Archive for February, 2020

WWE RAW Results & 5 Takeaways (2/24)

WWE RAW aired live from he Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was the final episode of RAW before WWE Super ShowDown. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar appeared during tonight’s show.

WWE RAW Results (2/24)

  1. Angel Garza def. Humberto Carrillo
  2. Aleister Black def. Erick Rowan
  3. Ricochet def. Luke Gallows
  4. Bobby Lashley def. R-Truth
  5. Angelo Dawkins def. Murphy via DQ
  6. Seth Rollins def. Montez Ford
  7. Randy Orton def. Kevin Owens

Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:

Ricochet Picked Up A Win

Ricochet
Ricochet

Ricochet squared off against Luke Gallows tonight on RAW. AJ Styles and Karl Anderson accompanied Gallows to the entrance ramp but he told them to go back to the locker room.

Match Recap: Ricochet connected with a Dropkick that sent Gallows out of the ring. Ricochet flipped onto Gallows and tried to fire up the crowd. Back in the ring, Gallows leveled Ricochet with a massive boot to the face. Paul Heyman was shown backstage smiling as Gallows beat the hell out of Ricochet in the corner. Gallows hit a Backbreaker and went for the cover but Ricochet kicked out at two.

Ricochet battled back with a Jawbreaker and followed it up with an Enziguri. Ricochet connected with a Crossbody and then a Standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Ricochet hit the Recoil and then another Shooting Star Press off the top rope for the pinfall victory.

Brock Lesnar will defend his WWE Championship against Ricochet at Super ShowDown on Thursday.

Heyman Warned Ricochet & McIntyre

WWE Champion Brock Lesnar came down to the ring with Paul Heyman. Paul stated that Brock doesn’t need a catchphrase because it is a fact that Lesnar reigns as your champion whenever he wants to.

Heyman said that WrestleMania will completely change if Ricochet beats Lesnar at Super ShowDown. Paul then joked “if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle” and that Ricochet has no chance on Thursday.

Paul claimed that Lesnar is going to take Drew McIntyre to Suplex City at WrestleMania and be done with him. Lesnar then posed with the WWE Championship on top of the announce table to end the segment.

Opinion: Heyman’s promo was great tonight as always but I don’t think anything can be said to get me invested in Lesnar’s match against Ricochet at Super ShowDown.

Drew McIntyre Vowed To Fulfill His Destiny At WrestleMania

Drew McIntyre was interviewed backstage tonight during RAW and said that he doesn’t care who he faces at WrestleMania. McIntyre added that he has been waiting on this for a long time and brought up his WWE debut in September of 2009. Drew pointed out that Vince McMahon proclaimed him as the chosen one but he hasn’t won a single’s title since.

McIntyre said that he deserved to get fired and didn’t think he would ever return to WWE. However, he became determined to get back to WWE so that the world doesn’t remember him as an idiot playing air guitar. Caruso complimented McIntyre on his run in NXT and making his way back to RAW.

Charly brought up McIntyre eliminating Lesnar and Drew claimed that he had to win that match. McIntyre added that he will fulfill his destiny at WrestleMania and become WWE Champion.

Becky Lynch Confronted Shayna Baszler

Photo: WWE.com

Natalya, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Ruby Riott, Asuka, and Shayna Baszler had a contract signing for the Elimination Chamber match. Jerry Lawler started talking but Asuka ripped the microphone away from him. Asuka demanded that Shayna come to the ring but Lawler claimed to have no idea where she is.

Sarah Logan, Natalya and Liv signed the contract. Morgan then walked to Ruby Riott and handed her the contract. Ruby signed and got in Liv’s face but Lawler broke it up. Asuka then signed the contract and Shayna’s music hit. Baszler made her way through the crowd and hopped over the barricade. Shayna signed the contract before looking each superstar in the eye.

Shayna stopped at Natalya and stared at her. Natalya and Baszler started trash talking before Asuka shoved Natalya to the canvas. Asuka told Shayna to bite her and then a brawl broke out. Liv Morgan leaped over the table and tackled Ruby Riott as WWE security rushed the ring.

https://twitter.com/tde_wrestling/status/1232140473785077760?s=20

Shayna was the only standing in the ring and Becky Lynch’s music hit. Becky tacbkled Shayna but Baszler quickly battled back and planted Becky with a Spinebuster. The two were then separated for a moment before breaking free and brawling some more.

The Referee Cost Kevin Owens The Match

Randy Orton kicked off this week’s episode of RAW by saying that he needs to apologize and that his emotions have become unbalanced. Orton said that he was the Intercontinental Champion 15-years ago when RAW was last in Winnipeg and was punched in the face by Edge that night.

The crowd chanted “we want Edge!” but Orton informed them that Edge cannot be here because of what he did to him. Orton added that he was very sorry for what he did to Edge as the crowd booed.

Kevin Owens interrupted and marched down to the ring. The crowd greeted Owens with a great reaction and chanted his name while he stood in the ring with Orton. Kevin stated that he has been dealing with delusion people for months and said he has an issue with Orton.

