NHL
Blues @ Predators, Game 3 (NBC, 3pm)
Ducks @ Oilers, Game 3 (NBC Sports, 7pm)
---
The 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards (Disney, 7pm)
American Gods, PREMIERE (Starz, 9pm)
American Crime, FINALE (ABC, 10pm)
United Shades Of America (CNN, 10pm)
NBA Raptors @ Cavaliers, Game 1 (TNT, 7pm)
Rockets @ Spurs, Game 1 (TNT, 9:30pm)
NHL
Capitals @ Penguins, Game 3 (NBC Sports, 7:30pm)
NFL
The Top 100 Players of 2017, 100-91 (NFL, 8pm)
The Top 100 Players of 2017, 90-81 (NFL, 9pm)
Draft Grades (ESPN, 9pm)
---
Kids BBQ Championship, PREMIERE (Food, 8pm)
Taken, FINALE (NBC, 10pm)
TUESDAY 5/2
MLB Indians @ Tigers (STO, 7pm)
Orioles @ Red Sox OR Blue Jays @ Yankees (MLB, 7pm)
NBA
Wizards @ Celtics, Game 2 (TNT, 8pm)
Jazz @ Warriors, Game 1 (TNT, 10:30pm)
NHL
Senators @ Rangers, Game 3 (NBC Sports, 7pm)
Blues @ Predators, Game 4 (NBC Sports, 9:30pm)
MMA & BOXING
BOXING: Ivan Redkach vs. Argenis Mendez (FOX Sports 1, 9pm)
---
The Mick (FOX, 8:30pm)
The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions, Hall of Fame Epic Fails (MTV, 10pm)
NBA Raptors @ Cavaliers, Game 2 (TNT, 7pm)
Rockets @ Spurs, Game 2 (TNT, 9:30pm)
NHL
Capitals @ Penguins, Game 4 (NBC Sports, 7:30pm)
Ducks @ Oilers, Game 4 (NBC Sports, 10pm)
---
Plants Behaving Badly (PBS, 10pm)
Andy Cohen's Then & Now (Bravo, 10pm)
THURSDAY 5/4
MLB Indians @ Tigers (STO, 1pm)
Orioles @ Red Sox OR Marlins @ Rays (MLB, 7pm)
NBA
Celtics @ Wizards, Game 3 (ESPN, 8pm)
Jazz @ Warriors, Game 2 (ESPN, 10:30pm)
NHL
Senators @ Rangers, Game 4 (NBC Sports, 7:30pm)
---
Superstore, FINALE (NBC, 8pm)
Supernatural (The CW, 8pm)
Riverdale (The CW, 9pm)
Lip Sync Battle: Nicole Richie vs. John Michael Higgins (Spike, 10pm)
FRIDAY 5/5
MLB Indians @ Royals (STO, 8pm)
Indians @ Royals OR Red Sox @ Twins (MLB, 8pm)
NBA Cavaliers @ Raptors, Game 3 (ESPN, 7pm)
Spurs @ Rockets, Game 3 (ESPN, 9:30pm)
NHL
Predators @ Blues, Game 5 (NBC Sports, 8pm)
Oilers @ Ducks, Game 5 (NBC Sports, 10:30pm)
MMA & BOXING
Boxing: Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Robinson Castellano (ESPN 2, 8pm)
---
Al Madrigal: Shrimpin' Ain't Easy (Showtime, 9pm)
Blue Bloods, FINALE (CBS, 10pm)
Dr. Miami, FINALE (WE TV, 10:10pm)
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, Impact Wrestling, ROH, Lucha Underground, NJPW, House of Hardcore, ICW, CZW, FIP, AAW, 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 ***
- Great Balls Of Fire: No it's not the old Jerry Lee Lewis rock song, it's the name of the upcoming RAW only pay per view in July. WWE Great Balls of Fire will take place in Dallas, Texas.
- Brock Lesnar's First Universal Championship Defense: WWE announced this week that Brock Lesnar will be defending the WWE Universal Championship on July 9th at the WWE Great Balls of Fire pay per view, in Dallas, Texas.
- Charlotte Makes History: This past week, Charlotte became the first lady in WWE history to main event on RAW, Smackdown Live and on a pay per view.
- The Broken Universe Is Finally Coming To The WWE?
: The story broke this week that the WWE have purchased Matt Hardy's Broken Gimmick from Anthem, who own Impact Wrestling. WWE plan to use Matt Hardy with his Broken Gimmick soon, most likely after he and Jeff Hardy lose the WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship.
- Reby Hardy Says The Purchase Of The Broken Hardy Gimmick Is Fake: Matt Hardy's wife, Reby Hardy, who is always vocal on Twitter was at it again this week. Reby stated that the leaked story of the WWE buying The Broken Gimmick off of Anthem and Impact Wrestling is a lie. It's a lie because it's not Anthem's to sell, Matt Hardy owns all the rights to the Broken Universe. Reby stated that the whole selling to WWE story is Jeff Jarrett's way of trying to show people that Impact has power to do what they want now.
- Shaq Comments On Wrestlemania 33 Issue: Shaq announced on his podcast this week the issues he had with the WWE for Wrestlemania 33. Shaq stated that originally it was supposed to be Shaq vs. Big Show like he and Big Show agreed on last year. Shaq claims that the WWE scrapped that idea and wanted a Six Man Tag Team Match with Shaq leading one team and Big Show leading the other. Shaq then stated that the WWE scrapped that idea too and cancelled the match entirely. Big Show on the other hand is stating that the whole issue was with Shaq and him not taking the idea seriously.
- Nikki Bella Retiring: Sources are saying that Nikki Bella recently stated that she will be retiring from professional wrestling once her and John Cena officially get married. Nikki has also said that she will be looking into getting in to acting and will also be appearing on Dancing With The Stars.
- Tajiri Done With WWE: Tajiri announced on Twitter this week that he has decided not to return to the WWE after rehabbing from knee surgery. While he was waiting for clearance from the doctor, Tajiri did some coaching in NXT. WWE has been skeptical of clearing Tajiri due to his injury and his current age. Tajiri thanked Triple H, William Regal and the WWE for the opportunity, but has chosen to return to Japan.
- WWE Releases: According to WrestlingNewsSource.com, WWE have released NXT trainee Josh Bredl and interviewer Andrea DiMarco from their contracts. They join Tajiri, Simon Gotch, and fellow NXT wrestler Chris Atkins on the unemployment line, all of whom have been given the "future endeavours" treatment this month.
** 205 Live Recap ** This week's main event saw WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville battle Jack Gallagher in a one on one non title match.
- Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa vs. Noam Dar and Brian Kendrick: The match closes out with Tozawa hot tagging and unloading. Tozawa with a senton and a running knee. Kendrick regains control, but Tozawa escapes a Kendrick submission hold and then goes after Dar who tries to distract Tozawa. Dar accidentally blasts Kendrick aiming for Tozawa and then Tozawa hits a Shining Wizard on Kendrick to score the pinfall. After the match, Tozawa says making sure to pick the right partner is lesson #4 for Kendrick.
Winners: Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa, by pinfall.
- Mustafa Ali vs. Tony Nese: Before the match, Drew Gulak is out to disrupt the show with his say no to high flying campaign. The match closes out with Ali planting Nese with a tornado DDT and then goes to the top rope to attempt the Inverted 450 Splash. Gulak grabs Nese and pulls him out of the ring forcing the referee to DQ Ali. After the match, an angry Ali hits a flying somersault onto Gulak outside, taking Gulak out.
Winner: Tony Nese, by DQ.
- Jack Gallagher vs. Neville: The match closes out with Gallagher going to the top rope and attempting a super back drop on Neville. Neville counters and lands a shot to the face of Gallagher. Neville goes to work on Gallagher's head and neck area with a series of kicks. Neville gets Gallagher down to the mat and traps him in the Rings of Saturn submission for the tap out win. After the match, Austin Aries hits the ring, jumps Neville from behind and beats him down to end the show.
*** NXT ***
- Crazzy Steve Coming To NXT: A few weeks back I noted that Impact's Crazzy Steve decided not to resign with Impact Wrestling. It was announced this week that Steve has signed with the WWE and will be joining the NXT roster very soon.
- Gunner Possibly Signing With NXT: Former Impact wrestler Gunner has been spotted working out at the WWE/NXT Performance Center in Orlando. According to reports Gunner is waiting for his physical test to come back and given the ok by WWE Doctors so he can officially sign with NXT.
*** Impact/Global Force Wrestling ***
** Impact TV Recap ** This week's main event saw LAX defend the Impact World Tag Team Championship against The Decay in a Street Fight Match.
- Josh Mathews Promo: Mathews arrives with three men in suits. Mathews says that this company will not tolerate Bully Announcers (Stab at JBL in WWE) and the three men with him have breaking news. Mathews says that due to Jeremy Borash striking Mathews last week, JB is suspended for the next 30 days. Mathews has JB escorted from the announcers table and takes over his commentator duties.
- "Reborn" Matt Sydal vs. Trevor Lee: The match closes out with Shane Helms trying to distract Sydal. Sydal kicks Lee who then crashes into Helms. Sydal hits a running knee on Lee and then finishes Lee off with the Shooting Star Press for the pinfall.
Winner: Matt Sydal, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Sienna tells Karen Jarrett she's looking for GFW Women's Champion Christina Von Eerie, but can't find her. Jarrett says Eerie is wrestling tonight so Sienna better pay close attention.
- Ethan Carter Promo: EC3 mocks the new Make Impact Great slogan. EC3 demands respect and he has in fact found himself like Bruce Prichard suggested. EC3 goes over his accomplishments, promises to send the new talent back where they came from and then mocks the fans. EC3 says he's winning back the Impact World Championship at Slammiversary and as for James Storm, he's a ghost of the companies past and an overrated piece of crap. James Storm interrupts and heads to the ring. Storm calls EC3 jealous and Storm has been out of the world title picture far too long. Storm calls EC3 "fugly", doesn't have the Carter Family to protect him anymore and he could beat EC3 anytime he wants. EC3 refuses to fight and walks away. Storm insults EC3 on the way out, forcing EC3 to change his mind and hit the ring. Both men trade shots until EC3 retreats again. EC3 uses a woman at ringside as a shield and sneaks a low blow in on Storm. EC3 lays Storm out with the One Percenter and says that Impact needs him because he's a Carter.
- "GFW Women's Championship Match": Christina Von Eerie vs. Ava Storie: The match closes out with Christina dominating Ava throughout the match. Christina hits a super backstabber off the ropes on Ava to score the pinfall to retain her title.
Winner: Christina Von Eerie, by pinfall, to retain the GFW Women's Championship.
- Backstage, Magnus interrupts Alberto El Patron and says El Patron doesn't deserve an Impact World Championship Match. Magnus and El Patron start shoving each other until Karen Jarrett interrupts and announces they'll face each other in two weeks for the GFW World Championship.
- "Impact Grand Championship Match": Moose (c) vs. Davey Richards: Gary Barnidge, former tight end of the Cleveland Browns and free agent DeAngelo Williams, formally of the Pittsburgh Steelers, are with Moose tonight. Richards wins Round #1 as all three judges vote 10-9 for Richards. Moose wins Round #2 with two of the three judges voting 10-9 for Moose. The match closes out with Richards hitting a double foot stomp for a near fall with a minute left in the final round. Richards traps Moose in an ankle lock submission, but Moose is hanging on and not tapping out. Eddie Edwards suddenly hits the ring and attacks Richards, getting the match thrown out by the referee. Impact Officials hit the ring and pull Edwards off Richards. After the match, Richards shoves DeAngelo Williams. Williams shoves Richards into Gary Barnidge, who lifts up Richards and slams him.
Winner: No Contest.
- Kongo Kong vs. Matt Sigmon: The match closes out with Kong making quick work of Sigmon with a corner cannonball and a top rope splash for the pinfall.
Winner: Kongo Kong, by pinfall.
- Veterans Of War (Mayweather and Wilcox) vs. Fallah Bahh and Mario Bokara: Mayweather is the man formally known as Crimson. The match closes out with Bahh and Bokara attempting a double team, suplexing Mayweather. Mayweather gets right back up and lays out both men. The VOW make quick work and score the pinfall.
Winners: Veterans of War, by pinfall.
- Swoggle, who's been teasing Spud at ringside all night, attacks Spud with the ringbell hammer until Impact Officials carry Swoggle away.
- Backstage, Eli Drake is angry that he wasn't on the live show last week. He's sick of seeing all the new talent getting special treatment. Tyrus asks Drake if he's jealous. Drake says no, but he needs to make something happen.
- "Impact World Tag Team Championship, Street Fight Match": LAX (c) vs. The Decay: The match closes out with Abyss getting sandwiched in between two barbed wire boards. Santana hits a splash on Abyss while he's sandwiched in between the boards. Crazzy Steve grabs Ortiz and hits a Death Valley Driver and gets a near fall after Konnan stops referee Brian Hebner from counting. Homicide tries to attack Steve, but gets tossed back out to the floor. Steve lays Ortiz on a table and dumps thumb tacks on top of him. Steve goes for a moonsault on Ortiz, but gets caught by Santana and Homicide. LAX hit a double team power bomb/neck breaker combo on Steve from the top rope, with everyone crashing through the thumb tack covered table. Ortiz falls on top of Steve and scores the pinfall to retain the titles.
