The recent WWE releases has opened the doors for other companies to add some star power to their roster and it appears that Impact Wrestling is in the race to sign at least two such talents in Gallows and Anderson.
The now-former WWE stars were talking about their future and other things on the latest episode of their Talkin Shop podcast which is hosted by the duo and Rocky Romero.
What’s interesting to note here is that Impact Vice President Scott D’Amore ended up making an accidental appearance during the broadcast of the episode.
As first noted by The Combat Republic, D’Amore called Gallows while the show was still being recorded and they put him on speakerphone. You can check out their conversation in the clip below:
Impact EVP Scott D’Amore makes an accidental appearance on the Gallows and Anderson podcast “Talkin Shop”. Sure sounds to me like they may be negotiating. pic.twitter.com/6yp6S3If74
Gallows and Anderson signed a three year deal with WWE in 2016 and they had renewed their contracts with the promotion in July earlier last year.
However, the company released the duo alongside numerous other stars such as Kurt Angle and Rusev as part of WWE’s coronavirus budget cuts last month.
There is no news yet on what the former champions are planning for their future but we should get a better idea about their plans after July 15 when their non compete clause with the company expires.
This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw was the follow-up episode of Money In The Bank and the company followed the PPV with a number of interesting announcements and the return of the former women’s tag team champions The IIconics.
The duo appeared as the guests on “A Moment of Bliss” show hosted by the current Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross and they demanded a title shot from the current champions.
While Bliss and Cross did not grant them a title match, they did agree to a nontitle clash and the IIconics ended up winning this bout after Peyton Royce pinned Alexa for the win.
This win earned them a title shot and the company later announced that the former NXT stars will be challenging the current champions for their titles at next week’s episode of the Red Branded Show.
This week’s episode of Raw was an eventful episode and apart from the return of the IIconics, the show featured a number of buzzing announcements and segments.
The episode started with Becky Lynch announcing her pregnancy and relinquishing the Raw Women’s Championship. After this, the Money In The Bank winner Asuka was named the new champion.
The company also reintroduced the wild card rule with a new format. The shows can now challenge the other brand and the first match under this new rule has already been announced which you can check out here.
It was reported earlier yesterday that WWE is looking to reintroduce the wild card rule and the company confirmed the same during the latest episode of Monday Night Raw.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defeated the US Champion Andrade in a champion vs. champion non-title match on this week’s episode of the show.
After the bout, the Scottish superstar announced that a Brand-to-Brand invitation had been extended to SmackDown and the Blue Branded Show has accepted the challenge.
He then announced that SmackDown has chosen King Corbin as his opponent and the two will be battling in an inter-brand match at next week’s episode of the Red Branded Show.
Though this was not the only announced cross-brand appearance and the company also confirmed that the NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will be making an appearance on SmackDown this week.
Charlotte has been a regular of NXT since winning the title at WrestleMania 36 but she is still considered a Raw star and the Queen continues to make appearances for the brand.
There is no word yet on what she will be doing at the show this Friday night but like Baron Corbin, it’s possible that she will be making this appearance for a match.
While not confirmed, it’s believed that WWE has decided to bring back this new version of the wild card rule due to the plummeting ratings. You can check out a more detailed report on the matter here.
Rey Mysterio & Aleister Black def. Seth Rollins & Murphy via DQ
Shayna Baszler def. Natalya
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Becky Lynch Announces She Is Pregnant, Asuka Is The New RAW Women’s Champion
RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch came down to the ring holding the women’s MITB briefcase. Lynch placed in on a table set up in the ring and grabbed a microphone. The Man was emotional and said that she is at a very difficult point in her life. Becky started crying and said that she didn’t know if anyone in this country would care about her but she found out that they did.
Lynch thanked the fans and said that they deserve to hear this from her first. Becky said she has to go away for a while and Asuka interrupted. Asuka came down to the ring and started shouting at Lynch. Becky told Asuka that she has beaten her when nobody else could and that she has been the best wrestler in the world.
Becky told Asuka that the match last night wasn’t for an opportunity to win the title, it was for so much more. Becky opened the briefcase and revealed that the RAW Women’s Championship was in the briefcase. Lynch stated that she cannot fight anymore and Asuka is the champion.
Asuka celebrated with the title and started running around the ring as Lynch cried in the ring. Becky congratulated Asuka and announced that she is leaving to go be a mother.
Becky was congratulated by Rey Mysterio (apparently being thrown off a roof is no big deal), Natalya, Street Profits, Bianca Belair, Ricochet, Liv Morgan, Cedric Alexander, R-Truth, Kairi Sane, Akira Tozawa, and other superstars backstage.
Bobby Lashley battled Humberto Carrillo in a No DQ match tonight on RAW.
Match Recap: Lashley dominated the action early and set up for a Spear. Humberto dodged it and sent Bobby tumbling out of the ring. Lashley grabbed a chair but Humberto hit the chair into his face with a Dropkick as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Lashley was back in control and was beating down Carrillo and the corner of the ring. Humberto battled back and connected with a Dropkick off the second rope. Carrillo followed it up with an Enziguri that knocked Lashley out of the ring. Humberto went for a Crossbody but Bobby caught him and bashed him into the ring post.
Bobby tried to hit Carrillo with a chair but Humberto ducked. Carrillo grabbed the steel chair and beat the hell out of Lashley. Back in the ring, Lashley locked in a Full Nelson for a submission victory.
Angel Garza defeated Akira Tozawa in a squash match. After the match, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre came down to the ring as Garza, Theory, and Vega were arguing in the ring.
McIntyre hit Theory with a Claymore and did the same to Garza. McIntyre and Andrade started arguing in the ring as RAW went to a break. McIntyre then battled Andrade in a non-title match.
Match Recap: McIntyre dominated early and slammed Andrade on the ring apron. Andrade battled back and locked in an Armbreaker across the ropes. McIntyre hit a boot to the face and made his way to the top rope. Drew connected with a Flying Clothesline and followed it up with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Andrade sent McIntyre into the turnbuckle and then hit Double Knees for a one count. McIntyre hit a reverse Alabama Slam and then a Claymore Kick for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Drew McIntyre cut a promo and said his match with Seth Rollins was a hell of a fight. McIntyre announced that SmackDown’s King Corbin will come to RAW and battle next week.
