins for the three count, and we have a new U.S. Champion.
Winner & new U.S. Champion: Randy Orton
– After the match, Jinder Mahal comes down to the ring and beats down Orton. Roode comes over for the save, and Roode hits the Glorious DDT on Jinder. Roode then picks up Orton and hits the Glorious DDT on him too.
– We see a video package looking back at the segment on RAW involving Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie.
– Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are seen arguing backstage. Owens walks away as Zayn is talking.
– Naomi & Becky Lynch vs. Carmella & Nataya: Carmella gets the upper hand on Becky early, then tags in Natalya who continues the offense. Becky fires back with some knees to Natalya, then Naomi tags in and follows up with more strikes for a two count. Naomi hits some leg kicks, then a Frankensteiner. Naomi misses a shot in the corner, but comes back with a stunner. Naomi looks for the moonsault, but Carmella distracts her. Natalya powerbombs Naomi off the turnbuckle for a two count.
Carmella tags in now and stomps on Naomi then hits the bronco buster for a two count. Carmella hits some elbows then applies a chin lock. Natalya and Carmella exchange frequent tags now to continue the offense on Naomi. Naomi dodges a shot from Natalya and finally gets the ho tag to Becky. Becky cleans hosue and hits a t-bone suplex on Natalya. Carmella and Naomi tag in now, and Naomi drops her with a kick then tags Becky back in. Becky follows up with a flying leg drop off the top for a two count, as Natalya breaks up the pin. Naomi runs in but Natalya throws her outside, then Becky throws Natalya outside. Becky goes up top but gets distracted by Natalya, and Carmella hits a head scissor takedown for a two count. Natalya causes a distraction on the apron, which leads to Carmella hitting a superkick for the three count.
Winners: Carmella and Natalya
– We see a promotional spot for the Nickelodeon Awards with The New Day. We then see a video package looking at the feud between The New Day and The Usos.
– Tag Team Titles: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day: Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston will represent The New Day in this one. Kofi and Jimmy get nose to nose then trade punches in the middle of the ring. Jimmy ducks a shot from Woods and Jey gets the blind tag. They superkick Woods and Woods is down. The Usos take turns beating on Woods now until Kofi finally gets the hot tag. Kofi cleans house and drops both Usos. Jimmy comes back and hits his own version of The Boom Drop, then taunts Kofi. Jey gets the blind tag and they hit their own version of The Midnight Hour for a two count on Woods.
The Usos and The New Day start trading superkicks in the ring now, and then Kofi tags in and hits the super plash on Jey. Woods and Kofi look for the Double Uso splash now, but The Usos get up and knock Kofi and Woods to the outside. The Usos follow up with a double suicide dive onto all three New Day members at ringside. The Bludgeon Brothers’ music hits and Luke Harper and Eric Rowan walk out on the stage.
Harper and Rowan start beating everyone down at ringside, and the ref calls for the DQ. They hit a ton of power moves on all five men on the ringside floor. They continue to beat down everyone, then they powerbomb Xavier Woods onto the ring steps. They chase off the referees and medial personell, as The Usos and The New Day sell the beating all over ringside.
Winners: No Contest
– AJ Styles does an interview in the back where he talks about paying his dues to get where he is today. Nakamura interrrupts, but AJ tells him to get lost, and the Champion walks away.
