Today, the civil trial of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker Media, founder/publisher Nick Denton, and former editor A.J. Daulerio. continued…but not for long. T0day was all about punitive damages, which are exactly what it says on the tin: They’re designed to punish the defendant on top of compensatory damages, which were awarded to Hogan on Friday for emotional damages ($60 million) as well as lost wages $55 million). After fairly brief (by this trial’s standards) arguments by both sides, the Pinellas Country, Florida jury of four women and six men awarded Hogan punitive damages of $15 million from Gawker Media, $10 million from Denton and $100,000 from Daulerio.

Daulerio, in particular, will be hit hard here. He was considered to have negative $27,000 in assets because of outstanding student loans. and even Hogan’s lawyers told the jury that they weren’t seeking punitive damages from him.  One juror even asked if they can punish Daulerio with community service instead of financial damages, but that wasn’t a possibility, and clearly most of the jurors weren’t as (relatively) sympathetic as that one.  It’s not yet clear how the compensatory damages are broken up, or if Gawker Media is liable for all of that.

One juror, Salina Stevens, did comment to the press, as recounted by Katie Mettler of the Tampa Bay Times (all others refused to speak to media):

https://twitter.com/kemettler/status/712035914579623936

https://twitter.com/kemettler/status/712036147854188545

https://twitter.com/kemettler/status/712036408358256640

https://twitter.com/kemettler/status/712036635630813184

With less than two weeks to go until Wrestlemania 32, WWE returns to Philadelphia, PA tonight for Monday Night RAW.

– Stephanie McMahon comes out to address the crowd to open up the show. She cuts a promo on Roman Reigns, which brings out the former WWE champion. Reigns comes out to the ring and takes the mic from her. He says he’s going her to beat her husband and take his title back at WrestleMania. Steph goes to slap him but he blocks it and heads to the back.

– Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles: Owens starts off trying to keep Styles grounded. Styles dropkicks Owens to the outside and they brawl around ringside. Back in the ring, Styles hits Owens with some strikes and a reverse powerbomb for a 2-count. AJ misses a Pele kick, and Owens misses a cannonball in the corner. Styles hits a fireman’s carry into a backbreaker on Owens for another 2. Styles misses a hurricanrana off the top, and Owens hits a big frog splash for a 2 count. AJ hits a Pele kick and both men are down. AJ gets Owens in the Torture Rack and spins him around into a slam for another 2 count. AJ hits a sunset flip powerbomb on Owens for yet another 2 count. AJ sets up for the Phenomenal Forearm but Jericho comes out on the mic and distracts him. Owens rolls him up in a School Boy for the 1-2-3. Styles chases Jericho to the back after the match.

Torture Rack to POWERBOMB combo by @AJStylesOrg for the near fall!! #RAW #OwensVsStyles #ThisIsAwesome pic.twitter.com/f5GpFC2Cux

— WWE (@WWE) March 22, 2016

– While Owens is still in the ring, Dolph Ziggler and The Miz interrupt and argue about who deserves an Intercontinental Title shot at WrestleMania. Sami Zayn comes out next and says he wants his shot at Owens. Owens says none of them deserve a shot, but if they fight each other first, the winner can face him at WrestleMania for his title belt.

– Dean Ambrose is cutting a promo at a bar when he’s interrupted by Terry Funk. Funk gives him a chainsaw, which prompts an ‘ECW’ chant from the crowd. Ambrose starts it in the bar and chops up a table.

– Backstage, Stephanie McMahon tells Kevin Owens she approves of his idea for a triple threat match to determine the #1 contender for his WWE Intercontinental Championship.

– The League of Nations and The New Day come out to the ring to cut promos on each other. This leads to the two teams brawling and The New Day clearing the ring.

– Big E vs. Rusev: Big E dominates the match in the opening moments. Rusev gets in some offense but Big E hits a series of belly to belly suplexes. He goes for a big splash but Rusev gets his knees up and hits a spinning heel kick for a 2. Rusev goes for the clutch but Big E lifts up Rusev and drops him. Sheamus gets on the apron and argues with the ref so Rusev spears him to the outside. Back in the ring, Big E hits the Big Ending on Rusev for the 1-2-3.

Something's gotta give as #TheNewDay's @WWEBigE battles The #LeagueOfNations' #BulgarianBrute @RusevBUL on #RAW! https://t.co/KoCTToHcZk

— WWE (@WWE) March 22, 2016

– Backstage, The Wyatt Family cuts a promo about new beginnings.

– The Big Show comes out and cuts a promo about the Andre The Giant memorial battle royal at WrestleMania, but he’s interrupted by The Social Outcasts. They tell The Big Show he’s in serious trouble and they hit the ring and beat down Big Show. Kane comes out for the save and lays out The Outcasts. Big Show hugs Kane and yells “Kane’s the man.” Big Show climbs the turnbuckle to celebrate, and Kane chokeslams him off.

– They air a video package about Stan Hansen joining the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

– Chris Jericho def. Fandango: Jericho starts the match off by pummeling Fandango to the ground and chopping him in the corner. Jericho yells at him that he is a “stupid man.” JBL says Jericho is “the greatest Canadian of all time.” He goes to lock Fandango in the Walls of Jericho, but AJ Styles comes out and distracts him. Fandango goes to roll up Jericho, but Jericho gets out and hits the Codebreaker for the win.

– AJ hits the ring after the match, and Jericho retreats to the back. On the way back he uses a WWE production crew member as a human shield. AJ gets on the mic and challenges Jericho to a match at WrestleMania 32.

– They show a video about the upcoming Shane McMahon vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania. They interview Renzo Gracie and Shane’s other training partners, and show some of the history between Shane and Vince.

– Kevin Owens comes out to introduce the competitors in the triple threat match for the #1 contendership for his Intercontinental Championship. He first introduces Stardust first, Sin Cara second, and finally Zack Ryder.

– Zack Ryder vs. Stardust vs. Sin Cara – No Contest: Sin Cara and Stardust throw Ryder to the outside early on, and Sin Cara gets a 2-count over Stardust after a springboard hurricanrana. Sin Cara hits a springboard moonsault to the outside onto Stardust and Ryder at ringside. Sami Zayn, The Miz and Dolph Ziggler out and confront Kevin Owens. Owens throws Ryder down to the ground which makes the match a disqualification. All 7 men at the ring area start brawling, but eventually stop when they realize Owens has retreated to the back.

– Backstage, Stephanie McMahon is on the phone saying she feels uneasy about Roman Reigns. Kevin Owens interrupts and complains about having 6 men attacking him. She says he will now have to defend his Intercontinental Title against all 6 of those guys in a ladder match at WrestleMania 32.

– Triple H picks up Stephanie in a limo in the back and they go to leave. As the garage door pulls up, it shows Roman Reigns standing there. He pulls Triple H out of the limo and beats him down. Triple H fights his way back into the limo and they pull off.

#BelieveThat!! .@WWERomanReigns has found WWE COO @TripleH!! #RAW pic.twitter.com/KiT5Fsn504

— WWE (@WWE) March 22, 2016

– Charlotte def. Natalya: Natalya controls the opening moments, but Charlotte comes back and hits some of her father’s signature chops to the chest in the corner. Natalya hits a sit down powerbomb for a 2 count. Natalya gets the sharpshooter but Charlotte reaches the ropes. Charlotte hits the Natural Selection for the win.

– Bubba Ray def. R-Truth: Bubba controls the match early on. R-Truth comes back with a flying forearm and a splash in the corner. D-Von distracts R-Truth from the apron and turns back around to walk into a big boot from Bubba. Bubba gets the pinfall victory. Goldust comes out for the save, but instead receives a 3-D. The Usos come out and lay out The Dudleys with superkicks. The Usos throw a table in the ring, but The Dudleys escape and head to the back.

– Vince McMahon struts down to the ring to make an announcement regarding his son’s Hell In A Cell match at WrestleMania against The Undertaker. Vince says his “former son” Shane is the most formidable opponent Undertaker has ever faced at WrestleMania. Vince reminds people that, as Shane said, The Undertaker is his “bitch.” Vince says if Undertaker doesn’t beat Shane then WM 32 will be Undertaker’s last WrestleMania ever.

