Alberto Del Rio will be holding a press conference on Friday from Mexico City, as first reported by Super Luchas. The former WWE Champion has invited several members of the Mexican to attend.
Del Rio’s legal representatives “gave notice” to WWE on his behalf several months ago that he’ll be opting out of his contract after the first year. With reports circulating that WWE will announce Del Rio’s departure any day now, it seems like we will get the official word tomorrow.
Alberto Del Rio is currently serving a 30-day suspension for his first violation of the talent wellness policy. The deterioration of his relationship with WWE has been well documented in recent months.
There has been a lot of speculation regarding what’s next for Alberto Del Rio after he leaves WWE. Whether it’s a run in TNA, a return to Mexico or elsewhere, El Patron will have no problem keeping his schedule full.
In his latest blog entry on jrsbarbq.com, Jim Ross offers his thoughts on recent rumors regarding Alberto Del Rio and Paige’s relationship, CM Punk’s debut fight this Saturday at UFC 203, the WWE Network, and more. Highlights are as follows:
CM Punk’s UFC debut this Saturday against Mickey Gall:
Doing a great deal of MMA related media the past few days to discuss the upcoming UFC debut of former WWE star CM Punk this Saturday on PPV. Punk has an uphill struggle considering that he;s never fought in this environment before but I’d never count him out especially when one factors in the 4 ounce glove element. To create a buzz, perhaps Punk should actually embrace his pro wrestling legacy this week, instead of knocking it as some perceive, as many MMA fans will buy the PPV to see Punk get hammered Saturday night while Punk’s wrestling fans will buy to hopefully see Punk win.
UFC was strategic in signing Punk as his presence will enhance what appears to otherwise be a not so special PPV event. I’m certainly going to buy the show.
Bottom line is that Punk’s WWE created celebrity and the curiosity element will likely lead to a decent number of PPV buys Saturday night in Cleveland.
Recent rumors regarding Alberto Del Rio and Paige:
Personal relationships within the pro wrestling business are daunting. I’ve said that for years. Most ‘pro wrestling romances’ aren’t successful over the long haul but the point is that no company will ever have any success in legislating such. I’m not sure that any companies are attempting to intervene, namely WWE and the Alberto Del Rio/Paige relationship. I’m not a believer of every internet rumor that I read nor do I think that WWE would condone such interactions with staff and talents.
It’s impossible to dictate personal relationships in any business especially when those in question are independent contractors. If Paige is totally committed in her personal life with ADR, and which she has the right to pursue, I’d be surprised if she returns to WWE any time soon.
Hope I’m wrong as it relates to the apparent, troubled careers of both talents.
It sounds like Paige’s days in WWE may be numbered. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio on Monday that things are looking really bad for Paige in the company. Meltzer expects that Paige and WWE will negotiate her release in the near future.
Back in August, it was reported that Paige had “significant” issues with company management. This month it was reported on MLW Radio that a WWE executive approached both Paige and Alberto Del Rio and indicated that the office wanted them to break off their relationship. Mister Saint Laurent of MLW Radio claims that WWE actually threatened to fire Paige if she didn’t end things with Del Rio.
Paige is currently serving a 30-day suspension from WWE for violating their Wellness Policy. Alberto Del Rio’s lawyer gave notice to WWE earlier this summer that Del Rio would be opting out of his contract with the company, and will be free to work elsewhere at the end of September.
Alberto Del Rio is reportedly on the way out of WWE, and already has several options lined up once he’s free from his contract later this month.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lucha Underground has been reaching out to people associated with Del Rio to send out feelers about bringing him back. Lucha Underground may not have the kind of money Del Rio would want to sign on, however.
Despite his rocky relationship with AAA in the past, the company has serious interest in bringing him back. Del Rio had kept his WWE return a secret from AAA and left the company without losing their title belt last year. There is also speculation about AAA’s current financial status and if they’d be able to afford Del Rio’s typical contract or not.
TNA does reportedly want Del Rio, but also may have trouble affording his contract. TNA had previously courted Del Rio and promised him a headlining role in the company, but Del Rio declined. In an interview earlier this year, Del Rio indicated that money was a factor in his decision to return to WWE rather than joining TNA and taking outside bookings.
The other company expressing interest in Del Rio is New Japan Pro Wrestling. Of the companies pursuing him, NJPW would most likely be able to offer Del Rio the kind of money he would expect at this point in his career.
