Now, as promised, a special comment about the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance show at the South Broadway Athletic Club in St. Louis, Missouri.
DISCLAIMER: I'm biased. Deal with it.
SBAC had another full house in November for their monthly wrestling offering. This was a notable night as I was asked to join the commentary team for the live online feed of the show...I always appreciate the opportunity to call the action and it looks like it may become a regular gig for me with the MMWA.
Your ring announcer was Drew Abbenhaus; your referees were Jay King, Shaft, & Nick Ridenour. The audio guy had trouble with playing the National Anthem so Drew encouraged the fans to sing it.
"The" Ace Hawkins vs. "2.0" Da'Marius Jones vs. A.J. Williams for the Cruiserweight Title: Hawkins dethroned Jones for the title in October, but it involved an apparent miscue on the part of Williams that led to Jones' downfall. I theorized at the time that perhaps Williams saw that his partner was in trouble, engineered the "accident" to give Jones an excuse for the loss, and thus this match resulted to put the 2.0 team in a two-on-one situation against the new champion. I don't know if that's EXACTLY what went down, but they seemed to be on the same page for most of this match. Hawkins attempted a top-rope move and was met with a double superkick by 2.0...both covered Hawkins at the same time and the referee made a three-count in 10:35. Hawkins was no longer the champion, but who was? This was a stunt they had pulled previously when competing for the Heavyweight Title against Gary Jackson and it ended in the same results...Commissioner Jim Harris announced that the Cruiserweight Title was being held up. Jones & Williams weren't happy with this outcome at all, but Harris threatened to suspend both of them if they laid a hand on him.
"The Incomparable" Deacon Cash vs. The Big Texan: I guess Cash is a fan favorite now; the internet show associated with the MMWA has been pushing the Cash-Damion Cortess feud with a storyline involving Cash's father, who was seated in the front row. The problem on this night was that Cortess was seated RIGHT next to him, with the implication that Cash's father was there against his will. Of course Cash wasn't the only one with outside issues as Moondog Rover made an appearance, distracting Texan long enough for Cash to clip the knee. However, Cortess raised a ruckus at ringside again and that led to Cash paying a visit to Chokeslam City, Texas in 4:40.
"Dirty" Ron McDonald & "Switchblade" Garrett Shanks vs. The Professionals(Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby): I feel like Shanks' new nickname has been done by someone else recently. Dirty Ron is Mikey Gordon(formerly Pondula, Poodoo The Cow, and a number of other characters); he's been competing in California in recent years and hasn't been a regular in this area in a while. Despite that, he seemed to have several enthusiastic supporters in the audience. Ron and Shanks worked together reasonably well considering it was their first match as a team, but Santel & McDarby have established themselves as a mainstay in the area's tag team ranks. Ron wasn't above some illegal tactics as he threw powder at one point, but he and his partner had a falling-out when Ron seemed more intent on playing to the fans than tagging into the bout. Shanks dropped off the apron rather than tag back into the fray, leaving Ron high and dry; The Professionals hit the Irish Melancholy(sideslam/second-rope elbowdrop combo) and Santel pinned Dirty Ron in 12:19. Shanks attacked McDonald after the match for good measure...all in all, not the homecoming that Dirty Ron had hoped to enjoy.
Intermission~! Official Ben Simon Concession Count(tm): Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Notably, Brian Pillman Jr. stopped by the show and brought some of his merchandise to sell...I got a picture with him around this time. He was in town for Glory Pro the following day and all that...yes, he looks a lot like his dad.
"The Little Blue Dragon" Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Savanna Stone(w/ "The Empress Of Evil" Rahne Victoria): These two have a great matchup earlier in the year when they were both fan favorites, but it was a different Savanna Stone who made her way to the ring on this night...The Golden Unit was in the house and Tootie was in a potential two-on-one situation. On top of that, Tootie had the wind knocked out of her early and had difficulty recovering...Savanna and Rahne took their time taunting the ringside fans, confident that they would have an easy night ahead of them. However, Tootie's martial arts experience came into play...Savanna got a bit too cocky and walked into a superkick from Tootie for the sudden pinfall in 6:02! Tootie was still hurting after the bell and the referee did his best to protect her from a potential double-team attack by The Golden Unit...
Moondog Rover vs. Khayman(w/ Abigail): Earlier in the year, Khayman had his issues with referee Shaft...Shaft had repeatedly been distracted by Da'Marius Jones during a match with A.J. Williams, leading to Williams scoring the victory. In retaliation, Khayman spit mist in Shaft's eyes...and Shaft hadn't forgotten. He was the official in this matchup as well; Khayman focused his attack on the leg to slow down his larger opponent, but Shaft seemed to be slow-counting Khayman's pin attempts and fast-counting for Moondog's covers. Despite the officiating, Khayman had things going his way...he delivered a Codebreaker and swanton bomb, but only got a near-fall thanks to Shaft's very slow count. Moondog went for his bone and whacked Khayman, which was something even Shaft couldn't ignore as he called for the DQ in 11:31. The Big Texan made his presence known and attacked Moondog, touching off yet another brawl between the two...they were set to settle their differences at the December show in a Texas Death Cage Match!
"Night Train/Gorgeous/Great One" Gary Jackson vs. Barackus: Gary Jackson Fashion Watch(tm): Brown jacket and orange trunks. These two had crossed paths a few times before and Gary's experience made the difference in those encounters, but the big man has gotten smarter over time and faced a wide variety of opponents. Jackson went toe-to-toe with Barackus on a few occasions and tried to get him down on the mat, but he couldn't keep him down for very long. In the end, the size and power difference was too much as Barackus dropped him with the Baldo Bomb, then hit a frog splash off the second rope for a big win in 6:54!
"Volatile" Curtis Wylde & Wyldefyre invaded the broadcast position for the night's main event...I stepped away for a little while but was eventually brought back in an attempt to get a word in edgewise. That was easier said than done...
"Da Bomb" Brian James vs. "The Caramel Bear" C.J. Shine for the Heavyweight Title: I was a bit distracted during this matchup, as noted, but it was a good competitive bout as Shine has stepped up his game in the past year or so. He gave the champion a run for his money, but it wasn't quite enough as James retained with the sitout gourdbuster in 10:30. Wylde got into a brief confrontation with James after the match, perhaps as a preview of coming attractions...
The last few months of 2018 were pretty busy so I've still got a lot of ground to cover...stay tuned, whoever still reads these...
February looks like this:
-Saturday 2/2: World League Wrestling in Troy, MO
-Saturday 2/9: Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in St. Louis, MO; Pro Wrestling Championship Series in Alton, IL
-Saturday 2/16: WLW in Troy, MO; Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in East Carondelet, IL
-Sunday 2/17: Pro Wrestling Force in Springfield, IL
-Saturday 2/23: Cape Championship Wrestling in Cape Girardeau, MO; Zero-One USA in Mattoon, IL
-Sunday 2/24: Glory Pro Wrestling in Collinsville, IL
That's my special comment for this, the seventieth wrestling show I've attended in the year 2018. Good night, good luck, and #yaywrestling.
-PB, Watching Wrestling Wrong Since 1991
P.S. We are all marks.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
NJPW New Beginning USA
1/30
-Alex Coughlin fought Clark Connors to a time-limit draw.
-Jonathan Gresham d. Tyler Bateman.
-Colt Cabana d. Shane Taylor.
-The Killer Elite Squad(Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) d. Marty Scurll & Brody King.
-Jeff Cobb d. Karl Fredericks.
-David Finlay d. Chuck Taylor in a no-DQ match.
-IWGP U.S. Champion Juice Robinson & Tracy Williams d. Roppongi Vice(Rocky Romero & Trent Barreta).
2/1
-Karl Fredericks fought Clark Connors to a time-limit draw.
-Colt Cabana & John Skyler d. Lance Archer & Shane Tayor.
-"The Great O-Kharn" Tomoyuki Oka d. Tracer X.
-Marty Scurll & Brody King d. Jeff Cobb & Jonathan Gresham.
-Davey Boy Smith Jr. d. Alex Coughlin.
-David Finlay & Tracy Williams d. Rocky Romero & Chuck Taylor.
-Juice Robinson d. Trent Barreta to retain the IWGP U.S. Title.
2/2
-Karl Fredericks d. Alex Coughlin.
-Lance Archer & Shane Taylor d. Colt Cabana & Jonathan Gresham.
-"The Great O-Kharn" Tomoyuki Oka d. Harlem Bravado.
-Marty Scurll d. Clark Connors.
-Jeff Cobb d. Brody King.
-IWGP U.S. Champion Juice Robinson, David Finlay, & Tracy Williams d. The Best Friends(Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) & Rocky Romero in an elimination tag match.
-Alex Coughlin fought Clark Connors to a time-limit draw.
-Jonathan Gresham d. Tyler Bateman.
-Colt Cabana d. Shane Taylor.
-The Killer Elite Squad(Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) d. Marty Scurll & Brody King.
-Jeff Cobb d. Karl Fredericks.
-David Finlay d. Chuck Taylor in a no-DQ match.
-IWGP U.S. Champion Juice Robinson & Tracy Williams d. Roppongi Vice(Rocky Romero & Trent Barreta).
2/1
-Karl Fredericks fought Clark Connors to a time-limit draw.
-Colt Cabana & John Skyler d. Lance Archer & Shane Tayor.
-"The Great O-Kharn" Tomoyuki Oka d. Tracer X.
-Marty Scurll & Brody King d. Jeff Cobb & Jonathan Gresham.
-Davey Boy Smith Jr. d. Alex Coughlin.
-David Finlay & Tracy Williams d. Rocky Romero & Chuck Taylor.
-Juice Robinson d. Trent Barreta to retain the IWGP U.S. Title.
2/2
-Karl Fredericks d. Alex Coughlin.
-Lance Archer & Shane Taylor d. Colt Cabana & Jonathan Gresham.
-"The Great O-Kharn" Tomoyuki Oka d. Harlem Bravado.
-Marty Scurll d. Clark Connors.
-Jeff Cobb d. Brody King.
-IWGP U.S. Champion Juice Robinson, David Finlay, & Tracy Williams d. The Best Friends(Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) & Rocky Romero in an elimination tag match.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
NXTs
WWE NXT UK
-Commentators: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness.
-"The Bomber" Dave Mastiff d. "The Primate" Jay Melrose after the corner cannonball (5:00).
-United Kingdom Tag Team Champions "Liverpool's #1" Zack Gibson & "Mr. Mayhem" James Drake dubbed themselves the "Grizzled Young Veterans". However, their promo was interrupted by Assistant General Manager Sid Scala...he announced that their first title defense would be against Oney Lorcan & "The Guv'nor" Danny Burch.
-WALTER Hahn d. Jack Starz via powerbomb (2:32).
-"The Fashionista" Jinny Couture d. Kasey Owens with the Makeover(hanging sitout faceslam) (5:11).
-Earlier today: Rhea Ripley stormed into General Manager Johnny Saint's office and demanded her rematch with United Kingdom Women's Champion Toni Storm...the match will happen in three weeks.
-Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) d. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel; Seven pinned Barthel after he and Bate hit the release dragon suplex/rebound lariat combo (13:09).
-Next week: WALTER vs. Mark Coffey, plus El Ligero vs. Mark Andrews.
WWE NXT
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-"The Pirate Princess" Kairi Sane & "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai d. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke when Sane pinned Shafir after the diving elbowdrop off the top rope (6:40).
-The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler)(w/ Jaxson Ryker) d. The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford); Cutler pinned Dawkins after he and Blake hit the Memory Remains(inverted DDT/second-rope stomp combo) (7:19).
-Commentators: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness.
-"The Bomber" Dave Mastiff d. "The Primate" Jay Melrose after the corner cannonball (5:00).
-United Kingdom Tag Team Champions "Liverpool's #1" Zack Gibson & "Mr. Mayhem" James Drake dubbed themselves the "Grizzled Young Veterans". However, their promo was interrupted by Assistant General Manager Sid Scala...he announced that their first title defense would be against Oney Lorcan & "The Guv'nor" Danny Burch.
-WALTER Hahn d. Jack Starz via powerbomb (2:32).
-"The Fashionista" Jinny Couture d. Kasey Owens with the Makeover(hanging sitout faceslam) (5:11).
-Earlier today: Rhea Ripley stormed into General Manager Johnny Saint's office and demanded her rematch with United Kingdom Women's Champion Toni Storm...the match will happen in three weeks.
-Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) d. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel; Seven pinned Barthel after he and Bate hit the release dragon suplex/rebound lariat combo (13:09).
-Next week: WALTER vs. Mark Coffey, plus El Ligero vs. Mark Andrews.
WWE NXT
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-"The Pirate Princess" Kairi Sane & "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai d. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke when Sane pinned Shafir after the diving elbowdrop off the top rope (6:40).
-The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler)(w/ Jaxson Ryker) d. The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford); Cutler pinned Dawkins after he and Blake hit the Memory Remains(inverted DDT/second-rope stomp combo) (7:19).
NJPW Road To New Beginning Shows
1/29
-Ren Narita d. Yuya Uemura.
-Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi d. Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida.
-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori & Yujiro Takahashi d. Ryusuke Taguchi & Toa Henare.
-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori & Yujiro Takahashi d. Ryusuke Taguchi & Toa Henare.
-Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, & Tomoaki Honma d. NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champions The Guerrillas Of Destiny(Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) & Chase Owens.
-”Switchblade” Jay White & Bad Luck Fale d. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi.
-IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito, IWGP Tag Team Champions Takaaki “Evil” Watanabe & Seiya Sanada, & IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Shingo Takagi & Bushi d. Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, El Desperado, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi d. Yujiro Kushida in a non-title match.
-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi d. Yujiro Kushida in a non-title match.
1/30
-Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida d. Toa Henare & Yota Tsuji.
-Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask IV d. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Ren Narita.
-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Shingo Takagi d. Yoshinobu Kanemaru by DQ.
-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Bushi d. El Desperado by DQ.
-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Yoshi-Hashi, & Tomoaki Honma d. “Switchblade” Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, & Yujiro Takahashi.
-Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., & Taichi d. IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito & IWGP Tag Team Champions Takaaki “Evil” Watanabe & Seiya Sanada.
-Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, & Ryusuke Taguchi d. The Guerrillas Of Destiny & IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori to win the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Titles.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
WWE Tuesday + This Week In Wrestling
WWE Smackdown
-Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves.
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings(w/ Carmella Van Damme) d. Shinsuke Namaura to win the U.S. Title by countering a Landslide(fireman's-carry Michinoku Driver) into a small package to just barely edge out a three-count (5:16). After the match, Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) came out to issue an impromptu challenge to the new titleholder...
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings(w/ Carmella Van Damme) d. Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) via sunset flip rollup out of the corner to retain the U.S. Title (joined in progress; 1:16 aired).
-Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Samoa Joe never officially started as Andrade "Cien" Almas(w/ Zelina Vega) attacked Rey before Joe could make his entrance.
-Jimmy & Jey Uso won a four-way dance with The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy), Heavy Machinery(Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight), and The New Day(Big E Langston & Kofi Kingston)(w/ Xavier Woods). Eliminations: Knight pinned Kofi after he and Dozovic hit the Compactor(assisted front powerslam) to eliminate The New Day (7:50). Sheamus pinned Knight after the Brogue Kick to eliminate Heavy Machinery (13:04 aired). Jey Uso pinned Sheamus after the top-rope splash to eliminate The Bar and win (13:29 aired).
WWE 205 Live
-Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, & "The Artiste" Aiden English.
-Kalisto(w/ Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) d. Mike Kanellis(w/ Maria) with a flying bodyscissors cradle (11:12).
-Akira Tozawa(w/ "The" Brian Kendrick) d. Hideo Itami(w/ Ariya Daivari) after the top-rope senton bomb (14:57). Daivari turned on Itami afterwards.
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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT(www.wwe.com)
NXT UK this week has:
-Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barchel
-WALTER vs. Jack Starz
NXT this week has:
-Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke
-The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Curler)
Main Event this week has:
-The Lucha House Party(Kalisto, Gran Metalik, & Lince Dorado) vs. Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers(Samir & Sunil)
-The B Team(Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) vs. The Ascension(Konnor O'Brian & Rick Viktor)
The Worlds Collide Tournament on Saturday 2/2 has:
-Tournament participants: Cedric Alexander, T.J. Perkins, Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Humberto Carrillo, Dominik Dijakovic, Keith Lee, "The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark, Adam Cole, Shane Thorne, Tyler Bate, Mark Andrews, Travis Banks, Zack Gibson, Jordan Devlin
NXT Halftime Heat on Sunday 2/3 has:
-Aleister Black, Ricochet, & "The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, & Adam Cole
Elimination Chamber is on Sunday 2/17:
-Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Samoa Joe - WWE Title Elimination Chamber Match
-Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka vs. The Riot Squad(Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) vs. Absolution(Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose) vs. ? vs. ? vs. ? - Elimination Chamber Match For The Women's Tag Team Titles
-Shane McMahon & "The Miz" Mike Mizanin vs. Jimmy & Jey Uso - Smackdown Tag Team Titles
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION(www.impactwrestling.com)
Impact on Friday has:
-The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) & Daga vs. The Lucha Brothers(Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) & Taurus
-Jordynne Grace & Kiera Hogan vs. Su Yung & Allie Dennis
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake
-Fallah Bahh vs. Psycho Clown
RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)
ROH TV this week has:
-Eli Isom vs. Silas Young - T.V. Title Contenders Tournament
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Lakeland, FL.
ROH has a show on Sunday 2/10 in Coral Gables, FL:
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, & Rush
-Jeff Cobb vs. Rocky Romero - T.V. Title
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING(www.njpw.co.jp/english)
New Beginning In Osaka is on Monday 2/11:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. "Switchblade" Jay White - IWGP Heavyweight Title
-Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
-Taiji Ishimori vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
LUCHA UNDERGROUND(www.luchaunderground.com)
Information on Season 5 will be posted when it becomes available.
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GLORY PRO WRESTLING(www.gloryprowrestling.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/24 in Collinsville, IL:
-Curt Stallion vs. Jody Fleisch - Crown Of Glory Title
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) vs. Myron Reed & Stephen Wolf - United Glory Tag Team Titles
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Eddie Kingston - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-No New Friends(Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams) vs. The Four Star Heroes(Matt Knicks & Chris Castro)
-Seishin(Tootie Lynn Ramsey) vs. Su Yung
-Mike Outlaw vs. Hakim Zane
-Allie Kat vs. Jody Threat
-Jake Lander vs. Sheldon Jean
DPW(www.dynamoprowrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in DeSoto, MO.
