Sunday, March 5, 2017

Weekend 3 Count 3/5/17


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 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 ***

- Seth Rollins Will Be At Wrestlemania 33: If you missed RAW last Monday, Seth Rollins made his return to give us an update on his knee injury. Rollins stated that his doctors will not clear him in time for Wrestlemania 33, however, that will not stop him from still showing up and challenging Triple H to face him. Triple H responded by saying that it'll be the last thing Rollins ever does if he shows up and calls Triple H out.

- AJ Styles Becomes #1 Contender: In case you missed Smackdown Live last Tuesday, AJ Styles defeated Luke Harper to become the new #1 Contender to Bray Wyatt and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. 

- Randy Orton Turns On Bray Wyatt: If you missed Smackdown Live last Tuesday, Randy Orton finally turned on Bray Wyatt, burned down The Wyatt Family Compound, burned Sister Abigail's bones and then promised that he was coming for Bray Wyatt's WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

- Kurt Angle TV Return: Rumors are pointing at a Kurt Angle TV return on the RAW after Wrestlemania 33. There is talk of Angle possibly being the next RAW General Manager with Mick Foley set to leave soon for his hip operation.

- Finn Balor Returning Soon: According to WWE, Finn Balor is expected to finally make his return to the main roster on TV sometime in March. Balor returned last week in NXT and helped Shinsuke Nakamura fight off Bobby Roode. WWE is just waiting for Balor’s doctor to give him the approval. We definitely could be seeing the Demon King at Wrestlemania 33!

- Is Shaq vs. Big Show Still On For Wrestlemania 33: Last year Shaq and Big Show got together and both agreed on having a match against each other at Wrestlemania 33. Big Show stated that he's been thinking about retiring soon and would love to have another Wrestlemania moment by facing former NBA great Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq who's a huge fan of wrestling and has already done guest appearances in the past with WWE was on board for the idea. Recently things, however, appear to be changing up. Big Show, who has dropped major weight, has thinned down, gained muscle and is in probably the best shape of his life right now, is ready for Wrestlemania. Shaq on the other hand hasn't shown any seriousness in the match at all, hasn't been training and has actually looked to have put on some pounds. Big Show recently called out Shaq last week and stated that if he's not serious about this match, is going to embarrass Big Show at what he does for a living by not taking this serious and would rather eat donuts at Krispy Kream than just let Big Show know while he still has time to get a different match at Wrestlemania. Shaq recently responded and stated that it's not his fault if the match doesn't happen and that's all we need to know. The WWE is currently being rumored to possibly be dropping the match from the card. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but I'll keep you posted on this news.

- Beth Phoenix Announced For WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017: WWE officially announced this week that Beth Phoenix will be this year's Woman's Superstar to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Beth Phoenix joins Kurt Angle, Diamond Dallas Page, The Rock and Roll Express and Teddy Long for this year's Class of 2017.

- Jack Swagger Asks To Be Released: Former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger recently announced on Chael Sonnen's podcast that he has requested his release from the WWE. Swagger said it came down to his contract. The WWE doesn't really value him anymore and doesn't see him as a company asset, so their money offer was way off as to what Swagger wanted. Swagger also added that he hasn't been used on TV in a long time and feels he's had too many missed opportunities. Swagger says he's looking forward to continuing his wrestling career possibly in Mexico or Japan and is also willing to give MMA a go if offered the right price. 


** 205 Live Recap **
This week saw WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville and Jack Gallagher have one last face to face before their title match at WWE Fastlane.

1.) Noam Dar vs. Lince Dorado: The match closes out with Dorado hitting a springboard stunner on Dar and getting a near fall. Dorado goes to the top rope, leaps off and rolls through on the landing as Dar dodges Dorado. Dar connects with a kick on Dorado and then connects with the standing enziguri to score the pinfall.

2.) Akira Tozawa Interview: Austin Aries interviews Tozawa in the ring. Highlights of Tozawa’s current issues with Brian Kendrick are shown and Aries asks why Tozawa turned down Kendrick's offer. Tozawa says he respects Kendrick, but wants to make it in WWE alone. Aries asks about the lessons that Kendrick has been giving Tozawa for turning Kendrick down and how will Tozawa respond to that. Tozawa says he wants to fight Kendrick right now and Kendrick's music suddenly hits. Kendrick appears and says that he only fights on his own terms and Tozawa needs to learn english before Kendrick will fight him. Kendrick and Tozawa have a distant staredown to end the segment.

3.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Cedric Alexander, TJ Perkins, and Mustafa Ali vs. Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, and Ariya Daivari: The match closes out with Perkins countering a Nese attack, nails the Detonation Kick and gets a near fall. Perkins goes to the top rope, but Gulak kicks Perkins' legs out. Perkins is trapped in the corner as Nese connects with the Running Kneese and scores the pinfall.