Following the news of Alberto Del Rio giving notice to WWE that he’s opting out of his contract, Mister Saint Laurent of MLW Radio has dropped some explosive new details surrounding the company’s efforts to end his romantic relationship with Paige.
On the latest episode of the “MSL & Sullivan” podcast, MSL told co-host Kevin Sullivan that WWE official Mark Carrano approached Del Rio and Paige individually and made it very clear where they stand on the matter.
“Mark Carrano, who fans might know from Total Divas, kind of like the office liaison guy, approached Del Rio and Paige individually and harassed each of them about their relationship,” MSL said. “It was indicated that the office wanted them to sever their romantic relationship.”
Many people saw WWE drafting Paige and Del Rio to different brands as a sign of the company’s displeasure with them dating. MSL says that was indeed the case and claims WWE actually threatened to fire Paige if she didn’t break up with Del Rio.
“A lot of people speculated if this was the reason [WWE] split them up in the draft and that’s definitely what happened. The company did not want them together. They split them up in the draft by design and they threatened to fire Paige if she didn’t break up with Del Rio.”
Paige is currently serving a 30-day suspension for violating the talent wellness policy. Del Rio will be free to work elsewhere in the near future. The two have been romantically linked since earlier this year when they were spotted making out at Disney World back in May.
With Alberto Del Rio reportedly on the way out of WWE once again, more details are emerging about his most recent run with the company. Prior to his return with Zeb Colter back in October, Del Rio was reportedly supposed to return with Paul Heyman by his side instead.
According to Dace Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE originally had big plans for Del Rio’s return. The company had reportedly promised him a main event push with Paul Heyman has his manager. Early on in his return, he was so close with Vince McMahon that they would fly together and sit next to each other on the company jet.
Pairing Del Rio with Colter instead of Heyman was an idea from McMahon himself, and it ended up not working out as well as they had hoped.
“When that pairing didn’t work, McMahon moved on to his next toy, so to speak,” Meltzer wrote. “His next run as part of the League of Nations was no better and he was just a guy on the card, even though he had a top main eventer contract.”
Del Rio was first joined the company in 2010, then was released in August of 2014 for slapping an employee who made a racist joke about him. Del Rio went on to work for AAA, Lucha Underground, and ROH, before turning to WWE at Hell In A Cell in October of 2015.
– Alberto Del Rio will not be returning to WWE when his 30-day suspension is over. After news broke on Tuesday that Del Rio has been pulled from all future WWE events, our friend Raj Giri from WrestlingINC.com got some new exclusive details regarding his departure.
Alberto Del Rio’s lawyer actually informed WWE two months ago that he was opting out of his contract. Del Rio was reportedly frustrated with a string of empty promises from WWE management since his return to the company last year.
The former WWE Champion had a rocky run since his surprise return at Hell in a Cell last October. After a big United States Championship win over John Cena his first night back, Del Rio floundered with Zeb Colter as part of the MexAmerica gimmick. He’d later be part of the short-lived League of Nations stable, often looking highly disinterested on television. His romantic relationship with Paige also didn’t do him any favors.
Del Rio will be free to work anywhere by the end of September. We’ve already heard he’s taking bookings overseas and will be wrestling for WCPW in the UK this fall, probably the November show.
– Americos, the masked luchador squashed by Braun Strowman on RAW, is a Texan wrestler who competes for Traditional Championship Wrestling. Hyan, the woman squashed by Nia Jax on RAW, works for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion using the name Hyaneyoung
– WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs is scheduled for December 4th from Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines Center. The news was announced at Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings. A pre-sale is running through Friday (using code “WWETLC”) with tickets going on sale to the general public on October 1st. Based on WWE’s pay-per-view schedule for the rest of the year, this will be a SmackDown-exclusive event.
Alberto Del Rio has reportedly been pulled from all WWE live events after his 30-day suspension is up.
The former WWE Champion has had a rocky run with WWE since returning to the company last October. After a big United States Championship win over John Cena the night of his surprise return, Del Rio floundered with Zeb Colter as part of the MexAmerica gimmick. He’d later be part of the short-lived League of Nations stable, often looking highly disinterested on television.
His romantic relationship with Paige hasn’t done him any favorite with management either, as evidenced by them being drafted to separate brands before both of them were suspended for wellness policy violations with a 24-hour period.
“So, Del Rio has been pulled from, after the 30 days are up, he’s in fact been pulled from all shows. So you can probably read into that exactly what you’re reading into that.”