SICW(www.sicw.org)
Next show is Saturday 2/16 in East Carondelet, IL:
-Steve Fender vs. Flash Flanagan - Classic Title
MMWA(www.southbroadwayac.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in St. Louis, MO(South Broadway Athletic Club):
-Ricky Cruz & Sean Vincent vs. Barackus & Curtis Wylde
-Khayman vs. Shaft - Casket Match
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Jaden Roller
WLW(www.harleyrace.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/2 in Troy, MO:
-Jon Webb vs. Austin Cravens
-Jayden Dominic Rose vs. Kenny Alfonso - Jr. Heavyweight Title
-Kyle Roberts & Rex Fults vs. Steve Fender & Brandon Espinosa
-Camaro Jackson vs. Jack Gamble
WLW has a show on Saturday 3/9 in Troy, MO:
-Nick Aldis vs. Leland Race - NWA World Title
-Kyle Roberts & Rex Fults vs. Steve Fender & Brandon Espinosa vs. Alpha Omega(Camaro Jackson & Kenny Alfonso) vs. Jaden Roller & Austin Cravens - Tag Team Titles
WRESTLING OVER EVERYTHING(woe-wrestling.webnode.com)
Next show is Sunday 3/10 in Centreville, IL:
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Barackus vs. Brandon Espinosa vs. Trystan Brady Shadeux vs. Orion Creed vs. ? - Heavyweight Title
NEW BREED WRESTING(www.facebook.com/NewBreedMO)
Next show is Saturday 3/30 in Eldon, MO:
-Kyle Roberts vs. Deacon Cash - Heavyweight Title
-The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Leland Race & Steve Fender - Tag Team Titles
CCW(www.capewrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/23 in Cape Girardeau, MO:
-Jake Dirden vs. Matt Cross - Heavyweight Title
-Battle Royal
-Billy Hills & Dalton Anthony vs. Hollis Giroux & Justin Smart
-Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Cassandra Golden - Women's Title
-The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) vs. The L.A. Hustlers(Bradley Diggs & Lamont Potts) - Tag Team Titles
-Jacksyn Crowley & Ace Hawkins vs. Brandon Espinosa & Dexter Roswell
PROVING GROUND PRO(www.facebook.com/PGPwrestling/)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
PRO WRESTLING FORCE(twitter.com/prowrestlingfo1)
Next show is Sunday 2/17 in Riverton, IL:
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Jake Something
-Daga vs. Myron Reed
-Aaron Williams vs. Logan James - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Jake Lander vs. Ace Perry - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Lotus(Juntai Miller & Gavin Quinn) vs. The Dirty(Austin Mannix & Brandon Edwards)
-Savanna Stone & Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Sophie King & Jody Threat
-Michael Elgin, Gary Jay, & Adam Slade vs. Matt Kenway, Kevin Giza, & Joe Alonzo
-Jake Parnell vs. Shelton Jean
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.facebook.com/STLAnarchy)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in Alton, IL:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Larry D - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Gary Jay vs. Nick Gage
-Jake Parnell vs. Thomas Shire
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) Vs. Kicks 'N' $#!+(Chip Day & Logan James)
-The Hooligans(Devin & Mason Cutter) vs. The Left Coast Guerrillas(Hoodie & Anaya)
-Mikey McFinnegan vs. Jake Lander
PWCS(www.pwcswrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Alton, IL featuring the St. Louis Invitational Tournament:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Everett Connors - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Danny Adams - Tournament Round 1
-Stephen Wolf vs. Jake Dirden - Tournament Round 1
-Matt Kenway vs. Alex Herzog - Tournament Round 1
-Thomas Shire vs. ? - Tournament Round 1
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EVOLVE(www.wwnlive.com & www.dgusa.tv)
Next show is Friday 2/15 in Atlanta, GA:
-Adam Cole vs. Shane Strickland
-The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. A.R. Fox & D.J. Shiima Xion - Tag Team Titles
-Darby Allin vs. Josh Briggs
EVOLVE has a show on Saturday 2/16 in Concord, NC:
-Adam Cole vs. Darby Allin
-Austin Theory vs. Anthony Henry - EVOLVE Title
-James D. Drake vs. Montez Ford - WWN Title
PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA(www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com)
Next show is Friday 3/1 in Los Angeles, CA:
-Jeff Cobb vs. Bandido - Heavyweight Title
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) - Tag Team Titles
-Jonathan Gresham vs. David Starr
-Darby Allin vs. Brody King
-The Best Friends(Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) vs. Aussie Open(Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)
-Puma King vs. Laredo Kid
-Trey Miguel vs. Jake Atlas vs. Jungle Boy
CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/10 in Lancaster, PA (National Pro Wrestling Day):
-Princess Kimber Lee & The Whisper vs. Cornelius Crummels & Sonny Defarge - Campeonates De Parejas Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Penelope Ford vs. Still Life With Apricots & Pears
-Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Hallowicked
-Xyberhawx 2000(Razerhawk & Nytehawk) vs. Team FIST(Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen)
SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)
Next shows are Saturday 3/30 and Sunday 3/31 in Berwyn, IL.
SHIMMER has a show on Friday 4/5 in Woodside, NY.
RISE(www.rise-wrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 3/29 in Berwyn, IL.
SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
AAW(www.aawrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 2/8 in Austin, TX:
-A.R. Fox & Myron Reed vs. The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) - Tag Team Titles
-Jessicka Havok vs. Jimmy Jacobs - Dog Collar Match
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik)
-Andy Dalton vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
Missouri Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/
St. Louis Wrestling: http://www.saintlouiswrestling.com/
Leave a comment or e-mail: patrickab7@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook at: @patrickab7
Follow me on Instagram at: @patrick.ab7
-Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves.
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings(w/ Carmella Van Damme) d. Shinsuke Namaura to win the U.S. Title by countering a Landslide(fireman's-carry Michinoku Driver) into a small package to just barely edge out a three-count (5:16). After the match, Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) came out to issue an impromptu challenge to the new titleholder...
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings(w/ Carmella Van Damme) d. Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) via sunset flip rollup out of the corner to retain the U.S. Title (joined in progress; 1:16 aired).
-Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Samoa Joe never officially started as Andrade "Cien" Almas(w/ Zelina Vega) attacked Rey before Joe could make his entrance.
-Jimmy & Jey Uso won a four-way dance with The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy), Heavy Machinery(Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight), and The New Day(Big E Langston & Kofi Kingston)(w/ Xavier Woods). Eliminations: Knight pinned Kofi after he and Dozovic hit the Compactor(assisted front powerslam) to eliminate The New Day (7:50). Sheamus pinned Knight after the Brogue Kick to eliminate Heavy Machinery (13:04 aired). Jey Uso pinned Sheamus after the top-rope splash to eliminate The Bar and win (13:29 aired).
WWE 205 Live
-Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, & "The Artiste" Aiden English.
-Kalisto(w/ Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) d. Mike Kanellis(w/ Maria) with a flying bodyscissors cradle (11:12).
-Akira Tozawa(w/ "The" Brian Kendrick) d. Hideo Itami(w/ Ariya Daivari) after the top-rope senton bomb (14:57). Daivari turned on Itami afterwards.
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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT(www.wwe.com)
NXT UK this week has:
-Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barchel
-WALTER vs. Jack Starz
NXT this week has:
-Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke
-The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Curler)
Main Event this week has:
-The Lucha House Party(Kalisto, Gran Metalik, & Lince Dorado) vs. Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers(Samir & Sunil)
-The B Team(Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) vs. The Ascension(Konnor O'Brian & Rick Viktor)
The Worlds Collide Tournament on Saturday 2/2 has:
-Tournament participants: Cedric Alexander, T.J. Perkins, Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Humberto Carrillo, Dominik Dijakovic, Keith Lee, "The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark, Adam Cole, Shane Thorne, Tyler Bate, Mark Andrews, Travis Banks, Zack Gibson, Jordan Devlin
NXT Halftime Heat on Sunday 2/3 has:
-Aleister Black, Ricochet, & "The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, & Adam Cole
Elimination Chamber is on Sunday 2/17:
-Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Samoa Joe - WWE Title Elimination Chamber Match
-Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka vs. The Riot Squad(Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) vs. Absolution(Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose) vs. ? vs. ? vs. ? - Elimination Chamber Match For The Women's Tag Team Titles
-Shane McMahon & "The Miz" Mike Mizanin vs. Jimmy & Jey Uso - Smackdown Tag Team Titles
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION(www.impactwrestling.com)
Impact on Friday has:
-The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) & Daga vs. The Lucha Brothers(Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) & Taurus
-Jordynne Grace & Kiera Hogan vs. Su Yung & Allie Dennis
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake
-Fallah Bahh vs. Psycho Clown
RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)
ROH TV this week has:
-Eli Isom vs. Silas Young - T.V. Title Contenders Tournament
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Lakeland, FL.
ROH has a show on Sunday 2/10 in Coral Gables, FL:
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, & Rush
-Jeff Cobb vs. Rocky Romero - T.V. Title
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING(www.njpw.co.jp/english)
New Beginning In Osaka is on Monday 2/11:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. "Switchblade" Jay White - IWGP Heavyweight Title
-Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
-Taiji Ishimori vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
LUCHA UNDERGROUND(www.luchaunderground.com)
Information on Season 5 will be posted when it becomes available.
-----
GLORY PRO WRESTLING(www.gloryprowrestling.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/24 in Collinsville, IL:
-Curt Stallion vs. Jody Fleisch - Crown Of Glory Title
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) vs. Myron Reed & Stephen Wolf - United Glory Tag Team Titles
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Eddie Kingston - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-No New Friends(Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams) vs. The Four Star Heroes(Matt Knicks & Chris Castro)
-Seishin(Tootie Lynn Ramsey) vs. Su Yung
-Mike Outlaw vs. Hakim Zane
-Allie Kat vs. Jody Threat
-Jake Lander vs. Sheldon Jean
DPW(www.dynamoprowrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in DeSoto, MO.
SICW(www.sicw.org)
Next show is Saturday 2/16 in East Carondelet, IL:
-Steve Fender vs. Flash Flanagan - Classic Title
MMWA(www.southbroadwayac.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in St. Louis, MO(South Broadway Athletic Club):
-Ricky Cruz & Sean Vincent vs. Barackus & Curtis Wylde
-Khayman vs. Shaft - Casket Match
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Jaden Roller
WLW(www.harleyrace.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/2 in Troy, MO:
-Jon Webb vs. Austin Cravens
-Jayden Dominic Rose vs. Kenny Alfonso - Jr. Heavyweight Title
-Kyle Roberts & Rex Fults vs. Steve Fender & Brandon Espinosa
-Camaro Jackson vs. Jack Gamble
WLW has a show on Saturday 3/9 in Troy, MO:
-Nick Aldis vs. Leland Race - NWA World Title
-Kyle Roberts & Rex Fults vs. Steve Fender & Brandon Espinosa vs. Alpha Omega(Camaro Jackson & Kenny Alfonso) vs. Jaden Roller & Austin Cravens - Tag Team Titles
WRESTLING OVER EVERYTHING(woe-wrestling.webnode.com)
Next show is Sunday 3/10 in Centreville, IL:
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Barackus vs. Brandon Espinosa vs. Trystan Brady Shadeux vs. Orion Creed vs. ? - Heavyweight Title
NEW BREED WRESTING(www.facebook.com/NewBreedMO)
Next show is Saturday 3/30 in Eldon, MO:
-Kyle Roberts vs. Deacon Cash - Heavyweight Title
-The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Leland Race & Steve Fender - Tag Team Titles
CCW(www.capewrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/23 in Cape Girardeau, MO:
-Jake Dirden vs. Matt Cross - Heavyweight Title
-Battle Royal
-Billy Hills & Dalton Anthony vs. Hollis Giroux & Justin Smart
-Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Cassandra Golden - Women's Title
-The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) vs. The L.A. Hustlers(Bradley Diggs & Lamont Potts) - Tag Team Titles
-Jacksyn Crowley & Ace Hawkins vs. Brandon Espinosa & Dexter Roswell
PROVING GROUND PRO(www.facebook.com/PGPwrestling/)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
PRO WRESTLING FORCE(twitter.com/prowrestlingfo1)
Next show is Sunday 2/17 in Riverton, IL:
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Jake Something
-Daga vs. Myron Reed
-Aaron Williams vs. Logan James - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Jake Lander vs. Ace Perry - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Lotus(Juntai Miller & Gavin Quinn) vs. The Dirty(Austin Mannix & Brandon Edwards)
-Savanna Stone & Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Sophie King & Jody Threat
-Michael Elgin, Gary Jay, & Adam Slade vs. Matt Kenway, Kevin Giza, & Joe Alonzo
-Jake Parnell vs. Shelton Jean
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.facebook.com/STLAnarchy)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in Alton, IL:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Larry D - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Gary Jay vs. Nick Gage
-Jake Parnell vs. Thomas Shire
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) Vs. Kicks 'N' $#!+(Chip Day & Logan James)
-The Hooligans(Devin & Mason Cutter) vs. The Left Coast Guerrillas(Hoodie & Anaya)
-Mikey McFinnegan vs. Jake Lander
PWCS(www.pwcswrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Alton, IL featuring the St. Louis Invitational Tournament:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Everett Connors - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Danny Adams - Tournament Round 1
-Stephen Wolf vs. Jake Dirden - Tournament Round 1
-Matt Kenway vs. Alex Herzog - Tournament Round 1
-Thomas Shire vs. ? - Tournament Round 1
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EVOLVE(www.wwnlive.com & www.dgusa.tv)
Next show is Friday 2/15 in Atlanta, GA:
-Adam Cole vs. Shane Strickland
-The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. A.R. Fox & D.J. Shiima Xion - Tag Team Titles
-Darby Allin vs. Josh Briggs
EVOLVE has a show on Saturday 2/16 in Concord, NC:
-Adam Cole vs. Darby Allin
-Austin Theory vs. Anthony Henry - EVOLVE Title
-James D. Drake vs. Montez Ford - WWN Title
PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA(www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com)
Next show is Friday 3/1 in Los Angeles, CA:
-Jeff Cobb vs. Bandido - Heavyweight Title
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) - Tag Team Titles
-Jonathan Gresham vs. David Starr
-Darby Allin vs. Brody King
-The Best Friends(Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) vs. Aussie Open(Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)
-Puma King vs. Laredo Kid
-Trey Miguel vs. Jake Atlas vs. Jungle Boy
CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/10 in Lancaster, PA (National Pro Wrestling Day):
-Princess Kimber Lee & The Whisper vs. Cornelius Crummels & Sonny Defarge - Campeonates De Parejas Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Penelope Ford vs. Still Life With Apricots & Pears
-Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Hallowicked
-Xyberhawx 2000(Razerhawk & Nytehawk) vs. Team FIST(Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen)
SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)
Next shows are Saturday 3/30 and Sunday 3/31 in Berwyn, IL.
SHIMMER has a show on Friday 4/5 in Woodside, NY.
RISE(www.rise-wrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 3/29 in Berwyn, IL.
SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
AAW(www.aawrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 2/8 in Austin, TX:
-A.R. Fox & Myron Reed vs. The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) - Tag Team Titles
-Jessicka Havok vs. Jimmy Jacobs - Dog Collar Match
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik)
-Andy Dalton vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
Missouri Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/
St. Louis Wrestling: http://www.saintlouiswrestling.com/
Leave a comment or e-mail: patrickab7@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook at: @patrickab7
Follow me on Instagram at: @patrick.ab7
Monday, January 28, 2019
WWE Raw
-Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, & Corey Graves.
-Seth Rollins d. Dean Ambrose with the advanced curbstomp (9:03 aired).
-Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka d. Alexa Bliss & Mickie James when Nia pinned Mickie after getting both opponents on her shoulders for a Samoan Drop (6:41 aired).
-Baron Corbin d. Kurt Angle with the Deep Six(spinning back suplex) (3:57).
-The Revival(Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) d. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins when Wilder pinned Hawkins after he and Dawson hit the Shatter Machine(Flapjack-into-Codebreaker) (2:54).
-The Riot Squad(Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)(w/ Ruby Riot) d. Natalya Neidhart & Dana Brooke when Liv rolled up Natalya (2:52).
-"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey d. Bayley Rose via cross-armbar to retain the Raw Women's Title (8:57 aired). Becky Lynch made her entrance after the match, making it clear that she would be challenging Ronda at WrestleMania.
-Braun Strowman d. Drew McIntyre by DQ when Baron Corbin attacked Strowman (3:38 aired).
-Seth Rollins d. Dean Ambrose with the advanced curbstomp (9:03 aired).
-Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka d. Alexa Bliss & Mickie James when Nia pinned Mickie after getting both opponents on her shoulders for a Samoan Drop (6:41 aired).
-Baron Corbin d. Kurt Angle with the Deep Six(spinning back suplex) (3:57).
-The Revival(Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) d. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins when Wilder pinned Hawkins after he and Dawson hit the Shatter Machine(Flapjack-into-Codebreaker) (2:54).
-The Riot Squad(Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)(w/ Ruby Riot) d. Natalya Neidhart & Dana Brooke when Liv rolled up Natalya (2:52).
-"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey d. Bayley Rose via cross-armbar to retain the Raw Women's Title (8:57 aired). Becky Lynch made her entrance after the match, making it clear that she would be challenging Ronda at WrestleMania.
-Braun Strowman d. Drew McIntyre by DQ when Baron Corbin attacked Strowman (3:38 aired).
Sunday, January 27, 2019
WWE Royal Rumble
-Raw Tag Team Champions "The Glorious" Bobby Roode & Chad Gable d. Rezar Selmani & Scott Dawson(w/ Drake Maverick)(non-title); Gable pinned Dawson after he and Roode hit the reverse neckbreaker/moonsault combo.
-Shinsuke Nakamura d. Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) to win the U.S. Title after Rusev accidentally knocked Lana off the ring apron, leading to Nakamura hitting a Kinshasa(flying knee strike) to the back of the head for the win.
-Buddy Murphy won a four-corner match with Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and Hideo Itami to retain the Cruiserweight Title when he pinned Itami after the Murphy's Law(pumphandle Death Valley Driver).
-Asuka Urai d. Becky Lynch via bridging double-chickenwing to retain the Smackdown Women's Title.
-Shane McMahon & "The Miz" Mike Mizanin d. The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy) to win the Smackdown Tag Team Titles when Shane pinned Cesaro after a shooting star press.
-"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey d. "The Boss" Sasha Banks with the Piper's Pit(spinning Samoan Drop) to retain the Raw Women's Title.
-Women's Royal Rumble:
#1 Lacey Evans
#2 Natalya Neidhart
#3 Mandy Rose
#4 Liv Morgan
Liv went after Natalya and was immediately backdropped over the top to the floor.
#5 Mickie James
#6 Ember Moon
#7 Billie Kay
Billie stalled on the floor, claiming she was waiting for Peyton Royce to enter.
#8 Nikki Cross
Nikki attacked Billie on the floor, which finally drew her into the ring.
#9 Peyton Royce
#10 Tamina Snuka
Tamina superkicked Mickie James to the floor.
#11 Xia Li
#12 Sarah Logan
The Iconics worked together to eliminate Nikki Cross.
#13 Charlotte Flair
Lacey Evans managed to eliminate both Iconics at the same time. Charlotte booted Xia Li to the floor.
#14 Kairi Sane
Charlotte eliminated Tamina as Kairi made her entrance. Nattie and Kairi worked together to eliminate Sarah Logan.
#15 Maria Kanellis
#16 Naomi Night
Naomi went right after Mandy and eliminated her...Naomi was nearly eliminated herself but walked the barricade before leaping to the ring steps. However, Mandy yanked her to the floor to cause her elimination. Charlotte booted Lacey out of the ring.
#17 Candice LeRae
#18 Alicia Fox
Alicia dropkicked Maria to the floor.
