– WWE will be returning to thr Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on July 26th, 2013 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 15th at 10 AM EST.
– After Monday’s WWE RAW went off the air last night, John Cena got charged up again and slammed Ryback through a table. Cena then celebrated in the ring with his father and the Special Olympian athletes that were briefly shown on camera during the broadcast.
* Storyline Plans For Ziggler/Langston/AJ, Kaitlyn’s Secret Admirer Revealed & More
This week, WWE will celebrate its official partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT), an organization that provides year-round sports training and competitions for close to 15,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and unified partners throughout the state.
WWE’s more than 700 employees headquartered in Connecticut will volunteer, become a coach or work one-on-one with athletes at Special Olympics Connecticut events in the area. In addition, WWE will make an annual financial contribution to the charitable organization.
WWE will also be a presenting sponsor of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics Connecticut’s largest grassroots, year-round fundraising and public awareness vehicle. As part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run initiative, more than 1,500 officers and athletes will run and carry the “Flame of Hope” across the state Wednesday through Friday.
The Torch Run will stop at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Friday and will feature special guests WWE COO Triple H, Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon, Superstar Mark Henry, Special Olympics executives and athletes, and local dignitaries. The final leg of the run will end at the opening ceremonies for the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, which WWE will be part of.
“WWE will bring great joy and strength to Special Olympics Connecticut. WWE’s commitment to inspiring respect for all people and supporting Special Olympics Connecticut will help empower athletes of all ages and abilities to make great achievements and be recognized for their accomplishments,” Special Olympics Connecticut President Beau Doherty said.
WWE’s Big Show, Henry, The Bella Twins and WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter will take part in the celebrations surrounding the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games in New Haven throughout the weekend.
“WWE is proud to support the Special Olympics Connecticut mission to inspire inclusion and respect for all people,” WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon said. “WWE, its Superstars and more than 700 employees, look forward to being part of their important events and activities across our home state.”
WWE taped Monday’s RAW from Hartford, Connecticut. Credit to Bill Pritchard & WrestleZone.com for this report:
We kick things off with the return of Stephanie McMahon, and she says it’s good to be back but she needs to talk business. She says her husband, HHH, went through two brutal matches at Extreme Rules and on RAW, and eventhough he is medically cleared, she is barring him from competing. Stephanie says she is thinking about her family and business, and this isn’t about the fans, so she hopes they try not to be so selfish. ‘No Chance’ cuts her off and Vince McMahon makes his way out, and he says it seems like the fans are happy to see him. Vince says he doesn’t often do it, but he has a personal request, and he doesn’t want them to boo Stephanie, because she is right and they should have some compassion.
Vince says HHH has given everything, and they care more about him than the fans do, so he will say it again and HHH will not compete here tonight. Vince says they want too much from him, and WWE is entertainment, but it’s not a bloodsport so he needs to address what the fans want. He says Kofi Kingston got put through a table and they chanted ‘one more time,’ but there will be no more for HHH and he thinks Curits Axel is beneath his son-in-law. The Shield cuts them off and makes their way to the ring, and we get back to see Vince and Stephanie have left the ring and we are ready for six man tag action.
Randy Orton & Team Hell No vs The Shield
Bryan repeatedly kicks Ambrose in the corner, then he takes him to the mat and kicks him in the back before Kane tags in and dropkicks him for two. Kane powerslams Ambrose for another near fall, then he sends him into the corner and punches him before whipping him across the ring. Ambrose elbows him and dives for a tag, then Rollins runs in but Kane punches him and throws him in the corner before making a tag. Bryan kicks Rollins a few times before Kane gets back in, and he drops Rollins with a few clotheslines and a sidewalk slam for two. Kane heads up top but Rollins takes Kane out with an enziguiri, then Rollins rolls over and gets a two count as we head to a break. We get back to see Kane fight out of a headlock, then he uppercuts Rollins to try to create some separation but Rollins dropkicks him into the corner and Ambrose tags back in.
Ambrose kicks Kane in the shoulder a few times, then Rollins tries to assist with a double team move but Kane blocks it and suplexes them both. Orton gets the hot tag and he unloads on Rollins with punches and a powerslam, then he sets up for a hanging DDT when Ambrose tries to break it up. Orton kicks him and DDT’s them both, then he gets the crowd all fired up as he calls for a RKO. Reigns distracts him so Orton tries to DDT him, but Rollins kicks him in the back of the head and gets a near fall before tagging out. Ambrose stomps him a few times before putting him in a chinlock, then Orton breaks it and runs towards the ropes but Ambrose knees him in the stomach and gets a two count.
Rollins tags in and stomps him a few times, then he tags Reigns and he punches Orton in the head and puts him in a grounded full nelson. Orton makes it to his feet so Reigns knees him in the kidneys, then Orton drops to one knee before powering himself up and breaking the hold. Orton sends him into the ropes but Reigns reverses it and punches him in the stomach, then Ambrose tags in and stomps Orton’s chest a few times. Ambrose steps on his hands and punches him in the corner, then he whips him to the other side of the ring and watches as Orton falls to the mat. Reigns tags back in and punches Orton in the head, then he applies a side headlock but Orton fights to his feet and counters with a side suplex.
Rollins reaches for a tag and heads up top, but Orton dropkicks him in midair and finally dives for the tag, and Bryan runs in and ducks a clothesline from Ambrose. He dropkicks Reigns off the apron and runs back and dropkicks Ambrose, then he repeatedly kicks Ambrose in the chest before turning and kicking Rollins off the turnbuckles. Bryan kicks Ambrose in the head before superplexing Rollins onto Ambrose, then he hits a suicide dive before running back in and missile dropkicking Ambrose for a two count. Bryan puts him in the NO Lock but Reigns breaks it up, then Kane tries to help him out but Reigns spears him as Orton RKO’s Rollins. Reigns throws Orton into Bryan and knocks him down, then Ambrose grabs Bryan and hits a headlock driver to win the match.
Winners – The Shield
We get from a break to see Team Hell No and Orton arguing in the locker room, and Orton says it could have happened to everyone but Bryan isn’t happy. He says that’s not the apology he wants, then Kane tries to stay out of it but Bryan says Orton won’t apologize because it’s his fault. Kane says Bryan has lost touch with reality but they do respect him, then Bryan says they don’t respect him and he needs to find a new way to do it. Bryan says he will have another match and beat the respect out of someone, and maybe then they will show him the respect he deserves.
HHH is shown entering the arena, and he asks where Vince’s office is and greets Stephanie as he opens the door. HHH says he is wrestling and wants to know what’s going on, then Stephanie says they can’t let him and they talked about this before. Stephanie says they were worried enough about him and Curtis Axel isn’t worth it, then Vince says he was the Cerebral Assassin but he’s not being too smart right now. Vince says Axel is good and HHH was unconscious, then Vince says he isn’t wrestling tonight but HHH asks who will stop him? Vince hands him some papers and says he shouldn’t do something he’ll regret, then he walks out of the office and closes the door.