Alberto Del Rio reportedly has an “out” clause in his WWE contract that would allow him to leave after only 1 year. With Del Rio suspended until mid-September just weeks before that 1-year mark, we may have seen the last of him in WWE.
It sounds like Alberto Del Rio may be gone from WWE for a longer period than just his 30-day suspension.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Del Rio has an out clause in his contract that allows him to leave during his suspension, and that he plans on doing just that. Del Rio is currently serving a 30-day suspension for a Wellness Policy violation, and is also reportedly dealing with a custody battle and divorce.
His girlfriend Paige is also suspended, but wouldn’t be able to leave with Del Rio as her contract doesn’t expire until April of 2019. Earlier in August it was reported that Paige had “significant” issues with WWE management, and that some company insiders were “worried” about her future there.
Del Rio was released by WWE back in 2013 after slapping an employee who made a racist joke. He returned in October of 2015, and received his suspension for a Wellness Policy violation on August 18th.
WWE announced on Wednesday that Alberto Del Rio has been suspended for violating the talent wellness policy.
WWE has suspended Jose Rodriguez (Alberto Del Rio) for 30 days effective tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 18, for his first violation of the company’s talent wellness policy.
Del Rio wrestled John Cena in the main event of last night’s SmackDown Live. He was not scheduled for a match at this weekend’s SummerSlam PPV.
The 30-day suspension will keep him out of action until late September, so he will miss Backlash, the first SmackDown-brand PPV scheduled for 9/11.
It sounds like Alberto Del Rio may be disgruntled with his current role in WWE and looking to exit the company.
Friends of Del Rio say he’s not happy with how his character has been handled on WWE programming despite reportedly being paid well by the company. In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Del Rio’s contract has an out clause that would allow him to leave the company in September.
The former World Heavyweight Champion didn’t join TNA last time he was a free agent, instead working with AAA, Lucha Underground, and WWC in Puerto Rico.
Del Rio returned to WWE last October after being released in August of 2014 for “unprofessional conduct” after he struck an employee who made a racist joke.
Last week, Paige got the attention of some fans online when all photos of her boyfriend Alberto Del Rio were removed from her Instagram page. She addressed the situation on Twitter, letting fans know she didn’t know how it happened and assured everybody the photos of ADR would be added back soon (they were).
On Wednesday, Paige posted a heartfelt message on Twitter, professing her love for Del Rio, thanking him for being an inspiration and helping her get back on track after an apparent rough patch. Good for them!
“The last few days I’ve felt the happiest I’ve ever felt. I feel healthy. I feel content. I feel confident and that I can do so much in this world. I got motivated back into the gym again (because c’mon guys I looked like I was slacking haha!) I wanna work harder to achieve my future dreams and goals. And current dreams and goals. And it’s all thanks to this man. Without this man picking me up and telling me everything is ok I don’t know where I’d be. He deserves all the happiness in the world. My best friend. Mi amor. Always gonna need you in my life. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
– WWE Backlash, which will be the first SmackDown-exclusive PPV of this new era, is scheduled for Sunday, September 11th at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA. Ticketmaster.com is running a ticket pre-sale this Wednesday at 10am EST.
– Reddit user @TD_70 astutely noticed that Paige has removed all photos of Alberto Del Rio from her Instagram page. The two have been romantically linked in recent months and as recently as July 9th, Paige posted a message about how inspired she is by Del Rio (also deleted). Earlier this week, the two were drafted to separate brands (Paige to RAW, Del Rio to SmackDown).
– NXT and Cruiserweight Classic competitor Johnny Gargano posted a message on social media on Thursday announcing that his his 12-year run as an independent wrestler is coming to an end on September 23rd in his home town of Cleveland, OH. After teasing an important announcement about his future, here it is:
During a promotional tour of India this past week, Alberto Del Rio revealed why he didn’t join TNA after being released by WWE in 2014.
“At the end of the day you can love what you do, but you have to be rewarded. If somebody wants to have me in their organization, they have to pay me, and there is no other place like WWE, which is a major league of progress and growth. TNA does not have the wherewithal as WWE does,” he said in an interview with The Indian Express, which is titled “I didn’t sign up with TNA because they can’t pay.”
Del Rio was also asked about Indian native and former WWE Superstar The Great Khali.
“I know who Khali is. We worked together in WWE. It is just we were never friends, and hence I have no interest in meeting or seeing him or even talk to him,” he said.
Del Rio also discussed working for other wrestling organizations, how he remains fit, if he would star in a Bollywood film, and more. You can check out the interview here.
