Weekend 3 Count 4/16/17

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, 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 ***

- WWE Draft 2017!: This past Monday on RAW and Tuesday on Smackdown Live, WWE held their Superstar Shakeup WWE Draft to freshen up both shows rosters. The following superstars were drafted to their new shows.

RAW Drafted: Apollo Crews, The Miz, Maryse, Dean Ambrose, Curt Hawkins, Bray Wyatt, Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Elias Samson, Kalisto, Heath Slater, Rhyno and announcer David Otunga.

Smackdown Live Drafted: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Epico, Primo, Jinder Mahal, Tamima Snuka, Charlotte, Rusev, Lana, Sin Cara, The New Day and announcer Byron Saxton.

- Finn Balor Injured Again: Luckily this time it isn't a serious injury that'll put Balor out of action for a long time. This past week on RAW, Balor battled Jinder Mahal and took an accidental stiff forearm to the head. According to PWInsider, Balor suffered a concussion and it's still unclear on how long he'll be out for.

- Paige Update: Paige posted on Twitter this week that she visited her doctor for a check up on her neck surgery rehab. According to backstage WWE producers is that Paige should be back some time in the summer of 2017. Many WWE fans are wondering how well received Paige will be on her return after her family was very vocal about WWE supposedly unfairly suspending Paige due to the medication she was taking. Paige was also involved in the sex tape leak with her, Xavier Woods and Brad Maddox. Also Paige's husband Alberto El Patron has been very vocal about his hatred for the WWE.

- Mauro Ranallo Finished With WWE: CBS Radio announced this week that Mauro Ranallo will not be returning to WWE TV and will be leaving the company once his contract expires in August. Ranallo has deleted his WWE Twitter handle and has deleted all WWE related tweets. Ranallo hasn't been on TV for almost a month now as he is currently fighting depression. Rumors have also stated that JBL was bullying Ranallo which brought on his depression and forced him to get help.

- Should JBL Be Punished For His Actions?: As all of us wrestling fans know, this isn't the first time that JBL has been accused of bullying backstage crew, wrestlers or announcers. Former WWE announcer Justin Roberts recently wrote a book about his time in the WWE and was very open about JBL being a huge bully to everyone that he didn't like. Since then at least 15 other past or present WWE employees have shared JBL bullying stories. Here is just a few of the stories that have surfaced.

** Justin Roberts: His passport came up missing while touring in another country. Roberts couldn't get back into the United States until he purchased a new one at the US Embassy. Rumors were that either JBL took it or he got someone else to take it.

** Johnny Mundo/John Morrison: Stated that JBL tried to get him and his tag team partner Joey Mercury to be the ones to steal Justin Roberts' passport. Mundo refused to do it.

** Chris Kanyon: Many past superstars have stated that JBL used to bash the late Chris Kanyon after Kanyon admitted openly to being homosexual. JBL would then try to get others to make fun of Kanyon.

** Edge: Edge recently stated that JBL would playfully grope people in the shower and make things very uncomfortable.

** The Hardy's: Matt and Jeff stated that when they first arrived in the WWE, JBL took them out for beers and told them to throw beer cans at signs while driving. The Hardy's refused and were made fun of by JBL for being p******

** There are also stories of JBL stealing baggage and throwing wrestlers baggage in the shower while the water was running.

Now with the recent stories of JBL bullying Mauro Ranallo about his depression and bipolar disorder, should the WWE punish JBL? The WWE Universe has been very vocal this week with the "We Want Mauro" and "Fire Bradshaw" chants. WWE has also always been against bullying, so how can they be against bullying when they in fact allow JBL's actions?

- ECW's Anniversary: This week marked the 20th Anniversary to ECW's first live pay per view Barely Legal 97'. The following were the results of ECW Barely Legal 97', which you can check out anytime on the WWE Network.

