The Delco Elbow Drop


Thursday, December 17, 2015

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

NXT, 12/9
Enzo Amore and Big Cass with Carmella open NXT TV this week and they are uncharacteristically silent and serious on their walk down to the ring. They take on Corey Hollis and John Skylar, who actually get an entrance with music and everything. They are wearing torn up denim vests, sorta like what Scott Dawson used to wear when they were known as The Mechanics. Graves makes the same observation a moment later.
Big Cass in first and wearing down Skylar in the corner. Enzo tags in and does much of the same with a big forearm and then a standing dropkick. Cass big boots Skylar off the apron and then rocket launcher Enzo onto him for the win. After, Enzo cuts a promo about how he and Big Cass have been teaming for longer than anyone else in NXT and that Cass is family to him. Dash and Dawson tried to take them out, and stop them from putting food on the table for their families and the only people who determine their future are in the ring now. It’s a very good, impassioned promo from Enzo with a lot of real feeling and not just his usual lines and funny rhymes. Cass cuts a promo and it’s much of the same, not quite as good as Enzo but still good and says they’re walking out of Takeover as the new champs.

Tom Phillips talks to Dana Brooke and Emma about Emma facing Asuka in London. Emma says she isn’t worried. She knows Asuka was a big deal in Japan, so what. This is NXT and Emma has been there since before anyone heard of Bayley, Sasha or Charlotte. Before there was a Divas Revolution, there was an Emma-lution. Then Dana says they might check out Asuka’s match later, just cause they can.

Asuka out next. She takes on Deonna Purazzo, who actually gets a last name this time. Deonna is doing all she can to try and stay away from Asuka but it’s no use. Asuka is easily controlling the match, fluidly transitioning into a cross arm breaker, but Deonna shows a lot of heart and fights to get her feet on the ropes.
Not long after that, Emma’s music hit and Emma and Dana Brooke head to the stage. Asuka turns her back on Deonna to look at them, then as Deonna moves on in, Asuka spins around with a huge roundhouse kick, knocking out Deonna. Emma and Dana look pretty concerned and the ref calls the match because Deonna is out cold.

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley backstage promo. Rawley does most of the talking and it seems like their gimmick is just what they do on Breaking Ground, Ryder tries to explain things to Mojo, who is far too hype to care. I don’t remember what they were talking about and it kinda doesn’t matter. Blake and Murphy, I think?

Alexa Bliss, Blake and Murphy backstage promo. Alexa says Blake and Murphy embarrassed her when they lost to the Hype Bros. And that Blake and the Murph are the reason she didn’t beat Bayley for the Women’s title because their failure threw her off. They’re pretty upset but the sudden accusations but say they’ll beat the Hype Bros to get back in her good graces.

Alexa Bliss, Blake and Murphy are also wearing green and red, Christmas-esque colors. And Alexa and Blake have ripped sweaters on that make them look like Christmas Freddy Krueger. They take on the Hype Bros, who came out first, but whatever.
The Hype Bros easily control the match early on, keeping one or the other guy isolated and wearing him down. Ryder hits the Broski Boot on Blake but then Murphy hits him in the back and the tide starts to turn. Blake picks up Alexa and rams her foot into Ryder’s face. Blake and the Murph are working over Ryder in their corner and giving him no chance to tag. Mojo is trying to rile up the crowd and they are really responding, but it doesn’t really help Ryder too much.
Ryder counters the numbers game and Mojo takes out everyone. Blake and Murphy rake Mojo’s eyes and superkick to nearly get a 3 but Ryder breaks it up. Then the Hype Bros hit the Hype Ryder for the win.

Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin talk about how they might not like each other but like their opponents less. Corbin says he doesn’t like where Apollo Crews comes from and what he represents and calls him a rookie. Joe says that Finn Balor claims Joe betrayed him, but Joe says Balor betrayed him by not giving him a title shot. Corbin finishes with they’re gonna beat them so bad they won’t make it to Takeover.

Bayley out next, she takes on Peyton Royce as we’re one week away from Takeover London. Peyton is actually getting the better of their exchanges early on and then knocks Bayley down with a running knee. Royce is looking a lot more calculated and deliberate in her offensive movements and showing an aggression we haven’t seen from her before.
Royce locks in a tight chinlock on the mat but Bayley works out of it and starts to work her way back into the match. Then almost out of nowhere, Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly for the win!
Then as Bayley is celebrating, Nia Jax’s music hits and she and Eva Marie make their way to the ring to be awful. So awful it makes my Network stream crash and I have to restart the app before the episode will play again. Eva has a mic and the crowd is incredibly loud before she can start talking. Eva is awful on the mic and Nia is only a hair better, so still pretty bad. Nia says Bayley is lucky that she didn’t get here sooner, or Bayley would never have won the title. She also says shes been destined for greatness since day one and it’s like, duh, The Rock, we know.

Apollo Crews talks to Finn Balor in the back about their match next. Crews says he’s been calling Balor all week and hasn’t heard back so he just wanted to make sure their minds were in the right place and Balor says Crews doesn’t need to worry about him, just the match tonight. Crews likes that but also says that once they take of business in London, Crews is coming after the NXT Title. Crews picks up the belt and puts it on Balor’s shoulder before he walks out and Balor looks kinda upset that Crews put his hands on the belt.
Ever since Joe turned on him, Balor’s attitude has kinda changed and he’s seemed a little more standoffish than he was before. At first, he seemed like an easy-go-lucky kind of guy and easy-going champ but now he seems different.