Owens told Orton that he didn’t believe his apology and asked him to explain his actions. Orton warned Owens not to go down that road but Kevin persisted and brought up Edge’s retirement. Owens added that he was watching as a fan when Edge returned at the Royal Rumble and again asked Orton to explain himself. Orton declined to answer and Owens suggested that they fight instead. Randy accepted but said that the match won’t happen until later tonight.

Match Recap: Owens controlled the match early and threw Orton out of the ring. Kevin connected with a Cannonball on Randy while he was against the barricade. Rollins, Murphy, and AOP came to the entrance ramp to distract Owens and Orton took control as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, the Viking Raiders and Street Profits attacked AOP, Rollins, and Murphy. Rollins hopped on the apron and Randy capitalized with a Clothesline on Owens. Randy then planted Rollins with a DDT and went for the cover. The referee counted to three incredibly fast and rolled out of the ring.

After the match, Seth slid a couple of chairs in the ring but Owens got up and grabbed one. The referee grabbed the chair from Owens as Orton retreated up the entrance ramp. Owens brought the referee into ring and it was revealed that he was wearing a Seth Rollins t-shirt under the uniform. Kevin planted the referee with a Stunner as Rollins shouted that the referee was a good human being. Owens then Powerbombed the referee through a table to close the show.

Opinion: The referee being a Rollins disciple was silly but a fun nod to the Montreal Screwjob. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo had an excellent match tonight and Aleister Black versus AJ Styles next week should be great. Rollins and Ford had a solid match as well and I’m looking forward to the RAW Tag Team Championship match at Super ShowDown. Overall, RAW was a solid show and I’m glad the build towards Super ShowDown is over.

https://twitter.com/tde_wrestling/status/1232153710823923713?s=20

Rusev Removed From Super Showdown Match, Replacement Announced

It appears that former United States Champion Rusev has been pulled from the Gauntlet match he was announced to compete in at the upcoming Super Showdown event.

There was some confusion over the graphics used to promote the match on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw and WWE has since confirmed that Rey Mysterio will be replacing the Bulgarian Brute in the upcoming match:

The company has not given a reason for Rusev’s removal but the two sides have been locked in a contract dispute for a while now and reports suggest that the officials have pulled Rusev from WWE TV due to the same.

Rusev has not wrestled since the January 20 episode of Raw where he and his partner Liv Morgan lost a mixed tag match to Lana and Bobby Lashley.

When WWE originally announced the Gauntlet match, it was reported that the announcement was not a sign of things being resolved between the two parties.

It’s believed that Rusev will leave WWE once his contract expires. Though it was reported earlier this month that he still has “plenty of time” left on his current deal.

His wife Lana on the other hand, signed a new 5-year deal just recently so she will be staying with the company until at least 2025, whether the former NXT star decides to leave or stay.

Edge’s Return To WWE RAW Revealed

After being off of WWE television for a month, the return date and location for Edge has been revealed. 

The WWE Hall of Famer is being locally advertised to appear on the March 9th episode of RAW by Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, which is hosting the show. 

It should be noted that this episode will be the night after the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event when the road to WrestleMania 36 starts to heat up. 

After making his return to the ring in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match, Edge has been off TV for several weeks after receiving the beatdown by Randy Orton. The belief is that this feud will lead to a match between them at WrestleMania 36. 

The following is the promotional material listed for the show but keep in mind that these matches are likely dark and only shown to the fans in attendance: 

Edge live to give a medical update on his condition

2020 Royal Rumble Match Winner Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton

RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs, Seth Rollins & Murphy w/The AOP

RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and 2020 Royal Rumble Winner Charlotte Flair vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors

Details On Edge’s Contract Length & Matches Per Year

Goldberg Reflects On Wrestling The Undertaker At Super ShowDown

WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg did a recent interview where reflected about his first encounter with The Undertaker.

He did so on the Total Slam podcast. The match between Goldberg and The Undertaker took place last year at the WWE Super ShowDown pay-per-view event. 

It had received a ton of criticism from fans as the start of the match was good but it quickly went downhill due to unforeseen circumstances.

“My match with Taker was the perfect storm with no good. At the end of the day, I was not in the ring for two years. It was 150 degrees. Undertaker and I never worked together before,” said Goldberg. “My character is based on realism. My character is based on intensity and sometimes I forget I’m a little bit older than I used to be and my body is not [the same]. 

It was a spot over the years that I knocked myself out at times. Why? Because I refuse to do in there something that doesn’t looks real. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it 100 percent. If I knocked myself out, so be it, I knocked myself out.”

Goldberg Reflects On The Match

Goldberg noted that he had to deal with it and it was only his fault because he went too hard. He said that fans can’t fault him for it because he wanted to give the best show possible and make his family and fans proud. 

Goldberg noted that he wanted to complete a dream of his and have a good match with Taker, but it doesn’t always turn out the way you want and unfortunately, it was on TV. 

Goldberg continued by noting how everybody saw it but thinks that the match doesn’t defy him as a human being. He admitted that for two weeks he felt bad about it and he thinks they should get a pat on the back for putting ourselves out there at our age and doing the things that we do to entertain the people.

Goldberg returns to the country at this same event when he challenges Bray Wyatt for the Universal Title this Thursday. 

Goldberg Shares His Feelings About Matt Riddle

Thanks to WrestlingInc.com for the quote.