– Women’s Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Ruby Riott: Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan are both at ringside for this one. Charlotte and Ruby go back and forth early on, with Charlotte looking for the Figure Four early on. They briefly fight at ringside, where Charlotte briefly gets distracted by Sarah and Liv, before going back in the ring. Ruby fires up and knocks Charlotte outside. Sarah and Liv stalk Charlotte at ringside, so Naomi and Becky run down to even the odds. Back in the ring, Ruby continues to control the match after slamming Charlotte’s face into the middle turnbuckle. Ruby follows up with a flying senton for a two count. Ruby continues with a choke on Charlotte
Charlotte fights up, but then misses a shot in the corner. They fight up to the top turnbuckle, and Ruby hits a Frankensteiner off the top for a two count. Charlotte gets to her feet and starts fighting back with slaps and chops. There’s a botched spot that sees Ruby get dropped on the middle rope. Sarah and Liv get on the apron, and Naomi and Becky run in. The ref stops Naomi and Becky and gets them out of the ring, while behind his back Sarah and Liv beat down Charlotte. The ref orders Sarah an Liv away from ringside, while Ruby protests with the ref. Chrlotte gets up and starts laying into Ruby with chops. They fight into the corner, and Charlotte slams the challenger into the middle turnbuckle. Charlotte follows up with a spear, then goes for the Figure Four. She locks it in and does the Figure Eight, and Ruby taps out.
Winner & still Women’s Champion: Charlotte
– After the match, Asuka comes down to the ring. Asuka gets in Charlotte’s face and then points at the WrestleMania sign. Asuka walks away as Charlotte stands in the ring with her Women’s Title belt.
– We see a promotional clip for the upcoming Andre The Giant documentary.
– WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin OWens vs. Sami Zayn: Corbin gets in AJs face before the opening bell. Cena starts things off by hitting an Attitude Adjustment on literally every wrestler in the match except for AJ Styles. Cena and AJ start going at it now in the middle of the ring. Cena looks for the AA, but AJ escapes and gets on the apron. The other wrestlers now start getting back up, and they all gang up on Cena and beat him down. AJ gets dropped next, then Corbin starts beating everyone else down around ringside. AJ takes out Corbin now, then starts going at it with Owens. AJ sends Owens outside, then goes at it with Zayn. Zayn hits a facebuster on Zayn, but Owens breaks up the pin. AJ and Owens fight up to the corner, and Owens knocks him down. Ziggler and Cena go at it now, and then Owens jumps him and throws them both outside. Owens and AJ are now trading blows in the middle of the ring.
Corbin runs in and hits the chokeslam backbreaker on Owens, then Cena runs in and starts laying out everyone who comes near him with a back suplex. Cena locks Ziggler in the STFU, but AJ breaks it up. Zayn jumps AJ now and starts pummeling on him, then Corbin drops Zayn. Corbin drops Owens next with a big lariat, then hits the Deep Six on AJ. Ziggler runs in and starts going at it with Corbin, but Corbin takes him outside and throws Ziggler into the crowd. Corbin follows him out and they fight into he crowd. Baron beats down Ziggler until Ziggler comes back with a superkick, and both men are down.
Owens and Cena fight up onto the announce table, but Owens escapes. AJ runs up, but Cena catches him and AA’s him through the adjacent table. Owens drops Cena now, then gets in the ring and comes face to face with Sami. Sami lays down like he’s going to let Owens pin him, but then he grabs Owens and rolls him up in a small package for a two count. Owens and Sami start throwing right hands in the ring now, then they fight out to ringside where Owens whips Sami into the barricade. Owens looks for a powerbomb, but Sami escapes. They go up to the apron where Owens looks for the powerbomb again, but Sami revereses into a back drop on Owens on the apron. Sami gets in Shane’s face now at ringside, and Shane stands up. Owens goes to superkick Sami but Sami ducks and he superkicks Shane instead. Shane is down, and Sami hits a tornado DDT on Owens.
Back in the ring, Ziggler drops Sami, then Owens hits the pop up poweerbomb on Ziggler. Owens pins but Shane breaks up the pin. Sami boots Owens and pins but Shane breaks up that pin too.
Sami gets in Shane’s face, but Sami has to go back in the ring to break up a pin attempt. Corbin and Cena now go at it at ringside, and Corbin drops Cena with the ring steps. Corbin gets in the ring now and starts dropping everyone with the ring steps. Cena runs in and drops Corbin, then gives him the AA onto the ring steps. Cena pins but Ziggler breaks it up. Cena and Ziggler go at it, and Cena hits the AA then goes for another one. Owens hits the Pop up Powerbomb on Cena, and then AJ comes out of nowhere with a Phenomenal Forearm on Owens. AJ immediately ins and gets the three count.
