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

NXT 7/8

NXT opens with a recap of “Beast in the East” – nothing specific though. Mainly just Brock killing Kofi and nothing even about the NXT Title match. Oh, it’s because they’re apparently showing the NXT Title match on the show tonight?

But first, Dana Brooke and Evil Emma out to take on Sasha Banks and a mystery partner.

Sasha Banks is basically a face now. They just kept her off TV for a while and put her opposite Dana Brooke and suddenly she’s a face with literally no other change to her character.

Dana Brooke is trash talking on the mic. Says Sasha calls herself the boss of NXT (and does the Miz “Really?” thing) but that she couldn’t find a partner.

Sasha says they’re right and she couldn’t find a partner but says that Little Miss Piggy and her kangaroo friend, she’ll take both of them on.

As they square off, Charlotte’s music hits and she heads to the ring, staring down Dana Brooke. She doesn’t like Dana but she doesn’t like Sasha either. But she gets on the mic and says she’ll be her partner and holds out her hand to shake. Sasha swats it away but it seems like they are going to have to coexist.

Sasha takes on Dana first, chokes her in the corner and tags in Charlotte. They work well together despite hating each other and not working as a team since the BFFs. But Charlotte quickly tags out to get away from Charlotte. But Emma doesn’t have any more luck against Charlotte.

Charlotte chases Emma out of the ring and gets blindsided by Dana and Emma and Dane start stomping Charlotte in the corner. Dana starts to stretch Charlotte in the center but Charlotte fights out and tags in Sasha who is a house of fire.

Dana gets Sasha up for her finisher but Sasha wiggles out and hits a Bank Statement backstabber into a crossface. Emma tries to come in and help but Charlotte cuts her off and locks in the Figure 8 and both Emma and Dana tap out. Sasha and Charlotte high five and do an understated BFFs taunt and they shake hands and hug.

Charlotte gets on the mic and says “A deal is a deal though – I want a women’s title shot next week, like you promised.” Sasha says “If that’s what you want – it’s on.”

Bayley backstage at a live event talking about how Emma broke her hand and she has to watch everyone else get to wrestle but she isn’t allowed to. But like Stone Cold and Triple H, she is coming back from injury to win gold but first on her list is Emma.

They’re showing the NXT Title match from Beast in the East in its entirety. Really great match, especially on the rewatch. I totally missed the sleeper suplex from Owens the first time around. All of Sumo Hall went crazy when he won so it’s cool to see that Devitt is still so popular in Japan. And afterward, Tatsumi Fujinami comes out to congratulate Balor and raise his hand. Balor and Owens stare down after that, Balor extends his hand but Owens walks out. Also a new shot, Owens sitting by himself and cameraman asks him for his initial reaction to losing the NXT Title. Owens slowly looks up at him and attacks him.

Devin Taylor talks to Chad Gable. Asks him why Jason Jordan turned him down and Gable says hes asked and asked but Jordan doesn’t want to be a winner, he doesn’t want to dominate and wants to stay where he is on the NXT totem pole – at the bottom. But he’s going to stay ready, willing and Gable.

But then Jordan walks in and says they’re tagging next week. Gable holds out his hand to shake and has a Gable towel draped over it. They shake and Jordan walks away and Gable says see, I knew he’d come around.

Solomon Crowe says he’s back meaner, badder and nastier than ever before. And will show NXT universe why he is the resident little monster.

Marcus Louis walks out first with no entrance music. Louis looking as crazy as ever. He takes on Solomon Crowe. With his style and attitude, Callihan would’ve been way better off trying to make it in Japan. I don’t think that NXT will ever use him right.

They start off fast with Crowe getting the better of Louis. Louis gets control and abdominal stretch and claw on Crowe but he fights up and out of it.

Crowe gets the win with a stretch muffler.

Neville and Cesaro congratulate Balor on the title win backstage after his match. And then Cena comes in and shakes his hand because he’s a heat vampire and whenever someone else gets big heat, Cena needs to be near it. Balor then says dreams come true and his came true tonight.

Vaudevillains take on Enzo and Cass for tag title #1 contender. Both teams are pretty over but Enzo and Cass are on a different level of over. Vaudevillains debuting their “Wolf Pack” color scheme.

Enzo holding his own surprisingly well against English and Gotch without the help of Cass. Enzo getting the better of the two and the Vaudevillains regroup outside while Enzo and Cass sawft chant at them.

But soon, Gotch and English get Enzo locked into holds on the mat, to keep him away from his corner and away from Cass. Cass eventually gets in and starts to turn the tide.

Cass tags in Enzo and sets up launch Enzo onto Gotch. Gotch rolls over and grabs the leg of Cass to trip him up and Enzo cross body ono English who rolls through the dive and pins Enzo to make the Vaudevillains new #1 contenders.

William Regal announced at SDCC that the main event of Takeover in Brooklyn on 8/22 will be Balor defending the title against Owens in a rematch.

Ron Funches is going to be on a show on WWE Network

Lucha Underground, 7/8

Pentagon Jr opens the show, addressing his master. He talks about how Vampiro refuses to face him and how Vampiro is not the man he used to be. Pentagon says he wants to destroy him in the ring, at Ultima Lucha and his master tells him to attack his weakest point – his ego. And Pentagon finishes that Ian Hodgkinson will be his sacrifice.