Goldberg Receives Good Luck Message From “Booger Bro” Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle wanted to make sure that Goldberg has some extra confidence heading into his next match under the WWE banner. 

The WWE Hall of Famer is slated to make his return to in-ring action when he steps into the ring to challenge Bray Wyatt for the Universal Title at WWE’s next special. 

WWE presents the Super ShowDown pay-per-view event on Thursday, February 27, 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Mohammed Abdou Arena that will air on the WWE Network. 

Riddle took to his official Twitter account where he sent a good luck message to the legendary pro wrestler. You can see his tweet here: 

Riddle’s “booger bro” mention is a reference to the recent comments made by Goldberg, who compared Riddle to a booger. 

The history between Goldberg and Riddle has been well documented. Thus, it will be interesting to see what Riddle has to say about Goldberg’s latest match after the show via social media. 

Because of these types of comments made by Riddle as well as calling out main roster stars such as Goldberg and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, it has led to him getting heat with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. 

Goldberg Shares His Feelings About Matt Riddle

New Match Set For AEW Revolution

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has announced a new match for their upcoming Revolution pay-per-view.

On Monday, the promotion officially announced Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara in a singles match for the show. The match announcement came during a Road to Kansas City video that was uploaded to AEW’s social media.

AEW presents the Revolution pay-per-view event on Saturday, February 29, 2020 in Chicago, IL from the Sears Center. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, and is available for purchase via iN DEMAND cable operators, DirecTV, DISH Network and B/R Live. International fans can purchase the event at FITE.TV. 

The event is being promoted in conjunction with the popular C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) convention and will mark the fourth AEW PPV event. AEW will be announcing more matches for the show in the coming weeks.  

AEW Revolution Card

  • AEW World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. Jon Moxley
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega and Adam Page vs. The Young Bucks
  • Cody Rhodes vs. MJF
  • Jake Hager vs. Dustin Rhodes
  • Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara

What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.

AEW Dynamite Headed To Houston, TX In April

Final WWE Friday Night SmackDown Viewership (2/21)

The viewership numbers are in for Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX from Glendale, AZ at the Gila River Arena.

SmackDown averaged 2.484 million viewers, according to ShowbuzzDaily. This is up from the 2.464 viewers that the show did for last week’s episode of SmackDown on FOX. 

The show averaged 2.490 million viewers in the fast nationals, which was up from the 2.482 million viewers a week ago. This number measured the top metered markets. 

WWE SmackDown Viewership

The first hour drew 2.542 million viewers while the second hour did 2.438 million viewers. For comparison, the first show of last week’s show did 2.521 million viewers while the second hour did 2.442 million viewers. 

SmackDown pulled in a 0.70 rating in the 18-49 demos, the same from the 0.70 rating as last week’s show.

This episode was expected to see its viewership stay steady and it did so due to it featuring an appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg to do a segment with Universal Champion Bray Wyatt. 

Matches

Matches that took place on this show included The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) & The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) defeat Dolph Ziggler, John Morrison, Robert Roode & The Miz, Braun Strowman & Elias defeat Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in a Symphony Of Destruction Tag Team Match, Daniel Bryan defeats Heath Slater, and Naomi defeats Carmella in a WWE SmackDown Women’s Title #1 Contendership Match.

In case you missed the show, you can check out the 5 takeaways from it here.

WWE is expecting to see an increase in viewership for the following episode this coming Friday night as the show will feature the fallout for the Super ShowDown event.

Watch: Top 10 Moments from Friday Night SmackDown (2.21.20)

WWE RAW Preview: Two Matches, Super ShowDown Go-Home Show

While WWE hasn’t announced many things for tonight’s episode of Monday Night RAW, it’s expected to be a big show. 

As of this writing, only three things – two matches and segment – have been announced. That includes an appearance by WWE Champion Brock Lesnar to further promote his title defense against Ricochet at Super ShowDown. 

Also, Angel Garza will square off with Humberto Carrillo in what is being hyped as a first-ever match on the show between the two stars. 

WWE will also be building on the hype for existing feuds that will take place heading into the Super ShowDown pay-per-view event. This will be the go-home edition of RAW for the latest PPV event under the WWE banner. 

WWE holds this show in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Bell MTS Place. WWE is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:

  • Angel Garza to square off with Humberto Carrillo
  • Who will Randy Orton target next?
  • WWE Champion Brock Lesnar to appear live
  • Will Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler come to blows in the same building?
  • Erick Rowan will face Aleister Black in a rematch

As usual, fans should expect more matches and segments to be revealed this afternoon for RAW. 

Join us here later tonight for our post-show RAW Takeaways feature.

Booker T Talks Infamous WWF Match Against Buff Bagwell

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently commented on the now infamous match between him and Buff Bagwell back in 2001. The match has been described on WWE.com as “the most awkward ever.”

The former King of The Ring winner seems to agree.

Booker T vs Buff Bagwell

The match was seemingly the true death knell for the WCW brand. Whilst Vince McMahon had already bought his competition; there was a belief that WCW could still function as a separate entity. With the rumors at the time indicating that Nitro would become the Monday show and SmackDown would be the WWF show later in the week. Due to the massively negative reaction that the match got in the main event of the July 2, 2001 edition of RAW the idea was seemingly scrapped. Although it seemed as though Bagwell and Booker undelivered; it’s arguable that they were never put in a position to succeed in the first place.