The Usos vs Prime Time Players
We get back from a break to join the match in progress, and Jey runs into a kick by Titus before Titus hits a backbreaker and throws him across the ring. Young tags in and puts him in a headlock, but Jey tries to push to his corner so Young knees him in the ribs and tags Titus back in. Titus slams him on the mat for a near fall, then he applies a headlock but Jey breaks it with some punches, only to have Titus drop him with a right hand. Jey fights out of another headlock and Titus knees him in the stomach, then he throws him into the corner but Jey ducks a running shoulder tackle. Both men tag out but Jimmy hits a Samoan drop, then Jey prevents Titus from interfering with a thrust kick and Jimmy hits a Superfly splash for the win.
Winners – The Usos
Alberto Del Rio (w/ Ricardo Rodriguez) vs Big E Langston (w/ AJ Lee)
Alberto kicks Langston out of the ring and sets up a suicide dive, but Langston moves out of the way and kicks him in the head before throwing him into the barricade. Langston rolls him back in and gets a near fall, then Alberto fights back with some right hands before heading up top. Langston catches him and hits a few backbreakers, then he gets another two count before choking him on the ropes and kicking him in the stomach. He applies a side headlock but Alberto kicks him to break it, then Langston tackles him in the corner but Alberto comes back with a kick to the ribs.
Langston knocks him down and blocks a suplex, then he counters a Cross Armbreaker attempt but Alberto superkicks him for a two count. Alberto calls for the Cross Armbreaker again and locks it in, but Langston rolls through and deadlifts Alberto up and throws him over the top rope. Alberto continues to lock the hold in until the ref reaches a five count, then Langston tries to hit him but Alberto suplexes him and puts him back in the Cross Armbreaker. Langston rolls again and tries to get up, but Alberto hooks his leg and rolls him up to get the pinfall.
Winner – Alberto Del Rio
Sheamus vs Cody Rhodes (w/ Damien Sandow)
Sheamus punches Cody in the corner and whips him across the ring, then Cody ducks a clothesline but Sheamus turns and drops with a successful clothesline. Cody kicks him into the ropes and attempts to whip him across the ring, but Sheamus blocks it so Cody throws him outside and kicks him in the chest. Cody rolls him in and gets a near fall, then he repeatedly stomps his chest and kicks him in the face for another near fall. Cody applies a front facelock, but Sheamus breaks it with some punches to the kidneys, then he throws Cody across the ring and clotheslines him. Sheamus connects with a kneeelift and a rolling senton, then he hits the Battering Ram and attempts to hit Wihte Noise. Cody counters with a rollup and ducks a Brogue Kick, then he hits a neckbreaker for two before setting up for Cross Rhodes. Sheamus counters and Cody attempts to hit a moonsault, but Sheamus rolls away and hits White Noise and a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner – Sheamus
HHH is shown packing his luggage into a car, and he says he’s not leaving because Stephanie asked, but it’s because he doesn’t want to beat his children’s grandfather on live TV. He says he will be ready to wrestle Curtis Axel when he gets back, then he slams the car door and takes off as Stephanie calls him Paul and shakes her head. We cut to see Daniel Bryan walking backstage and kicking a table, then he runs into Ryback who tells him to watch what he’s doing. Bryan asks if he’ll put him through a three tables like Kofi Kingston, then Ryback laughs and says he had the flu and had pukes bigger than Bryan. Ryback tells him to shut up and prove himself, but he says Bryan will be the missing link after he’s done with him and walks away.
Vince McMahon is shown talking to Paul Heyman and shaking Curtis Axel’s hand, then he says Axel has potential and a good future, but they won’t see him fight HHH. Vince says it won’t happen next week either, then Heyman says they’ll see him on Smackdown but Vince says Axel fights tonight. Heyman says ‘oh crap, here it comes,’ then Vince says Axel faces John Cena, but it’ll be a no disqualification match. Heyman shakes his head and Vince asks if he needs to say it in yiddish, then he tells Axel to go get ready and wishes him luck tonight.
Fandango (w/ Summer Rae) vs The Great Khali
Khali knocks Fandango on the mat and mocks him with a dance, then he chops Fandango a few times until Fandango fires back with some punches and kicks. Khali kicks him back and drops him with a big boot, then Khali clotheslines him and tries to chop his head so Fandango rolls outside. Fandango tries to leave with Summer Rae but Miz cuts him off, then Wade Barrett appears behind Miz on the stage and drops him with the Bullhammer.
Winner (by countout) – The Great Khali
The Miz vs Wade Barrett
Wade knocks Miz down with a few strikes and chokes him on the ropes, then Miz punches him and pulls the ropes to knock Wade out of the ring. Miz dropkicks him through the ropes and throws him into the barricade, then he rolls him in but Wade throws him on the turnbuckles and kicks him in the head. Miz comes back with a kick to the leg, then he sets up a Figure Four but Wade kicks him back and hits Winds of Change for two. Fandango’s music interrupts the match and Wade gets pissed at Fandango dancing with Summer Rae on the stage, then Wade turns and Miz puts him in the Figure Four and gets him to tap.
Winner – The Miz
Jerry Lawler is in the ring for the contract signing between Chris Jericho and CM Punk’s representative Paul Heyman, then both men come out and King says they just have to sign it. Heyman takes the contract and says they could have just signed this privately, but he’ll feed Jericho’s ego and tell him this to his face. He starts to talk about Punk’s accomplishments but Jericho cuts him off and says he doesn’t give a damn, because all he cares about is Punk showing up at Payback. Heyman smirks and signs the contract, then he slides it to Jericho and tells him he has a question for him. Heyman asks if he’s really ready to face his client in Chicago, because they might cheer him tonight, but Chicago is a biased and they will be behind Punk no matter what. Heyman says Jericho might be the best at what he does, but Punk is the best at making liars out of people who don’t think he’s the best in the world.
Heyman smiles as Jericho says he might be right, so Jericho says maybe they should have the match at Summerslam in Los Angeles, or Madison Square Garden in New York. Heyman says no, so Jericho says they should do it here it Hartford, but Heyman says no and throws the mic on the table. Jericho says he guesses they will fight in Chicago, but it doesn’t matter where you are from because you get treated like a jackass if you are one. Jericho says they need to file the contract now and he has a good idea where to put it, then he tells Heyman to get out of his chair and stand up. He tells Heyman to unbutton his jacket before he rips it off, then he rolls up the contract and puts it in Heyman’s waistband before leaving.
