NCAA COLLEGE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES
Game 13, Auburn vs. Florida (ESPN 2, 7pm)
Game 14, LSU vs. Michigan (ESPN 2, 9:30pm)
SOCCER
MLS: New York Red Bulls @ Seattle Sounders FC (ESPN 2, 5pm)
MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy @ New England Revolution (FOX Sports 1, 7pm)
OTHER SPORTS
Volleyball: FIVB World League: United States vs. Iran (NBC Sports, 7pm)
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Game Of Thrones (HBO, 9pm)
Nurse Jackie (Showtime, 9pm)
A.D. The Bible Continues (NBC, 9pm) Golan The Insatiable SERIES PREMIERE (FOX, 9:30pm)
Happyish (Showtime, 9:30pm)
Halt And Catch Fire SEASON PREMIERE (AMC, 10pm)
Penny Dreadful (Showtime, 10pm)
Silicon Valley (HBO, 10pm)
Salem (WGN America, 10pm)
American Odyssey (NBC, 10pm)
Veep (HBO, 10:30pm)
It's the Weekend 3 Count, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. The W3C, brings you news and rumors going on around the wrestling world. Whether it's WWE, TNA, GFW, ROH, Lucha Underground or the independent wrestling scene, I'll talk about it.
*** WWE News and Rumors ***
- Brock Lesnar is being advertised to return to RAW on June 22nd. More than likely to build up a match at SummerSlam. Brock Lesnar has also been advertised to wrestle Kofi Kingston on July 4th in Tokyo, Japan at a house show.
- It appears NXT World Champion, Kevin Owens, will continue to appear on the main roster after his match with John Cena at Elimination Chamber. Owens was offered a main roster contract and will be used in NXT for only a short time longer before he stays on the main roster permanently.
- Brad Maddox and Layla, who've both been off tv for quite awhile, were at a live house show this week. It's unknown if we'll see Maddox or Layla back on tv. Layla always had great talent, I'm really surprised WWE haven't used her more.
- Big Show and Randy Orton are both expected to return to tv after Elimination Chamber, to build up the next pay per view, WWE Money In The Bank.
- Rusev looked to have injured his foot during this week's Smackdown tapings. Rusev was seen at an airport the night after the tapings in a wheelchair and a cast on his foot. It's unknown at this time if this will affect his Elimination Chamber Match on Sunday for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Rumors are pointing at Bray Wyatt possibly taking Rusev's spot if he's unable to go at Elimination Chamber.
- There is already a prediction list going around on who will likely win the 2016 Royal Rumble and go on to main event Wrestlemania 32. Right now the top five predicted to win the event are: Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan and Ryback.
- Now that Samoa Joe is in the WWE, it was made official WWE will allow Joe to use his Samoa Joe name and not change it into a WWE trademarked character name. It was made clear, however, that WWE will not use Joe's "Samoan Submission Machine" nickname and will instead trademark him the "Submission Specialist".
- WWE announced that Cleveland's own, Machine Gun Kelly, will host the June 15th episode of RAW.
- Chris Jericho was the latest victim to have his Twitter account hacked this week. A group by the name of the Galvanize Mob, hacked into Jericho's account and began sending obscene tweets to Triple H and Vince McMahon and finished by quiting the WWE.
- Booker T. has released his comic book called G.I. Bro this week. G.I. Bro is based on Booker T.'s character he portrayed in WCW for a short run while he was apart of the Misfits In Action faction. G.I. Bro will be fighting bad guys throughout the world in different countries in the comic book series.
- Hulk Hogan has stated that he will be playing the villain in Expendables 4. There has been no official announcement of this or even a official announcement that there will even be a fourth Expendables movie.
- Sheamus will play Rocksteady in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2.
- WWE has stated that their is a possibility that the NXT women will main event the next NXT Takeover pay per view.
*** TNA News and Rumors ***
- Rockstar Spud won the six man gauntlet match this past Friday on Impact to become a 2-Time TNA X-Division Champion.
- TNA announced that Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards have both signed new contracts with TNA. We'll be expecting more from The Wolves now.
- TNA also announced that Bram signed a new contract.