4.) Neville and Jack Gallagher Face To Face: Neville says the Cruiserweight Division was created to showcase the best, but everyone forgot about the only best cruiserweight...Neville. Neville says at WWE Fastlane he'll not only beat Jack Gallagher, but publicly execute him. Jack Gallagher arrives and meets Neville in the ring. Gallagher says it sounds like Neville is having a meltdown and maybe some tea and biscuits will calm Neville down. Neville warns Gallagher that he's stepping into Neville's ring. Gallagher says the ring belongs to the fans, not Neville and maybe it's time for Neville to leave. Gallagher pounces on Neville and we have a brawl break out between champion and challenger. Neville stomps on Gallagher and then sends him head first into the mat. Neville runs the ropes, but eats a running drop kick by Gallagher, not once, but twice. Gallagher connects with a headbutt, sending Neville into the corner. Gallagher goes for a third running dropkick, but Neville escapes to the floor. Gallagher, however, follows and hits a running dropkick on Neville sending Neville flying over the barricade to end the show.


*** NXT ***

- Sonjay Dutt Spotted At Performance Center: Former TNA X Division Champion Sonjay Dutt was recently spotted at the WWE/NXT Performance Center working out as a trainer. It's unknown if Dutt is accepting a full time trainers spot or is planning on making an NXT debut at this time, but this is Dutt's second appearance at the Performance Center.


*** Impact Wrestling ***

** Impact Recap **
This week was the last of the current TV tapings, as the new set of tapings with the new owners begin next week. The main event of the show saw Impact World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley defend his title against Josh Barnett.

1.) "Impact Knockouts Championship, Last Woman Standing Match": Rosemary (c) vs. Jade: The match closes out with the fight going outside where Rosemary hits Red Wedding on Jade right on the floor. Jade is back up at 9 and the match continues. Jade sends Rosemary into the ringpost then spits water in Rosemary's face. Jade power bombs Rosemary on the ring steps, but Rosemary gets up before the 10 count, continuing the match. Jade and Rosemary brawl up the ramp and to the Impact stage. Rosemary spits mist in Jade's face after Rosemary counters another power bomb. Rosemary hits Red Wedding on Jade right on the ramp and both ladies are down. Rosemary stands just before the 10 count and retains her title.

2.) At the Hardy Compound, they decide to spend the day at Matt's personal zoo and Jeff, who houses Matt's powers in his vessel now, must find which vessel houses the spirit of Vincent Van Gogh as a test.

3.) Moose Promo: Moose calls out Cody Rhodes, who appears and attacks Moose from behind. Both men brawl as Impact Security try to separate them. Moose and Cody fight off security as more security hits the ring. Brandi Rhodes yells at Cody to stop and it looks like she's calmed him down. Cody grabs commentator Josh Mathews and tosses him across ringside as security again try to calm Cody down. Moose flies outside and takes out Cody and a group of security guys before order is finally restored.

4.) James Storm vs. Jessie Godderz: The match closes out with Godderz countering Eye of the Storm and goes for his Adonis Crab submission. Eddie Kingston suddenly hits the ring, but he gets taken out by Godderz. Godderz counters The Last Call by Storm, locks in the Adonis Crab submission and forces Storm to tap out, however, the referee misses it as Kingston is distracting the referee. Bram hits the ring and blasts Godderz with a steel chair, which sets up Storm for The Last Call on Godderz to score the pinfall.

5.) "Impact X Division Championship Match": Trevor Lee (c) vs. Andrew Everett: The match closes out with Everett hitting an enziguri and a frankensteiner on Lee. Everett goes for the cover, but Helms stops the referee from counting. Everett chases Helms away and then goes for the Shooting Star Press on Lee. Lee counters with his knees up, rolls up Everett with a handful of tights and scores the pinfall to retain his title.

6.) At the Hardy Compound, Jeff Hardy is searching for Vincent Van Gogh when he has a premonition showing them outnumbered. Jeff finds Matt and they all teleport out. The Hardy's land at a Flea Market with a wrestling event going on. The Hardy's demand to face the tag team champions, but the promoter says they already have challengers. Señor Benjamin secretly tasers the challengers, leaving the promoter no choice but to let The Hardy's fight. Jeff gets attacked by the #1 contenders, leaving Matt to fight the champions alone. Jeff and Señor Benjamin shoot fireworks at the #1 Contenders and chase them away. Jeff gets to the ring, where he and Matt win the match and the tag team titles. 

7.) Backstage, Moose is being attended to by medical when Impact Grand Champion Drew Galloway offers the injured Moose a title shot tonight.

8.) Backstage, Laurel Van Ness is found drunk, crying and still in her wedding dress from last week.