The Mack is in the ring first (Striker calls him Lucha Ron Funches – is that racist?). He faces Cage.

They start fast, going at each other with everything from the opening bell. Mack can hold off Cage’s strength since he’s a bigger guy but Mack is a lot quicker than Cage and gets an advantage over Cage early on.

Mack goes for a dive off the top but Cage moves and then levels him with a discus lariat. But Mack kicks out somehow! He takes Cage off his feet with a big kick, they trade punches and Mack gets a roll up win on Cage after bouncing off the ropes.

Son of Havoc is in the locker room getting ready and Catrina sneaks up on him. She tells him soon the Disciples of Death will be after their gold but tonight, death is coming for Son of Havoc. Then Ivelisse is walks in and says “Back off bitch!” and Catrina pulls Havoc into her, the lights flicker and she’s gone. South African Dean Ambrose sees them and says “Oh god, please don’t tell me you guys are getting back together.”

Vampiro interviews Pentagon Jr, which seems like a bad idea.

Vampiro starts off by apologizing. He didn’t want to get involved in his business and he says he should never have done that.

Asks who is this master? But Pentagon ignores the question. Says that Pentagon has been violent and aggressive and reminds Vampiro of himself when he was younger. Pentagon says they are a lot alike. They both enjoy the pain of others but Pentagon asks who is he now – is he Vampiro or a coward?

Vampiro doesn’t like that and says he’ll throw down right now but he isn’t like that anymore and isn’t a wrestler anymore. His time has come and gone. He spent 33 years in the ring all over the world and lost his family so it’s just he and his daughter and he’s a different man now.

Pentagon says if he’s not a coward, face him at Ultima Lucha. Vampiro says it’s not his time anymore that it’s Pentagon’s time but Pentagon says that answer is weak and pathetic – just like Vampiro.

Next, Mil Muertes takes on Son of Havoc.

Havoc starts fast, hitting big kicks and elbows but everything he does barely staggers Mil. Havoc gets a 1 count off a cross body and Mil uses his size and strength to throw Havoc around, over the ropes and into the seats in the crowd.

Mil hammers Havoc with a chair since Cueto has told the officials to let things slide, let them fight. Mil powerbombs Havoc on the announcer table. Mil slams him into the outside of Cueto’s office as Angelico and Ivelisse watch on.

Mil throws Havoc back into the ring and Havoc tries to pull himself to his feet but Mil stays on him. Havoc hits a big dive onto Mil but showboats a little too long. He hits a double stomp to Mil’s back then a moonsault but only gets a 1 count.

Havoc keeps trying to turn the tide but Mil is too strong. Mil sets him on top but Havoc front suplex him down. Havoc sets up for a SSP on the top but Mil rolls out of the way.

Catrina starts to catch the eyes of Angelico and Ivelisse gets in her face. Catrina holds up the stone and the Disciples are behind Angelico and start to beat him down as Catrina chokes Ivelisse with one hand. She hits Ivelisse in the face with it but Havoc flips over the ropes onto the Disciples. But when he gets back in the ring, Mil hits a spear then a flatliner for the win.

Afterward, the Disciples and Catrina join Mil in the ring and Catrina gives Havoc the lick of death.

Texano in the ring. Says he hasn’t always been a nice dude but there’s one thing he’s always been – Mexicano! He loves hurting people, breaking their bones and whipping their asses. He’s a cheater and he can’t be trusted (so he’s Chavo?) but he’s never turned on his people – on his raza. He’s watching what Chavo has done to Mascarita Sagrada, to Sexy Star – to Blue Demon Jr. He doesn’t like them or care about them – but he hates Chavo.

He wants to settle this once and for all – at Ultima Lucha. He doesn’t care if Chavo broke his leg because he’ll break his other leg.

But then The Crew attacks him from the back, beating him down with a kendo stick. Blue Demon runs in to chase off the Crew. Cisco throws a chair in the ring and Demon grabs it – then hits Texano with it!

Texano busted open in the ring and Demon continues his attack. Demon on the mic says Texano isn’t Mexico – I am Mexico! Yo soy! Demon says he doesn’t need Texano fighting his battles for him so at Ultima Lucha, Texano will fight Blue Demon Jr!

8-man Atomicos tag team match (Team Alberto vs Team Johnny – ADR, Sexy, Aerostar, Drago vs Mundo, Hernandez, Evans and Super Fly)

They didn’t really explain the Atomicos rules. Unless they are just the same as any tag match instead of lucha rules like out of the ring touch the floor counts as a tag or that tags go in order (maybe that’s just a Chikara Cibernetico though).

Alberto and Mundo in the ring first. But Mundo backs up and tags in Jack Evans to stay away from Alberto. Evans shows off his kicks and flips and Alberto slaps him in the face  and brings him to his corner.

Hard to keep track of all the action, guys are going in and out quickly on both teams. The rudo team was working together briefly to beat down Alberto but it’s mostly pairings and guys working against each other and doing big spots off the top to the outside.