- Sources have said that Austin Aries' contract expires in June and TNA has yet to even offer him a new deal.
- Long time TNA Knockout, Christie Hemme, has put her notice in and will be leaving TNA soon.
- MVP has gone on a Twitter tirade, stating he, or none of the other talent in TNA, were told about Ring Of Honor getting a tv deal on Destination America. MVP even tweeted where to reach him if any promotions want to offer him a show to wrestle at. About an hour later, MVP, tweeted he was happy for ROH and was always a fan of the promotion.
*** GFW News and Rumors ***
- Jeff Jarrett, Jim Duggan and Lance Hoyt appeared at the minor league game of the week on CBS Sports Network, this past Thursday. Jarrett threw out the first pitch and took a moment to do commentary during the game, promoting GFW.
- You can still get tickets at GFW.com for their summer grand slam tour. GFW will be hitting different minor league parks, throughout the U.S. and will be holding wrestling events after the minor league games finish.
- Shelton Benjamin who is currently apart of the GFW roster and wrestling in other premotions, stated that he came very close to signing with TNA at one time.
*** Other Wrestling News ***
- Ring Of Honor wrestling have struck a tv deal with Destination America. ROH will be apart of Destination America's new "one two punch" block of wrestling on Wednesday night's. ROH will premiere on June 3rd at 8pm and will lead right into TNA Impact at 9pm. The deal is said to be a 26 week contract at the moment to see how ROH does.
- Good news for Lucha Underground. It appears the El Rey Network will be bringing LU back for a second season in October.
- Last Sunday, AAA Mexico presented the Lucha Libre World Cup on pay per view. The LLWC featured three men from eight different teams representing TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, Mexico and Japan competing in a six man tag team tournament. Rey Mysterio, Alberto El Patron and Myzteziz (First version of Sin Cara in WWE) came out victorious in the tournament, taking the World Cup back to Mexico.
- Last week it was announced that Scott Hall had dropped out of Global Force Wrestling and checked back in with Diamond Dallas Page for alcohol problems again. This week, rumors are pointing at Scott Hall possibly showing up in NXT and working out a deal to work backstage with the new talent in the WWE.
- Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion and current NJPW World Heavyweight Champion, A.J. Styles, is rumored to now be on the WWE's most wanted list. The WWE is looking at running three brand tours next year, RAW, Smackdown and NXT and is looking to beef up all three rosters.
- Former Ring Of Honor TV Champion, Tommaso Ciampa, will be at the WWE Performance Center next week. WWE is said to be interested in Ciampa.
- Hafthor Bjornsson was also at the WWE Performance Center working out. WWE is said to be interested in Bjornsson. Bjornsson is known for appearing in HBO's series Game of Thrones.
- Bully Ray/Bubba Ray Dudley still remain huge talents unsigned in the wrestling world. Bubba returned to the WWE for a one night only appearance at the Royal Rumble. Then returned as Bully to referee a TNA World Heavyweight Championship match in TNA. Both WWE and TNA haven't even offered Bully a new contract at all. Bully has stated on Twitter that he keeps getting asked by fans, when will he and Devon return to WWE. Bully has said that it's up to the WWE Universe to let it be heard within the WWE and he and Devon would be ready to get the tables again. Me personally would be all for a Dudley Boy reunion in WWE.
- UFC's Ronda Rousey has still made it clear that she would like to be apart of WWE again soon. Ronda feels that the angle she started with Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania 31 needs a conclusion.
- Tommy Dreamer and his House of Hardcore will have a busy 2015 ahead of them. House of Hardcore with debut in Australia in December. HOH will be working with Australian promotion, Outback Championship Wrestling. HOH will also debut in Canada this July.
- Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and now UFC star Phil "CM Punk" Brooks has been training with UFC Middleweight contender Luke Rockhold and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. Punk has still set the goal of late 2015 as being his UFC debut.
And that's your Weekend 3 Count. Join me next Sunday afternoon for more news and rumors around the wrestling world.