- New Global Force Wrestling World Champion Crowned: This past week, Alberto El Patron defeated Magnus to win the GFW World Championship. This match is expected to be aired on Impact.
- New Global Force Wrestling Women's Champion Crowned: This past week, Sienna defeated Christina Van Eerie to win the GFW Women's Championship. This match is expected to be aired on Impact.
- Holla If You Hear Me!: This past week at the Impact TV tapings, Scott Steiner returned to Impact Wrestling. Steiner will team up with Josh Mathews and battle Jeremy Borash and Joseph Parks at Impact Slammiversary 15.
- Matt Sydal Debuts: Former WWE World Tag Team Champion Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne) made his official Impact debut this week at the Impact TV tapings. Sydal has worked for WWE, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, EVOLVE and several other promotions. Sydal looks to be a great edition to the X Division.
- Jack Swagger Coming To Impact?: Jack Swagger was recently interviewed this week and stated that he is very interested in signing with Impact Wrestling and is currently in talks with the company.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap ** This week the Finals of the ROH Top Prospect Tournament took place. The main event of the show saw ROH Television Champion Marty Scurll defend his title against Kazarian.
- Christopher Daniels Promo: Daniels talks about defeating Dalton Castle at Supercard of Honor and will take on all comers. Daniels hypes the Fatal Four Way Match that will determine his #1 Contender for the ROH World Championship, states that he has some unfinished business with Cody Rhodes and wants to wrestle him tonight. Cody interrupts and is all for having the match now, but then backs out of it, because the fans aren't worthy enough and he'd rather have a title shot. Daniels suggests a triple threat match with whoever the next #1 Contender is, but Daniels can't make that decision. Cody says Daniels being the champion should be able to make decisions like that, because after all Cody listens to no one and does whatever he wants. Cody then leaves the fans to imagine someone who doesn't care about Ring of Honor, like Cody, as the next ROH World Champion.
- A highlight video is shown of Marty Scurll defeating Adam Cole at Supercard of Honor to retain his ROH Television Championship.
- Backstage, #1 Contender to the ROH Television Championship Kazarian says he's impressed with everyone Marty Scurll has beaten. Kazarian then warns Scurll to bring his umbrella when Kazarian gets his title shot because Kazarian is going to make it rain blood.
- Lio Rush vs. "The Notorious" Shane Taylor: The match closes out with Rush going for the Dragon's Call, but gets distracted by Caprice Coleman. Rush drops Coleman with a handspring elbow. Rush misses an aerial assault as Taylor moves. Taylor hits a lariat on Rush and then the Choke Buster to score the pinfall. After the match, The Motorcity Machine Guns check on Rush, but get jumped by Taylor. Taylor beats down both Shelley and Sabin and then hits a splash off the ropes on Sabin's leg.
Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall.
- "Top Prospect Tournament Final Match": Josh "The Goods" Woods vs. "The Southern Savior" John Skyler: The match closes out with Skyler hitting a slingshot spear on Woods. Skyler gets caught on the second one and laid out with a modified GTS by Woods for a near fall. Skyler hits a super kick on Woods, but Woods comes back with a german suplex on Skyler into a bridged pin for a near fall. Woods traps Skyler in a cross arm breaker submission and forces Skyler to tap out to win the tournament. After the match, David Starr attacks Woods from behind and lays Woods out with a forearm. Starr welcomes Woods to ROH then kicks Woods in the head.
Winner: Josh Woods, by submission, to win the Top Prospect Tournament Final and win an ROH contract.
- "ROH Television Championship Match": Marty Scurll (c) vs. Kazarian: The match closes out with Scrull grabbing a bag of white powder under the ring and puts some in his hands. Scurll throws it at Kazarian, misses and the powder goes into the referees eyes. Kazarian hits the Ace of Spades and covers Scurll, but there's no referee to count. Hangman Adam Page arrives with a steel chair, but gets sent flying off the apron by Kazarian. Scurll grabs Kazarian and goes for the Chicken Wing submission. Kazarian counters and gets a near fall rollup as the referee is back in the match. Scurll kicks Kazarian towards the ropes where Page unloads a steel chair shot right to the skull of Kazarian. Scurll rolls up a knocked out Kazarian and gets the easy pinfall to retain his title. After the match, Christopher Daniels tries to inform the referee of what happened, but the referee isn't listening. Scurll grabs a microphone and says there is no long left to beat in ROH. Matt Sydal suddenly interrupts, returning to ROH. Sydal wants a title shot, but Scurll retreats out of the ring to end the show.
Winner: Marty Scurll, by pinfall, to retain the ROH Television Championship.
- Cody Rhodes Signs With Ring of Honor: PWTorch announced this week that Cody Rhodes has officially signed a contract with Ring of Honor wrestling. Cody spent the past year since leaving the WWE, wrestling at different independent shows, ROH, Impact and NJPW. Cody stated last week that it was time to finally settle down with one promotion and he has chosen Ring of Honor.
- Adam Cole Looking At NXT: Adam Cole stated this week that once his ROH contract expires he wants to start his WWE career by signing with NXT. Cole feels that he can make a huge impact in NXT before moving on to the WWE main roster.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
* Road To Wrestling Dontaku Recap * Road To Wrestling Dontaku took place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The main event of the show saw Bad Luck Fale and Kenny Omega battle IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii.
- Hirai Kawato vs. Syota Umino: The match closes out with Umino unloading forearm shots and then escapes a camel clutch submission attempt by Kawato. Kawato traps Umino in the Young Lion Crab submission, puts the knee into the back adding pressure and forces Umino to tap out in under five minutes.
Winner: Hirai Kawato, by submission.
- Tomoyuki Oka vs. YOSHI-HASHI: The match closes out with Oka landing shots on Yoshi and Yoshi demands him to hit him harder. Oka lands a spinebuster and a Saito Suplex on Yoshi. Yoshi comes back with a crab submission and then locks in the Butterfly Lock submission. Oka tries to escape, but taps out.
Winner: YOSHI-HASHI, by submission.
- Jado and Toru Yano vs. TAKA Michinoku and Takashi Iizuka: The match closes out with Taka getting trapped in a crossface submission, but Iizuka makes the save. Iizuka hits his finisher on Jado to score the pinfall.
Winners: Taka Michinoku and Takashi Iizuka, by pinfall.
- "Eight Man Tag Team Match": The Bullet Club (Chase Owens, The Guerrillas of Destiny and Yujiro Takahashi) vs. David Finlay, Katsuya Kitamura and Team TenKoji: The match closes out with Finlay getting the beat down from The Bullet Club until finally hot tagging Kojima. Kojima cleans house with chops on The Bullet Club. Kitamura tags in next, but ends up eating a DDT from Takahashi, securing the win for The Bullet Club.
Winners: The Bullet Club, by pinfall.