Mundo trips up Alberto as he goes for a dive to the outside and Alberto chases Mundo up the steps. Alberto returns and Mundo comes back a minute or so later.

The rudos work together to keep Aerostar on the mat in their corner and away from his teammates. He finally tags out and Sexy Star comes in and gets the better of Mundo and Evans. She evades Super Fly and rains down punches but Hernandez picks her up and drops her down. Drago comes in but gets overwhelmed. Alberto sneaks up on Hernandez and hits a backstabber. Alberto locks in cross arm breaker on Evans but Mundo breaks it up. Mundo picks up the win when he pins Sexy Star after rolling through a cross body with a handful of tights.

Next week, Striker says there will be a face to face confrontation between Prince Puma and Mil Muertes. As Striker talks, Pentagon sneak attacks Vampiro and super kicks him then puts him down with a few chair shots to the back.

Pentagon says he dedicates this sacrifice to his master and destroy this shell of a man. Vampiro picks himself up and his leaning on his knees and Pentagon kicks him and sends him into the crowd. Pentagon then grabs a gasoline can! He opens it and starts to pour it all over Vampiro who can’t collect himself  enough to fight back. Pentagon says he isn’t afraid of Vampiro – Vampiro is afraid of him! And if Vampiro doesn’t accept a match with Pentagon at Ultima Lucha, his family and the world will watch him burn.

Pentagon pulls out a lighter and says Vampiro has one week to decide. 

Ring of Honor

ROH DA 7/15

-Jay Lethal defends TV title gainst Mark Briscoe

-Silas Young vs. Will Ferrara

-Matt Sydal vs Adam Page

ROH DA  7/8

Opens with images from Lethal/Briscoe title for title match

Watanabe out first to take on Dalton Castle. Castle gets annoyed with Watanabe when he summons Dalton's boys to fan him.

Good match. Watanabe has been looking good in the ring, if a little uninspiring. Castle is awesome as always and picks up the win with a spinning face buster. And they shake hands.

After, Castle with the mic. Has the Boys take the form of a chair and sits on them and says it's clear after BITW, there's only one real man in ROH, which pisses off Silas Young.

Nigel introduces Jay Lethal, the new World and TV champ. Dijack and Diesel with them as well. Corino says the TV title says TV again, since Lethal took it off when he was going up against Briscoe.

Truth says fans aren't his people, the House is his people. Puts him over as best in the world and best 1st generation wrestler.

Lethal says he is best in the world since he is the undisputed champion in the best company in the world.

Lethal keeps it short and goes to leave but Nigel say wait. Asks him which title he's vacating and Lethal doesn't look happy. Lethal yells at Nigel he isn't giving up a damn thing, will defend them both. Nigel says they are separate so Lethal may have to defend them both in a night. Roddy is challenging for World at DBD and Mark Briscoe TV title match next week. Lethal says he will prove he is the greatest and defend both if he has to. Lethal says he will destroy Briscoe and it's a snowball effect to July 24 at DBD with Roddy.

Then Roddy comes out. He eggs on Lethal and says he will walk out champion at DBD.

Kingdom out next. Trouble brewing in The Kingdom and Cole seems to be the center of it. He took the pin at WOTW N2 and Maria was pissed. He doesn't seem happy in the new Kingdom leather jacket either.

Maria says it's not his fault, she calls herself the leader of the kingdom and says she takes full responsibility and she believes in him and the Kingdom and they hug it out.

Kingdom gets a few cheers but mostly indifference and the cheers are for Cole. People really don't like/care about Elgin but reDRagon is really over.

Cole and O'Reilly shake first and the rest shake surprisingly.

Elgin beating down Bennett to start but Cole and Taven soon get involved to triple team Elgin. Cole then Taven tag in and keep Elgin in their corner.

Whenever nonlegal guys attack reDRagon, Cole attacks O'Reilly. Elgin finally tags reDRagon and they clean house.

Elgin powerbomb Taven over the top onto Kingdom then reDRagon pulls Taven in, Chasing the Dragon into a super Liger Bomb from Elgin but Kingdom breaks it up.

O'Reilly and Cole finally face off. O'Reilly pins Cole after Chasing the Dragon and Maria isn't happy. Then Cole shakes O'Reilly hand and raises it while he's staring at Maria! And then he leaves without The Kingdom, who look pretty pissed at Cole.

ROH in Las Vegas, 7/17

Vegas Wild Card match

Jay Lethal, Austin Aries and Moose vs Jay Briscoe, Dalton Castle and Kyle O’Reilly

RPG Vice vs Young Bucks

ROH TV Title contender tournament

Christopher Daniels vs Mark Briscoe

Matt Taven vs Bobby Fish

Frankie Kazarian vs ACH

Triple threat featuring winners for #1 contender

Also, for 7/25 TV taping in Baltimore, Jay Lethal defends TV title against Hanson

Absolute Intense Wrestling

Tim Donst made his return to wrestling after beating cancer at Absolution X

AIW Absolution X

June 10, 2015

Cleveland, OH

-Gregory Iron and the Iron Curtain def. Joshua Singh, Kaplan, Frankie Flynn, and Brian Carson with Iron pinned Singh (Afterward, Vader came out to help Team Singh)