The big announcement this week was all about Ring Of Honor and their huge TV deal that they received from Destination America. What's really amazing about this whole deal, is the fact of how quiet the secret was kept. There was never any talk or hype at all about ROH getting a tv deal throughout the year. There was no talk of any meetings being discussed and no talks of ROH even looking for a tv deal.
After the announcement of ROH getting signed to a 26 week contract with Destination America, on Wednesday morning, I went to Twitter to kick off my new blog called "Twitter Talk".
After the huge announcement, I sent out tweets to everyone involved with Ring Of Honor, TNA Wrestling, backstage personnel that work for ROH and TNA, past ROH wrestlers that still have a huge bond with ROH, and even announcers and writers that have been apart of either ROH or TNA. Twitter being hit or miss most of the time, when trying to ask wrestlers questions, I surprisingly received more tweets back than what I was expecting.
I got in touch with current ROH Co-Host and former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino, first. Corino really didn't give me a straight up answer on his opinion with the current plan. Instead, Corino hit me with some humor about how his day was going.
Next up was one half of The Wolves, Davey Richards. Unfortunately much like Steve Corino, I didn't get any real info or a straight up answer, more comedy relief instead. Richards stated he had a garage sale last week. And The Wolves official fan account, Wolves Nation, followed up with not knowing about it.
TNA wrestler Samuel Shaw tweeted back to me next and looks to be very excited about the ROH deal. Shaw has even stated that he is a fan of some of the talent in ROH. I agree with Shaw, ROH has a lot of great talent and I'm excited myself to finally get to see them on national tv.
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Bobby Roode, hit me up next. Roode says he's optimistic about the deal, but it's a big thing. I've always been a big fan of Bobby Roode, he's been a staple in TNA and knows what he's talking about.
I was also able to get a response from Dave Meltzer. Meltzer, for those that don't know, writes for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and is a very well known name behind the scenes in the Wrestling industry. Meltzer gave some good insight to the deal.
Former WWE/WCW/TNA writer Vince Russo tweeted me back and gave me a link to his show Vince Russo's The Brand, to get his opinion. I was hoping for a straight up answer, but he's got to get paid somehow and I understand that.
So there you have it, Ring Of Honor wrestling is now apart of Destination America. TNA Wrestling will have to step up their game now in my opinion. If you listen to Taz and his Human Podcast Machine show, he made a great point. With ROH ahead of TNA on the tv guide, TNA is going to have to up their game, because ROH doesn't mess around when it comes to great wrestling. Could we see a ratings war between the two shows on the same channel? Which would be a first ever. Or is this a polite way of Destination America telling TNA they need to step up their game or they'll be run off the channel by ROH?
Only time will tell. Thanks for checking out Twitter Talk. I'll be back with my second edition soon.
Elimination Chamber 2015 comes to you live from Corpus Christi, Texas. This year's Elimination Chamber we'll see all the titles on the line. The Intercontinental Championship and Tag Team Championship will be defended inside the career ending Elimination Chamber itself. Let's take a look at this year's match card.
- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose: Seth Rollins successfully retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship last month at Payback, in a Fatal 4 Way Match. Dean Ambrose was one of the four men included in that match and came up short on a victory. Dean Ambrose demanded a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match with Rollins, because he still had a pinfall win over Rollins and felt he deserved to be number one contender. Rollins felt Ambrose was unworthy and refused to give Ambrose a shot at the title. Ambrose took matters into his own hands, attacked Rollins and threatened to bash Rollins skull in with a steel chair on cinder blocks. Stephanie McMahon put a stop to Ambrose ending Rollins' career and granted him his title shot tonight. Will the Seth Rollins Era continue? Seth Rollins says he's the future, will he prove it? Can Dean Ambrose, the WWE's resident "Lunatic", put a stop to The Authority's golden boy and become the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion?
- "WWE United States Championship Match": John Cena (c) vs. Kevin Owens: John Cena successfully retained his WWE United States Championship in his final match with Rusev at Payback. Cena came out the next night on RAW and prepared to have his weekly U.S. Title Open Challenge, however, Kevin Owens interrupted Cena. Owens stated how he felt about Cena and planned to injure Cena like he did to Sami Zayn. Owens laid out Cena with a pop up power bomb and the match was made official by Triple H. Can John Cena retain the WWE United States Championship against a man hell bent on injuring Cena permanently? Will Kevin Owens succeed on his promise of taking out John Cena and winning the WWE United States Championship? Kevin Owens looks to be only the second superstar to hold both an NXT Title and a WWE Title at the same time. Paige being the first, who held both the NXT Women's Title and WWE Divas Title at the same time.