#19 Kacy Catanzaro
#20 Zelina Vega
#21 Ruby Riot
Ruby entered with Sarah & Liv in tow to run interference. Ruby eliminated Alicia, then got help from the Riot Squad to throw out Candice.
#22 Dana Brooke
Ruby eliminated Kairi after a headscissors attempt went awry.
#23 "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai
#24 Rhea Ripley
Kacy was nearly eliminated, but her feet didn't touch the floor and she hand-walked back to the ring. However, Ripley threw her out shortly after that.
#25 Sonya Deville
Rhea eliminated Dana. Zelina had been hiding under the ring, but discovered that Hornswoggle was under the ring as well and he scared her out to ringside. That led to Rhea eliminating Zelina.
#26 Alexa Bliss
Alexa made her return to the ring by eliminating Sonya.
#27 Bayley Rose
Bayley went right after Ruby and got her out, then eliminated Rhea as well.
#28 Lana Perry-Rusev
Lana's ankle was injured earlier in the night when she was knocked off the apron, so she was unable to enter the ring.
#29 Nia Jax
Nia attacked Dana in the aisleway, seemingly eliminating her from contention. Nia caught a moonsault by Io and threw her to the floor. Nattie nearly eliminated Nia, but Nia threw out to end her longevity run at 55:58.
#30 Carmella Van Damme
With Lana hurt, Becky Lynch volunteered to take her spot and was allowed to compete in her #28 spot! Alexa and Ember both went over the top and fought on the apron, leading to Alexa eliminating Ember with an STO (getting the endurance runner-up mark at 53:10). Bayley and Carmella reformed their NXT friendship to throw out Alexa. Carmella had a good rally, but Charlotte eliminated her. Final four: Charlotte, Bayley, Becky, and Nia. Nia went for a Samoan Drop on Bayley and Charlotte booted Nia, but that caused Bayley to tumble over the top rope to the floor. Charlotte managed to get Nia over the top rope with a fireman's carry and Becky pulled Nia off the apron to the floor. Nia attacked Becky and injured her knee before leaving the ring area...Becky just barely made it back into the ring and Charlotte went after the leg. However, Becky was able to duck a boot and backdrop Charlotte to the apron, then forearm her to the floor for the win!
-Daniel Bryan d. "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles to retain the WWE Title after Erick Rowan chokeslammed Styles while the referee was down.
-Brock Lesnar(w/ Paul Heyman) d. Finn Bálor with the kimura to retain the Universal Title.
-Men's Royal Rumble:
#1 "The Drifter" Elias Samson
#2 "Double J" Jeff Jarrett
After the tease of a duet, Elias decked Jarrett and hit him with his guitar before throwing him out.
#3 U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
#4 Kurt Angle
#5 Big E Langston
Nakamura eliminated Angle by setting him up on the top rope and sending him to the floor with the Kinshasa.
#6 NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano
#7 Jinder Mahal(w/ Samir & Sunil Singh)
Gargano quickly eliminated Mahal.
#8 Samoa Joe
Joe cleaned house and threw out Big E.
#9 Curt Hawkins
#10 Seth Rollins
Seth eliminated Elias.
#11 Titus O'Neil
Titus chased Hawkins out from under the ring but managed to low-bridge Titus to the floor...Hawkins celebrated but was tossed out by Joe.
#12 Kofi Kingston
#13 Mustafa Ali
Ali shockingly dropkicked Nakamura off the turnbuckles to the floor.
#14 Dean Ambrose
Ambrose eliminated Gargano.
#15 "No Way" Jose Valenzuela
Joe quickly clotheslined Jose to the floor.
#16 Drew McIntyre
#17 Xavier Woods
Woods assisted Kofi in getting back to the ring, but Drew double-clotheslined Woods and Kofi to the floor once they stepped back through the ropes.
#18 United Kingdom Champion "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne
#19 Andrade "Cien" Almas
#20 Apollo Crews
#21 Aleister Black
Black eliminated Ambrose with the Black Mass(spinning kick).
#22 Shelton Benjamin
Joe was stunned by a knee from Benjamin and Ali threw him to the floor (endurance runner-up at 24:05)!
#23 Baron Corbin
Corbin punched Crews in mid-springboard attempt and he fell to the floor.
#24 Jeff Hardy
Corbin threw out Black, then McIntyre eliminated Dunne.
#25 Rey Misterio Jr.
#26 Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley(w/ "The Man Of The Hour" Lio Rush)
In a shocker, Seth eliminated Lashley relatively quickly...Lashley destroyed Seth on the floor in retaliation.
#27 Braun Strowman
Strowman quickly clotheslined Corbin out, then tossed Benjamin as well and eliminated Hardy.
#28 Dolph Ziggler
Drew was caught off guard by Ziggler's appearance and Dolph eliminated him.
#29 Randy Orton
#30 "R-Truth" Ron Killings
Nia Jax attacked Truth during his entrance and took his place...then eliminated Ali. However, she fell victim to a Ziggler superkick, 619, and RKO. After that, Orton and Rey formed an odd partnership to eliminate Nia. Orton then RKOed Rey and eliminated him, but then Andrade threw out Orton. The remaining three ganged up on Strowman, but Strowman powered Andrade over the top. He eliminated Ziggler as well, leaving Rollins and Strowman as the final two. Seth guillotined Braun over the ropes and they fought on the apron, ending with Rollins hitting an advanced curbstomp on the apron that finally caused Braun to fall to the floor! Seth Rollins wins the Men's Royal Rumble and he POINTS AT THE WRESTLEMANIA SIGN~! (Rollins had the men's endurance mark for the year at 43:26.)
-Shinsuke Nakamura d. Alexander Rusev(w/ Lana Perry-Rusev) to win the U.S. Title after Rusev accidentally knocked Lana off the ring apron, leading to Nakamura hitting a Kinshasa(flying knee strike) to the back of the head for the win.
-Buddy Murphy won a four-corner match with Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and Hideo Itami to retain the Cruiserweight Title when he pinned Itami after the Murphy's Law(pumphandle Death Valley Driver).
-Asuka Urai d. Becky Lynch via bridging double-chickenwing to retain the Smackdown Women's Title.
-Shane McMahon & "The Miz" Mike Mizanin d. The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy) to win the Smackdown Tag Team Titles when Shane pinned Cesaro after a shooting star press.
-"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey d. "The Boss" Sasha Banks with the Piper's Pit(spinning Samoan Drop) to retain the Raw Women's Title.
-Women's Royal Rumble:
#1 Lacey Evans
#2 Natalya Neidhart
#3 Mandy Rose
#4 Liv Morgan
Liv went after Natalya and was immediately backdropped over the top to the floor.
#5 Mickie James
#6 Ember Moon
#7 Billie Kay
Billie stalled on the floor, claiming she was waiting for Peyton Royce to enter.
#8 Nikki Cross
Nikki attacked Billie on the floor, which finally drew her into the ring.
#9 Peyton Royce
#10 Tamina Snuka
Tamina superkicked Mickie James to the floor.
#11 Xia Li
#12 Sarah Logan
The Iconics worked together to eliminate Nikki Cross.
#13 Charlotte Flair
Lacey Evans managed to eliminate both Iconics at the same time. Charlotte booted Xia Li to the floor.
#14 Kairi Sane
Charlotte eliminated Tamina as Kairi made her entrance. Nattie and Kairi worked together to eliminate Sarah Logan.
#15 Maria Kanellis
#16 Naomi Night
Naomi went right after Mandy and eliminated her...Naomi was nearly eliminated herself but walked the barricade before leaping to the ring steps. However, Mandy yanked her to the floor to cause her elimination. Charlotte booted Lacey out of the ring.
#17 Candice LeRae
#18 Alicia Fox
Alicia dropkicked Maria to the floor.
#19 Kacy Catanzaro
#20 Zelina Vega
#21 Ruby Riot
Ruby entered with Sarah & Liv in tow to run interference. Ruby eliminated Alicia, then got help from the Riot Squad to throw out Candice.
#22 Dana Brooke
Ruby eliminated Kairi after a headscissors attempt went awry.
#23 "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai
#24 Rhea Ripley
Kacy was nearly eliminated, but her feet didn't touch the floor and she hand-walked back to the ring. However, Ripley threw her out shortly after that.
#25 Sonya Deville
Rhea eliminated Dana. Zelina had been hiding under the ring, but discovered that Hornswoggle was under the ring as well and he scared her out to ringside. That led to Rhea eliminating Zelina.
#26 Alexa Bliss
Alexa made her return to the ring by eliminating Sonya.
#27 Bayley Rose
Bayley went right after Ruby and got her out, then eliminated Rhea as well.
#28 Lana Perry-Rusev
Lana's ankle was injured earlier in the night when she was knocked off the apron, so she was unable to enter the ring.
#29 Nia Jax
Nia attacked Dana in the aisleway, seemingly eliminating her from contention. Nia caught a moonsault by Io and threw her to the floor. Nattie nearly eliminated Nia, but Nia threw out to end her longevity run at 55:58.
#30 Carmella Van Damme
With Lana hurt, Becky Lynch volunteered to take her spot and was allowed to compete in her #28 spot! Alexa and Ember both went over the top and fought on the apron, leading to Alexa eliminating Ember with an STO (getting the endurance runner-up mark at 53:10). Bayley and Carmella reformed their NXT friendship to throw out Alexa. Carmella had a good rally, but Charlotte eliminated her. Final four: Charlotte, Bayley, Becky, and Nia. Nia went for a Samoan Drop on Bayley and Charlotte booted Nia, but that caused Bayley to tumble over the top rope to the floor. Charlotte managed to get Nia over the top rope with a fireman's carry and Becky pulled Nia off the apron to the floor. Nia attacked Becky and injured her knee before leaving the ring area...Becky just barely made it back into the ring and Charlotte went after the leg. However, Becky was able to duck a boot and backdrop Charlotte to the apron, then forearm her to the floor for the win!
-Daniel Bryan d. "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles to retain the WWE Title after Erick Rowan chokeslammed Styles while the referee was down.
-Brock Lesnar(w/ Paul Heyman) d. Finn Bálor with the kimura to retain the Universal Title.
-Men's Royal Rumble:
#1 "The Drifter" Elias Samson
#2 "Double J" Jeff Jarrett
After the tease of a duet, Elias decked Jarrett and hit him with his guitar before throwing him out.
#3 U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
#4 Kurt Angle
#5 Big E Langston
Nakamura eliminated Angle by setting him up on the top rope and sending him to the floor with the Kinshasa.
#6 NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano
#7 Jinder Mahal(w/ Samir & Sunil Singh)
Gargano quickly eliminated Mahal.
#8 Samoa Joe
Joe cleaned house and threw out Big E.
#9 Curt Hawkins
#10 Seth Rollins
Seth eliminated Elias.
#11 Titus O'Neil
Titus chased Hawkins out from under the ring but managed to low-bridge Titus to the floor...Hawkins celebrated but was tossed out by Joe.
#12 Kofi Kingston
#13 Mustafa Ali
Ali shockingly dropkicked Nakamura off the turnbuckles to the floor.
#14 Dean Ambrose
Ambrose eliminated Gargano.
#15 "No Way" Jose Valenzuela
Joe quickly clotheslined Jose to the floor.
#16 Drew McIntyre
#17 Xavier Woods
Woods assisted Kofi in getting back to the ring, but Drew double-clotheslined Woods and Kofi to the floor once they stepped back through the ropes.
#18 United Kingdom Champion "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne
#19 Andrade "Cien" Almas
#20 Apollo Crews
#21 Aleister Black
Black eliminated Ambrose with the Black Mass(spinning kick).
#22 Shelton Benjamin
Joe was stunned by a knee from Benjamin and Ali threw him to the floor (endurance runner-up at 24:05)!
#23 Baron Corbin
Corbin punched Crews in mid-springboard attempt and he fell to the floor.
#24 Jeff Hardy
Corbin threw out Black, then McIntyre eliminated Dunne.
#25 Rey Misterio Jr.
#26 Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley(w/ "The Man Of The Hour" Lio Rush)
In a shocker, Seth eliminated Lashley relatively quickly...Lashley destroyed Seth on the floor in retaliation.
#27 Braun Strowman
Strowman quickly clotheslined Corbin out, then tossed Benjamin as well and eliminated Hardy.
#28 Dolph Ziggler
Drew was caught off guard by Ziggler's appearance and Dolph eliminated him.
#29 Randy Orton
#30 "R-Truth" Ron Killings
Nia Jax attacked Truth during his entrance and took his place...then eliminated Ali. However, she fell victim to a Ziggler superkick, 619, and RKO. After that, Orton and Rey formed an odd partnership to eliminate Nia. Orton then RKOed Rey and eliminated him, but then Andrade threw out Orton. The remaining three ganged up on Strowman, but Strowman powered Andrade over the top. He eliminated Ziggler as well, leaving Rollins and Strowman as the final two. Seth guillotined Braun over the ropes and they fought on the apron, ending with Rollins hitting an advanced curbstomp on the apron that finally caused Braun to fall to the floor! Seth Rollins wins the Men's Royal Rumble and he POINTS AT THE WRESTLEMANIA SIGN~! (Rollins had the men's endurance mark for the year at 43:26.)
Takeover + XPlosion
WWE NXT Takeover-Phoenix
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-The War Raiders(Todd Hanson & Raymond Rowe) d. The Undisputed Era(Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly) to win the NXT Tag Team Titles when Rowe pinned O'Reilly after he and Hanson hit the Fallout(back suplex/top-rope legdrop combo) (16:59).
-"The Original Bro" Matt Riddle d. Kassius Ohno via tapout as Riddle delivered repeated elbow strikes to the trapezius (9:19).
-Johnny Gargano d. Ricochet to win the NXT North American Title after a brainbuster on the concrete floor followed by the slingshot DDT (24:34).
-Shayna Baszler d. Bianca Belair to retain the NXT Women's Title; Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke ran interference after a ref bump, leading to Baszler forcing Belair to pass out in the Kirifuda Clutch(sleeper with bodyscissors) (15:14).
-Tommaso Ciampa d. Aleister Black with the fourth Fairy Tale Ending(sitout Pedigree) of the match to retain the NXT Title (26:32).
TNA XPlosion
-Commentators: Josh Mathews & Don Callis.
-The War Kings(Tommy "Crimson" Mercer & Jax Dane) d. Bram Cameron & Caleb Konley; Dane pinned Konley after he and Crimson hit a fireman's-carry Flapjack/Diamond Cutter combo (5:59 aired).
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-The War Raiders(Todd Hanson & Raymond Rowe) d. The Undisputed Era(Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly) to win the NXT Tag Team Titles when Rowe pinned O'Reilly after he and Hanson hit the Fallout(back suplex/top-rope legdrop combo) (16:59).
-"The Original Bro" Matt Riddle d. Kassius Ohno via tapout as Riddle delivered repeated elbow strikes to the trapezius (9:19).
-Johnny Gargano d. Ricochet to win the NXT North American Title after a brainbuster on the concrete floor followed by the slingshot DDT (24:34).
-Shayna Baszler d. Bianca Belair to retain the NXT Women's Title; Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke ran interference after a ref bump, leading to Baszler forcing Belair to pass out in the Kirifuda Clutch(sleeper with bodyscissors) (15:14).
-Tommaso Ciampa d. Aleister Black with the fourth Fairy Tale Ending(sitout Pedigree) of the match to retain the NXT Title (26:32).
TNA XPlosion
-Commentators: Josh Mathews & Don Callis.
-The War Kings(Tommy "Crimson" Mercer & Jax Dane) d. Bram Cameron & Caleb Konley; Dane pinned Konley after he and Crimson hit a fireman's-carry Flapjack/Diamond Cutter combo (5:59 aired).
Saturday, January 26, 2019
ROH TV
-Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana, & Caprice Coleman.
-Juice Robinson d. "The Darewolf" P.J. Black by DQ when Black shoved the referee into the ropes to knock Juice off the turnbuckles (9:58 aired); NWA World Champion Nick Aldis(w/ Kamilla Kaine) did commentary.
-Shane Taylor d. Mike Law after the Greetings From 216(sitout Tombstone) (0:30).
-The main event was scheduled to be a Six-Man Tag Team Title match, but Champions Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) said that Villain Enterprises didn't deserve a title shot yet. However, they found suitable replacements...
-Villain Enterprises("The Villain" Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. The Shinobi Shadow Squad(Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, & Ryan Nova) when P.C.O. pinned Nova after the moonsault (7:32 aired).
-Next week: Eli Isom vs. "The Last Real Man" Silas Young to determine the next challenger for T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb.
-Juice Robinson d. "The Darewolf" P.J. Black by DQ when Black shoved the referee into the ropes to knock Juice off the turnbuckles (9:58 aired); NWA World Champion Nick Aldis(w/ Kamilla Kaine) did commentary.
-Shane Taylor d. Mike Law after the Greetings From 216(sitout Tombstone) (0:30).
-The main event was scheduled to be a Six-Man Tag Team Title match, but Champions Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) said that Villain Enterprises didn't deserve a title shot yet. However, they found suitable replacements...
-Villain Enterprises("The Villain" Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. The Shinobi Shadow Squad(Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, & Ryan Nova) when P.C.O. pinned Nova after the moonsault (7:32 aired).
-Next week: Eli Isom vs. "The Last Real Man" Silas Young to determine the next challenger for T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb.
Saturday DPW Results From St. Louis, MO(Concordia)
-”Mr. Excitement” Christopher Adams won a non-title triple threat match with Outtkast and D-1 Champion Mike Outlaw when he pinned Outlaw after a full nelson slam (7:50).
-The Snitch d. The Math Magician after the Olympic Slam (10:33).
-Viktor Von Stein d. “The Valedictorian” Keon Option after the Legdrop O’ Doom (5:53).
-”The Caramel Bear” C.J. Shine d. Xavier Shadowz with the TKO (10:19). Viktor Von Stein had a post-match confrontation with his former tag partner.
-”The Heartthrob” Jaden Roller d. “The Yoga Monster” Mike Sydal after a Fameasser (16:39).
-The Arch City Mercenaries(Tony Esteem & Jimmi LaFleur) d. The Unlikely Heroes(Jackal & “Mr. Mustache” Ricky Rodriguez) in a street fight to retain the Tag Team Titles; Esteem pinned Jackal after hitting the headlock driver onto a chair (16:56).
Friday, January 25, 2019
SICW Special Comment
Now, as promised, a special comment about the Southern Illinois Chamionship Wrestling show on Saturday, November 3nd at Fire Department Engine House #2 in Swansea, Illinois.
DISCLAIMER: I'm biased. Deal with it.
After the long drive to Pro Wrestling Epic the previous night, the short trip to Swansea was very welcome. On one hand, it would be smart to cut back on the long road trips to save money on gas...on the other hand, I want to check out some different promotions. 2018 was a year where I got to a lot of promotions for the first time...I don't know if 2019 will be similar but I guess time will tell.
Your ring announcer was Drew Abbenhaus; your referees were Nick Ridenour, Shaft, "Killer" Keith Smith, & "Night Train/Gorgeous/Great One" Gary Jackson.
Devin & Hannah Randolph sang the National Anthem to start the show, then promoter Herb Simmons did a quick interview with legendary manager James J. Dillon (best known for his work with the Four Horsemen).