Seth Rollins Snapped & Brutally Attacked Rey Mysterio
Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio teamed up against Seth Rollins and Murphy.
Match Recap: Rollins stared off into the distance as Black and Mysterio took turns beating Murphy down. Aleister connected with a kick to the face and went for the cover but Murphy kicked out at two.
Murphy pleaded for a tag but Rollins just stood there. Rollins stared at Aleister for moment and Murphy capitalized with a Dropkick that sent Black into the ring post as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Mysterio hit Murphy with a Hurricanrana into the barricade. Back in the ring, Rey went for a Crossbody but Murphy countered into a roll-up for a two count. Mysterio went for the 619 but Seth caught him. Rollins launched Mysterio into the barricade and the ref called for the bell.
Rollins set up Mysterio on the steel steps and demanded that Rey stay back. Seth then brutally shove Rey’s eye into a corner of the steel steps and had a deranged look on his face while doing so.
Opinion: I was not ready for this spot at all. Rollins psychotic face and the blood pouring out of Rey’s face caught me completely off guard and it was awesome. It made no sense why the referee called for the bell and disqualified Rollins. Despite that, this was easily the best part of the night so far.
Rollins tried to apologize to Rey backstage but Mysterio was dragged away by WWE’s medical staff. Aleister Black and Murphy then brawled backstage before security arrived.
Edge came down to the ring in the final segment of this week’s RAW. He stated that he came back here to retire on his terms and wondered what is next. Edge claimed WrestleMania was not the end for him and brought up RAW airing a promo package that he was coming to hunt Orton.
Edge added that he got his closure at WrestleMania and is ready to move on. Randy Orton interrupted and joined Edge in the ring. Orton walked up to Edge and said congratulations. Randy added that the better man won at WrestleMania and exited the ring.
Orton stopped on the entrance ramp and started laughing. Randy slid back into the ring and said while it is true that the better man won at WrestleMania but the better wrestler didn’t. Orton noted that maybe he didn’t get back up after the 10 count at WrestleMania but it didn’t take him 9-years.
Randy questioned if Edge can compete in a traditional wrestling match anymore and claimed to see doubt in his eyes. Orton said that all of Edge’s grit doesn’t come close to his natural ability. Orton challenged Edge to a match at Backlash in a traditional wrestling match. Charly asked if Edge had a response but he just stood in silence. Charly Caruso then stated that this could be the greatest wrestling match ever as RAW went off the air.
Opinion: I’m down for another Edge and Orton match as I found their Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania to be disappointing. I am sure that their match at Backlash will be much better. The Viking Raiders and Street Profits playing basketball just highlights the terrible state of the tag team division on the main roster.
I don’t find Drew McIntyre versus King Corbin to be a selling point for next week’s show at all. I can think of a bunch of superstars I’d rather see McIntyre wrestle than Corbin. Congratulations to Becky Lynch, but her leaving creates a huge void in the women’s division on RAW. Hopefully, Asuka gets a solid title reign and can help build up other superstars along the way.
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch had a major announcement to make and she did just that.
During Monday’s episode of RAW in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center on the USA Network, Lynch walked out to the ring for a promo while carrying the Money in the Bank briefcase.
This is where she announced that she has to go away for a while. Asuka walked out to the ring and yelled at her for having the MITB briefcase, which had the RAW Women’s Title inside.
Lynch said that the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match was actually for the RAW Women’s Title. She gave her the title before telling Asuka to go be a champion because she is going to be a mother. Thus, Lynch announced her pregnancy, and Asuka was awarded the title.
Lynch is engaged to former WWE Champion Seth Rollins. Congratulations to the expecting parents.
Originally, WWE promoted that Lynch would confront Asuka on the show after Asuka won the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on Sunday at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event
Becky’s last match took place at WrestleMania 36 in April against Shayna Baszler that saw Lynch successfully retain the title.
Sting could be the next wrestling legend to appear for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Or not.
As of this writing, the topic of Sting in an AEW ring should be considered speculation. That said, let’s take a look at some of the clues that have some people thinking this is more than just rumor and innuendo.
The prevailing rumor is that Sting will appear at AEW Double or Nothing later this month for presentation of AEW’s new TNT Championship title. Cody and Lance Archer square off at the pay-per-view to crown the first champion. Sting’s role would be similar to that of Bret Hart at last year’s Double or Nothing. The Hitman was on hand last May to present the AEW World Championship at the company’s inaugural pay-per-view. The title was won by Chris Jericho that night and is currently held by Jon Moxley.
During a recent episode of AEW’s Road to Double Or Nothing YouTube series, we got a look inside the boardroom of AEW offices. As we’ve seen in previous Road To episodes, a series of pending tasks were displayed on a conference room whiteboard. Some of the items are innocuous inside jokes, but you can clearly see below that AEW is teasing that somebody notable will be on hand to present the new championship title.
Who presents the TNT title?
Sting has been active on social media lately. He still follows pro wrestling and often tweets about WWE shows. Last week, he commented that it’s good to see Jake Roberts looking healthy and back on national television in a prominent role. The two worked together in WCW during the early 1990’s.
Over the weekend, a fan on Twitter asked Lance Archer which wrestler, past or present, he’d want to step in the ring with. Archer named (and tagged) Sting. Coincidentally, Archer is in that TNT tournament final match against Cody at Double or Nothing.
Sting responded that he’s glad to see Archer getting a ‘much deserved shot’ in All Elite Wrestling. Cody took notice.
WWE and Mattel are set to release a new line of action figures, Legends Series 7. The latest line of figures was set to include Sting, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Greg Valentine and Razor Ramon. They will be available at Target stores and are scheduled to ship July 26th.
