It's the beginning of the week and time to kick things off in wrestling with Monday Night RAW, live from Baltimore, Maryland. Last week, RAW was invaded by Smackdown Live as the whole locker room was attacked. RAW has yet to announce any retaliation to the attack. Will Smackdown Live show up again tonight to take over??
** Monday Night RAW Card **
- Bayley battled Nia Jax. - Samoa Joe battled Apollo Crews. - WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz defended his title against Matt Hardy. - Asuka battled Stacie Cullen. - Finn Balor battled Cesaro. - WWE RAW World Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins battled Kane. - Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson battled Rhyno and Heath Slater in a Trick or Treat Street Fight Match. - Kalisto battled Drew Gulak. - WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss defended her title against Mickie James.
- Stephanie McMahon returns with some WWE Survivor Series news for RAW GM Kurt Angle.
** RAW **
- Kurt Angle Promo: Angle is in the ring as the whole RAW locker room stands on the RAW stage. Angle says Shane McMahon took things too far, he let his friendship blind him, slapped RAW in the face and Angle is here to apologize for what happened. Stephanie McMahon's music hits and she heads to the ring. Stephanie says we can't start RAW all depressed, hypes the RAW 25th Anniversary show in January and compliments Angle on the great job he's been doing. Stephanie says that Angle had earned her respect up until the part when he let Shane McMahon attack RAW. Stephanie announces that Kurt Angle will be the team captain on Team RAW for the 5-On-5 Men's Elimination Match at WWE Survivor Series and if Team RAW doesn't win then Angle will be fired.
- Backstage, Stephanie McMahon informs Kurt Angle that she meant every word she said and if he doesn't believe her than Angle can go ask Mick Foley.
- Backstage, a limousine pulls in and out steps The Miztourage. Kurt Angle informs The Miz of Stephanie McMahon's announcement and asks Miz where he was when Smackdown Live attacked last week. Angle then tells Miz that he doesn't want someone like him representing RAW if they don't care and then announces that he's defending the WWE Intercontinental Championship tonight.
- Bayley vs. Nia Jax: Originally this match was supposed to be Bayley vs. Alicia Fox, but Alicia says she doesn't have time for this and gets Nia Jax to replace her. The match closes out with Bayley applying a guillotine submission, but Nia escapes. Nia drops Bayley on the mat and then hits the big leg drop to score the pinfall. Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall.
- After the match, Alicia Fox officially announces Nia Jax for Team RAW in the women's 5-On-5 Elimination Match.
- Samoa Joe Promo: Samoa Joe returns from his recent injury. Joe says it sounds like alot of people missed him, but he didn't miss anyone. Joe doesn't care about the fans and will use the disrespect he gets from the fans against anyone that steps up to him. Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil interrupt and Apollo gets a match against Joe next.
- Samoa Joe vs. Apollo Crews: The match closes out with Joe countering the Apollo Bomb and hits a Uranage slam on Crews. Joe locks Crews in the Coquina Clutch submission and gets the tap out win. Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission.
- After the match, Joe attacks Titus O'Neil as he checks on Crews and locks him in the Coquina Clutch submission.
- "WWE Intercontinental Championship Match": The Miz (c) vs. Matt Hardy: The match closes out with Miz unloading Yes Kicks until Hardy blocks one and hits the Twist of Fate. Miz rolls to the apron and then drops Hardy neck first across the ropes as he follows. Miz plants Hardy with the Skull Crushing Finale and scores the pinfall to retain his title. Winner: The Miz, by pinfall, to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Backstage, Alexa Bliss congratulates Kurt Angle on being Team RAW's captain. Alexa suggests cutting some dead weight in the women's division and suggests starting with Mickie James. Angle likes the idea of bringing in new talent, however, refuses to replace Mickie. Angle says that Mickie stood up for RAW last week and fought during the Smackdown Live invasion while Alexa ran and hid. Angle announces that Mickie will face Alexa in the main event tonight for the WWE RAW Women's Championship.