Booker T discussed the bout during the most recent episode of Lillian Garcia’s Chasing Glory podcast. “It was a real war back then between WCW and WWF, you know,” Booker began. “And it didn’t help putting Bagwell and I in that spot, I think we were Tacoma, Washington.”

Booker T

Booker T elaborated further, mentioning how they were never going to succeed in that position. “It was one of those things where, we were in a position. You know. Fail or succeed. [Except] it wasn’t designed for us to succeed, I understood that. I think Bagwell may have understood that, as well. And and what happened happened I go back and I look at the match, and it wasn’t the crappiest match in the world but it was no way that we’re gonna succeed.”

You can listen to Lillian Garcia’s Chasing Glory every week via iTunes, Stitcher or your favourite podcast host

Young Bucks “Killing the Business” Memoir Announced

On Monday, All Elite Wrestling announced that Nick and Matt Jackson (The Young Bucks) have written a book about their lives. The “deeply personal” memoir will follow their journeys from backyard wrestling to the worldwide stage of AEW.

Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big League is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com and bookstores across the United States. The book will be released September 29th. For more information, visit YoungBucksBook.com.

Here is the official press release about the project sent in by AEW:

“Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues” Is Available for Pre-Order on Feb. 24 on Amazon & Bookstores Nationwide

February 24, 2020 – Considered to be one of the greatest tag teams of all time, Matt and Nick Jackson’s journey has taken them from a homemade ring in their back yard to EVPs of All Elite Wrestling, the wildly successful professional wrestling league taking America by storm.

The brothers, known as The Young Bucks, today added a new title to their impressive resumes – Co-Authors. Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big League, a deeply personal memoir co-written by Matt and Nick, will be available for pre-order starting today on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

A warm, heartfelt story told with the brothers’ wit and charm, Killing the Business reveals how two undersized athletes from Southern California have risen to elite status in professional wrestling with millions of fans worldwide and a legion of followers on their acclaimed web series Being the Elite. Famous for their high-flying moves, superkicks and hilarious videos, Matt and Nick are an inspiration to fans worldwide due to their message of resilience and determination.

The Young Bucks write endearingly about their sport, while sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Alternating between each brother’s perspective from chapter to chapter, the entertaining memoir is a deep dive on what it means to grow into, and give back to, the sport and profession they embody and love.

“Nearly 20 years ago, our father built us a wrestling ring in our back yard. Our journey to become professional wrestlers began here,” said Matt Jackson. “Then after years of hawking T-shirts out of duffel bags at independent shows across the U.S., documenting our lives on a web series filmed on our phones, and performing at the biggest events in Japan, we’d eventually land the dream job of a lifetime.

“We’re excited to share the story of how we got there, after overcoming past failures, and finally deciding to play by our own rules, ignoring traditions, earning us the reputation by critics as two wrestlers who were ‘Killing The Business.’ This memoir is yet another milestone in our career, all thanks to the support of our amazing fans.”

Published by Dey Street Books, Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues will be released this fall and retail for $27.99. The book follows Young Bucks Stand Tall, the duo’s first book which follows Nick and Matt through an inspiring story that encourages young readers to follow their dreams.

Tammy Lynn Sytch (Sunny) To Be Released From Prison Next Month

Tammy Lynn Sytch will be granted parole and released from prison on March 25th, 2020. She has been in prison since early 2019 stemming from multiple DUI charges. Sytch’s parole was revoked after she failed to notify authorities of her whereabouts, failed to pay an agreed-upon monthly fee for her release, and failed to maintain a stable residence.

Sytch’s new attorneys filed a parole petition with the courts last month. She had a hearing on the matter last Thursday. According to a report from Pro Wrestling Sheet, Sytch is due to be released on parole exactly 1-month from tomorrow.

Sunny Granted Parole, Due To Be Released Next Month

Tammy Lynn Sytch (aka Sunny) was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. She is often credited with having been the first “Diva” in company history as well as helping to usher in the Attitude era of the late 1990s. Additionally, Sytch performed in ECW and briefly in WCW as well. She was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club for her contributions to wrestling and is a former 2x Slammy Award winner in WWE.

Sunny made a surprise appearance at the 15th Anniversary of RAW:

Bully Ray Says AEW Reminds Him Of ECW

WWE Hall-of-Famer and ECW legend Bully Ray recently said on Busted Open Radio that AEW reminds him of ECW. In fact, Bully said he almost lives vicariously through the wrestlers on AEW Dynamite.

“When I watch AEW, I’m watching it because I want to have fun,” Bully said on the show. “My own personal reasons for watching AEW is because it reminds me so much of ECW. I almost feel like I live vicariously through those guys.”

Bully commented that one aspect about AEW he likes is that they don’t always do the “right” things but it gets over with their fans anyway.

“I like watching them doing all the wrong things and still seeing it get over because we used to do all the wrong things and it would get over,” he continued.

“Mistakes are going to happen. The AEW fanbase is so on-board with the talent that’s there and the company that they are willing to forgive and forget right now. The ECW fanbase if you screwed up in front of them they would hammer you for it but then go right back to loving you and being on-board. That’s why it’s so fun for me to watch it because I see the things I’m like ‘oh my god that was so wrong’ but then I listen and go ‘oh, but the people are going crazy.'”