– Braun Strowman def. Dean Ambrose via DQ: Paul Heyman joins the commentary team for this one. Strowman keeps Ambrose grounded in the opening moments, but Ambrose gets in some offense including a stiff slap to the face. Ambrose hits a suicide dive on Strowman to the outside. Back in the ring, Ambrose hits a series of flying forearms on Strowman. He goes for the Dirty Deeds, but Strowman reverses. Ambrose grabs a steel chair from ringside and goes to work on Strowman. Ambrose hits the Dirty Deeds onto Strowman onto the chair.

After being awarded $115 million in damages on Friday from a lawsuit against Gawker, Hulk Hogan wants to get the rest of his life back together. Hollywood Life reported on Monday that Hogan is looking to return to his previous position in WWE. Hogan was released by the company on July 24, 2015 when it was revealed one of his sex tapes contained a racist rant.

“Hulk Hogan is beyond pleased with the results and is looking to get his life back in order,” a source told Hollywood Life. “And he would love his job back with the WWE.”

All mentions of Hulk Hogan were removed from WWE’s websites after the racist comments were made public. In January, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there was speculation within WWE that the company would be open to using Hogan again. Meltzer reported that if any of WWE’s big sponsors had an issue with bringing The Hulkster back, it would likely put an end to the idea right away.

• Hogan On WWE Status: It’s So Sad That I’ve Been Taken Out of the Hall of Fame

Rapper Pattiak released a new video titled, “The History of Wrestling” to get everybody hyped up for WrestleMania 32 next weekend. With over 100 references and emoji’s, you really can’t go wrong. Check it out and follow him on Twitter @Pattiakassassin.

Former WWE and TNA star Kurt Angle appeared on Sunday night’s Live Audio Wrestling over at FightNetwork.com. Here are some highlights:

– Angle said he left TNA because he simply needed a break. “I’ve been under contract for the past 17 years and didn’t have much time to spend with my family.”

– He was happy with his TNA run and felt like he doesn’t have anything left to prove. That said, he’s not retiring and plans to return to wrestling next year.

– Another reason he’s taking a break from wrestling is to focus on his acting career. “I signed with an agency, APA in Hollywood,” he said. “I’ve been doing some reads, just doing my own thing. I like it, it’s good to be off and not have to worry about showing up somewhere every week.”

– Regarding a WWE return, he’s taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. “I heard about [last week’s RAW from] Pittsburgh, I didn’t really watch but I heard they were chanting we want Angle. I saw a lot of tweets going out there, I do believe I started trending that night. I’m sure that was quite a surprise to WWE. I know that the fans wants me back, I understand. I had a great career there, it’s where I started and obviously a lot of people want me to finish there.”

Here’s the audio:

POP SENSATION FIFTH HARMONY TO PERFORM AT WRESTLEMANIA®

STAMFORD, Conn., March 21, 2016 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that pop sensation Fifth Harmony will perform “America the Beautiful,” kicking off WrestleMania on Sunday, April 3 in front of a sold-out crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and live on WWE Network around the world. Fifth Harmony will join the likes of renowned artists Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and John Legend who have opened WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza.

“We are so excited to be a part of this year’s WrestleMania!” the group said. “It’s such an honor to be chosen to perform at one of WWE’s biggest events. We can’t wait to see everyone in Arlington!”

“WWE has a long tradition of attracting the world’s most popular artists to perform at our biggest event of the year,” said Neil Lawi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WWE Music Group. “Fifth Harmony will continue this great tradition as we look forward to their much-anticipated performance at this year’s WrestleMania.”

The award-winning girl group was formed in 2012 on the second season of The X Factor USA and will release their highly-anticipated sophomore album “7/27” in May. The first single from “7/27,” “Work from Home,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, marks the group’s highest debut on the Billboard 200 charts, and currently has nearly 50 million views on YouTube. 2016 has already been a big year for Fifth Harmony as they recently took home the award for “Favorite Group” at the People’s Choice Awards and “Favorite Music Group” at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.

Last year, Fifth Harmony released their debut album, “Reflection,” solidifying their place at the top of pop as it debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and yielded two platinum-selling singles “BO$$” and “Sledgehammer,” and the quadruple-platinum hit, “Worth It”. Named 2015’s Billboard’s Women in Music’s Group of the Year, 2015 was an award-winning year, with honors at the MTV VMAs, MTV EMAs, MTV Fandom Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Kids’ Choice Awards, YouTube Music Awards and Radio Disney Music Awards.

Jim Ross recently spoke on WWE’s current broadcast team, and believes that Byron Saxton is in a good position to get over big with the fans. In an interview with Wrestle Rant Radio, Ross says Saxton should take advantage of all the TV time he’s currently getting.

“In WWE, more so than in most broadcasting, look is important, so that’s why Byron Saxton has such a presence, he’s on both shows. He’s getting a tremendous amount of exposure and an amazing opportunity to really break through because he’s got a great look, he’s intelligent and he’s well-spoken,” Ross said. “He needs to be becoming a star right now because he’s got an opportunity on two prime time television shows a week to get over. And he’ll get over by getting talent over.”

The WWE Hall of Famer also talked about his time doing commentary for NXT. Ross says he enjoyed working with the younger talent without the “politics” of WWE’s main brands RAW & SmackDown.

“I enjoyed doing the work down there because it was pure,” Ross said of NXT. “It was a situation where it was all about the product. The politics were melded away, there wasn’t a lot of pretense. It was very straightforward and positive. The kids were bright-eyed they wanted to learn, their minds were open. They saw opportunity awaiting them, so it was a very refreshing, positive environment to be around. I’ll tell you that in my last several years in WWE, my favorite thing to do was go to Florida and work with the NXT kids because that’s the future of the business. WWE has no investment in their company more important than their Performance Center. WWE runs on two things: talent and television. Without a stream of new stars being developed, they’re in big, big trouble. I had a great time down there and loved being around that environment.”

CM Punk and Forrest Griffin recently spoke with Vice Sports about Punk’s upcoming debut inside the Octagon.

The former WWE Superstar and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion talked about the criticism Punk has received since announcing his intentions to step into the Octagon, as well as what to expect from his debut itself.

Punk says he never considered himself much of an athlete. In high school, there were the jocks and he was more in the punk rock crowd. Griffin dubbed him the “King of the Nerds.” Punk says he doesn’t want being a former professional wrestler to define him – it’s just something he did, like writing comic books or training MMA. There’s footage of Punk training and Forrest Griffin caps off the segment with a hard-sell urging fans to pay to watch Punk’s first professional fight.

Punk will make his UFC debut at some point this year. His opponent is still expected to be UFC newcomer Mickey Gall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X-SKT6pviM

Bobby Roode and Eric Young are officially gone from TNA. The two reportedly asked for their releases on Saturday night due to pay issues.

Roode, who is now a free agent, spoke with The Peterborough Examiner about his decision to leave the company.

“It felt like it was the right time,” Roode explained. “After almost 13 years in a wrestling company I felt like there was nothing really left for me to do there. I wanted to mutually part ways. I have nothing negative to say about TNA Wrestling. They treated me very, very well. It was just a matter of me being in a part of my life where I’m not sure TNA was the right fit for me anymore.

“The brand has been stale for the last little while and the growth wasn’t there as it was in the early years. I’m a free agent so I can do anything I want as far as wrestling goes.”

Roode and Young are both currently free to negotiate with companies like WWE and NJPW.

• Update On Why Bobby Roode & Eric Young Left TNA

WWE is releasing a DVD & Blu-Ray set about Scott Hall on July 4th, 2016 in the UK and July 5th in the U.S. The set is titled Living on a Razor’s Edge – The Scott Hall Story, and will feature a biography on the life of Hall. Hall will candidly discuss his life and career, and the set will also look at some of his greatest in-ring moments.