9.) "Impact Grand Championship Match": Drew Galloway (c) vs. Moose: Drew Galloway wins round #1 and Moose wins round #2. Round #3 closes out with Galloway landing a low blow on Moose, hits the Future Shock DDT and gets a near fall. Galloway tries a second Future Shock DDT, but Moose fights back and both men trade punches. Galloway hits the Claymore, but Moose gets back up and takes out Galloway with the Game Changer. Both men are down as time expires in round #3. The judges rule Moose the winner and the new Impact Grand Champion.

10.) "Impact World Heavyweight Championship Match": Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Josh Barnett: The match closes out with Barnett countering the spear and unloads punches and knees before going for an armbar submission on Lashley. Lashley is able to escape, but Barnett quickly applies a Keylock submission. Lashley again escapes and trades punches and kicks with Barnett. Barnett plants a kick to Lashley's head, but Lashley comes back with a clothesline. Lashley hits the spear on Barnett and scores the pinfall to retain the title.


- Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero Delete Themselves From Impact: Matt Hardy dropped a bombshell on Impact Wrestling this past Monday as he officially announced he and brother Jeff Hardy will not resign with Impact Wrestling and will be moving on to other promotions. The WWE talk has already begun! Matt tweeted out the following on his Twitter page this week. Many are thinking that new show runner Jeff Jarrett is to blame, as Matt Hardy has always been given free reign of his character. Many have said that Jarrett wasn't going to allow any wrestlers the opportunity to control their gimmicks.

"My stint with @IMPACTWRESTLING was DELIGHTFUL. EXCEPTIONAL talent & locker room. A great, respectful team that worked hard in tough times."

"I wish @IMPACTWRESTLING all the best going forward, especially the INDUSTRIOUS talent. I hope they're all treated with respect & fairness."

- Impact Wrestling Trying To Keep The Broken Gimmick: According to sources, Impact Wrestling is trying to stop Matt Hardy from taking his Broken gimmick with him to other promotions, now that he's done with Impact Wrestling. Matt Hardy, however, owns the rights to the gimmick and all the characters he's created with this gimmick. If Matt Hardy were to sign with WWE and owns the rights to the Broken gimmick, Vince McMahon's lawyers would destroy Impact in the court room and Impact would be left without the gimmick.

- Reby Sky Rips Impact Wrestling On Twitter: Reby Sky took to Twitter and ripped into Impact Wrestling after Anthem (Owners of Impact Wrestling) refused to let Matt Hardy appear at this week's TV tapings so The Hardy's could vacate the Impact World Tag Team Championship the right way. Reby tweeted the following:

“UNREAL WITH THE LITTLE B***** S***. U N R E A L. Why try to do things the right way when you get bs & drama in return? Matt is a nice guy. I’LL keep the sh**s “hostage”. F outta here. If mfers don’t start coming correct, I’m bout to melt some gold & have me some new gold hoops. Sigue y vas a ver. I’ve said it many times TNA was the perfect situation for our family & how grateful I was for professionalism/open communication/respect…now think about what kinda negative changes & straight f***ery would have to go down for us to leave.”

- New Impact Wrestling Logo: Impact Wrestling recently changed their logo once again to symbolize the new regime that is now run by Jeff Jarrett.

- Jade Leaves Impact Wrestling: It was announced this week that Jade has decided to leave Impact Wrestling at this time, as her contract has expired.

- Drew Galloway Leaves Impact Wrestling: It was announced this week that Drew Galloway has not accepted a new Impact Wrestling contract and has made the decision to leave Impact Wrestling and move on with his career.

- Mike and Maria Bennett Leave Impact Wrestling: Last week it was originally announced that Mike and Maria Bennett were set to sign a new 1 year contract with Impact Wrestling. However, the couple have now decided to back out of their new contracts and have decided to leave Impact Wrestling.  

- Jeff Jarrett Comments On All The Current Changes In Impact Wrestling: After all the releases this week of some top Impact Wrestling talent, Jeff Jarrett was recently asked about what's going on in Impact Wrestling. Jarrett tweeted the following:

"(1)For the record, it's @IMPACTWRESTLING 's corporate policy not to make any comments on talent contractual matters....(2) I personally wish nothing but continued success for @JEFFHARDYBRAND @MATTHARDYBRAND @GallowaySpeaks . All three of them are fantastic...(3) talent and wherever they land they will obviously do very well. Wrestling business can be tough at times, but one thing is for sure...(4)...the business is ALWAYS changing! Ready for @UniversalORL and can't wait for Thursday! #MIGA


*** RING OF HONOR ***

** ROH TV Recap **
This week's show saw the beginning of the ROH 2017 Top Prospects 8 Man Tournament. The main event of the show saw Marty Scurll defend his ROH Television Championship against Donovan Dijak.