Bully would then continue to talk about those who say AEW’s approach to wrestling is “killing the business.”

“You’ll have a lot of people out there saying this is not good for the business, this is killing the business, this is doing that…the business is evolving and if you evolve with it, I don’t think you can kill it. Can you kill an old school mentality? Not really because that old school mentality can be brought back the following week.”

Busted Open Radio the podcast version is available here.

AEW Dynamite Headed To Houston, TX In April

Another Monday means another new date and location for an upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite on TNT. 

The promotion announced via Twitter that AEW Dynamite is heading to Houston, Texas at the Fertita Center on April 29. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday at AEWTix.com.

The arena has a max capacity of 8,000 approximately people, which is in line with the other arenas that AEW is airing their television show from.

“It’s our Houston debut! HOUSTON, TX – Are you ready for us? Wednesday, March 29th – #AEWDynamite will be at the Fertita Center at the @UHouston. Tickets go live THIS FRIDAY, Feb 28th at 11am CST and start at $30! Visit http://AEWTIX.com for full event details.”

This week’s show takes place in Kansas City, MO at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena and it’s slated to be a big show. It will be the go-home for Saturday’s Revolution pay-per-view event, the first special of the new year for All Elite Wrestling. 

AEW Dynamite Schedule

The following is an updated look at the AEW Dynamite touring schedule through the end of April 2020: 

  • February 26: Kansas City, MO
  • March 4: Denver, CO
  • March 11: Salt Lake City, UT
  • March 18: Rochester, NY
  • March 25: Newark, NJ
  • April 1: Milwaukee, WI
  • April 8: St. Louis, MO
  • April 15: Boston, MA
  • April 22: Philadelphia, PA
  • April 29: Houston, TX
  • May 27: Las Vegas, NV

Booker T On Where Luke Harper Could Be Headed After His WWE Release

Chris Jericho Comments On Fans Singing Lyrics To Judas

Chris Jericho uses the song Judas as his ring entrance music in AEW. Recently fans have begun to sing along with the song as it plays throughout the arena during Jericho’s entrances. Jericho noted recently that the live crowd in Atlanta was particularly loud. He took to social media to comment on the trend of fans singing along with the song.

Jericho commented on fans singing along with Judas in the below Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zGkslBjGF/?igshid=1226j0yd78qdd

“I love this new trend of the @allelitewrestling faithful singing the lyrics to @fozzyrock#Judas every week! What a great feeling and last night in #AEWAtlanta was by far the LOUDEST version and it was made even more special by the fact that @officialrichward@frankfontsere@johnnyandrewsmusic@officialsamabernathy were there to experience it LIVE! Heels are heels and babyfaces are babyfaces, but organic moments like this are what pro wrestling is really all about!!”

Chris Jericho and Fozzy

The song Judas is the title track of Fozzy’s 2017 album by the same name. The album peaked at #147 on the US Billboard top 200 rankings. It is the 7th studio album for the band since their 2000 debut.

The official music video for Judas can be viewed in the player below:

Triple H Comments On Tyson Fury’s Win Over Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder on Saturday and avenged a controversial draw from their first fight. Triple H was interviewed about his feelings regarding Fury’s victory and noted that the heavyweight boxing champion did exactly what he said he was going to do.

“What a performance, an unbelievable boxing performance,” Triple H said to Fight Hub TV regarding Fury’s fight against Wilder. “What heart shown by Deontay Wilder to stay in there that long, that hurt, that bad and just keep going and going and going. Amazing heart. Hats off to both of them, amazing performance on both sides but Fury did what he said he was going to do and just dominate.”

Triple H was in Fury’s locker room before the fight. He was asked what he said to Fury before the contest.

“I just told him ‘good luck,'” Triple H said. “We did some business together with Tyson and the WWE recently and he’s a great guy. I had a chance to be around him a lot and do some media with him and help him train for that. Great guy, I know how hard he works. I know what this means for him, I’m happy for him.”

It was noted during the conversation that Fury could head back to WWE after his fighting career is over.

“He’s custom made for it man, I think he had a lot of fun with us,” Triple H said.

Triple H’s comments can be heard in the player below:

MLW Fusion Results & 6 Takeaways (2/22/20)

Major League Wrestling presented Fusion this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show emanated from Texas again this week and featured the main event of Tom Lawlor taking on Ross Von Erich.

MLW 2/22/20 Quick Results:

  1. Logan Creed defeated Moonshine Mantell
  2. Erick Stevens defeated Douglas James
  3. King Mo defeated Dr. Drax
  4. Ross Von Erich defeated Tom Lawlor via DQ

The full show can be viewed in the player below:

Here are 6 takeaways from MLW Fusion 2/22/20:

Team Filthy Adds Member, Attack The Von Erichs Texas Style

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231473766150148096

Last week’s episode of Fusion saw the Von Erich brothers successfully retain the MLW tag team titles against the Dynasty in front of a raucous Dallas crowd. This week, Ross Von Erich took on Tom Lawlor in the night’s main event.