Alberto Del Rio was greeted by huge crowds of fans in India when he arrived last week to promote WWE’s tour in September. The former World Heavyweight Champ revealed his last remaining goals in WWE in an interview with Sportskeeda.com.
“I want to become champion one more time, and there is one more title I would need to win in WWE to say, ‘I have won all the titles you have to win in this company’ which is the Intercontinental title,” Del Rio said. “Once it’s done, I think I am ready to say goodbye to the sport.”
As far as when he’ll say goodbye to the sport, Del Rio doesn’t see his career going beyond the year 2021. “I think I have 3-5 more years in wrestling, and I am hoping I spend all those years in WWE,” he said.”
Del Rio also talked about NXT, saying their roster has a lot of talent and he hopes they’re able to make names for themselves when they move up to the “major leagues” on the WWE main roster.
Court Bauer over at MLW Radio has provided an exclusive update on the incident involving Paige following Sunday’s Money in the Bank PPV in Las Vegas.
On episode 232 of MLW Radio (co-hosted by Mister Saint Laurent & Konnan), Bauer detailed what actually went down, as told to him by Alberto Del Rio. After Money in the Bank, Paige & Del Rio went out to a show. There was a drunk couple at the venue heckling them, which led ADR to called over security. The rowdy couple was ejected and they went on with their night. When the show let out, that same couple was waiting for them outside. An altercation occurred Paige was physically involved. As per multiple reports, Paige ran into the street.
Police were close by and quickly got the situation under control. Paige was handcuffed and taken for an evaluation. She was cleared and no arrest was made. The general feeling feeling from the ‘powers that be’ is that the incident was handled properly. She wrestled against Charlotte the next night on RAW and was part of the Sasha Banks return angle, so it doesn’t seem like any disciplinary action will be taken.
– Alberto Del Rio was kept out of the ring on RAW last night so he could rest his leg. As noted, Del Rio had his knee examined after a possible injury at Money in the Bank on Sunday.
– Former NXT star (and Seth Rollins’ ex-girlfriend) Zahra Schreiber has left the wrestling business, according to a statement posted on Facebook by DEAMWAVE Wrestling. Schreiber had been working for the promotion and did not finish all of her booking commitments before retiring.
– Check back later tonight for our Live Coverage of this week’s SmackDown tapings from Tucson, Arizona at the Tucson Convention Center.
– Stephanie McMahon is currently in Cannes, France for the Cannes Lions festival, which is why she was not at RAW.
On Monday afternoon a rumor began circulating that Paige was arrested last night after WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view after a dispute with Alberto Del Rio. Twitter user @Roman_Empire_76 posted these photos depicting Paige and Del Rio talking to a police officer. Paige appears to be handcuffed in two of the photos.
At this time, there is no reason to believe that Paige was actually arrested. If there was an arrest, a police report would have surfaced by now, TMZ would have been all over it and WWE would have likely issued a statement.
Some people speculating that it was a Total Divas storyline, who knows, but here are the photos that are going around:
– Last night at WWE Money in the Bank, Alberto Del Rio appeared to injure his left knee during the closing moments of the MITB ladder match. Del Rio was immediately checked out by medical personnel at ringside and was eventually helped backstage by two referees. PWInsider reports that Del Rio was hospitalized after the PPV. No word yet on the extent of his injury, but Del Rio did make it to Phoenix, Arizona for tonight’s RAW.
– Randy Orton is now being advertised for WWE live events in August, so he’ll be back in time for SummerSlam. Orton has been out of action since undergoing shoulder surgery back in February.
– Dana Brooke is reportedly expected to continue receiving a push as she has support from WWE officials, including new main roster writer Ryan Ward, who recently came up from NXT.
– Corey Graves looks at WWE returns that “blew us away” in this new video:
– After defeating Zack Ryder to qualify for MITB on this week’s Smackdown, Alberto Del Rio spoke to Tom Phillips on why he has an advantage going into this year’s ladder match. Video is below:
– Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Dudley Boyz will take place on Monday’s Raw from Green Bay. As noted, John Cena’s return will also be on that show.
– Alberto Del Rio qualified for the MITB Ladder Match with a win over Zack Ryder on tonight’s Smackdown. Del Rio joins Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho in the match. The final participant should be determined on Monday.