Winner & still WWE Champion: AJ Styles
– AJ gets up on the announce table at ringside and holds his WWE Title up in the air as Fastlane goes off the air.
The card for NXT Takeover: New Orleans during WrestleMania weekend has been finalized. Takeover is shaping up to be a “show of the weekend” contender, especially with the accidental confirmation of one of the top matches on the card.
Over the weekend, WWE inadvertently posted the full match listing on Facebook. One of the contests, perhaps the one fans are most looking forward to, has yet to be announced by the company. The Facebook post was deleted, but it didn’t take long for fans to notice an “unsanctioned” match between Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa on the list.
Gargano and Ciampa have been feuding since Ciampa turned on his former parter last May back at NXT Takeover: Chicago. Ciampa had been working through an injury that ultimately required surgery to repair an ACL tear. Ciampa has been taunting Gargano ever since and even made a few surprise appearances since to deliver beatdowns on his former partner.
With that match set, here’s the final card for NXT Takeover: New Orleans on Saturday night, April 7th.
NXT Championship Match
Andrade Cien Almas (c) vs Aleister Black
Unsanctioned match
Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa
NXT Women’s Championship Match
Ember Moon (c) vs Shayna Baszler
NXT Tag Team Championship
Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole, subbing for the injured Bobby Fish) (c) vs. Roderick Strong & WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain
NXT North American Championship Ladder Match
EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet
Matt Hardy is absolutely delighted that Jeremy Borash is now with the WWE.
Borash was brought in to help with some of the behind the scenes work over on the NXT brand. The move came as a surprise to many within the industry, as Borash has been known for being an Impact Wrestling company guy. With so many changes in management, Borash felt now was the right time to head to the WWE.
The relationship between Borash and Hardy is well documented. Borash played a significant role in the special “Deletion” events at the Hardy Compound. Speaking to Sports Bible, Hardy commented on Borash’s signing:
“Personally I am very glad that Jeremy Borash is here in WWE. He’s got a great mind; a very creative person, a good friend of mine and he just deserves to work here.”
Hardy continued, “Coming to the WWE often validates your career in the business and he was kind of the glue that was keeping TNA together in many, many ways over the years. The fact that he’s here and actually hired by Triple H, and his role is to be an important part of NXT, I am very happy he’s got the opportunity. It’s something he’s deserving of.”
WWE Champion AJ Styles recently spoke with former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia on her Chasing Glory podcast. During the interview, he talked about working with Jinder Mahal.
If you recall, Styles won the WWE Title from Mahal late last year on an episode of SmackDown Live.
“At first, it was different. Jinder came in and went straight to the top when he came to SmackDown and it was a position he wasn’t in. And when you get to this upper level, things change in the way that you work in the ring, the way you act, everything. And he had to learn really quick basically how to be a big star in WWE, which sounds easy, but it’s not.”
“He took it well. I literally said, ‘Jinder, what do you think?’ I wanted to know what he thought, if he was okay with it, because that’s important to me that, ‘I’m not better than you. You’ve been a great champion. What do you think, man?’ and he was okay with it. Again, he has been in the business for a while now, so he was very mature in the way he handled it and I appreciate that. Sometimes you have to wait your tour and sometimes it takes longer than you’d like, but eventually you’ll be back on top.”
With SmackDown star Shinsuke Nakamura winning this year’s Royal Rumble match, he has secured a WWE Title match at WrestleMania 34.
If Styles is able to retain his title at the Fastlane pay-per-view event against John Cena, Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Dolph Ziggler in a Six Pack Challenge, then he will face Nakamura at the biggest event of the year for the sports entertainment company.