Moondog Rover vs. "The Mountain Man" Jake Prater: This opener wouldn't feature a lot of technical finesse...just two big guys slugging it out until one stays down. Normally Moondog or Prater could manhandle his opposition, but not in this case with an opponent of comparable size. Rover had to go a bit deeper into his bag of tricks, winning with a flying forearm in 5:33.
Billy McNeil & "The Pain Train" P.T. Beckham vs. The Professionals(Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby): While Santel & McDarby had the obvious edge in team experience, McNeil and Beckham had a lot of past success with other tag partners. McNeil had a lot of great tag matches in the Gateway Championship Wrestling days with Matt Sydal and Ryan Ash as his teammates, while Beckham was a part of Prostatus with David X. The Professionals did a great job of cutting off the ring for most of the bout, but McNeil was able to score a flash pin on McDarby with a small package in 13:13! I'm not entirely sure if McDarby was the legal man, though...
Travis Cook made his entrance with the Classic Title belt in tow(he thinks it's "his", after all) and extolled his own virtues...Champion "Superstar" Steve Fender was not in attendance on that night (he was taking care of business elsewhere, which happened to be World League Wrestling), but Cook was more than happy to crow about his accomplishments in his absence. He also threw a few choice words in the direction of J.J. Dillon with regards to their respective managerial accomplishments...I think Dillon has a slight edge in that regard. This all led to Herb Simmons asking Dillon to be in Flash Flanagan's corner for the night's main event against King Christopher Hargas (managed by Cook).
Lady Pride vs. Camron Bra'Nae: This was my first look at Lady Pride, who also hails from the Kansas City area...I imagine these two ladies have locked up in the past. The crowd support was interesting as Pride was the fan favorite, but Bra'Nae(often the rulebreaker) was better known in the St. Louis area than her opponent. I enjoyed the match and hope that Lady Pride can return to this area at some point down the line...we shall see. Bra'Nae won a competitive match in 9:41 after an Air Raid Crash, pulling the tights during the cover for extra leverage.
"The King Of Chaos" Ricky Cruz(w/ Ironman" Ken Kasa) vs. "Volatile" Curtis Wylde(w/ Wyldefyre): These two had an altercation at the previous Swansea show...Wylde had his Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal trophy in hand and was hoping to make an even bigger name for himself at the expense of the former Classic Wrestling Champion. Tempers flared early and the two brawled on the floor before things settled back down in the ring. The match could have gone either way, but Cruz appeared to be on the verge of victory when Wylde bailed out of the ring to escape defeat. Wylde got in the face of recent opponent Kasa, leading to an exchange of shoves as the official was occupied with Cruz. Wylde tried to milk it for all it was worth, hoping to get Cruz disqualified for outside interference...but the official didn't seem to buy it. Wylde opted to stay down on the floor and got counted out in 10:19, avoiding the worst of what Cruz would have dished out to him.
Intermission~! Official Ben Simon Concession Count(tm): Root beer, Lays potato chips, Ski Red soda, and two leftover hot dogs after the show. #scavenger
Herb Simmons and New Breed Wrestling promoter Scott Zei spoke to the fans about the Multi-State Tag Team Titles, which would be defended for the first time on this show...
The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Guerrilla Warfare(The Big Texan & Waco) for the Multi-State Tag Team Titles: The first champs were crowned on October 27th in Eldon at a New Breed show; it was scheduled to be The Professionals, Alpha Omega(Camaro Jackson & Kenny Alfonso), Iceman & Math Magician, and David Cattin & Tyler Grey in the match, but Santel & McDarby were unable to attend the show (transportation problems, I think?); they were replaced by Richard Goldman & Calvin Aldridge. (My question is, when do The Professionals get their title shot?) At any rate, the former MMWA Tag Champs were a tough test for the new titleholders...I've only seen Math Magician a handful of times, but Iceman has visited the area on a few more occasions. The masked men hoped to win with underhanded tactics, but the referee caught Waco loading his mask and disqualified the challengers. That allowed Iceman & Math Magician to retain via DQ win in 12:57.
"Your Canadian Hero" Sean Vincent vs. Attila Khan: Vincent was in for a long night, as the fight broke out on the floor before the opening bell. Vincent rammed Khan's face into the ringpost, busting him open before the match could even begin...that only served to fire up the big man. Chairs came into play quickly as well as Khan's signature fork...when the official attempted to restore order, Khan simply decked him. A second referee was nailed as well, leaving only Herb Simmons to call for the bell in 4:52 as Vincent was declared the winner by DQ. It was far from over at that point as Khan continued his assault, leaving Vincent bloody as well...he slammed Vincent through the timekeeper's table and then gave him a two-handed chokeslam through a second table. Bobby D and Billy McNeil attempted to intervene only to be wiped out as well. Khan's former manager Travis Cook decided to make an appearance with the black hood he used to calm down the big man...that seemed to do the trick and Cook led Khan to the backstage area.
"Ironman" Ken Kasa vs. Rob Kowalski: With both Nick Ridenour and Shaft out of commission, Keith Smith stepped in to officiate. The former Classic Champion had his hands full with the much larger Kowalski...he attempted to use the ropes to get some extra momentum, but went to the well once too often and ran into a uranagi. It seemed like the size and power advantage would be too much for Kasa to overcome, but he used his head to turn the tide...Kowalski went for a running powerslam and Kasa held onto the top rope to block the move. When Kowalski tried to pull him loose, Kasa shifted his weight and turned it into an inverted DDT in mid-air! That was enough for Kasa to get the quick pin in 5:41...but his night wasn't quite over as Curtis Wylde hit the ring to attack him! Help arrived as Ricky Cruz hit the ring; Keith Smith also joined the fray to send Wylde into retreat mode.
Flash Flanagan(w/ James D. Dillon) vs. King Christopher Hargas(w/ Travis Cook): Gary Jackson, a man who's no stranger to either competitor, officiated the main event for the night. These two crossed paths in the finals of the Classic Wrestling Title tournament in 2017 with Hargas winning the championship in a best-of-three-falls match. Flanagan had an opportunity to even the score and he had some backup in his corner to counteract Travis Cook's presence. The two were very evenly matched and it could have easily gone either way before the outside factors got involved...Flanagan had a good chance for victory after a middle-rope springboard legdrop, but Travis got up on the ring apron to distract Gary Jackson. J.J. Dillon was quick to intervene by whacking Cook across the back with Flanagan's kendo stick, drawing Jackson to the floor to admonish both managers. However, Dillon slipped the kendo stick into the ring and Flash used it to level Hargas behind the referee's back...that led to Flanagan scoring the three-count in 11:50 once Jackson returned to the ring to make the count!
After the match, the fan favorites assembled in the ring to back up Flanagan and Ricky Cruz issued another challenge to Travis Cook for a multi-man cage match...Cook remained uninterested in this proposition. Herb capped off the night by announcing that Attila Khan had been suspended for his actions earlier in the evening...nice to see a rulebreaker get some comeuppance for once.
After two weekends of being snowed out of wrestling shows, I'm looking forward to getting back out to events. This Saturday has three choices: Dynamo Pro Wrestling at Concordia Turners Gym in St. Louis, MO; Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling at the Holy Family Gymnasium in Cahokia, IL; and Cape Championship Wrestling at the A.C. Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau, MO. Have fun wherever you go!
February looks like this:
-Saturday 2/2: World League Wrestling in Troy, MO
-Saturday 2/9: Pro Wrestling Championship Series in Alton, IL; Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in St. Louis, MO
-Saturday 2/16: WLW in Troy, MO; SICW in East Carondelet, IL
-Sunday 2/24: Glory Pro Wrestling in Collinsville, IL
That's my special comment for this, the sixty-ninth wrestling show I've attended in the year 2018. Good night, good luck, and #yaywrestling.
-PB, Watching Wrestling Wrong Since 1991
P.S. We are all marks.
DISCLAIMER: I'm biased. Deal with it.
After the long drive to Pro Wrestling Epic the previous night, the short trip to Swansea was very welcome. On one hand, it would be smart to cut back on the long road trips to save money on gas...on the other hand, I want to check out some different promotions. 2018 was a year where I got to a lot of promotions for the first time...I don't know if 2019 will be similar but I guess time will tell.
Your ring announcer was Drew Abbenhaus; your referees were Nick Ridenour, Shaft, "Killer" Keith Smith, & "Night Train/Gorgeous/Great One" Gary Jackson.
Devin & Hannah Randolph sang the National Anthem to start the show, then promoter Herb Simmons did a quick interview with legendary manager James J. Dillon (best known for his work with the Four Horsemen).
Moondog Rover vs. "The Mountain Man" Jake Prater: This opener wouldn't feature a lot of technical finesse...just two big guys slugging it out until one stays down. Normally Moondog or Prater could manhandle his opposition, but not in this case with an opponent of comparable size. Rover had to go a bit deeper into his bag of tricks, winning with a flying forearm in 5:33.
Billy McNeil & "The Pain Train" P.T. Beckham vs. The Professionals(Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby): While Santel & McDarby had the obvious edge in team experience, McNeil and Beckham had a lot of past success with other tag partners. McNeil had a lot of great tag matches in the Gateway Championship Wrestling days with Matt Sydal and Ryan Ash as his teammates, while Beckham was a part of Prostatus with David X. The Professionals did a great job of cutting off the ring for most of the bout, but McNeil was able to score a flash pin on McDarby with a small package in 13:13! I'm not entirely sure if McDarby was the legal man, though...
Travis Cook made his entrance with the Classic Title belt in tow(he thinks it's "his", after all) and extolled his own virtues...Champion "Superstar" Steve Fender was not in attendance on that night (he was taking care of business elsewhere, which happened to be World League Wrestling), but Cook was more than happy to crow about his accomplishments in his absence. He also threw a few choice words in the direction of J.J. Dillon with regards to their respective managerial accomplishments...I think Dillon has a slight edge in that regard. This all led to Herb Simmons asking Dillon to be in Flash Flanagan's corner for the night's main event against King Christopher Hargas (managed by Cook).
Lady Pride vs. Camron Bra'Nae: This was my first look at Lady Pride, who also hails from the Kansas City area...I imagine these two ladies have locked up in the past. The crowd support was interesting as Pride was the fan favorite, but Bra'Nae(often the rulebreaker) was better known in the St. Louis area than her opponent. I enjoyed the match and hope that Lady Pride can return to this area at some point down the line...we shall see. Bra'Nae won a competitive match in 9:41 after an Air Raid Crash, pulling the tights during the cover for extra leverage.
"The King Of Chaos" Ricky Cruz(w/ Ironman" Ken Kasa) vs. "Volatile" Curtis Wylde(w/ Wyldefyre): These two had an altercation at the previous Swansea show...Wylde had his Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal trophy in hand and was hoping to make an even bigger name for himself at the expense of the former Classic Wrestling Champion. Tempers flared early and the two brawled on the floor before things settled back down in the ring. The match could have gone either way, but Cruz appeared to be on the verge of victory when Wylde bailed out of the ring to escape defeat. Wylde got in the face of recent opponent Kasa, leading to an exchange of shoves as the official was occupied with Cruz. Wylde tried to milk it for all it was worth, hoping to get Cruz disqualified for outside interference...but the official didn't seem to buy it. Wylde opted to stay down on the floor and got counted out in 10:19, avoiding the worst of what Cruz would have dished out to him.
Intermission~! Official Ben Simon Concession Count(tm): Root beer, Lays potato chips, Ski Red soda, and two leftover hot dogs after the show. #scavenger
Herb Simmons and New Breed Wrestling promoter Scott Zei spoke to the fans about the Multi-State Tag Team Titles, which would be defended for the first time on this show...
The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Guerrilla Warfare(The Big Texan & Waco) for the Multi-State Tag Team Titles: The first champs were crowned on October 27th in Eldon at a New Breed show; it was scheduled to be The Professionals, Alpha Omega(Camaro Jackson & Kenny Alfonso), Iceman & Math Magician, and David Cattin & Tyler Grey in the match, but Santel & McDarby were unable to attend the show (transportation problems, I think?); they were replaced by Richard Goldman & Calvin Aldridge. (My question is, when do The Professionals get their title shot?) At any rate, the former MMWA Tag Champs were a tough test for the new titleholders...I've only seen Math Magician a handful of times, but Iceman has visited the area on a few more occasions. The masked men hoped to win with underhanded tactics, but the referee caught Waco loading his mask and disqualified the challengers. That allowed Iceman & Math Magician to retain via DQ win in 12:57.
"Your Canadian Hero" Sean Vincent vs. Attila Khan: Vincent was in for a long night, as the fight broke out on the floor before the opening bell. Vincent rammed Khan's face into the ringpost, busting him open before the match could even begin...that only served to fire up the big man. Chairs came into play quickly as well as Khan's signature fork...when the official attempted to restore order, Khan simply decked him. A second referee was nailed as well, leaving only Herb Simmons to call for the bell in 4:52 as Vincent was declared the winner by DQ. It was far from over at that point as Khan continued his assault, leaving Vincent bloody as well...he slammed Vincent through the timekeeper's table and then gave him a two-handed chokeslam through a second table. Bobby D and Billy McNeil attempted to intervene only to be wiped out as well. Khan's former manager Travis Cook decided to make an appearance with the black hood he used to calm down the big man...that seemed to do the trick and Cook led Khan to the backstage area.
"Ironman" Ken Kasa vs. Rob Kowalski: With both Nick Ridenour and Shaft out of commission, Keith Smith stepped in to officiate. The former Classic Champion had his hands full with the much larger Kowalski...he attempted to use the ropes to get some extra momentum, but went to the well once too often and ran into a uranagi. It seemed like the size and power advantage would be too much for Kasa to overcome, but he used his head to turn the tide...Kowalski went for a running powerslam and Kasa held onto the top rope to block the move. When Kowalski tried to pull him loose, Kasa shifted his weight and turned it into an inverted DDT in mid-air! That was enough for Kasa to get the quick pin in 5:41...but his night wasn't quite over as Curtis Wylde hit the ring to attack him! Help arrived as Ricky Cruz hit the ring; Keith Smith also joined the fray to send Wylde into retreat mode.
Flash Flanagan(w/ James D. Dillon) vs. King Christopher Hargas(w/ Travis Cook): Gary Jackson, a man who's no stranger to either competitor, officiated the main event for the night. These two crossed paths in the finals of the Classic Wrestling Title tournament in 2017 with Hargas winning the championship in a best-of-three-falls match. Flanagan had an opportunity to even the score and he had some backup in his corner to counteract Travis Cook's presence. The two were very evenly matched and it could have easily gone either way before the outside factors got involved...Flanagan had a good chance for victory after a middle-rope springboard legdrop, but Travis got up on the ring apron to distract Gary Jackson. J.J. Dillon was quick to intervene by whacking Cook across the back with Flanagan's kendo stick, drawing Jackson to the floor to admonish both managers. However, Dillon slipped the kendo stick into the ring and Flash used it to level Hargas behind the referee's back...that led to Flanagan scoring the three-count in 11:50 once Jackson returned to the ring to make the count!
After the match, the fan favorites assembled in the ring to back up Flanagan and Ricky Cruz issued another challenge to Travis Cook for a multi-man cage match...Cook remained uninterested in this proposition. Herb capped off the night by announcing that Attila Khan had been suspended for his actions earlier in the evening...nice to see a rulebreaker get some comeuppance for once.
After two weekends of being snowed out of wrestling shows, I'm looking forward to getting back out to events. This Saturday has three choices: Dynamo Pro Wrestling at Concordia Turners Gym in St. Louis, MO; Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling at the Holy Family Gymnasium in Cahokia, IL; and Cape Championship Wrestling at the A.C. Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau, MO. Have fun wherever you go!
February looks like this:
-Saturday 2/2: World League Wrestling in Troy, MO
-Saturday 2/9: Pro Wrestling Championship Series in Alton, IL; Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in St. Louis, MO
-Saturday 2/16: WLW in Troy, MO; SICW in East Carondelet, IL
-Sunday 2/24: Glory Pro Wrestling in Collinsville, IL
That's my special comment for this, the sixty-ninth wrestling show I've attended in the year 2018. Good night, good luck, and #yaywrestling.
-PB, Watching Wrestling Wrong Since 1991
P.S. We are all marks.
Show results
Thursday ROH results from Dallas, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-Marty Scurll d. Rhett Titus.
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay d. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin.
-T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb d. Clark Connors in a non-title match.
-Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) d. Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark) & Shane Taylor by DQ.
-Madison Rayne d. Holidead.
-Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion Matt Taven d. Rocky Romero.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champions The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan).
-Bandido d. Silas Young.
-Heavyweight Champion Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham d. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams.
Friday Extreme Midget Wrestling results from St. Louis, MO (credit to Ben Simon):
-Mike Stone d. Bruce Lee Roy via falling powerslam (19:09).
-Tye Dye d. Tzuki after a top-rope Frankensteiner (17:56).
-Li'l Pecker d. Rasta with a double-leg takedown (21:21).
-Bruce Lee Roy won a six-way dance with Li'l Pecker, Tye Dye, Tzuki, Mike Stone, and Rasta, last eliminating Rasta with a top-rope elbowdrop (19:24); the match started as a three-way with Stone, Dye, and Pecker but the other competitors got involved and it was changed on the fly.
Friday ROH results from Houston, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas) d. The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate).
-Sumie Sakai d. Thunder Rosa by DQ.
-The Twisted Sisterz(Holidead & Thunder Rosa) d. Sumie Sakai & Madison Rayne.
-Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali) d. Cheeseburger & Eli Isom.
-Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Karl Fredericks, Alex Coughlin, & Clark Connors.
-Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion T.K. O'Ryan d. Jonathan Gresham.
-Jay Lethal d. Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion Vinny Marseglia to retain the Heavyweight Title.
-Kelly Klein d. Britt Baker to retain the Women Of Honor Title.
-The Beat Down Clan(Kenny King & Montel Vontavious Porter) d. Colt Cabana & Willie Mack.
-Rocky Romero won a non-title triple threat match with T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb and Dalton Castle.
-Lifeblood(Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Bandido, Mark Haskins, & Tracy Williams) d. Bully Ray, Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark), Silas Young, & Shane Taylor.
Saturday SICW results from East Carondelet, IL(credit to Drew Abbenhaus):
-"The Mountain Man" Jake Prater d. Mauler McDarby (5:14).
-"Night Train/Gorgeous/Great One" Gary Jackson vs. Rob Kowalski never officially started as Kowalski attacked Jackson before the bell.
-Rob Kowalski(w/ Travis Cook) d. Steve Michaels (5:44).
-"Volatile" Curtis Wylde(w/ Wyldefyre) d. Khayman(w/ Abigail) (10:56).
-Moondog Rover & "Your Canadian Hero" Sean Vincent d. Guerrilla Warfare(The Big Texan & Waco) when Vincent pinned Waco (8:32).
-Billy McNeil d. "Ironman" Ken Kasa (13:28).
-Flash Flanagan d. King Christopher Hargas(w/ Travis Cook) by DQ when members of the Travis Cook Organization interfered (5:37).