1.) Christopher Daniels Promo: Daniels talks about his ROH career, main eventing ROH on their debut 15 years ago and destiny says he'll be ROH World Champion. ROH World Champion Adam Cole interrupts and mocks Daniels. Cole brings out Adam Page and the two head to the ring for a fight. Cole and Page attack Daniels until Kazarian finally arrives, makes the save and demands a tag team match right now.

2.) The Addiction vs. Adam Cole and Hangman Adam Page: The match closes out with Daniels getting double teamed, but tags Kazarian and take over on offense. Daniels goes for the Best Moonsault Ever on Cole, but Cole gets the boot up for the counter. Cole rolls up Daniels and scores the surprise pinfall. After the match, Daniels is disgusted that he just got pinned and Kazarian starts yelling at Daniels.

3.) Backstage, Kazarian is still yelling at Daniels, stating that Daniels isn't the only one with something to lose in this feud with Adam Cole.

4.) "Top Prospects Tournament Match": Sean Carr vs. John Skyler: The match closes out with Carr hitting a suicide dive on Skylar and then brawl onto the apron. Skylar hits a spear on Carr and gets a near fall. Carr hits a Code Breaker on Skylar and then trades shots with Skylar onto the ropes. Skylar plants Carr with a rolling senton and scores the pinfall to advance to the Semifinals.

5.) Backstage, ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions The Kingdom mock The Rebellion and hype their title match next week.

6.) The Motor City Machine Guns were supposed to face The Tempura Boyz, however, it was announced that MCMG was attacked backstage and unable to compete.

7.) "ROH Television Championship Match": Marty Scurll (c) vs. Donovan Dijak: The match closes out with Dijak hitting Feast Your Eyes for a near fall. Scurll goes after Dijak's fingers, snaps one and works on the hand. Dijak hits a chokeslam into a backbreaker combo on Scurll, but misses a corkscrew dive. Scurll traps Dijak in the chicken wing submission and twists Dijak's injured finger. Dijak has no choice but to tap out. After the match, Lio Rush hits the ring and has a staredown with Scurll. Scurll attacks and beats down Rush. The Rebellion, Motor City Machine Guns and Jay White all hit the ring and chase off Scurll to end the show.


*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***

** NJPW Honor Rising Day 1 Recap **
NJPW partnered with Ring of Honor Wrestling, bringing us Day #1 of Honor Rising. Honor Rising took place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The main event of the show saw The Briscoes battle ROH World Champion Adam Cole and Kenny Omega in tag team action.

1.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": David Finlay, Juice Robinson and KUSHIDA vs. Jado, Gedo and Silas Young: The match closes out with Robinson getting busted open. Robinson and Gedo trade punches until Robinson gets a near fall gut buster. KUSHIDA and Finlay hit suicide dives, taking out Young and Jado. Robinson hits Pulp Friction on Gedo and scores the pinfall.

2.) "NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Match": BUSHI, EVIL and SANADA (c) vs. Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger and Delirious: The match closes out with Tiger Mask hitting a Tiger Driver for a near fall. Delirious tags in and gets a near fall lariat. All six men brawl and Delirious locks SANADA in a Cobra Clutch submission. EVIL makes the save and works on Delirious. EVIL blasts Delirious with a steel chair and locks Skull End on Delirious, making Delirious tap out, to retain the titles. 

3.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Will Ospreay, YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto and Kazuchika Okada vs. The Bullet Club (Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi and Bad Luck Fale): The match closes out with Takahashi and HASHI trading punches. Okada is in, hits a drop kick and then helps Ospreay hit a suicide dive. HASHI connects with a lariat on Takahashi and scores the pinfall.

4.) War Machine vs. The Young Bucks: The match closes out with Matt and Nick Jackson both hitting 450's for near falls. Rowe counters the Meltzer Driver, as Hanson drops both Matt and Nick with power bombs. Rowe hits a pop up powerslam on Matt for a near fall. Nick unloads kicks and knees on Rowe, but Rowe drops Nick with another power bomb. Hanson splashes Nick and both members of War Machine corner Matt. Matt unloads punches and super kicks on War Machine, but gets blasted with a knee. War Machine hit Fallout on Matt and score the pinfall.

5.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Ryusuke Taguchi, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Dalton Castle vs. Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito and Punisher Martinez: The match closes out with Martinez countering Castle suplexes, but Castle lands a german suplex. Taguchi, Tanahashi and Castle hit triple drop kicks on Martinez. Castle goes to the top rope, but gets nailed by a Martinez spinning wheel kick. Martinez plants Castle with a choke slam and scores the pinfall.