Sting’s figure has been pulled from Legends Series 7. According to the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast (hosted by Matt Cardona and Brian Myers), Mattel put out the following statement about Sting’s figure being pulled:
“Due to circumstances beyond our control Sting needed to be removed from Legends Series 7. We’ll look to include this figure in a future wave if he becomes available to us again.”
Target was taking pre-orders on the Sting figure over the weekend, so the timing is certainly last-minute. Check out Cody’s reply to the news.
WWE is set to address the status of a championship that is held by a certain star this week.
According to a report by POST Wrestling, the company will do so later this week, which is likely to be Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX since it has to do with the Intercontinental Title.
The championship is currently held by Sami Zayn. The reason for the address is due to Zayn being off of television.
In fact, he last worked a match for WWE last month when he successfully retained the Intercontinental Title over Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36.
Last month, Zayn revealed in a post on Twitter that recently had his wisdom teeth removed. At the time, people believed that this is the reason for his absence from television.
However, there’s also the belief that Zayn has decided not to wrestle during the COVID-19 outbreak due to concerns he has with getting it. Thus, he has not worked the recent tapings at the closed-set Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
This came at a time where WWE reportedly told employees what they did not have to work during the coronavirus pandemic should they choose. They were also told that if they didn’t work the tapings then it would not be held against them in the future.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon has decided to shake things up again with his weekly television shows – Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown.
According to a report by POST Wrestling, McMahon plans to move away from the full brand split in order to allow some stars from each show to make appearances on the rival show. This would allow some stars to crossover, which is similar to the Wild Car Rule.
It was noted in the report that the introduction of the new rule will be made during Monday’s episode of RAW.
However, it was noted that the new ruling for the brands is expected to keep talent crossovers to a minimum, which is why it’s supposed to be different from the Wild Card Rule.
With ratings for Monday Night RAW hitting an all-time low and Smackdown seeing week over week declines, the crossover came at the request of FOX and the USA Network.
The company came up with the idea for the Wild Card Rule last year. This is a rule where members of RAW and SmackDown can appear on the other brand.
As time went on, WWE made changes to it by the week regarding how many stars are allowed to appear on the two weekly television shows.
WWE would later drop it and as they did another brand extension once SmackDown went to FOX.
Former President of WCW and Executive Director of WWE SmackDown Eric Bischoff recently commented on the ’empty arena’ tapings that AEW and WWE are producing.
Eric Bischoff has begun discussing TNA shows on his 83 Weeks podcast, where he and Hulk Hogan would spend some time during the start of last decade. At the time, TNA would air at Orlando Studios in Florida at a soundstage.
With the current climate of professional wrestling and the coronavirus pandemic, both AEW and WWE have had to combat the lack of ‘atmosphere’ that a building without fans creates. WWE especially have had to film at the smaller ‘soundstage’ setting that the Performance Center in (ironically) Orlando that gives the shows a much smaller feel.
Eric Bischoff on AEW, WWE & TNA
“This is where I want to draw an analogy between what we’re seeing today in WWE and AEW. And, to a degree? The challenge that TNA had” Bischoff would begin. “I think one thing that we can all agree on right now? Is that wrestling doesn’t work without an audience.”
Eric Bischoff would compare the smaller stages that AEW and WWE are having to work in, with WWE utilizing the Performance Center in Florida. “Nobody has to be a rocket scientist to come up with that observation. But one of my concerns with TNA and one of the reasons I wasn’t excited about doing it? Is because it was in a soundstage.”
Bischoff would claim that having a tiny soundstage with fans who were entering for free was a huge detriment to the TNA product. “Now, while a soundstage arguably is a live audience is just a little bit better than having cardboard cutouts in the seats with piped in fake noise? It’s not a real audience. The audience, for the most part, didn’t really understand, weren’t really engaged.”
‘Easy E’ would also talk about how the company did have some die hard fans who would attend, but for the most part the causal audience that entered the ‘IMPACT Zone’ would often not be enough to add to the product.
Join us here later tonight for our WWE RAW Results & Takeaways immediately after the show.
WWE is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:
WWE RAW Preview (5/11)
The Man to confront The Empress
Asuka climbed the corporate ladder atop WWE Headquarters and won the Women’s Money in the Bank contract. RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, of course, took notice. WWE says Becky Lynch will confront Asuka to address her MITB victory.
The WrestleMania feud between Edge and Randy Orton continues. Both Superstars will be at Raw tonight. WWE is teasing, ‘the hunter is being the hunted’ as the Viper looks to slither away from the Rated R Superstar.
The rivalry between Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits and The Viking Raiders is heating up after the Raiders scored a non-title win over the champs last week.
The teams have been jousting on social media over the past few days.
Former Knockouts Champion Su Yung has re-signed with Impact Wrestling. PW Insider first reported that the 30-year-old from Seattle, Washington has signed a new multi-year commitment to the promotion.
Yung is a 13-year pro having been trained by Bill Dundee and Kevin White. Yung is also married to former X-Division Champion Rich Swann. Her current persona in Impact is “Susie” a less murderous version of her Su Yung alter-ego.
Yung defeated Allie to win the Knockouts Championship in a Last Rites match on April 24th, 2018 from the Impact Zone in Orlando. The match aired on May 31st, 2018. She held the title until dropping it to Tessa Blanchard in a 3-way match that also involved Allie. In total, Yung spent 110 days with the title. She’s ranked at #17 in total days spent with the Knockouts title. Yung defended the title successfully against Madison Rayne, Katarina, and Saraya Knight during her reign.
This week on Impact Wrestling, the #1 contenders tournament kicks off. Trey will face Rohit Raj and Hernandez will face Madman Fulton in opening round matches this week. Moose will also defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Suicide. Also, Kimber Lee debuts for the promotion and goes up against Havok.
Aleister Black signed with WWE in 2016. Before he went to the main roster in 2019, Black won the NXT Championship in 2018 at NXT Takeover: New Orleans. Before signing with WWE, Black wrestled for 14 years for promotions such as Pro Wrestling Holland, WXW in Germany, ICW in Scotland, Progress, OTT and many other top European companies.