-"Superstar" Steve Fender(w/ Travis Cook) fought "The King Of Chaos" Ricky Cruz to a no-contest to retain the Classic Title after several wrestlers got involved; "Cowboy" Bob Orton was the special guest referee (11:49).
Saturday CCW results from Cape Girardeau, MO featuring a tournament for the vacant Heavyweight Title(forfeited by Marko Stunt due to injury):
-Jacksyn Crowley d. D'Mone Solavino.
-Ace Hawkins fought Brandon Espinosa to a time-limit draw to retain the MWR Missouri Title.
-Jake Dirden d. Barackus.
-Gregory Iron d. Dexter Roswell.
-Sarge O'Riley & Horn Swoggle d. Tag Team Champions The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) by DQ.
-Hollis Giroux d. Farmer Billy Hills to win the Pure Openweight Title.
-Jacksyn Crowley d. Gregory Iron.
-Justin Smart d. Dalton Anthony in a street fight.
-Jake Dirden d. Jacksyn Crowley to become the new Heavyweight Champion.
Saturday ROH results from San Antonio, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-The Shinobi Shadow Squad(Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, & Ryan Nova) d. Karl Fredericks, Alex Coughlin, & Clark Connors.
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) d. Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) to retain the Six-Man Tag Team Titles.
-Tracy Williams d. Rhett Titus.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) won a triple threat match with The Beat Down Clan(Kenny King & Montel Vontavious Porter) and The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas).
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay won a triple threat match with Heavyweight Champion Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham and Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali).
-Kelly Klein d. Sumie Sakai to retain the Women Of Honor Title.
-T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb & Willie Mack d. Silas Young & Shane Taylor by DQ.
-Bandido d. Rocky Romero.
-Marty Scurll d. Mark Haskins.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Juice Robinson & David Finlay to win the Tag Wars Tournament.
Saturday AAW results from Chicago, IL:
-Steve Manders d. Xander Killen.
-Travis Titan d. Gyasi.
-Trey Miguel d. Rey Horus.
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett), Paco Gonzalez, & Ace Romero d. Stephen Wolf, Connor Braxton, Clayton Gainz, & Ace Austin.
-Mance Warner d. Josh Briggs.
-Curt Stallion & Jake Something d. The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz).
-Eddie Kingston d. Trevor Lee.
-The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) d. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik).
-Maxwell Jacob Friendman d. Fred Yehi.
-D.J. Shiima Xion d. Tag Team Champion Myron Reed to retain the Heritage Title.
-Jessicka Havok d. Kimber Lee.
-Tag Team Champion A.R. Fox d. A.C.H.
-Marty Scurll d. Rhett Titus.
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay d. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin.
-T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb d. Clark Connors in a non-title match.
-Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) d. Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark) & Shane Taylor by DQ.
-Madison Rayne d. Holidead.
-Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion Matt Taven d. Rocky Romero.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champions The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan).
-Bandido d. Silas Young.
-Heavyweight Champion Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham d. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams.
Friday Extreme Midget Wrestling results from St. Louis, MO (credit to Ben Simon):
-Mike Stone d. Bruce Lee Roy via falling powerslam (19:09).
-Tye Dye d. Tzuki after a top-rope Frankensteiner (17:56).
-Li'l Pecker d. Rasta with a double-leg takedown (21:21).
-Bruce Lee Roy won a six-way dance with Li'l Pecker, Tye Dye, Tzuki, Mike Stone, and Rasta, last eliminating Rasta with a top-rope elbowdrop (19:24); the match started as a three-way with Stone, Dye, and Pecker but the other competitors got involved and it was changed on the fly.
Friday ROH results from Houston, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas) d. The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate).
-Sumie Sakai d. Thunder Rosa by DQ.
-The Twisted Sisterz(Holidead & Thunder Rosa) d. Sumie Sakai & Madison Rayne.
-Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali) d. Cheeseburger & Eli Isom.
-Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Karl Fredericks, Alex Coughlin, & Clark Connors.
-Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion T.K. O'Ryan d. Jonathan Gresham.
-Jay Lethal d. Six-Man Tag Team Co-Champion Vinny Marseglia to retain the Heavyweight Title.
-Kelly Klein d. Britt Baker to retain the Women Of Honor Title.
-The Beat Down Clan(Kenny King & Montel Vontavious Porter) d. Colt Cabana & Willie Mack.
-Rocky Romero won a non-title triple threat match with T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb and Dalton Castle.
-Lifeblood(Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Bandido, Mark Haskins, & Tracy Williams) d. Bully Ray, Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark), Silas Young, & Shane Taylor.
Saturday SICW results from East Carondelet, IL(credit to Drew Abbenhaus):
-"The Mountain Man" Jake Prater d. Mauler McDarby (5:14).
-"Night Train/Gorgeous/Great One" Gary Jackson vs. Rob Kowalski never officially started as Kowalski attacked Jackson before the bell.
-Rob Kowalski(w/ Travis Cook) d. Steve Michaels (5:44).
-"Volatile" Curtis Wylde(w/ Wyldefyre) d. Khayman(w/ Abigail) (10:56).
-Moondog Rover & "Your Canadian Hero" Sean Vincent d. Guerrilla Warfare(The Big Texan & Waco) when Vincent pinned Waco (8:32).
-Billy McNeil d. "Ironman" Ken Kasa (13:28).
-Flash Flanagan d. King Christopher Hargas(w/ Travis Cook) by DQ when members of the Travis Cook Organization interfered (5:37).
-"Superstar" Steve Fender(w/ Travis Cook) fought "The King Of Chaos" Ricky Cruz to a no-contest to retain the Classic Title after several wrestlers got involved; "Cowboy" Bob Orton was the special guest referee (11:49).
Saturday CCW results from Cape Girardeau, MO featuring a tournament for the vacant Heavyweight Title(forfeited by Marko Stunt due to injury):
-Jacksyn Crowley d. D'Mone Solavino.
-Ace Hawkins fought Brandon Espinosa to a time-limit draw to retain the MWR Missouri Title.
-Jake Dirden d. Barackus.
-Gregory Iron d. Dexter Roswell.
-Sarge O'Riley & Horn Swoggle d. Tag Team Champions The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) by DQ.
-Hollis Giroux d. Farmer Billy Hills to win the Pure Openweight Title.
-Jacksyn Crowley d. Gregory Iron.
-Justin Smart d. Dalton Anthony in a street fight.
-Jake Dirden d. Jacksyn Crowley to become the new Heavyweight Champion.
Saturday Zero-One USA results from Mattoon, IL:
-Oliver Cain d. Frank Wyatt by countout.
-Rahne Victoria d. Heather Reckless to retain the Women's Title.
-The Lowlifes(Joey O'Riley & Jordan Perry) won a triple threat match with No New Friends(Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams) and Jake Garvin & Savanna Stone to win the vacant Tag Team Titles.
-Jake Parnell d. Jake Lander in a ladder match to retain the Jr. Heavyweight Title.
-Christian Rose won a Royal Rumble-style battle royal to win the vacant Heavyweight Title.
Saturday ROH results from San Antonio, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-The Shinobi Shadow Squad(Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, & Ryan Nova) d. Karl Fredericks, Alex Coughlin, & Clark Connors.
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) d. Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) to retain the Six-Man Tag Team Titles.
-Tracy Williams d. Rhett Titus.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) won a triple threat match with The Beat Down Clan(Kenny King & Montel Vontavious Porter) and The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas).
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay won a triple threat match with Heavyweight Champion Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham and Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali).
-Kelly Klein d. Sumie Sakai to retain the Women Of Honor Title.
-T.V. Champion Jeff Cobb & Willie Mack d. Silas Young & Shane Taylor by DQ.
-Bandido d. Rocky Romero.
-Marty Scurll d. Mark Haskins.
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) d. Juice Robinson & David Finlay to win the Tag Wars Tournament.
Saturday AAW results from Chicago, IL:
-Steve Manders d. Xander Killen.
-Travis Titan d. Gyasi.
-Trey Miguel d. Rey Horus.
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett), Paco Gonzalez, & Ace Romero d. Stephen Wolf, Connor Braxton, Clayton Gainz, & Ace Austin.
-Mance Warner d. Josh Briggs.
-Curt Stallion & Jake Something d. The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz).
-Eddie Kingston d. Trevor Lee.
-The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) d. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik).
-Maxwell Jacob Friendman d. Fred Yehi.
-D.J. Shiima Xion d. Tag Team Champion Myron Reed to retain the Heritage Title.
-Jessicka Havok d. Kimber Lee.
-Tag Team Champion A.R. Fox d. A.C.H.
Impact + Main Event
TNA Impact
-Commentators: Josh Mathews & Don Callis.
-X-Division Champion Rich Swann d. El Hijo Del Vikingo(non-title) after a 450 Splash off the second rope (9:22). Sami Callihan & Ohio Vs. Everything(Jake & Dave Crist) attempted to recruit Swann, but Swann officially turned them down.
-Women's Champion Taya Valkyrie d. Keyra(non-title) with the crossed-leg STF (5:35).
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz)(w/ Trey Miguel) d. The New Desi Hit Squad(Rohit Raju & Raj Singh)(w/ Gama Singh); Wentz pinned Raj after he and Xavier hit the Hot Fire Flame(Wentz standing moonsault assisted by side push from Xavier) (7:08).
-"The Fresh Prince Of Mid-Air" Trey Miguel(w/ Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) d. "All Ego" Ethan Page after the Fresh To Death(inverted swinging neckbreaker) (joined in progress; 6:50 aired).
-Johnny Impact fought Killer Kross(w/ Moose) to a no-contest to retain the Heavyweight Title when "They Call Him A Machine" Brian Cage attacked everyone (11:12 aired).
-Next week: The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) & Daga vs. The Lucha Brothers(Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) & Taurus and Jordynne Grace & "The Girl On Fire" Kiera Hogan vs. "The Undead Bride" Su Yung & Allis Dennis, plus The Rascalz vs. Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake and Fallah Bahh vs. Psycho Clown.
WWE Main Event
-Commentators: Byron Saxton, Renee Young, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-Rezar Selmani(w/ Drake Maverick) d. Tyler Breeze after a chokeslam (5:25).
-Mojo Rawley d. "No Way" Jose Valenzuela with the sitout Alabama Slam (6:32 aired).
-Commentators: Josh Mathews & Don Callis.
-X-Division Champion Rich Swann d. El Hijo Del Vikingo(non-title) after a 450 Splash off the second rope (9:22). Sami Callihan & Ohio Vs. Everything(Jake & Dave Crist) attempted to recruit Swann, but Swann officially turned them down.
-Women's Champion Taya Valkyrie d. Keyra(non-title) with the crossed-leg STF (5:35).
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz)(w/ Trey Miguel) d. The New Desi Hit Squad(Rohit Raju & Raj Singh)(w/ Gama Singh); Wentz pinned Raj after he and Xavier hit the Hot Fire Flame(Wentz standing moonsault assisted by side push from Xavier) (7:08).
-"The Fresh Prince Of Mid-Air" Trey Miguel(w/ Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) d. "All Ego" Ethan Page after the Fresh To Death(inverted swinging neckbreaker) (joined in progress; 6:50 aired).
-Johnny Impact fought Killer Kross(w/ Moose) to a no-contest to retain the Heavyweight Title when "They Call Him A Machine" Brian Cage attacked everyone (11:12 aired).
-Next week: The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik) & Daga vs. The Lucha Brothers(Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) & Taurus and Jordynne Grace & "The Girl On Fire" Kiera Hogan vs. "The Undead Bride" Su Yung & Allis Dennis, plus The Rascalz vs. Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake and Fallah Bahh vs. Psycho Clown.
WWE Main Event
-Commentators: Byron Saxton, Renee Young, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-Rezar Selmani(w/ Drake Maverick) d. Tyler Breeze after a chokeslam (5:25).
-Mojo Rawley d. "No Way" Jose Valenzuela with the sitout Alabama Slam (6:32 aired).
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
NXTs
WWE NXT UK
-Commentators: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness.
-Nina Samuels d. Lana Austin after the Prima Donna(Death Valley Driver onto the knee) (4:11).
-Eddie Dennis d. "Screwface" Jamie Ahmed with the Neckstop Driver(elevated inverted DDT) (4:41).
-"The Kiwi Buzzsaw" Travis Banks fought "The Irish Ace" Jordan Devlin to a double countout (13:23); the two continued to brawl after the bell.
-Next week: Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel, plus WALTER makes his in-ring debut.
WWE NXT
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-Oney Lorcan & "The Guv'nor" Danny Burch d. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel when Lorcan rolled up Aichner (4:48).
-Kairi Sane & "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai d. Tanea Brooks(Rebel) & Amber Nova; Kairi pinned Brooks after she boosted Io into a standing moonsault (2:53).
-"The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark d. "The Infamous" Bobby Fish with the Purple Rainmaker(top-rope elbowdrop) (8:30).
-Added to Takeover: Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno.
-Next week: The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Curler), plus Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke.
-Commentators: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness.
-Nina Samuels d. Lana Austin after the Prima Donna(Death Valley Driver onto the knee) (4:11).
-Eddie Dennis d. "Screwface" Jamie Ahmed with the Neckstop Driver(elevated inverted DDT) (4:41).
-"The Kiwi Buzzsaw" Travis Banks fought "The Irish Ace" Jordan Devlin to a double countout (13:23); the two continued to brawl after the bell.
-Next week: Moustache Mountain(Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel, plus WALTER makes his in-ring debut.
WWE NXT
-Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, & "Showtime" Percy Watson.
-Oney Lorcan & "The Guv'nor" Danny Burch d. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel when Lorcan rolled up Aichner (4:48).
-Kairi Sane & "The Genius Of The Sky" Io Shirai d. Tanea Brooks(Rebel) & Amber Nova; Kairi pinned Brooks after she boosted Io into a standing moonsault (2:53).
-"The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark d. "The Infamous" Bobby Fish with the Purple Rainmaker(top-rope elbowdrop) (8:30).
-Added to Takeover: Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno.
-Next week: The Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Forgotten Sons(Wesley Blake & Steve Curler), plus Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Smackdown/205/This Week In Wrestling
WWE Smackdown
-Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves.
-Mandy Rose(w/ Sonya Deville) d. Naomi Night after Sonya's interference led to Mandy ramming Naomi's head into the metal turnbuckle bolt (2:20 aired). Jimmy Uso checked on his wife after the match.
-Smackdown Tag Team Champion Antonio Cesaro(w/ Sheamus O'Shaunessy) d. "The Miz" Mike Mizanin(w/ Shane McMahon) after a cheapshot by Sheamus gave Cesaro the opening to hit the Neutralizer (3:30 aired).
-Samoa Joe d. Mustafa Ali with the Coquina Clutch(sleeper with bodyscissors) (6:01 aired).
-Rey Misterio Jr d. Andrade "Cien" Almas by DQ in a best-of-three-falls match (Zelina Vega was barred from ringside). Falls: Andrade pinned Rey after a sitout superbomb (3:50 aired). Rey pinned Andrade after countering a powerbomb attempt with a modified Canadian Destroyer (5:56 aired). Rey d. Andrade by DQ when Samoa Joe attacked Rey (14:08 aired). Joe took Rey down in the Coquina Clutch and attempted to speak his mind about the Rumble, but he got caught with an RKO out of nowhere by Randy Orton.
WWE 205 Live
-Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, & "The Artiste" Aiden English.
-Humberto Carrillo d. Gran Metalik with a headstand into a ropeflip moonsault (10:34).
-Hideo Itami won a triple threat match with Kalisto and Akira Tozawa when he pinned Tozawa after the Sakura(inverted neckbreaker-into-knee strike) (12:22); Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy did commentary and interfered late in the match, but Tozawa and Kalisto joined forces to drive him out of the ring.
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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT(www.wwe.com)
NXT UK this week has:
-Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin
-Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan vs. Tyson T-Bone & Saxon Huxley
-Lana Austin vs. Nina Samuels
-Jamie Ahmed vs. Eddie Dennis
NXT this week has:
-"The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark vs. Bobby Fish
-Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel
-Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Amber Nova & Tanea Brooks
-Xia Li vs. Lacey Evans
Main Event this week has:
-"No Way" Jose Valenzuela vs. Mojo Rawley
-Tyler Breeze vs. Rezar Selmani
NXT Takeover Phoenix is on Saturday 1/26:
-Tommaso Ciampa vs. Aleister Black - NXT Title
-Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair - NXT Women's Title
-Ricochet vs. Johnny Gargano - NXT North American Title
-The Undisputed Era(Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly) vs. The War Raiders(Todd Hanson & Raymond Rowe) - NXT Tag Team Titles
The Royal Rumble is on Sunday 1/27:
-30-Man Royal Rumble
-30-Woman Royal Rumble
-Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles - WWE Title
-Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Bálor - Universal Title
-Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks - Raw Women's Title
-Asuka Urai vs. Becky Lynch - Smackdown Women's Title
-Alexander Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - U.S. Title
-Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami - Cruiserweight Title
-The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy) vs. "The Miz" Mike Mizanin & Shane McMahon - Smackdown Tag Team Titles
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION(www.impactwrestling.com)
Impact on Friday has:
-Johnny Impact vs. Killer Kross - Heavyweight Title
-Rich Swann vs. El Hijo Del Vikingo
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The New Desi Hit Squad(Rohit Raju & Raj Singh)
-Taya Valkyrie vs. Keyra
-Trey Miguel vs. Ethan Page
RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)
ROH TV this week has:
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) - Six-Man Tag Team Titles
-Juice Robinson vs. P.J. Black
Next show is Thursday 1/24 in Dallas, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) vs. The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) - Tournament Round 1
-Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams - Tournament Round 1
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin - Tournament Round 1
-Bandido vs. Silas Young
-Rocky Romero vs. Matt Taven
-Jeff Cobb vs. Clark Connors
-Marty Scurll vs. Rhett Titus
-Madison Rayne vs. Holidead
-Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) vs. The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark) & Shane Taylor
ROH has a show on Friday 1/25 in Houston, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-Jay Lethal vs. Vinny Marseglia - Heavyweight Title
-Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Mark Haskins, & Tracy Williams vs. The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark), Silas Young, & Shane Taylor
-Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali) vs. Cheeseburger & Eli Isom - Tournament Round 1
-The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) vs. The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas) - Tournament Round 1
-Colt Cabana & Willie Mack vs. Kenny King & ? - Tournament Round 1
-Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet vs. Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, & Alex Coughlin
-Jeff Cobb vs. Dalton Castle vs. Bandido vs. Rocky Romero
ROH has a show on Saturday 1/26 in San Antonio, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament semifinals and final.
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING(www.njpw.co.jp/english)
Notable Road To New Beginning matches:
1/29
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yujiro Kushida
1/30
-The Guerrillas Of Destiny(Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) & Taiji Ishimori vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, & Ryusuke Taguchi - NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Titles
-Bushi vs. El Desperado
-Shingo Takagi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
New Beginning USA Part 1 is on Wednesday 1/30 in Los Angeles, CA.
New Beginning USA Part 2 is on Friday 2/1 in Charlotte, NC.