Kevin Kelly provides voiceover for a Jay Lethal video package. “Becoming a champion is achieved by rising above all obstacles. With perseverance, passion, and drive. Being a champion does not require perfection, it requires the insatiable desire to achieve perfection, day in and day out. Not everyone can be a champion, but for those who are, they hold onto it with their whole life. Tonight we take a close look at the ROH World Champion and his rise to greatness.”
KK introduces the show from a backstage locker room. “Welcome to a very special edition of Ring of Honor wrestling where we focus on ROH World Champion Jay Lethal. For over the past 2 years, there has not been a day where Jay Lethal has not had gold around his waist. The dominance began at SuperCard of Honor 8, where Lethal accepted help from Truth Martini and defeated Tommaso Ciampa to become the first 2 time holder of the ROH World TV Title,” and we pickup footage from that match.
Jay Lethal vs Tommaso Ciampa (c) (ROH World TV Championship match from SuperCard of Honor 8 on 4/4/14)
Truth throws in a knee brace to Lethal, Lethal nails Ciampa in the head, Ciampa kicks out. Lethal climbs to the top rope and delivers Hail to the King forearm to the chest, but Ciampa kicks out again. Ciampa to his feet, 2 superkicks by Lethal, Ciampa flips him off, Lethal kicks him in the knee, hits the Lethal Injection, and gets the pin.
Winner and NEW ROH World TV Champion: Jay Lethal
KK continues, “Jay Lethal, now in the House of Truth, began his reign as the greatest World TV Champion in history. Facing fierce competition from the likes of Matt Sydal, the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger, ACH, and many others, including one of his most memorable defenses at ROH 14th Anniversary.”
Alberto El Patron vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World TV Championship match from ROH 14th Anniversary on 3/1/2015)
When we return from break, we pick up footage from the ROH 14th Anniversary event and his title defense against Alberto El Patron (Alberto Del Rio). Patron kicks J. Diesel from the apron to the floor, dropkicks Lethal to the outside, then suicide dives through the middle rope to the floor onto Lethal. Patron whips Lethal into the barricade, Lethal gets back up and counters with a kick, knee, chop to the chest, whip reversal, but Lethal gets sent into the barricade again. Patron rolls Lethal back into the ring, nails him with a double clubbing blow to the chest off the ropes, cover, kick out.
Side headlock, Lethal gets to his feet and delivers 2 knees, before Patron returns with a knee of his own, and whips Lethal into the corner. Patron runs in, but Lethal throws him up in the air, Paton lands on his groin straddling the ropes. KK notes, “Accidental, says referee Paul Turner. Of course, a blatant foul would lead to disqualification.” Lethal with a running dropkick up the turnbuckle, knocks Patron to the mat, Lethal in a mount position raining closed right fists, stands up and chokes Patron with his foot on the bottom rope, then Martini chokes him on the rope while the Paul Turner is distracted. 2 knife-edge chops by Lethal, sets Patron on the turnbuckle, right hand, chop, right hand, chop, and then Alberto grabs a rope-assisted leg scissors wrist lock on Lethal’s arm, the referee calls for the break at 3, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Lethal has a leg scissors on Patron’s arm, Lethal clotheslines him to the outside, then Lethal nails 3 suicide dives, the third of which knocks Patron over the barricade into the first row. MW3 comments on a fan nearby says, “I think I played craps with that guy earlier today. I like that dude.” Lethal has a bloody mouth, climbs back in the ring, as the ref begins the count on Patron. Patron gets back in at 15, Lethal with stomps to the chest, Patron gets to his feet, Lethal sets him on the top turnbuckle, knife-edge chop, Lethal climbs up, punches to the gut, hooks him for a superplex, but Patron fights out with shots in the ribs, Lethal falls down sitting on the ropes, 2 right hands by Patron, Lethal catches himself hanging upside on the ropes, and then a double stomp to the chest by Patron as Lethal’s head bounces off the mat, cover, but Lethal kicks out at 2.
Patron lines up for the kick as the fans chant “Si!”, Lethal catches him, they exchange right hands, Patron gets the better of it, hits the ropes, but Lethal nails the Lethal Combination, cover, but Patron kicks out. Martini can be heard yelling from the outside, “Stay on him!” Lethal points to the turnbuckle, takes off his elbow pad, climbs up to the top rope, but Patron is up to his feet and hits a running enziguri up the ropes. Martini runs in with the Book of Truth, but Patron kicks him and syncs in a wrist lock, Martini taps but as KK recognizes, “It doesn’t affect the outcome.” Lethal jumps off the top rope for the Hail to the King elbow, but Patron catches him in a wrist lock with a leg scissors around the head, Lethal picks up the Book of Truth and slams Patron in the skull, cover, 1-2, kickout by Patron. MW3 asks, “What is in that book?” KK says, “Far from light reading.” J. Deisel and Martini are walking around the outside. Patron gets to his feet and hits a dropping armbar, goes for kick, then gets bicycle kicked by Lethal. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but his arm is too weak and he collapses. Patron with a rollup, Lethal pushes him off, Martini hits him with the Book of Truth, and this time Lethal hits the Lethal Injection for the win.
