Wednesday Wrestling Minutes - Your Weekly Source for NXT, Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor and Independent Wrestling News

NXT, 9/23

Eva Marie opens NXT this week and gets the reaction we’ve come to expect – outright and utter disdain. She seems to be handling it well though and not as shaken by the unbridled hatred as she used to be. I love how WWE tries to spin the hate for Eva into “controversy”. They do the same thing with John Cena and it’s completely transparent. Partner Eva with Dana Brooke and watch the NXT Zone burn down with the rage of all the smarks.

Eva Marie takes on Carmella who is the lesser of two evils in this one. And Carmella, while not at the level of some other NXT female talent, at least has the generational edge over other girls.

Carmella goes right at Eva early, backing her in the corner and hammering her then dumps her out of the ring. Carmella really animated in the ring, taking Enzo’s mannerisms and making them work for her and the crowd is into it.

Eva back in the ring and coming back to a thunderous “You can’t wrestle chant.” Some obvious botches by Eva. She doesn’t look as lost as she once did but doesn’t look completely comfortable. At least she’s trying to show some personality, mocking the “How you doing” chants. But the “Super Dragon” chants during this match shows how much people care.

Carmella starting mounting a comeback and hits a few Thesz Presses and I think I heard an “All Botch Everything” chant, which is pretty great. Carmella slams Eva down backward but Eva gets a foot on the rope at 2. It was out of frame so it seemed like the ref just stopped counting Eva getting pinned again – WWE working the smarks**.

Carmella is upset about the call and Eva surprises her, throws her out of the ring and Carmella hits her head hard on the ramp and can’t answer the 10 count, letting Eva Marie stumbling backwards into a victory. And they also play up that Eva Marie is undefeated in NXT, which I’m sure can’t be true but you better believe they are going to run with it.

**This was also the same ref as the other time Eva didn’t kick out. Could just be to work the smarks but what if it turned into like, an angle where WWE is shadily behind Eva and has refs collude to always have her win – basically WWE using the dirtsheet/smark rumors about their treatment/use of Eva Marie for a storyline.

That Nia Jax vignette. Oh but it’s a new one – confirmed NXT listens to my show since last week I complained about it being the same vignette over and over. Still just “coming soon.”

The next NXT Takeover is dubbed “Respect” even though I’m pretty sure they didn’t mention that last week.

Recap of the Bayley/Sasha Banks confrontation last week and hype for the Ironman main event Women’s title match at Takeover. And it’s really, really well done – rivaling any video package for any male title feud.

Next, Bull Dempsey taking on Tyler Breeze. And people are still behind the Bull-Fit chant, luckily. I could see that losing steam very quickly though.

Breeze really tentative to lock up with Bull and once he does, Bull easily handles Breeze. Bull starts to muss Breeze’s hair and it makes Breeze furious but Bull keeps throwing him around.

Breeze tosses Bull up and over the ropes then runs into him and Bull hits the floor hard and the ref begins the count. Bull barely gets into the ring at 9 and Breeze stomps away on him.

Breeze keeping Bull on the mat with a headlock but Bull doing whatever he can to break the hold and try to return to his feet. Bull starting to making a comeback, using his gut to attack Breeze and then knocks him down with a standing splash. Bull sets up Breeze for the top rope ass splash but Breeze moves out of the way.  Bull sets up for it again but Breeze throws him to the mat and gets his feet on the ropes to pin Bull.

Promo for that new WWE Network series called “Breaking Ground” and premiers 10/26, following NXT trainees as they work toward making the main roster. Seems like they focus on Bayley a lot but also saw some Solomon Crowe and Apollo Crews in there.

Some recaps of NXT shows in Houson, Austin and San Antonio.

William Regal to introduce Kana signing and the bestowing of her WWE name, Asuka. Damn, she has some badass music. Probably the best music for any female in WWE, next to Sasha’s theme. She comes out wearing that creepy geisha mask (or whatever it is) and she’s incredibly enthusiastic on her entrance – picture the exact opposite of her demeanor at Takeover.