Main event time now – Apollo Crews out first followed by the champ Finn Balor. Corbin and Balor in first but when Crews tags in, Corbin wants nothing to do with him and he tags in Joe. Crews taking care of Joe and he wants Corbin, but neither Joe or Corbin seem willing to oblige.
Back from a break, Joe is helping Corbin beat down Crews in their corner. They are both working over Crews for a while, surprisingly. But then Crews starts to make a comeback and he and Corbin tag out and Balor goes right at Joe. Joe nearly gets the Muscle Buster but Balor gets out and nearly gets to the top for the double stomp but Corbin knocks him off into Joe’s arms, who plants Balor and then chokes him out with the Kokina Clutch and the ref calls for the bell. Joe stands over the still out cold Balor with the title belt as the episode ends.

NXT hosting Takeover: Dallas on April 1. Tix on sale 12/19



Lucha Underground
Saw on Ivelisse’s Facebook that LU will return to El Rey Network on January 27!


As you may know, I attended Lucha Underground’s tapings last weekend and there is a small write up about it at the end of this article.


Ring of Honor
ROH, 12/9
Opening this episode, Silas Young, the Beer City Bruiser and the Boys head to the ring first to take on reDRagon. It seems like the Boys may be being indoctrinated by Silas. One of them anyway, the other seems resolute. 
The crowd starts a Dalton Castle chant and Silas looks annoyed. Fish starts with Bruiser but gives up a lot of size. It's not long before the team experience of reDRagon takes over. Silas and the Bruiser actually start to gain some momentun, hitting a series of moves on O'Reilly in their corner, and the Boys are celebrating! What? Are they actually cheering for Silas and BCB? Stockholm Syndrome? 
Just about then, Adam Cole walks to ringside to join commentary, to watch O'Reilly get beat down. Kyle creates separation and makes the tag to Fish who beats up Silas and locks in the Fish Hook but Bruiser makes the save. Kyle takes out Bruiser and a Boy with a plancha and as Silas hits Misery on Fish, the other Boy distracts the ref from making the count. 
ReDRagon comes back and O'Reilly has a deep guillotine choke on BCB but Silas breaks it up. ReDRagon Two Man Smash Machine on BCB then Chasing the Dragon for the win. Cole is pissed that reDRagon won and O'Reilly gets in his face and they push and shove to the back.
Match was good, little bit of progression for the Boys. Ending was a little sloppy cause Bruiser is alot to handle but nothing glaring.
Afterward, Silas makes the Boys kick the ref and DDT him. One looks pumped  about it but the other, not so much. Silas tells them to be proud of themselves and shakes their hands. Then Dalton Castle hits the ring out of nowhere! He says Silas has something that belongs with him! Silas sicks Bruiser on Castle but he easily sidesteps Bruiser and knocks him down with the mic. Dalton motions for the Boys to join him, and they almost do, but for some reason they decide to stay with Silas (remember the one being more influenced by Silas than the other) and Dalton can't believe it.

Chris Sabin in the ring, complaining that someone stole their gimmick (the KRD guy distracting them) and mentions several times that it's a member of the ROH lockerroom, meaning you know it isn't  (it's Alex Shelley). That this person has cost his friends The Addiction the titles, and are in the WTL at the moment, and also has been doing Sabin's moves. Hmm...who could it be? (It's Alex Shelley)
Sabin is pissed this person has framed him and calls him out. He's hijacking the show until they show themselves, but he doesn't have to wait long. The guy shows up almost immediately, gets in the ring and takes off his mask and it's Alex Shelley! Sabin can't believe it's his old MCMG tag partner and Sabin walks out with his hands on his head.

Next up, Samson Walker takes on Roderick Strong for the TV title. Sounds familiar. Kevin Kelly says he's won gold in Puerto Rico and been around the world. Dude is jacked so he may give Roddy some problems. Bobby Fish on commentary since he has a TV title shot at Final Battle. Roddy tries to start fast but Walker uses his size to weather the initial attack and overpower Roddy, slamming him into the posts and the guardrail. Walker has a bear hug and Roddy fights out but then get put down with a spine buster and Walker gets a 2 count. 
But Roddy won't stay down. He hits a series of forearms and an Olympic Slam for 2. Fish grabs the TV title belt and sits with it at the table, saying he just wants a closer look.  After a double knee gut buster and a Sick Kick, Roddy gets the win. Commentary keeps talking about Roddy vs the World so it seems like he's gonna be defending the TV title against all comers.
Afterward, Fish gets in the ring and he has the TV title belt on and Roddy is pretty pissed. He takes his belt back and things start escalating until refs separate them.

Mandy Leon does a recap of the Survival of the Fittest, where Michael Elgin pinned Jay Briscoe with a Burning Hammer. And Elgin says he wants his title shot in Japan.