Winner and still ROH World TV Champion: Jay Lethal
KK says, “We live in a result-driven industry, and while the result will say Lethal is still the champ, I have a problem with the way I got done.” Mr. Wrestling 3 responds, “Of course you have a problem, you’re a nice guy.” and KK replies, “Yeah, I’m a square.” MW3 explains, “But in the world of professional wrestling, a win is a win is a win.” KK says Patron had to fight 3-on-1 odds, plus KRD on the outside of the ring, and somehow he still almost became the champion. But Lethal gets another win and another title defense.”
KK from the locker room, “Shortly after that victory, Jay Lethal began to proclaim himself as the ROH Champion, going so far as to have a new belt minted that simply said ‘ROH Champion.’ You knew that was going to get the attention of then World Champion Jay Briscoe. Eventually these 2 champions would meet but it was anyone’s guess as to how it would turn out,” and we go to commercial.
KK welcomes us back, “By now, Lethal had held the TV title for over a year, but at the same time, Jay Briscoe had not been pinned in over 2 years. And you knew that these 2 men would collide and they would indeed, at Best in the World 2015, in a winner take all showdown, it was the battle of the belts, and it was one of the greatest matches in Ring of Honor history.”
Jay Lethal (c) vs Jay Briscoe (c) (Champion vs. Champion match, winner take all, from Best in the World on 6/9/2015)
When we pick it up, Lethal is on the mat, Briscoe picks him up, Briscoe with a forearm, goes for a whip, Lethal reverses, kick, back forearm, goes for the Lethal Injection, but Briscoe hits a double underhook slam, cover, and Lethal kicks out. Briscoe with the headlock choke, but Lethal crawls to the ropes. Briscoe with a knee to the gut, goes for the Jay Driller, but Lethal gets out, kick to the gut, goes for the Jay Driller again, but Lethal fights out and hits the Lethal Combination on Briscoe, cover, but Briscoe kicks out.
KK comments on the unique setting of Terminal 7, “Fans are basically hanging over the ring from the balconies above, and they are dead-even split, dueling chants for each great champion,” as the fans yell, “Let’s go Lethal! Let’s go Briscoe!” Lethal with a power slam, slowly climbs up to the top turnbuckle, Nigel McGuinness says, “It would look like Lethal has it, but he’s taking his sweet time getting up there, in my mind, way too long. Is Briscoe playing possum? Looks like it.” Briscoe to his feet, catches him, Lethal perched on the turnbuckle, Briscoe hooks him for the superplex, but Lethal is dead weight and blocks twice, 3 punches to the gut by Lethal knocks Briscoe to the mat, but Briscoe lands on his feet, comes back and nails a running dropkick to Lethal. Briscoe climbs back up again, MW3 comments, “You can see the sweat pouring off both of these warriors.” Briscoe hooks for another superplex, but Lethal counters again with shots to the ribs. Briscoe climbs back down as Lethal lands clubbing punches underneath the pec muscle, and then a big right hand to the head knocks Briscoe to the mat. Lethal nails the Hail to the King top rope elbow, cover, kickout, and then right away Lethal locks in the Koji Clutch, until Briscoe finds the ropes.
Now both men are on the apron, KK comments that, “Both the timekeeper & Bobby Cruz have moved.” Lethal hooks, Briscoe fights out, Briscoe pushes Lethal away, hooks him for the Jay driller, but Truth Martini distracts Todd Sinclair on the other side of the apron, and Lethal lands a low blow. Nigel McGuinness crawls up onto the apron next to Truth and says, “What are you doing?” and throws Martini out of the building, Martini stomps around and throws a chair on his way out. Both men to their feet, kick by Briscoe, then Briscoe nails the Jay Driller on Lethal through the table, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but Briscoe nails a running forearm to the head, cover, kick out. Lethal gets to his feet, and Briscoe nails a huge clothesline, cover, kick out again. Both men are down, Lethal is flipping around on the mat like a fish out of water. The cameraman shows both Lethal’s parents and Briscoe’s parents. They get up, but Briscoe meets a boot from Lethal, back forearm by Lethal, springboard cutter off the second rope, nails the Lethal Injection, but somehow Briscoe kicks out.