AJ Lee & The Bella Twins vs Kaitlyn & The Funkadactyls
AJ slaps Kaitlyn and taunts her, then Kaitlyn grabs her by the hair but AJ breaks away and tags out. Kaitlyn tags in Naomi, and she drops Nikki and splashes her, then Nikki ducks a crossbody and slams her head on the mat. Nikki taunts her opponents on the aporn before tagging Brie in, then she stomps Naomi from the middle rope before kicking her in the face. Nikki pulls her hair and puts her in an armbar, but Naomi punches her in the stomach to break it and follows with a kick to the face. Kaitlyn tags in and knocks Brie down with a clothesline, then she hits a DDT for two before throwing her into Nikki on the apron and setting up for the finish. Nikki counters with a knockdown and reaches for a tag, but AJ leaves her high and dry and leaves as Kaitlyn hits a spear for the win.
Winners – Kaitlyn & The Funkadactyls
Daniel Bryan is preparing for his next match when Kane walks in, and he says he needs to go but Kane tells him he is crazy for doing this. Kane says he already fought tonight and Ryback is an animal, and he doesn’t need Bryan to prove himself because he has more heart than most guys he’s ever seen. Bryan says he is going to do this without Kane, then Kane asks what he means and Bryan tells him to stay far away from him. Kane says he’s done and he’s leaving, then he tells Bryan to call him when he finds his mind because he’s obviously lost it.
Daniel Bryan vs Ryaback
Bryan repeatedly kicks Ryback in the legs but Ryback shoves him in the corner, then he tries to hit him but Bryan drop toe holds him into the corner and kicks him again. He goes back to kicking him in the legs but Ryback drops him with a strike, then he tries to splash Bryan but Bryan gets his knees up. Bryan hits him a few more times but Ryback tosses him in the corner and knees him a few times, then he steps on Bryan’s head and knees him in between the shoulders. Ryback sends him into the ropes and takes him down with a Thesz press, but Bryan rolls through and puts him in a single leg Boston crab.
Ryback breaks it so Bryan repeatedly elbows him in the face, then he backs him into the corner and kicks him in the chest. Ryback sends him across the ring but Bryan runs the turnbuckles and tries to strike back, but Ryback counters it and throws Bryan out of the ring as we go to a break. We get back to see Ryback slam Bryan on the mat for a two count, then he stomps Bryan in the corner before he taunts him and elbows him in the chest. Ryback puts him in a side headlock but Bryan wills himself to his feet, then he breaks it with some elbows and hits the ropes, only to get taken down with a running elbow.
Ryback kicks him a few times and throws him across the ring, then he runs and tries to spear him but Bryan dives away and Ryback hits the ringpost. Bryan dropkicks Ryback into the turnbuckles and follows with a second, then a third for a near fall before hitting a top rope missile dropkick. Bryan fires the crowd up and goes back up top, then he hits a diving headbutt (almost coast-to-coast) for two before kicking Ryback in the chest. Ryback ducks one and powerbombs Bryan, then he tries to powerbomb him again but Bryan counters by grabbing his arm and putting him in the NO Lock.
Bryan fights to get him to tap but Ryback finally makes it to the ropes to break it, then he rolls outside to regain his composure as the ref tells him to get back in. Bryan hits the ropes and goes for a suicide dive, but Ryback sidesteps him and throws him headfirst into the broadcast table. Ryback picks him back up and throws him into the ringpost a few times, then he rolls him in the ring and stares at him before going back out for a table. Ryback sets the table up in the ring and powerbombs Bryan through it, then the ref calls for the bell but Ryback just goes for another table. He sets it up and leans it against the barricade, but John Cena runs out and makes the save, and Ryback teases getting in the ring with him before heading to the back.
Winner (by disqualification) – Daniel Bryan
No Disqualification Match
John Cena vs Curtis Axel (w/ Paul Heyman)
Cena goes right for a bulldog off the ropes but Heyman trips him, then Axel sends him outside and hits a shoulder tackle off the apron before rolling him outside. Axel kicks him a few times before Cena punches him back, then he hits the ropes but Axel hits a side slam for a near fall. Axel calls for a chair and Heyman slides it in the ring, then he swings at Cena but Cena blocks it and hits him in the back before throwing him outside. Cena throws him into the broadcast table, then he takes the table apart before noticing the ref’s count, so he rolls Axel back in the ring. Axel comes back with a strike and tries to swing at Cena, but Cena ducks then they have a standoff with Axel holding the chair.
Cena ducks another strike and dropkicks him for a near fall, then Cena grabs the chair and wedges it in the corner but Axel clotheslines him and gets a two count. Axel punches him in the head and taunts Cena, then he puts him in an extended armbar but Cena powers out so Axel kicks him in the ribs. Axel kicks him in the corner and stomps on his head, then he sends him into the corner but Cena fights back with some right hands. Cena shoulder tackles him and hits a sitout side slam, then Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and sets up the Attitude Adjustment, only to have Axel float over. Axel retreats into the corner and Cena tries to spear him, but Axel dives away and Cena hits the chair (wedged in the corner) before falling out of the ring.
Axel hits him a few times before getting the chair, then he hits Cena in the back with it and gets a two count before hitting him in the back again. Axel repeatedly hits Cena with the chair before laying it on the mat, then he hits a swinging neckbreaker on the chair but Cena narrowly kicks out at two. Axel sets up a Perfect Plex but Cena counters with a STF, then Heyman runs over and hands Axel a tablet computer. Axel hits Cena in the head with it to break the hold, then they roll outside and Cena sets up an Attitude Adjustment through the table. Heyman gets in the way so Cena chases him off, then he goes back after Axel but Ryback runs out and spears Cena through the table and Axel wins by countout.
Winner (by countout) – Curtis Axel
* CM PUNK’s Return Storyline Revealed, WYATT FAMILY’s Debut & More
The following matches were taped prior to Monday’s RAW from Hartford, CT for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
1. Tons of Funk def. Epico & Primo
2. Natalya def. Tamina Snuka
* CM PUNK’s Return Storyline Revealed, WYATT FAMILY’s Debut & More
– Triple H will be in action tonight on Raw as the official WWE website has announced that he will face Curtis Axel. Also tonight, Randy Orton partners with Team Hell No to battle The Shield for the first time ever in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
– The latest edition of WWE en Espanol is now online.
– The official WWE website has a poll asking fans how Curtis Axel will peak under Paul Heyman’s guidance; World Champion (39%), Intercontinental Champion or U.S. Champion (30%), Topflight competitor, but he won’t win a singles title (31%).
A third video has been released on YouTube promoting a raffle for The Undertaker’s West Coast Chopper to benefit SPUR Compassion Ministries & America’s Mighty Warriors.
The cost to enter the raffle, which will be drawn on June 16, is $10.00 via SpurRaffle.com.
In the newly released video, the WWE Superstar refers to himself by his real name, Mark Calaway. Though his WWE character name is not acknowledged for legal reasons, it does not prevent him from making puns in reference to it.