Ross looked to have Lawlor set up for the Iron Claw but Team Filthy member Dominic Garrini interfered and caused the DQ. Marshall Von Erich came out to even up the odds but Erick Stevens ran out and appeared to join Team Filthy as he joined in on the beatdown on the Von Erich brothers. With the 3-on-2 advantage, Team Filthy used cowbells and bull rope to attack the Von Erichs and then even disrespected the state flag of Texas in the middle of the ring to close the show.

ATT’s King Mo Makes Dr. Drax Tapout

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231443568633335808

King Mo has continued to train with American Top Team since signing with MLW. He took on the dastardly Dr. Dax this week after having antagonized Low-Ki in a backstage segment recently. Mo pointed out that Low-Ki trains with the Gracie family and earlier in his career, Mo KO’d Roger Gracie.

King Mo made Drax tap to the rear-naked choke for the victory.

Gorgon/Grogan Gone, Logan Creed Has Arrived In MLW

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231458667012218880

Last week on MLW, Mance Warner was able to gain access to the building only after bribing the Dynasty’s giant to allow him in the building. This week, the former Gorgon/Grogan announced that his name is Logan Creed and he is no longer a member of the Dynasty.

Creed kicked off this week’s episode of Fusion in a match against Moonshine Mantell. He picked up the victory with a power-bomb.

Erick Stevens Wants Davey Boy Smith Jr.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231428468639846400

Before he joined Team Filthy in the night’s closing segment, Erick Stevens cut a promo in the back saying he’s targetting a match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. The commentary team noted that Stevens was not wasting any time in MLW by challenging the top contender to Jacob Fatu’s MLW World Championship.

Stevens took on Douglas James this week on Fusion. He’d pick up the victory with his Sarasota Screwdriver finisher.

MLW Top-10 Rankings From Pro Wrestling Illustrated

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231402531005370368

MLW aired a segment this week featuring a countdown of the top-10 wrestlers in the promotion as determined by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The PWI top-10 for MLW is as follows:

MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu (Contra Unit)

  1. Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Opera Cup Winner) (Hart Foundation)
  2. Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion) (Dynasty)
  3. Myron Reed (Middleweight Champion) (Injustice)
  4. Brian Pillman Jr. (Hart Foundation)
  5. Mance Warner
  6. Tom Lawlor (Team Filthy)
  7. Richard Holliday (Dynasty)
  8. Jimmy Havoc
  9. Low-Ki
  10. Dominic Garrini (Team Filthy)

Coming Up In MLW

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231409167287672837

Los Parks return next week. This will be LA Park’s return to the promotion after dropping the MLW World title match to Jacob Fatu at SuperFight. Injustice will also take on the team of Zenshi and Laredo Kid.

MLW has a joint show coming up on March 13th with AAA in Tijuana:

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231443650560843777

MLW is back in Chicago’s Cicero Stadium in April. Chris Dickinson’s MLW debut is being advertised for the show:

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1231968305558249472

Kurt Angle On Wanting To Wrestle Bret Hart, His Toughest Career Decision

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has lamented the fact he and Bret Hart were never able to have a match together. Angle opened up about the popular dream match during a recent Q&A session on his Facebook account.

He shared how he had always wanted to work with Bret, but given that Bret “got hurt and then had a stroke” it sadly guaranteed that the two technical wrestlers would never be able to face each other. Angle complimented Hart, noting how he is “one of the best.”

Kurt Angle’s Toughest Decision

Angle also answered a question asking him what the hardest decision he’s ever had to make was. For him, it came down to his in-ring career and whether he needed to retire or not. It became a real struggle for him to decide “Whether I should retire after I broke my neck several times. I decided to continue. I was very lucky to be able to.”

Despite being able to continue his in-ring career, Angle recently revealed how banged up his body is. He confessed how his “quality of life right now sucks.”

Weight Cutting

A prolific amateur wrestler, a fan asked Angle what his thoughts were on weight cutting for competitions. Angle was quick to answer, explaining why he doesn’t believe in the practice:

“I wrestled at 220lbs. I weighed 209lbs. I feel that if you have to cut weight you spend most of your time training to make weight instead of getting the most out of your training regimen.”

Kurt Angle wrestled his last in-ring matchup at WrestleMania 34. He competed in a losing effort against Baron Corbin in a “Farewell Match.”

Fit Finlay On Working With WWE’s Women’s Division, Wrestling Being “In The Family”

Fit Finlay has been working for WWE as a Backstage Producer for a while now. During his time in this role, he has been instrumental in helping to grow and strengthen the Women’s Division. Joining WWE’s The Bump, Finlay spoke about the work he’s done and his hopes for the future of the division. 

“Well, it first started when I came to WWE in 2001-2002, as a producer. I was given the task of working with the girls,” Finlay explained. “As you know, during those years it was all bra and panties, lingerie matches. Whatever gimmick match it was, I had to work with the girls.”

He continued, “It was sort of embarrassing to me. I knew I was not what the girls wanted. I started teaching them how to wrestle and got them all together and said ‘Hey, I don’t really like to do this. I don’t like to tell you how to strip yourselves off in a match. It’s alien to me for one, and it’s degrading to you.’ So, I came up with a plan to start putting on wrestling matches and teaching them all the ins and outs.”