6.) Katsuyori Shibata and Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Adam Page and Cody Rhodes: The match closes out with Shibata stopping a double team and tosses Page to the floor. Cody applies the American Nightmare submission on Shibata, but Lethal breaks it up. Shibata hits an STO on Cody and then Lethal and Page tag in. Lethal dives onto Cody and then tosses Page to the floor. Shibata hits the PK on Page and then Lethal hits the Lethal Injection to score the pinfall.

7.) The Briscoes vs. Kenny Omega and Adam Cole: The match closes out with Cole and Mark trading punches on the ropes. Jay hits a superplex on Cole and then Mark follows with the Froggy Bow for a near fall. Cole counters out of the Doomsday Device, but gets tossed to the floor. The Briscoes go for the Doomsday Device on Omega, but Omega counters out and then hits the V Trigger on Mark. Cole hits The Last Shot and scores the pinfall.

** NJPW Honor Rising Day 2 Recap **
NJPW partnered with Ring of Honor Wrestling, bringing us Day #2 of Honor Rising. Honor Rising took place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Day #2 saw a double main event on the show. ROH World Champion Adam Cole defended his title against YOSHI-HASHI. Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks battled The Briscoes, Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada in an Eight Man Tag Team Match.

1.) Silas Young and Jado vs. KUSHIDA and David Finlay: The match closes out with KUSHIDA drilling Finlay with a back breaker and a clothesline combo. KUSHIDA hits a Finlay roll on Finlay and then a moonsault for a near fall. Jado is in and tosses KUSHIDA onto the floor. KUSHIDA is back in the ring and plants Finlay with Misery to score the pinfall.

2.) "Ten Man Tag Team Match": Tiger Mask, Dalton Castle, Ryusuke Taguchi, Delirious and Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA and Tetsuya Naito: The match closes out with Castle hitting a series of suplexes on EVIL. Delirious shoves his own partner Liger and counts that as a tag in. All ten men brawl, as Delirious grabs a steel chair. Delirious ends up getting double teamed by EVIL and Naito. EVIL hits the STO on Delirious and scores the pinfall.

3.) War Machine vs. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa: The match closes out with Tonga countering Fallout. Tonga and Tanga hit top rope head butts and frog splashes for a near fall. Tonga and Tanga go for Guerrilla Warfare, but War Machine counter and a four man brawl breaks out. Tonga gets dropped with a lariat by Hanson, as Rowe takes out Tanga. Rowe counters a Stun Gun and War Machine hit Fallout to score the pinfall.

4.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale and Hangman Adam Page vs. Juice Robinson, Jay Lethal, and Hiroshi Tanahashi: The match closes out with The Bullet Club controlling Lethal and Tanahashi and beating down Robinson. Robinson tags Tanahashi and Tanahashi unloads. Tanahashi with a Sling Blade on Page for a near fall. Page and Lethal trade shots until Fale distracts Lethal. Page hits the slingshot clothesline on Lethal and scores the pinfall.

5.) "NEVER Openweight Championship Match": Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Punisher Martinez: The match closes out with Martinez hitting a boot on Goto, a spin kick and unloads elbows in the corner. Martinez gets a near fall Falcon Arrow and Goto goes outside. Martinez hits a suicide dive and tosses Goto back into the ring. Martinez hits a spin kick off the top rope on Goto for a near fall. Martinez goes for a choke slam, but Goto counters, hits the GRT, scores the pinfall and retains the title.

6.) "ROH World Championship Match": Adam Cole (c) vs. YOSHI-HASHI: The match closes out with HASHI locking in a sleeper on Cole. HASHI hits the Back Stabber and then lands a Swanton Bomb off the ropes on Cole for a near fall. Cole sends HASHI into the corner and then connects with a couple super kicks. Cole hits The Destroyer, but HASHI kicks out at two and a half. Cole losses his cool and nearly gets pinned in a rollup after HASHI countered The Last Shot. Cole lands another pair of super kicks on HASHI and lands a Shining Wizard for another near fall. Cole hits The Last Shot on HASHI and finally scores the pinfall to retain the title.

7.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks vs. The Briscoes, Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay: The match closes out with Ospreay getting suplexed onto a pile of bodies outside. Omega hits the V Trigger on Okada and goes for the One Winged Angel. Okada counters, but eats super kicks from The Young Bucks. Omega lands a snapdragon suplex on Okada. Omega and The Young Bucks hit triple super kicks on Okada. Ospreay and Cody begin brawling after Ospreay tries to make the save. Okada hits a drop kick on Omega, Jay Briscoe hits a superplex on Omega, Okada elbow and then the Briscoe Froggy Bow on Omega. Omega counters the Rainmaker, but Omega gets hit with the Spanish Fly from Ospreay. Ospreay hits the Falcon Arrow on Cody, but misses the Shooting Star Press. Cody counters an Ospreay cutter, hits Cross Rhodes and scores the pinfall.