Meanwhile, Michelle McCool, who recently broke her silence on her marriage to The Undertaker in a taped interview that will be hitting YouTube this summer, promoted the auction this afternoon via Twitter.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is filming an appearance on Larry King Now today, a web series hosted by the former CNN personality. The series can be accessed at www.ora.tv/larrykingnow.
Regarding the appearance, Austin wrote on Twitter, “Talking with @kingsthings Larry King today. Excited to talk to the legend himself.”
– This past Saturday, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan and WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat participated in a Q&A session with fans at Wizard World’s Philadelphia Comic Con. Footage from the event is available below.
– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger celebrated his birthday on Sunday as he turned 55-years-old.
– James Storm appeared to experience abdominal discomfort backstage after capturing the TNA World Tag Team Championship alongside Gunner at Slammiversary. It was his return match after suffering a slight abdominal tear, an abductor strain and groin pull while officiating an Impact Wrestling match on May 9.
Following the show, Storm addressed his health via Twitter: “75% healthy and In a lot of pain, but I did my job and did it well enough to become a 12x world tag team champ. #BeerMe.”
– Celebrity chef Robert Irvine, husband of Gail Kim, was backstage at Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event in Boston, Massachusetts. SportsCenter anchor Robert Flores also attended the show.
– In the Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship, Suicide was once again portrayed by TJ Perkins.
– Bobby Roode and Christy Hemme are scheduled to participate in an autograph signing this Wednesday at Direct Auto Insurance on 5865 Jimmy Carter Blvd in Norcross, Georgia to promote the following evening’s Impact Wrestling in Duluth. The signing begins at 4:00 p.m.
(sources: ProWrestling.net, PWInsider.com)
– WWE has published a storyline-driven article looking at Big Show’s absense from television. Here’s an excerpt:
“I have an ironclad contract!” he screamed through the phone. “I’ll take time off any time I want to, for as long as I want to! I don’t care if Booker doesn’t like it. I’m a giant! I don’t do what other people tell me to do. They do what I tell them to do. ‘Ironclad’ means I answer to no one. That includes Booker, and anyone else in WWE management.”
Big Show is currently out of action with a shoulder injury.
– WWE is currently searching for a new head creative writer. The position entails being responsible for building TV scripts and developing long-term storylines, as well as developing characters for new talents. According to f4wonline.com, WWE is looking for someone that has experience in either reality TV, sitcoms or character-based nonfiction.
* Plans For THE SHIELD At SummerSlam & CM PUNK’s Storyline When He Returns
– While the official website of WWE is not advertising Triple H for tonight’s Raw at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, he is advertised as appearing in DirecTV’s preview for the show.
– Fandango appeared on The Bower Show on 97.9 ESPN in Hartford, Connecticut this morning promoting tonight’s Raw at the XL Center as he discussed his character and how he plans on reinventing it. Plus, the fourteen-year veteran reveals advice he has received and relays a “great” Vince McMahon story.
To listen the podcast, click here.
– Nicole and Brie, The Bella Twins, will appear on The Crossover on the NBC Sports Network at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The twin duo promoted their appearance via Twitter today, writing, “Hope you’re ready to get your Bella on tomorrow Mammacita! @MichelleDBeadle It’s gonna be some good times!”
– Steve Austin has announced that former WWE, WCW & ECW star Lance Storm will be the next guest on his Steve Austin Show podcast.
– The WWE creative team is said to be very stressed out heading into Raw tonight, according to a report at f4wonline.com. After last week’s low RAW rating (in part due to the Memorial Day holiday), there is a sense of urgency that this week’s RAW needs to do a strong rating.
Unfortunately for WWE, RAW is up against the highly anticipated Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals tonight between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is getting mainstream attention for a recent criticism of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Austin says Romo has all the “physical tools” that he needs, but “sh*ts the bed” when it counts and is not a clutch player:
“My problem with Dallas is I think Tony Romo is a damn good quarterback, but he sh-ts the bed at the most inopportune times.”
“So when I look for leadership, I can’t say that Tony Romo is the clear-cut leader.”
Numerous mainstream sports media outlets have picked up on Austin’s comments, including FOX Sports, USA Today, the London Free Press and The Toronto Sun.
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released post-Slammiversary footage, which features Sting being assisted to the backstage area by two referees after being struck with a hammer by Bully Ray to conclude the No Holds Barred World Heavyweight Championship main event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaYotgWp8Ks
– At Slammiversary, it was announced that Kurt Angle would be the second inductee into the TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame taking place during Bound For Glory weekend in October. Through Twitter, fellow TNA legend Jeff Jarrett congratulated the Olympic Gold medalist on the honor.
“Congratulations to the 1 n only @RealKurtAngle 4 being inducted n 2 the #TNAHallofFame!” Jarrett wrote. “Inside the ring, there’s never been anybody better!”
– Two TNA stars celebrated birthdays at Slammiversary as “Cowboy” James Storm turned 36-years-old while Velvet Sky turned 32.
Tonight’s edition of WWE RAW takes place from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. With less than two weeks to go until WWE Payback, here’s a preview of what we’ll see tonight:
– World Heavyweight champion Dolph Ziggler returns to television after taking several weeks off due to a concussion.
– The latest from WWE Champion John Cena and Ryback’s ongoing feud.
– An update on the return of CM Punk, who is back in action at WWE Payback against Chris Jericho.
– More from Paul Heyman’s newest client, Curtis Axel.
The advertised dark match main event will see WWE Champion John Cena defend against Ryback.
TNA star Kurt Angle tweeted the following messages in response to the announcement that he will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame this October during Bound For Glory weekend:
Thank You All for Your Love and Support if HOF. Also My Match With AJ Was Amazing. I'm Very Blessed.
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) June 3, 2013
Thanks to All Of You for Your Support in My Induction into TNA HOF. Couldn't Do It Without Out. Much Love
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) June 3, 2013
Kurt Angle’s ex-wife Karen Jarrett also congratulated Kurt:
Congrats to @RealKurtAngle on his win over @AJStylesOrg & 4 being the next inductee into the TNA HOF!Very well deserved!#champion #machine
— Karen Jarrett (@karenjarrett) June 3, 2013
This week on The Breakdown, Steve answers some listener questions on the Divas division
– Chris Sabin had his head stitched up as a result of an errant hit during the Ultimate X Match for the X Division Championship at Slammiversary.
– Prior to his match against Kurt Angle at Slammiversary, AJ Styles debuted a new theme song—”Evil Ways (Justice Mix)” by Blues Saraceno. Audio of the theme song is available below.
– TNA Wrestling officials were pleased with the outcome of Slammiversary. Company president Dixie Carter stated following the show via Twitter, “So proud of every single member of TNA. What a great #Slammiversary PPV. Top to bottom. Thanks to the best fans in the world. Best to come.”