Finlay noted how he would be reprimanded by certain people. According to him, these higher-ups didn’t want their female roster wrestling “like the guys.” He was told how they should be pulling each others hair and not actually grappling.

Despite the resistance, Finlay remained resolute. He helped to develop it throughout the years, noting how it was a gradual process. Because the women put everything into it and listened to his coaches, the division started to grow and legitimize itself. 

Fit Finlay’s Family Legacy

Fit’s son, David Finlay, is currently wrestling in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Finlay shared how wrestling is all David wanted to do with his life, noting how pro wrestling is “in the family.”

He shared how his daughter is currently training and preparing for an in-ring debut in Japan. His 17-year-old son is also getting experience in the ring. According to Fit, they never want to do schoolwork and instead want to jump into the ring at every opportunity. 

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Stevie Ray Responds To Critics Over Harlem Heat’s Hall Of Fame Induction

WWE Hall of Famer Stevie Ray has responded to critics who don’t believe he should have been inducted. Ray was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during last year’s ceremony. He was included as a part of the WCW tag team Harlem Heat alongside his brother, Booker T.

“Yeah, man! It is cool. But, you know, people were always bothering me about the Hall of Fame and I never really had thought about it,” Stevie Ray told Wrestling Epicenter. “I always thought that the Hall of Fame meant that you left a mark in wrestling and people would always remember it and I never thought… You know, it was in the back of my mind. But it is cool that it happened and hey, Harlem Heat is in the Hall of Fame!”

Stevie Ray stressed how “I could give two sh*ts what people say” regarding his inclusion. He stressed how they were put into the Hall of Fame as a record-breaking tag team. Not only that but for being a tag team that brought tag team wrestling back into popularity and actually got ratings at a time when teams didn’t really draw. 

Stevie Ray Denied Harlem Heat Rumors

There had been rumors that a match could take place between The Revival and Harlem Heat. Despite the speculation, however, there has been no firm indication that the match will take place.

On a recent episode of WWE Backstage, Booker T highlighted how Harlem Heat wasn’t finished with the Revival. Stevie Ray, however, denied this. He stated, “I’m done with the Revival. I never had anything to do with the f***ing Revival. So, whatever sh*t he said, I don’t got nothing to do with it.”

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Tony Schiavone Isn’t Sure If AEW Will “Ever Be As Big As WWE”

All Elite Wrestling’s Tony Schiavone has shared his uncertainty that AEW will ever “be as big as WWE” in an interview with Sportskeeda. He pointed to the WWE Network and the sheer longevity WWE has enjoyed since its inception. Rather than directly competing with the promotion, Schiavone revealed he’d prefer for AEW to become a “viable part of wrestling.”

“I don’t know if AEW will ever be as big as the WWE; with a Network, and the reach that they have overseas, because WWE has been around for a long time,” Schiavone explained. “But I’d like to see it be a viable part of wrestling [and] I’d like it to be a place where very good professional wrestlers – both men and women – can come and make a good living, and be treated fairly… that’s what I’d like AEW to be.”

Although Tony Schiavone worked for the then-WWF for a stint in the ‘90s, he is best known for his work in WCW. Since WCW, he also provided commentary for Major League Wrestling, prior to his signing with AEW.

There was a time that he was hired by coffee chain Starbucks. This history has been turned into an angle on AEW Dynamite, with Dr. Britt Baker often mocking him for his previous job role.

Tony Schiavone is the co-host of two popular podcasts. He hosts What Happened When along with Conrad Thompson. Last week, AEW launched the new AEW Unrestricted podcast, which features Tony and referee Aubrey Edwards interviewing AEW talent.

Shawn Spears Compares Working For WWE And AEW

AEW star Shawn Spears recently gave an interview to Chris Van Vliet where he talked about things like his infamous chair shot to Cody Rhodes at Fyter Fest, whether the chair was gimmicked and more.

During the interview, the former NXT star was asked what is the biggest difference in AEW compared to his time in WWE when it comes to the day to day stuff.

Answering the question, Spears explained that the biggest difference is that the talents are very relaxed at AEW shows and the locker rooms are almost empty during the day because people are excited to wrestle:

“The biggest difference is that it’s very relaxed,” explained Shawn. “A lot of the talent is out by the ring, the locker rooms are almost empty during the day. Like people are having fun, they are excited to wrestle.

I don’t know how it is in the WWE or NXT at the moment but there was a time when I was still in WWE where a lot of the people would stay in the locker room until they had to go and do their matches cause they would try to avoid certain other aspects of the company or other people of the company.” (Transcription: SEScoops.com)

Spears continued by acknowledging that they are still a new company and they still need to iron out some things. But the All Elite Wrestling star said that everyone at the promotion is really enjoying themselves.

Apart from this, Shawn Spears recalled how he was petrified when he originally decided to leave WWE and revealed how his pairing with Tully Blanchard came about. You can check out his full interview in the video below:

Tyler Breeze Talks About Moving Back To NXT

Tyler Breeze is one of a few main roster Superstars to have returned to WWE’s black-and-gold brand, NXT. He joined other names such as his Breezango partner Fandango and former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor in returning. In an interview with The Chris Van Vliet Show, Breeze discussed his journey back to NXT.