- "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Hirooki Goto, Roppongi Vice and Will Ospreay vs. El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru: The match closes out with Roppongi Vice hitting suicide dives to the floor, taking out everyone. Ospreay and Desperado are left alone in the ring. Ospreay unloads offense on Desperado and then finishes him off with the Oscutter to score the pinfall.
Winners: Hirooki Goto, Roppongi Vice and Will Ospreay, by pinfall.
- "Ten Man Tag Team Match": Juice Robinson, YOSHITATSU, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ricochet and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA and Tetsuya Naito: The match closes out with Yoshitatsu getting trapped in the Skull End submission and tapping out. After the match, Naito attacked and beat down Juice. SANADA attacked Taguchi and tied him up.
Winners: BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA, Takahashi and Naito, by submission.
- Bad Luck Fale and Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii: The match closes out with Ishii countering the One Winged Angel from Omega on a few attempts and both end up outside brawling. Okada escapes the Grenade from Fale, but Fale hits the Tombstone on Okada and pins the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the middle of the ring. After the match, Fale hits the Grenade on Okada and then beats down Gedo for trying to make the save. Omega promises that the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is coming to The Bullet Club.
Winners: Bad Luck Fale and Kenny Omega, by pinfall.
Katsuyori Shibata Update: This past week, Katsuyori Shibata provided a blog with an update on his current condition. Shibata stated that the right side of his body is still handicapped and he will need another surgery in May. Shibata suffered a serious head injury during his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match against Kazuchika Okada, after delivering a head butt that went wrong causing Shibata to bleed from the forehead.
*** EVOLVE ***
** EVOLVE 82 Recap ** Matt Riddle defended his newly won WWN World Championship against Timothy Thatcher. The main event of the show saw "All Ego" Ethan Page battle Darby Allin in a Last Man Standing Match.
- Matt Riddle Promo: Riddle is the first ever WWN World Champion now and knows he's got a target on him. Riddle challenges Timothy Thatcher as his first title defense so he can finally defeat Thatcher, who's beaten Riddle three times in the past. Stokely Hathaway interrupts and says that his client Timothy Thatcher accepts the challenge, but he wants the match now so he can get the hell out of this dump of a city.
- "WWN World Championship Match": Matt Riddle (c) vs. Timothy Thatcher: The match closes out with Riddle getting a near fall with a butterfly suplex. Thatcher unloads knees, punches and strikes on Riddle. Out to the floor Thatcher unloads an over head elbow and then sends Riddle into the apron. Back in the ring, Riddle hits a release german suplex on Thatcher. Thatcher counters the Bro To Sleep and traps Riddle in the Fujiwara Armbar submission. Riddle counters out of it, but catches elbows from Thatcher. Riddle finally locks Thatcher in the Bromission submission and forces Thatcher to tap out to retain the title. After the match, Stokely Hathaway tries to convince Riddle to turn on the fans and be like Timothy Thatcher, so his title reign will last even longer. Riddle says no, he loves hanging out with the fans.
Winner: Matt Riddle, by submission, to retain the WWN World Championship.
- ACH vs. Austin Theory: The match closes out with ACH catching Theory and taking him over with a fireman's carry neckbreaker on the knee. ACH places Theory on the turnbuckle, but Theory escapes and plants ACH with a backbreaker into a power bomb for a near fall. ACH counters a suplex from Theory, but eats an enziguri instead. ACH fires back with forearm shots and hits the Buster Call on Theory to take the match.
Winner: ACH, by pinfall.
- Drew Galloway Promo: The fans immediately chant "You Sold Out", as Galloway is now employed by WWE/NXT. Galloway gave everything, but was disrespected by everyone. He was suspended for no reason and screwed out of the EVOLVE World Championship. He's sick of this night club wrestling venue and is moving on to bigger and better things. He tells the fans that they can stick it and they all stink. Galloway then slaps the referee that screwed him in his match against Matt Riddle and then demands Zack Sabre Jr. to have their match right now. Sabre arrives and that match is now.
- Drew Galloway vs. Zack Sabre, Jr.: The match closes out with Galloway going for a chokebomb on Sabre. Sabre counters it and locks in the Triangle Choke submission. Galloway fights it and deadlifts Sabre into the air. Sabre counters again and locks in the Kimura submission. Sabre with Ode To Jim Breaks when suddenly Ethan Page and The Gatekeepers hit the ring. Sabre gets the 4 on 1 beat down and then planted with a release power bomb. Page grabs Sabre's EVOLVE World Championship and hands it to Galloway. Sabre continues to get beat down as Galloway grabs a sledgehammer. Page and The Gatekeepers hold Sabre and make him watch as Galloway sets up the EVOLVE World Championship to be smashed with the sledgehammer. Keith Lee hits the ring and makes the save before any damage can be done. Flex of The Gatekeepers gets his arm broke by Sabre before he can escape.
Winner: No Contest.
- Keith Lee vs. Kyle O’Reilly: The match closes out with O'Reilly hitting the Mafia Kick on Lee, dropping Lee on the apron. O'Reilly measures up Lee and hits diving knees on the apron. O'Reilly goes to the top rope and misses the missile dropkick. Lee charges, runs O'Reilly down with the Pounce and hits a spinebuster for a near fall. Lee goes to the top rope, but gets cut off and kicked by O'Reilly. O'Reilly attempts a superplex, can't get it, so O'Reilly kicks Lee, what looked to be accidental in the family jewels. The referee calls the DQ and ends the match. Lee refuses to win the match that way and demands the match restarted. The referee allows it and it continues. Lee can't put O'Reilly away with the Spirit Bomb. O'Reilly ends up hitting a brain buster on Lee and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly, by pinfall.
- "EVOLVE World Tag Team Championship Match": Fred Yehi and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams (c) vs. Chris Dickinson and Jaka: The match closes out with Yehi getting planted with the sit down Pazuzu Bomb, but Williams makes the save. Yehi lands a drop kick and trades punches with Dickinson. Jaka takes out Williams on the floor with a suicide dive. Yehi gets planted with an inverted DDT and laid out with the Death Trap, but somehow kicks out at two and a half. Yehi with a Stunner on Dickinson and then tags in Williams. Williams lands double drop kicks and goes for the piledriver on Jaka. Dickinson makes the save and grabs Williams. Williams gets laid out with the Pazuzu Bomb and pinned, giving Dickinson and Jaka the titles. After the match, both teams shake hands.
Winners: Chris Dickinson and Jaka, by pinfall, to win the EVOLVE World Tag Team Championship.
- Larry Dallas Promo: Before Williams and Yehi leave the ring, Larry Dallas interrupts and asks Faction Catch Point how they feel about Hot Sauce Tracy Williams being in talk with Stokely Hathaway to be their agent. Williams denies everything and storms off. Yehi grabs Dallas and drills him with three straight german suplexes. Dallas is carried off from the ring by EVOLVE Medical.