Black was known as Tommy End in his pre-WWE career. He recently told SI.com that when he was signed to NXT in 2016, Triple H told him he didn’t want to change anything about who he was as a performer.
“The good thing about what Hunter did, or as I call him, ‘Boss,’ he believed in me and he never tried to change me,” Black said to SI.com. “He told me, ‘I signed you for you. Don’t be something you’re not. Never forget that.’”
Black continued to say that despite the confidence Triple H expressed in him, he felt lost at first in NXT.
“When I started in NXT, I felt super insecure,” he continued. “For a very long time, I was completely lost. I lost my identity, I lost all sense of who I was.”
He said this feeling helped him create a new sense of identity in NXT.
“That’s part of this process,” said Black. “It’s a process that is not pretty, but it’s something every professional has to go through. That’s helped to understand myself a lot better, not just as a performer but as a human being.”
Aleister Black on Wrestlers Who Influenced Him
Also during the interview, Black spoke about wrestlers who influenced him growing up.
“I watched New Japan growing up, and later WCW,” said Black, who listed Hayabusa, Yuji Nagata, Jushin Liger, Tiger Mask, and Toshiaki Kawada as his early influences. “I loved the Japanese wrestlers.”
Black also noted that he enjoyed the Mexican-based wrestlers he saw in WCW and the European stars he saw on World of Sport.
Kazuchika Okada was sent on excursion to America by NJPW in 2010. They sent him to TNA Wrestling where he posted a 2-16 record in 18 matches from September 2010 to June 2011. NJPW was said to have not been pleased with how its future World Champion was used while in the promotion.
Okada himself commented on his time in TNA recently during an interview with NJPW1972.com. According to Okada, the language barrier he experienced in TNA was frustrating. He was also upset that there was little effort made to communicate with him.
“The other wrestlers would only be around if they had matches,” Okada said about his time with TNA. “Every day I would be going to the gym by myself, going shopping by myself, and then going home, and that was it.”
Okada on the Language Barrier in TNA
Okada continued to talk about how the language barrier was difficult at the time.
“I’d be going to the gym and just working out in silence and then coming home, putting the TV on and having no clue what anybody was saying. I’d be so bored sometimes I’d talk to myself in the mirror (laughs).”
Okada would continue to say his English isn’t too bad, however. He also noted that Finn Balor and Karl Anderson helped him earlier in his career with it.
“It really made me think, with no human contact people go absolutely nuts (laughs). But as far as English goes, it’s never been too bad. I studied in junior high, and then went to America on my excursion. Plus when I was in the Dojo, Prince Devitt and Karl Anderson were around, and I could have conversations with them OK.”
The new management of Impact Wrestling is reported to have apologized to NJPW for the way TNA used Okada during his time on excursion to the United States.
Major League Wrestling presented the final episode of its Super-Series with AAA this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. Just one match was featured on the show. A trios match between Los Parks against Psycho Clown, Nino Hamberguesa, and Psychosis closed out the series between the two leagues.
This was the final episode before MLW begins to air its anthology series. It concluded with a hostile takeover from Contra Unit.
The full episode can be viewed in the player below:
MLW Fusion 5/9/20 Quick Results:
El Hijo de LA Park, LA Park & LA Park Jr. defeated Nino Hamburguesa, Psicosis & Psycho Clown
For weeks, vignettes featuring Contra Unit warning of a coming attack have been shown on MLW Fusion. They delivered on their promises tonight. At the conclusion of the episode, it was expected we would hear from Davey Boy Smith Jr. about a possible challenge to Jacob Fatu but when the camera cut to the back we saw a bloodied Smith wrapped in a Contra flag.
Josef Samael then delivered a message to MLW. He said that they have taken over the league and it was now under their rule. Samael was in the company’s head office in New York where MLW management had also been attacked and their offices overrun. Even MLW’s social media accounts have been taken over by Contra.
As MLW moves into showcasing its anthology series, Contra’s takeover of the company seems to provide an end to this particular chapter in the league’s history. When MLW is able to schedule events again, it appears things will be under Contra’s control.
After weeks of catching up with LA Park and his sons at home, Los Parks were in trios action this week on Fusion. They took on LA Park’s rival Psycho Clown and his team of Pychosis and Nino Hamberguesa.
After a violent and weapons-filled match, it appeared as though Los Parks had Psychosis pinned in the middle of the ring. The frequently suspect officiating continued in the Super Series here, however, as the referee made a slow count. As the ref did so, Pagano decided to make the match a party. Pagano hit all 3 members of Los Parks with a chair. LA Park would get in a shot on Pagano, however, after the referee pulled the chair from his hands. Directly after that, LA Park speared Psychosis and picked up the win for his team and MLW.
With the win this week, MLW clinched victory in the Super Series. AAA officials have expressed interest in holding a second Super Series with MLW that would take place in the United States.
MLW vs AAA Super Series Results:
Mortiz & Pagano defeated Mance Warner & Savio Vega [1:0]
Alexander Hammerstone (c) defeated Laredo Kid [1:1]
Averno defeats Douglas James [2:1]
Team Filthy (Dominic Garrini & Tom Lawlor) defeated Extreme Tiger & Puma King [2:2]
Richard Holliday (c) defeated Chessman [3:2]
Hart Foundation (Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Los Mercenarios (El Texano Jr. & Rey Escorpion) [4:2]
Los Jinetes del Aire (El Hijo del Vikingo, Myzteziz Jr. & Octagon Jr.) (c) defeated Injustice (Jordan Oliver, Kotto Brazil & Myron Reed) [3:4]
El Hijo de LA Park, LA Park & LA Park Jr. defeated Nino Hamburguesa, Psicosis & Psycho Clown [5:3]
Another Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic episode aired this week. Previously, we’ve seen Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone outside of Savio Vega’s home. Holliday purchased the title to the home, making him “Richie 2 Titles.”
This week, the Dynasty where in Mance Warner’s home town of Bucksnort, TN. Gino Medina pointed out that the trio should be concerned with “Meth Gators” that are local to the area. These are alligators who also do meth, making them a unique and terrifying predator.