- "WWE Intercontinental Championship, Elimination Chamber Match": Sheamus vs. R-Truth vs. King Barrett vs. Rusev vs. Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler: The WWE Intercontinental Championship is currently vacant as former champion, Daniel Bryan, had to vacate the title due to injury. Dolph Ziggler and King Barrett look to be the major favorites to win the title, as both men have held the title the most times. Sheamus demanded the title be handed to him for being the reason behind Bryan's injury. Unfortunately for Sheamus he has to earn it the old fashion way...winning it. R-Truth and Ryback both look to become first time Intercontinental champions. Rusev looks to become a first time Intercontinental champion after having a solid run in late 2014/early 2015 with the WWE United States Championship. All six men will step inside the dangerous Elimination Chamber and battle it out until there's only one man left standing. Which one of these six will be the last man standing and walk out the NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion?
- "WWE World Tag Team Championship, Elimination Chamber Match": The New Day (c) vs. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores vs. The Ascension vs. Prime Time Players: The New Day successfully retained their WWE World Tag Team Championship, last month at Payback, defeating Kidd and Cesaro in a two out of three falls match. Kidd and Cesaro are still on a mission to win back the tag titles that they lost to The New Day. The Lucha Dragons made a name for themselves in NXT, winning the NXT World Tag Team Championship, at one time. The Dragons look to add WWE gold to that list. The Ascension are also former NXT World Tag Team Champions, looking to finally dominate the WWE tag team division. Los Matadores and the Prime Time Players are the veterens of this match, who've been teamed up together the longest. Both teams look to finally become first time WWE World Tag Team Champions. For the first time ever, the WWE World Tag Team Championship will be on the line inside the dangerous Elimination Chamber. Which team will be the last team standing and leave the WWE World Tag Team Champions?
- "WWE Divas Championship, Triple Threat Match": Nikki Bella (c) vs. Naomi vs. Paige: Nikki Bella continues to be on a roll in the Divas Division, when it comes to defending her championship. Naomi came into the title picture a month ago when she took out Paige and stole her title match at Extreme Rules. Paige, who never got her rightful title shot she deserved, returned and sent a message to both Nikki and Naomi. Can Nikki successfully retain her WWE Divas Championship and continue to reign over the Divas Division? Will Naomi, who has Tamina Snuka in her corner, a new bad attitude and claims that she deserves the title, come out victorious? How about Paige? Paige returns with vengeance on her mind for Naomi and Nikki's championship in her sights.
*** Pre-Show ***
- MizTV with special guest Daniel Bryan: The Miz will host MizTV on the pre-show before Elimination Chamber. The Miz will welcome special guest Daniel Bryan. Bryan will try to update us on his current injury and career status. That's if The Miz let's him get any words in.
*** My Predictions ***
My Record: 26-13
Rollins wins
Owens wins
Sheamus wins
The New Day wins
Naomi wins
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. It's this week's TNA Impact recap for the week.
- This week's Impact was taped at the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida.
- Impact kicks off with Kurt Angle jumping Eric Young in the parking lot. The two slug it out until security breaks things up.
- "TNA Knockouts Championship, Steel Cage Match": Taryn Terrell (c) vs. Gail Kim: The match closes out with Gail taking control on Taryn and tries to escape the cage by climbing out. The Dollhouse interfere and stop Gail from escaping. Taryn hits her cutter finisher on Gail and scores the pin.
Taryn Terrell retains the TNA Knockout's Championship. After the match, The Dollhouse attack Gail until Awesome Kong makes her way out. The Dollhouse lock the cage door, stopping Kong from being able to help Gail. Taryn takes off Gail's wedding ring and then stomps on Gail's ring finger, breaking Gail's finger.