Main event time, the Young Bucks out first to take on the Briscoes. All Night Express on commentary for this one. Handshakes all around beforehand, but it isn't long into the match before egos take over and they're all pushing and shoving. The Bucks throw a Superkick Party for both Mark and Jay and level them with topes. Matt gets in the faces of ANX so it seems like tempers are rising all around. 
Back in the ring, the Briscoes are in control. ANX talks about being apart for so long but not missing a step and that they were never pinned to lose the tag titles years ago. Also that they had the Bucks pinned in a match before, for 14 seconds, but the ref didn't see, for 14 seconds, and neither kicked out, for 14 seconds. Even though the Bucks won that match.
Briscoes nearly get the win after a Froggy Bow from Mark then they set up for a Doomsday Device. Mark hits the clothesline but Matt flips out and lands on his feet! Nick back in and superkick Jay then both superkick Mark. Bucks Indytaker Mark but Jay breaks it up at 2.99. (Hmm seemed kinda like a Briscoe botch and didn't quite get there in time). Evade Jay and take him out and More Bang on Mark for the win!
ANX gets in the ring, telling Nigel they just want to congratulate the Bucks, but all 3 teams start shoving then brawling. Security and refs try to break them up but they're all getting taken out. 
Next week, RPG Vice vs ACH and Matt Sydal and an appearance by former ROH champ Jerry Lynn.

This week ROH TV
Adam Cole vs Corey Hollis
War Machine and Dalton Castle are in action
Kevin Kelly talks to former ROH champ Jerry Lynn about the World title match at Final Battle
And RPG Vice faces ACH and Matt Sydal

ROH Final Battle
Live on PPV
Philadelphia, PA
Dec. 18
ROH World Title
Jay Lethal (c) vs AJ Styles

ROH Tag Team Titles
The Kingdom (c) vs War Machine

ROH TV Title
Roderick Strong (c) vs Bobby Fish

Grudge Match
Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly

Six man tag
Alex Shelley, ACH and Matt Sydal vs The Addiction and Chris Sabin

Dalton Castle vs Silas Young

Michael Elgin vs Moose

ROH Tag Title #1 Contender
The Briscoes vs The All Night Express vs The Young Bucks

YouTube Preshow
Cheeseburger vs Brutal Bob


ROH Final Battle PPV on PS4 (with a discount for Playstation Plus) members, through Live Event Viewer app
ROH’s biggest show of the year is now even easier to watch for fans with a Playstation 3 or Playstation 4 console.
The live PPV can be ordered and watched through the Live Event Viewer app for the cost of $34.95 and those who are Playstation Plus members get an additional 20% off, making the show a few cents below $28.


ROH enters agreement with PWG
Long story short, the agreement will allow for exclusive contracted ROH stars like Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, the Young Bucks and others to "compete on a select number of PWG shows per year."


Honor Rising: Japan 2016
New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced the official name for the events that they will co-promote with ROH in 2016. The shows will be titled “Honor Rising: Japan 2016” and will be held on Feb 19 and 20 at the legendary Korakuen Hall.
No matches have been announced yet, but I’m very excited for some prospective match ups between ROH guys and NJPW guys who don’t make the trip for the annual Global Wars/War of the Worlds shows. It’ll be great to finally see Shibata and Ishii get matched up against ROH guys, not to mention the great up-and-coming Young Lion talent like Jay White, David Finlay, Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu who will no doubt get a chance to shine. 



New Japan Pro Wrestling
World Tag League finals results
-Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka def. Juice Robinson and David Finlay Jr.

-Mascara Dorada def. Jay White

-Tiger Mask IV and Ryusuke Taguchi def. Jushin “Thunder” Liger and KUSHIDA

-TenKoji, Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi def. Bullet Club (Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Yujiro Takahashi and Tama Tonga)

(A video aired showing Truth Martini talking to Jay Lethal, about Lethal wanting to defend the ROH World title at Wrestle Kingdom 10 on January 4)

-The Kingdom def. The Addiction

-Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano def. Bad Luck Fale and Cody Hall

-Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata def. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Kazushi Sakuraba and Yoshi-Hashi

World Tag League finals
-Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe def. Los Ingobernables
(Honma won with the Kokeshi diving headbutt on EVIL and it seems they will challenge Bullet Club at WK10)


Kazuchika Okada is the MVP
Enuhito reported last week that IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada was voted the 2015 Tokyo Prowrestling MVP. Not only that, but voted the Kazuchika Okada vs Genichiro Tenryu from the Tenryu Retirement Show as Match of the Year. I didn’t watch that show, even though it is on World, but I heard it wasn’t great. It’s not surprising though, since Tenryu is 65 years old but it’s also not surprising it was voted MOTY because Tenryu was a pretty big deal and therefore so is his retirement (and saying he was a big deal is probably underselling his legacy a lot).


WrestleKingdom10 card
-The annual big January 4 NJPW Tokyo Dome show is quickly approaching and many matches have been announced

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Kazuchika Okada (c) vs G1 Climax 25 winner Hiroshi Tanahashi

IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs AJ Styles

NEVER Openweight Championship
Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs Katsuyori Shibata

Hirooki Goto vs Tetsuya Naito

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Bullet Club (Karl “Machine Gun” Anderson and Doc Gallows) (c) vs 2015 World Tag League winners Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Kenny Omega (c) vs KUSHIDA

ROH World Championship
(If Jay Lethal retains against AJ Styles)
Jay Lethal (c) vs Michael Elgin

Toru Yano, TBA and TBA vs Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
reDRagon (c) vs Young Bucks vs RPG Vice vs Ricochet and Matt Sydal

Pre-show
Annual New Japan Rumble (a battle royal, usually just a fun way to start the show, using older vets to pop the crowd. Also on the NJPW site, this match is called the “New Japan Rambo”)



Indy wrestling
PWG 
Michael Elgin, Sami Callihan and ADAM COLE BAY BAY made returns at PWG ASW 11 N1. And N2, Kyle O'Reilly returned during the main event.