- The Eliminators defeated The Dudley Boys to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship.
- Rob Van Dam defeated Lance Storm.
- The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakushiji1 defeated Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo in a Six Man Tag Team Match.
- Shane Douglas defeated Pitbull #2 to retain the ECW Television Championship.
- Taz defeated Sabu.
- Terry Funk defeated Stevie Richards and The Sandman in a Triple Threat Elimination Match to become the #1 Contender to the ECW World Championship.
- Terry Funk defeated Raven to win the ECW World Championship.

** 205 Live Recap **
Tonight's main event saw the now heelish TJ Perkins battle Jack Gallagher in the main event of the show.

1.) Brian Kendrick vs. Mustafa Ali: Drew Gulak is shown backstage watching this match, as he's been trying to get Ali to join him. The match closes out with Kendrick trapping Ali in the Captain's Hook submission. Ali tries to escape when suddenly the bell rings. The referee and Kendrick look toward the timekeeper, questioning why the bell was rung. Akira Tozawa smiles as he was the guilty party. Ali drops Kendrick during the distraction and hits the inverted 450 Splash to score the pinfall.

2.) Backstage, TJ Perkins says he was the hero of the Cruiserweight Classic Tournament and all Austin Aries did was steal his spotlight. Jack Gallagher interrupts and tells Perkins that he better act like a gentleman in their match tonight.

3.) Rich Swann vs. A Local Talent: Swann makes quick work and scores the pinfall with the Phoenix Splash. After the match, Noam Dar and Alicia Fox arrive. Swann says he's been sending Fox her gifts this whole time. Dar and Alicia both call Swann a liar. Another gift arrives and Dar takes credit for it before Swann can. Alicia opens the box and powder shoots out covering Alicia's face, angering her as Swann laughs.

4.) Backstage, Austin Aries says that TJ Perkins isn't getting in Aries' way of winning the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at WWE Payback.

5.) TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher: The match closes out with both men trading shots in the ring. Perkins clips Gallagher's knee, but Gallagher stumbles a head butt on Perkins, sending Perkins into the corner. Gallagher tries the Gentleman's Dropkick, but the knee gives out. Perkins sends Gallagher head first into the turnbuckle and then hits the Detonation Kick to score the pinfall. After the match, Neville appears and raises Perkins' arm in victory to end the show.  

*** NXT ***

- Bobby Roode's Next Rumored Opponents: Sources have said that NXT World Champion Bobby Roode will work a program with the returning Hideo Itami and possibly face Itami at Takeover: Chicago in May. Sources are also stating that Roode will more than likely go over on Itami and retain the title. NXT's rumored plan is to use that time frame with Roode vs. Itami to build up Drew McIntyre as Roode's next challenger after Itami.

*** Impact Wrestling ***

** Impact TV Recap **
This week, Team Jeremy Borash battled Team Josh Mathews in an Eight Man Tag Team Match. Which Impact announcer would walk away tonight with bragging rights?

1.) "Triple Threat Match": Reno Scum vs. Laredo Kid and Garza Jr. vs The Decay: The match closes out with Luster power slammimg Crazzy Steve, until Abyss tags in and choke slams Luster. Luster is back up, grabs Steve and overhead tosses him into Garza. Reno Scum hit the double team foot stomp on Steve and score the pinfall. 

2.) Backstage, Andrew Everett wants a shot at the Impact X Division Championship. Shane Helms interrupts and says Everett isn't ready for a shot yet. Everett and Helms argue back and forth until Everett gets Helms to agree to fight in Everett's match tonight.

3.) Bruce Prichard Promo: Prichard announces that the fans have voted James Storm as the #1 Contender to the Impact World Heavyweight Championship. Ethan Carter interrupts and says he feels like the Impact system is rigged because he hears cheers for himself every week. Prichard says it was EC3's idea to let the fans decide and that maybe EC3 should look in the mirror and ask himself what happened to Impact's one time top wrestler. Prichard then suggests that EC3 ask himself if he tapped out to Alberto El Patron a few weeks back or if it was himself that he tapped out on. EC3 shakes Prichard's hand and promises that he's going to show everyone what EC3 is capable of.