Hammerstone got to wandering and was looking at a family of raccoons when Holliday decided they should leave the area. This would lead to Mance Warner issuing up a challenge to the faction later in the show.
Mance Warner Challenges Dynasty To Tower Of Doom Match
Mance Warner issued quite the challenge to the members of the Dynasty this week on Fusion. Warner suggested that a match could be made where all the gold is hanging from the ceiling. This would include Alexander Hammerstone’s National Openweight title and Richard Holliday’s Caribbean Championship he stole from Savio Vega. It would be the 3 members of the Dynasty against Warner, Savio Vega and a teammate to be named later. This would not be a ladder match, however. Rather a 3-tiered “Tower of Doom” cage would be built and the winning team would have to climb to the top cage to retrieve all the gold.
MLW updated its top-10 rankings this week. Davey Boy Smith Jr. moved into the top-contender spot, moving past Alexander Hammerstone. Richard Holliday also moved up two spots, moving past King Mo and Mance Warner.
MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu(Contra Unit)
Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Opera Cup Winner) (Hart Foundation) (+1)
Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion) (Dynasty) (-1)
AEW’s anthology series begins airing next week. The show will focus on the top matches, angles, and segments from MLW’s history. This includes the league’s first run from 2002 to 2004. MLW is also stating that lost footage from 2002-04 will run on the anthology series as well.
This Saturday, FITE.TV will present a collection of the best matches in recent history from New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol 1. premieres featuring 12 classic matches spanning from 2016-2019. Some of the biggest names that will appear are Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White and more.
The show premieres Saturday, May 16th at 8pm (Eastern) and will be available worldwide.
Chad 2 Badd and Sex Ferguson may be gearing up to ride once again.
Karl Anderson has filed an application to trademark “Chad 2 Badd,” the name of his character on WWE’s Southpaw Regional Wrestling comedy series.
According to a May 5th filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, he’s looking to utilize the Chad 2 Badd mark for, “Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainment personality,” among several other similar uses.
The application notes that Anderson used the Chad 2 Badd name back in 2002, long before WWE featured it in Southpaw Regional Wrestling.
Last month, Anderson’s tag team partner Doc Gallows filed to trademark the name Sex Ferguson, the tag team partner of Chad 2 Badd in the ‘Southpaw’ universe.
Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, collectively known as the Good Brothers, used lawyer Michael Dockins for the trademark filing. Dockins has handled trademarks for several other pro wrestlers, including Cody Rhodes, The Revolt, Shawn Spears, Charlotte Flair & Andrade.
Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows were released from WWE on April 15th. Anderson has been teasing a return to Japan, once they are legally able to work elsewhere.
Otis can now call himself Mr. Money in the Bank as he won this year’s Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
He beat AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin, Aleister Black, and Rey Mysterio at the WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday night. Just like the women’s match, the contest took place at corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
The match started on the ground floor with Superstars fighting their way to the roof. The briefcases were suspended above a rooftop ring. The men started in the gym and brawled.
They went past the bathroom with Brother Love coming out. Styles was frightened by a poster of The Undertaker before walking into a room where it had blue lighting and a casket. Otis went into the cafeteria and was looking at a pie. John Laurinaitis came driving through on a scooter but Otis threw a pie into his face.
Bryan and Styles brawled into the office of Vince McMahon, who was sitting at his desk, and he told them to get out. They did but had to fix how the chairs as they moved them coming in. McMahon applied some hand sanitizer and went back to work.
Corbin tossed Rey and Black over the side of the roof. WWE had it set up with a barricade that looked like the edge of the roof. The finish came when Elias hit Corbin in the back with a guitar, which forced Corbin to drop the briefcase, which was caught by Otis.
Now, Otis will have a contract that he can cash-in anytime that he wants within a year from this pay-per-view event.
Asuka won this year’s Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match as she beat Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, and Carmella at the WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday night at corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
Just like the men’s contest, Asuka will have a contract that she can cash-in anytime that she wants within a year from this pay-per-view event.
The began started on the ground floor of WWE’s HQ with stars battling their way to the roof as the briefcases were suspended above a rooftop ring. The match started with Asuka diving off a platform onto the other stars.
Brooke went into a conference room and grabbed a briefcase. She thought she had won but Stephanie McMahon walked in and told her that the real briefcase was on the roof. Carmella hit Brooke over the head with a photo.
Paul Heyman was in front of a ton of food with everyone passing him and he tried to calm down the situation. However, Evans ran in and knocked the food out of Heyman’s hand and onto Otis, who threw a serving plate into the face of Heyman.
This led to a food fight breaking out. The finish saw Asuka kick Baron Corbin off a ladder and grabbed the briefcase.
WWE Money in the Bank 2020 aired on the WWE Network tonight. Jeff Hardy defeated Cesaro during the Kickoff Show.
Money in the Bank Results
New Day def. Lucha House Party, Miz & Morrison, Forgotten Sons to retain the SD Tag Titles
Bobby Lashley def. R-Truth
Bayley def. Tamina to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Braun Strowman def. Bray Wyatt to retain the Universal Championship
Drew McIntyre def. Seth Rollins to retain the WWE Championship
Asuka won the Women’s MITB Ladder match
Otis won the Men’s MITB Ladder match
Here are 5 takeaways from the show:
New Day Retained
New Day defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Miz & Morrison, Lucha House Party, and Forgotten Sons in a Fatal 4-Way match.
Match Recap: Kingston and Gran Metalik started off the match. Kofi took control but Blake tagged himself in and continued to beat Metalik down. Cutler tagged in and Metalik battled back with a springboard Splash. John Morrison tagged in and Metalik greeted him with a Dropkick.
Morrison battled back and hit a Phoenix Splash off the top rope and onto several superstars outside the ring. Metalik hit Cutler with a Tornado DDT before Lince Dorado and Morrison tagged in. Lince booted Morrison in the head and went for a cover but Blake broke it up at two.