Here is the entire content listing for the set:

Disc 1

MAIN FEATURE (DOCUMENTARY):

A Life-Changing Event

Back in Orlando

A Storybook Life

Moving to Florida

Second-Degree

Getting His Start

AWA Experience

It Ain’t New York City

Razor Is Born

Another Level

Humble Superstar

A New Situation

Making Things Bigger

Falling Apart

A Dark Place

Fighting On A Daily Basis

Just What I Needed

One Place To Go

Bad Times Don’t Last

Back in the Family

Disc 2

DEBUT VIGNETTES:

From The Gutter

El Jefe

Chicas Are For Fun

Taking What You Want

Cleaning The Table

Beach Bully

Making A Wish

Forget The Past

Razor Ramon Outtakes

STORIES:

Just As Big As The Wrestlers

The Oz Mask

Scott Ramon

Let Them Be Kids

Don’t Ever Leapfrog Again

Weekend in ECW

Wake Up Call

WrestleMania 31

MATCHES:

American Starship vs. Inferno #1 and Inferno #2

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling • December 25, 1984

Scott Hall vs. Michael ‘P.S.’ Hayes

AWA Championship Wrestling • November 19, 1985

$100,000 Battle Royal

AWA Championship Wrestling • November 28, 1985

“In This Corner” with Scott Hall

AWA Championship Wrestling • December 20, 1985

AWA Tag Team Championship Match

Scott Hall & Curt Hennig vs. The Long Riders

AWA WrestleRock • April 20, 1986

The Diamond Studd vs. Tommy Rich

WCW Clash of the Champions XV • June 14, 1991

The Diamond Exchange vs. Brian Lee & Chris Sullivan

World Championship Wrestling • December 7, 1991

Razor Ramon vs. Paul Van Dale

Superstars • August 8, 1992

WWE Championship Match

Bret “Hit Man” Hart vs. Razor Ramon

Royal Rumble • January 24, 1993

Razor Ramon vs. The Kid

RAW • May 17, 1993

Intercontinental Championship Match

Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon

Saginaw, MI • September 1, 1993

Intercontinental Championship Match

Razor Ramon vs. Rick “The Model” Martel

RAW • October 11, 1993

Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship

Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels

WrestleMania X • March 20, 1994

Disc 3

Intercontinental Championship Match

Razor Ramon (w/ Walter Payton) vs. Diesel (w/ Shawn Michaels)

SummerSlam • August 29, 1994

Intercontinental Championship Match

Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett

Royal Rumble • January 22, 1995

Intercontinental Championship Match

Razor Ramon vs. Goldust

Royal Rumble • January 21, 1996

The Outsiders vs. Sting & Lex Luger

WCW Hog Wild • August 10, 1996

WCW World Tag Team Championship Match

The Outsiders vs. Harlem Heat

WCW Halloween Havoc • October 27, 1996

Scott Hall vs. Scott Steiner

WCW Monday Nitro • October 20, 1997

Scott Hall vs. Chris Jericho

WCW Monday Nitro • November 3, 1997

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Scott Hall vs. Sting

WCW Uncensored • March 15, 1998

The Outsiders vs. Goldberg & Sid Vicious

WCW Monday Nitro • November 22, 1999

Scott Hall vs. The Rock

SmackDown! • March 7, 2002

Scott Hall vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

WrestleMania X-8 • March 17, 2002

Blu-Ray Exclusives

The Diamond Studd & Oz vs. Z-Man & Big Josh

WCW Power Hour • September 28, 1991

Razor Ramon vs. Jim Powers

Cincinnati, OH • May 18, 1992

Razor Ramon vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase

SummerSlam • August 30, 1993

2-on-1 Handicap Match

Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett & The Roadie

In Your House • May 14, 1995

Ladder Match

Scott Hall vs. Bam Bam Bigelow

WCW Monday Nitro • January 25, 1999

Razor Ramon Hall of Fame Induction

Hall of Fame • April 5, 2014

– NXT Diva Eva Marie flew into Philadelphia, PA this morning, site of tonight’s WWE RAW. She posted a video on Snapchat of her getting off an airplane. Eva Marie has not wrestled on WWE television since September 2014.

– When asked on Twitter if the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament will be an annual event in NXT, Cody Rhodes replied:

https://twitter.com/PrinceCGR/status/709974383641624576

– After announcing that he will not be competing at WrestleMania 32, John Cena continues to update fans on his recovery from shoulder surgery back in January.

Starting the week with 105th therapy visit, crossing the 350 hour mark. Doing all I can to get back to where I belong. @WWE #WrestleMania

— John Cena (@JohnCena) March 21, 2016

Despite a report last week by Dave Meltzer that Bray Wyatt is dealing with a “significant” back injury, the Wyatt Family leader continues to wrestle in multi-man matches at live events.

According to fan reports from this weekend’s live events, Bray was bumping around like normal and was even showing some babyface tendencies – taking pictures with fans at ringside and hyping up the crowd during his matches.

WWE will often test out gimmick changes at live shows, so this could be a sign of what’s to come.

Comment on this article and let us know what you think about the possibility of Bray Wyatt turning babyface in the near future.

WWE just announced the latest entrant into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 this morning and it’s the former-AWA champion, Stan Hansen.

It was first reported by Tokyo Sports and here were his thoughts on the induction:

“Very happy to such honor.”

“It is not to answer only to the poeple who gave me to choose me. In the previous career, Bruno Sammartino’s and Bob Backlund’s like, we have a game with many champions. Old has been struggling with a lot of great players from such era WWWF. Perhaps such thing of it is there is.”

“The Lariat,” as he is often called, hails from Texas and is famously known for his battle with Bruno Sammartino, following his WWE debut in 1976.

As soon as he arrived, he set his sights with Sammartino and “broke the legend’s neck” with what became known as “the lariat.” He fought Sammartino in a rematch at Shea Stadium and then went back to Japan where he continues his illustrious pro wrestling career.

Hansen will join Jacqueline, Sting, Big Boss Man, the Fabulous Freebirds and the Godfather. To read more on Hansen, follow this link to the WWE’s profile page.

– Tonight after RAW, the WWE Network will air a special Wrestlemania-themed episode of the Edge and Christian Show.

– The Rock noted on Twitter that he did a cover shoot GQ magazine this weekend.

– Sheamus will be appearing on Conan on TBS this Friday to promote Wrestlemania.

– Dave Otunga will be appearing on the Steve Harvey Show this Wednesday for a segment about diet and nutrition.

– Friend of the site Jake Jeremy and his friend Roderick have launched a new wrestling podcast titled, the R&J Wrestling Podcast. You can check out Episode 1 below.

– Shinsuke Nakamura is featured in the latest NXT program, on sale at NXT live events. Nakamura makes his debut against Sami Zayn next weekend at NXT Takeover: Dallas.

Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett recently appeared on the In The Room podcast. During the interview, Jarrett discussed the Global Force revolution, his time in Memphis and working with his father, balancing his private and public life and more.

When asked to compare GFW to TNA, Jarrett said, “Wrestling fans love to compare everything that they can get their hands on. That’s okay. I love it. You can compare title runs, you can compare feuds, you can compare promos … everybody has in their minds a comparison or a pecking order or what have you. I know that certain times in TNA’s history, I’d love to be compared to that company. Other times, not so much.

He added that wrestling fans pick and choose what they want to watch, which he’s happy about. He threw some shade at his former company by stating,”When you come a Global Force show, you immediately know this is not TNA.”

Jarrett was also asked about a possible WWE Hall of Fame induction. Jarrett sounds interested, but knows the decision rests with a guy named Vince. “That is up to one man. You can’t predict a man’s mind. I’ll leave that up to the wrestling fans to discuss and debate and everything that goes with it.”

URFight held their first iPPV on Sunday from Phoenix, Arizona. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross and MMA fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson did commentary while former WWE personality Justin Roberts was the ring announcer. Here are the main card results:

– Both Ken Shamrock and Tank Abbott withdrew from scheduled fights with Dan Severn. Abbott was denied a license to fight by the athletic commission.