4.) Braxton Sutter and Allie vs. KM and Sienna: The match closes out with Sutter suplexing KM into the corner. Sienna tries to attack Sutter, but Sutter tags Allie. Allie flies off the top rope, but gets caught by Sienna. Sienna accidentally trips over KM causing Allie to fall on top of Sienna and score the pinfall. After the match, Kongo Kong appears and destroys Sutter with a corner diving roll. Laurel Van Ness appears, still in her wedding dress, and beats down Allie. Sienna hits the AK-47 on Allie and then Laurel continues to beat on Allie, leaving Allie laid out.

5.) Rosemary vs. Santana Garrett: The match closes out with Rosemary landing a dropkick then climbs the ropes. Santana flips Rosemary off the ropes then goes for a handspring moonsault. Rosemary dodges it and hits the Red Wedding on Santana to score the pinfall.

6.) Backstage, Angelina Love and Davey Richards state that they feel no remorse over what they did to Eddie Edwards last week and that Edwards and his wife Alisha are getting everything they deserve.

7.) "Fatal Four Way Match": Andrew Everett vs. Marshe Rockett vs. Suicide vs. Shane Helms: The match closes out with Helms raking Everett's eyes, but Suicide hits a bicycle kick on Helms. Everett tosses Helms to the floor. Rockett hits a slam on both Everett and Suicide then climbs the ropes. Rockett misses on his leap and ends up getting hit with the Shooting Star Press from Everett for the pinfall. After the match, Helms and Trevor Lee jump Everett, but Everett lays out Lee with a hurricanrana DDT and Helms runs for his life.

8.) Davey Richards vs. DJ Z: The match closes out with Richards missing the double foot stomp and DJ Z hits a neck breaker for a near fall. DJ Z hits a chin breaker, but gets the ZDT blocked. Richards lands a big boot on DJ Z and then makes DJ Z tap out to an ankle lock submission. After the match, Eddie Edwards hits the ring, but security is trying to stop him. Alisha sneaks by security, hits the ring, tackles Angelina Love and beats on her. Security finally gets control and is able to separate all four of them.

9.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match, If Josh Mathews' Team loses then he must leave the announcers booth permanently: Team Josh Mathews (Bobby Lashley, Bram, Eli Drake and Tyrus) vs. Team Jeremy Borash (Alberto El Patron, Chris Adonis, Matt Morgan and Magnus): The match closes out with Tyrus laying out Adonis, but misses a second rope elbow drop. Adonis makes the tag to Morgan and Morgan cleans house on everyone. Morgan with Stinger Splashes and then a choke slam on Bram gets a near fall after Tyrus breaks up the pinfall. El Patron is in and plants a super kick on Tyrus, but El Patron eats a Lashley spear. Adonis is back in and lays out Lashley with a spinebuster.

Magnus grabs Drake, lays him out with a power bomb and then locks in The Cloverleaf submission. Bram breaks up the submission and tosses Magnus outside. Morgan charges and nails the Carbon Footprint boot on Bram. Magnus climbs to the top rope and drills Bram with the flying elbow drop to secure the pinfall and the victory for Jeremy Borash. After the match, JB and his team all celebrate and wave goodbye to Josh Mathews as he is now banned from the commentary table.

*** RING OF HONOR ***

** ROH TV Recap **
This week's main event saw The Kingdom defend their ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship against Bully Ray and The Briscoes.

1.) Punishment Martinez vs. Hanson: The match closes out with Hanson hitting a seated senton then goes to the top rope. Davey Boy Smith Jr. suddenly appears at ringside and distracts Hanson. Hanson misses the top rope moonsault and Martinez plants a discus kick. Martinez plants Hanson with the South of Heaven choke slam and scores the pinfall.

2.) A video is shown of Hangman Adam Page attacking Kazarian in the parking lot. Page beats down Kazarian and then chokes him out with a bullrope.