New Beginning In Sapporo Part 1 is on Saturday 2/2:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs. "Switchblade" Jay White & Bad Luck Fale
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
-Seiya Sanada vs. Minoru Suzuki
New Beginning In Sapporo Part 2 is on Sunday 2/3:
-Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi - IWGP Intercontinental Title
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe & Seiya Sanada vs. Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. - IWGP Tag Team Titles
-Shingo Takagi & Bushi vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles
New Beginning In Osaka is on Monday 2/11:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. "Switchblade" Jay White - IWGP Heavyweight Title
-Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
-Taiji Ishimori vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
LUCHA UNDERGROUND(www.luchaunderground.com)
Information on Season 5 will be posted when it becomes available.
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GLORY PRO WRESTLING(www.gloryprowrestling.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/24 in Collinsville, IL:
-Curt Stallion vs. Jody Fleisch - Crown Of Glory Title
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) vs. Myron Reed & Stephen Wolf - United Glory Tag Team Titles
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Eddie Kingston - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-No New Friends(Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams) vs. The Four Star Heroes(Matt Knicks & Chris Castro)
-Seishin(Tootie Lynn Ramsey) vs. Su Yung
-Mike Outlaw vs. Hakim Zane
DPW(www.dynamoprowrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in St. Louis, MO(Concordia Turners Gym):
-The Arch City Mercenaries(Tony Esteem & Jimmi LaFleur) vs. The Unlikely Heroes(Jackal & Ricky Rodriguez) - Tag Team Titles - Street Fight
SICW(www.sicw.org)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Cahokia, IL:
-Steve Fender vs. Ricky Cruz - Classic Title
-Appearing: Cowboy Bob Orton
MMWA(www.southbroadwayac.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in St. Louis, MO(South Broadway Athletic Club):
-Ricky Cruz & Sean Vincent vs. Barackus & Curtis Wylde
-Khayman vs. Shaft - Casket Match
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Jaden Roller
WLW(www.harleyrace.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/2 in Troy, MO.
WLW has a show on Saturday 3/9 in Troy, MO:
-Nick Aldis vs. Leland Race - NWA World Title
WRESTLING OVER EVERYTHING(woe-wrestling.webnode.com)
Next show is Sunday 3/10 in Centreville, IL:
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Barackus vs. Brandon Espinosa vs. Trystan Brady Shadeux vs. Orion Creed vs. ? - Heavyweight Title
NEW BREED WRESTING(www.facebook.com/NewBreedMO)
Next show is Saturday 3/30 in Eldon, MO:
-Kyle Roberts vs. Deacon Cash - Heavyweight Title
-The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Leland Race & Steve Fender - Tag Team Titles
CCW(www.capewrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Cape Girardeau, MO featuring the Heavyweight Title tournament:
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) vs. Horn Swoggle & Sarge O'Riley
-Dalton Anthony vs. Justin Smart - Street Fight
-Jake Dirden vs. Derrick King - Tournament Round 1
-Ace Hawkins vs. Brandon Espinosa - Tournament Round 1
-Gregory Iron vs. Dexter Roswell - Tournament Round 1
-Jacksyn Crowley vs. D'Mone Solavino - Tournament Round 1
PROVING GROUND PRO(www.facebook.com/PGPwrestling/)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
PRO WRESTLING FORCE(twitter.com/prowrestlingfo1)
Next show is Sunday 2/17 in Riverton, IL:
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Jake Something
-Daga vs. Myron Reed
-Aaron Williams vs. Logan James - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Jake Lander vs. Ace Perry - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Lotus(Juntai Miller & Gavin Quinn) vs. The Dirty(Austin Mannix & Brandon Edwards)
-Savanna Stone & Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Sophie King & Jody Threat
-Michael Elgin, Gary Jay, & Adam Slade vs. Matt Kenway, Kevin Giza, & Joe Alonzo
-Jake Parnell vs. Shelton Jean
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.facebook.com/STLAnarchy)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in Alton, IL:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Larry D - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Gary Jay vs. Nick Gage
-Jake Parnell vs. Thomas Shire
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) Vs. Kicks 'N' $#!+(Chip Day & Logan James)
-The Hooligans(Devin & Mason Cutter) vs. The Left Coast Guerrillas(Hoodie & Anaya)
-Mikey McFinnegan vs. Kevin Lee Davidson
PWCS(www.pwcswrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Alton, IL featuring the St. Louis Invitational Tournament:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Everett Connors - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Danny Adams - Tournament Round 1
-Stephen Wolf vs. Jake Dirden - Tournament Round 1
-Matt Kenway vs. Alex Herzog - Tournament Round 1
-Thomas Shire vs. ? - Tournament Round 1
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EVOLVE(www.wwnlive.com & www.dgusa.tv)
Next show is Friday 2/15 in Atlanta, GA.
PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA(www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/10 in Lancaster, PA (National Pro Wrestling Day):
-Princess Kimber Lee & The Whisper vs. Cornelius Crummels & Sonny Defarge - Campeonates De Parejas Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Penelope Ford vs. Still Life With Apricots & Pears
-Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Hallowicked
-Xyberhawx 2000(Razerhawk & Nytehawk) vs. Team FIST(Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen)
SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)
Next shows are Saturday 3/30 and Sunday 3/31 in Berwyn, IL.
SHIMMER has a show on Friday 4/5 in Woodside, NY.
RISE(www.rise-wrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 3/29 in Berwyn, IL.
SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
AAW(www.aawrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Chicago, IL:
-D.J. Shiima Xion vs. Myron Reed - Heritage Title
-A.C.H. vs. A.R. Fox
-The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik)
-Kimber Lee vs. Jessicka Havok
-Rey Horus vs. Trey Miguel
ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
Missouri Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/
St. Louis Wrestling: http://www.saintlouiswrestling.com/
Leave a comment or e-mail: patrickab7@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook at: @patrickab7
Follow me on Instagram at: @patrick.ab7
-Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves.
-Mandy Rose(w/ Sonya Deville) d. Naomi Night after Sonya's interference led to Mandy ramming Naomi's head into the metal turnbuckle bolt (2:20 aired). Jimmy Uso checked on his wife after the match.
-Smackdown Tag Team Champion Antonio Cesaro(w/ Sheamus O'Shaunessy) d. "The Miz" Mike Mizanin(w/ Shane McMahon) after a cheapshot by Sheamus gave Cesaro the opening to hit the Neutralizer (3:30 aired).
-Samoa Joe d. Mustafa Ali with the Coquina Clutch(sleeper with bodyscissors) (6:01 aired).
-Rey Misterio Jr d. Andrade "Cien" Almas by DQ in a best-of-three-falls match (Zelina Vega was barred from ringside). Falls: Andrade pinned Rey after a sitout superbomb (3:50 aired). Rey pinned Andrade after countering a powerbomb attempt with a modified Canadian Destroyer (5:56 aired). Rey d. Andrade by DQ when Samoa Joe attacked Rey (14:08 aired). Joe took Rey down in the Coquina Clutch and attempted to speak his mind about the Rumble, but he got caught with an RKO out of nowhere by Randy Orton.
WWE 205 Live
-Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, & "The Artiste" Aiden English.
-Humberto Carrillo d. Gran Metalik with a headstand into a ropeflip moonsault (10:34).
-Hideo Itami won a triple threat match with Kalisto and Akira Tozawa when he pinned Tozawa after the Sakura(inverted neckbreaker-into-knee strike) (12:22); Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy did commentary and interfered late in the match, but Tozawa and Kalisto joined forces to drive him out of the ring.
-----
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT(www.wwe.com)
NXT UK this week has:
-Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin
-Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan vs. Tyson T-Bone & Saxon Huxley
-Lana Austin vs. Nina Samuels
-Jamie Ahmed vs. Eddie Dennis
NXT this week has:
-"The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark vs. Bobby Fish
-Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel
-Kairi Sane & Io Shirai vs. Amber Nova & Tanea Brooks
-Xia Li vs. Lacey Evans
Main Event this week has:
-"No Way" Jose Valenzuela vs. Mojo Rawley
-Tyler Breeze vs. Rezar Selmani
NXT Takeover Phoenix is on Saturday 1/26:
-Tommaso Ciampa vs. Aleister Black - NXT Title
-Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair - NXT Women's Title
-Ricochet vs. Johnny Gargano - NXT North American Title
-The Undisputed Era(Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly) vs. The War Raiders(Todd Hanson & Raymond Rowe) - NXT Tag Team Titles
The Royal Rumble is on Sunday 1/27:
-30-Man Royal Rumble
-30-Woman Royal Rumble
-Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles - WWE Title
-Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Bálor - Universal Title
-Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks - Raw Women's Title
-Asuka Urai vs. Becky Lynch - Smackdown Women's Title
-Alexander Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - U.S. Title
-Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami - Cruiserweight Title
-The Bar(Antonio Cesaro & Sheamus O'Shaunessy) vs. "The Miz" Mike Mizanin & Shane McMahon - Smackdown Tag Team Titles
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION(www.impactwrestling.com)
Impact on Friday has:
-Johnny Impact vs. Killer Kross - Heavyweight Title
-Rich Swann vs. El Hijo Del Vikingo
-The Rascalz(Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The New Desi Hit Squad(Rohit Raju & Raj Singh)
-Taya Valkyrie vs. Keyra
-Trey Miguel vs. Ethan Page
RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)
ROH TV this week has:
-Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) - Six-Man Tag Team Titles
-Juice Robinson vs. P.J. Black
Next show is Thursday 1/24 in Dallas, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-Villain Enterprises(Brody King & Pierre Carl Ouellet) vs. The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) - Tournament Round 1
-Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams - Tournament Round 1
-Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin - Tournament Round 1
-Bandido vs. Silas Young
-Rocky Romero vs. Matt Taven
-Jeff Cobb vs. Clark Connors
-Marty Scurll vs. Rhett Titus
-Madison Rayne vs. Holidead
-Dalton Castle & The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) vs. The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark) & Shane Taylor
ROH has a show on Friday 1/25 in Houston, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament:
-Jay Lethal vs. Vinny Marseglia - Heavyweight Title
-Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Mark Haskins, & Tracy Williams vs. The Briscoe Brothers(Jay & Mark), Silas Young, & Shane Taylor
-Coast 2 Coast(Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali) vs. Cheeseburger & Eli Isom - Tournament Round 1
-The Boys(Brandon & Brent Tate) vs. The Bouncers("Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester & Brian Milonas) - Tournament Round 1
-Colt Cabana & Willie Mack vs. Kenny King & ? - Tournament Round 1
-Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet vs. Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, & Alex Coughlin
-Jeff Cobb vs. Dalton Castle vs. Bandido vs. Rocky Romero
ROH has a show on Saturday 1/26 in San Antonio, TX featuring the Tag Wars Tournament semifinals and final.
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING(www.njpw.co.jp/english)
Notable Road To New Beginning matches:
1/29
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yujiro Kushida
1/30
-The Guerrillas Of Destiny(Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) & Taiji Ishimori vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, & Ryusuke Taguchi - NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Titles
-Bushi vs. El Desperado
-Shingo Takagi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
New Beginning USA Part 1 is on Wednesday 1/30 in Los Angeles, CA.
New Beginning USA Part 2 is on Friday 2/1 in Charlotte, NC.
New Beginning In Sapporo Part 1 is on Saturday 2/2:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs. "Switchblade" Jay White & Bad Luck Fale
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
-Seiya Sanada vs. Minoru Suzuki
New Beginning In Sapporo Part 2 is on Sunday 2/3:
-Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi - IWGP Intercontinental Title
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe & Seiya Sanada vs. Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. - IWGP Tag Team Titles
-Shingo Takagi & Bushi vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles
New Beginning In Osaka is on Monday 2/11:
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. "Switchblade" Jay White - IWGP Heavyweight Title
-Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
-Taiji Ishimori vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
LUCHA UNDERGROUND(www.luchaunderground.com)
Information on Season 5 will be posted when it becomes available.
-----
GLORY PRO WRESTLING(www.gloryprowrestling.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/24 in Collinsville, IL:
-Curt Stallion vs. Jody Fleisch - Crown Of Glory Title
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) vs. Myron Reed & Stephen Wolf - United Glory Tag Team Titles
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Eddie Kingston - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-No New Friends(Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams) vs. The Four Star Heroes(Matt Knicks & Chris Castro)
-Seishin(Tootie Lynn Ramsey) vs. Su Yung
-Mike Outlaw vs. Hakim Zane
DPW(www.dynamoprowrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in St. Louis, MO(Concordia Turners Gym):
-The Arch City Mercenaries(Tony Esteem & Jimmi LaFleur) vs. The Unlikely Heroes(Jackal & Ricky Rodriguez) - Tag Team Titles - Street Fight
SICW(www.sicw.org)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Cahokia, IL:
-Steve Fender vs. Ricky Cruz - Classic Title
-Appearing: Cowboy Bob Orton
MMWA(www.southbroadwayac.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in St. Louis, MO(South Broadway Athletic Club):
-Ricky Cruz & Sean Vincent vs. Barackus & Curtis Wylde
-Khayman vs. Shaft - Casket Match
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Jaden Roller
WLW(www.harleyrace.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/2 in Troy, MO.
WLW has a show on Saturday 3/9 in Troy, MO:
-Nick Aldis vs. Leland Race - NWA World Title
WRESTLING OVER EVERYTHING(woe-wrestling.webnode.com)
Next show is Sunday 3/10 in Centreville, IL:
-Da'Marius Jones vs. Barackus vs. Brandon Espinosa vs. Trystan Brady Shadeux vs. Orion Creed vs. ? - Heavyweight Title
NEW BREED WRESTING(www.facebook.com/NewBreedMO)
Next show is Saturday 3/30 in Eldon, MO:
-Kyle Roberts vs. Deacon Cash - Heavyweight Title
-The Iceman & The Math Magician vs. Leland Race & Steve Fender - Tag Team Titles
CCW(www.capewrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Cape Girardeau, MO featuring the Heavyweight Title tournament:
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-The Wise Church(Antwane Wise & Reno Diamond) vs. Horn Swoggle & Sarge O'Riley
-Dalton Anthony vs. Justin Smart - Street Fight
-Jake Dirden vs. Derrick King - Tournament Round 1
-Ace Hawkins vs. Brandon Espinosa - Tournament Round 1
-Gregory Iron vs. Dexter Roswell - Tournament Round 1
-Jacksyn Crowley vs. D'Mone Solavino - Tournament Round 1
PROVING GROUND PRO(www.facebook.com/PGPwrestling/)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
PRO WRESTLING FORCE(twitter.com/prowrestlingfo1)
Next show is Sunday 2/17 in Riverton, IL:
-Takaaki "Evil" Watanabe vs. Jake Something
-Daga vs. Myron Reed
-Aaron Williams vs. Logan James - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Jake Lander vs. Ace Perry - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament
-Lotus(Juntai Miller & Gavin Quinn) vs. The Dirty(Austin Mannix & Brandon Edwards)
-Savanna Stone & Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Sophie King & Jody Threat
-Michael Elgin, Gary Jay, & Adam Slade vs. Matt Kenway, Kevin Giza, & Joe Alonzo
-Jake Parnell vs. Shelton Jean
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.facebook.com/STLAnarchy)
Next show is Saturday 3/23 in Alton, IL:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Larry D - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Gary Jay vs. Nick Gage
-Jake Parnell vs. Thomas Shire
-The Besties In The World(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) Vs. Kicks 'N' $#!+(Chip Day & Logan James)
-The Hooligans(Devin & Mason Cutter) vs. The Left Coast Guerrillas(Hoodie & Anaya)
-Mikey McFinnegan vs. Kevin Lee Davidson
PWCS(www.pwcswrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 2/9 in Alton, IL featuring the St. Louis Invitational Tournament:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Everett Connors - Gateway Heritage Title - Pure Wrestling Rules
-Tournament Semifinals & Final
-Paco Gonzalez vs. Danny Adams - Tournament Round 1
-Stephen Wolf vs. Jake Dirden - Tournament Round 1
-Matt Kenway vs. Alex Herzog - Tournament Round 1
-Thomas Shire vs. ? - Tournament Round 1
-----
EVOLVE(www.wwnlive.com & www.dgusa.tv)
Next show is Friday 2/15 in Atlanta, GA.
PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA(www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)
Next show is Sunday 2/10 in Lancaster, PA (National Pro Wrestling Day):
-Princess Kimber Lee & The Whisper vs. Cornelius Crummels & Sonny Defarge - Campeonates De Parejas Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Penelope Ford vs. Still Life With Apricots & Pears
-Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Hallowicked
-Xyberhawx 2000(Razerhawk & Nytehawk) vs. Team FIST(Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen)
SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)
Next shows are Saturday 3/30 and Sunday 3/31 in Berwyn, IL.
SHIMMER has a show on Friday 4/5 in Woodside, NY.
RISE(www.rise-wrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 3/29 in Berwyn, IL.
SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
AAW(www.aawrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 1/26 in Chicago, IL:
-D.J. Shiima Xion vs. Myron Reed - Heritage Title
-A.C.H. vs. A.R. Fox
-The Lucha Brothers(Penta El Cero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. The New Latin-American XChange(Angel Ortiz & Santana Draztik)
-Kimber Lee vs. Jessicka Havok
-Rey Horus vs. Trey Miguel
ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
Missouri Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/
St. Louis Wrestling: http://www.saintlouiswrestling.com/
Leave a comment or e-mail: patrickab7@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook at: @patrickab7
Follow me on Instagram at: @patrick.ab7
Monday, January 21, 2019
WWE Raw
-Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, & Corey Graves.
-Finn Bálor d. Braun Strowman by DQ when Universal Champion Brock Lesnar attacked Bálor (joined in progress; 7:44 aired).
-Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley(w/ "The Man Of The Hour" Lio Rush) d. Apollo Crews with the spear (joined in progress; 2:48 aired).
-Seth Rollins d. Drew McIntyre via rollup (joined in progress; 10:31 aired).
-The Lucha House Party(Kalisto, Gran Metalik, & Lince Dorado) d. Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers(Samir & Sunil) when Metalik pinned Sunil after a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker (3:12).
-Baron Corbin d. "The Drifter" Elias Samson with the End Of Days(mid-air Flatliner) (joined in progress; 3:23 aired).
-Heavy Machinery(Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight) d. The Ascension(Konnor O'Brian & Rick Viktor); Knight pinned Viktor after he and Dozovic hit the Compactor(assisted World's Strongest Slam) (2:24).
-"The Glorious" Bobby Roode & Chad Gable d. The Revival(Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles when Gable pinned Dawson with a re-entry sunset flip into a rollup (4:41 aired); Curt Hawkins was the special guest referee. Dawson & Wilder took issue with Hawkins not allowing them to cheat and attacked him after the match, leading to Hawkins' former tag partner Zack Ryder making the save.
-"The Boss" Sasha Banks & Bayley Rose d. Raw Women's Champion "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey & Natalya Neidhart when Sasha made Natalya tap out to the Bank Statement(modified Cripple Crossface) (7:37 aired).
-Finn Bálor d. Braun Strowman by DQ when Universal Champion Brock Lesnar attacked Bálor (joined in progress; 7:44 aired).
-Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley(w/ "The Man Of The Hour" Lio Rush) d. Apollo Crews with the spear (joined in progress; 2:48 aired).
-Seth Rollins d. Drew McIntyre via rollup (joined in progress; 10:31 aired).