AIW Women’s Championship

-Athena def. Veda Scott win the title back

AIW Intense Championship

-Davey Vega def. BJ Whitmer to retain

I Quit Match

-Ethan Page def. Eddie Kingston

AIW Tag Team Championships

-To Infinity and Beyond (Colin Delaney and Cheech) def. Hot Sauce Entertainment (Tyson Dux and Tracy Williams) to retain

6 pack scramble

-Louis Lyndon def. Candice LeRae, ACH, Flip Kendrick, Cedric Alexander, and Tyler Thomas

Anything Goes Match

-Tim Donst def Nick Gage

– post match Gage shakes the hand of Donst but attacks him while Donst is delivering a promo

AIW Championship

Rickey Shane Page def Josh Alexander to win the Championship (Alexander won the match after faking an injury but Wadsworth came out and restarted the match, leading to RSP winning the title)

Team AIW (Young Bucks, Johnny Gargano, Alex Daniels, Josh Prohibition) def. Dude’s on TV (Ethan Carter, Matt Cross, Dj Z, Samoa Joe, Raymond Rowe)

Evolve

Evolve 45 results

July 10

Ybor City, FL

-Caleb Konley def. Gary Jay

-Trent Baretta def. Rich Swann

-Andrew Everett def. Anthony Nese

(Konley, Baretta and Nese are part of the Premier Athlete Brand and manager SoCal Val was on the mic before and after these matches, saying how they are unstoppable)

-Chris Hero def. Trevor Lee

-Zack Sabre Jr. def. Roderick Strong

EVOLVE World Championship and DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate

Championship

-Timothy Thatcher def. Drew Galloway to win the titles

Evolve 46

-Trevor Lee def. Anthony Nese

-Zack Sabre Jr. def. TJ Perkins

-Drew Galloway def. Trent Beretta

-Evolve Title Match: Champion Timothy Thatcher def. Chris Hero

-Zack Sabre Jr. challenged Timothy Thatcher for a title match when Evolve returns in August

Alpha-1 Wrestling

Seppuku

July 12, 2015

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

-Kobe Durst def. Tyson Dux

-Alex Daniels and The Goat Brigade (Kirk Warmack and Shane Sabre) def. Ben Ortmanns and The Ginger Gang (Josh Rogen and Rhys Greenaway)

-Dick Justice def. Danny Orlando

A1 Tag Team Title Match

-The Oppression (Justin Sane and Lionel Knight) (c) def. Brent Banks and Tarik

A1 Zero Gravity Title Match

Rickey Shane Page (c) def. Tyler Thomas to retain

Joshua Singh defeats Ashley Sixx, Davey Vega, and Steve Brown

Seleziya Sparx def. Eddie Kingston

The Gym Rats (Alessandro Del Bruno and Scotty O’Shea) def. The Monster Mafia (Ethan Page and Josh Alexander)

(This was Alexander’s final match as he is retiring due to health issues)

Combat Zone Wrestling

Allegedly, CZW has signed a deal to air live PPVs on real distributors. I say allegedly because, having been a fan of CZW for a long time, I’ve heard of deals like these in the works or being talked about as sure things, then nothing comes of it. Not to mention that while CZW usually draws a good crowd, the company doesn’t seem to have worldwide appeal that would make a PPV distribution deal seem worthwhile.

But if you want to read more about it, check out the link below:

http://pwinsider.com/article/95060/combat-zone-wrestling-signs-live-ppv-deal.html?p=1

Deal for first month of CZWStudios if you sign up in July with a promo code

#DustinChecksOut

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

NXT 6/17

Opens with the Dusty Rhodes tribute video that they showed on Raw. Means even more on NXT TV because of the contributions that Dusty made to the wrestlers down in NXT. And if that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye every time you see it, you’re heart is a few sizes too small.

Enzo, Cass and Carmella out first to take on Blake, Murphy and Alexa. Enzo does usual entrance promo but what I noticed is that the fans don’t seem to be nearly as hostile to Carmella as they used to be. She says Blake and Murphy are a couple of cheating pigs and that it’s pathetic they use a chick to handle their dirty work. And that Alexa is about to get dissed - disfigured and dismissed. As Cass starts spelling the one word to describe Blake and Murphy their music hits and interrupts him.

Big “You look stupid” chant directed at Blake to start the match. Enzo handling himself pretty well against Blake to start things off. When Murphy tries to get involved, Cass comes in and drives him to the corner and Carmella Thesz Press on Alexa. Drake struggling to restore order.

I like how it’s basically lucha rules when a girl tags in or out. Blake tagged Alexa in and suddenly Carmella was legal and once Alexa tagged out, all of a sudden Cass was legal.

Cass slams Blake and tags in Enzo, tosses him into a splash and they get the win over the tag champs.

Recap of the Owens/Cena match at MITB and how Owens disrespected Cena after the match, after he tried to shake hands, by powerbombing him on the apron.