All Star Weekend Night 1 results
-Chuck Taylor def. Mark Andrews
-Ricochet def. Marty Scurll
-The Unbreakable F’n Machines def. The American Wolves
-Sami Callihan def. Drew Gulak
(Afterward, Callihan said he had been locked in a cage for the past 2 years but now he is back to prove he is the best in the world)
-Trevor Lee def. Will Ospreay
-Kenny Omega def. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
-Young Bucks retained the PWG tag titles against Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
-Roderick Strong retained the PWG title against Matt Sydal
(After the main event, the Bucks joined Strong but they were attacked by Speedball and the World’s Cutest Tag Team. The lights went out and  Super Dragon appeared but he had a mic and yelled “SUCK MY DICK!” and did a brainbuster on his knee to Candice, then took off his mask to reveal himself as Adam Cole! Cole had not been seen in PWG since May of 2014 and it seems that he is aligning himself with Mt Rushmore 2.0. Though, Strong, the current leader and world champ, seems to be at odds with the returning former leader of the group.)

All Star Weekend Night 2 results
-Chuck Taylor def. Kikutaro
(This was only a few minutes, Kikutaro asks for another match, Chuck agrees because he is a gentleman)
-Chuck Taylor def. Kikutaro
(Mt. Rushmore 2.0 attacked Kikutaro afterward)
-Timothy Thatcher def. Marty Scurll
-Unbreakable F’n Machines def. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano
-Ricochet def. Mark Andrews
-Trevor Lee def. Matt Sydal
-Kenny Omega def. Will Ospreay
-Chris Hero, “Speedball” Mike Bailey and the World’s Cutest Tag Team def. Mt Rushmore 2.0 in a Guerilla Warfare match
(Excalibur got involved, Kyle O’Reilly made his return to attack Mt. Rushmore and Hero got the pin on a Buck after a roaring elbow with a thumbtack elbow pad)

Next PWG show is Jan 2.
-Tix on sale Dec 16
-Angelico vs Brian Cage
-Drew Gulak vs Timothy Thatcher 
-Sami Callihan vs Trevor Lee 
-Drew Galloway vs Jack Evans
-Mike Bailey vs Adam Cole
-Zack Sabre Jr vs Akira Tozawa 
-Chris Hero vs Roderick Strong, PWG World title

PWG DVD news
-Two new compilations coming soon:
Young Bucks – Five Stars

Not Another Steen DVD

Not only that - PWG Blu Rays coming!



Global Force Wrestling coming to NY/NJ
-Two shows
Jan 22 at Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY
Jan 23 at Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, NJ



CZW Cage of Death XVII results
-Desmond Xavier won a scramble match involving Poseidon, Chip Day, Eddie Smooth, Conor Claxton, Lucky 13 and Brittany Blake to earn a spot in Best of the Best
-Lio Rush def. Joey Janela to win the CZW Wired Championship
-The Amazing Gulaks def. Beaver Boys
-Greg Excellent def. Tony Nese
-George Gatton def. DJ Hype
-TV Ready (BLK Jeez and Pepper Parks) def. Team Tremendous to win the CZW Tag Team Titles
-Joe Gacy def. Tim Donst
(Donst said “I Quit” before Gacy threw him off a scaffold, but then Gacy threw him off anyway)
-Danny Havoc def. Ricky Shane Page
-Sami Callihan def. David Starr
-Matt Tremont retains the CZW World Title in the Cage of Death against AR Fox, Masada and Devon Moore


CZW vs Smash Jan 16 
Combat Zone Wrestling has a long history of working with other notable indy companies to help raise the profile of both companies. Back when I was going to CZW regularly in the mid-2000s, I had the chance to see CZW work with smaller companies like IWA-MS, Chikara, and IWS as well as PWG and Ring of Honor  before they became the massively popular promotions they are today.
CZW being an east coast showcase for the best indy wrestling talent on the scene today still hasn’t changed and in 2016, CZW will be teaming up with one of Canada’s most popular companies, Smash Wrestling.
Taking place on January 16 in Toronto, Canada (I’ll be REAL annoyed if they don’t do a joint show in Philly or at the Skate Zone), the event is advertised as Team Smash vs Team CZW. I haven’t been able to find a card yet (one probably doesn’t even exist yet, since CZW probably wanted to get through COD before looking to 2016) but I will be sure to pass it along once I find out.