– Shannon Ritch defeated Maverick Harvey via submission (rear naked choke) in an MMA fight.

– Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping’s grappling exhibition resulted in a draw.

– Roy Jones Jr defeated Vyron Phillips via second round KO in a boxing match.

– Rey Mysterio defeated Kurt Angle in a Best of 3 Falls wrestling match after rapper Riff Raff distracted Angle in the third fall.

With less than two weeks to go until Wrestlemania 32, WWE returns to Philadelphia, PA tonight for Monday Night RAW. WWE is advertising the following items for the show:

– Ziggler Mania: Dolph Ziggler continues to seek a spot on the WrestleMania card.

– Friends No More: Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch’s rivalry continues.

– Still the B.A.D.dest: With Lana butting heads with Brie Bella and Paige, it looks like a 6-Divas tag team match is in the works for WrestleMania.

– Giant Among Men: More competitors to be announced for the Andre The Giant  Memorial Battle Royal.

– Game Change: After Roman Reigns’ return last week, how will Triple H respond to his vicious beatdown last week?

Join us here tonight for our weekly Live Coverage of WWE RAW!

Longtime TNA performers Bobby Roode and Eric Young are officially gone from the company after asking for their releases on Saturday night. According to the PWTorch VIP, Roode and Young made their decision because of pay issues.

Roode and Young reportedly quit the company after asking TNA management for pay raises and were both turned down. Roode and Young had been with the company since 2004. Both are now free agents and can negotiate with other companies.

TNA has reportedly had issues with paying talent over the last couple years, but it’s not known if Roode or Young are among those wrestlers owed money.

• Eric Young & Bobby Roode Comment On Their TNA Departures

Despite an earlier report from TMZ claiming that Sting was retiring from the ring, The Icon himself clarified his current status in a video over the weekend.

When asked by TMZ Sports, Sting said his neck is “okay” and denied that he is officially retired just yet.

“I’m not officially retired,” Sting said in a brief video interview with TMZ Sports. “There are a lot of rumors out there, but I’m not officially retired.”

The former WCW World Heavyweight Champion didn’t elaborate any further, and could just be delaying his official announcement for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. He has not wrestled since being injured in s match with Seth Rollins last September and being diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis.

When asked, Sting declined to comment on Hulk Hogan’s recent court victory over Gawker.

• Scott Hall Talks About Sting Jobbing To Triple H At WrestleMania 31

ROH TV recap for the week of March 20, 2016

After the intro video package, the fans pop from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, NV.  Mr. Wrestling 3 and Kevin Kelly are here, and we kick off the hour with a World TV Title match.

BJ Whitmer is out first.  We are reminded that Whitmer picked up the controversial victory at the ROH 14th Anniversary show over Adam Page.  The “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii makes his way next.  Bobby Cruise goes to make the announcement, but is interrupted by Veda Scott.  Veda on the mic, “I’m just here to introduce myself to the new ROH TV champion.  I’m Veda Scott and it is my job to ensure that my client Cedric Alexander gets every opportunity he deserves, one way or another.  So BJ Whitmer, let’s talk.  I just want to propose a slight change of plans.  In this envelope, I have a certified check and it’s all for you on the express condition that you surrender your TV Title opportunity to Cedric Alexander right now.  Let me speak!  This is Vegas, you could cash this check you could have the best day, the best week of your life, and have a whole lot left over.  You’re a wise man BJ and I know you’re going to make a wise decision.”  BJ responds, “You mean to tell me that you think BJ Whitmer is the type of man who can be bought off?”  The fans chant “Yes!  Yes!” while Whitmer looks at the check.  “Well, you would be absolutely correct in that assumption.”  They shake on it, Whitmer takes the deal and gives up the TV Title opportunity.  Kelly wonders, “How much money are we talking about?”  And we go to commercial.

Cedric Alexander vs ROH TV Champion Tomohiro Ishii

Back from the break, they lock up collar-and-elbow, Cedric Alexander backs Ishii to the ropes.  Forearm from CA, Ishii is unfazed.  CA delivers another 3 forearms, Ishii still unfazed.  Ishii throws CA off the ropes and they run into each other.  Ishii challenges him to go at it again, CA bounces, Ishii bounces, and CA falls to the mat.  3 forearms from CA, then a chop by Ishii to the throat and CA is down again.  Ishii picks him up and delivers a series of chops, headbutt, then throws him off the ropes but CA reverses and Veda Scott pulls the foot of Ishii before CA hits a dropkick.  CA delivering stomps to Ishii, forearm to the back to the head, chops, snapmare takeover, dropkick to the side of the head.  Pin attempt, 1-2, Ishii kicks out, another cover Ishii kicks out again.  CA stomps on Ishii’s head, headlock, Ishii tries to fight out but gets an elbow to the head.  The fans chant Ishii, CA walking around the ring hitting and kicking Ishii in the head.  Ishii gets angry and stands up.  Shrugs off 7 or 8 forearms and even starts leaning into them.  He finally returns with a forearm of his own, then a splash in the corner, chop forearm chop forearm chop forearm.  Irish whip, reversal, Ishii explodes out of the corner and turns CA inside out with a shoulder block.  Vertical drop brainbuster, cover, 1-2, CA kicks out.  Ishii goes for powerbomb, but CA blocks and flips Ishii.  Ishii getting to his feet, CA sizing him up, Ishii gets out of the way, but CA turns with a kick off top rope. Michinoku driver, cover, but Ishii kicks out, CA is shocked.  CA gets up, hooks Ishii by the tights, but Ishii syncs in a headlock and delivers some elbows, CA gets in kick, kick, spinning kick until Ishii returns a hard (and loud) headbutt.  Slinging lariat, CA caught him, backslide pin attempt, Ishii kicks out.  Ishii with a lariat, but CA kicks out.  Ishii growls to the crowd, picks up CA and nails a second vertical drop brainbuster, 1-2-3, and that’s it.

Winner and still ROH TV Champion: Tomohiro Ishii

Ishii stands over top of CA yelling and holding the title in his face.  Mr. Wrestling 3 wonders if Veda Scott will ask for a refund.  Ishii stops by the announce table and continues yelling.  Kelly says “You’re the man.  You’re the champion.”  Mr. Wrestling 3 translates what Ishii said, “He said nobody can beat him.”  And we’re off to commercial.

When we return, the Addiction’s music hits.  Kelly tells us Addiction has a bone to pick because recently the ROH 14th Anniversary show turned into an unlikely reunion for Motor City Machine Guns.

Kazarian on the mic, “Big news!  The MCMG are back together again.  And while it may give all of you a warm fuzzy feeling, it makes us, the men who were betrayed, sick to our damn stomachs.  Chris Sabin..” The fans chant “Motor city!” “Chris Sabin… you silly stupid little turd.  Out of the goodness of our hearts we rescued you from the bowels of obscurity and made you relevant once again.  Without us, you’d be as bad as Detroit’s economy.  What do you do?  You betray us and run to Shelley, into the safety of your MCMG buddy, pointing at your stupid hands.  And it’s only fitting it happened here in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It can be said this is world capital for bad decision making.  Go ahead chanting, because lions don’t lose sleep over opinions of sheep.  So Sabin, I’ll chalk this up to bad decision making, but what you owe us is an a apology.”  Daniels interrupts on the mic shouting, “No no Frankie, that’s not the way a friend treats you.  I expect that from Ring Of Honor cuz they’re jealous and trying to hold us back.  I expect that from these simple-minded fans because they’re them and not us.  Yeah, I’d hate to be you (fans), trust me.  It’s not a big deal, it’s a blip on the radar, cuz everything about tag team in ROH begins and ends with the Addiction.  Machine Guns, I don’t care if you consider yourselves the younger generation, the new generation, or the next generation, cuz we are generation killers and we are going to end this reunion before it even starts.”  Shelley’s music and entrance graphic hits, and out come Sabin and Shelley.  The fans chant “Motor City!”  Sabin speaks up, “So anyway, from the looks of things, you 2 seem to be a little confused.  Its simple, I’ll explain to you, in this moment I’ve come to realization that you 2 are nothing more than bitter douchebags.  That’s the only reason I’m standing with my best friend Alex Shelley and not you guys anymore.  So from the sounds of it, seems like 2 you are trying to pick a fight.  So if you want to do this, we could do it right here, right now, what do you think?”  MCMG take off for the ring, but Addiction hightails it out of Dodge.  Daniels says “So wait, what you’re telling me is, what you’re telling me is, you want to fight us right here, right now?  You simple-minded sheep want so to see MCMG against the Addiction right now?  I’m sorry, that’s not how it works.  Children don’t tell adults what to do, adults tell children what to do.  So you young kids understand, the vets will decide when this match goes down, and it’s up to us.  You can stand here and point your hands and these douchebags can cheer all you want.  You don’t deserve our attention one bit.”  Commercial.