3.) "Top Prospect Tournament Semi-Final Match": "The Southern Savior" John Skyler vs. Curt Stallion: The match closes out with Stallion hitting an Emerald Fusion on Skyler for a near fall. Both men battle up to the top rope and Stallion goes for a hurricanrana. Skyler counters it and hits Southern Salvation to score the pinfall. Skyler advances to the Finals. 

4.) We see a video of Adam Cole firing The Young Bucks from The Bullet Club. Cole is then shown apologizing and then forgives them for all the mistakes they've made. Cole just wants things to go back to the way things were.

5.) "ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship Match": The Kingdom (c) vs. Bully Ray and The Briscoes: Due to injury, Silas Young replaced TK O'Ryan in this match. The match closes out with Young unable to get along with The Kingdom and argues with Matt Taven. Bully Ray tags in and unloads on all three men. Bully Bomb on Marseglia for a near fall. All six men are in and a brawl breaks out. The Briscoes toss Taven and Young out of the ring. The Briscoes and Bully hit a tandem 3D on Marseglia, score the pinfall and win the titles.

- The Spirit Squad Sign With ROH: After being released from the WWE a few months back, ROH officially announced the signing of The Spirit Squad.

*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***

** Sakura Genesis Recap **
The main event of the show saw IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defend his title against this year's New Japan Cup winner Katsuyori Shibata. Also four other IWGP titles were on the line and a lot more action.

1.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": David Finlay, Jushin Thunder Liger and Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirai Kawato, Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka: The match closes out with Finlay back dropping Kitamura and then unloads some corner elbows for a near fall. Kitamura suplexes Finlay and then all six men brawl. Liger takes Kawato to the floor as Finlay and Kitamura continue to land strikes on each other. Finlay gets a near fall spinning elbow on Kitamura and then hits a Stunner to score the pinfall.

2.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": The Bullet Club (Chase Owens, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Yujiro Takahashi) vs. Tiger Mask, Tiger Mask W, Togi Makabe and Yuji Nagata: Hangman Adam Page was originally in this match, but was replaced by Owens. The match closes out with Tiger Mask tagging in, hits the high cross and then unloads on Tonga in the corner. Tiger Mask hits a Tiger Driver on Tonga and gets a near fall, after Owens makes the save. Tiger Mask W unloads on Tonga and then flies outside with a springboard moonsault and wipes everyone out. Owens distracts Tiger Mask with a trip up, allowing Tonga to hit the Gun Stun to score the pinfall.

3.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": CHAOS (Beretta, Rocky Romero and YOSHI-HASHI) vs. Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki and TAKA Michinoku): The match closes out with HASHI tagging in, unloads on Suzuki and gets a near fall neckbreaker. Suzuki connects with a forearm strike,  follows that by unloading in the corner on HASHI and Michinoku gets the near fall. HASHI attempts a Gotch Piledriver, but Romero makes the save. Romero gets planted and then HASHI hits Karma on Michinoku to score the pinfall.

4.) "IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match": Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) vs. Jado & Gedo: The match closes out with Jado covering Kanemaru, but Desperado pulls the referee out of the ring. Roppogi Vice hit ringside and unload on Desperado. Jado with a kick and a drapping DDT on Kanemaru for a near fall. Jado traps Kanemaru in the crossface submission and Kanemaru taps out, however, the referee is distracted by Taichi and misses it. Taichi connects with a super kick on Jado and Kanemaru lands a moonsault and gets a near fall. Kanemaru hits the flying DDT on Jado, scores the pinfall and retain the titles. After the match, Roppogi Vice comes back out and challenge Kanemaru and Taichi for the titles at a future date.

5.) Bad Luck Fale and Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano: The match closes out with Yano and Ishii sending Fale to the floor. Omega grabs Ishii and hits a snapdragon suplex and follows that with the V Trigger for a near fall. Yano makes the save as Omega attempted the One Winged Angel and low blows Omega. Ishii destroys Omega with a lariat and gets a near fall. Fale comes back, slams Ishii and then sends him into the exposed turnbuckle for a near fall. Omega sets up Ishii, hits the V Trigger and follows up with the One Winged Angel to score the pinfall.