Lethal can’t believe it, laying in the corner asking what happened, shaking his head in his hands. The fans chant, “This is awesome!” Briscoe is laid out flat, Lethal gets to his feet, picks up Briscoe, hooks for Briscoe’s own move the Jay Driller, but Briscoe blocks twice dropping to a knee and running his shoulder into the gut, sunset flip by Briscoe, goes for the Jay Driller, reversal by Lethal into a Jay Driller on Briscoe, then Lethal hits a second Lethal Injection, cover, 1-2-3, and Lethal becomes double champion.
Winner and still ROH World TV Champion and NEW ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
MW3 calls the victory, “He has done it! A dream that started 14 years ago, tonight Jay Lethal is the World Champion.” Lethal pounds the mat in celebration as Truth Martini comes in the ring and congratulates him. Lethal is in shock, they hand Lethal both belts, he lifts them high in the air and lets out a victory yell in the middle of the ring. Commercial.
Back in the lockerroom, KK says, “Amazing to think Lethal has held the ROH World Championship for close to one full year. However, not only did the competition gets stronger when Lethal became a double champion, but so did the workload. At All Star Extravaganza VII, Jay Lethal made history by successfully defending both belts in different matches on the same night. One of the greatest wrestlers ever in ROH, Roderick Strong pushed Lethal to the limit at Death Before Dishonor in an epic 60-minute draw that had the whole wrestling world talking. And in the much anticipated rematch, Lethal was able to defeat Strong with a huge assist from Truth Martini. Strong wanted for one more chance, and was named #1 contender for ROH TV Championship.” We pick up footage of that match.
Roderick Strong vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World TV Championship match at Glory By Honor XIV on 10/23/15 and as seen ROH TV on Episode 218)
Lethal with 3 covers, but Strong kicks out each time, they exchanged blows, 2 superkicks by Lethal and then a jumping knee by Strong that hooks Lethal around the back of the head, fireman’s carry into a double knee gutbuster, and then a running sick kick that turns Lethal inside-out. Strong picks up Lethal and delivers a double knee spine buster, and then locks in the Strong Hold and Lethal taps out. (In the video, you can see KK pointing and marking out at ringside as Lethal taps, very cool.)
Winner and NEW ROH World TV Champion: Roderick Strong
KK tells us, “Strong picked up the victory, ending Lethal’s 18 month reign. With close to 30 defenses over that span of time, Lethal holds all records associated with the ROH TV Championship, and it will be a long time before anyone comes close to breaking it.” Commercial.
After the break, KK continues, “After losing the ROH TV Championship, Jay Lethal was still the number one wrestler in the world because after all, he was still the ROH World Champion. And he has still has not been beaten. But Lethal was stung over losing to Strong, and set out to prove that he was indeed the number one wrestler in all the world of professional wrestling, and he challenged anyone and everyone to try to take that title away from, including a match against The Phenomenal AJ Styles at Final Battle 2015.”
AJ Styles vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World Championship match at Final Battle 2015 on 12/18/15)
When we pick up the action, Lethal with a suicide dive knocks Styles into the front row. As the fans gather around Styles, Lethal yells, “You might want to move back,” and then taps a fan on the shoulder who is not paying attention and says “Get off of him.” After the fans clear way, Lethal climbs back into the ring, watches and waits until AJ gets to his feet, goes for another suicide dive, but Styles counters with leaping Phenomenal Forearm off the barricade. Taeler Hendrix and Truth Martini, dressed all in white, kneel nearby in shock. Styles and Lethal get up and roll back into the ring at the same time.
They get to their feet, exchange forearms, AJ gets the better of it, before Lethal drops him to the mat and locks in the Koji clutch, roll through, Styles reverses into the calf cutter submission, but Lethal crawls to the ropes and breaks the hold. AJ to his feet, Lethal connects with a boot to the face, gets to his feet and then a bicycle kick to the back of the head by Styles. Styles climbs to the top rope, but Lethal with a right hand to the face, climbs up with AJ, goes for the superplex, but AJ slides under, back elbows by Lethal, and then a second rope springboard cutter takes out AJ. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but AJ gets to his feet, and Lethal rolls over his back, Pele kick by AJ, Bloody Sunday, Styles points at Lethal and yells to the fans, goes for the Styles Clash, but Lethal picks him up and throws AJ over the top to the outside through the table. The fans chant, “This is awesome!” KK says, “The table turned to literal sawdust, just to our left.”