-The Lucha House Party(Kalisto, Gran Metalik, & Lince Dorado) d. Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers(Samir & Sunil) when Metalik pinned Sunil after a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker (3:12).
-Baron Corbin d. "The Drifter" Elias Samson with the End Of Days(mid-air Flatliner) (joined in progress; 3:23 aired).
-Heavy Machinery(Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight) d. The Ascension(Konnor O'Brian & Rick Viktor); Knight pinned Viktor after he and Dozovic hit the Compactor(assisted World's Strongest Slam) (2:24).
-"The Glorious" Bobby Roode & Chad Gable d. The Revival(Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles when Gable pinned Dawson with a re-entry sunset flip into a rollup (4:41 aired); Curt Hawkins was the special guest referee. Dawson & Wilder took issue with Hawkins not allowing them to cheat and attacked him after the match, leading to Hawkins' former tag partner Zack Ryder making the save.
-"The Boss" Sasha Banks & Bayley Rose d. Raw Women's Champion "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey & Natalya Neidhart when Sasha made Natalya tap out to the Bank Statement(modified Cripple Crossface) (7:37 aired).
Sunday, January 20, 2019
PWE Special Comment
Now, as promised, a special comment about the Pro Wrestling Epic show on Friday, November 2nd at the Brownstown High School in Brownstown, Illinois.
DISCLAIMER: I'm biased. Deal with it.
Leone Mephisto's promotion has only run once a year in Brownstown for the past several years. I missed the last couple of PWE shows due to working nights and then working overtime, but I finally made my way back for this one. With PWE being a once-a-year thing in Brownstown, the shows have gotten really good attendance. I drove straight from work to the show, then drove back home after the event was over...lot of miles on the road that night.
Card changes: Brandon Aarons was originally scheduled to defend against Da'Marius Jones in a battle of PWE and Wrestling Over Everything Champions, but it was changed to Aarons defending against Barackus(who had been scheduled to face "The Warhorse" Jake Parnell) and Jones defending against Graham Bell. Ironically, it was Everett Connors who was missing in action for the scheduled grudge match with David X this time; David X wrestled in a triple threat tag match as well as the show-opening battle royal. James Brady subbed for Roy "The Strangler" Lewis against Danny Adams. The scheduled Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Rahne Victoria match became a tag team bout; Rahne teamed with Savanna Stone for the first time ever against another first time pairing of Tootie and Camron Bra'Nae.
Your ring announcer was Moe Romero-Kennedy; your referee was Jason Pemberton.
Battle Royal: The winner was announced as earning a guaranteed Heavyweight Title shot at a time of his choosing...sort of a Money In The Bank-type deal. Several of the competitors wrestled twice on the show: We had All Eyes On Us(Micah Pope & Nelson Sixx), "The Wildman From The Ozarks" Alex Herzog, No Coast(Sid Holland & J.C.J.), Ace Roberts(long time no see), Prostatus(David X & Noah X), and Crux. Noah worked a Dynamo Pro show last year, but I believe he and Crux are regulars for the Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance. The match went very quickly as bodies flew out of the ring; Pope and Sixx were the first eliminated, followed by Noah, David X, and Crux. Roberts had a sound strategy for what it was: Cling to the bottom rope for dear life. J.C.J. and Holland were the next to go at the hands of Herzog...and when Herzog turned his attention to Roberts, Roberts chose to run away. I guess that counted as a disqualification elimination because the bell rang, making Herzog the winner in a brisk 1:36.
James Brady vs. "The Millenial" Danny Adams: Brady had looked good in his first few appearances and he faced a tough test here. Adams has tradionally been a rulebreaker in recent times, but this played out as a battle of fan favorites. Brady gave the more experienced Adams a good fight, but Adams finished with the reverse Stunner in 9:26. Adams offered a post-match handshake, but Brady walked away from the gesture...
No Coast(Sid Holland & J.C.J.) vs. All Eyes On Us(Micah Pope & Nelson Sixx) vs. Prostatus(David X & Noah X) for the Wrestling Over Everything Tag Team Titles: This match featured two-thirds of the opening battle royal. I've liked what I've seen of No Coast so far; I've only seen the AEOU and Prostatus guys a handful of times. I didn't expect any WOE titles to change hands on a non-WOE show, but you never know nowadays...people love to go for the shocking swerve and all that. The champs did retain their titles; No Coast hit a unique finisher on David X when Holland delivered an F-5 and J.C.J. jumped off the top rope to catch X in mid-air with a flying DDT! That was enough for Holland to pin David X in 10:26.
Billy McNeil vs. Leone Mephisto, no-DQ match: These two have crossed paths on several occasions in both PWE and Wrestling Invades America/WOE. Hardcore-style bouts are the bread and butter for Mephisto and this was no different as they brawled all over the building, using a wide variety of weapons. I saw a kendo stick, a guitar, and a traffic cone for starters...Mephisto was left bloody after McNeil hit him with a guitar. The thumbtacks came out, leading to Mephisto superplexing McNeil onto the tacks! I was surprised that the match got as bloody and violent as it did in a high school gym, but apparently everything was cool with the school (so to speak). Mephisto nearly won after the Air Raid Crash but McNeil barely kicked out at 2 1/2. In the end, McNeil was able to deliver the flying elbowdrop from the top rope to Mephisto's back, driving him down into the tacks! Billy got the three-count after that devastating move in 18:00.
Intermission~! Official Ben Simon Concession Count(tm): Nothin' (other than making use of the water fountain). I was a bit short on funds at this particular time...thankfully things would improve.
"2.0" Da'Marius Jones(w/ The Landlord) vs. "The Mercenary" Graham Bell for the Wrestling Over Everything Heavyweight Title: While Jones had been a fan favorite in WOE, here he was in rulebreaker mode in an odd partnership with Landlord. On paper one wouldn't expect Bell to have much of a chance, but he's been building his solo rep a bit more in recent months. Landlord interfered several times behind the referee's back, as you might expect from a rulebreaking manager...this nearly backfired as the "make the ref think you were hit with the title belt" trick didn't work. Bell was able to knock Landlord off the ring apron, but Jones delivered a low blow unseen by the official and then laid out the challenger with the belt. That scored him a tainted win in 14:43, but Bell got the last laugh by delivering a post-match Stunner.
Hardcore Andy vs. Ace Roberts: Andy Adams isn't a wrestler, per se, but he's a huge wrestling fan who often works as a ringside security guard and even a manager on occasion. Ace Roberts hadn't been seen much in a while, though he briefly served as Mephisto's manager in WOE...it had been several years prior to this show since I had seen him in a match. The match (such as it was) consisted of a lot of trash-talking and shoving from Roberts...Andy shoved him down a few times, then Mephisto (seemingly having undergone a change of heart since his earlier bout) encouraged Andy to deliver a big splash. Andy delivered as advertised and got the three-count in 1:28, getting some of the biggest cheers of the night as he celebrated and posed to "Real American". Sometimes it's not all about MOVEZ and such, you know?
"The Little Blue Dragon" Tootie Lynn Ramsey & Camron Bra'Nae vs. The Golden Unit("The Empress Of Evil" Rahne Victoria & Savanna Stone): This was a paid of first-time teamups; Rahne & Savanna had been wanting to work as a team for a long time and this was their first opportunity to do so. They had the advantage in terms of matching entrance gear with their gold jackets. For whatever reason, this match didn't really click too well...maybe it was the lack of team experience on both sides, I don't know. I say that as someone who's a fan of all four women...it's easy to forget that they're all relatively new to the wrestling game. Rahne & Savanna did win their first match as a team as they hit Tootie with their version of The Good Brothers' Magic Killer(double-team elevated beckbreaker), allowing Savanna to score the three-count in 10:50.
"The Master Of Hairflips" Brandon Aarons vs. Barackus for the Heavyweight Title: When your promotion only runs one show a year, title reigns tend to be lengthy...I belive Aarons was at the two-year mark of his title reign at this point. He had won it from Mephisto in November of 2016 after Mephisto defeated Aarons for the belt at a Wrestling Over Everything show in September of that year. This wasn't the first time these two had crossed paths; while Aarons often relies on his upper-body strength, he would have difficulty using power moves against his massive challenger. After an extended brawl on the floor, they finally got things back into the ring and it took a Herculean effort by Aarons just to knock the big man off his feet. Aarons withstood the assault and rolled out of the way of Barackus' frog splash, then hit the double-stomp off the top rope to win in 12:27 to retain his title!
WAAAAAITAMINUTE...show's not over yet. Alex Herzog made his way out and said that he had earned a title shot by winning the battle royal...and he wanted his title shot right then and there! Aarons, being a fan favorite, accepted the challenge...
"The Master Of Hairflips" Brandon Aarons vs. "The Wildman From The Ozarks" Alex Herzog for the Heavyweight Title: Herzog was relatively fresh since he'd only been in a short battle royal, while Aarons was just coming off a tough battle with Barackus...Aarons nearly squeaked out a win on a few occasions, but it wasn't quite enough...Herzog delivered the chokelift Flatliner to win the title in 2:19!
In terms of present day, I'm starting to see the merits of global warming...I'll leave it at that. The Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance and World Powerhouse Wrestling shows from Saturday the 12th were both cancelled due to the huge snowstorm that hit the day before. We had a similar forecast for this weekend, leading to the cancellations of Dynamo Pro Wrestling, World League Wrestling, and Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling! St. Louis Anarchy made the questionable decision to hold their show last Friday the 11th anyway...they only drew about 45 people (by their own admission) and refused to offer refunds or make-goods for already-purchased tickets because they said it would put them out of business. I suppose the fans watching on IndependentWrestling.TV were happy that the show took place, but a lot of people were driving on dangerous roads to go to a wrestling show. I think I'm a bit old for that now...I just barely made it home from work that night.
Upcoming shows:
-Saturday 1/26: Dynamo Pro Wrestling in St. Louis, MO(Concordia Turners); Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in Cahokia, IL
-Saturday 2/2: World League Wrestling in Troy, MO
-Saturday 2/9: Pro Wrestling Championship Series in Alton, IL; Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in St. Louis, MO
-Saturday 2/16: WLW in Troy, MO; SICW in East Carondelet, IL
-Sunday 2/24: Glory Pro Wrestling in Collinsville, IL
That's my special comment for this, the sixty-eighth wrestling show I've attended in the year 2018. Good night, good luck, and #yaywrestling.
-PB, Watching Wrestling Wrong Since 1991
P.S. We are all marks.
DISCLAIMER: I'm biased. Deal with it.
Leone Mephisto's promotion has only run once a year in Brownstown for the past several years. I missed the last couple of PWE shows due to working nights and then working overtime, but I finally made my way back for this one. With PWE being a once-a-year thing in Brownstown, the shows have gotten really good attendance. I drove straight from work to the show, then drove back home after the event was over...lot of miles on the road that night.
Card changes: Brandon Aarons was originally scheduled to defend against Da'Marius Jones in a battle of PWE and Wrestling Over Everything Champions, but it was changed to Aarons defending against Barackus(who had been scheduled to face "The Warhorse" Jake Parnell) and Jones defending against Graham Bell. Ironically, it was Everett Connors who was missing in action for the scheduled grudge match with David X this time; David X wrestled in a triple threat tag match as well as the show-opening battle royal. James Brady subbed for Roy "The Strangler" Lewis against Danny Adams. The scheduled Tootie Lynn Ramsey vs. Rahne Victoria match became a tag team bout; Rahne teamed with Savanna Stone for the first time ever against another first time pairing of Tootie and Camron Bra'Nae.
Your ring announcer was Moe Romero-Kennedy; your referee was Jason Pemberton.
Battle Royal: The winner was announced as earning a guaranteed Heavyweight Title shot at a time of his choosing...sort of a Money In The Bank-type deal. Several of the competitors wrestled twice on the show: We had All Eyes On Us(Micah Pope & Nelson Sixx), "The Wildman From The Ozarks" Alex Herzog, No Coast(Sid Holland & J.C.J.), Ace Roberts(long time no see), Prostatus(David X & Noah X), and Crux. Noah worked a Dynamo Pro show last year, but I believe he and Crux are regulars for the Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance. The match went very quickly as bodies flew out of the ring; Pope and Sixx were the first eliminated, followed by Noah, David X, and Crux. Roberts had a sound strategy for what it was: Cling to the bottom rope for dear life. J.C.J. and Holland were the next to go at the hands of Herzog...and when Herzog turned his attention to Roberts, Roberts chose to run away. I guess that counted as a disqualification elimination because the bell rang, making Herzog the winner in a brisk 1:36.
James Brady vs. "The Millenial" Danny Adams: Brady had looked good in his first few appearances and he faced a tough test here. Adams has tradionally been a rulebreaker in recent times, but this played out as a battle of fan favorites. Brady gave the more experienced Adams a good fight, but Adams finished with the reverse Stunner in 9:26. Adams offered a post-match handshake, but Brady walked away from the gesture...
No Coast(Sid Holland & J.C.J.) vs. All Eyes On Us(Micah Pope & Nelson Sixx) vs. Prostatus(David X & Noah X) for the Wrestling Over Everything Tag Team Titles: This match featured two-thirds of the opening battle royal. I've liked what I've seen of No Coast so far; I've only seen the AEOU and Prostatus guys a handful of times. I didn't expect any WOE titles to change hands on a non-WOE show, but you never know nowadays...people love to go for the shocking swerve and all that. The champs did retain their titles; No Coast hit a unique finisher on David X when Holland delivered an F-5 and J.C.J. jumped off the top rope to catch X in mid-air with a flying DDT! That was enough for Holland to pin David X in 10:26.
Billy McNeil vs. Leone Mephisto, no-DQ match: These two have crossed paths on several occasions in both PWE and Wrestling Invades America/WOE. Hardcore-style bouts are the bread and butter for Mephisto and this was no different as they brawled all over the building, using a wide variety of weapons. I saw a kendo stick, a guitar, and a traffic cone for starters...Mephisto was left bloody after McNeil hit him with a guitar. The thumbtacks came out, leading to Mephisto superplexing McNeil onto the tacks! I was surprised that the match got as bloody and violent as it did in a high school gym, but apparently everything was cool with the school (so to speak). Mephisto nearly won after the Air Raid Crash but McNeil barely kicked out at 2 1/2. In the end, McNeil was able to deliver the flying elbowdrop from the top rope to Mephisto's back, driving him down into the tacks! Billy got the three-count after that devastating move in 18:00.
Intermission~! Official Ben Simon Concession Count(tm): Nothin' (other than making use of the water fountain). I was a bit short on funds at this particular time...thankfully things would improve.
"2.0" Da'Marius Jones(w/ The Landlord) vs. "The Mercenary" Graham Bell for the Wrestling Over Everything Heavyweight Title: While Jones had been a fan favorite in WOE, here he was in rulebreaker mode in an odd partnership with Landlord. On paper one wouldn't expect Bell to have much of a chance, but he's been building his solo rep a bit more in recent months. Landlord interfered several times behind the referee's back, as you might expect from a rulebreaking manager...this nearly backfired as the "make the ref think you were hit with the title belt" trick didn't work. Bell was able to knock Landlord off the ring apron, but Jones delivered a low blow unseen by the official and then laid out the challenger with the belt. That scored him a tainted win in 14:43, but Bell got the last laugh by delivering a post-match Stunner.
Hardcore Andy vs. Ace Roberts: Andy Adams isn't a wrestler, per se, but he's a huge wrestling fan who often works as a ringside security guard and even a manager on occasion. Ace Roberts hadn't been seen much in a while, though he briefly served as Mephisto's manager in WOE...it had been several years prior to this show since I had seen him in a match. The match (such as it was) consisted of a lot of trash-talking and shoving from Roberts...Andy shoved him down a few times, then Mephisto (seemingly having undergone a change of heart since his earlier bout) encouraged Andy to deliver a big splash. Andy delivered as advertised and got the three-count in 1:28, getting some of the biggest cheers of the night as he celebrated and posed to "Real American". Sometimes it's not all about MOVEZ and such, you know?
"The Little Blue Dragon" Tootie Lynn Ramsey & Camron Bra'Nae vs. The Golden Unit("The Empress Of Evil" Rahne Victoria & Savanna Stone): This was a paid of first-time teamups; Rahne & Savanna had been wanting to work as a team for a long time and this was their first opportunity to do so. They had the advantage in terms of matching entrance gear with their gold jackets. For whatever reason, this match didn't really click too well...maybe it was the lack of team experience on both sides, I don't know. I say that as someone who's a fan of all four women...it's easy to forget that they're all relatively new to the wrestling game. Rahne & Savanna did win their first match as a team as they hit Tootie with their version of The Good Brothers' Magic Killer(double-team elevated beckbreaker), allowing Savanna to score the three-count in 10:50.
"The Master Of Hairflips" Brandon Aarons vs. Barackus for the Heavyweight Title: When your promotion only runs one show a year, title reigns tend to be lengthy...I belive Aarons was at the two-year mark of his title reign at this point. He had won it from Mephisto in November of 2016 after Mephisto defeated Aarons for the belt at a Wrestling Over Everything show in September of that year. This wasn't the first time these two had crossed paths; while Aarons often relies on his upper-body strength, he would have difficulty using power moves against his massive challenger. After an extended brawl on the floor, they finally got things back into the ring and it took a Herculean effort by Aarons just to knock the big man off his feet. Aarons withstood the assault and rolled out of the way of Barackus' frog splash, then hit the double-stomp off the top rope to win in 12:27 to retain his title!
WAAAAAITAMINUTE...show's not over yet. Alex Herzog made his way out and said that he had earned a title shot by winning the battle royal...and he wanted his title shot right then and there! Aarons, being a fan favorite, accepted the challenge...
"The Master Of Hairflips" Brandon Aarons vs. "The Wildman From The Ozarks" Alex Herzog for the Heavyweight Title: Herzog was relatively fresh since he'd only been in a short battle royal, while Aarons was just coming off a tough battle with Barackus...Aarons nearly squeaked out a win on a few occasions, but it wasn't quite enough...Herzog delivered the chokelift Flatliner to win the title in 2:19!
In terms of present day, I'm starting to see the merits of global warming...I'll leave it at that. The Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance and World Powerhouse Wrestling shows from Saturday the 12th were both cancelled due to the huge snowstorm that hit the day before. We had a similar forecast for this weekend, leading to the cancellations of Dynamo Pro Wrestling, World League Wrestling, and Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling! St. Louis Anarchy made the questionable decision to hold their show last Friday the 11th anyway...they only drew about 45 people (by their own admission) and refused to offer refunds or make-goods for already-purchased tickets because they said it would put them out of business. I suppose the fans watching on IndependentWrestling.TV were happy that the show took place, but a lot of people were driving on dangerous roads to go to a wrestling show. I think I'm a bit old for that now...I just barely made it home from work that night.
Upcoming shows:
-Saturday 1/26: Dynamo Pro Wrestling in St. Louis, MO(Concordia Turners); Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in Cahokia, IL
-Saturday 2/2: World League Wrestling in Troy, MO
-Saturday 2/9: Pro Wrestling Championship Series in Alton, IL; Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in St. Louis, MO
-Saturday 2/16: WLW in Troy, MO; SICW in East Carondelet, IL
-Sunday 2/24: Glory Pro Wrestling in Collinsville, IL
That's my special comment for this, the sixty-eighth wrestling show I've attended in the year 2018. Good night, good luck, and #yaywrestling.