6.) "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA and Tetsuya Naito) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Ricochet and Ryusuke Taguchi: The match closes out with Naito and Juice trading shots on each other. Juice drops Naito, takes out BUSHI and then hits a Russian Legsweep into a Senton on Naito. SANADA attacks Juice and Juice gets double teamed by his opponents. Naito hits a reverse DDT for a near fall. Both teams begin brawling as Tanahashi hits Sling Blade on Naito. Juice low blows Naito and then destroys Naito with a lariat. Juice hits Pulp Friction on Naito and scores the pinfall. After the match, Juice challenges Naito to a match for his IWGP Intercontinental Championship.

7.) "IWGP Tag Team Championship Match": Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. War Machine: The match closes out with Hanson dropping Kojima with a seated senton, but misses a moonsault. Kojima hits the Koji Cutter for a near fall. Rowe sends Tenzan to the floor and pop up power slams Kojima. Hanson flies through the air and hits a suicide dive on Tenzan. Rowe hits a knee strike, but gets drilled with a lariat. Hanson and Tenzan brawl outside, where Hanson tosses Tenzan into the barricade. Rowe hits a german suplex and unloads knee strikes on Kojima. Hanson and Rowe set up Kojima, hit Fall Out, score the pinfall and walk out the new tag team champions. After the match, Tenzan asks for a rematch to try to win back the titles. War Machine accepts the rematch at a future date. 

8.) "NEVER Openweight Championship Match": Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.: The match closes out with Goto and Sabre trading shots. Sabre goes after Goto's arm, hits a running uppercut and applies an octopus hold submission. Goto hits Ushigoroshi on Sabre as Desperado and Suzuki arrive at ringside. Desperado distracts the referee as Suzuki tosses Goto into the referee. Goto hits the Ushigoroshi on Suzuki and then Goto gets dropped by Sabre with the Prawn Hold for a near fall. Sabre traps Goto in the Triangle Choke submission, but Goto powers out and power bombs Sabre. Goto nails GTR on Sabre, scores the pinfall and retains his title. After the match, Goto and Suzuki brawl around ringside.

9.) "IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match": Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. KUSHIDA: The match closes out with Takahashi finishing off KUSHIDA in under two minutes, in a surprise squash match. KUSHIDA tries to apply the Hoverboard submission, but Takahashi hits a Sunset Power Bomb on KUSHIDA. Takahashi hits the Time Bomb, a DVD into the turnbuckle and then one more Time Bomb to score the pinfall and retain his title. After the match, Ricochet challenges Takahashi to a future title match.

10) "IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match": Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata: The match closes out with Shibata locking Okada in an Octopus Hold submission and takes Okada down to the mat. Okada is able to escape, but gets hit with the PK and then trapped in another choke submission. Okada tries to escape, but gets laid out with a sleeper suplex by Shibata. Shibata slaps Okada in the face and sets Okada up for his own Rainmaker finisher. Shibata changes his mind and instead unloads kicks on Okada while holding onto his wrist. Shibata kicks Okada to the mat and still has a grasp on Okada's wrist. Okada fights back, hits a Rainmaker out of nowhere and then unloads kicks of his own on Shibata. Shibata gets kicked down onto his knees, gets pulled back up and then gets laid out with another Rainmaker by Okada. Okada covers, scores the pinfall and survives still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Bad Luck Fale hits the ring and lays out Okada with the Grenade. Fale says he's going to give Okada the fight of his life and then lays Okada out with the Bad Luck Fall to end the show.

- Katsuyori Shibata Injured: This past week at NJPW's Sakura Genesis, Katsuyori Shibata suffered an injury during his near 40 minute match with IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. During the match, Shibata hit Okada with a stiff headbutt, which caused Shibata to start bleeding from the forehead. NJPW stated that Shibata was taken to the hospital after the match and diagnosed with subdural hematoma and underwent successful surgery. It's unknown when Shibata will be able to return to action at this time.

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!