John Morrison hit Starship Pain on Big E but Lince broke up the cover. Dorado hit Morrison with a Stunner and then Metalik tagged in. Metalik hit Morrison with a Hurricanrana that sent John to the outside.
Metalik hit Big E with an Elbow Drop off the top rope but the Forgotten Sons broke up the cover. Cutler launched Kingston into the ring post outside the ring and then Jaxson Ryker tripped up Big E. The referee threw Ryker out from ringside. Lucha House Party then took everyone out with a couple Splashes. Back in the ring, Big E hit the Big Ending on Metalik for the pinfall victory. New Day are still the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
There may be no disqualifications, but the referee can still do THIS.
Sasha Banks Helped Bayley Retain The SD Women’s Title
Bayley defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Tamina tonight at Money in the Bank. Sasha Banks was ringside.
Match Recap: Bayley hit a couple of punches to Tamina’s midsection but she was unphased and slammed the champ to the canvas. Tamina perched Bayley up on tje top turnbuckle before letting her get back down and sending her back to the canvas with a Body Slam.
The SmackDown Women’s Champion rolled out of the ring to try and regroup. Banks distracted Tamina and Bayley capitalized by tripping her up. Bayley slammed Tamina’s knee into the ring post a few times as Sasha clapped.
Bayley locked in a Knee Bar but Tamina was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold. Bayley lifted Tamina up onto her shoulders but couldn’t hold her and fell to the canvas. Tamina battled back with a Clothesline and went for the Samoan Drop but Bayley escaped to the apron.
Tamina hit Bayley with a boot to the face and Bayley fell to the floor. Tamina launched Bayley over the announce table and then into the barricade. Back in the ring, Tamina climbed to the top rope and went for the Splash but Bayley got her feet up. Tamina hit a Superkick and then a Samoan Drop.
Tamina went for the cover but Banks hopped on the apron for a distraction. Tamina chased Banks around before getting back in the ring. Tamina went for another Samoan Drop but Bayley countered into a roll-up for the pinfall victory. After the match, Sasha leveled Tamina with a knee to the face.
Braun Strowman defended his Universal Championship against Bray Wyatt at Money in the Bank. Wyatt came down to the ring in his Fun House attire.
Match Recap: Bray laughed in the corner and then the two superstars locked up. Strowman shoved Wyatt into the ropes and leveled him with a shoulder tackle. Bray booted Strowman in the ribs and went for a Headlock but Braun quickly broke free.
Strowman hit another shoulder tackle that sent Bray out of the ring. Braun sent Wyatt flying into the ring post before rolling him back into the ring. Strowman hit Wyatt with a Splash in the corner and Bray once again tumbled out of the ring.
Braun followed him out there and went for a shoulder tackle but Wyatt dodged him. Wyatt used Strowman’s momentum against him and sent the Universal Champion flying into the announce table.
Wyatt got back in the ring when the Huskus puppet showed up by the barricade. Bray hit Strowman with a DDT on the floor and followed it up with a Clothesline in the ring. Wyatt went for the cover but Strowman kicked out at two.
Bray hit a Senton and Strowman rolled out of the ring. Wyatt followed him out there and slammed into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Wyatt hit Sister Abigail and went for the cover but Strowman kicked out at two.
Wyatt went for another Sister Abigail but Strowman countered into a Chokeslam. Wyatt battled back and sent Braun out of the ring. Strowman put on the sheep mask and stared at Bray in the ring.
Looks like @WWEBrayWyatt had a friend unexpectedly show up at ringside! ?
Bray started laughing and said “I told him I would find you”. Braun goot into the ring and ripped his shirt off. Strowman got on his knees and Wyatt stood over him. Braun got up and the two shared a hug in the ring.
The rest of the puppets showed up and said “Braun is home”. Strowman took off the mask and stared at Wyatt. Braun dropped the mask and stomped on it before planted Bray with the Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory. Images of The Fiend flashed on the screen after the match.
Opinion: I thought the storytelling in this match was well done and it looks like this feud will continue. The match itself wasn’t anything special but Strowman will likely have to deal with The Fiend going forward.
Match Recap: McIntyre started off the match in control and knocked Rollins out of the ring with a shoulder tackle. Rollins got back in the ring and McIntyre greeted him with another shoulder tackle. McIntyre Clotheslined Seth back to the outside and taunted him by saying he is enjoying every second of this.
Seth took his time getting back into the ring as McIntyre stood with a smile on his face. Drew continued to beat the hell out of Rollins and whipped him into the turnbuckle. McIntyre followed it up with a massive chop that knocked Seth to the canvas.
Rollins battled back and hit a couple Dropkicks to McIntyre’s left knee. Seth sent McIntyre into the ring post and the champ fell to the floor. Rollins connected with a Suicide Dive as the referee started counting.
Back in the ring, Seth hit a Slingblade for a one count before locking in a Half Crab. Drew McIntyre refused to quit and reached for the ropes. Seth transitioned into the STF in the middle of the ring but Drew was able to break the hold by grabbing the bottom rope.
McIntyre rolled to the outside and Seth connected with another Suicide Dive. Rollins hopped up on the apron and hit a knee to the face. Seth climbed on top of the announce table and hit another knee to Drew’s face.
Drew sent Rollins flying over the announce table before the action returned to the ring. McIntyre hit Seth with a boot to the face and made his way to the top rope. Drew hit a Flying Clothesline and fired himself up in the corner.
McIntyre went for the Claymore but Rollins escaped to the apron. Seth booted Drew in the face but McIntyre responded with a Spinebuster for a near fall. Rollins escaped the Future Shock DDT and connected with an Enziguri.
Rollins hit a Superkick and went for the cover but McIntyre powered out at one. Seth hit a Frog Splash off the top rope but McIntyre once again kicked out. Rollins grabbed a steel chair as the referee threatened to disqualify him.
Seth threw the chair out of the ring and went for the Stomp but Drew blocked it. McIntyre hit a headbutt and made his way to the top rope but Seth tripped him up. Rollins hit a Superplex and followed it up with the Falcon Arrow for a two count.