Asuka gives the crowd a big “Yeeaoh!” to introduce herself and says she’s happy to be in NXT and that this is her dream come true and that she wants to be NXT Women’s Champion. She signs her contract and Regal says it’s an honor for her to be there but then they’re interrupted by Dana Brooke and Emma, who I guess weren’t happy with their heads still being on their shoulders.

Emma says that they’re just here to welcome Asuka and let her know they run the women’s lockerroom. Dana tells her some stuff and that playtime is over and wants Asuka to leave, but she won’t. Asuka walks to the apron as the crowd chants no, but she starts to walk up the ramp. She turns around and gives them a knowing smile but just walks off and the segment just kinda ends. Good intro, good energy, horrible ending.

Kyle Edwards talking about the Dusty Classic and how Corbin and Rhyno defeated Gargano and Ciampa last week. Semifinals and finals at Respect on Oct. 7.

In Texas, Dash and Dawson defeated the Vaudevillains cleanly (you know – the tag champs. At least my idea you kept the champs looking strong, getting screwed by their next opponents and nemesis, Blake and Murphy. But whatever, WWE, do your own thing) to advance.

Next week, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. Hype Bros vs Jason Jordan and Chad Gable for a semifinal spot against Corbin and Rhyno. That match during live shows in Florida. Great – more Dusty Classic recaps. I feel like they’ve only shown two matches from the tourney on TV and they were both Corbin’s matches.

Now, Blake and Murphy tag title rematch against the Vaudevillains.

Gotch and Blake start the match first but it isn’t long before Blue Pants shows up to chase Alexa Bliss around the ring. They fight into the ring and start to brawl. Blue Pants chases Alexa out and it’s back to two-on-two.

The Vaudevillains maintain control after Alexa is taken out of the picture. But eventually Blake and Murphy start to work together to try and turn the tide.

A bunch of stuff happened, I wasn’t paying attention, and Blake and Murphy have Aiden English down in the center of the ring, after English hits the knees of Blake on a swanton. Murphy tags in and hits a Knees of Meteora but only gets a 2. Murphy can’t believe it and English rolls him up for 2.

English flips out of a double team move and sends Murphy up and over the ropes to the floor. They catch Blake with a Whirling Dervish for the win to retain the tag titles.

After the match, Enzo and Cass cut a promo about their Dusty Classic match and how Dusty had a huge impact on their careers. They put over their opponents – Balor and Joe – and they even though they respect them, respect is going out the window, as are Balor and Joe’s chances of winning.

Balor says that Dusty was his mentor and friendship doesn’t matter next week. Joe says friends or not, he and Balor are of a singular purpose to win the Dusty Classic.

 

Lucha Underground

Hernandez has been released from his LU contract. Nothing specific, release just says they parted ways. No big loss, he wasn't setting the world on fire in S1 and they probably weren't happy with the situation Hernandez put them in with TNA.

 

Ring of Honor

ROH DA 9/23

First, Silas Young vs Michael Elgin. Couple Big Mike chants for Elgin. People have really responded well to his G1. And also shows how much ROH fans are aware of NJPW.
Elgin strength too much for Young early and Elgin showing off how impressive his strength is with a stalling vertical suplex following as stalling gorilla press slam. But Young is not going away and using some cheap shots to turn the tide.

Turning into a solid match with neither man really maintaining an advantage. Somehow Young kicks out of a deadlift super falcon arrow and the hits Misery on Elgin, but Elgin rolls out of the ring. Silas follows and rolls up the mat on the floor. Elgin reverses into a running power bomb into a barricade followed by a spinning Liger Bomb for the win. Elgin wants to shake but Silas walks out.

Caprice Coleman takes on ACH. They reference that envelope that Prince Nana gave Coleman a few weeks ago.