Devin talks to Samoa Joe. Asks if fighting Owens was the reason Joe came to NXT. Prides himself on competing in places set to take over, places that are on the cutting edge - and that perfectly describes NXT. But Owens - he doesn’t like Owens. He likes to make Owens fear people and what he will do to them in the ring. But intimidation is a tactic of the weak and cowardly, of a man who doesn’t want to fight. And tonight he will make his own statement to the prizefighter, the NXT Champion, and beat him down unmercifully.

Hype video to take a closer look at #1 Contender Finn Balor - “Who is Finn Balor?”. Well not so much a hype video as it is a “getting to know Fergal Devitt.” Talks about his family and growing up and they even have quotes from Becky Lynch, since they knew each other from years back, in Ireland where Devitt trained her. How his dad worked his way up to become a train engineer from being a platform sweep which helped inspire him to be the person he’s become. Talks about how wrestling had a big influence on his childhood and always wanted to be a wrestler. Even includes footage from Insane Championship Wrestling Revolution Pro Wrestling UK, big rub for them.

Becky says “Without Fergal, there wouldn’t be a Becky Lynch.” Starts to get a little teary as she recalls a quote “Imagine how your life would be if you didn’t meet the one person who changed everything” and for her, it was Fergal. If he never opened a school in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, she wouldn’t be living her dream right now. Her brother was gonna go to England to a wrestling school because there weren’t any in Ireland but then they found out about the one Devitt was opening and went there. Becky was only 15 at the time but told Devitt she was 17 so she could train. Devitt says Becky always had it in her to be great and to see where she started to where she is now is amazing.

Talks about how the president of New Japan was visiting UK and saw him at ICW or maybe Rev Pro and invited him to train at the NJPW Dojo. Didn’t want to leave but he had to do it, to prove it to himself.

Next week is part 2

Charlotte out now to take on KC Cassidy (though they might just be calling her Cassie) Cassidy holding her own against the former Women’s Champ. But Charlotte his a big boot and starts dropping knees, showing her genetic superiority.

Charlotte locks in the Figure Four and bridges into the Figure 8 for the win.

After the match, Devin talks to Dana Brooke. She tells Devin to address her as Miss Brooke. Actually no - Miss Understood because at Takeover they called her a former fitness competitor when she’s a current fitness competitor who took part in the Arnold Classic in Brazil. Trash talks Charlotte about how some people earn their way into NXT while others use their family to get in. So don’t misunderstand her when she says she will shove Charlotte right out that same door and slam it shut.

Main event - Kevin Owens out first to take on Samoa Joe. Man, Joe’s music is just bad. It starts off so good then after a few seconds of build it just kills whatever heat and enthusiasm the intro built.

At the bell Owens jumps to the outside but Joe follows closely and gets right in his face. Back in the ring and they lock up and Joe drives Owens into the corner. Owens breaks it off and yells in Joe’s face about “You can’t do this to me, I’m the champ! The champ is here!” but Joe unleashes a flurry of punches and strikes.

Joe really taking it to Owens, even once Owens tries to turn the tide Joe overwhelming him.

After a break, Owens is inexplicably back in control, choking Joe on the ropes and hits a cannonball in the corner, followed by a standing senton.

Owens trying to wear down Joe on the mat, keeping him in a tight chinlock and yells out “Chinlock City”, which a fan in the crowd actually has a sign of and it starts a “Chinlock City” chant. Crowd trying to will Joe back into it and he finally gets to his feet and lands a few blows to create separation. Joe hits the ropes but Owens hits a big knee. Owens yells “This is my house!” but Joe hits a big boot followed by a senton of his owen.

Joe tries to set up for the muscle buster but Owens blocks it. Sends Joe into the opposite corner and runs in but Joe slams him with a uranage. Owens rolls out and Joe follows and Owens sends him into the post. Owens tries to set up for the apron bomb but can’t get him up and they start brawling. The ref breaks them up and Owens rushes back into Joe and hits the ref and he calls for the bell. They start brawling up the ramp and more refs come out to break them up. They keep fighting and Owens heads back to the ring as they try to take Joe to the back, but he gets away and runs to the ring, sweeps Owens legs and drops punches and security hits the ring to try and separate them. Even with 10-15 guys in there, they can’t keep them apart. They finally get Owens out of the ring and he drops two security guards on his way to the ramp and yells “The champ is here!” as the episode ends.

Lucha Underground, 6/17

Opens with a recap of Johnny Mundo and Alberto El Patron’s feud. Their run-ins, Mundo losing to Alberto in a match then screwing over Alberto during a match with Hernandez for #1 contender.

The entire episode tonight will be Prince Puma defending his Lucha Underground Championship against Johnny Mundo in an “All Night Long” match (iron man match). Konnan not at ring side for this match which is kind of surprising.

No time limit on the screen though there is a pin counter. Puma extends his hand for a handshake to start but Mundo pulls him in and seems to be the more aggressive of the two.

Starts with grappling and technical, chain wrestling. Crowd seems more quiet than usual, watching the back-and-forth intently. Get into the flippy shit quickly, trading ranas and sends Puma to the outside. Mundo flips over the ropes but lands on his feet as Puma slides back, hits the ropes and takes out Mundo with a corkscrew.

