By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you the Weekend 3 Count. W3C brings you wrestling news, rumors and recaps from around the wrestling world. You'll find news and recaps involving WWE, NXT, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, GFW, NJPW, CZW, House of Hardcore and any Indy promotion that I find an interesting story or a cool discovery in. Be sure to check out the W3C every Sunday afternoon @TripleThreatCLE On Twitter.
*** WWE/NXT ***
- Brand Split And Live Smackdown: WWE officially announced on Wednesday that they are in fact getting ready to do another brand split. RAW and Smackdown will each have their own shows, rosters and storylines. WWE also announced that Smackdown will become a weekly live show starting on Tuesday, July 19th. There hasn't been any word as of yet on if WWE will bring back the World Heavyweight Championship and have two World Champions again or continue to run with one WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Also there has yet to be any word on how pay per views will happen as of yet. In the past WWE would rotate all RAW pay per views, all Smackdown pay per views and have both shows on the "Big 4" pay per views. WWE also announced an up coming draft to determine the rosters and is being rumored to take place on July 11th. WWE also have stated that they are possibly looking at Roman Reigns as the face of RAW and John Cena as the face of Smackdown.
- Cody Rhodes Released By WWE: Last week on the day of my W3C deadline, Cody Rhodes announced that he was leaving WWE, as he had asked for his release. This week's W3C edition has the full update on exactly what's going on with the youngest Rhodes brother. There had been speculation at first when Cody dropped the bombshell that he wanted his release, that it was just part of an up coming storyline. PWInsider reported that those who had spoken to Cody had said that after giving the departure a lot of thought, he absolutely had decided he wanted out of the company after 10 years. Cody was still under contract with WWE, which was set to expire this summer. Instead of re-signing or just letting the contract expire, Cody decided to just ask to opt out of the company all together. Reports have also stated that Cody and the WWE have no issues with each other, it was just something Cody wanted. WWE granted Cody his wishes and released him Sunday afternoon and posted the following on
WWE.com"WWE has come to terms on the release of Cody Rhodes as of today, May 22, 2016. WWE wishes Rhodes the best in all his future endeavors."
After the release was made final, Cody Rhodes issued a statement about his release on Twitter. Rhodes stated that he was creatively frustrated and begged the WWE to let him abandon the Stardust character. Rhodes then took shots at WWE creative, stating one guy was too busy hitting on developmental divas and the other guy was too busy pretending to be like ex-WWE writer Brian Gewirtz.
- Eden Released: Many figured this was coming as well. Eden, aka Brandi Rhodes (Cody's Wife), also asked for and was granted her release from the WWE this week. Brandi stated that she has found a new career to follow, reason why she asked for her release from the company.
- Adam Rose Released: In what seems like a no brainer, the WWE officially released Adam Rose, after rumors stated that he asked for it. Rose was currently serving an indefinite suspension from WWE after being arrested two weeks ago for a domestic dispute with his wife, where Rose apparently grabbed his wife's face and grabbed the phone out of her hand when she went to call the police.
- Seth Rollins Returns: Last Sunday at WWE Extreme Rules, Seth Rollins made his long awaited return from injury. Stop what you're doing and check out my WWE Extreme Rules recap and read what happened.
- Top 10 Ways To Use Seth Rollins: With Seth Rollins returning from injury at WWE Extreme Rules, a top 10 list was posted this week online on how to use Rollins in his return. Surprisingly a Shield reunion didn't make the list. How would you use Rollins if you were a WWE Booker?
#10. The return of The Authority.
#9. Feuds with Cena, Orton, Wyatt, Jericho, Styles, Owens or Cesaro over #1 Contendership.
#8. Feud with Dean Ambrose.
#7. Feud with Brock Lesnar.
#6. #1 pick in a possible brand split.
#5. Winning Money In The Bank.
#4. Possible The Authority vs. The Club vs. The Family Feud.
#3. Turning Rollins baby face.
#2. Feud with Roman Reigns.
#1. A Shield Triple Threat Match.
- New WWE United States Champion: In case you missed WWE Extreme Rules last Sunday, again, stop what you're doing and read my recap of the show and see how Rusev became the new WWE United States Champion.
- Interview With Shane McMahon: This past Monday after RAW, Mick Foley sat down with the prodigal son, Shane McMahon, for a tell all podcast. Shane talked about growing up with Vince McMahon never there, starting off in WWE, his wrestling training, his favorite matches, wanting to earn respect, the Montreal Screwjob and how it really affected Vince, WWE's buying of WCW, why Shane left WWE for 7 years and how Vince reacted, his relationship with Stephanie and Triple H, his match with The Undertaker, leaping off Hell In A Cell, what happened backstage after the match and finally his opinion on if he's happy where the product is going today. You can read the whole interview
HERE, or check out the replay on the WWE Network.