Joe’s Journey to the West
I plan on doing a much more extensive write up about my trip to LA to see PWG and Lucha Underground, but for now, enjoy the short write up I did for Ring Rust Radio:

Last week, I took my first ever trip to Los Angeles to not only attend season 2 tapings of Lucha Underground, but also to attend my first PWG show, night one of All Star Weekend 11. – As fun as the Lucha tapings were, nothing could ever compare to the atmosphere at a PWG show. The crowd was raucous all night long, even as temperatures inside the American Legion Hall in Reseda neared triple digits. – Several wrestlers returned to PWG at ASW N1, including Michael Elgin, Kenny Omega, who was last in PWG for the 2014 Battle of Los Angeles, and the American Wolves, who hadn’t teamed in PWG since 2011. – There were also many surprise returns, like Sami Callihan, who defeated Drew Gulak and cut a promo saying that he has been locked in a cage for 2 years but now he’s back to prove why he’ the best in the world. –Adam Cole returned as well, who rejoined Mount Rushmore after dressing like Super Dragon to attack Candice LeRae. – Also, it was recently announced that ROH and PWG had reached an agreement that would allow contracted ROH stars such as Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and the Young Bucks to work select PWG dates going forward.

The Lucha Underground taping was an experience completely unique from any other wrestling show I’ve ever attended. – El Rey Network creator Robert Rodriguez played music with his band during the taping, as well as even filming some of an episode. “Machete” star Danny Trejo and producer Mark Burnett were also in attendance. – After having been inside the Temple, the interior looks much bigger on TV than it is in real life. And since it is a television show and not a taped wrestling show, the production staff is much larger than any show I’ve seen, besides WWE. – Also, the “backstage areas” are scattered around nearby the ring area. For instance, the “gym” setting was right behind my seats, which were to the right of Cueto’s office. – And even though it may be obvious, Pentagon is easily the most over person in LU and he gave me perhaps the hardest high-five ever. – In terms of what I saw at the tapings, without getting into spoiler territory I saw:
-Several wrestlers brand new to season 2
-The return of a very popular character
-Title matches
-A title change
-And an Aztec Warfare match

Also, Lucha Underground now has a shop on ProWrestlingTees.com and it was announced last week that Lucha Underground Season 2 will begin on January 27.

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Monday, December 7, 2015

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

NXT, 11/25
Michael Cole opens NXT, and people aren’t that happy to see him. William Regal isn’t at NXT right now (which people boo) but only because he is recovering from successful neck surgery (which people cheer). And apparently Regal has put Michael Cole in charge, for some reason.
Cole goes on to talk about the challenge Eva Marie laid down to Bayley for the NXT Women’s title. Regal did not want the match to happen but corporate called Cole and told him that, yes, that match will happen and happen tonight. (Basically making the story that WWE is pushing Eva Marie to the top regardless of horrible fan reaction. Are they like, real-time satirizing main roster fans’ treatment of Reigns with this angle?)
But Cole is also there to oversee the contract signing between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe for the NXT Title at Takeover London.
Balor gets to the ring and cuts a promo. He says that Joe did what he felt he had to to get an NXT title shot. But it taught Finn that trust and friendship in this business are a rarity (hmm…I seem to recall saying this situation would make Balor more cautious in the future). He wants Joe to come out and sign the contract, look into Balor’s eyes and know that he isn’t entitled to anything.
As Joe heads to the ring, Balor takes off his jacket and gets ready for a fight. Joe gets in the ring, signs the contract and leaves, without ever once looking at Balor. What a sign of disrespect. Not only that, but the head games displayed by Joe. By not even regarding Finn with a glance, he makes it seem like Balor isn’t even a threat.
But as Finn heads up the ramp, Joe attacks him from behind. Joe throws Balor into the ring but Balor uses his quickness to turn the tables immediately and the refs have to pull them apart. As the refs separate them, Joe locks in the Kokina Clutch and chokes out the champ.

The Vaudevillains head to the ring for their tag title rematch against Dash and Dawson. The Vaudevillains take over early but it isn’t long before Dash and Dawson start using some smart teamwork to turn the tide. They start to work over the shoulder of English, keeping him isolated away from Gotch. This is Dash and Dawson proving that they don’t need to take advantage of weaknesses – they are proving they are capable of breaking down anyone as well as showing an ability to keep opponents on their toes by changing strategies on the fly.
English is finally able to make a tag to Gotch, who takes charge. But once again, quick tags and teamwork by Dash and Dawson end his brief rally. Dash makes a blind tag behind the back of English, leading to Dash and Dawson teaming up to hit the Shatter Machine for the win.
As the champs celebrate, the music of Enzo and Big Cass plays and they go right at Dash and Dawson, brawling with them in the ring.

Tom Phillips talks to Eva Marie. They’re in William Regal’s office for some reason. Eva says she needs a bigger place to prepare for her championship match, and she knows Regal won’t mind. (Is this the beginning of Eva emasculating every man on the roster without ever getting comeuppance, sorta like Stephanie? No, exactly like Stephanie.)
Tom asks her why she said her title match was inevitable and she says she’s the hottest prospect, all-around, in a long time. She’s been beating every opponent since she returned and Bayley is a great champion, but it’s time for a real woman to become champion. She says it’s all because of the support from the WWE Universe and thanks Total Divas for that. Holy shit, they are going all-in on this tongue-in-cheek stuff about how much the smart fans despise her.
But better than gifts, is friendship and introduces everyone to her new friend, Nia Jax.

Elias Sampson vignette? Dude’s playing a guitar and singing and shit. Because that worked so well for Aiden English when he was a heel before the Vaudevillains became faces.

Next match, Asuka vs Dana Brooke. Before Brooke heads to the ring, she says she’s gonna slap the smile off Asuka’s face and then Emma blindsides Asuka! Asuka tries to defend herself but Emma chop blocks her and locks in the Emma Lock as Dana berates Asuka.