** New Japan Road Recap **
NJPW New Japan Road was live at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The main event of the show saw IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada team up with Gedo to battle Tiger Mask IV and Tiger Mask W.

1.) Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomoyuki Oka: The match closes out with Oka hitting an over head belly to belly suplex on Takahashi. Oka gets busted up in the mouth and nose area. Takahashi hits a sliding drop kick on Oka for a near fall and then hits the Pimp Juice DDT to score the pinfall.

2.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Jado, YOSHI-HASHI, Beretta and Rocky Romero vs. Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru: The match closes out with Baretta hitting a DDT and tagging HASHI. HASHI unloads and an eight man brawl breaks out. Michinoku hits a super kick on HASHI for a near fall. HASHI hits the lung blower on Michinoku then locks Michinoku in the Butterfly Lock submission forcing Michinoku to tap out.

3.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tanga Roa, Tama Tonga, Kenny Omega and Bad Luck Fale: The match closes out with Nakanishi tagging in and putting Tonga in the rack submission. An eight man brawl breaks out that sees Omega hit the V Trigger on Nakanishi. Tonga hits the Gun Stun on Nakanishi and scores the pinfall.

4.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Jushin Thunder Liger, Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe vs. Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto: The match closes out with Liger hitting the palm strike and getting a near fall. Ishii and Yano both double team and beat down Liger. Yano rolls up Liger and scores the pinfall.

5.) Minoru Suzuki and Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. David Finlay and Katsuyori Shibata: The match closes out with Finlay and Smith unloading on each other and scoring near falls. Shibata is in and sends Suzuki out to the floor, where they both brawl. Smith plants Finlay with a power slam and a power bomb to score the pinfall.

6.) "Ten Man Tag Team Match": BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA, Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi vs. KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi, Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi: The match closes out with BUSHI hitting a Code Breaker on Juice for a near fall. Juice goes for his finisher, but EVIL makes the save. Juice lays out EVIL and destroys BUSHI with Pulp Friction to score the pinfall. After the match, Naito laid out Juice as EVIL and Tanahashi go face to face and shove each other. EVIL and Tanahashi begin brawling throughout the ringside area and have to be separated by NJPW officials.

7.) Kazuchika Okada and Gedo vs. Tiger Mask IV and Tiger Mask W: The match closes out with Okada hitting a dropkick on Tiger IV as Tiger W super kicks Gedo. Tiger IV locks in a double armbar submission on Gedo, until Okada and Tiger W break things up. Gedo traps Tiger IV in the Gedo Clutch submission, but it's again broken up by Okada and Tiger W. Okada eats a double drop kick. Tiger IV plants Gedo with a Tombstone piledriver. Both Tigers fly and hit double diving head butts on Gedo. Tiger W takes out Okada on the floor with a moonsault. Tiger IV hits a Tiger Suplex on Gedo and scores the pinfall.


*** EVOLVE ***

** EVOLVE 78 Recap **
EVOLVE 78 took place live in Joppa, Maryland. The main event of the show saw EVOLVE World Champion Timothy Thatcher defend his title against Fred Yehi. Matt Riddle and Drew Galloway continued their issues with each other. Zack Sabre Jr. battled Keith Lee one night before Sabre's EVOLVE World Championship Match.

1.) Anthony Henry vs. Matt Riddle: The match closes out with both men trading elbows. Riddle hits a jumping knee, a Fisherman's Buster and then plants Henry with a Tombstone. Riddle traps Henry in the Bromission and makes Henry tap out.

2.) Matt Riddle Promo: Riddle says 2017 is the year of the bro, names all the world titles he's winning and then calls out Drew Galloway for all the trash he's been talking. Catch Point interrupts instead and heads to the ring. Hot Sauce Tracy Williams says he understands that Riddle is fired up, but his match is over and it's Fred Yehi's time now. Yehi agrees and promises that he's defeating Timothy Thatcher tonight and winning the EVOLVE World Championship. 

3.) Austin Theory vs. Darby Allin: The match closes out with Allin hitting a springboard on Theory and then goes for the Coffin Drop. Theory counters and hits the Argentine backbreaker on Allin. Theory hits the Unproven Cutter on Allin and scores the pinfall.

4.) "All Ego" Ethan Page vs. Jason Kincaid: The match closes out with Kincaid hitting a slingshot stunner on Page and follows that with a slingshot X Factor, sending Page outside. Kincaid climbs the support beam, but Page cuts Kincaid off and power bombs him off the beam and to the mat. Page hits the RKEgo on Kincaid and scores the pinfall.