(source: PWInsider.com)
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog on his official website addressing such topics as Dolph Ziggler’s health after sustaining a concussion and Bray Wyatt’s chances of success in WWE. Highlights are as follows:
Dolph Ziggler: “Happy to see that @HeelZiggler is getting better after sustaining a major concussion but he’s still not ready to step back into he ring until he passes a battery of medical tests and is thoroughly evaluated by WWE medical personnel. Back in the territory wrestling days, Ziggler would have likely returned already because promoters only paid wrestlers when they worked. Wrestler health and safety wasn’t a huge priority in past generations of the territorial system or so it seemed to me.”
Last week’s Raw: “RAW last week had an increased freshness to it. If one looks back a year ago you will find many talents who were not on the RAW radar but today are prominent on the WWE’s flagship broadcast.”
Bray Wyatt’s prospects in WWE: “Speaking recently on Bray Wyatt’s “2nd gear” that some did not understand it is essentially the same thing as a great, defensive lineman in the NFL being able to explode off the ball and then change gears again when needed to make a play. It’s not something that every athlete, no matter their size, possesses. Wyatt’s grandfather, WWE HOFer Blackjack Mulligan was a massive beast who was once recruited to play college football by the legendary Bear Bryant along with football coaching legend Bum Phillips so athleticism runs in the family. Wyatt’s father, Mike Rotunda was an outstanding, two sport star at Syracuse in football and in wrestling. So the bottom line is that Bray Wyatt has good athletic DNA.
“Nonetheless the level of success that the Wyatt Family achieves is going to be largely up to them and not the family scrapbook. I like the trio and feel that they will contribute quickly once they arrive in WWE on RAW or Smackdown. I’d also assume that we will see another Wyatt Family vignette on RAW this week.”
Curtis Axel: “I’d also assume that we will see more of the on going breakout build continue for Curtis Axel who’s now being mentored by Paul Heyman. @RealKingRegal and I have both said for months that, after seeing various Curtis Axel matches on NXT, that the 3rd generation athlete was ready for something significant. However, even though a talent is ‘ready’ there has be be a place for him or her to make an impactful entry or re-entrance to RAW or Smackdown.
“Pairing Axel with @HeymanHustle is highly strategic and having the young Minnesota native face HHH and John Cena his first two weeks on RAW has people talking. That’s more than they were doing when the kid was named McGillicutty.”
Ross also discusses WWE attempting to develop a relationship with the NFLPA, the key to getting promoted to the main roster, Big E Langston, his upcoming appearances in the United Kingdom, and more. To read the full post, click here.
WWE United States champion Dean Ambrose recently spoke to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The Shield & Why They’re Different From Other WWE Superstars:
“I can tell you it’s been an ever-evolving process. I don’t think we knew where we wanted to go. Every week, it’s been a new idea. An on-the-fly idea. Coming out of the crowd was not a pre-planned, premeditated idea that someone came up with in a meeting room. Everything has kind of organically evolved. Instead of coming through the entrance way, we wanted to make a statement to people that what you see is not like every other WWE superstar, every other normal wrestler. It was done to separate ourselves. We’re not like everyone in the back. We’re completely different and more dangerous and something you’ve got to keep your eyes on. “Everything from the moves we do to the things we wear to the things we say, all of them have been on the fly. We’re making it up as we go along. If something feels natural, we do it. If somebody says a good line, it’s like, hey I like that line, let’s go with it. Or someone does a good move, hey I like that move, let’s do that again. It’s been an on-the job process. You’re watching it unfold with your eyes as much as we are and I think that’s one of the exciting things for the fans.”
His Promo Style:
“Cutting a promo has always come very naturally and it’s nothing I ever had to work on. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t have a particular process. You have to not be afraid to be yourself and let go and tap into how you really feel. You need to let loose. If you can do that, you can show people a different side of your personality. Get in front of the camera and be free. I enjoy being in front of the camera and I use it as an outlet. In real life, I’m a pretty private person. I’m not a flashy, attention-seeking, kind of guy. When the red light goes on, you have an opportunity to be whatever you want and let loose and use it as an outlet. I’m able to take a lot of aggression off my choice. I guess my best advice would be to just cut loose and not be afraid to just let your real self come out from inside. If you get intimidated by the camera, that shows through. Just enjoy cutting it loose.”
“Guys today, a lot of them only learned one way to do it. They came up in developmental or whatever and are told what to say and that’s the only way they know how to do it. I didn’t come up that way, fortunately. I don’t want anybody to tell me what to say. When you put words in my mouth, I don’t like that. With a promo, you have an opportunity to sell tickets and sell pay-per-views and create interest. Every single time, the camera’s on you, you have a chance to expand your bank account and puts (butts) in the seats and help your performance. It’s all a big part of a masterpiece of an angle or a story that climaxes in a match. It all ties together.”
During a TNA Slammiversary Q&A session that took place over the weekend, TNA World Champion Bully Ray commented on the possibility of Hulk Hogan wrestling at Bound For Glory:
“At the end of the day, everyone wants to see Hulk Hogan drop that big leg one more town … I would love to fight Hulk Hogan – in his last match.”
As for which TNA star he thinks would be a good addition to Aces & Eights, he said:
“There is a badass out there that hasn’t been around for awhile. He’s a bad dude that has a mean streak, and it’s Crimson.”
Finally, Bully was asked which company (ECW, WWE, TNA) was the best to work for:
“Every single one of those companies have so many good qualities, and so many bad. The great part of ECW was you got to do whatever you wanted to do, and be whoever you wanted to be. Paul [Heyman] encouraged you to speak up and … become a better performer. When you get to WWE, that doesn’t go over so well.”
– A newly released Post Fruity Pebbles cereal commercial features John Cena, which you can view below. In January, it was announced that the WWE Superstar John Cena and Bamm-Bamm would replace Fred Flintstone on the front of more than 8 million Post Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles cereal boxes as part of a promotional partnership between Post Foods and WWE.
“It’s been a lifelong dream to be on a cereal box and I’m proud to represent WWE as part of our partnership with Post,” Cena said in a statement then. “I’m looking forward to joining millions of families at their breakfast table across the country.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-WBu4dMQ6o
– WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas was on hand for Sunday’s WWE live event in Augusta, Maine. Naomi tweeted this image of herself with the legendary grappler.
– Lance Storm will be appear as a guest on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s next Steve Austin Show podcast. The episode will be taped Tuesday. You can listen to past episodes here.
“Jeremy Borash Gives a Slammiversary XI post show wrap up right after the Pay-Per-View went off the air. Borash Gives a rundown of the epic night that unfolded at TNA Wrestling’s anniversary event, Slammiversary.”
– TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following after the Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell “Last Knockouts Standing” match at Slammiversary:
Unreal Knockouts match. Never heard so many holy s#*t's during a girls match. @TarynTerrell & @gailkimITSME tore it up!