Tom Phillips talks to Bayley about her title match. She says that to some people, Eva is the perfect champion. She’s pretty, star of a reality show and has the backing of WWE corporate. But she has something Eva doesn’t – Bayley is a wrestler and Eva isn’t.

Video package for…Sami Zayn returning?! No word when but it seems clear he’s going back to NXT when he returns. Kinda sucks though. I felt like that US Title Open Challenge was his main roster debut so that’s where he should be now. He should come back and knock Owens out of the Royal Rumble to kick off a feud with him and reintroduce himself with the main roster fans.

Apollo Crews heads to the ring next, he takes on Jesse Sorensen. Rich Brennan says it’s a surprise to see him and Corey Graves asks why, and Rich has to dance around why it’s a surprise.
Sorensen holding his own for a bit but Crews is never in any real trouble in the match as he goes on to pin Sorensen following that crazy spinning powerbomb.
Afterward, he calls out Baron Corbin. Corbin cost him his shot at becoming NXT Champion and accepts his challenge for Takeover London. They call Corbin the lone wolf but when he gets in the ring with Crews, Crews will lay him down (“lay him out” or “put him down” would’ve been better but, whatevs)

Backstage, Corbin says Crews will end up being the answer to a trivia question, because his career won’t be long enough to remember. He’s been getting better at being an insufferable douchebag lately.

Little Naitch makes his way to the ring before the main event and he tells the ref something, then tells Greg whatever-his-name-is something as well. Greg announces that WWE Corporate has sent Charles Robinson to ensure that there is no controversy in the Women’s Championship match (so basically, to ensure there’s all sorts of controversy).
Eva makes her way to the ring with Nia Jax to all sorts of boos while it’s complete opposite for Bayley.
Bayley is going to need to do everything she can to get even a passable match out of Eva. Yoshihiko is a more competent worker than Eva Marie. Mere minutes into the match, Eva walks into a Bayley to Belly because she’s terrible and as the ref is counting the 3, Nia Jax pulls him out to the floor! (and he hits hard too, landing right on his chest) Other refs come out to check on him but Charles Robinson isn’t that concerned about Nia’s interference. In fact, Eva rolls up Bayley and Lil Naitch is there to count, but it’s only 2.
Bayley can’t believe Robinson would do something like that and as Robinson goes to try and talk to the other refs about what happened, Nia gets involved again, headbutting Bayley. Eva completely whiffs trying to hit a running senton (the camera angle has to switch suddenly to hide it) but Bayley kicks out. So far, Naitch’s counts have been steady but we’ll see if that continues.
Bayley gets a few pin combos on Eva but she only gets 2 counts. Eva is surprisingly in control for most of this but Bayley isn’t giving up. Bayley hits a series of shoulders in the corner and sets up for a back elbow, but Robinson steps in front of her to buy Eva some time. As Bayley argues with Robinson, Eva takes advantage of the opening to hit a Sliced Red – but Bayley kicks out! Eva claps her hands 5 times to mimic the 3 count that Robinson should be counting and then almost forgets that 3 comes after 2 (am I getting worked?).
Eva sets up for another Sliced Red but Bayley pushes her off and Eva hits Robinson and sends him flying. Eva goes up top but Bayley stops her and sets up for a Bayley to Belly but Nia Jax grabs her leg and pulls her to the floor. But Bayley sweeps Nia’s legs out and she hits the apron face first. Bayley climbs back in and hits the super Bayley to Belly but there’s no ref! Wait, yes there is! The original ref is back and count the 3!
(So even with Bayley and one of the most over-produced Women’s matches in NXT history, Eva Marie only looked competent – not even close to good.)
Afterward, Nia lays out Bayley and flattens her with a standing leg drop. Nia grabs the women’s title and drops another leg on Bayley, dropping the belt on her and walking out.


Huge match to be included in “NXT’s Greatest Matches, Vol. 1”
The fabled Kassius Ohno/Cesaro vs CM Punk and Seth Rollins match will be featured on the upcoming NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1
-Worldwide on March 16




ROH TV, 11/25
Moose out first to take on some jobber named Dominic Carter, who looks pretty concerned to be in there against Moose. Carter shakes hands then Moose spears him and pins him. 
Afterward, Stokely says it's a matter of when, not if, Moose gets another title shot and he will become the World champ. Stokely says they heard the same things from Michael Elgin last week. He says, bruh, we go way back. But, face facts, Moose is bigger, Moose is stronger and Moose is a better wrestler. And Moose beat his jobber faster than Elgin did last week. Add that up and you get the fact that you can't beat Moose.
But Big Mike has heard enough. He asks am I talking to Stokely or Moose? He says when Moose wants real competition or to speak for himself, Elgin is right here and doesn't back down.
Moose takes the mic from Stokely and says they can do this right now, but they're interrupted by the House of Truth and...TAELER HENDRIX. Well, there goes my concentration. 
Truth says they can't sit back and let them take Jay Lethal's name in vain. He says Lethal's name shouldn't ever come out of their mouth because they aren't on the same level. Truth says when reality doesn't check them, he will.
Elgin says the only thing he will be checking is Truth's new side piece and checking her into a motel later (what will MsChief think?!) after he beats Dijack and Diesel on his own. Truth is furious that Elgin would speak to Taeler like that and he sics Dijack and Diesel on them and the brawl around the ring begins. 
Back from commercials, Moose and Elgin work over Dijack and it seems like they are more interested in trying to show up the other rather than focusing on winning the match. Things break down a bit and Taeler grabs the leg of Elgin (making her presence felt in her first appearance and getting Elgin back for his comments, allowing Dijack and Diesel to focus on Moose.
Commentary says J Diesel wants to compete by his full name now, which is Joey 'Diesel' Daddiego. K. J Diesel is way better. There's something to be said for brevity - for a quick, hooky wrestling name, and that new one ain't it. 
Anyway, Elgin and Moose start to fight back into it. Elgin takes Taeler and dips her at one point, like he's going to kiss her even though she clearly doesn't want it, then he spins her away instead. Back in the ring, Moose blind tags himself in and spear for the win after a Elgin bucklebomb. Moose stares down Elgin as he gets the pin and Elgin is can't believe it. Then they have a staredown.