5.) Doom Patrol (Chris Dickinson and Jaka) vs. The Gatekeepers (Blaster McMassive and Flex Rumblecrunch): The match closes out with Jaka drop kicking Blaster off the apron and an hitting an exploder suplex on Flex. Dickinson hits a roundhouse on Flex and Jaka hits a Busaiku Knee for a near fall. Dickinson gets dropped with a Black Hole Slam and a double choke slam but somehow kicks out at two and a half. Dickinson and Jaka hit the double team Death Trap finisher and score the pinfall.

6.) ACH vs. "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams: The match closes out with ACH falling outside and Williams dragging ACH back into the ring, where Williams hits a back suplex for a near fall. Williams unloads forearms on ACH, but ACH fires back. Both men trade slaps until ACH connects with a bicycle kick on Williams and then a lariat. ACH hits two more lariats and then hits the Buster Call on Williams to score the pinfall.

7.) Drew Galloway vs. Jeff Cobb: The match closes out with Cobb hitting a swinging back suplex and then gets a near fall swinging german suplex with a bridge. Galloway attempts a backslide, but Cobb tries to power out of it. Galloway uses the turnbuckle to flip over Cobb, hook his arms and nail the Future Shock DDT to score the pinfall.

8.) Drew Galloway Promo: Galloway says it's hard to admit to being in a feud when the only word your opponent knows is "bro". Galloway says that Matt Riddle had the balls to call out Galloway tonight and Riddle didn't have to call out Galloway when he's been waiting for Riddle the whole time. Riddle arrives, goes face to face with Galloway and both men start swinging on each other. Galloway shoves Riddle into Cobb, who lays Riddle out with the Tour of the Islands. Catch Point hits the ring next and make the save as Cobb and Galloway escape.

9.) Keith Lee vs. Zack Sabre, Jr.: The match closes out with Lee hitting a Spirit Bomb on Sabre for a near fall. Lee tries a second Spirit Bomb, but Sabre counters and unloads uppercuts. Sabre counters a Lee wheelbarrow and gets a near fall bridging pin. Sabre goes for an armbar submission, but Lee counters, hits Ground Zero and scores the pinfall.

10.) Stokely Hathaway Promo: Hathaway says if people think that Fred Yehi is beating the EVOLVE World Champion Timothy Thatcher tonight, they're crazy. Hathaway then tells Zack Sabre Jr., who's still in the ring that he needs to move because he's taking Hathaway's spotlight. Hathaway introduces Timothy Thatcher as Sabre promises that if it's Thatcher that he defeats at EVOLVE 79 for the title he'll make Hathaway kiss him on the cheek after he takes the title.

11.) "EVOLVE World Championship Match": Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Fred Yehi: The match closes out with Yehi hitting a german suplex and applies the Koji Clutch, but Thatcher reaches the ropes. Yehi hits a running forearm, but misses a rolling elbow, as Thatcher applies a sleeper hold. Yehi tries to escape, but Thatcher turns it into a reverse chinlock submission. Thatcher grounds Yehi and locks in the Saka Otoshi submission and forces Yehi to tap out to retain the title.

** EVOLVE 79 Recap **
EVOLVE 79 took place in Woodside, Queens, New York. The main event of the show saw EVOLVE World Champion Timothy Thatcher defend his title against Zack Sabre Jr. Also on the show Drew Galloway finally goes one on one with Matt Riddle.

1.) "#1 Contenders Match": ACH vs. Jason Kincaid: The match closes out with Kincaid hitting a running slingshot stunner on ACH, but misses a double stomp attempt. ACH tosses Kincaid on the apron and then german suplexes Kincaid after he re-enters the ring. ACH connects with a series of lariats and then hits the Buster Call on Kincaid to score the pinfall.

2.) "Fatal Four Way Match": Anthony Henry vs. Austin Theory vs. Chris Dickinson vs. Fred Yehi: The match closes out with Theory getting destroyed with a buzzsaw roundhouse kick. Dickinson goes to piledrive Theory to the floor, but Yehi makes the save. Yehi unloads an elbow, a rolling elbow, another elbow and another rolling elbow on Henry. Henry catches a Yehi kick, hits a brainbuster on Yehi and gets a near fall. Yehi fights back and hits a reverse STO on Henry. Yehi locks in the Koji Clutch on Henry, but Henry is fighting it and refusing to tap out. Dickinson suddenly hits the Pazuzu Bomb on Theory and scores the pinfall.

3.) Jaka vs. Jeff Cobb: The match closes out with Jaka and Cobb trading german suplexes with each other. Jaka blocks another german suplex attempt and lands a super kick on Cobb. Cobb grabs Jaka and hits a pop up tossing german suplex. Jaka unloads kicks, chops and a back fist on Cobb. Jaka charges, but gets hit with Tour of the Islands by Cobb. Cobb covers and scores the pinfall.