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) June 3, 2013
She also wrote:
So proud of every single member of TNA. What a great #Slammiversary PPV. Top to bottom. Thanks to the best fans in the world. Best to come
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) June 3, 2013
The Knockouts match got rave reviews backstage, with everybody coming up to Kim & Terrell after the match and congratulating them.
– James Storm tweeted the following after his match at Slammiversary:
https://twitter.com/Cowboy_J_Storm/status/341377011433996289
Report by: pwinsider.com
Slammiversary opened with a really cool video of Bully Ray taking over a historical package on TNA and making it all about destroying and disrupting TNA. Great stuff.
It looked like they had an awesome crowd live.
Ultimate X: TNA X-Division champion Kenny King vs. Chris Sabin vs. Suicide.
The announcers noted it was the 30th Ultimate X match. Sounds like it’s time for an Anthology DVD set.
King backed out of the ring, telling the others to fight amongst themselves. They instead chased him into the ring. He ended up caught between the two and worked over with a double hiptoss and a series of chops. Sabin was obviously the crowd favorite early.
Suicide hit a springboard into a takedown on his opponents. He tried to scramble up but King nailed Sabin and then took out Suicide. Sabin returned with a spinkick but was caught with a t-bone suplex. Sabin and King battled in the corner as Sucide tried to recover.
Suicide caught Sabin with a back suplex. He then did a rana like move that drove King’s head into the mat. Sabin grabbed Suicide for a suplex. Sabin nailed a tornado DDT out of the corner, kicking Suicide off in the process. He suplexed King atop of Suicide and started climbing to the top but was pulled down by Suicide.
Sabin was run into the buckles by Suicide but was pulled down. Suicide hit a nice series of moves where his opponents were tied up with each other physically. He went to the cables but was pulld down by King. King went to the top but was nailed with a headbutt.
Suicide went for a superplex but Sabin nailed him and instead drilled King with a fisherman’s buster. He looked like he almost lost him. Suicide slipped under Sabin and nailed an Electric Chair. King legdropped Suicide and went to the cables.
King tried to make it across but was pulled down. He and Suicide went back and forth but Sabin nailed an enziguiri. They went into a hot series of moves going back and forth, leaving all three spent and exhausted in the ring. The crowd chanted for TNA.
Suicide faked Sabin out and tried to do a dive. Sabin and King escaped but Suicide hit an awesome springboard dropkick on them both on the floor. They returned to the ring and teased a Tower of Doom but Sabin instead tied them up in the corner and tried to climb to the cables. Suicide grabbed him and nailed a superplex into the ring, wiping King out as well.
King and Suicide made it to the cables and made it to the belt. King knocked Suicide off by grabbing at the mask. Sabin made it over and pulled King off the ropes. He then grabbed and released the belt to win. Sabin, who was bleeding hardway from the head, is your winner.
Your winner and new X-Division champion, Chris Sabin!
Real fun opener with some crazy bumps and a really high energy pace in the ring.
After replays, they showed Sabin on the stage and he had a lot of blood on him from the hardway show. Hulk Hogan came out and raised his hand. He said that he wanted Sabin to hear what the Boston Hulkamaniacs sound like. The crowd popped. Hogan said he wanted to give Sabin his props because he’s been in Boston for years and he knows that Boston loves champions like Sabin. He said that every time Sabin comes out, the crowd is going to cheer him just as loud as the first time Hulk beat up Andre the Giant. Hogan said Sabin was the future and pointed out the X-Division champ would have a chance to challenge the TNA champion this summer. He said that he loved Sabin and said congratulations. Cool way to put Sabin over.
Hogan came into the ring alone and said now it’s time for some Hulk Hogan business. He said they needed to talk about what was going down tonight. Out came Aces & Eights, led by Ken Anderson. Anderson mocked Hogan and Boston. Hogan said Boston and he aren’t afraid of ghosts, terrorists or p***ies. Yes, he said the third one. He said that Joseph Park would take out Devon and start the ball rolling tonight. Bischoff started going off on Hogan and Hogan told him “you’re a b*tch and your old man is a b*tch.” Hogan then told them they were going to have a six man now.
So, Anderson is replacing Doc in the bout.
Magnus & Samoa Joe & Jeff Hardy vs. Aces & Eights
Anderson and Hardy started. Anderson cut him off early and whipped him into the corner and chopped him. Hardy came back with a big forearm off the ropes and a cruncher legdrop into a dropkick. Anderson backed into the corner and tagged out to Wes Brisco.
Hardy kept control over Brisco, who quickly tagged out to Bischoff. Bischoff was worked over and locked in an arm wringer. Samoa Joe tagged in and stomped and beat the hell out of Bischoff as the place went nuts. Bischoff cut him off and went for a dive off the ropes into a shoulderblock. Joe walked away and shook his head, leaving Bischoff to crash and burn. That was great.
Joe worked over Bischoff who tagged out to Anderson. Anderson was controlled and slammed. Joe nailed a back senton splash. Magnus tagged out and nailed a fall away slam for a two count. Anderson tried to cut him off and locked in a armbar.
Anderson continued to work over Anderson’s arm. Brisco tagged in and slammed him. Brisco cinched in an armbar. Aces & Eights started tagging in and out working over Magnus. Brisco nailed Hardy and Joe to try and prevent a tag but Hardy still made the hot tag.
Hardy drilled Brisco with a big forearm and scored a series of clotheslines. He nailed the Twist of Fate on Anderson but Brisco nailed him from behind. Hardy came back and nailed the Whsiper in the Wind. It turned into a six man brawl with everyone battling.
It settled down and Hardy nailed a vertical suple and a slam. Hardy went up for a swanton but had his legs taken out from under him. Hardy crashed hard atop the buckles. Bischoff played to the crowd but Joe attacked him with a running back splasj and enziguiri. Magnus took out Bischoff.
Joe attacked Anderson and locked him in a choke on the ramp. Magnus set up Hardy so he could nail a swanton on Brisco and score the pin.
Your winners, Samoa Joe & Magnus & Jeff Hardy!
Truly solid and enjoyable six man tag. The pace was good and they took a nice back and forth story. Bischoff and Brisco looked good. Anderson looked better here than he did the last few weeks of TV. Joe and Magnus were awesome and Hardy looked energized.
Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw: Gutcheck Tournament Final.
Bradley was taken down with a double leg takedown and kept off balance early. Shaw was real aggressive early. Bradley took over but was caught with a backbreaker for a two count.
Bradley caught him with the boomstick and scored the pin.
Your winner, Jay Bradley!
Christy Hemme interviewed Bradley. He said he was the first in the Bound for Glory series and would be the last man out – meaning he would win the TNA title.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Austin Aries and Bobby Roode. Roode said they were going to win because he was the longest reigning TNA champion ever. Aries noted he was the one who beat Roode for the title and that meant they would win championship gold. They were pushing the idea that the X-Divison title cash-in would happen this summer and last time, there was a change. Nice, subtle way to try and reinforce the title’s worth.