Come back from commercial still 0-0 and 33:45 left.  Puma gets the first pin with about 33 minutes left with a victory roll type move. 1-0

Puma in control after that first pin, keeping Mundo on the mat then hits a big standing moonsault. But Mundo starts to get back into it, working Puma’s arm but Puma turns the tables and drops Mundo with a cutter but can’t cover. Puma goes for a cross body but misses and Mundo sets up for End of the World. Puma pulls him down but Mundo turns it into a cover, using the ropes but the ref doesn’t see and we’re tied at 1-1 (about 30 minutes left in ep). Mundo quickly rolls out of the ring to get a brief rest. Puma pleading his case but to no avail. To commercial and when they come back 28:20 left on clock.

They fight to the outside and Mundo goes under the ring. Puma pulls him out but with him Mundo brings a chair, a box and I think a crowbar. They fight for position and Puma hits a Samoan Driver on Mundo through that box. I guess this is no DQ? Must be because Mundo hits Puma in the stomach with that crowbar then bends it around his head with a stiff shot and the ref is allowing it all. Puma dropped like a stone with that shot. Mundo rolls him in and gets a pin, 2-1.

Ref Marty Elias checks on Puma who wants to continue and Mundo hits Moonlight Drive on Puma to take a 3-1 lead. Mundo springboards off the ropes and kicks Puma in the face and hits End of the World to take a 4-1 lead and huge boos from the crowd. Mundo takes a break and drinks some water as Puma is still flat, face down on the mat. Mundo slams the bottle on Puma and gets jeers from the crowd. Puma pulls himself up in the corner and Mundo runs in but eats an elbow. Puma rolls forward and nails a DDT and both are down. Crowd willing Puma back to his feet as Mundo rolls to the apron. On the apron, Mundo hits a crazy neckbreaker which takes Puma down on his neck on the apron and lands hard on the outside as Mundo stands over him.

Back from commercial, 20 minutes flat left and Mundo pulls out a giant ladder. He readies it and takes aim at Puma. Puma pulls himself up and Mundo takes it like a battering ram smashing it in Puma’s face. Mundo now sets up the ladder to a balcony and pulls out a table. And now a second table. The ladder was set up against the bleachers, Mundo on the railing after he set Puma on the tables, but Puma pulls himself up and stops Mundo and the fight through the crowd.

Puma suplex Mundo on the hard in the stands. Puma gets a third table and sets it up on the two already there. Then a 4th! Puma tries to suplex Mundo from the crowd through the tables but he puts on the brakes. Mundo nails a super kick and Puma hits the mats and misses the tables. Mundo transitions the ladder from the stands to the band platform and gets on the mic. Trash talks Puma about the scoreboard (4-1) and the crowd boos him. He yells at the band to play him a song as he takes a water break. Puma pulling himself up the ladder and Mundo swings a 2x4 at him, but Puma blocks it, pulls it out of his hands and nails Mundo in the head, then slams a guitar over Mundo’s head! Then Puma spears Mundo off the platform and through all the tables!

Back from commercial and 11 minutes left. They’re still in the rubble of the tables and Mundo is busted open. Puma is so beaten down, he’s having trouble dragging Mundo’s dead weight to the ring as time is getting close to run down. Puma pins Mundo for 4-2. They start trading punches in the center of the ring and both nail a clothesline. Mundo misses a springboard kick but Puma lands a big kick. Puma gets another pin with the spinning inverted DDT, 4-3.

Puma sends Mundo to the ropes but Mundo pulls himself out and doesn’t seem to want to get back in. Puma tells him to get back in and follows him out but Mundo runs away and jumps in the crowd, trying to run out the clock. Puma into the crowd and Mundo back out and runs away again. Puma gets his hands on him but Mundo slides away again. Mundo at announce table and puts Vampiro between them. Mundo goes back in the ring and Puma knocks him down with a big head kick. He heads up top and misses a Phoenix Splash and Mundo rolls out of the ring.

Mundo runs up the stairs and Alberto El Patron blindsides him! Hammers him with punches and sends Mundo down the steps! He throws Mundo into a wall and into the announce table then lands a DDT with about 5 minutes left on the clock. He throws Mundo into the ring and walks away as Puma lands a 450 to tie up the score 4-4!

Alberto on the mic says if Mundo walks away with the title be ready, because he is going to kick Mundo’s ass. And even if Puma wins, be ready, because he’s coming for the LU Title. But then again, you already knew that.

3 minutes left and they are face to face in the ring. Mundo scoops Puma and rams him to the corner and hammers punches. They both go for pin combos but only 2 counts. Knee to Puma’s face and 2 count. Mundo hits the ropes and standing Spanish Fly but only 2! Mundo puts Puma on top. Not sure what he was going for but Mundo missed and Puma rolls to opposite corner. 40 secs left. Puma shotgun dropkick and goes up top for 630 senton and lands flush! Puma 5-4 with seconds left and Puma retains, 5-4!

No segment after, kinda surprising. Just awarding the belt to Puma and a “That was awesome” chant from the crowd and the show ends.

