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 rumors and recaps involving WWE, NXT, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, NJPW, House of Hardcore, ICW, CZW, FIP, EVOLVE, SHINE, SHIMMER 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 at @TripleThreatCLE
*** WWE ***
- Samoa Joe Officially Joins RAW: This past Monday on RAW, Samoa Joe arrived in a suit and officially signed his contract to become a full time RAW superstar. Joe's gimmick will be a hitman/muscle, reason why he was in a suit.
- Seth Rollins Update: Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported on the Observer radio show that Seth Rollins should be cleared and that's what they're working towards. It looks like we will get to see him face Triple H in that big marquee match after all.
- Austin Aries Update: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Austin Aries has been cleared to wrestle after being out of action since October with an orbital fracture. Aries has currently been promoted to the main roster as a commentator for 205 Live after debuting in NXT before his injury. Aries will manly compete on 205 Live for the time being and a possible Aries vs. Neville match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship has been brought up for Wrestlemania 33.
- Erick Rowan Update: PWInsider announced that Erick Rowan is currently at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week. Rowan is working to get cleared to return to the ring from his torn rotator cuff. Rowan has been out of action since September of last year.
- Darren Young Update: Current WWE Raw Superstar, Darren Young, was set to undergo elbow surgery this week. A metal plate will be put into his arm to help heal his elbow injury. Young made jokes on social media stating that he's going to be just like Lex Luger when he's done. There is no set time frame for his return to action from the surgery, though he does indicate that he intends to continue his speaking engagements and such during the rehab process.
- Paige Thinking MMA: This week it was reported that WWE superstar Paige has begun training in MMA fighting with Alberto Del Rio. Paige stated that she would love to get into the octagon and fight one day after her WWE contract expires.
- Tony Nese Update: Tony Nese had to drop out of the Fatal Five Way Match this past Tuesday on 205 Live due to suffering a heel injury on RAW. Nese should be back in action very soon.
- Dana Warrior Signs With WWE: The WWE announced on Monday that Dana Warrior, the widow of WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior, has officially signed on with the company. Dana signed a deal to become a brand ambassador for the company. Dana stated that the next phase will honor the Warrior Women amongst us who carry the mantle. WWE has been championing women emerging as athletes, executives, and business pioneers which is what Dana looks to continue as the brand ambassador.
** 205 Live **
This week's main event saw a Fatal Five Way Match take place with the winner receiving a WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match against Neville at WWE Fastlane.
1.) Due to injury it was announced that Tony Nese would not be in tonight's Fatal Five Way Match.
3.) Lince Dorado vs. The Brian Kendrick: The match closes out with Dorado going to the top rope, but wastes way too much time as Kendrick pops up and tries to rip Dorado's mask off. Dorado goes for a Shooting Star Press, but Kendrick counters with his knees up, traps Dorado in the Captain's Hook submission and forces Dorado to tap out.
5.) "Fatal Five Way, #1 Contender’s Elimination Match": Jack Gallagher vs. Noam Dar vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali vs. TJ Perkins:
** First Elimination: Gallagher gets a near fall roll up. Dar unloads stiff kicks to the knees of Gallagher and begins to mock Gallagher. Alexander sneaks in, hits the Lumbar Check on Dar and pins him for the elimination.
** Second Elimination: Alexander takes out Perkins and goes to the top rope. Dar returns and crotches Alexander on the ropes. Perkins hits the Detonation Kick on Alexander and scores the pinfall for the elimination.
** Final Elimination: Perkins goes after Gallagher's knee, injuring it. Gallagher escapes a knee bar submission, but gets lit up with the Detonation Kick by Perkins. Gallagher lands a head butt, falls on top of Perkins and gets a near fall. Gallagher hits another head butt knocking Perkins into the corner. Gallagher hits the running dropkick and scores the pinfall to win the match. After the match, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville arrives and taunts Gallagher from the 205 Live stage.
*** NXT ***
- Asuka Sets Records: This past week, Asuka officially broke Paige’s record of longest reigning NXT Women's Champion. As of last Saturday Asuka was at 310 days, Paige's record was 308 days. Asuka also set the record of longest reigning champion in NXT. No other wrestler has held the NXT World, Tag Team or Women's Championships as long as Asuka has.
- Hideo Itami Update: According to The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, NXT superstar Hideo Itami has recovered fully from his neck injury and has been given the green light to return to in ring action. Since being signed to NXT in 2014, Itami has missed a total of 14 months with shoulder and neck injuries.
*** Impact Wrestling ***
** Impact Wrestling Recap **
This week Bobby Lashley defended his Impact World Heavyweight Championship against Eddie Edwards in Edwards' last title shot.
1.) Backstage, The Broken Hardy's arrive. Matt says King Maxel needs protein to be a strong warrior. Brother Nero reminds Matt that Maxel is undefeated and asks about the 7 deities. Matt says everything will be revealed tonight.