- Women's Money In The Bank?: Dave Meltzer of Wresting Observer stated on Wrestling Observer radio that there have been rumors that WWE might do a Women's Money In The Bank ladder match this year at the yearly pay per view in June.
- Balor Club Coming Soon?: This past Monday's RAW saw the end of AJ Styles in The Club, as he let his voice heard. Styles told Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson they'll always be brothers, but he wants nothing to do with them constantly getting in the way of his matches. Gallows and Anderson walked out on Styles and the internet rumors began to fly. Almost immediately the internet world began to point at the Finn Balor debut getting closer. Which now makes the most sense and could begin a huge Balor Club vs. Styles feud.
- Cedric Alexander WWE Bound?: There have been rumors and speculation on Cedric Alexander possibly going to WWE after he finished up with Ring Of Honor last week. Alexander recently had a WWE tryout and has been expected for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic.
- Naomi Update: Naomi tweeted out this week on Twitter that she is back on the road with WWE and is hoping to be cleared to wrestle this week. Naomi has been sidelined since the beginning of May with a torn tendon in her ankle.
- Sasha Banks Injury: According to Squared Circle Sirens, Sasha Banks was reportedly injured. SCS claimed that Sasha sustained an injury during a live event match in Virginia on May 15. The website claimed that it may have had something to do with her head, possibly a concussion. Later in the day, PWInsider's Dave Meltzer, confirmed the injury and stated how it happened. It appeared that Sasha was injured by the referee, who accidentally caught her with a solid knee to the head in a freak accident. As of now this is only a rumor and no official announcement has been made by WWE.
- Sports Illustrated's Fittest 50: Sports Illustrated recently announced that both Seth Rollins and Charlotte of the WWE have made SI's Fittest 50 list this year. Charlotte was listed at #24 under most fit female athletes, while Rollins also came in at #24 on the men’s list.
- WWE Money In The Bank Card So Far:
-- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
-- "Money In The Bank Ladder Match": Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. ???
- NXT Takeover: The End Card So Far:
-- "NXT World Championship, Steel Cage Match": Samoa Joe (c) vs. Finn Balor
-- "NXT World Tag Team Championship Match": Jason Jordan and Chad Gable (c) vs. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder
-- "NXT Women's Championship Match": Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax
-- "#1 Contender Match, For The NXT World Championship": Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
*** TNA IMPACT WRESTLING ***
- TNA Impact Recap:
-- Matt is annoyed with Tyrus and Rockstar Spud trying to get him to stop fighting Jeff Hardy. Matt says that if Spud and Tyrus can defeat Jeff Hardy in a ladder match tonight, the bout at Slammiversary won't happen. But if they lose to Jeff, the duo are out of his stable for good.
-- Ethan Carter defeated Matt Hardy, by DQ, after Mike Bennett attacked EC3. After the match, Bennett says EC3 doesn't get his match against Bennett cause he had to pin or submit Hardy.
-- Maria announces Gail Kim vs. Sienna and says if Gail loses, she's fired. Sienna attacks Gail from behind to end the segment.
-- Al Snow defeated Grado, by pinfall with the Snow Plow. Baron Dax and Basille Baraka interfered in the match, helping Snow.
-- Bobby Lashley demands a rematch with Drew Galloway and both men look like they're about to brawl until Dixie Carter shows up. Dixie announces Lashley vs. Galloway at Slammiversary with the only way to win is by knockout or tap out. Both men take out security and officials, brawl with each other and ends with Lashley choking out Galloway.
-- Trevor Lee defeated Eddie Edwards, DJ Zema Ion and Andrew Everett in an Ultimate X Match, to retain the TNA X-Division Championship.
- Gail Kim defeated Sienna, by pinfall with a sunset flip to keep her TNA job. After the match, Maria attacks Gail, slapping her and driving her head into the mat.
-- Jeff Hardy defeated Tyrus and Rockstar Spud, in a Handicap Ladder Match. Jeff wins the right to fight Matt Hardy and Tyrus and Spud are now out of Matt Hardy's faction.
- TNA Slammiversary Card So Far:
-- "TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Knockout or Tap Out Match": Drew Galloway (c) vs. Bobby Lashley
-- "Full Metal Mayhem Match": Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
- Pop TV President Comments On TNA: Pop TV President Brad Schwartz was interviewed recently by PWInsider. Schwartz had the following to say about the rumors of TNA Impact being cancelled, due to not being listed on the 2016-2017 TV schedule listings. Schwartz assured us that they are in fact just rumors and TNA Impact isn't going anywhere.