- "Last Man Standing Match": Darby Allin vs. "All Ego" Ethan Page: The match closes out with Page grabbing a shovel and bashing Allin right in the elbow with it. Allin, bleeding from the arm gets grabbed by Page and shoved into a body bag. Page zips it half way up and then unloads punches on Allin. Page dumps a bag of thumb tacks into the body bag with Allin and then zips the bag completely closed. Page hits a release power bomb on Allin while trapped in the body bag. Page stops the referee's count and unzips the body bag. Page pulls Allin out and grabs a pair of handcuffs. Austin Theory hits the ring to make the save. Theory gets laid out as Priscilla Kelly tries to help. Page back body drops Allin right into Kelly taking her out. Page hits a release power bomb on Allin right through a steel chair. Page and Gatekeeper Blaster bury Allin under a pile of steel chairs. Page hits the Spinning Dwayne on Theory and then throws Allin and Kelly on top of the steel chair pile. The referee counts Allin out and Page wins the match.
** EVOLVE 83 Recap ** EVOLVE 83 saw Zack Sabre Jr. defend his EVOLVE World Championship against Lio Rush. In the main event of the show, Matt Riddle defended his WWN World Championship against Drew Galloway in an I Quit Match.
- "All Ego" Ethan Page vs. Austin Theory: The match closes out with Page hitting the Spinning Dwayne on Theory for the win. Gatekeeper Blaster was present, but Gatekeeper Flex is no longer with EVOLVE wrestling after announcing his retirement.
Winner: "All Ego" Ethan Page, by pinfall.
- Stokely Hathaway Promo: Hathaway is in the ring with Catch Point leader Hot Sauce Tracy Williams. Williams announces that the rumors are true, Hathaway is now Catch Point's agent. Fred Yehi, Chris Dickinson, and Jaka hit the ring. Yehi quits Catch Point, refusing to be teamed with Hathaway. Dickinson and Jaka agree to stay in Catch Point. Williams and Dickinson state that Catch Point is about competition and they're going to demonstrate that right now in a one on one match.
- "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams vs. Chris Dickinson: The match closes out with Dickinson attempting a springboard, but Williams catches him and traps Dickinson in a cross face submission forcing Dickinson to tap out. After the match, Team Catch Point all shake hands and appear to be on the same page with Stokely Hathaway leading them now.
Winner: "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams, by submission.
- Jaka vs. ACH: The match closes out with ACH setting Jaka up for the brain buster. Jaka counters out of it and plants ACH with a Tiger Bomb to score the pinfall.
Winner: Jaka, by pinfall.
- Keith Lee vs. David Starr: The match closes out with Lee taking control of Starr and planting him with a powerslam to score the pinfall.
Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall.
- Kyle O'Reilly vs. Fred Yehi: Fred Yehi's first match after quitting Catch Point ended with O'Reilly hitting a brain buster on Yehi and then makes Yehi tap out to an arm bar submission.
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly, by submission.
- "EVOLVE World Championship Match": Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Lio Rush: The match closes out with Rush hitting the Spanish Fly and follows that up with a frog splash on Sabre and gets a very close near fall. Rush appears to be in control until Sabre catches Rush in a surprise pinfall rollup to retain the title. After the match, Ethan Page and Gatekeeper Blaster appear. Page debuts a new Gatekeeper and both Gatekeepers beat down Sabre. Page says this is a warning to Sabre that he's taking his title in May at the next EVOLVE shows.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr., by pinfall, to retain the EVOLVE World Championship.
- "WWN World Championship, I Quit Match": Matt Riddle (c) vs. Drew Galloway: The match closes out with Galloway delivering three straight Future Shock DDT's, but Riddle refused to quit. Galloway delivers another Future Shock DDT on a steel chair, but Riddle still doesn't quit. Galloway uses a rope to tie up Riddle and pound him repeatedly with punches, but Riddle still won't quit. Galloway talks trash to the referee and catches a kick from Riddle, allowing the referee time to untie Riddle. Galloway grabs a sledgehammer and looks to use it, but Riddle intercepts it. Riddle goes to use the sledgehammer, but gets low blowed by Galloway. Galloway again talks trash to the referee and suddenly gets caught in the Bromission submission by Riddle. Galloway can't escape and has no choice but to quit the match, giving Riddle the victory to retain his title.
Winner: Matt Riddle, by submission, to retain the WWN World Championship.
- Catch Point Confronts Matt Riddle: After the match, Stokely Hathaway, Tracy Williams, Chris Dickinson and Jaka hit the ring and congratulate their fellow Catch Point teammate Matt Riddle. Hathaway says he's excited to be the client of the WWN World Champion. Riddle interrupts and says "Bro, No Way", refusing his alliance with Catch Point. Galloway suddenly attacks Riddle from behind and beats Riddle down as Catch Point walk out on Riddle. Galloway goes to use the sledgehammer, but Keith Lee makes the save and tosses Hathaway over to Riddle. Riddle lays out Hathaway with Bro To Sleep and celebrates with Lee.
*** House of Hardcore ***
** House of Hardcore 24 Recap ** Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore returned for night #1 of the usual two night shows. House of Hardcore 24 was live in Metuchen, New Jersey, with the main event seeing former ECW Legends Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray teaming up to battle The Squad (WWE's The Spirit Squad)in a New Jersey Street Fight.
- Bull James vs. TJ Marconi: The match closes out with Marconi hitting a big boot on James. James comes back, slams Marconi, then hits Bombs Away from off the top rope to score the pinfall in under five minutes.
Winner: Bull James, by pinfall.
- Action Ortiz vs. Rhett Titus: The match closes out with Ortiz landing a german suplex and then a lariat on Titus for a near fall. Ortiz and Titus battle up to the top rope where Titus is sent flying off. Ortiz misses the Frog Splash as Titus moves. Titus connects with a big boot and then hits the Big Dog Splash on Ortiz to score the pinfall.
Winner: Rhett Titus, by pinfall.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Gigolo Justin, Vik Dalishus, and Hale Collins vs. Devon Storm, Pat Buck, and Little Guido: The match closes out with a six man brawl breaking out. Buck flies through the air and suicide dives everyone outside. Guido attempts a suicide dive, but one of Dalishus' girls lets him motorboat her chest. Collins drops Guido with a super kick and then trades shots with Storm on the top rope until Storm sends Collins flying off with a hurricanrana. Guido hits the Unprettier on Collins and then Buck follows up with a top rope splash for the pinfall.
Winners: Devon Storm, Little Guido and Pat Buck, by pinfall.