-PB, Watching Wrestling Wrong Since 1991
P.S. We are all marks.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Weekend wrestling
ROH TV
-Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana, & Caprice Coleman.
-T.V. Title Contenders' Tournament: Eli Isom(w/ Ryan Nova) d. "The Neon Ninja" Facade after a brainbuster (6:28 aired).
-Rush d. Six-Man Tag Team Champion T.K. O'Ryan after a basement shotgun dropkick on O'Ryan in the corner (8:34 aired). Vinny Marseglia & Matt Taven helped O'Ryan beat down Rush after the match (stemming from their history in Mexico which led to Taven getting his head shaved).
-T.V. Title Contenders' Tournament: "The Last Real Man" Silas Young d. "Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester in a no-DQ match after the Misery(TKO) despite interference by "The Kingpin" Brian Milonas (14:00 aired).
-Next week: Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) for the Six-Man Tag Team Titles, plus Juice Robinson vs. "The Darewolf" P.J. Black.
TNA XPlosion
-Commentator: Josh Mathews.
-"The Undead Bride" Su Yung d. Alisha Edwards with the Panic Switch(fireman's-carry Michinoku Driver) (5:55 aired).
-Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana, & Caprice Coleman.
-T.V. Title Contenders' Tournament: Eli Isom(w/ Ryan Nova) d. "The Neon Ninja" Facade after a brainbuster (6:28 aired).
-Rush d. Six-Man Tag Team Champion T.K. O'Ryan after a basement shotgun dropkick on O'Ryan in the corner (8:34 aired). Vinny Marseglia & Matt Taven helped O'Ryan beat down Rush after the match (stemming from their history in Mexico which led to Taven getting his head shaved).
-T.V. Title Contenders' Tournament: "The Last Real Man" Silas Young d. "Beer City Bruiser" Matt Winchester in a no-DQ match after the Misery(TKO) despite interference by "The Kingpin" Brian Milonas (14:00 aired).
-Next week: Matt Taven & The Kingdom(Vinny Marseglia & T.K. O'Ryan) vs. Villain Enterprises(Marty Scurll, Brody King, & Pierre Carl Ouellet) for the Six-Man Tag Team Titles, plus Juice Robinson vs. "The Darewolf" P.J. Black.
TNA XPlosion
-Commentator: Josh Mathews.
-"The Undead Bride" Su Yung d. Alisha Edwards with the Panic Switch(fireman's-carry Michinoku Driver) (5:55 aired).
Royal Rumble Dork Stats (WOO~!)
ROYAL RUMBLE DORK STATS (WOO~!)
#1 & #2 Entrants:
1988: Bret Hart & Tito Santana
1989: Demolition Ax & Demolition Smash
1990: Ted DiBiase & Koko B. Ware
1991: Bret Hart & Dino Bravo
1992: Davey Boy Smith & Ted DiBiase
1993: Ric Flair & Bob Backlund
1994: Scott Steiner & Headshrinker Samu
1995: Shawn Michaels & Davey Boy Smith
1996: Triple H & Henry Godwinn
1997: Crush & Ahmed Johnson
1998: Cactus Jack & Terry Funk
1999: Steve Austin & Vince McMahon
2000: D-Lo Brown & Brian Christopher
2001: Jeff Hardy & Bull Buchanan
2002: Rikishi Phatu & Goldust
2003: Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho
2004: Chris Benoit & Randy Orton
2005: Eddy Guerrero & Chris Benoit
2006: Triple H & Rey Misterio Jr.
2007: Ric Flair & Fit Finlay
2008: Undertaker & Shawn Michaels
2009: Rey Misterio Jr. & John Morrison
2010: Dolph Ziggler & Evan Bourne
2011: C.M. Punk & Daniel Bryan
2012: Mike Mizanin & Alex Riley
2013: Dolph Ziggler & Chris Jericho
2014: C.M. Punk & Seth Rollins
2015: Mike Mizanin & "R-Truth" Ron Killings
2016: Roman Reigns & Alexander Rusev
2017: “Big Cass” Colin Cassady & Chris Jericho
2018(men's): Alexander Rusev & Finn Bálor
2018(women's): Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch
2018(Greatest): Daniel Bryan & Dolph Ziggler
Some unlucky people in that list...Bret, Flair, Shawn, DiBiase, Benoit, Bulldog, HHH, Rey, Dolph, Punk, Miz, Jericho, Rusev, and Bryan. Some people were stuck at #1 by a heel authority figure or even requested the spot...it does give one an opportunity to shoot for an endurance record. The 2016 Rumble started with the two people who ended the 2015 version of the match.
Final Entrants:
Junkyard Dog(#20), Ted DiBiase, Mr. Perfect, Tugboat, Warlord, Randy Savage, Adam Bomb, Crush, Duke Droese, Undertaker, Vader, Chyna, X-Pac, Rikishi Phatu, Booker T, Undertaker, Bill Goldberg, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Undertaker, John Cena, Big Show, Batista, Kane(#40), Big Show, Ryback, Rey Misterio Jr., Dolph Ziggler, Triple H, Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler(men's)/Trish Stratus(women's)/Chris Jericho(#50)(Greatest)
Taker is the luck-of-the-draw winner, getting #30 on three occasions(and often drawing a late entry at other Rumbles). Despite the advantage of the slot, it wasn't until 2007 that the final entry actually won the Rumble...and then it happened two years in a row. Rey finally got a better draw after starting the Rumble twice in previous years...though the fans weren't too appreciative. After drawing #1 twice previously, Ziggler was due for better luck and got it in 2015 (also entering at #30 last year, though he entered #2 in the Greatest Rumble). Likewise, HHH had drawn #1 twice and his "luck" changed in 2016(though "executive influence" may have played a part in his draw).
Winners:
Hacksaw Jim Duggan(#13 of 20), Big John Studd(#27), Hulk Hogan(#25), Hulk Hogan(#24), Ric Flair(#3), Yokozuna(#27), Lex Luger(#23)/Bret Hart(#27), Shawn Michaels(#1), Shawn Michaels(#18), Steve Austin(#5), Steve Austin(#24), Vince McMahon(#2), The Rock(#24), Steve Austin(#27), Triple H(#22), Brock Lesnar(#29), Chris Benoit(#1), Batista(#28), Rey Misterio Jr.(#2), Undertaker(#30), John Cena(#30), Randy Orton(#8), Edge(#29), Alberto Del Rio(#38 of 40), Sheamus O'Shaunessy(#22), John Cena(#19), Batista(#28), Roman Reigns(#19), Triple H(#30), Randy Orton(#23), Shinsuke Nakamura(#14)/Asuka Urai(#25)/Braun Strowman(#41)
The winner often seems to come from the early or late entries...the middle of the pack seems to be the actual kiss of death. The winner only came from that field on four occasions(depending on how you count Duggan). #27 is popularly noted as the most successful slot, producing the winner on four occasions. The short list of multi-time Rumble winners: Hulk, Shawn, Austin, Cena, Batista, and HHH. (Batista drew #28 both times he won.) The #30 slot has only produced the Rumble winner on three occasions.
Runners-Up:
One Man Gang(#19 of 20), Ted DiBiase(#30), Mr. Perfect(#30), Earthquake(#22), Sid Justice(#29), Randy Savage(#30), Luger(#23)/Bret(#27), Davey Boy Smith(#2), Diesel(#22), Bret Hart(#21), The Rock(#4), Steve Austin(#1), Big Show(#26), Kane(#6), Kurt Angle(#26), Undertaker(#30), Big Show(#24), John Cena(#25), Randy Orton(#30), Shawn Michaels(#23), Triple H(#29), Triple H(#7), John Cena(#19), Santino Marella(#37 of 40), Chris Jericho(#29), Ryback(#30), Roman Reigns(#15), Alexander Rusev(#15), Dean Ambrose(#19), Roman Reigns(#30), Roman Reigns(#28)/Nikki Bella(#27)/"Big Cass" Colin Cassady(#49)
#30 seems to be the prime spot for the bridesmaid...1995 was the first time the Rumble ended with #1 and #2(though it was the abbreviated one-minute interval version)...it happened again in the sports-entertainment-heavy 1999 Rumble. 2003 was the first time the Rumble ended with #29 and #30(it happened again in 2008). 2006 was the first time it ended with a guy who started the Rumble(Rey at #2) and the final entry(Randy at #30). #19 produced the runner-up in the 2016 Rumble and also in the first Rumble(though that one had twenty participants).
Endurance Marks(source: www.prowrestlinghistory.com):
Bret Hart(25:42), Mr. Perfect(27:58), Ted DiBiase(44:47), Rick Martel(52:17)(honorable mention to Greg Valentine at 44:03), Ric Flair(59:26), Bob Backlund(61:10), Bam Bam Bigelow(30:12), Shawn Michaels/Davey Boy Smith(38:41), Triple H(48:01), Steve Austin(45:07), The Rock(51:32), Vince McMahon/Steve Austin(56:38), Test(26:17), Kane(53:46)(honorable mention to The Rock at 38:42), Steve Austin(26:46), Chris Jericho(38:54), Chris Benoit(61:30), Chris Benoit(47:26), Rey Misterio Jr.(62:12)(honorable mention to Triple H at 60:09), Edge(44:02), Triple H(49:51), John Cena(22:11), C.M. Punk(35:21), Mike Mizanin(45:39)(honorable mention to Cody Rhodes at 41:57), Dolph Ziggler(49:51), C.M. Punk(49:25)(honorable mention to Seth Rollins at 48:30), Bray Wyatt(46:58)(honorable mention to Alexander Rusev at 35:17), Roman Reigns(59:50)(honorable mention to Chris Jericho at 50:50), Chris Jericho(60:13)(honorable mention to Sami Zayn at 46:54), Finn Bálor(57:38)(honorable mention to Shinsuke Nakamura at 44:38)/Sasha Banks(54:46)(honorable mention to Becky Lynch at 30:54)/Daniel Bryan(76:05)
These vary wildly depending on the time intervals...it was set at two minutes with the first Rumble(only 20 entrants), changed to one minute in 1995, then varied from 2 to 1:30 to 1:00 over the years. Rey is the current holder of the endurance record for the traditional Rumbles with Benoit coming in second...the expanded Greatest Rumble led to Daniel Bryan leaving them in the dust.
Most Eliminations:
13(Braun Strowman in 2018's Greatest Royal Rumble), 12(Roman Reigns in 2014), 11(Kane in 2001), 10(Steve Austin in 1997), 8(Shawn Michaels in 1995, Shawn in 1996, Austin in 1999), 7(Hulk Hogan in 1991, Yokozuna in 1993, Lex Luger in 1994, Diesel in 1994, Steve Austin in 1998, Rikishi in 2000, Austin in 2002, John Cena and C.M. Punk in 2011, Braun Strowman in 2017), 6(tie between Bray Wyatt, Alexander Rusev, and Roman Reigns in 2014)
#1 & #2 Entrants:
1988: Bret Hart & Tito Santana
1989: Demolition Ax & Demolition Smash
1990: Ted DiBiase & Koko B. Ware
1991: Bret Hart & Dino Bravo
1992: Davey Boy Smith & Ted DiBiase
1993: Ric Flair & Bob Backlund
1994: Scott Steiner & Headshrinker Samu
1995: Shawn Michaels & Davey Boy Smith
1996: Triple H & Henry Godwinn
1997: Crush & Ahmed Johnson
1998: Cactus Jack & Terry Funk
1999: Steve Austin & Vince McMahon
2000: D-Lo Brown & Brian Christopher
2001: Jeff Hardy & Bull Buchanan
2002: Rikishi Phatu & Goldust
2003: Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho
2004: Chris Benoit & Randy Orton
2005: Eddy Guerrero & Chris Benoit
2006: Triple H & Rey Misterio Jr.
2007: Ric Flair & Fit Finlay
2008: Undertaker & Shawn Michaels
2009: Rey Misterio Jr. & John Morrison
2010: Dolph Ziggler & Evan Bourne
2011: C.M. Punk & Daniel Bryan
2012: Mike Mizanin & Alex Riley
2013: Dolph Ziggler & Chris Jericho
2014: C.M. Punk & Seth Rollins
2015: Mike Mizanin & "R-Truth" Ron Killings
2016: Roman Reigns & Alexander Rusev
2017: “Big Cass” Colin Cassady & Chris Jericho
2018(men's): Alexander Rusev & Finn Bálor
2018(women's): Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch
2018(Greatest): Daniel Bryan & Dolph Ziggler
Some unlucky people in that list...Bret, Flair, Shawn, DiBiase, Benoit, Bulldog, HHH, Rey, Dolph, Punk, Miz, Jericho, Rusev, and Bryan. Some people were stuck at #1 by a heel authority figure or even requested the spot...it does give one an opportunity to shoot for an endurance record. The 2016 Rumble started with the two people who ended the 2015 version of the match.
Final Entrants:
Junkyard Dog(#20), Ted DiBiase, Mr. Perfect, Tugboat, Warlord, Randy Savage, Adam Bomb, Crush, Duke Droese, Undertaker, Vader, Chyna, X-Pac, Rikishi Phatu, Booker T, Undertaker, Bill Goldberg, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Undertaker, John Cena, Big Show, Batista, Kane(#40), Big Show, Ryback, Rey Misterio Jr., Dolph Ziggler, Triple H, Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler(men's)/Trish Stratus(women's)/Chris Jericho(#50)(Greatest)
Taker is the luck-of-the-draw winner, getting #30 on three occasions(and often drawing a late entry at other Rumbles). Despite the advantage of the slot, it wasn't until 2007 that the final entry actually won the Rumble...and then it happened two years in a row. Rey finally got a better draw after starting the Rumble twice in previous years...though the fans weren't too appreciative. After drawing #1 twice previously, Ziggler was due for better luck and got it in 2015 (also entering at #30 last year, though he entered #2 in the Greatest Rumble). Likewise, HHH had drawn #1 twice and his "luck" changed in 2016(though "executive influence" may have played a part in his draw).
Winners:
Hacksaw Jim Duggan(#13 of 20), Big John Studd(#27), Hulk Hogan(#25), Hulk Hogan(#24), Ric Flair(#3), Yokozuna(#27), Lex Luger(#23)/Bret Hart(#27), Shawn Michaels(#1), Shawn Michaels(#18), Steve Austin(#5), Steve Austin(#24), Vince McMahon(#2), The Rock(#24), Steve Austin(#27), Triple H(#22), Brock Lesnar(#29), Chris Benoit(#1), Batista(#28), Rey Misterio Jr.(#2), Undertaker(#30), John Cena(#30), Randy Orton(#8), Edge(#29), Alberto Del Rio(#38 of 40), Sheamus O'Shaunessy(#22), John Cena(#19), Batista(#28), Roman Reigns(#19), Triple H(#30), Randy Orton(#23), Shinsuke Nakamura(#14)/Asuka Urai(#25)/Braun Strowman(#41)
The winner often seems to come from the early or late entries...the middle of the pack seems to be the actual kiss of death. The winner only came from that field on four occasions(depending on how you count Duggan). #27 is popularly noted as the most successful slot, producing the winner on four occasions. The short list of multi-time Rumble winners: Hulk, Shawn, Austin, Cena, Batista, and HHH. (Batista drew #28 both times he won.) The #30 slot has only produced the Rumble winner on three occasions.
Runners-Up:
One Man Gang(#19 of 20), Ted DiBiase(#30), Mr. Perfect(#30), Earthquake(#22), Sid Justice(#29), Randy Savage(#30), Luger(#23)/Bret(#27), Davey Boy Smith(#2), Diesel(#22), Bret Hart(#21), The Rock(#4), Steve Austin(#1), Big Show(#26), Kane(#6), Kurt Angle(#26), Undertaker(#30), Big Show(#24), John Cena(#25), Randy Orton(#30), Shawn Michaels(#23), Triple H(#29), Triple H(#7), John Cena(#19), Santino Marella(#37 of 40), Chris Jericho(#29), Ryback(#30), Roman Reigns(#15), Alexander Rusev(#15), Dean Ambrose(#19), Roman Reigns(#30), Roman Reigns(#28)/Nikki Bella(#27)/"Big Cass" Colin Cassady(#49)
#30 seems to be the prime spot for the bridesmaid...1995 was the first time the Rumble ended with #1 and #2(though it was the abbreviated one-minute interval version)...it happened again in the sports-entertainment-heavy 1999 Rumble. 2003 was the first time the Rumble ended with #29 and #30(it happened again in 2008). 2006 was the first time it ended with a guy who started the Rumble(Rey at #2) and the final entry(Randy at #30). #19 produced the runner-up in the 2016 Rumble and also in the first Rumble(though that one had twenty participants).
Endurance Marks(source: www.prowrestlinghistory.com):
Bret Hart(25:42), Mr. Perfect(27:58), Ted DiBiase(44:47), Rick Martel(52:17)(honorable mention to Greg Valentine at 44:03), Ric Flair(59:26), Bob Backlund(61:10), Bam Bam Bigelow(30:12), Shawn Michaels/Davey Boy Smith(38:41), Triple H(48:01), Steve Austin(45:07), The Rock(51:32), Vince McMahon/Steve Austin(56:38), Test(26:17), Kane(53:46)(honorable mention to The Rock at 38:42), Steve Austin(26:46), Chris Jericho(38:54), Chris Benoit(61:30), Chris Benoit(47:26), Rey Misterio Jr.(62:12)(honorable mention to Triple H at 60:09), Edge(44:02), Triple H(49:51), John Cena(22:11), C.M. Punk(35:21), Mike Mizanin(45:39)(honorable mention to Cody Rhodes at 41:57), Dolph Ziggler(49:51), C.M. Punk(49:25)(honorable mention to Seth Rollins at 48:30), Bray Wyatt(46:58)(honorable mention to Alexander Rusev at 35:17), Roman Reigns(59:50)(honorable mention to Chris Jericho at 50:50), Chris Jericho(60:13)(honorable mention to Sami Zayn at 46:54), Finn Bálor(57:38)(honorable mention to Shinsuke Nakamura at 44:38)/Sasha Banks(54:46)(honorable mention to Becky Lynch at 30:54)/Daniel Bryan(76:05)
These vary wildly depending on the time intervals...it was set at two minutes with the first Rumble(only 20 entrants), changed to one minute in 1995, then varied from 2 to 1:30 to 1:00 over the years. Rey is the current holder of the endurance record for the traditional Rumbles with Benoit coming in second...the expanded Greatest Rumble led to Daniel Bryan leaving them in the dust.
Most Eliminations:
13(Braun Strowman in 2018's Greatest Royal Rumble), 12(Roman Reigns in 2014), 11(Kane in 2001), 10(Steve Austin in 1997), 8(Shawn Michaels in 1995, Shawn in 1996, Austin in 1999), 7(Hulk Hogan in 1991, Yokozuna in 1993, Lex Luger in 1994, Diesel in 1994, Steve Austin in 1998, Rikishi in 2000, Austin in 2002, John Cena and C.M. Punk in 2011, Braun Strowman in 2017), 6(tie between Bray Wyatt, Alexander Rusev, and Roman Reigns in 2014)
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