Strong vs Lethal 3. One more match. This time for the TV Title. Roddy cuts an impassioned promo about how all he needs is one more shot at Lethal. Their first match was an hour draw which Lethal was happy with, but not Roddy. Then in Philly, Roddy saw that Lethal was scared. It's not about titles - it's about pride. He isn't just taking the TV l, he's taking his pride.

BJ Whitmer talks trash on Steve Corino. That he saw through his words last week, that Corino is just scared of Whitmer. That Corino is making excuses not to fight him and everyone bought it. Then Whitmer talks trash on Nigel, that Nigel did the same thing a few years ago when he quit. And Nigel gets in the ring and says that he's sick and tired of hearing Whitmer whine and talk and moan when they should be watching Lethal vs Strong for the TV Title. So if Corino can't be at Final Battle, neither can Whitmer! Or Page!
Kevin Kelly says that Final Battle is the biggest payday of the year. This is another thing that sets ROH apart from WWE. These people aren't all making big money like everyone in WWE. They need to work to get paid and wrestling often and winning means more money.

Main event - Roderick Strong vs Jay Lethal for the TV Title. No House of Truth at ringside and TWO referees to keep everything on the up and up. Kelly says Lethal was too busy getting his hair done to talk earlier today, so clearly he isn't taking Roddy seriously. 
Great technical wrestling in the feeling out process but Lethal keeps trying to duck Strong, jumping out of the ring and literally running away. As they fight on the outside, Lethal gets the advantage, throwing Roddy into the guardrails and taking over in the ring from there. Roddy trying to fight back into it but Lethal cutting him off. Lethal hits two topes, but Roddy sidesteps the 3rd and lands an Olympic Slam on the floor. 
Next week, Adam Cole vs Dalton Castle, who we haven't seen in a while. And Mark Briscoe back on commentary, by popular demand allegedly.
Anyway, Roddy hits a big superplex from the top for 2. Lethal superkick and Lethal Injection, but Roddy kicks out! Roddy hits several jumping knees and a series of forearms and sets up for a superplex but Lethal turns into a cutter at the last moment and Strong kicks out! Roddy stuns Lethal with two knees, a Sick Kick, the End of Heartache and locks in the Strong Hold! And Lethal taps! Roddy is the new TV Champion! The House of Truth is out to console Lethal, who is incensed that he lost and he is no longer the undisputed champion.


This week on ROH TV
Adam Page vs Will Ferrara
Jay Lethal calls out AJ Styles on their way to Final Battle
And Dalton Castle vs Adam Cole



New Japan Pro Wrestling
World Tag League results (As of 12/3)
Block A
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin - 6
Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma - 6
Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi - 6
The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) - 4
Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi - 4
Toru Yano and Kazushi Sakuraba - 4
Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga - 2
  
Block B
Tetsuya Naito and EVIL - 8
Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata) - 8
TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) - 4
Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows - 4
Shinsuke Nakamura and Tomohiro Ishii - 4
AJ Styles and Yujiro Takahashi - 2
The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Michael Bennett with Maria Kanellis) - 2

-Elgin/Tanahashi and Los Ingobernables de Japon seem to be the front runners to winning the WTL and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Los Ingobernables wins it all.
-In Block A, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma didn’t start strong (losing to Sakuraba/Yano and Nakanishi/Nagata) but have won their next 3 matches. Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi also have three wins but still have two matches left. They look like gimmes (Tonga/Fale and Sakurabab/Yano) but Tanahashi has problems with both teams. Fale and Tana have had several run ins and Yano and Tana have been feuding off-and-on for years. I could definitely see Yano stealing a win for his team, putting Tana and Elgin at even points with Makabe and Honma. And unless Honma’s personal life troubles sink his professional prospects (more on that in a bit) I’m picking them to win Block A.
-In Block B, Ingobernables still have to face Meiyu and have only lost once, to Nakamura and Ishii. Meiyu Tag has also only lost once as well, falling to TenKoji. So it seems likely that these two teams will decide the winner of Block B. This block was a little depleted because of an injury to AJ Styles, but since he was tagging with Yujiro, I don’t think they were going to be winning much.

Just a little over a week left in the tour. The final day of block action is Dec. 6 and the finals will take place on Dec. 9.


AJ Styles misses several World Tag League days
AJ Styles was pulled from NJPW WTL D6 due to injury. He’s been dealing with a lower back injury for some time now and it seems like it’s catching up with him.