Short but solid Gutcheck bout. Bradley looks ready to go. Shaw is still finding himself.
TNA TV champ Devon vs. Joseph Park
No sign of Park because of the beating.
Devon took the mic and asked everyone where Park was. Devon said that it seemed like he fell and couldn’t get back up. He said it was no different than when the NY Knicks beat the hell out of the Boston Celtics. Devon said that the referee needs to count Abyss out.
The referee counted Park out and rang the bell.
Your winner and still TNA TV champ, Devon!
Taz joked it was a hard fought battle.
Devon took the mic and said that he knew Joseph Park didn’t have it in him, just like Abyss didn’t. He said that if Abyss was here, he’d ring the bell and whip his ass too, but since he isn’t, they are going to go to drink some beer and play with strippers.
Out came Abyss. He hit the ring and clotheslined them both and knocked Knux out of the ring. They rang the bell. Knux drilled Abyss in the back, allowing Devon to nail a shoulderblock.
Abyss was choked against the ropes and drilled with a right hand. Devon choked Abyss in the corner with his boot. He nailed a big running charge in the corner. Devon scored several two counts but Abyss made a comeback. He nailed Knux off the apron and chokeslammed Abyss.
Abyss went for the Black Hole Slam but was kicked off. Devon rebounded off the ropes but was caught with a Black Hole Slam for the pin.
Your winner and new TNA TV champion, Abyss!
Fun match. It was a nice bait and switch that gave the audience something more than they expected.
So far, a solid show.
TNA President Dixie Carter came out to announce the second inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame. She said the company is celebrating 11 years tonight and they are celebrating the best fans in the world. She said they are celebrating every man and woman who ever stepped into the ring for making the company what it is. She said TNA has more passion than anything she has ever seen.
Carter asked everyone in the company to come on the stage for tonight’s announcement of the new Hall of Fame announcement. Everyone from Hulk Hogan to backstage officials like Al Snow and Pat Kenney came out. Carter announced that a very deserving Kurt Angle would be the second Hall of Famer.
Angle was very happy to hear this and came to the ring, hugging Dixie. They played an awesome video feature on Angle and his career. Angle looked like he was legitimately tearing up. The crowd gave him a standing ovation and chanted “USA.”
Carter said that Angle beat the odds and inspired the world when he won a gold medal in 1996. Ten years later, he crossed the line and gave TNA the ability to know they were going to make it. The crowd chanted “Thank you Angle.”
Angle took the mic and there was a huge “USA” chant. Angle said he wasn’t expecting this. He said he’s had some awesome moments in Boston, but this one was the best so far. He said being inducted is an honor and thanked the good Lord for doing what he does best and that’s wrestling. He wanted to thank his wife and his kids and said he’s glad to make his kids proud. He thanked Carter for bringing him to TNA and for making him loving pro wrestling again.
Angle said he’s very humbled and to be inducted. He said there are a lot of guys right here and a lot of guys who are originals who are deserving of the honor. He said he could go on forever and said the TNA roster is the best in the world and they make him look good. He thanked Carter and Jeff Jarrett. He said TNA changed his life and he thanks TNA and thanked the fans for being TNA fans.
A really classy, nice moment. Angle seemed really touched.
TNA Tag Team champions Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Bad Influence vs. James Storm & Gunner vs. Austin Aries & Bobby Roode
Chavo and Daniels started. Daniels shoulderblocked him down. Guerrero controlled him and Daniels got nailed by Hernandez for good measure. Hernandez then tagged in and nailed an awesome overhead belly to belly suplex.
Daniels tagged in Aries, who was caught and dumped by Hernandez. Chavo tagged in and hit a slingshot splash. Roode tagged in but was caught with a drop toehold. Guerrero tagged in Storm, who faced off with his former Beer Money partner.
Roode and Storm peppered each other with punches. Storm took control with a clothesline and tagged in Gunner. Roode saw him coming and tagged out to Hernandez to save himself. This allowed the two biggest bruisers in the bout to face off and shove each other around. They tried to rebound off the ropes to hit shoulderblocks but were nailed from the outside by the villains.
This led to a lot of battling from everyone as the match broke down. That allowed Bad Influence to take control on Gunner and Storm. They played to the crowd but Hernandez and Guerrero charged down the ramp and dove into the ring with stereo dives.
Hernandez controlled Daniels and slammed him for a two count. He held him up for the delayed vertical suplex. Kazarian nailed him from behind. Bad Influence took turns working him over. Kazarian nailed him with an elbow off the ropes for a two count. They worked over Hernandez until he reversed a suplex, taking both over at once.
Guerrero made the hot tag and was working at a really faster than usual pace, including a super-fast head scissors. He hit the Three Amigos on Kazarian. Storm tagged in and teased the Last Call but Daniels smashed him with the Tag title belt.
Aries and Hernandez faced off in the ring, He turned Aries inside out with a massive shoulderblock. Hernandez nailed the Border Toss on Kazarian. Guerrero covered him but Daniels drilled him with the Tag title.
Bad Influence was eliminated by DQ.
Aries grabbed Guerrero, who was out and rolled him up for the pin.
Hernandez and Guerrero were eliminated, so we will have new Tag Team champions.
Aries nailed a dive on Gunner and tried to score the pin on him. Gunner fought back and drilled Aries. Roode attacked Storm and pulled him off the apron to the floor, hurting his leg,.
Roode and Aries worked over Gunner, but he came back with a series of explosive clotheslines on each of them. Storm tagged in and tossed Aries over the top. He whipped Roode into the corner and backdropped him high.
Storm nailed a neckbreaker on Roode and nailed the hanging DDT on Aries. Gunner tagged in and they whipped Aries into the ring. Aries kicked off Aries but was clotheslined by Gunner. Gunner catapulted him into a Storm DDT. Roode broke up the pin at two.
Gunner and Roode began slugging it out. Roode went for the Torture Rack on Roode but Aries drilled him in the back. They nailed a series of double team maneuvers on Gunner. Aries went to the top and hit the 450 splash but Gunner kicked out, which shocked the crowd.
Storm returned to the fold and took out Roode. Storm nailed the Last Call superkick on Aries,who was then locked in the Torture Rack, which they called the Gun Rack. Aries submitted.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions James Storm & Gunner!
Another good match. This could have easily have gone to hell given all the bodies involved but this was laid out really well and was a lot of fun. Everyone did a hell of a job.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Brooke Hogan. She said the last year has seen the growth of the Knockouts division like never before. Dutch Mantel, Awesome Kong and Scott D’Amore just rolled their eyes. Borash asked Brooke if she still loves Bully like he says he loves her. She ended the interview. That absolutely foreshadowed a heel turn.