Styles climbs back in at 19, Lethal waits until he gets to his feet, goes for the Lethal Injection and nails it, cover, 1-2, but Styles kicks out. NM says, “I do not believe it and nor does anyone else in Philadelphia tonight. Mandy Leon was ready to ring the bell. Somehow AJ Styles dug deep inside, found that faith in himself.” Lethal grabs him by the hair and yells, “Let me tell you something AJ, this is my time! You hear me? Screw you!” before AJ fights out with forearms, chops, kicks, goes for the Pele kick and misses it, goes for the Styles clash, but Lethal reverses into a cradle piledriver (Jerry Lynn’s move, who is on commentary) and then hits the Lethal Injection for the second time and AJ is out cold, cover, 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
After the commercial, KK welcomes us back, “A very special look at Jay Lethal. Think about the greatness of Lethal, all the records he set as the longest ROH TV Champion in history, now holding the ROH World Title for almost 1 year. Lethal has taken the title all around the world, to England, as well Japan, where he wrestled Michael Elgin in front of 40,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 10. He then returned to Japan earlier this year to face off against Tomoaki Honma at the famous Korakuen Hall at Honor Rising.
Tomoaki Honma vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World Championship match at Honor Rising 2/20/2016)
Lethal goes for a kick, Honma catches him, throws him up in the air, but Lethal lands on his feet, pushes him off the ropes and then nails the Lethal Combination, cover, kickout. KK tells us, “Todd Sinclair was brought over exclusively to referee championship matches here at Honor Rising. That’s the importance of these events, MW3.” Lethal climbs to the top turnbuckle and nails the Hail to the King elbow drop from the top rope, cover, but Honma kicks out. Lethal tells Honma to get up, slaps him in the head, goes for the Lethal Injection, but Kokeshi by Honma to the back of Lethal and he tumbles out to the apron. They exchange forearms at the apron, and then a headbutt knocks Lethal into the railing, Honma delivers a powerslam on the floor, climbs the ropes as the fans begin to cheer, and then Honma lands the Kokeshi from the top turnbuckle on Lethal on the floor (KK and MW3 say he lands it, but he totally missed) and both men are down.
Honma is up and he looks dazed, Honma hears the referee count, stands up and rolls Lethal back into the ring, cover, but Lethal kicks out at 2-and-a-half. Honma picks Lethal up by his hair, but Lethal is slow to rise, so Honma pulls on his hair really hard, hits the ropes, but Lethal nails a superkick, and then Honma hits a lariat that turns Lethal inside out, cover, kick out by Lethal. Honma hits a brainbuster, cover, Lethal kicks out again. MW3, “Can Honma do it? Can he become the 2nd Japanese wrestler to win the ROH World Title.” KK says, “Takeshi Morishima was first. Honma looks to add his name.” Honma goes for the tombstone piledriver, but Lethal gets out, and hits an enziguri to the back of Honma’s head.
Truth Martini yells, “You’re the ROH World Champion! Show everybody here what you’re made of!” as the crowd at Korakuen Hall chants, “Honma!” Lethal runs into the corner, but meets a boot, and Honma hits a second rope diving headbutt, running fall away headbutt, power slam, goes to the top rope for the Kokeshi and leaps off, but Lethal moves out of the way. Honma is out flat, with spit coming from his mouth. Both men get to their feet, Honma runs in, but nails Todd Sinclair by accident as Lethal gets out of the way. Suddenly, Los Ingobernables run in with clubbing blows to the back and stomps to Honma, they hold him as Truth Martini nails The Book of Truth on Honma’s head, but you can’t hurt Honma in the head, he’s like a Samoan. Honma stands up and takes out all three men, Naito comes in tosses him up in the air, nails a low blow kick, and then Lethal hits the Lethal Injection as Todd Sinclair wakes up and counts the 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
KK closes out the show, “Thank you for joining us for this special look at Jay Lethal. Next week here on ROH Wrestling, we took a very special look at Bullet Club. Don’t you dare miss it.” End of show.
WWE Superstars Alberto Del Rio and Paige have gone public with their relationship. There has been buzz about them dating since before WrestleMania and on Thursday, they were spotted together at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. They posted for photos and were seen kissing in public.