- Alex Reynolds vs. Matt Striker: The match closes out with Reynolds and Striker both attempting a series of roll ups, cradles and small packages for a bunch of near falls. Striker plants a super kick on Reynolds and then goes for the Pedigree. Striker gets distracted by Reynolds' manager, gets trapped in the crossface submission by Reynolds and ends up tapping out.
Winner: Alex Reynolds, by submission.
- Brian Cage vs. MVP: The match closes out with MVP delivering the facebuster and the Ballin' elbow. Two near falls by MVP with a fisherman's suplex and the Play of the Day. MVP tries a second Play of the Day, but Cage counters and lays MVP out with an F5 for a near fall. Cage unloads on MVP, hits a power slam, but misses a moonsault. MVP misses a running boot and gets hit by a Cage lariat. Cage hits Anticlimactic on MVP and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Brian Cage, by pinfall.
- Sami Callihan vs. Bobby Fish: The match closes out with both men trading shots in the corner. Fish hits an Xploder on Callihan and follows that up with a Falcon Arrow. Fish locks in the Heel Hook submission, but Fish reaches the ropes for the break. Callihan traps Fish in a Sharpshooter submission, but Fish counters out with a near fall roll up. Callihan plants Fish with a sit down power bomb and then traps Fish in the Stretch Muffler submission, forcing Fish to tap out. After the match, both men continued to brawl around ringside.
Winner: Sami Callihan, by submission.
- "New Jersey Delete Street Fight Match": Broken Matt Hardy vs. Tommy Dreamer: Before the match can even happen The Squad hits the ring and announce that they have been sent out here by Vince McMahon and this match will not happen due to Matt being property of the WWE now. The Squad state that they are coming for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship and demand Matt Hardy to leave the ring and go back to WWE HQ now. Matt attacks and brawls with The Squad. Matt gets powder tossed in his eyes, allowing The Squad to take advantage and beat down both Matt and Dreamer. Bully Ray hits the ring and helps Matt and Dreamer fight off The Squad. Bully grabs a microphone and says that Matt might not be allowed to wrestle, but he and Dreamer would be more than happy to battle Dolph Ziggler's two bitches.
Winner: No Contest.
- "New Jersey Street Fight Match": Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray vs. The Squad: The match closes out with Dreamer hitting a Cutter, tags in Bully and Bully cleans house. The Squad's Cheerleader in Training gets involved as does Bully's girlfriend Velvet Sky. Velvet lands a low blow and a spear. The Squad regroup with steel chair shots on Dreamer and Bully and then corner Velvet. The Sandman's music hits and Sandman hits the ring, kendo stick in hand. Sandman lights up The Squad with kendo stick shots to the head. Dreamer and Bully hit the 3D on Kenny and score the pinfall.
Winners: Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray, by pinfall.
** House of Hardcore 25 Recap ** Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore was live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania inside the old ECW Arena. The main event of the show saw the WWE allow the WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boys the opportunity to battle Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray even though The Spirit Squad tried to shut it down again.
- Chuckles vs. Matt Striker: The match closes out with Chuckles attempting to do a People's Elbow, but Striker countered with a Rock Bottom. Striker goes for a crossface submission, but Chuckles escapes and hits an AA on Striker. Striker fights back and hits a Pedigree on Chuckles to score the pinfall.
Winner: Matt Striker, by pinfall.
- Alex Reynolds vs. Little Guido: The match closes out with Reynolds sending Guido into the corner, but Guido lands a kick. Reynolds' girl Manic gets on the apron and challenges Guido. Guido grabs her and plants a big kiss on her. Guido goes for the Tokakaze on Reynolds, but Reynolds lands an unseen low blow. Reynolds traps Guido in a submission and makes Guido tap out.
Winner: Alex Reynolds, by submission.
- Alex Reynolds Promo: Reynolds calls the fans ECW rejects and gets a "Shut The F*** Up" chant out of them. Reynolds says that he's sick and tired of seeing wrestling legends still in the business and then points at Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat who's sitting in the crowd. Steamboat stands up and heads to the ring as the fans chant his name. Steamboat says that it's legends like Rick Rude, Ric Flair, Randy Savage and hardcore legends like Tommy Dreamer that paved the way to allow Reynolds to even have a job today. Reynolds and his buddy Feinstein surround Steamboat and look to attack. Steamboat makes the first move and unloads quick martial arts chops on both men, leaving them both laid out. Steamboat thanks the fans and then tells Reynolds that maybe this will open his eyes and appreciate what he has.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": TJ Marconi, Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus vs. John Score, Pat Buck and Tom: The match ends quickly as Marconi tosses the referee out of the ring and his team beats down their opponents. Blue Meanie hits the ring to make the save, but gets beat down by Dalishus' three ladies. Velvet Sky hits the ring to take out the three ladies. The Sandman's music hits and out came The Sandman with his singapore cane. Sandman unloads cane shots on everyone and clears the ring.
Winners: No Contest.
- CW Anderson vs. Juventud Guerrera: The match closes out with Juvi countering a sunset flip and nails a knee to the head of CW for a near fall. Juvi hits a bulldog on CW for another near fall. CW comes back and hits a spinebuster on Juvi and gets a near fall. Juvi and CW trade shots on the top rope until Juvi takes CW out and then hits a moonsault. Juvi follows that up with a frog splash and gets another near fall. CW and Juvi trade more offense until Juvi is able to hit the Juvi Driver and score the pinfall.
Winner: Juventud Guerrera, by pinfall.
- Juventud Guerrera Promo: Juvi says it's an honor to be an ECW Original, ECW meant the world to him, thanks Raven, Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer and of course Rey Mysterio who he had an amazing feud with 20 years ago in ECW.
- "Triple Threat, Elimination Match": Ben "Action" Ortiz vs. Rhett Titus vs. Brian Cage: Ortiz was the first man eliminated, as Titus scored a pinfall on him. The match closes out with Titus and Cage trading offense until Cage hits a TKO on Titus and gets a near fall. More offense traded until Cage scores the pinfall on Titus for the win.
Winner: Brian Cage, by pinfall.
- MVP vs. Bull James: The match closes out with MVP and James trading punches and forearms. Both men charged at each other and laid each other out with a double lariat not once, but twice. MVP hits a solo lariat on James and gets a near fall. James goes for a head butt off the top rope, but MVP dodges it. MVP hits the Shining Wizard on James and scores the pinfall.
Winner: MVP, by pinfall.
- Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray Promo: Dreamer thanks the fans and talks about winning the ECW World Championship 17 years ago in this building. Dreamer says he started House of Hardcore so he could have wrestling without the political backstage B.S., unfortunately politics played a huge part in tonight's main event almost not happening. Dreamer promises one night only contracts to his signed talent from now on so main events don't change and problems don't happen. The Spirit Squad suddenly interrupt and announce that Vincent Kennedy McMahon has sent them in again to cancel tonight's main event because The Hardy Boys are WWE property now. The Squad mock Bully because Devon Dudley is making a huge paycheck working backstage for WWE. The Squad then throw a roll of T.P. at Dreamer to cry in and call House of Hardcore a bulls*** company. The Hardy Boys suddenly arrive and head to the ring. The Hardy's call The Squad spot monkeys and demand them to leave or become obsolete. The Squad refused so they caught a quick Hardy Boys beat down and were tossed out of the ring. Matt says that Dreamer is in a tough spot....but The Hardy's are here to wrestle and they will deal with MEEKMahon on RAW!
- Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray vs. The Hardy Boys: The match closes out with both teams brawling. Dreamer and Bully hit Whazz Up on The Hardy's. The Spirit Squad hit the ring again and attack both teams. The Squad catch the beat down and then both get put through tables by Dreamer and Bully. Dreamer, Bully and The Hardy's trade punches with each other until The Hardy's hit double Twists of Fate. Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb on Dreamer and scores the pinfall. After the match, Matt and Jeff thank Dreamer, the fans, HOH and the WWE for allowing them to wrestle tonight. Bully thanks the ECW faithful throughout the years and Dreamer tells the story on how he got the WWE to let him borrow The Hardy's for tonight. Dreamer thanks everyone to close out the show.
Winners: The Hardy Boys, by pinfall.
*** Pro Wrestling Guerrilla ***
** PWG Game Over Recap ** The main event of the show saw ROH Television Champion Marty Scurll battle Chuck Taylor in a non title Street Fight Match. The show also presented former ROH wrestler Lio Rush, WWN World Champion Matt Riddle, ROH's Adam Cole, ROH and NJPW's Michael Elgin and EVOLVE World Champion Zack Sabre Jr. The show also had a champions vs. champions match with the ROH World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks battling the IWGP World Tag Team Champions War Machine.
- Lio Rush vs. Rey Fenix: The match closes out with Rush hitting a Frog Splash off the top rope and scored the pinfall. One point in the match Rush took an accidental stiff double stomp to the back of the head from Fenix. Rush was out of it for a moment, but was able to finish the match.
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall.
- Matt Riddle vs. Adam Cole: The match closes out with Riddle trapping Cole in the Bromission submission and forces Cole to tap out.
Winner: Matt Riddle, by submission.
- Jeff Cobb vs. Keith Lee: The match closes out with Cobb hitting the Tour of the Islands on Lee and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall.
- Michael Elgin vs. Kyle O'Reilly: The match closes out with Elgin planting O'Reilly with the Elgin Bomb to score the pinfall.
Winner: Michael Elgin, by pinfall.
- "Champions vs. Champions Match": The Young Bucks vs. War Machine: The match closes out with Nick Jackson cradling Rowe for the pinfall.
Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall.
- Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Dick Togo: The match closes out with Sabre cradling Togo to score the pinfall.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr., by pinfall.
- "Street Fight Match": Marty Scurll vs. Chuck Taylor: The match closes out with the referee getting knocked out at one point. A second referee hits the ring as Taylor lays down thumb tacks on the mat and tries to plant Scurll on top of them. Scurll pours powder in his hands, but Taylor kicks the powder out of Scurll's hands and into his eyes, blinding him. Scurll grabs referee #2's hand thinking it is Taylor and breaks the referee's fingers. Taylor hits a piledriver on Scurll and then traps Scurll in a Chicken Wing submission while lying on the thumb tacks. Scurll can't escape and ends up tapping out.
Winner: Chuck Taylor, by submission.
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!
The 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone. In a draft where we seen the most trades in draft history, a first round that basically set everyone's mock draft on fire, and the drafting of players that you can't help but root for. So I'm just going to keep it simple...Who are the winners and losers after the three day period we call the NFL draft.
Winners: (In no particular order)
1. San Francisco 49ers:
The 49ers traded down one spot with the Chicago Bears. They ended up getting Solomon Thomas from Stanford and two 3rd round picks and a fourth round pick. The crazy part is the 49ers were going to draft Thomas anyways, but the Bears wanted to ensure they could get their guy and traded up the one spot. The 49ers weren't done in the first round trading back up to 31st to take Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster. Foster was expected to go in the top 10-15 but a diluted drug sample and apparent red-flag on his shoulder during the combine dropped his stock. The 49ers also filled needs on the defensive back field taking Ahkello Witherspoon, a 6'3 cornerback out of Colorado in the second round.
2. Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals spent their first two picks in the draft on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Haason Reddick, out of Temple, was taken 13th overall and then Arizona decided to trade up in the second round and take Safety Budda Baker out of Washington. Reddick is a great story. The guy began his college career as a walk-on at Temple and ends up being the first linebacker taken in the draft. Baker is projected to come in start at safety after Tony Jefferson signed with the Ravens in the off-season. The Cardinals also spent two picks on their offensive line. Guard Dorin Johnson from Pittsburgh and Tackle Will Holden from Vanderbilt. Its unlikely both will make impacts in their rookie years but if one of them can come in a help protect 38 year old quarterback Carson Palmer the Cardinals could definitely be back in the playoff picture.
3. Indianapolis Colts:
If you told me safety Malik Hooker would fall to 15th overall, I would have thought you were crazy...but that's exactly what happened. Hooker to the Colts makes a ton of sense. The Colts defense has been one of, if not the main reason they've had struggles the past few seasons. With their second and third round picks the Colts went defense. Taking Quincy Wilson, a corner out of Florida and Defensive end/Outside linebacker Tarell Basham out of Ohio. And its not like the Colts didn't address the offensive side of the ball. They filled needs taking a offensive lineman Zach Banner out of USC and running back Marlon Mack out of South Florida.
4. Cleveland Browns:
My Cleveland Browns explanation will be its own article on Monday morning.
Losers
1. Cincinnati Bengals:
I just don't understand what they were thinking. They took John Ross receiver out of Washington, who broke the NFL combine record for fastest 40' time, 9th overall. Does it fit a need? Sure the Bengals lacked another playmaker next to AJ Green but they pasted on Haason Reddick, Johnathan Allen, and all of the top offensive linemen. After loosing their starting Left Tackle and Right Tackle in free agency. The Bengals took running back Joe Mixon from Oklahoma in the second round. Value wise it was a good pick, but it does seem like a questionable pick especially when the team has multiple players that have "character issues".
2. Chicago Bears:
The Bears started their draft trading up one pick and taking Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky out of North Carolina. Trubisky may turn out to be nice quarterback but...when you trade up for a quarterback and apparently not tell the Head Coach for your football team, it might not turn out to be good. The Bears took local product Adam Shaheen a tight end from Ashland University in the second round. Again its not like Trubisky is a bad quarterback prospect but it is confusing when you sign a quarterback for a lot of money in the off-season and then draft one with the top pick.