2.) The DCC Promo: James Storm says The DCC have had a plan and a mission to run through everyone and have kept that promise. Eli Drake and Tyrus interrupt and head to the ring. Tyrus challenges all three members of The DCC and a brawl breaks out throughout ringside between the five.
4.) Backstage, Brandi Rhodes calls Rosemary evil and promises to deliver a reality check to her tonight.
5.) Backstage, Braxton Sutter and Allie are talking when Maria Bennett interrupts and orders Allie to go get her coffee. Maria suggests that Sutter go get that 4 carat ring and propose to Laurel Van Ness tonight.
6.) Brandi Rhodes Promo: Brandi thanks the fans and then talks about Rosemary. Brandi calls Rosemary vile and evil. Brandi says she's done with Rosemary's mind games, Brandi is here to fight. Rosemary and The Decay arrive and head to the ring. Rosemary says she saw potential in Brandi, but Brandi denied them, The Decay comes for everyone and calls this Brandi's funeral. Abyss and Crazzy Steve move closer to Brandi, backing her into the corner. Rosemary grabs Brandi and locks her in a front face choke hold. Moose hits the ring, clears The Decay out and makes the save.
8.) Aron Rex vs. Robbie E: The match closes out with Robbie hitting an elbow drop off the top rope and then a cross body on Rex. Rockstar Spud tries to pull Rex out of the ring, but Robbie goes after Spud. Rex puts rings on his fingers, knocks out Robbie with a punch and scores the pinfall.
9.) Backstage, Reby Hardy is having doubts of what Matt has planned. Jeff says Matt's premonitions have always been right. Matt assures Reby that the 7 deities have never led them astray.
10.) Backstage, Mike Bennett tries to talk Braxton Sutter into marrying Laurel Van Ness. Sutter asks Bennett how can he stand being married to Maria. Bennett says Maria is confident and intimidating, but wants the best for her friends and what she wants she gets. Bennett tells Sutter to do the right thing tonight. Sutter agrees and walks off.
11.) The Broken Hardy's Promo: Broken Matt Hardy reveals a new and improved Vanguard One that has the abilities to teleport the brothers to any promotion in their Expedition of Gold Tour. Just by placing their hands on Vanguard One they will be teleported to any promotion. After naming all the possibilities where they could turn up the brothers place their hands on Vanguard One and are teleported to an intersection outside. Matt asks a local where they are at and he says Tijuana, Mexico.
12.) "Impact Grand Championship Match": Drew Galloway (c) vs. Mahabali Shera: Shera takes Round One 29-28. The match closes out in Round Two with Shera hitting a running power slam on Galloway for a near fall. Shera goes for the Sky High, but Galloway counters, hits the Future Shock DDT and scores the pinfall to retain the title.
13.) Backstage, Braxton Sutter tries to break up with Laurel Van Ness, however, accidentally drops his water bottle and gets on one knee to retrieve it. Van Ness thinks he's proposing, says yes even though he's poor and then runs off to tell Maria Bennett the news. Sutter tries to tell Van Ness that's not what he was doing, but it's too late.
14.) The Helms Dynasty Promo: New Impact X-Division Champion Trevor Lee says he's the crown jewel of the division. Shane Helms calls out Andrew Everett and says he's the weakest link in the faction. Everett says that he and Lee won titles in other promotions without Helms and the true failure of the faction is Helms. Lee suddenly attacks Everett from behind and he and Helms beat Everett down.
15.) In Tijuana, Mexico, The Broken Hardy's are walking the streets looking for Tijuana's World Tag Team Champions. The Hardy's are followed by a mob of fans chanting "delete". Matt gives a speech to the fans and demands to be taken to the champions of Mexico. Next week it'll be The Broken Hardy's vs. Super Crazy and Psicosis for their tag team titles in Tijuana, Mexico.
16.) "Impact World Heavyweight Championship Match": Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Eddie Edwards: This match was advertised as Eddie Edwards' last chance at a title shot. The match closes out with Lashley countering Shot of Caffeine and suplexes Edwards. Lashley sets up for the spear, but Edwards counters with the Boston Knee Party. Just before the referee makes the three count, Davey Richards pulls the referee out of the ring. Edwards is confused at why Richards did what he did. Richards yells at Edwards that it's always been about him and he doesn't care about The Wolves anymore. Angelina Love suddenly attacks Edwards' wife Alisha and knocks her out. The referee checks on Edwards' wife and misses Richards hit Edwards in the head with the title. Edwards then gets speared and pinned by Lashley. After the match, Richards beats Edwards down and then chokes him out with his belt as Angelina forces Alisha to watch. Richards and Angelina make out to end the show.
- Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett Update: Mike Johnson of PWInsider recently reported that Dixie Carter is no longer involved with any decision making in TNA, and has moved out of their offices in Nashville, Tennessee. Carter does continue to plug Impact Wrestling on her Twitter feed. Jeff Jarrett, meanwhile, returned to the company in January. It was originally believed that he would be in an advisory/consultant role, PWInsider noted that it is believed that Jarrett may replace John "Big" Gaburick as the new Executive Producer. That deal hasn't been made official as of yet. Jarrett will also still be working on his own promotion Global Force Wrestling.
- Scott D'Amore Returns: Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed that former TNA onscreen and backstage talent, Scott D'Amore, will soon be making his return to the company almost exactly 7 years after his previous departure. Many feel he made the decision to return due to Jeff Jarrett returning to TNA last month. D'Amore has been working behind the scenes with Jarrett in Global Force Wrestling before making the jump back to TNA.
- TNA and NOAH Make A Deal: Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH announced on Tuesday that TNA will be involved in their upcoming Yokohama event on March 12. TNA and NOAH signed a new deal to start working together with their talent.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap **
This week's main event had a Six Pack Challenge Match to determine a new #1 Contender to the ROH Television Championship.
1.) BJ Whitmer and Damian Martinez vs. War Machine: The match closes out with both teams brawling outside on the floor and both teams getting counted out to end the match.
2.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": The Kingdom vs. Corey Hollis, John Skyler, and Joe D'Aug: The match closes out with The Kingdom squashing their opponents. The Kingdom hit Super Nova on the floor, taking out D'Aug. The Kingdom lay out Hollis and then finish off Skylar with the Super Nova for the pinfall.
3.) The Kingdom Promo: Matt Tavern issues an open challenge that gets answered by Dalton Castle and The Boys. Colt Cabana attacks Castle from behind and beats him down.
4.) "ROH World Tag Team Championship Match": The Young Bucks (c) vs. The Tempura Boys: The match closes out with Matt Jackson hitting a hanging springboard legdrop to score the pinfall and retain the titles.
5.) "Six Pack Challenge, #1 Contender’s Match": Lio Rush vs. Chris Sabin vs. Alex Shelley vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Donovan Dijak vs. Jay White: The match closes out with The Rebellion arriving at ringside and a brawl breaks out with them, leading all the way backstage. Dijak hits Feast Your Eyes on Rush scores the pinfall and earns an ROH Television Championship Match.
** Undisputed Legacy Recap **
ROH Undisputed Legacy was live in San Antonio, Texas. The main event saw an Eight Man Tag Team Match as The Bullet Club battled Motor City Machine Guns, Lio Rush and Jay White. Cody Rhodes also made his return to ROH battling Donovan Dijak in a one on one match. The Kingdom defended their ROH Six Man Tag Championship against War Machine and Jax Dane.
1.) Jonathan Gresham defeated Will Ferrara.
2.) The Tempura Boyz defeated The Addiction. Adam Cole played mind games with Christopher Daniels, costing The Addiction their match.
3.) "ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship Match": The Kingdom (c) defeated War Machine and Jax Dane. War Machine and Dane had issues with each other after the match.
4.) "Triple Threat Match": Dalton Castle defeated Jay Lethal and Bobby Fish.
5.) BJ Whitmer defeated The Romantic Touch.
6.) Keith Lee and Shane Taylor vs. The Briscoes went to a No Contest.
7.) Cody Rhodes defeated Donovan Dijak.
8.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": The Bullet Club (Adam Cole, Hangman Page and The Young Bucks) defeated Motor City Machine Guns, Lio Rush and Jay White.
*** Lucha Underground ***
- Son of Havoc Injured: Matt Cross aka Son of Havoc announced on Twitter this week that he recently suffered a broken leg. Cross said that he's scheduled to meet an orthopaedic doctor to find out how long he will be out of action for.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
** NJPW New Beginning Recap **
1.) Kushida and Hirai Kawato vs. Suzuki-Gun (Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru): The match closes out with Kawato hitting a series of dropkicks and splashing Desperado in the corner. Kawato goes for a Boston Crab submission, but Kanemaru breaks it up. Kawato gets trapped in a single leg crab submission, but counters and gets a near fall roll up. Kawato gets destroyed with a spear and a Blue Thunder Bomb and Suzuki-Gun pick up the pinfall victory.
2.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Henare, Yoshitatsu and Tomoaki Oka: The match closes out with Oka locking in a Boston Crab submission, but Kojima comes in and breaks it up. All six men begin brawling around ringside. Nagata finally traps Oka in a crossface submission and forces Oka to tap out.
3.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger and Katsuyori Shibata vs. CHAOS (Gedo, Jado and Will Ospreay): The match closes out with Liger delivering DDT's and Tiger Mask helps clear the ring. Ospreay nails a roundhouse kick and then the OsCutter to score the pinfall for CHAOS. After the match, Shibata tries to attack Ospreay from behind with elbows, but Ospreay lays Shibata out with an OsCutter.