Tyler Breeze Returns To NXT

“I wasn’t in a very good place in May, and that’s just when it came to a head, and when I kind of dropped a bomb on everything, where I just said, I gotta change my life because I am not happy, you know what I mean, and nobody can change it but you kind of thing.”

Breeze continued, “So I said, alright, I gotta change my job, I gotta change my life, I gotta change everything that’s going on. It didn’t even start as a ‘Hey, send me back to NXT, I’m not happy,’ whatever. It wasn’t that at all. It was like, ‘Look, I haven’t been doing anything. I’m not enjoying what I’m doing.'”

He explained how, at that point, it didn’t appear as though his injured partner Fandango would be returning any time soon. Breeze argued that if they didn’t need him, WWE should allow him to “go do something else and either, one, prove that you do need me or that you want me, or I’ll go find something else to do because I’m just not enjoying what I’m doing.'”

According to Tyler Breeze, he was told by WWE that they didn’t want to let him go. So he was given the option to return to NXT. It was a decision he has previously described as “one of the easiest choices of my life.”

H/T to WrestleZone for the transcription.

Shawn Spears On His Chair Shot To Cody, Becoming “The Chairman”

All Elite Wrestling’s resident “Chairman” Shawn Spears has opened up about his nasty chair shot to Cody Rhodes and embracing the Chairman character. Speaking on The Chris Van Vliet Show, Spears recounted swinging the chair at Cody, not knowing the damage his attack had caused until he saw the blood.

“I swang [sic] for the fences, he leaned in, and just that one little bit caught him. I didn’t know he was bleeding,” Spears confessed. “That’s because I kinda had a moment with Brandi [Rhodes], where I looked at her and kinda had a staredown with her. And I looked at him to get that one more shot and I saw the red and I was like, ’S&*%’”

He argued that, as far as their storyline was concerned, it was a “best case scenario.” Spears noted how, regardless of that, he didn’t want to be responsible for his friend needing 10 stitches in his head. “But it is wrestling, things happen, I’m pretty sure I’ll be on the tail end of a bad shot at some point.”

Shawn Spears Becomes “The Chairman”

Shawn Spears reflected on how that one chair shot, and the subsequent damage it caused, helped to put him on the map in AEW. It turned him from a “happy-go-lucky ‘Perfect 10’” wrestler into a monster villain against Cody’s babyface, birthing “The Chairman.” 

“[…] that’s where ‘The Chairman’ thing was born, so I just kinda kept it, ran with it, and have yet hit someone in the head once again, so it’s a moniker, it’s a tagline that hangs with me for the moment. In terms of what’s gonna happen, I might swing it again soon.”

He shared how he’s much happier now than he was just one year ago. Spears highlighted how it wasn’t WWE itself that was behind his unhappiness: “It was just, I wasn’t happy being where I was there. So I needed to take ownership. They can’t change to work around you, you need to take ownership of your own situation.”

Conceding how many are afraid to take that first step in leaving and embracing the unknown, Spears reiterated how taking the gamble has led him to be much happier despite the fact he was “petrified to leave” at the time. 

H/T to WrestleZone for the transcription. 

Lio Rush Says 205 Live Should Be Treated Better

Former Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush recently held a Q&A session on Twitter where he answered questions related to his next album, his favorite feud and more.

When asked why he loves wrestling, the former Champion explained that he grew up watching the business and it’s the only thing that makes him feel like a kid once again:

“I grew up watching wrestling as a kid. It was the only thing that made me feel like a kid again the older I got. I try to remind myself this every day.”

The NXT star also made some interesting comments about the state of 205 Live when a fan asked him if the Cruiserweight Exclusive Show should have its own Takeover Style events.

Rush replied to this question from the fan with a remark on the current state of the series and said that he thinks 205 Live should be treated better as a whole. You can check out his comments in the tweet below:

https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1231759723780853761
https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1231674289688064005
https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1231674506449690624

Lio Rush has previously been subject to reports of backstage heat and he had made a number of headlines last year by publically criticizing his WWE pay and financial status while being under contract with the company.

In light of his previous controversies, it’s debatable how wise it is for Lio to criticize the status of the show publically and it would be interesting to know how the WWE officials react to his comments.

PCO On Possibly Defending The ROH Title In NJPW

Current ROH World Champion PCO recently had an interview with WrestlingInc where he talked about things like finally becoming a World Champion in wrestling after 3 decades in the business and more.

Since ROH has a partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling, the current champion was asked about an interesting possibility of defending the ROH title at an NJPW show.

Answering the question, PCO recalled how he was scheduled to make his New Japan debut by competing in the World tag league but the plans were scrapped due to Brody King injuring his knee:

“Maybe. I know I was booked for [World] Tag League and I was supposed to make my debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling. But Brody King injured his knee and tore his ACL, I missed that tournament so it will be interesting to see how things turn out. But my main focus is ROH right now and what’s going on in North America.”

PCO also talked about a potential tour of Australia for the company and revealed that ROH’s parent company Sinclair has increased the promotion’s budget three or four times from last year.

Apart from this, the ROH star talked about his last year’s entrance at Supercard of Honor and teased an out of the box entrance for this year’s edition of the show. You can check out his full interview at this link.