Rollins went for the Stomp but McIntyre once again avoided it and hit the Future Shock DDT for a near fall. McIntyre perched Seth on the top turnbuckle and delivered a chop to his chest. Rollins tied up Drew in the Tree of Woe but McIntyre somehow was able to launch Seth across the ring.
McIntyre went for the Claymore but Rollins countered into a Superkick. Seth followed it up with the Stomp but the WWE Champion was somehow able to kick out at two. Rollins went for another Stomp but Drew countered with a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre followed that up with the Claymore Kick for the pinfall victory. Drew McIntyre is still WWE Champion.
After the match, McIntyre tried to shake Rollins’ hand. Drew told Seth to show the world he is a leader and shake his hand. Rollins obliged and McIntyre left the ring.
Opinion: McIntyre and Rollins delivered a very good match tonight at the PPV. I was expecting Rollins to hit McIntyre with a low blow after the match but he simply just shook McIntyre’s hand. It will be interesting to see who is next for McIntyre and where the Monday Night Messiah goes from here.
Men’s MITB participants: Otis, AJ Styles, Aleister Black, King Corbin, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan
Match Recap: The men started out by brawling in the gym as Asuka took the women out with a massive Crossbody. Asuka hopped in the elevator as Black booted Mysterio in the face.
Otis bashed AJ’s head into the wall and buried him under some weights. Styles asked Rey to help him but he opted to just walk away. Mysterio ran by the bathroom as Brother Love made a cameo and told Rey that he loved him. Otis, Bryan, and Black got in an elevator as the female superstars sprinted up the stairs.
Asuka popped out of the elevator and Shayna went after her. Nia, Dana, Carmella, and Dana battled in a meeting room. Shayna hit Nia with a couple punches but Jax knocked her to the floor. Dana leveled Jax with a chair to the back and grabbed a briefcase suspended above the office table.
Stephanie McMahon told Dana that this is the MITB conference room and the real briefcase is on the roof. Carmella leveled Dana and moonwalked out fo the ring. Lacey Evans hit Carmella with the Woman’s Right as AJ Styles was shown looking for Rey.
Styles came across a picture of The Undertaker and it freaked him out for a moment. AJ opened a door as The Undertaker’s gong hit. A coffin was in the room as Styles had flashbacks to the Boneyard Match. Aleister came out of nowhere and kicked Styles in the face before locking him in the room with the coffin.
Paul Heyman made a cameo at a catering table and was about to enjoy a sandwich. Otis ripped the sandwich out of his hand and then launched the plate of food into Paul’s face. A massive food fight broke out and Shayna locked in the Kirifuda Clutch on Rey.
Nia grabbed Dana by the throat and threw her into a vending machine. Jax then Powerbombed Carmella through the table and started at Otis. Otis took a bite out of a sandwich and the two went their separate ways. Otis found some more food and was about to take a bite out of some pie when John Laurinaitis showed up. John said “People Power” and Otis threw the pie in his face.
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles then battled their way into Vince McMahon’s office. Vince got up from his chair and kicked them both out. Styles and AJ fixed Vince McMahon’s chairs as Vince put on some hand sanitizer. AJ and Bryan continued to trade punches before Corbin showed up with the scepter. Corbin hit them both and hit Aleister with a right hand to the face.
The action arrived at the ring set up on the roof of WWE Headquarters. Evans hit Asuka with a Clothesline and turned around into a headbutt from Nia. Jax threw Evans out of the ring and grabbed a ladder.
Nia set up the ladder in the middle of the ring and bounced Asuka’s face off of it. Lacey knocked Nia down and started climbing. Asuka dragged her to the canvas and shoved the ladder over onto Jax.
Asuka and Evans battled on the ladder as Nia got back up. Asuka knocked Evans on top of Nia and was now alone on the ladder. She started climbing again and was inches away from the briefcase when King Corbin showed up. Asuka slapped Corbin off the ladder and grabbed the women’s contract.
Otis made his way to the ladder but once again the rungs started breaking when he tried to climb. King Corbin bashed the ladder into Otis’ ribs went for a Splash but Otis got out of the way. Otis hit the Caterpillar Elbow and shouted “oh yeah!”.
Aleister hit Otis with Black Mass and Rey followed it up with a Senton off the top rope. Black and Mysterio set up the ladder in the middle of the ring and started climbing. AJ Styles joined the action and shoved the ladder over.
King Corbin then threw Rey off the roof and did the same to Aleister Black. AJ sent Corbin into the ring post and hit Otis with a Pele Kick. Styles followed it up with the Phenomenal Forearm and Otis fell to the canvas.
AJ started climbing as King Corbin hopped on the other side of the ladder. Corbin and Styles reached fro the briefcase and took it down at the same time. Both superstars wrestled with the briefcase when Elias showed up with the guitar. Elias hit Corbin with the guitar and the briefcase fell to Otis in the ring. Otis shouted “yo Mandy, I did it!” as MITB went off the air.
Opinion: While Money in the Bank was a very short PPV, it was entertaining as hell. I’ll take a shorter PPV over a 5-hour one any day. I thought the Ladder matches were fun and the cameos made me laugh. I didn’t expect either Asuka or Otis to win the matches and was pleasantly surprised.
Drew McIntyre is still the WWE Champion after a hard-fought battle in just his second title defense.
McIntyre, who has become the new top star on the RAW brand, successfully retained the championship against Seth Rollins at the WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on the WWE Network. This served as one of the top matches on the card.
It was a back and forth affair with Rollins working over the leg knee of the champion. In the end, McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick for the win. Post-match, McIntyre gave him a pep speech and they shook hands.
The program was started on the April 20th episode of RAW when McIntyre opened the show with an in-ring promo about Rollins’ attack. He issued a challenge for a WWE Championship Match at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.
Later in the show, Rollins cut an interesting promo about how he accepted McIntyre’s challenge. He also vowed that he would take the title from McIntyre. WWE made the match official on the April 27th episode of RAW by having a contract signing.