- Mickie James is in the ring with a microphone. Mickie wants to talk about family, Magnus is her fiance, but James Storm has been a friend for years. James Storm interrupts and heads to the ring. Mickie apologizes for Magnus hitting Storm with the guitar a few weeks back, Magnus was protecting his family and some of the gifts Storm gave weren't funny. Storm says he's not a bad man unless helping Mickie when she was almost attacked by Bram makes him a bad man. Storm says he met with some people that want to talk to Mickie about advancing her career and he'll have her back if she chooses to meet them. Mickie is excited and says she will see him soon.
- "TNA X-Division Championship, Gauntlet Match": The final two left in the ring are Rockstar Spud and TNA X-Division Champion, Kenny King. The match closes out with King going for the "Royal Flush" on Spud. Spud counters the finisher and small packages King to score the pin. Rockstar Spud is the NEW TNA X-Division Champion.
- "Best of Five Tag Team Match": Bobby Roode and Austin Aries (1) vs. The Wolves (0): The match closes out with Aries hitting the 450 on Eddie Edwards and getting a near fall. Aries hits the "Last Chancery", but Davey Richards leaps off the top rope and hits a double stomp on Aries. The Wolves hit Aries with the power bomb/backstabber combo and score the pin, tying the series at one.
- Backstage Kenny King is trying to get a hold of MVP on the phone.
- Angelina Love is in the ring and notices Velvet Sky sitting in the crowd. Love brings out security incase Velvet tries anything. Love dares her to try something. Velvet leaps the barricade and attacks Love, until security pulls Velvet back. Velvet attacks the security team, is forced to be handcuffed and escorted out.
- Ethan Carter III vs. Mr. Anderson: Tyrus is locked in a small cage so he can't interfere. The match closes out with EC3 hitting a corner splash on Anderson. EC3 goes for the "1%er", but Anderson counters with a firemans carry roll. Anderson hits the "Mic Check" on EC3, but EC3 kicks out at two. Anderson goes for another "Mic Check", but EC3 counters and hits the "1%er". EC3 covers and scores the pin.
- TNA World Championship, I Quit Match": Kurt Angle (c) vs. Eric Young: The match closes out with Angle locking EY in the ankle lock submission. EY taps out, however, the match continues because EY isn't saying he quits, he's just tapping out. Angle thinking he won, let's go and gets low blowed by EY. EY hits a piledriver, but Angle refuses to say I Quit. EY goes for another piledriver, but Angle counters and locks in the ankle lock submission again. Angle grape vines the leg this time and applies the pressure forcing EY to say I Quit. Kurt Angle retains the TNA World Title and celebrates as Impact closes out.
REPEAT: America's Got Talent (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
REPEAR: Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
Cold Justice (FRI, TNT, 8pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXSTV, 8pm)
What Would You Do? (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
The Messengers (FRI, The CW, 9pm)
iMPACT Wrestling (FRI, Destination America, 9pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXSTV, 9pm)
------
2015 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (SAT, HBO, 8pm)
Orphan Black (SAT, BBC America, 9pm) Outlander SEASON FINALE (SAT, STARZ, 9pm)
Nick Swardson: Taste It (SAT, Comedy Central, 10pm)
======
NHL PLAYOFFS Lightning @ Rangers, Game 7, Tied 3-3 (FRI, NBC Sports, 8pm) Blackhawks @ Ducks, Game 7, Tied 3-3 (SAT, NBC, 8pm)
MLB
Dodgers @ Cardinals OR Red Sox @ Rangers (FRI, MLB Network, 8pm) Indians @ Mariners (FRI, STO, 10pm)
FOOTBALL
Arena Football: Las Vegas Outlaws @ Philadelphia Soul (SAT, CBS SportsNet, 6pm)
Legends Football League: Las Vegas Sin @ Los Angeles Temptation (SAT, FUSE, 9pm)
Arena Football: Arizona Rattlers @ Spokane Shock (SAT, ESPN 2, 10pm)
MMA & BOXING