- Asuka vs. Stacie Cullen: The match closes out with Asuka in control for the match and makes Stacie tap out to the Asuka Lock submission in a quick win. Winner: Asuka, by submission.
- Backstage, Kurt Angle panics thinking that the Smackdown Live roster is invading again, but Daniel Bryan is the only one that appears. Bryan says he's risking being here because he's alone and Shane McMahon didn't know he was coming either. Bryan apologizes and says he knew nothing of the attack last week. Angle tells Bryan to send Shane a message that Angle is bringing the RAW roster to take out Shane.
- Backstage, Daniel Bryan is on the phone when the lights suddenly go out. Bryan says he's locked in a room and there appears to be something wrong. Kane then appears in the room with Bryan and lays him out.
- Finn Balor vs. Cesaro: The match closes out with Balor climbing the ropes, but Sheamus gets on the apron. Balor ends up taking out Sheamus and Cesaro with a suicide dive. Balor hits the Coup de Grace on Cesaro and scores the pinfall. Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall.
- After the match, Kane appears and brawls with Balor on the RAW stage. Kane plants Balor with a Tombstone right on the stage and then heads to the ring for his match.
- Seth Rollins vs. Kane: The match closes out with Sheamus and Cesaro appearing and attacking Dean Ambrose outside. Rollins makes the save with a suicide dive. Kane takes advantage, choke slams Rollins and scores the pinfall. Winner: Kane, by pinfall.
- After the match, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Kane, but Kane sits up afterwards. Sheamus and Cesaro attack Ambrose and Rollins. Kane then plants both Ambrose and Rollins with Tombstone piledrivers.
- Backstage, Daniel Bryan is loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled out of the arena.
- Backstage, Curtis Axel finds a smelly trash bag. The Miz jokes that Braun Strowman is here. Miz approaches Kane next. Kane says that if Strowman is back then Strowman knows where to find Kane.
- "Trick or Treat Street Fight": Rhyno and Heath Slater vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson: Rhyno and Slater are dressed like Santa and Mrs. Claus. Gallows and Anderson are dressed in their Southpaw Regional Wrestling gimmicks. The match closes out with Anderson leaping off the second rope, but Rhyno puts Anderson through a table for the pinfall. Winners: Rhyno and Heath Slater, by pinfall.
- Backstage, The Miz tells Sheamus and Cesaro that he thinks Braun Strowman is back. They tell Miz to relax because no one could've recovered that quick from what Strowman was put through at WWE TLC.
- Elias Samson Concert Performance: Elias takes shots at Jason Jordan and at the Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Jason Jordan hits the ring and starts swinging on Elias. Elias escapes and runs up the ramp. Jordan grabs Elias' guitar that he left behind and destroys it.
- Backstage, The Miz decides to leave early just in case Braun Strowman is back. Kurt Angle stops Miz and orders him that he has to stay until RAW is completely over.
- Kalisto vs. Drew Gulak: The match closes out with Kalisto landing a kick and a scissor kick. Kalisto hits Salida Del Sol on Gulak and scores the pinfall. Winner: Kalisto, by pinfall.
- Backstage, The Miz tells Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas to make sure their driver is ready so they can all leave quickly as soon as RAW ends.
- "WWE RAW Women's Championship Match": Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Mickie James: The match closes out with Mickie kicking Alexa in the face for a near fall. Mickie gets a rollup into a bridge for a near fall. Alexa connects with a punch on Mickie and finishes her off for the pinfall to retain her title. Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall, to retain the WWE RAW Women's Championship.