They shake hands at the bell and looks like we'll have a clean contest. They trade holds to open, with Coleman cutting off ACH as he tries to start flipping. Coleman staying a few steps ahead of ACH but ACH not going away and lands a PK on the apron and rams Coleman into the barricade.

Coleman hits a series of Northern Lights suplexes but ACH kicks out at 2. Coleman hits the one inch punch which stuns ACH after a few seconds and Coleman gets a 2 with a top rope leg lariat. But ACH changes the direction of the match almost immediately, hitting a 450 for the win.

Corino talks to Coleman about that envelope. He says it was money and also a letter. He says he didn't get the letter at first but now he read it several times and after his match tonight, he does get it. But doesn't elaborate on it anymore.

RPG Vice teams with Okada to take on The Briscoes and Hirooki Goto. Okada got a huge pop live, the episode doesn't so it justice. Goto won't shake but Briscoes shake hands with RPG.

They waste no time in this one as Jay and Okada square off first. With Okada taking control first. Goto and Briscoes easily over Romero and Baretta and Kelly or Corino note how Goto wants to unify the Hwt and IC IWGP titles, which is kinda a crazy notion. RPG Vice finally turns the table and take control of Mark after Okada and Romero knock down Goto and Jay.

Hard to really keep track with so many people in the match, moving in and out so fluidly. But the action has been great, especially between Okada/Goto and the opposing tag team. Mark gets a 2 off a froggy bow after a huge melee involving everyone. Jay pins Baretta with a Jay Driller for the win.

ROH DA this week

Last week in Philly

-Matt Sydal vs KUSHIDA nontitle

-Adam Page vs Will Ferrara vs Moose vs Watanabe

-Adam Cole vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Nick Jackson's wife went into labor over the weekend and couldn't make it to a few ROH live events. But hope everything went well and congrats to Nick and his family.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Destruction in Okayama, Sept 23

-Katsuyori Shibata, Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu and Yuji Nagata def. David Finlay, Jay White, Manabu Nakanishi and Tetsuya Naito

-reDRagon def. Jushin Thunder Liger and Mascara Dorada

NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship

-Tiger Mask def. Steve Anthony to win the title

-Hiroshi Tanahashi and Matt Sydal def. Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga)

-Bullet Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) def. TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima)

-Chaos (RPG Vice, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI) def. Alex Shelley, Captain New Japan, Hirooki Goto, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tomoaki Honma

-Chaos (Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano) def. Bullet Club (AJ Styles and Cody Hall)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

-Kenny Omega def. KUSHIDA to win the title

NEVER Openweight Championship

-Togi Makabe def.  Kota Ibushi to retain

Destruction in Kobe, Sept. 27

-Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu def. David Finlay and Jay White

-Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and Yuji Nagata def. Captain New Japan, Juice Robinson and Manabu Nakanishi

-Chaos (RPG Vice, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI) def. Mascara Dorada, Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma

-TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) and Matt Sydal def. Bullet Club (Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Kenny Omega)

-Tetsuya Naito def. Katsuyori Shibata

-Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Kazushi Sakuraba and Toru Yano) def. Bullet Club (AJ Styles, Cody Hall and Tama Tonga)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

-reDRagon def. Time Splitters to retain

-Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Bad Luck Fale to retain his Tokyo Dome IWGP title shot

IWGP Intercontinental Championship

-Shinsuke Nakamura def. Hirooki Goto to win the title

King of Pro Wrestling, Oct. 12

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Kazuchika Okada (c) vs AJ Styles

Tokyo Dome IWGP title shot

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito

NEVER Openweight Championship

Togi Makabe (c) vs Tomohiro Ishii

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Kenny Omega (c) vs Matt Sydal

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

reDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) (c) vs RPG Vice (Rocky Romero and Baretta)

Chaos (Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano and Shinsuke Nakamura) vs Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson)

Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Captain New Japan, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto

Tomoaki Honma vs YOSHI-HASHI

Mascara Dorada, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask IV and Jushin Thunder Liger vs Jay White, David Finlay, Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu and Juice Robinson

Indy Wrestling

PWG BOLA shipping this week (finally)

WWNLive/Evolve

The WWNLive Experience on Wrestlemania 32 weekend in Dallas, TX will be a very special occasion – Terry Funk will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the WWN Supershow: Mercury Rising on Saturday, April 2.