Truth Martini and Jay Lethal cut a prerecorded promo on Hirooki Goto.  Truth says, “Goto you’re going 1-on-1 against the greatest ROH heavyweight champion that ever lived.  If life don’t check you, I will.”  Lethal jumps in, “Goto, when we meet, you will ‘go to’ the hospital.  See what i did there?  I’m going to send you back to the Land of the Rising Sun with a notebook and that notebook will read one thing, Jay Lethal is the greatest.”  Commercial.

The Briscoes vs. Reno Scum

We’re back.  Tag team action, Reno Scum is out first in their leather jackets, weighing a combined total of 462 pounds.  Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend make their way to the ring.  The Briscoes music hits and the fans go nuts.  Out come Dem Boys to a raucous ovation.  The bell rings, MW3 wonders if Reno Scum the same S.C.U.M. from a few years ago.  Kelly tells him no, that was a brief time in ROH history.  Bell rings, lock up, whip to the corner.  Mark leapfrogs, snapmare takeover, dropkick, tags Jay in, and they tag team a multiple headbutt combo.  Thornstowe gets a clothesline from Mark, clotheslines from Jay takes him to the outside.  Mark hits a baseball slide diving through middle rope.  Thornstowe is thrown back in ring, Jay sends him off the ropes, hits a dropkick, goes for the pin, 1-2, kickout.  Jay tags Mark in, Mark delivers shots to ribs, Thornstowe fights back, knocks Jay off the apron rope, but Mark catches him.   Mark hits Thornstowe, sends him to corner, reversal, then a spear on Mark in corner, elbow, and Thornstowe tags in Luster.  Together Renco Scum split Mark’s legs, drag him to corner, elbow, cover, pin, kick out.  They drag Mark over to the corner again, both men slam him into turnbuckle, then deliver blows to the back and yell to the crowd.  Mark tries punch out, more punches, Thornstowe sends Mark to turnbuckles and tag in Luster.  Thornstowe stands on the apron pointing his fingers like a gun when Luster slaps Mark loud like a gunshot.  Snapmare takeover, headlock, and the fans chant “Man up.”  Mark tries to fight out, but whip corner, still throwing punches, Mark hits a jumping enziguri, but then Luster catches him and runs him into corner, puts him on his shoulders, but Jay into break it up.  Luster tags in Thornstowe and they cut off the ring.  They hold Mark’s arms over the ropes and hit a chest splash, Thornstowe tags in, whip to corner, Luster goes for spear but misses.  Thornstowe takes out Jay, then catches Mark on the ropes but Mark lands on his feet after a flip and makes the hot tag to Jay.  Jay comes in like a storm hits 3 huge clotheslines, then the redneck uppercut, headbutt off the ropes kicks and forearms but Death Valley Driver, neckbreaker, cover, 2 but Luster kicks out.  Chops from Mark, runs into a boot, but Mark counters with a Mongolian chop.  Suplex on Luster, then Mark uses his head to push and roll him out of the ring.  Thornstowe in by himself, splashes in the corner, Mark picks him up, Jay hits a running neck breaker, pin attempt, but Thornstowe kickout at 2.  Mark gives the “finish him” sign and Jay sets him up for Jay driller but Luster comes back in and pushes Mark into Jay, forcing a collision.  Luster hits a german suplex and double stomp to the heart on Mark, goes for the pin, but Jay breaks it up.  Jay and Luster exchange blows, goes for Jay Driller, can’t hook it and then a thunderous clothesline.  Thornstone catches Mark, but Mark bounces upside down on his head, lands on his feet, and climbs to the top rope.  Mark hits the Froggy Bow, Luster tries to break the count, but Jay stops him 1-2-3.

Winner: The Briscoes

Jay yells at camera, fans chant “Man up.”  Both teams are shown in the ring shaking hands and showing respect.

Dalton castle cuts a pre-taped promo, “Silas Young, isn’t this exciting?  It’s kind of like getting the band back together.  One last rendezvous, one last sadie hawkins dance.  Why are the boys not here?  Will the boys be there when I face you?  I don’t want them there.  I don’t want them exposed to what i’m going to do to you.  They’re sensitive, they have sensitive ears, sensitive eyes.  They can’t handle a fight without honor.”

“Unbreakable” Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs The Young Bucks

After comercial Kelly says “Its main event time.”  MW3 says, “No, its not. Its PARTY time!”  And the Young Bucks come out to big cheers from the fans.  Kelly tells us “The YB are the hottest act in pro wrestling today.”  The fans litter the ring with streamers, Nigel McGuinness joins us on commentary, and we learn that in 2 weeks, we’ll see Addiction vs MCMG.  Next out is Unbreakable Michael Elgin.  They tell us Elgin has been saying “Hey, make sure when you talk about tag teams in ROH, don’t leave us out of the conversation either.  He means himself and his tag team partner” …and out comes Hiroshi Tanahashi, wrestling out of Ogaki, Japan.  The announce team gives us the backstory, “What a great tag team they are (Elgin and Tanahashi).  There’s a lot of animosity between the YB and both men, because when Tanahashi faced Kenny Omega for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, it was YB that assisted Omega.  Elgin came down and physically removed both the Bucks.”

The tale of the tape shows Elgin and Tanahashi have the weight advantage at 494 lbs vs YB at 382 lbs.  Fans chant YB.  Kelly, MW3, and McGuinness debate which team has the overall advantage, “This team that came together in 2015 (Elgin and Tanahashi) has ambitious plans in 2016.”  Kelley thinks YB have advantage because of experience.  McGuinness says “Advantage Big Mike and Tanahashi.”  MW3 says “I’ll give advantage to YB, but I think their arrogance might cost them.”  YB refuse code of honor.  Fans chant “2 sweet”,  bell rings, and we’re off.

Elgin calls for the test of strength, Nick asks the fans, then raises his arm, but holds up the Wolfpack sign instead and pokes Elgin in eye.  Nick off ropes, shoulder block, Elgin flexes and yells “Come on!”  Nick hits Elgin, Nick bounces off Elgin and Elgin gives him chop chop.  Nick thrown to the ropes, but he jumps over and flips, Nick spinning kick, goes to throw him, reversal, counter, jockeying for position, Nick slides over his back and tags Matt.  Matt throws Nick off him then hooks Tanahashi with an upside down head scissor handstand at the ropes while Nick connects with a kick. Matt baseball slides through the ropes, and while Matt halfway skins-the-cat, Nick leaps over top of him to the outside. The crowd is going nuts for the Spot Monkeys and we go to commercial.