4.) Keith Lee vs. "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams: The match closes out with Williams unloading elbows, but gets planted by a Lee spinebuster for a near fall. Lee goes to the top rope, but Williams charges and hits an Olympic Slam on Lee off the top rope for a very close near fall. Both men unload on each other until Lee finally hits Ground Zero on Williams and scores the pinfall.

5.) Darby Allin vs. "All Ego" Ethan Page: The match closes out with Page hitting a bulldog then puts a thumb in Allin's eye. Page flips off the fans and then hits a Avalanche Powerslam on Allin for a near fall. Page spits in Allin's face and then hits the RKEgo. Page hits a power bomb on Allin and scores the pinfall.

6.) "All Ego" Ethan Page Promo: Page brags about having three wins on Allin now and calls Allin a piece of trash that Page is taking out. The Gatekeepers bring a body bag into the ring, which Page shoves Allin into and zips it up. Page says Allin should be grateful to Page because Page made Allin's popularity grow. Page says that Allin can now consider his career dead and asks the fans to show respect to the first career killed by Page. Page concludes by stating that he will win the EVOLVE World Championship before anyone else does next.

7.) Drew Galloway vs. Matt Riddle: The match closes out with Galloway hitting the Air Raid off the ropes for a near fall. Riddle counters the Future Shock DDT and gets a near fall jackknife. Galloway goes for a Tombstone, but Riddle counters out and goes for the Bromission submission. Galloway tries to block it, forcing Riddle to unload repeatedly on Galloway with blows to the head. The referee stops the match as Galloway is beaten unconscious by Riddle. After the match, Galloway comes to and attacks Riddle. Fred Yehi and Tracy Williams hit the ring and save Riddle.

8.) "EVOLVE World Championship Match": Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Zack Sabre, Jr.: The match closes out with Sabre connecting with a roundhouse kick on Thatcher. Sabre applies a triangle choke submission, but Thatcher reverses out and applies the Fujiwara armbar submission. Sabre escapes, but eats a Thatcher knee to the throat. Thatcher applies a sleeper hold, but Sabre escapes. Sabre tries for a Octopus submission, but Thatcher counters. Sabre unloads kicks and elbows to Thatcher's head and finally cinches in the Octopus submission and then turns it into the Hurrah submission. Thatcher can't escape, can't fight it any longer and finally taps out. Zack Sabre Jr. is the new EVOLVE World Champion. After the match, Ethan Page hits the ring and attacks Sabre until ACH makes the save for Sabre. ACH congratulates Sabre and then says he's winning it from Sabre next to end the show.


*** Northeast Wrestling ***

** WrestleFest 21 Recap **
WrestleFest 21 took place in Waterbury, Connecticut and featured Kurt Angle's last independent wrestling match against Cody Rhodes before heading back to the WWE. The event also featured ROH's Donovan Dijak, WWE's Jerry "The King" Lawler, former WWE superstar "The Big Guy" Ryback, ROH's Hanson of War Machine and former TNA wrestler Mike Bennett with his wife Maria Bennett.

1.) "Triple Threat Match": Travis "Flip" Gordon defeated "Big Bacon" Brad Hollister and Vinny Marseglia. Flip hit a 450 Splash from the top rope to score the pinfall.

2.) The Battle Brothers defeated Adrenaline Rush, by pinfall.

3.) Wrecking Ball Legursky defeated Donovan Dijak, by pinfall. Legursky hit a guerilla press into a World's Strongest Slam for the pinfall.

4.) "Connecticut's Hardcore Icon" Rob Zombie defeated War Machine's Hanson, by pinfall. Zombie hits a chokeslam and a spike DDT for the win.

5.) Cam Zagami and "The Sexy Beast" Bull Dredd battled to a No Contest. Dredd challenges Zagami and Romeo Roselli to a tag match afterwards and brings out Jerry "The King" Lawler as his partner.

6.) "The Sexy Beast" Bull Dredd and Jerry "The King" Lawler defeated Cam Zagami and Romeo Rosseli, by pinfall. The Godfather, two hoes and The Great Khali made surprise appearances in this match.

7.) "The Big Guy" Ryback defeated "The Man Scout" Jake Manning, by pinfall with the Shell Shock. 

8.) "NEW World Heavyweight Championship Match": "The Miracle" Mike Bennett defeated T.K. O'Ryan (c) by pinfall, to win the title. Bennett won with a low blow as Maria Bennett distracted the referee.

9.) "Steel Cage Match": "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes defeated Kurt Angle, by pinfall. Angle locked Cody in the Ankle Lock submission, but Cody escaped by taking off his boot and then rolling up Angle for the pinfall. After the match, Cody tells Angle that if things don't work out where he's going, Angle will have a spot in The Bullet Club if he wants it.



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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