- Backstage, The Miztourage are all leaving quickly, jumping into the limousine. A garbage truck suddenly blocks the limousine's getaway. Braun Strowman appears from the truck and chases The Miztourage all the way back into the arena. Strowman catches Miz on the RAW stage and tosses him into the LED board. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas try to help but gets tossed down the ramp. Strowman grabs Axel and plants him in the middle of the ring with a series of running power slams as Miz looks on. Miz and Dallas run away leaving Axel to fend for himself. Strowman carries Axel to the RAW stage and then hits another running power slam on Axel right through the announcers table to end the show.
NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions (NBC, 8:20pm)
MLB WORLD SERIES
Game 5, Dodgers @ Astros (FOX, 8pm)
NBA New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers (FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Winnipeg Jets (NHL, 7pm)
SOCCER
MLS: Seattle Sounders FC @ Vancouver Whitecaps (ESPN, 8:30pm)
---
The Deuce, FINALE (HBO, 9pm)
Ray Donovan, FINALE (Showtime, 9pm)
Halloween Wars, FINALE (Food Network, 9pm)
MONDAY 10/30
NFL
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN, 8:15pm)
NBA
San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics (NBA TV, 7:30pm)
Golden State Warriors @ LA Clippers (NBA TV, 10:30pm)
NHL Boston Bruins @ Columbus Blue Jackets (FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
SOCCER
MLS: Toronto FC @ New York Red Bulls (FOX Sports 1, 7pm)
MLS: Portland Timbers @ Houston Dynamo (FOX Sports 1, 9:30pm)
---
Love & Hip Hop, PREMIERE (VH1, 8pm)
Superior Donuts, PREMIERE (CBS, 9pm)
Halloween Baking Championship, FINALE (Food Network, 9pm)
The Real Housewives of Dallas, FINALE (Bravo, 10pm)
TUESDAY 10/31
NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Milwaukee Bucks (NBA TV, 8pm)
Detroit Pistons @ Los Angeles Lakers (NBA TV, 10:30pm)
MLB WORLD SERIES
Game 6, Astros @ Dodgers (FOX, 8pm)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Miami (Ohio) @ Ohio (ESPN 2, 8pm)
Bowling Green @ Kent State (ESPNU, 8pm)
SOCCER
MLS: New York City FC @ Columbus Crew SC (ESPN, 8pm)
---
Major Crimes, PREMIERE (TNT, 9pm)
According To Chrisley, FINALE (USA, 10:30pm)
WEDNESDAY 11/1
NBA Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers (FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Houston Rockets @ New York Knicks (ESPN, 8pm)
Dallas Mavericks @ LA Clippers (ESPN, 10:30pm)
MLB WORLD SERIES
Game 7, Astros @ Dodgers (FOX, 8pm)
NHL
Philadelphia Flyers @ Chicago Blackhawks (NBC Sports, 8pm)
Nashville Predators @ San Jose Sharks (NBC Sports, 10:30pm)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan (ESPN 2, 8pm)
---
Total Divas, PREMIERE (E!, 9pm)
Best Baker In America, FINALE (Food Network, 10pm)
Stan Against Evil, PREMIERE (IFC, 10pm)
THURSDAY 11/2
NFL
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets (NFL, 8:20pm)
NBA
Golden State Warriors @ San Antonio Spurs (TNT, 8pm)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers (TNT, 10:30pm)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Navy @ Temple (ESPN, 8pm)
NHL Columbus Blue Jackets @ Florida Panthers (FOX Sports Ohio, 7:30pm)
---
Young Sheldon, PREMIERE (CBS, 8:30pm)
Flip Or Flop Ft. Worth, PREMIERE (HGTV, 9pm)
Mom, PREMIERE (CBS, 9pm)
Life In Pieces, PREMIERE (CBS, 9:30pm)
Impractical Jokers, FINALE (TruTV, 9:30pm)
S.W.A.T., PREMIERE (CBS, 10pm)
FRIDAY 11/3
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Marshall @ Florida Atlantic (CBS SportsNet, 6pm)
Memphis @ Tulsa (ESPN 2, 8pm)
Brown @ Yale (NBC Sports, 8pm)
NBA Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards (ESPN/FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Boston Celtics @ Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN, 9:30pm)
NHL
New Jersey Devils @ Edmonton Oilers (NHL, 9pm)
NFL
A Football Life: Jim Kelly (NFL, 9pm)