Premier Boxing Champions: Amir Khan vs. Chris Algieri (FRI, SPIKE, 9pm)
UFC Fight Night, Condit vs. Alves - Prelims (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 8pm) UFC Fight Night, Condit vs. Alves (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 10pm)
TENNIS
2015 French Open Tennis, Men's and Women's Third Round (SAT, NBC, 12pm)
GOLF
AT&T Byron Nelson, Third Round (SAT, CBS, 3pm)
NASCAR & RACING
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing (SAT, CBS, 2pm)
United SportsCar Championship (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 2pm)
XFINITY Series: Buckle Up 200 (SAT, FOX, 2:30pm)
IndyCar Racing: Dual In Detroit, Race 1 (SAT, ABC, 3:30pm)
NCAA COLLEGE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES
Florida vs. LSU (FRI, ESPN, 7pm)
Michigan vs. UCLA (FRI, ESPN, 9:30pm)
Auburn vs. Tennessee (SAT, ESPN, 12pm)
Alabama vs. Oregon (SAT, ESPN, 2:30pm)
Temas TBA (SAT, ESPN, 7pm)
Teams TBA (SAT, ESPN, 9:30pm)
SOCCER
2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup: New Zealand vs. Ukraine (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 9pm)
FA Cup Soccer: Arsenal FC vs. Aston Villa FC (SAT, FOX, 12pm)
Spanish Copa del Rey Soccer: Athletic Club vs. FC Barcelona (SAT, ESPN 2, 3pm) Women's International Friendly: United States vs. Korea Republic (SAT, ESPN, 4:30pm)
Friendly: Mexico vs. Guatemala (SAT, ESPNews, 5:55pm)
OTHER SPORTS
College Rugby: Collegiate Sevens Championship (SAT, NBC, 3pm)
Track and Field: Prefontaine Classic (SAT, NBC, 4:30pm)
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. It's this week's NXT and Smackdown recaps for the week.
*** NXT ***
- NXT was taped at their home base of Full Sail University, in Orlando, Florida.
- NXT World Champion, Kevin Owens, kicks off NXT in the ring. Owens says he was going to have an NXT World Title Open Challenge, but he only gives title shots to those that deserve it and isn't insecure like John Cena. Owens says he's not a bad person, he's a good man, he did exactly what he said he'd do to Sami Zayn and he never backed down from Samoa Joe. If Joe was here right now, he'd lay Joe out. NXT GM William Regal arrives, let's it be known that Owens is walking a very thin line and lists the wrestlers Owens has taken out since arriving. Owens refuses to take blame as Solomon Crowe interrupts. Crowe says Owens is scared, anyone could take his title and calls Owens a piece of crap for what he did to Zayn. Owens says Crowe just earned himself an opportunity and Regal makes it official for tonight.
- Hideo Itami appeared in a pre-taped interview. Itami had shoulder surgery and has no clue who jumped him at Takeover.
- Bayley vs. Emma: The match closes out with Bayley trapping Emma in the corner. Bayley flies in, lands an elbow and plants Emma with a suplex. Bayley climbs the ropes, but gets yanked off by Emma. Emma locks Bayley in the "Emma Lock" and Bayley has no choice but to tap out. After the match, Dana Brooks is in the ring and attacks Bayley. Dana holds Bayley as Emma slaps Bayley in the face. Charlotte hits the ring and unloads on Dana and Emma. Charlotte eventually gets taken down by Dana and Emma. Emma slaps Charlotte and Dana hits a slam, laying Charlotte out.
- Backstage, Baron Corbin says Rhyno learned that Corbin is the only unstoppable force. Rhyno interrupts and throws down another challenge to Corbin.
- Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Mike Rallis and Elias Sampson: The newcomers try to put up a fight against the NXT World Tag Team Champions, but have no chance. The match closes out with Murphy hitting a kick on Sampson, then hitting a suplex. Blake climbs the ropes and hits the frog splash. Blake covers Sampson and scores the pin. After the match, Alexa Bliss lands a "Sparkle Splash" on Sampson.
- Backstage, Alexa Bliss says winners are attracted to each other, that's how she ended up with Blake and Murphy. Bliss taunts Carmella. They will meet next week.
