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 ***
- New WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Crowned: In case you missed WWE Elimination Chamber last Sunday, Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss to become the new WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion.
- New RAW Women's Champion Crowned: In case you missed RAW last Monday night, Bayley defeated Charlotte to become the new WWE RAW Women's Champion.
- Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho's Friendship Ends: In case you missed RAW last Monday, Kevin Owens officially turned on his best friend Chris Jericho and beat Jericho down. It looks like WWE is going forward with the planned Owens vs. Jericho match at Wrestlemania 33.
- Randy Orton Gives Up World Title Shot: This past Tuesday on Smackdown Live, Randy Orton officially announced that he will not challenge Bray Wyatt for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 33, showing his loyalty to Bray Wyatt. This Tuesday coming up on Smackdown Live there will be a Battle Royal with the winner becoming the new #1 Contender.
- Kane Update: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Kane has been out of action with a "variety of nagging injuries" as of late. Kane last appeared on TV for the November 29th SmackDown episode with a win over Luke Harper. It's unknown when Kane will return at the moment.
- Darren Young Update: According to The Wrestling Observer, injured WWE star Darren Young is expected to be out of action for around six months, following surgery on February 9th. Young suffered an elbow injury during a WWE Main Event taping in January and will miss WrestleMania.
- Teddy Long Getting Inducted: WWE announced on Monday that Teddy Long will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Long has had a 30+ year career in wrestling, starting at the very bottom setting up rings. Long was a NWA referee, moved onto managing the team of Ron Simmons and Butch Reed (Doom), a WWE referee, managing in WWE and finally the General Manager of Smackdown. Holla Holla Holla!
- The Emmalina Fiasco: If you thought the whole Emmalina debut was odd, it's because it was. Last week on RAW after a 17 week delay in her debut, Emma returned as Emmalina and stated that we'd have to wait for her to return as Emma and then she left the stage. Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that there were big plans for the Emmalina character, however they were nixed after multiple rehearsals. WWE Producers felt that Emma wasn't able to pull off what they were looking to accomplish. WWE apparently wanted her to be "a throwback to characters like Sable and The Kat," however officials felt that she wasn't committing enough to the character and finally decided to have her revert to her old heel gimmick.
- WWE Teaming With HBO: WWE announced on Monday that HBO Sports and the WWE will team up for an "Andre the Giant" documentary. HBO Sports, WWE and the Bill Simmons Media Group will produce "Andre the Giant," a documentary film examining the life and career of one of the most beloved legends in WWE history. The documentary film will explore Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE and his forays in the entertainment world.
- Women For Wrestlemania: WWE recently stated that they were looking at bringing back a lot of past WWE Women's wrestlers for a possible Wrestlemania 33 appearance. As of now there are rumors of Kelly Kelly and Victoria possibly signed to return.
- Brock Lesnar Retires From MMA: Brock Lesnar informed UFC officials that he is retiring from the sport of MMA this week. Lesnar last fought on July 9th, 2016 against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 following a few years away from the sport. That win was later overturned and ruled a No Contest after Lesnar failed two drug tests, one less than a month before the fight and the other on the day of the fight. Lesnar was also suspended from fighting for one year and had to pay a fine of $250,000 to the Nevada Attorney General's office. ESPN reports that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed it was also aware of Lesnar's retirement. Due to the retirement, Lesnar is no longer included in USADA's testing pool under the UFC's anti-doping program. Lesnar retires from MMA with a record of 5-3-1.
** 205 Live **
This week WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville battled TJ Perkins in a one on one non title match. Also Gran Metalik made his 205 Live debut.
1.) Noam Dar vs. Rich Swann: The match closes out with Dar trying to steal a roll up with the ropes as leverage. Swann fights back on Dar and takes Dar down with a head scissors. Swann goes up top, hits the Phoenix Splash and scores the pinfall.
2.) Backstage, Neville states that the only reason TJ Perkins was the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion was because Neville wasn't in the Cruiserweight Classic Tournament.
4.) Gran Metalik vs. Drew Gulak: The match closes out with Metalik landing a series of forearms and a kick that sends Gulak flying outside. Metalik hits a step up dive and tosses Gulak back into the ring. Metalik hits the Metalik Driver and scores the pinfall.
5.) Backstage, Brian Kendrick offers his mentorship to Akira Tozawa. Tozawa says he understands Kendrick and doesn't like him.
*** Impact Wrestling ***
** Impact TV Recap **
The Broken Hardy's venture into Mexico to try to capture the Mexican Tag Team Championship of the world. Eddie Edwards looks to confront Davey Richards and get answers as to why he turned on him.