With all the title changes tonight, no way is Bully Ray dropping the belt in my opinion.
Last Knockout Standing: Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim
ODB is the ref. Kim’s ring outfit it awesome.
They began scrapping right away. Kim smashed Terrell into the buckles and nailed a leaping clothesline. Terrell came back with a series of clotheslines and a suplex. Kim cut her off with an Octopus-like submission.
ODB got to five counting down Terrell but Kim attacked Terrell and broke up the pin. Kim smashed her leg against the apron, then came off the top with a missile dropkick. ODB started counting Terrell down as Kim went to the floor for a steel chair.
Terrell kicked the chair out of Kim’s hand and started flinging her across the ring by her hair. Terrell went to the top for a bodypress but Kim pulled the chair up. The crowd chanted, “Holy sh**” at that. Kim began slamming Terrell’s legs onto the chair and wedged it between the turnbuckles.
Kim tried to run Terrell into the buckles but Terrell saved herself. Kim nailed her and locked on the ringpost figure four leglock. Nice shout out to Bret Hart. ODB began counting out Terrell, who pulled herself out. Kim went for her running sideways splash in the corner but Terrell moved out of the way. Kim hit the chair at full speed and landed hard on the floor. That was nutty.
Kim barely made it up at nine but Terrell put the figure four leglock on the ringpost. Kim began screaming and being very vocal at being hurt, much more than she usually does in the ring. Kim was outside in front of the ramp. Terrell went for a spear but Kim move and Terrell dove through the ring and crashed hard on the ramp. That was INSANE.
Terrell barely made it up. She nailed Kim and teased another spear, this time off the ramp to the floor but Kim took her legs out from under her and she took a hard back bump on the ramp. She was up at 9. Kim went for a piledriver on the ramp but Terrell slipped out and bulldogged her off the ramp to the Arena floor. This match is beyond insane.
Terrell just made it to her feet right before the 10 count.
Your winner, Taryn Terrell!
This was just great and far better than anyone would have guessed going into the match. They took some really insane bumps and worked so hard, it was ridiculous. Huge thumbs up out of me. Shocker of the night and I mean that as a compliment.
Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles
AJ has this slow new theme music. He’s bringing an entirely more intense look and body language to his presentation. He worked over Angle early and whipped him into the corner. Styles nailed a big flying forearm smash.
Styles drilled Angle but was caught with a tilotwhirl backbreaker. Angle began booting the hell out of him in the corner. Styles focused on Angle’s leg, trying to set him up for the Calfkiller submission hold. He finally went for the move but Angle immediately grabbed the ropes.
Angle still grabbed at his leg, which was taped up. Angle reversed a leglock into an anklelock but Styles immediately grabbed the leg. Angle drilled him with a clothesline, turning him inside out. Angle went down grabbing his leg.
They battled back and forth. Angle nailed his overhead belly to belly suplex for a two count. Angle started unloaded with his series of German suplexes. Styles snapped Angle’s throat on the ropes and used the ropes to vault himself over them into the ring with an full on body smash for a two count.
Styles went to the top for a move but Angle jumped up for a superplex. Styles landed on his feet, which was absolutely amazing. Styles charged Angle but was caught and suplexed hard into the buckles. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.”
Styles caught Angle with a spinning backhand. Styles went for the springboard forearm but Angle kicked him in the air and nailed the Angleslam for a two count.
Angle went for the anklelock but Styles rolled through. Angle was limping. Styles grabbed the Calfkiller and Angle teased tapping out. Angle reversed it into an anklelock. Styles tried to reach the ropes but Angle pulled him to the center and scissored him. AJ almost tapped but sucked it up and used a series of stiff kicks to finally break it.
Angle charged Styles but was sidestepped. Angle hit the ringpost. Styles turned him upside down and came running with a big dropkick to the mid-section. Styles went for a springboard 450 splash into the ring but Angle rolled out of the way. No water in the pool. They went into a series of reversals and finally Angle scored the pin.
Your winner, Kurt Angle!
Another really good match. Styles and Angle have had more spectacular spot-oriented matches but this was a really good wrestling bout with some awesome sequences, submission reversals and intensity. Angle was the right guy to win. It’s hard to book him to lose when he’s announced as your Hall of Famer and the loss adds to Styles’ anguish and Lone Wolf persona. Styles’ new direction really adds a nice, fresh feel to him.
TNA champ Bully Ray cut a promo backstage. He said that Sting didn’t think about this before he made the match a No Holds Barred match. He said Sting warned him he was going to do all this things and warned Bully to try and do it to him. Ray said he wasn’t going to do those things. He said there was one move that wrestlers try not to do to each other because of what it can do to people – the piledriver. He said that he’s going to use it to break Sting’s neck.
TNA champ Bully Ray vs. Sting
Sting immediately attacked Ray and worked him over, brawling. They battled back and forth. They brawled to the floor where Sting missed a Stinger Splash into the guard rail. Ray beat him with the belt. He ripped Sting’s shirt open and chopped him hard against the chest.
Ray worked him over. Taz talked about how he broke his neck on a piledriver (in 1995 in ECW) and was never the same to put over how dangerous the move is. Ray grabbed a chair and missed a shot at Sting, hitting the ringpost. Sting got the chair and drilled Ray across the back.
They battled up the ramp. Sting kept beating him with a chair. Brooke Hogan came out. She seemed concerned. Sting implored her that she had to go back. He went to grab Bully but was lowblowed. Ray worked him over with a series of chairs to back and brought him back to the ring.
Ray nailed a piledriver but Sting kicked out. Ray pulled a table out from under the ring. Ray powerbombed Sting through a table. Ray pulled out a knife and cut the canvas from the apron. He ripped apart the apron and the mat, revealing the boards underneath. The crowd chanted “ECW.”
Ray nailed a piledriver on the exposed boards. Sting pulled his shoulder up at the last second. Ray went for a second one but Sting backdropped him. Ray took him down but missed a back senton off the ropes. Ray nailed the Scorpion Death Drop on the exposed boards. Sting covered him but Aces & Eights hit the ring. The crowd hated this.
They all worked over Sting. He fought back with a series of low blows and punches. He tossed Garrett Bischoff over the top to the ramp and Garrett took a sick bump. Sting and Ray were left in the ring. Devon tossed Ray a chain but Sting caught it and nailed him. The referee counted two but Devon pulled him out of the ring. Sting went to the floor and nailed Devon.
Sting went to the ropes and dove off but Ray nailed him with the hammer as he came down and scored the pin.
Your winner and still TNA champion Bully Ray!
Sting can never have another title shot, according to the stip. The show ended with Sting out cold as Aces & Eights celebrated.
Another fun match. It was more of a chaotic brawl but with the exposed boards, etc. they threw in a few different wrinkles. Enjoyable main.