And the following day, WWN will host Funk’s Grill and BBQ Tailgate Party, across the street from Texas Stadium. Funk will be available for pictures and autographs at the Tailgate Party.

Highspots is introducing WomensWrestlingNetwork.com with the entire Queens of Combat series, female wrestler interviews and more. Can try it for only .99 for the first month with the code 99CENT. It is regularly $9.99

Evolve

Evolve 49, Oct. 17, 7 pm

Queens, NY

Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher and TJ Perkins vs. RPG Vice (Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero)

Winner gets title shot at Evolve 50

Drew Gulak vs. Trevor Lee

Anthony Nese with So Cal Val vs. Andrew Everett vs. Matt Cage vs. Peter Kassa

Tracy Williams vs. Willie Mack

Matt Riddle vs. Jonathan Gresham

Evolve 50, Oct. 18, 8 pm

Evolve Championship

Timothy Thatcher (c) vs Winner of Drew Gulak/Trevor Lee

RPG Vice (Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero) vs Premier Athlete Brand (Caleb Konley and Anthony Nese)

Willie Mack vs Loser of Drew Gulak/Trevor Lee

TJ Perkins vs Tracy Williams

Matt Riddle vs Chris Dickinson

CZW

Next CZW iPPV is Tangled Web on Oct 10.

NOI vs OI4K in Tangled Web match

JT Dunn vs David Starr  

Greg Excellent vs Dick Justice

You can get CZW iPPV on StreamCZW.com

Then on Oct 17, CZW travels to Montreal to face IWS in a joint show where Team Tremendous defends CZW tag titles against Tabernak de Team and NOI faces The Hardcore Ninjas, Green Phantom and Vampiro!

No CZW PPV this year. Said earlier in 2015 that there'd be 2 PPV this year but didnt do anything to promote them, which they spun and said "We want to wait til 2016 to get better promotion of a PPV before we go to InDemand"

AIW

AIW doubleheader this weekend

Girls Night Out 16, Oct 3, 3 p.m.

AIW Women’s Championship

Heidi Lovelace (c) vs Tessa Blanchard

Candice LeRae vs Mia Yim

LuFisto vs “Crazy” Mary Dobsen

Allysin Kay vs Marti Belle

Annie Social vs Veda Scott

Solo Darling vs Angeldust

Leva Bates vs Chastity Taylor

Ray Lyn vs Britt Baker

Fresh Meat, Oct.3, 7:30 p.m.

AIW Absolute Championship

Ricky Shane Page (c) vs Alex Daniels

Eddie Kingston vs Frankie Flynn

Mad Man Pondo vs Kaplan

Hot Sauce Entertainment vs Weird World

Johnny Gargano vs Brian Carson

Hoss Division Scramble

John Greed vs Broderick Shaw vs Big Moe vs Steve Brown vs Jackson Stone vs John Silver

Eric Ryan and Flip Kendrick vs Joshua Signh and Dr. Daniel C. Rockingham

Louis Lyndon vs. “The Glitch” Skyler Fayden

 

Beyond Wrestling

Beyond gave Biff Busick a great send off at the #GRRR. Link with vid:

Powder Keg results

-Donovan Dijack def Andrew Everett

-Brian Fury def Trevor Lee

-Alexxis Neveah def Tess Blanchard

-Pinkie Sanchez and EYFBO def The CanAm Flip Connection

-Doom Patrol def War Machine

-Timothy Thatcher (open challenge) def Darius Carter

-Team Tremendous def Crusade for Change

-David Starr def John Silver

-The Kingdom def Death By Elbow

-Ricochet def Shynron

Return date for Somerville announced as 1/31/16