Ring of Honor

ROH DA 6/17

Decade vs War Machine

War Machine are pretty awesome. They have that "presence" that everyone attributes to Baron Corbin – except War Machine has it for real. After Page has Colby pull up his knee pads Whitmer tells Colby to take his spot in the match because his dad Steve doesn't get it yet but he will and he needs to see it again (as in get his ass kicked by someone way bigger). Page in first and immediately tags out to Colby who tells Rowe to tag in Hanson and Rowe, who Kelly says has known Colby since he was 10, tells him he's not ready and to talk about this with his dad and Colby slaps Rowe, who tags in Hanson.

Corino can't believe the way his son is acting and Colby attacks Hanson as he gets in but it's not very effective. Corino pleading with ref to stop it.  Rowe in and Colby not doing much to him. Rowe tells BJ to get in the ring and Colby keeps attacking so Rowe backbreaker, chestbreaker, powerbomb combo and throws Colby into The Decade corner and yells at Page to tag in. But Page turns his back on Colby and walks away yelling for him to fight. Colby turns around and War Machine hits him with Fallout (Rowe lifts into a backdrop and Hanson leg drop off the top). Whitmer in Corino face and Kelly tries to calm him down.

Next, Cedric Alexander says this time last year he was breakout star but he's not that guy anymore and he needs to prove to his family that his dream of being a pro wrestler aren't a waste. Says he needs to start winning and calls out Moose, who is undefeated.

Really solid match so far, Cedric taking it to Moose. Cedric 7 corner dropkick but Moose won't go down and Cedric rushes in and Moose spear and both are down. Veda tells Stokely Hathaway to distract the ref and she slides Moose a wrench. He says no, he doesn't want to cheat to win and Cedric takes it, hits Moose and wins! He walks off saying "Whatever I gotta do! I know I got what it takes!"

I was incredibly surprised to see Cedric end Moose’s streak right before Best in the World. And after the events of BITW, it seems like they are moving toward a Moose/Cedric feud.

Sydal and ACH vs Naito and Tanahashi. ACH dressed like dude from One Piece (some anime show) for some reason. Tana and Naito don't want to shake??

Next week, Roderick Strong vs Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles and Bucks takes on Okada and RPG Vice?! Daaaaamn.

Really good tag so far with N/T working heel and controlling ACH to set up a hot tag for Sydal. But like tweener heels. Really turn up the intensity and it turns into a crazy, awesome tag match. Tanahashi has ACH in a cloverleaf and Naito stop Sydal, but Sydal gets there to break it up. ACH slingshot downward spiral and Sydal SSP pin on Tanahashi but Naito breaks it up. ACH goes for 450 on Naito and Tanahashi but Tanahashi gets his knees up, Slingblade and Tanahashi pins ACH with High Fly Flow.

Nigel out there for the contract signing. Lethal and Truth out first. Jay with Mark out next. They both sign, no problem but then Lethal gets on mic and says the one reason why he doesn't flip table and put down Briscoe because he wants, no needs Briscoe at his best when he proves he's #1 in ROH. And after he wins, says Briscoe has no business in ROH anymore and by signing, made the biggest mistake of his life like his parents made 31 years ago.

Briscoe says he's gonna beat Lethal so bad he'll have to go back to being Black Machismo. Lethal flips table and they yell and hold their belts up. Lethal yells "I made this! That belt made you!" about how he made the TV Title important but the World title made Briscoe important.

ROH 6/24 TV preview

Roderick Strong vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Gedo vs Michael Elgin

Kazuchika Okada and RPG Vice vs Bullet Club (AJ Styles and the Young Bucks)

Okada, Nakamura and Kushida coming to ROH for shows in Philly and Brooklyn on Aug 21 and 22

Best In The West results

-Mark Briscoe def. Donovan Dijack

-The Decade (BJ Whitmer and Adam Page) def. ACH and Matt Sydal

-Dalton Castle def. Silas Young

(I missed the first two matches admittedly but Castle vs Young was a really solid match. It ended with Castle winning but Young attacked one of his boys afterward to create animosity going between them going forward)

-War Machine def. C&C Wrestle Factory

(OK match but more about furthering Alexander’s heel turn. But with levels since he didn’t seem to want to attack Caprice Coleman)

-Roderick Strong def. Michael Elgin and Moose to become #1 Contender

(This match was a lot better than I thought it gonna be, like way better. I thought Moose was gonna win but I definitely am not mad at Strong winning. This also ended with Moose refusing to cheat again and Veda turning on him and joining with Cedric so I gotta imagine they will be making Moose’s life difficult)

-Bullet Club def. The Kingdom

(This was a stellar match. It was the same pairing as the War of the Worlds show I was at in Philly just with the opposite outcome. The feud between the BC and the Kingdom, who have joined Chaos, is in full swing and it’s hard to say exactly how one group will get an advantage on the other)

-The Addiction retained tag titles against reDRagon

(As great as O’Reilly and Fish are as a team, The Addiction win with the help of Chris Sabin. Hopefully this means that O’Reilly and Fish move into singles competition now. I think O’Reilly is getting a World title shot coming up since he beat  Lethal in a tag match by submission in the past month or two)