- Finn Balor vs. Tye Dillinger: The match closes out with Balor hitting "Sling Blade". Balor, next, hits the corner drop kick on Dillinger and heads to the top rope. Balor hits the double foot stomp, covers and scores the pin.
- Backstage, Jason Jordan says he's found the perfect partner. Chad Gable interrupts to brag about being in the Olympics. Jordan says he has a partner and will call Gable if he ever needs him.
- Kevin Owens vs. Solomon Crowe: The match closes out with Crowe landing a slap and a running knee on Owens. Owens fires back with a clothesline and a senton splash. Owens catches Crowe and plants him with the pop up power bomb, covers and scores the pin. After the match, Owens goes to do more damage on Crowe, but Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring. Joe gets in the ring and Owens quickly exits. Joe stares down Owens as Owens taunts Joe and John Cena by screaming "The Champ Is Here". This closed out NXT.
*** SmackDown ***
- Smackdown was taped this week in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
- Dean Ambrose kicks off Smackdown in the ring with a microphone. Ambrose gets us up to date on what happened on RAW with his arrest and almost losing his title shot. Ambrose used his one phone call to call Roman Reigns to buy him some time. After a YouTube video was reviewed you could see Seth Rollins pushed the camera man into Ambrose, which made Ambrose an innocent man. Ambrose made it back to the arena, signed the contract and will now beat the hell out of Rollins at Elimination Chamber, beginning the Age of Ambrose.
- "Lumberjack Tag Team Match": Tyson Kidd and Cesaro vs. The Lucha Dragons: The match closes out with Kalisto hitting the "Kalisto Kick" on Kidd for a near fall. Kidd countered a Kalisto hurricanrana and locked in the "Sharpshooter" submission. Sin Cara broke up the submission, than eats a Cesaro kick. The New Day tries to get involved, causing the distraction. Kidd gets hit with "Salida Del Sol" and The Lucha Dragons score the pin.
Backstage, Seth Rollins tells Kane that Dean Ambrose deserved to be locked in jail forever. Noble tells a story about his crazy Aunt that reminds him of Ambrose. Kane says he has a plan to help Rollins at Elimination Chamber.
- King Barrett vs. R-Truth: The match closes out with Barrett in full control. Barrett goes for the "Bullhammer", but Truth counters with a near fall roll up. Truth still in control, hits the "Lie Detector" and scores the pin. After the match, Sheamus hits the ring and plants Truth and Barrett both with the "Brogue Kick".
- Backstage, Lana says she thought Rusev could change, but she was wrong and wouldn't go into anymore details on what's going on with her and Dolph Ziggler. Rusev interrupts and they have another back and forth. Rusev says Lana dug her grave and now she'll lay in it.
- Rusev vs. Ryback: Rusev injures his leg legitimately mid-match. The match closes out with Rusev rolling to the floor, nursing his leg. Ryback follows, but gets tossed into the ring post twice by Rusev. The referee calls the match and DQ's Rusev.
- Naomi vs. Paige: The match closes out with Paige going for the "PTO". Naomi counters out and Tamina tries to distract Paige. Paige lands a kick on Tamina and then hits the "Ram-Paige" on Naomi. Paige covers and scores the pin. After the match, The Bella Twins stand on the stage to let their presence be felt.
- Kevin Owens is in the ring with a microphone. Owens says he's been in the business for 15 years, has dominated the world and will dominate John Cena at Elimination Chamber. Owens mentions what he did to Sami Zayn and Zayn was his best friend. If he'd do that to his best friend, just imagine what he'll do to Cena. After Sunday the real champ will be here.
- Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Kane: The match closes out with Reigns getting the hot tag and nailing a ton of clotheslines on Rollins. Reigns misses a "Superman Punch". Reigns and Rollins reverse a handful of moves until Reigns finally connects with the "Superman Punch". Reigns covers but Mercury and Noble hit the ring and attack Reigns. Reigns and Ambrose win by DQ. After the match, The New Day hit the ring and help The Authority attack Reigns and Ambrose. The duo try to fight back, but the odds are too heavy. Kane plants Reigns with a choke slam and Rollins plants Ambrose with the "Pedigree" to close out Smackdown.