3. Tennessee Titans:
Personally I thought the pick for Corey Davis was a reach with Marshon Lattimore on the board. And then the Titans took Adoree' Jackson at 18th overall which was another potential reach. They did end up taking another receiver and a tight end in the third round which will definitely help out Mariota. But reaching in the first round is the only reason I have them in the losing section and even that's debatable I guess.
Feel Good Stories
There are two prospects I really want to mention because of their backstories:
First, Atlanta Falcons first round pick Takkarist McKinley a defensive out of UCLA. The guy achieved his dream and fulfilled a promise he made to his grandmother while on her death bed. He transferred to UCLA after one season at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California. While going up on stage to accept his new jersey and to shake hands with Roger Goodell he carried with him a picture of his grandmother.
Last but certainly not least, the Pittsburgh Steelers third round pick James Conner, a running back out of Pittsburgh. Conner unfortunately tore his MCL at the beginning of the 2015 season. While rehabbing his knee injury, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He ended up beating cancer and recovering from the MCL injury to play in the 2016 season including the first game of the season where he scored the game winning touchdown.
The first pay per view after Wrestlemania 33 has arrived ladies and gents! WWE Payback, the RAW only event comes to us live from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. WWE Payback will take place on the WWE Network and as always if you can't catch the show just check out Triple Threat CLE on Monday afternoon and I'll have all the WWE Payback action reviewed just for you! Let's get the preview started shall we?!
- "House of Horrors Match": Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt: After a nice build up of Randy Orton earning Bray Wyatt's trust, The Viper did what he does best, turned on Wyatt and made Wyatt his latest victim. Last month at Wrestlemania 33, Randy Orton defeated Bray Wyatt to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and became the face of Smackdown Live. One week after Wrestlemania 33, Bray Wyatt laid down a challenge to Randy Orton in the first ever House of Horrors Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which Orton accepted. The following week during the Superstar Shakeup Draft, Bray Wyatt was drafted to RAW, but his match with Randy Orton was still on, only it would take place at WWE Payback, which is an all RAW roster event. As we got closer to WWE Payback, the WWE suddenly stopped advertising this match for the title and just advertised it as a House of Horrors Match. WWE has already made a new #1 Contender for the title for their next Smackdown Live pay per view, so it's unknown as to whether this match will be for the title or just a gimmick match with revenge on the line.
- "WWE United States Championship Match": Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho: The former best friends forever are long gone with only Owens' hatred for Jericho the only thing left remaining. Last month at Wrestlemania 33, Owens and Jericho went one on one for the WWE United States Championship, which ended with Owens defeating Jericho and winning the title. The following night on RAW, Jericho immediately cashed in his rematch clause on Owens for WWE Payback. After the announcement, Owens and Samoa Joe found Jericho backstage, beat him down and left Jericho laid out. Jericho would return a week later and get revenge on Owens the night before Owens was drafted to Smackdown Live, by laying Owens out with a Code Breaker. Smackdown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan would then go on to announce that which ever superstar walks out of WWE Payback the WWE United States Champion will have a permanent home on Smackdown Live and go on to face AJ Styles for the title. The loser of the match will be shipped back over to RAW.
- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Neville (c) vs. Austin Aries: Last month at Wrestlemania 33, Neville came out victorious over Austin Aries and successfully retained his WWE Cruiserweight Championship. One week later, Austin Aries battled it out in a #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Match on 205 Live. Aries came out victorious and earned another shot at Neville for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Weeks leading up to WWE Payback, Neville got TJ Perkins to friend him and help him in his battle with Aries, as Perkins attacked Aries from behind after their one on one match. Neville continues to call himself the King of the Cruiserweights as Aries looks to finally dethrone the King at WWE Payback.
- "WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship Match": The Hardy Boys (c) vs. Sheamus and Cesaro: Last month at Wrestlemania 33, Matt and Jeff Hardy returned to the WWE and became the new WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions, winning a Fatal Four Way Ladder Match. The next night on RAW, Sheamus and Cesaro would go on to defeat Enzo and Big Cass in a #1 Contenders Match, earning them the next shot at The Hardy Boys. The Hardy's, Sheamus and Cesaro have all seemed to have started a friendship with each other leading into their match at WWE Payback, as both teams have displayed respect toward each other. Can The Hardy's retain their titles or will Sheamus and Cesaro regain the titles they lost a few months back?
- "WWE RAW Women's Championship Match": Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss: Last month at Wrestlemania 33, Bayley retained her WWE RAW Women's Championship while Alexa Bliss lost her WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship. Alexa Bliss arrived on RAW after being drafted over in the Superstar Shakup draft and immediately stated that she should be handed a WWE RAW Women's Championship Match. Alexa was told she needed to earn it, which she did by winning a Fatal Four Way Match to become the new #1 Contender. Alexa would then battle Bayley's best friend Sasha Banks, losing by countout on purpose just to set up Bayley to beat her down and send a message to her.
- Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman: This feud began back at the WWE Royal Rumble when Strowman viciously attacked Reigns and cost him his match against Kevin Owens. Reigns went on to defeat Strowman at WWE Fastlane back in February and it looked like the feud was over. Strowman restarted the feud after Wrestlemania 33 and targeted Roman Reigns again, looking for revenge for his WWE Fastlane defeat. Strowman viciously attacked Reigns backstage, rolled him off a loading dock strapped to a stretcher and then flipped over Reigns' ambulance with Reigns inside. RAW General Manager Kurt Angle announced that Reigns suffered a shoulder injury and some internal injuries, but still demanded a one on one match with Strowman at WWE Payback. Strowman has continued on his path of destruction with Reigns on the DL, by taking out Big Show and Kalisto.
- Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe: Samoa Joe arrived on RAW the night after WWE Royal Rumble, attacked Rollins and nearly cost Rollins his match against Triple H at Wrestlemania 33 after seriously injuring Rollins' leg. Rollins was able to return without any issues and targeted Samoa Joe after defeating Triple H. RAW General Manager Kurt Angle assured Seth Rollins that he and Samoa Joe were not being drafted to Smackdown Live and both were staying on RAW. After hearing the news, Joe attacked Rollins and both men brawled throughout ringside. Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins were then officially made as a match at WWE Payback so both men could finally settle their differences.
- Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Enzo and Big Cass: It was announced just days before WWE Payback that former WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will battle Enzo and Big Cass on the WWE Payback Pre-Show. Both teams have had a mini feud with each other in the first half of the year that looks to get settled at WWE Payback.
- Miz TV with The Miz and Maryse, with Special Guest Finn Balor: Miz, who was just drafted over to the RAW Brand, has promised us a new edition of Miz TV with Finn Balor, who's just returned from shoulder surgery a month ago, as his guest.