Matt is on the top rope, crossbody but Elgin catches him, lifts him up on his shoulders, Matt gets out and goes for a superkick but gets stopped.  Tanahashi tags and they set up Matt in the corner, then Elgin running boot, spins and forearm also takes Nick off the apron.  Tanahashi has Matt on the floor, delivers a forearm to back of Matt, European uppercut, then throws him back in ring and tags in Elgin.  They both pick him up and hold him upside down in a delayed suplex, then finally back body drop.  Nick is on apron and yells “What’s your problem?”  Both Elgin and Tanahashi yell “suck it” as the give the crotch chop to Nick, and Tanahashi flicks his hand under his chin in insult for good measure.  Kick to Matt, Tanahashi sends him to corner, while from the outside Elgin hooks Matt’s arms on the ropes.  Nick tries to get in, but the ref stops him, and Tanahashi knocks him outside.  Tanahashi goes to blast Matt in the corner, but stops short and rakes his fingernails down Matt’s back.  The announce team tell us “Tanahashi is taking a play out of the YB playbook, rubbing salt in their wounds.”  Elgin tags in, delivers a clubbing forearm to the back of Matt’s neck, and picks him up for another delayed suplex.  Fans count up to 13, while Big Mike holds Matt in the air, before Nick runs into break it up, but instead Elgin hooks Nick and slams them both.  Elgin goes for the cover, 1-2 kick out.  Elgin picks Matt up, rams his head into the turnbuckle, tags in Tanahashi and the fans chant “Tanahashi!”  Matt counters off the ropes, but Tanahashi traps him in an abdominal stretch.  Dueling chants from the fans, “Let’s go Hashi!  Let’s go Bucks!”  Tanahashi plays some humain air guitar on Matt while stretching him.  Matt drives an elbow to the knee, hip toss, goes for tag but Tanahashi gets him by the foot, and syncs in a headlock.  Nick is yelling from top rope, Tanahashi yells “suck it” and Nigel says they really need to copyright that.  Matt breaks the hold, gets in an elbow to Tanahashi, then to Elgin, back to Tanahashi, delivering right hands, until Elgin drags him out and meets a superkick, Matt slides under the legs and gets the hot tag to Nick.  Nick delivers 1 dropkick, 2 dropkicks, 3 dropkicks, Nick is running the ropes, catches Elgin on apron.  Running the ropes again, “Hey Tanahashi, suck it” and a face-plant from Nick. Nick is flying all around, over top rope, face first powerbomb, then a tornado DDT on the outside.  The fans go nuts, Nick give a “2 sweet” to the camera and we go to commercial.

We’re back, senton from Nick, cover, hooks the leg, Tanahashi kicks out at 2.  Matt up on the apron now, tags in, the fans chant “SUPERKICK!”  Matt punches Tanahashi, Irish whip to corner, but runs into elbow, cross body off 2nd rope, and Tanahashi gets the tag to Elgin.  Elgin delivers forearms to Matt, theN Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, then Nick.  Splash to Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, suplex but Nick is there to catch Matt.  Nick goes for a superkick but Elgin send Nick’s kick into Matt, then Elgin picks them both up, holding them in his arms, and hurls them across ring for a double suplex.  Elgin pounds the turnbuckle the fans clap along.  Elgin delivers a deadlift superplex Falcon Arrow on Matt, 1-2 but somehow, someway Matt found the strength to kick out.  Buckle bomb, but Matt gets out, counter, Nick kick, up to the top rope, flip, Matt catches him, slam Elgin, tag team combo and MW3 asks “What on earth was that?”  Then SUPERKICK!  Matt says “see you later”, spin flip, Nick spin flip.  Throws Tanahashi out.  Fans chant “This is awesome!”  Matt climbs to top rope, Kelly starts to say More Bang, but realizes he called the wrong move and stops himself, before Matt flips off top rope, Nick flips off top rope.  Next Tanahashi tags, but Nick takes out Elgin, dragon screw leg sweep, SUPERKICK!, but Tanahashi runs through it and a clothesline turns Matt inside out.  Tanahashi gives two thumbs up, climbs the turnbuckle, gets on Elgin’s shoulders, bends backwards and a whip slam onto Matt.  Nick SUPERKICK!, Matt joins in for double SUPERKICK! and then another double SUPERKICK!  MW3 sings SUPERKICK! in 3 different octaves, he loves SUPERKICKS!  Matt picks up Tanahashi and yells “5 Star”, Nick yells “Meltzer Driver”, Matt goes for it, but Elgin catches him, Matt throw Tanahashi off, Tanahashi runs through slingblade on Matt  Elgin picks him up and delivers a powerbomb.  Tanahashi to the top rope, hits the High Fly Flow, it’s over folks, 1-2-3.

Winners: Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi

Kelly says, a small measure of revenge for Elgin and Tanahashi.  While Omega is still the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, at least they got the Bucks.  He tells us “This is the best professional wrestling in the world today.  Fans next week on ROH, the World Title is on the line, Hirooki Goto challenges Jay Lehal.  You can’t miss it see you then.”  Tanahashi hugs the fans on his way out.

Paul Heyman, WWE’s resident Bobby Heenan, is arguably the greatest ‘advocate’ in professional wrestling history. He began Extreme Championship Wrestling, wrote WWE Smackdown to greater heights in the mid-2000’s and is the mouthpiece for Brock Lesnar.

On top of it all, Heyman has a production company called the “Heyman Hustle,” which just signed a deal with Yahoo Sports  last week. The question is, when does Heyman sleep?

In an interview with AwfulAnnouncing.com, Heyman answered that question with a less-than-shocking response:

“I work about 22 hours a day and I enjoy every moment of it,” Heyman claimed. “I don’t sleep that much, I come from a long line of insomniacs. I enjoy my life too much. I don’t have time to turn off the switch.”

Heyman continued, “If I’m sleeping I hope I’m dreaming of what project I’m going to be launching the next morning. This is too much for me. There’s too much enjoyment in what I do. I am genuinely exhilarated every single morning when my feet hit the ground because I truly enjoy the plethora of jobs that I have.”

As far as Heyman’s WWE status following the deal signed with Yahoo Sports, there’s no report on if he’ll reduce his WWE schedule in favor of other projects.

This summer, WWE will present the “Global Cruiserweight Series” on the WWE Network. Starting July 13th, 32 participants from around the world will test their skills in a 10-week tournament. The finals will air on September 14th.

• Editorial: Global Cruiserweight Series Shows Shift In WWE Attitudes

On Saturday night’s EVOLVE show from Brooklyn, NXT General Manager William Regal announced that that the United States portion of the qualifying matches for the Global Cruiserweight Series will take place in EVOLVE:

William Regal had just announced that qualifiers for the Global Cruiserweight Tournament will be held in Evolve.

— Running Enzuigiri (@TweetEnzuigiri) March 19, 2016

https://twitter.com/wwnlennyleonard/status/711316476842647552

Former TNA Champions Bobby Roode and Eric Young are both officially gone from TNA after over a decade with the company. TNA issued a statement earlier and now Roode & Young have each broken their silence:

Thank u to everyone who had a part in making the last 12 years of my life unforgettable. On to the next chapter in my life #ItFactor

— Robert Roode (@RealRobertRoode) March 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/TheEricYoung/status/711355578652729344

Amazingly, both men referenced what’s ‘next’ for them without spelling the word ‘n-x-t’. In all seriousness, it’s the end of another era for TNA and both veterans. Young and Roode were synonymous with TNA from the very beginning, dating back to their days as members of Team Canada. They stayed loyal throughout the countless highs and lows, the expansions and the contractions. Neither man will have trouble finding work in the business and TNA will continue chugging along, but it has to be bitter-sweet for all parties involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4a11a9v18k

The TNA exodus continues, as Bobby Roode and Eric Young are gone. Both had been with TNA since 2004, when they came in as part of Team Canada under trainer (and former TNA booker) Scott D’Amore.

• Eric Young & Bobby Roode Comment On Their TNA Departures

They had been linked to each other on and off for much of that period, alternating as partners and rivals throughout. It’s not yet clear why they asked for their releases, but TNA has had issues with paying talent and production staff late at times in the last year or two.

Here’s the full statement from TNA:

Impact Wrestling has come to terms on the release of veteran wrestlers Bobby Roode and Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz). Bobby and Eric have been valuable members of The Impact Roster since 2004 and we wish them nothing but the best in their careers going forward.

Bobby had this to say earlier today, “To the guys and girls I got to work with for the past 12 years, Impact Wrestling, the office and everyone associated with me getting to live this dream, I say thank you. It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. This has been amazing.”

Eric Young had this to say. “Thank you. Thank you to everyone who watched me for the past 12 years. Thank you to Impact Wrestling. I wish everyone here nothing but the best going forward.”