MMA & BOXING
Bellator MMA Live (Spike, 9pm)
---
Stand Up: Lavell Crawford: Home For The Holidays (Showtime, 10pm)
Finding Escobar's Millions, PREMIERE (Discovery, 10pm)
SATURDAY 11/4
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Wisconsin @ Indiana (ABC, 12pm)
Penn State @ Michigan State (FOX, 12pm)
Auburn @ Texas A&M (ESPN, 12pm)
Florida @ Missouri (ESPN 2, 12pm)
Kansas State @ Texas Tech (FOX Sports 1, 12pm)
Ohio State @ Iowa (ESPN, 3:30pm)
South Carolina @ Georgia (CBS, 3:30pm)
Clemson @ North Carolina State (ABC, 3:30pm)
Iowa State @ West Virginia (ESPN 2, 3:30pm)
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State (FOX Sports 1, 4pm)
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, ROH, Lucha Underground, NJPW, House of Hardcore, NWA, ICW, CZW, FIP, PWG, AAW, EVOLVE, PROGRESS, 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
** Theme Song of the Week **
This week's theme of the week goes to the WWE2K18 official theme song. It's "Kickstart My Heart" by Motley Crue.
*** WWE ***
- WWE TLC Highlights: If you missed last Sunday's WWE TLC pay per view, be sure to check out my recap of the show. Read about Kurt Angle's return to a WWE ring for the first time in 11 years, Alexa Bliss retaining her WWE RAW Women's Championship, Enzo Amore becoming a 2 time WWE Cruiserweight Champion and the dream match of the night, Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles.
- WWE Survivor Series News: It was announced this week on RAW that this year's WWE Survivor Series as expected will be a RAW vs. Smackdown Live show. All RAW champions will battle Smackdown Live champions in matches. Also there will be a men's and women's 5-On-5 Elimination style match.
- Smackdown Live Fires First Shots: If you missed RAW this past Monday, check out my recap of the show and read about how Smackdown Live invaded and took over RAW.
- Health Updates: With the past mumps scare that has hit the RAW locker room this past week, WWE have forced all WWE superstars to get shots to fight mumps whether they have the illness or not. Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, who have caught the mumps illness have been rumored to be uncleared to wrestle until the beginning of November. WWE is taking safe precautions and will be monitoring Reigns, Dallas and Wyatt thoroughly until clearing them to return to work.
- Nia Jax News: As reported a few weeks back, Nia Jax had walked out of the company for personal reasons. This week reports are saying that Nia was upset with the fact that WWE originally scheduled her to lose to Sasha Banks at WWE TLC and also Nia has been upset with her paycheck and felt that she deserved more money.
** 205 Live Recap ** This week's main event saw WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defend his title against Kalisto.
- Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar and Tony Nese: The match closes out with Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher appearing. Swann kicks Dar and then hits a Phoenix Splash on him. Alexander hits the Lumbar Check and scores the pinfall.
Winners: Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander, by pinfall
- After the match, Gallagher says they're not here to fight, there here to recruit Alexander. Gallagher and Kendrick try to talk Alexander into dumping Swann and joining them. Kendrick and Gallagher inform Swann they're coming for him next week and Alexander needs to decide if he's in or out on joining them.
- Drew Gulak Promo: Gulak is still angry that his Power Point Presentation was dropped from WWE TLC. Gulak says he's staging a protest tonight and 205 Live is officially over. Gran Metalik interrupts and heads to the ring for their match.
- Drew Gulak vs. Gran Metalik: The match closes out with Metalik hitting a super hurricanrana on Gulak. Metalik catches Gulak on his shoulders, but Gulak counters and traps Metalik in a Dragon Sleeper for the tap out win.