4.) Yoshi-Hashi (CHAOS) vs. Takahashi Iizuka (Suzuki-Gun): Yoshi gets brutally attacked by Iizuka as the match began. Yoshi gets tossed into the barricade a series of times, hit with a series of steel chair shots, tossed into the commentators table and choked with a microphone cord. The match closes out with Iizuka countering a Yoshi Swanton Bomb by getting his knees up. Iizuka puts on a metal glove and swings at Yoshi. Yoshi ducks and drops Iizuka with a backbreaker. Yoshi hits Karma on Iizuka and scores the pinfall.
5.) "Ten Man Tag Team Match": Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Dragon Lee vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Evil, Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi: The match closes out with Naito countering the High Fly Flow from Tanahashi. Elgin arrives, grabs Naito and power bombs him on top of his teammates outside. Tanahashi flies to the floor with the High Fly Flow and takes out everyone. Dragon Lee hits the Phoenixplex on Bushi and scores the pinfall.
6.) "IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship Match": CHAOS (Rocky Romero and Baretta)(c) vs. Suzuki-Gun (Taka Michinoku and Taichi: The match closes out with both teams hitting aerial assaults to the floor on each other. Taichi grabs a steel chair, but Baretta stole it and unloaded on Desperado with it. The referee gets distracted and it allows Taka and Taichi to regain control of the match. Romero and Baretta end up hitting the Strong Zero to score the pinfall and retain their titles.
7.) "Never Openweight Championship Match": Hirooki Goto (c)(CHAOS) vs. Juice Robinson: The match closes out with Goto unloading lariats on Robinson and gets a near fall. Goto counters the Unprettier and hits the GTR on Robinson from the second rope. Goto destroys Robinson with another GTR and scores the pinfall, to retain the title.
8.) "IWGP Tag Team Championship, Triple Threat Match": CHAOS (Toru Yano and Tomohiro Ishii )(c) vs. Suzuki-Gun (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) vs. Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma: The match closes out with Archer crossbody blocking everyone and then choke slams Yano for a near fall. Makabe tags in and unloads a series of lariats. Makabe plants Yano with a spider suplex off the second rope, but Makabe then gets taken out by Archer and Smith with the Hart Attack. Everyone begins brawling as Yano rolls up Makabe with a handful of tights and steals the pinfall to retain the titles.
9.) "IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match": Kazuchika Okada (c)(CHAOS) vs. Minoru Suzuki (Suzuki-Gun): The match closes out with Suzuki unloading on Okada with punches. Suzuki applies a sleeper and then goes for a Gotch Piledriver. Okada counters and drills Suzuki with the Rainmaker. Okada goes for a second Rainmaker, but Suzuki counters and unloads more punches. Okada blocks, hits the second Rainmaker and tries for a third. Suzuki tries to counter, but Okada counters that, hits a german suplex and then the third Rainmaker. Okada covers, scores the pinfall and retains the title.
*** AAW ***
** End of Innocence Recap **
AAW was in LaSalle, Illinois this past week for their End of Innocence event. The main event saw AAW World Champion Sami Callihan battle Kongo Kong. Also ACH defended his AAW Heritage Championship against TNA's Trevor Lee.
The show also included TNA Knockout Sienna, former TNA Knockout Jessika Havok, TNA's DJ Z, former WWE superstar Adam Rose and Lucha Underground's Pentagon Jr.
1.) "Fatal Four Way Match": Arik Cannon defeated David Starr, Stephen Wolf and Marion Fontaine.
2.) Mike Hartenbower defeated Zikcy Dice.
3.) Candice LeRae and Samantha Heights defeated Jessicka Havok and Sienna.
4.) Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett defeated Paco and Ace Perry.
5.) DJ Z defeated Leo Krugar (aka Adam Rose)
6.) Zachary Wentz and Desmon Xavier defeated Jake and Dave Crist.
7.) "AAW Heritage Championship Match" ACH (c) defeated Trevor Lee to retain the title.
8.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Brubaker, CJ Esparza and Brett Gakiya defeated Kody Rice, Connor Braxton and Bucky.
9.) Penta El OM (aka Pentagon Jr.) defeated AR Fox.
10.) "AAW World Heavyweight Championship Match": Sami Callihan (c) defeated Kongo Kong to retain the title.
*** Other ***
- The Rock's Next Movie Will Be Wrestling Related: The Rock announced on Tuesday that his Seven Bucks Productions has partnered with WWE Studios and Film 4 to release a new movie based on Paige and her family of pro wrestlers. The plot of the film states it'll be a movie about a very unique and gritty professional wrestling family and a their daughter's journey into the spotlight of wrestling and the WWE.
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!
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