1.) Crazzy Steve and Rosemary vs. Moose and Brandi Rhodes: The match closes out with Brandi hitting a second rope drop kick on Rosemary. Brandi and Moose unload on Steve and Rosemary and then hit in stereo Game Changers. Moose covers Steve for the pinfall.
2.) Backstage, Eddie Edwards says he's here to kick Davey Richards' ass.
3.) Backstage, Moose tells Brandi that she has his number and to call him if she ever needs help again.
4.) Eddie Edwards Promo: Edwards is still in shock that Davey Richards turned on him and calls it the lowest point in Richards' career. Edwards says Richards crossed the line when he made Edwards' wife watch him get choked out and demands Richards to come out. Richards' wife, Angelina Love, arrives and asks Edwards where was he when Richards tore his ACL and was trying to help Angelina while she was 9 months pregnant. Richards finally arrives and takes credit for creating The American Wolves tag team and says Edwards was a nobody until Richards helped him. Richards warns Edwards to just walk away, but Edwards charges and a brawl breaks out. Security finally separate Edwards and Richards and Edwards challenges Richards to an Anything Goes Street Fight tonight.
5.) Braxton Sutter is shown bored out of his mind at his Bachelor Party. Sutter knows no one as they are all Mike Bennett's friends.
6.) The Broken Hardy's are shown at The Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana, Mexico. Matt and Jeff are looking for the promoter so they can receive their match for the Mexican Tag Team Championship of the world.
7.) Laurel Van Ness is shown at her Bachelorette Party. Marie insults Allie because the decorations she used for the party look like something for a child's party. Maria informs Allie that Braxton and Laurel's Wedding will be next week on Impact.
8.) Eddie Kingston vs. Jessie Godderz: The match closes out with Godderz countering a Kingston back fist and landing his own back kick. Godderz hits a springboard forearm on Kingston and scores the pinfall. After the match, the lights go out and pop back on, revealing James Storm and Bram. Godderz escapes and claims to have The DCC's number.
9.) Braxton Sutter is offered and turns down drugs at his Bachelor Party and tells Mike Bennett he's leaving. Bennett calls Sutter a party pooper and begs him to stay because he doesn't want to go home to Maria.
10.) Laurel Van Ness' Bachelorette Party is a dud as everyone is bored. Allie tries to cheer everyone up, but gets insulted again by Maria.
11.) The Fact of Life with Eli Drake: Drake mocks and insults Tyrus for making him fight Ethan Carter with his briefcase at Open Fight Night, making him fight The DCC 3 on 2 last week and reminds Tyrus that he paid for Tyrus to watch his back so he owns Tyrus. Tyrus finally heard enough, grabs Drake by his throat and challenges him to a match next week.
12.) The Broken Hardy's meet the promoter Konnan and offer to fight for free because The Hardy's need no measley pesos, they just want Mexican tag team gold.
13.) Laurel Van Ness receives lingerie at her Bachelorette Party. Maria orders Allie to get their bridesmaid dresses, makes Allie the ring bearer and insults Allie some more.
14.) The Broken Hardy's tell Vanguard One to prepare an exit plan for them, after they win the Mexican Tag Team Championship of the world.
15.) "The Crash Tag Team Championship Match": Super Crazy and Psicosis (c) vs. The Broken Hardy's: The match closes out with Matt hitting the Twist Of Fate on Super Crazy, Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb and scores the pinfall to win the titles. After the match, Konnan tries to stop The Broken Hardy's from leaving with his tag team titles. Vanguard One teleports the Hardy's back to Cameron, North Carolina. Matt has another vision that they must continue their Expedition of Gold Tour next week.
16.) Sienna vs. Brooke Tessmacher: The match closes out with Sienna hitting two fall away slams on Brooke. Sienna goes for the AK47, but Brooke counters it and rolls up Sienna for the pinfall.
17.) A toothless stripper named Roxy shows up at Braxton Sutter's Bachelor Party. Mike Bennett slams the door in her face.
18.) In the parking lot, Eli Drake says he's ending Tyrus' career next week.
19.) Bobby Lashley Promo: Lashley brags about still being the Impact World Heavyweight Champion and there isn't one single person that can beat him. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett suddenly interrupts and heads to the ring. Barnett says he's disappointed in Lashley because he's making a lot of claims that he can't back up. Barnett challenges Lashley to a match. Lashley grabs Barnett and tells him to do the smart thing and leave. Barnett counters out and traps Lashley in an armbar submission. Lashley escapes and tells Barnett he'll face him next week for the Impact World Heavyweight Championship.
20.) Everyone is passed out at Braxton Sutter's Bachelor Party. Sutter takes a picture of Mike Bennett cuddling with Roxy the Stripper.