Executive Vice President of Creative and Television, John Gaburick added, “Bobby and Eric are true professionals. We salute them for the 12 years they gave TNA.

With a Superstar roster including EC3, James Storm, Drew Galloway, Jeff and Matt Hardy, “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley, Gail Kim, The Wolves, Maria Kanellis-Bennett and “The Miracle” Mike Bennett we couldn’t be more excited about showcasing the finest wrestling in the world for the Impact fans.”

In the coming weeks be sure to see the final matches of both Bobby Roode and Eric Young on Impact Wrestling at 9PM EST on Pop TV.

Geto introduces the show.  “We have for you today the matches held at Korakuen Hall on May 22.  You’re watching Pro Wrestling Returns.”  After the intro video package, Jim Ross welcomes us to AXS TV.  He says “time permitting” we have 3 matches scheduled this hour featuring action from the 22nd ever Best of the Super Juniors tournament.

Yohei Komatsu vs Jushin Thunder Liger

Both men make their way to the ring.  As soon as the bell sounds, Komatsu takes the advantage with an early dropkick, Liger to the outside.  Komatsu follow after him and throws Liger back in the ring.  Komatsu climbs to the top rope, as Liger gets up, Komatsu hits a flipping hit block, cover, 1-2, Liger kicks out.  JR talks about the long career of Liger saying Komatsu has probably watched Liger most his life.  Shotei palm strike to the face by Liger.  Liger picks him up and delivers a powerbomb.  Liger is back to his feet, trying to shake off the initial blows.  Liger throws Komatsu to the outside, delivers a brainbuster on the floor to Komatsu, and we have our first commercial.

When we return Komatsu is still on the floor.  The referee has started the 20 count.  Komatsu crawls towards the ring, tries to dive in but collides with the ring apron, nearly getting himself counted out, but gets back up and slides in just before 20.  Liger sets him up for a surfboard, then brings him back down for a reverse front sleeper.  The referee checks his arm, Komatsu gets some forearm shots and Liger breaks the hold.  Liger picks him up for another Liger bomb, 1-2, Komatsu kicks out.  Barnett tells us “Komatsu is wrestling one of his idols.  Could work in his favor, or if it gets in your head, it’ll bury you.  Kill your hero is an honorable thing, but you have to do it with respect.”  Liger locks in a camel clutch, then switches to a half Boston Crab.  JR says “Iron Sheik would want royalties.”  Komatsu gets to the ropes and breaks the hold.  Liger throws him to the corner, but Komatsu meets him with kick, then forearms.  Komatsu hits the ropes, but Liger hits a dropkick.  Next Liger hits the ropes, but Komatsu hits a dropkick.  Komatsu connects with half-hatch bridging suplex, then locks in a half Boston crab.  Liger finds the ropes and breaks the hold.  They lock up and both try for suplexes, but both block.  Liger hits some short arm shots to the ribs, then locks him from behind.  Komatsu hits some reverse elbows, but Liger hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.  Liger picks him up for another powerbomb, but Komatsu reverses into a pin attempt 1-2, Liger kicks out.  Komatsu picks him up for a Falcon Arrow suplex, but Liger kicks out.  Komatsu climbs the ropes but Liger is up and hooks him for a suplex off the ropes.  However, Komatsu bounces right back to his feet and runs the ropes, until he runs into a Liger clothesline, cover 1-2, kick out.  Liger to his feet, Komatsu struggling to get to his feet, another clothesline from Liger, cover again, but Komatsu gets his right shoulder up.  Liger hits some more Shotei palm strikes to the head of Komatsu before Liger connects a vertical brainbuster.  1-2-3 and this one is over.

Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger (8:36)

Backstage, Liger says “He has some nice stuff, he’s flexible too.  He has enough speed all he needs is experience.  It’s straightforward.  It’s too easy for me to read his next move.  I’m excited to see his league matches.  How much he will take in new moves.  I’m eager to see how he’ll incorporate them in the match.”  Komatsu is helped to the back and we go to commercial.

Mascara Dorada vs Kushida

After the break, Dorada is out first.  JR tells us he is very accomplished luchador, former CCML World Welterweight Champion.  Dorada hits the ring apron and spit sprays some water, ala Triple H.  Next is Kushida in his Marty McFly outfit, making his way to the ring and flipping over the top rope.  They shake hands and we begin this 30 minute, one fall match.

Both competitors start off with some mat wrestling, exchanging positions back-and-forth.  Kushida does some nice spins around Dorada’s back.  They lock fingers again, Dorada with a drop toe hold, goes for the STF.  Again they exchange some chain wrestling maneuvers, before both men get back to a vertical base, and the fans cheer.  Dorada drops Kushida, they hit the ropes, exchange flips until Kushida catches him in an armbar submission.  More blows from Kushida while the armbar is in and then we get a clean break.  Kushida rolls to the outside apron, dragging Dorada by the arm, and delivers an armrake using the rope.  Kushida picks him up again, and another armrake on the other rope.  Kushida throws Dorada off the ropes, atomic drop, then low dropkick, then another dropkick to the head, cover, 1-2, kickout.  Kushida locks in a short arm scissor, Dorada goes to reverse, but Kushida transitions into omoplata.  Kushida is still working on Dorada’s arm, wrenching it, stepping on it.  Kushida picks up Dorada, delivers some knife-edge chops, and sends him to the corner.  Kushida follows him in but meets a boot, Dorada goes for a flip, but misses, Kushida goes for backflip but Dorada gets the knees up and we’re off to commercial.

When we return, both men are on the mat, struggling to get to their feet, Dorada hits a chop, but Kushida sends him to rope, Dorada jumps from one rope to another and knocks Kushida to outside.  Dorada climbs the turnbuckle and delivers a moonsault to the floor on Kushida.  Dorada gives Kushida another chop, picks him up and throws him back into the ring.  The fans applaud and show their respect.  Dorada springboards off the ropes into a crossbody and pin attempt, but Kushida kicks out.  Dorada climbs up top for another moonsault, but Kushida gets the knees up.  JR says, “That move was rather advertised.  You know what they say ‘Telephone, telegraph, tell-a-wrestler!'”  Kushida to the top and hits a swan dive onto Kushida, both men crashing to the floor.  The ref starts the count, Dorada gets back in at 15, but is immediately met with a running dropkick from Kushida.  Arm ringer, then Kushida sends Dorada off the ropes, but a low dropkick from Dorada, and another near fall.  Dorada picks him up, climbs to the top, walks the ropes, then a senton onto Kushida.  Dorada picks him up into a fireman’s carry, sets him up for a backdrop but Kushida wiggles out.  Dorada gets in some elbows and knees, but Kushida catches him coming off ropes, and hits the Hoverboard Lock floating double wrist takeover, locks in the arm behind his back, and before long Dorada taps out.

Winner: Kushida (8:53)

Kushida checks on Dorada after the match.  They shake hands and embrace, showing mutual respect.  After the match, Kushida comments in the back.  “I debuted in Mexico 10 years ago.  10 long years actually.  I finally had Lucha Libre eat out of my hand.  This whole past year, I have been fighting against heavyweights.  I’d like someday to make Super Jr go beyond Climax 1.  I must do one thing for that.  I have to win the Super Jr.  Watch me climb up that ladder.”

After the commercial, we get a backstage interview with Gedo:
It was your first appearance in 3 years?  “That’s right it was decided abruptly.  Kenny Omega cancelled at the last minute.  I didn’t think I had any business in the ring this year.  Then all of the sudden they put me in.”

What was your impression of Taguchi?  “My impression of him?  If I allowed myself to be overwrought I felt that he was going to take the rhythm, my rhythm, so i was careful not to let him get the upper hand.  I went at my usual pace.  I always kept him in my mind, to take initiative of the match.  That’s what is important.  I won’t let the opponent have control.”