"My relationship with Dixie is very special and ultimately, I think the product that is going on the air every Tuesday night is the best wrestling product going. The characters, the ring action, it is amazing to watch. We have a long term deal with Impact and you know, until there are twenty different shows doing better than it, it's going to stay where it is for awhile".
- Ryback TNA Bound?: Last week during WWE Extreme Rules, Ryback sent out the following tweet that said: "#FeedMeMore during #ExtremeRules if you want to see Ryborg in the Impact zone…". Many have stated that there is no official word at all about Ryback going to TNA as of yet and he's probably just trolling the WWE fans.
- AAA's Lucha Libre World Cup: TNA officially announced that Ethan Carter, Eli Drake and Tyrus will represent Team USA in AAA's Lucha Libre World Cup, which takes place on June 3rd and June 5th in Mexico. Rockstar Spud has also been announced for Team Resto del Mundo with Mil Muertes and Apolo. TNA Knockout Sienna will be working the women's division on Team USA with Cheerleader Melissa and Santana Garrett.
*** RING OF HONOR ***- ROH Best In The World Card So Far:
-- "ROH World Heavyweight Championship Match": Jay Lethal (c) vs. Jay Briscoe
-- "ROH Television Championship Match": Bobby Fish (c) vs. Dalton Castle
*** LUCHA UNDERGROUND ***
- Lucha Underground TV Recap:
-- Joey Ryan defeated Mascarita Sagrada, by pinfall with a second rope DDT.
-- Cage defeated Chavo Guerrero, by pinfall with the Lucha Destroyer, to win the Gift Of The Gods Championship. Cage says he's cashing in next week for his Lucha Underground Championship match.
-- Jack Evans, P.J. Black and Johnny Mundo defeated Rey Mysterio, Prince Puma and Dragon Aztec Jr., by pinfall after Evans hit Puma with a steel chair, to win the Lucha Underground Trios Championship.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
- Hiroshi Tanahashi Taking Time Off: NJPW announced that Hiroshi Tanahashi will be taking some much needed time off to heal up some minor injuries. Tanahashi is scheduled to face The Bullet Club's Kenny Omega on June 19th in a Ladder Match and NJPW wanted Tanahashi at 100% for the match. During the Best of the Super Juniors show this week, The Bullet Club attacked and beat down Tanahashi with a ladder, which was NJPW's way of writing Tanahashi off of future shows until his match against Omega.
*** OTHER NEWS ***
- Noelle Foley Update: Mick Foley's upcoming WWE Network show called "Holy Foley" will have a clip of Mick's daughter, Noelle, training to become a wrestler. Squared Circle Sirens have stated that the training facilty Noelle is training in is in Deer Park, NY not far from where the Foley family lives. NYWC is run by former ECW wrestler Mickey Whipwreck.
- Former ROH Owner Confronting Flair: Former Ring of Honor owner, Cary Silkin stated recently that he's planning on showing up to one of Ric Flair's autograph signings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at the Sands Casino on July 23rd and demanding $41,000 that Flair supposedly owes. Silkin stated that back when he owned ROH he sued Flair for the money after Flair failed to meet requirements for an ROH Ambassador role Flair had been paid for. The lawsuit, however, was dropped when Sinclair Broadcasting bought out ROH.
- The Miz and Marine 5: WWE announced that WWE Studios are making The Marine 5: Battleground, staring once again, The Miz. The film will also feature WWE Superstars Maryse, Heath Slater, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel and Naomi. The film will begin production this Tuesday, May 31, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Miz returns as Jake Carter, an ex-Marine who served in the Middle East and is now saving civilian lives stateside as an EMT. After responding to an emergency call in an abandoned parking lot, Carter finds himself protecting an injured man from a ruthless biker gang. With the odds stacked against him, Carter utilizes his unique Marine skills to stop the bikers’ rampage before any more innocent blood is shed. This will be Miz's third starring role in the Marine series in what has become a cult hit.
- Pabst Blue Ribbon Worn WWE: John Cena returns to action this Monday night on RAW and of course he'll be sporting new ring gear. Beer giant Pabst Blue Ribbon, however, is threatening to sue over an issue with copyright infringement against both Cena and WWE. PBR is stating that Cena's new ring gear looks very similar to the PBR logo. PBR tweeted both Cena and WWE and threatened a cease and desist or else legal action would be taken. As of Saturday afternoon, WWE did in fact pull the new Cena merchandise off WWE Shop. Below is a picture of what Cena's new shirt looks like and also a picture of Cena wearing a PBR shirt.
And that's this week's W3C! Join me every Sunday afternoon as I bring you news, recaps and rumors all around the wrestling world!