“There could be a chance of headlining WrestleMania this year. I’ve got to make it through Fastlane before I can do this, but if I get the opportunity to wrestle Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania, a match that no one has seen on U.S. soil, and only happened once in Japan, this could be huge. I need some payback [for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10], but he doesn’t have the home field advantage this time. So it’s exciting to think that something like that could happen, even if it’s not the main event. They’re going to wish it had been. I expect this match to be amazing. Nakamura is a great talent here and I feel like were going to tear the place apart to be honest with you.”
Night three of the 2018 New Japan Cup has concluded.
More opening round action was on display today (March 11). The two tournament matches featured Tetsuya Naito taking on Zack Sabre Jr. and Kota Ibushi went one-on-one with Yoshi-Hashi. In addition to the tournament matches, top stars such as Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi also competed.
In night one, Michael Elgin and Juice Robinson both advanced to the next round in the New Japan Cup. Night two saw Tanahashi and Bad Luck Fale punch their tickets to round two. Who will join them?
Peep the results for night three of the New Japan Cup below:
Tag Team Match: Yuji Nagata & Tomoyuki Oka def. Ren Narita & Tetsuhiro Yagi
Singles Match: El Desperado def. Shota Umino
Eight-Man Tag Team Match: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi, & Chase Owens def. Michael Elgin, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, & Toa Henare
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Hiroki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & Toru Yano def. Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Tag Team Match: Taichi & Takashi Iizuka def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi
Tag Team Match: Kazuchika Okada & Chuckie T def. Sanada & Bushi
New Japan Cup Match: Kota Ibushi def. Yoshi-Hashi
New Japan Cup Match: Zack Sabre Jr. def. Tetsuya Naito
Tammy Sytch, also known as Sunny in WWE, remains incarcerated in Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, New Jersey after being arrested on Feb. 27 on charges of two counts of fugitive from justice and six counts of contempt of court.
The official website of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office currently has her listed as an inmate (under the name Tamara Sytch), with bail set at $6,000.
In an update from previous reports, PWInsider is reporting that Sytch is facing even more legal issues in the state of Pennsylvania. According to Carbon County Court officials on Thursday, a motion was made to revoke her parole last August due to multiple violations of the terms of her release the prior February.
After the motion was filed, Carbon County Court Judge Joseph Matika ordered Sytch arrested on a bench warrant so that she could return before him to face sentencing. However, Pennsylvania authorities were unable to locate Sytch until she was arrested in New Jersey, where she was flagged as a fugitive of justice. Authorities were unable to find her because she moved out of Pennsylvania.
While it was previously reported that Sytch would be extradited to Pennsylvania before facing her latest charges in New Jersey, Carbon County Court officials said that she will remain in New Jersey until her legal issues in the state are resolved. Once that happens, she will be handed off to Pennsylvania authorities to face Judge Matika.
TMZ Sports reported on Mar. 2 that Sytch was arrested for DUI on two separate occasions a few weeks before her latest arrest. She had been on probation for three DUI arrests in 2015.
Sytch was arrested for DUI in New Jersey on Jan. 23 at 8:53 p.m. She was then involved in an automobile accident on Feb. 2 at 8:52 a.m. and cops say she fled the scene. Sytch was tracked down and cited for DUI, as well as leaving the scene of an accident.
She was then charged with failing to appear in court for either of the two arrests, which led to her latest arrest.
Sytch, who turned 45 years old in December, has been arrested several times over the years. In 2012, she was arrested five times in a four-week span, for disorderly conduct, third-degree burglary, and three counts of violating a protective order. She was arrested a sixth time in January 2013, also for violating a protective order. She served 114 days in jail and was released in May 2013 (this all happened in New Jersey).
In January 2016, Sytch pleaded guilty to driving while under suspension in the state of Pennsylvania. On August 18, 2016, Judge Matika sentenced her to 90 days in jail but counted her 97 days in rehab as jail credit. On Sept. 23, 2016, 18 days into her probation, Sytch was arrested for violating her parole. The arrest was due to three DUI arrests in Pennsylvania in 2015. Sytch remained in jail on these charges through her arraignment in January 2017. She was fined $1,496.45 for the remaining charges and released on Feb. 3, 2017.