About your fans expectations?  “Well you know when I went to the ring, the people seemed surprised.  I somewhat felt the pressure.  I didn’t think about it til I got on the ring.  I was like really the main event.  I had even been complaining about it.  I went on the ring like there’s nothing I can do now, but the crowd reacted with a certain level of expectation for me.  I was a bit relieved.”

Did it help that Okada was in the commentator seats? “I think so for sure.  It makes a big difference where Okada was there or not.  What was real exciting about it was that Okada was sitting there and I was fighting in the main event.  It made a big difference.”

Ryusuke Taguchi vs Gedo

Okada joins on commentary.  Gedo is out first with the bandanna pulled down low over eyes.  Gives Okada the Rainmaker money hand gesture.  Next is the “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi wearing some goofy shades.  When he takes off the shades, he is wearing his bandanna over his eyes as well, mocking Godo.  JR says “Must be a run on headbands this week.”  Godo superkicks Taguchi to start the match.  Gedo picks him up and back down into pinning combination but Taguchi kicks out.  Gedo with kicks, positions Taguchi vertical on the apron, and delivers a sick DDT that Taguchi sells well.  Funky Weapon is back in ring, but Gedo throws him right back out.  Gedo grabs the ring mallet and smashes Taguchi multiple times.  Jr says, “I guess everything is legal, even a ring mallet?”  Barnett agrees, “I didn’t realize this was a falls count anywhere hardcore match!”  Next Gedo takes off the turnbuckle padding and yells for the ref to count.  JR says “Gedo’s asking the ref to count.  See how good my Japanese is Josh?”  Taguchi slides back in at 18.  Geto rips Taguchi’s shirt off and sends him into the exposed turnbuckle with Irish whip.  JR is amused at his own commentary, “A Japanese wrestler with an Irish whip?  Sort of an international flavor!”  Gedo is making fun of the Funky Weapon, playing to the crowd.  Gedo with stomps to the back of the head, Gedo is establishing the pace.  Picks up Taguchi by his hair, sends him into the unpadded turnbuckle again, slamming him into it repeatedly, then holds a knee to the face, but the referee makes him break it.  Elbow to the back of the head, Gedo is really working over Taguchi’s neck.  Now a hair pull into a front facelock with the knee being driven into back of Taguchi for extra leverage.  Kick, picks him up, snapmare takeover, reverse chin lock, knee into the spine.  Taguchi is in a lot of pain.  The referee asking if he wants to give it up but Taguchi is trying to get to his feet.  Taguchi lands an elbow to the stomach, but Gedo connects with another blow to the spine.  Taguchi reverses, but Gedo gives him punches, dancing punches ala Road Dogg, then winds up for a big punch sending Taguchi to the mat.  Gedo picks him up, snapmare take over again, then a superkick to the face while Taguchi is still on his knees.  Gedo goes for a lax pin attempt, but Taguchi gets his left shoulder up.  Gedo is very methodical with this, operating at as JR calls it a “sadistic, cruel pace.”  Another chin lock, Taguchi reaches for the hair, but Gedo doesn’t have any hair.  Back to their feet, Irish whip but a reversal, into another reversal, and Gedo avoids the exposed turnbuckle.  Then a flip by Taguchi, he tries for some offense, but Gedo gets out.  Gedo hits the rope and meets a jumping hip block by Taguchi, then another one.  Taguchi now with another running hip block off the apron to the outside.  JR tells us Taguchi is really using his “assets” and we go to commercial.

After the break, both men are still on the floor.  Taguchi to his feet first, picks up Gedo, throws him into the ring, and connects with another hip block into the side of Gedo’s head.  Taguchi goes to the rope, another hip block, another one, another one!  With all these hip blocks, JR says Taguchi is “a hipster, if you will.”  Lateral press and Gedo kicks out weakly.  Taguchi locks Gedo, but Gedo reverses into a double chicken wing.  Taguchi trying to get to the ropes, but he’s in a lot of pain.  Gedo transitions into Gedo clutch cross face, but Taguchi reverses into an ankle lock on Gedo.  Now another toe hold, Gedo tries for the ropes but can’t get there.  Taguchi drags him to the center of the ring, but Gedo counters, flips into rollup, but the Funky Weapon kicks out.  Both men in opposite corners, jumping hip attack by Taguchi, then pick up face first suplex.  Taguchi ascends to the top rope and connects with another hip block off from up high.  JR says Taguchi is “putting his best face forward.”  Taguchi hooks the leg, but Gedo kicks out at 2.  Taguchi picks up Gedo and locks in his own double chicken wing, but Gedo sends Taguchi into referee.  They hit the ropes, Taguchi gets in a nice high kick, baseball slide low dropkick, near fall.  Taguchi is back up with another toe hold ankle lock, dropping Gedo to the mat.  Taguchi is really locking in the toe hold now, Gedo might tap.  Gedo inching towards the ropes, Taguchi gets him back to the center of the ring, front face suplex, near fall.  Okada is celebrating the fact his mentor is living to fight another day.  The crowd is chanting Gedo’s name.  Taguchi picks him up Gedo, but Gedo fights out and rolls to the outside.  Gedo picks up the hammer again, Taguchi takes the hammer from him, swings and misses, connecting with the announce table.  Taguchi carries the hammer back into the ring, but the ref wrestles it away from him and it throws it out.  While the ref’s back is turned, Gedo hits a low blow, then Flatliner into the Gedo Clutch pin.  Gedo wins.

Winner: Gedo (14:00)

Taguchi grabs an ice packs for his nether regions.  The ref asks Gedo, Gedo denies, and the ref raises Gedo’s hand.  Barnett says “If tree falls in forest and nobody is there to see it, did Taguchi get his balls wrapped?”

Backstage after the match, Taguchi is writhing in pain. “Oh my.  Oh my.  Oh my penny.  Oh my penny.  Oh my and Garfunk.  It’s the most ultimate oh my and Garfunkel.   I hope that… I hope my son feels better by tonight.  I sincerely hope so.”

Outside the ring, Gedo and Okada celebrate.  Okada has a mic in his hand. “Can I interview him?”  A loud cheer from the fans.  “You just won.  How do you feel?”  Gedo says, “Wait before that i just heard something.  You said that I couldn’t win.”  Okada tells him, “I said you can’t win the championship.”  Gedo responds, “That’s cold man.”  Okada explains, “No it’s not.  No, no, I think you’ll win back-to-back, that’s what I meant.” Gedo says, “I earned confidence today” and the fans cheer.  Okada plays to the crowd, “Isn’t Gedo considered a favorite to win our block?”  Gedo says, “I won against him today. I would fight in a double title match in Osaka.  I will face Kenny Omega in the Super Jr.”  Okada replies, “Wow you’re fired up!  Should we do it?”  The fans are loudly chanting “Gedo!”  They remind Gedo it was his first singles match for New Japan this year.  Gedo responds, “Did you really just say that?  To tell you the truth, it was my first time.  As for the singles main event, it was my first in 2 years, since my match against Prince Devitt.”  Continuing praise of Gedo, “You displayed a fantastic fight today, but the league matches will continue.  You mentioned early the July 5 match at Osaka-jo Hall.  Will you tell us your goal again?”  Gedo says, “Rainmaker won’t just challenge for IWGP Championship that AJ holds, there’s no doubt he’ll get it.  As for me?  I’ll challenge thru Super Jr and Omega.  Obviously money will rain.  Thank you very much.”  Gedo and Okada both get in ring, rainmaker pose, celebrate, and exchange congratulations.

Backstage interview with Gedo.  “At first I thought he was acting strange, but if I get overwrought, he would get into rhythm.  I pulled a surprise attack so he won’t get into a rhythm.  Everything was hard to predict but in a good way.  Looking back against bigger opponents.  For example by winning, people think I might advance.  In the end, it was Kushida and O’Reilly, those 2 advance.  But anyone could advance, makes it interesting.  Wrestlers that belong to Super Jr, they get most attention.  There isn’t a Jr Heavyweight category elsewhere so they’re forced to match up against bigger opponents.  Difficult class.  Best stage for them to shine might be the matches here at New Japan.  That’s what makes it interesting.”

JR thanks us for watching and we’re out.