-Jay Lethal became the new ROH World Champion def. Jay Briscoe

(This was just a stellar match. It was a little longer and built really well with Lethal getting the win over the unpinned in the last two years Jay Briscoe. I’m sure the Briscoes will try to get the belt off him going forward but hopefully they go back into tag team competition to help build some up-and-coming tag teams to challenge The Addiction. Or to finally start that War Machine feud they’ve been teasing for like, a year)

Matches for Death Before Dishonor XIII, 7/24 from Baltimore, MD on iPPV

Jay Lethal defends World title against Roderick Strong

Addiction defends tag titles against War Machine, reDRagon and the Kingdom

Cedric Alexander vs Moose

ACH vs Adam Page

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla

Threemendous IV

American Wolves, Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards return

Akira Tozawa returns

Jack Evans makes his return as well and Lucha Underground star Angelico makes his PWG debut. And, according to MLW Podcast, Angelico/Evans will face Young Bucks at Threemendous IV. (Though one of the Bucks said on Twitter, in a tweet I can’t find now, that that match isn’t happening. Which could be misdirection but they are working so often in Japan I could see it being the truth.

BOLA participants so far

1. Will Ospreay

2. Marty Scurll

3. Timothy Thatcher

4. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

5. Chris Hero

6. Biff Busick

7. Mark Andrews

8. Brian Cage

9. Ricochet (2014 winner)

10. Tommy End

I’m still really hoping for Zack Sabre Jr to be announced as well as guys like Trevor Lee, Johnny Gargano and AJ Styles. Considering Monster Mafia is no more, Ethan Page could be included as well. And I just had this thought – how insane would it be if Nick Gage got booked in PWG or BOLA? Now that he’s back on the scene he’s been working everywhere lately and they could definitely bring him in in the insane brawler role that Necro Butcher used to fill.

Upcoming shows

AIW – Absolution X

Friday, July 10 at Ohio City Masonic Arts Center

http://aiwrestling.com/absox.html

AIW Absolution Title

Josh Alexander (c) vs. Ricky Shane Page

(This isn’t necessarily a spoiler but I wouldn’t be surprised if RSP wins since Alexander is retiring)

Cleveland Street Fight

Dudes on TV (EC3, Matt Cross, DJ Z, Ray Rowe and Samoa Joe) vs. Team AIW (Josh Prohibition, Johnny Gargano, The Young Bucks and Alex Daniels)

Intense Title Match

Davey Vega (c) vs. BJ Whitmer

Anything Goes

Tim Donst vs. Nick Gage

AIW Women’s Title Match

Veda Scott (c) vs. Athena

I Quit Match

Eddie Kingston vs. Ethan Page

AIW Tag Team Title Match

To Infinity and Beyond (Colin Delaney and Cheech) vs Hot Sauce Entertainment (Tracy Williams and Tyson Dux)

Six-Pack Scramble

Chris Sabin vs Tyler Thomas vs Candice LeRae vs Cedric Alexander vs Flip Kendrick vs Louis Lydon

The Iron Curtain vs Joshua Singh, Kaplan, Frankie Flynn and Brian Carson

And also Big Van Vader will be there!

Allegedly, Nick Gage is going to be running his own deathmatch tournament in September. I have no idea where or who will be in it but he’s been talking about it on Twitter later. I don’t know if it would have the backing of CZW or what but I’m definitely intrigued to say the least.

I’d want to ask him if this is for reals or not but I’m too scared of Gage taking offense to it actually question the things he says so I’ll just keep an eye on the situation from afar.

AAW Pro “United We Stand”

July 17, Merrionette Park, IL

Shane Hollister vs Matt Cage

OI4K defend the AAW Tag Titles against The Hooligans

Ethan Page defends the AAW Championship against Johnny Gargano

Evolve 45

July 10, Tampa, FL

Drew Gulak (c) and Roderick Strong vs Anthony Nese and Caleb Konley

Davey Richards vs Zack Sabre Jr.

Chris Hero vs Trevor Lee

Rich Swann vs Timothy Thatcher

Biff Busick vs Andrew Everett

Evolve 46

July 11, Tampa, FL

Evolve Championship

Drew Galloway (c) vs Trent Baretta

Chris Hero vs Timothy Thatcher

Davey Richards vs Biff Busick

TJ Perkins vs Zack Sabre Jr.

Anthony Nese vs Trevor Lee

Caleb Konley vs Andrew Everett

House of Hardcore 9

July 18

Ted Reeve Community Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Young Bucks vs Team 3D

Matt Taven and Mike Bennett with Maria vs Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian

Tommy Dreamer vs Chris Hero

Rhino issues an open challenge

Also scheduled to appear:

John Hennigan (aka John Morrison aka Johnny Mundo)

Tony Nese

Eddie Kingston

Thea Trinidad

Tommaso Ciampa

Team Tremendous

Traci Brooks makes her final pro wrestling appearance

Also, West End Wrestling is promoting another show coming up on their Twitter (https://twitter.com/westendwrestlng). For a small company with only one show ever promoted before, they announced some pretty awesome talent for their second show. Ricky Shane Page, Gran Akuma and Ethan Page have been announced for the Sept. 26 show at the West End Fire Company in Stowe, PA. And I’m just now realizing it’s been literally one year since their last show (first was 9/27, 2014).