In fact, he’s missed several days of the WTL tour. It’s been reported that New Japan made a statement that he would be back as soon as he’s ready – but I’ve seen conflicting reports, citing an interview Styles did with a Japanese wrestling magazine, which states that he would take time off until Final Battle to be ready for his title match against Jay Lethal. (In the same article, it was also allegedly said that Styles would stop taking indy bookings in 2016 and focus on what’s important – ROH and New Japan.)


New Japan World turns 1
NJPW World 1 year anniversary playlist, everything on it is free! Seems like it’s only matches from December, so a lot of the more recent matches on it are WTL matches but there’s matches on there going back to the 70s, so lots of Inoki matches. Looks like on page 5, it goes from 2011-12 to the 90s and then lots of matches from the 80s and into the 70s. Guys like Dusty Rhodes, The Great Mutah, Vader, WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami, friend of the show Bob Backlund, Bruiser Brody, Hulk Hogan, Stan Hansen, some dude named Andre the Giant - all on this free playlist.


NJPW/Revolution Pro uploaded to NJPW World
Global Wars UK, October 3, 2015
-Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Big Damo
-Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay
-Bullet Club (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) vs Shah Samuels and James Castle
-Shinsuke Nakamura vs Marty Scurll
-TenKoji vs Mark Haskin and Joel Redman
-Gedo vs Lord Gideon Gray
-Tetsuya Naito vs KUSHIDA vs Martin Kirby

Tomoaki Honma accused of domestic abuse, responds with his own allegations
Oh my god. Hulk Hogan cursed Honma. Honma has been accused of some serious domestic abuse and if the reports are true, it sounds like Honma is a real piece of shit. I'm really disappointed. I loved the underdog Honmamania character but it sounds like he's done for. Stories about Taichi cheating on his wife resulted in his push disappearing and getting suspended.  So if this Honma stuff is true, I wouldn't be surprised if they cut him entirely.

Honma has responded, denying all claims made by Ichiki. In fact, Honma is claiming that HE has been the victim of HER domestic abuse.
What the hell is going on? Is Honma going to be the underdog in real life too? Or...just a piece of shit. Really hard to say in these personal, domestic quarrels. It’s all he-said, she-said - who do you believe?


Other puro news notes
World’s Cutest Tag Team headed to DDT
One half of WCTT, Joey Ryan, recently took part in a tour of Japan for DDT (his first for DDT, I believe). And recently it was announced that Candice LeRae would be joining him on an upcoming tour.

Stardom 2015 USA Tour recap. It’s in Japanese though so it might be kinda hard to follow. The wrestling is cool though.



Indy Wrestling
Evolve
-The first ever Evolve Tag Team Champions will be crowned during a three day tournament in January 2016

-The shows will be
Evolve 53 (Jan. 22, Ybor City, FL)
Evolve 54 (Jan. 23, Orlando, FL)
Evolve 55 (Jan. 24, Orlando, FL)
-This is the same weekend as the WWE Royal Rumble, which will also take place in Orlando

Confirmed teams:
Previously announced
Johnny Gargano and Drew Galloway
RPG Vice
The Premier Athlete Brand (Tony Nese and Caleb Konley)

Recently announced
Drew Gulak and TJ Perkins
Team Tremendous
Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher and Zack Sabre Jr.
Chris Hero and Tommy End
The Bravado Brothers
-8 teams have been announced so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s all of them


PWG
Some big PWG DVD news a week before All Star Weekend 11
-Two new compilations coming soon:
Young Bucks – Five Stars

Not Another Steen DVD


Not only that - PWG Blu Rays coming!

Young Bucks FWE documentary

Chuckie T/Gargano vs London and Kendrick chicken fight https://streamable.com/nia7


Not familiar with Tommy End?


Sami Callihan returns
The recently released Solomon Crowe returned to the independent scene in a big way, attacking the newly crowned AAW Pro champion Eddie Kingston Friday night at the Windy City Classic.
There were also rumors last week that Callihan may be headed to ROH/NJPW in the future, but these reports are so far unfounded.
Callihan is also slated to appear at CZW’s Cage of Death 17 on Dec. 12, which will be live on iPPV.

Apparently, Callihan asked for his release to head back to the indies and reinvent his image, stated in a story recently published by ProWrestlingSheet.com. He’s already made an appearance at AAW in Chicago and won the 2CW Championship, so it seems like Callihan is just getting started turning the indie scene on its ear.


Mentioned CZW and Cage of Death before…
CZW COD 17
Dec 12, Voorhees NJ

CZW World Championship
Cage of Death
Matt Tremont (c) vs Masada vs AR Fox vs Devon Moore

CZW Tag Team Championship
Team Tremendous (c) vs TV Ready (Blk Jeez and Pepper Parks)

CZW Wired Championship
Joey Janela (c) vs Lio Rush

I Quit match
Tim Donst vs Joe Gacy

Deathmatch rules
Danny Havoc vs Ricky Shane Page

The Amazing Gulaks vs The Beaver Boys

Greg Excellent vs Ton Nese


A scramble match for a spot in Best of the Best

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An avid gamer and long-time pro wrestling fan, stay tuned to Grizzly Gaming and the Delco Elbow Drop for game reviews and pro wrestling news.

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