21.) "Anything Goes Street Fight Match": Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards: The match closes out with Angelina Love getting involved and helping Richards knock out Edwards with a steel chair. Edwards' wife Alicia suddenly arrives and jumps on Richards' back. Angelina drops Alicia to the mat with a forearm. Angelina handcuffs Alicia to the bottom rope and grabs a steel chair. Edwards crawls over and shields his wife, so Richards takes the steel chair. Richards unloads chair shots on Edwards as Alicia is forced to watch handcuffed. Richards nails one more final blow to the head of Edwards with the steel chair and leaves Edwards unconscious. Richards covers Edwards and Angelina makes the three count after knocking out the referee. Richards and Angelina celebrate to end the show.
- Magnus Returning?: TNA officials have announced that they are currently in talks with Nick "Magnus" Aldis on a possible return to TNA. Nothing is official yet, but rumors are that both parties are really interested.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap **
This week's main event saw a six man tag team match with The Rebellion battling Dalton Castle and The Boys. Jay Lethal's feud with Cody Rhodes also continued.
1.) Adam Page vs. Matt Sells: The match closes out with Page squashing Sells and hitting the Rite of Passage for the pinfall.
2.) The Bullet Club Promo: Cody Rhodes mocks the fans and Jay Lethal. Lethal hits the ring and walks into a 5 on 1 beat down. Bobby Fish, Jay White, Lio Rush, and the Motor City Machine Guns hit the ring and make the save for Lethal. An impromptu tag team match is made next.
3.) Adam Cole and Cody Rhodes vs. Jay Lethal and Bobby Fish: The match closes out with Lethal hitting the Lethal Injection on Cody as Fish locks the knee bar submission on Cole for the tap out victory.
4.) Mark Briscoe vs. Sal Rinauro: The match closes out with Rinauro getting a near fall Michinoku Driver on Briscoe. Briscoe hits the modified T-Bone suplex and then the Froggy Bow for the pinfall.
5.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": The Rebellion vs. Dalton Castle and the Boys: The match closes out with Castle attempting the Bang A Rang but misses. One of The Boys eat a Sky Splitter and a Rhett Titus Frogsplash for the pinfall.
- Dalton Castle And Colt Cabana Issues Continue: This week ROH posted a video of the continuing feud between Dalton Castle and Colt Cabana. Castle and The Boys came out to confront The Kingdom and ended up getting beaten down after Colt Cabana attacked them from behind.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
** New Beginning In Osaka Recap **
The main event of the show saw Tetsuya Naito defend his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Michael Elgin.
1.) Taka Michinoku defeated Henare.
2.) TenCozy defeated KUSHIDA and YOSHITATSU.
3.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Juice Robinson and Yuji Nagata defeated Hirooki Goto, Jado, Gedo, and YOSHI-HASHI.
4.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Roppongi Vice and Minoru Suzuki.
5.) "NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship": EVIL, BUSHI and SANADA defeated Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Ryusuke Taguchi, to win the titles.
6.) "RevPro British Heavyweight Championship Match": Katsuyori Shibata defeated Will Ospreay, to retain his title.
7.) "IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Triple Threat Match": Toru Yano and Tomohiro Ishii defeated Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe and Takashi Iizuka and Davey Boy Smith Jr., to retain the titles.
8.) "IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match": Hiromu Takahashi defeated Dragon Lee, to retain the title. Taguchi attacked Hiromu after the match.
9.) "IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match": Tetsuya Naito defeated Michael Elgin, to retain the title.
*** Other ***
"Today the world lost a true rebel. He did things "HIS" way. Not always right, not always wrong, but He always followed what he believed in."
- George "The Animal" Steele Passes Away: WWE Hall of Famer George "The Animal" Steele passed away this past Thursday at the age of 79. Wrestling agent Eric Simms noted on Facebook on Thursday that Steele had entered hospice care and that it wasn't looking good for him. WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund also noted on Facebook earlier this week that Steele was not at home when he called, and that Steele's wife informed Backlund that he may not be coming back home this time, indicating that he was under hospice care. Steele reportedly passed away on Thursday night.
- Ivan Koloff Passes Away: Former WWWF World Heavyweight Champion "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff passed away on Friday at the age of 74. PWInsider reports that Koloff passed away after a battle with liver cancer.
- Nicole Bass Passes Away: This past Friday former WWE and ECW talent Nicole Bass passed away at the age of 52. A friend of Nicole's announced on her Facebook page that Nicole became very sick a few days ago, suffered a major stroke and after being hospitalized, they were told there was nothing else that could be done for her, as she was announced brain dead.
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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