Time will tell whether WWE continues this feud or goes into a different direction heading into the next few weeks.
Braun Strowman successfully retained the WWE Universal Title in his first defense of the championship.
Strowman did so when he beat Bray Wyatt in one of the top matches at the WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on the WWE Network.
There had been speculation that Wyatt may be wrestling the match as himself instead of The Fiend. He dressed like his character that appears during the Firefly Fun House segments.
The finish of the match saw Strowman wear his old sheep mask. Wyatt said that he told him that he would find him and that this time it would be perfect. Strowman did the Wyatt pose in front of him and they hugged. However, Strowman took off the mask then stomped on it and hit his powerslam finisher for the win.
The company made the match official on the April 17th episode of SmackDown. Since that time, WWE has been airing Firefly Fun House segments on the show to further promote this contest.
In fact, there was some acknowledgment to their past as Strowman made an appearance on the Moment of Bliss segment where Wyatt gave him a gift, which was Strowman’s old sheep mask that he used to wear while a member of The Wyatt Family.
Looks like @WWEBrayWyatt had a friend unexpectedly show up at ringside! ?
Alberto Del Rio has found himself in a serious situation after being arrested last week.
The former WWE star was involved in an incident on May 3rd that ultimately led to him going to jail. News 4 in San Antonio reported that Del Rio became angry with a woman and assaulted her. The victim had multiple injuries to her body.
Per the report, the victim is alleging that Del Rio slapped her across the head and then asked her what she was doing. She stated to the police that he slapped her again across the head.
Police were told by the victim that they walked downstairs and this is where Del Rio forced her to put on a dress and dance for him. When she told him that she didn’t want to do this, Del Rio allegedly said he would take her son and drop him off in the middle of the road somewhere if she didn’t and also told her not to cry while doing it.
It was also noted that the arrest affidavit did detail the incident and has photographs of the victim’s injuries. This report also states that Del Rio sexually assaulted the victim.
As of this writing, Del Rio has yet to comment on the alleged situation.
Back in March, Del Rio claimed in an appearance on Nos Cayó La Noche in Mexico that he was in talks with WWE about a potential return to the company and thought a deal could be reached sometime in 2020.
It was later reported that there were no talks between WWE and Del Rio regarding him potentially making a return to the company.
Lio Rush has broken his silence on being released by WWE.
The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion was just one of many talent and staff who were cut from the company last month due to budget cuts caused by the coronavirus.
Rush took to his official Twitter account where he issued a statement. Rush also mentioned his new album, which releases on Monday, as it’s titled “Ever After.” He wrote,
“Three weeks has passed since the news of my release and in this moment…I’m overwhelmed with emotions, but mostly gratitude.
“Thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had and moments I’ve experienced with the WWE. Whether that was competing in-ring or managing on the outside, I’ve had a blast. The past three years has been quite the ride! From the highest of highs, to the lowest of lows. I’ve been tested and I’ve had to battle my demons like never before. I’ve dreamed of becoming a WWE Superstar since I was five years old and I’ve accomplished that at such a young age.
“Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and with sadness in my heart, I’m afraid this is it. My story isn’t over though. Another chapter just needs to be written. I love you guys and I’m beyond grateful for the love, support, and understanding over the years. A 22 year old kid coming in and a 25 year old man coming out with my head held high. I’ve always been a dreamer and you better believe that I’m dreaming big.”
Lio Rush then announced that his first album is being released on Monday. He called it his “FIRST MAJOR PROJECT SINCE THE RELEASE.”
He finished by telling fans he’d love nothing more than their continued love and support.
Last year, there were several reported issues involving Rush that had apparently led to him getting backstage heat and being removed from television.
Before being removed from television, he was serving as Bobby Lashley’s manager. He returned to TV last September in NXT where he would later win the NXT Cruiserweight Title.
The final betting odds for all of the matches that will take place at the WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view event have been released.
The card for the show that takes place tonight (Sunday, May 10, 2020) from Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center has been finalized as only matches have been announced.
Make sure to join us tonight for match recaps and our takeaways from this latest pay-per-view event held by WWE.
Money In The Bank Betting Odds
The favorites to win are listed as – while the underdogs are listed with +. Odds call for all three titles to change. Here are the final betting odds courtesy of BetOnline:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is favored (-700) to retain against Seth Rollins (+400).
Bray Wyatt (-130) is favored to defeat Universal Champion Braun Strowman (-110)
AJ Styles (-125) is favored to win the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Rey Mysterio is considered the least likely to win (+1200).
Shayna Bazsler (-145) is favored to win the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Carmella (+1000) is considered the least likely to win.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley is favored (-550) to retain against Tamina (+325).
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (-100) are favored to retain in the Fatal 4 Way tag team match.
Booker T recently spoke about working with Jim Ross on his Reality of Wrestling YouTube channel. The 5x WCW Champion noted that JR’s role as the head of Talent Relations put him in an unenviable spot.
“He had to hire guys, he had to fire guys, he was that guy,” Booker said on the show. “He was definitely not in an envious spot.”
Booker also noted that JR was the one who encouraged him to be open about his real backstory.
“JR was literally the first person who told me I need to tell my story and get it out there and let people see who Booker T really was,” he continued. “And I was reluctant to actually put it out there not knowing if there was some ulterior motive.”
Booker’s story was made into a documentary currently available on the WWE Network, “Booker T: Sentenced to Greatness.” He served 19 months in prison for armed robbery before being granted parole in 1992.
“I remember going to house shows after I did come out with my story, I remember going to house shows and people would have my mugshot on a poster, just to make fun of me,” Booker said. “But I won at the end of the day, and I’m still winning.”
Booker T Hopes His Story Gives Hope To Others
Booker then continued to say that he hopes his being open with his story is helpful to others.
“Hopefully a lesson was learned. Hopefully, some young kid, like I said for me telling my story, which was my primary objective was for some young kid not to fall in my footsteps or some young kid that are walking in my footsteps to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. If Booker T did it, I can do it too. There are so many people out there looking for hope.”