Winner: Drew Gulak, by submission.
- After the match, Gulak tries to attack Metalik some more, but Akira Tozawa hits the ring and sends Gulak to the floor with a kick.
- Backstage, Kalisto is interviewed. Kalisto says he's confident that he'll beat Enzo Amore tonight and win back the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Enzo Amore (c) vs. Kalisto: The match closes out with Enzo trying to run but gets kicked in the head and dropped with a tornado DDT. Kalisto goes to the top rope, but Enzo kicks the referee into Kalisto and takes the DQ.
Winner: Kalisto, by DQ. Enzo Amore retains the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
- After the match, Kalisto tries to attack Enzo, but officials try to hold Kalisto back. Enzo escapes to the 205 Live stage and gloats that he's still the champion....how you doin'.
*** NXT ***
- NXT WarGames News: This past week the Fatal Four Way Match for the vacant NXT Women's Championship was made official. It'll be Kairi Sane vs. Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross. Also next week on NXT TV, NXT World Champion Drew McIntyre will sign a contract to defend his title against Andrade "Cien" Almas.
- Shawn Michaels and Johnny Gargano Make A Challenge: NXT Trainer Shawn Michaels and NXT superstar Johnny Gargano recently recorded a video together stating that they'd both be at NXT WarGames. Michaels and Gargano agreed to face each other one on one in an ab off challenge to see who has the better looking abs come WarGames. It's unknown if this will be shown on the actual pay per view or just a Pre-Show off live TV challenge.
*** Impact Wrestling ***
** Impact TV Recap ** This week Impact was taped in different cities for each match.
** Irapuato, Mexico **
- James Storm and Ethan Carter vs. Texano and Fantasma: The match closes out with Fantasma countering the One Percenter and hitting a compact driver on EC3. Texano tries to take the pinfall, which upsets Fantasma, who kicks Texano. Storm hits the Last Call on Fantasma and scores the pinfall.
Winners: James Storm and Ethan Carter, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Eli Drake is interrupted by Dutch Mantell, who asks Drake why he's not answering marketing calls. Drake says that there's 50 other dummies that work for Impact that can worry about that.
- Backstage, Dutch Mantell complains to Jim Cornette and Scott D'Amore about Eli Drake. Cornette says that if Drake loses the Impact World Heavyweight Championship at Bound For Glory then there problems will be over.
** Windsor, Ontario, Canada **
- "Impact World Tag Team Championship Match": oVe (c) vs. Phil Atlas and Brent Banks: The match closes out with Banks getting an elbow drop for a near fall. Dave Crist counters a hurricanrana, allowing Jake Crist to hit a super kick. oVe hit there double team finisher to score the pinfall and retain their titles.
Winners: oVe, by pinfall, to retain the Impact World Tag Team Championship.
- Backstage, Eli Drake ignores interview requests and walks off.
** Tokyo, Japan **
- "GHC World Heavyweight Championship Match": Eddie Edwards (c) vs Naomichi Marufuji: The match closes out with Edwards hitting a hurricanrana and follows that with a Boston Knee Party for a near fall. Edwards gets another near fall with a sitdown tiger bomb. Edwards finally scores the pinfall on Marufuji with Die Hard Flowsion.
Winner: Eddie Edwards, by pinfall to retain the GHC World Heavyweight Championship.
- Backstage, oVe says they need to bring their family to fight LAX’s family.
- Backstage, Eli Drake again turns down an interview because he's too busy.
** Windsor, Ontario, Canada **
- "Fatal Four Way Match": Petey Williams vs. Tarik vs. Keomia vs Idris Abraham: The match closes out with Williams suicide diving onto Keomia. Williams lands a head scissor into a russian leg sweep. Tarik hits a Detonation Kick on Keomia. Williams hits the Canadian Destroyer on Tarik for the pinfall.
Winner: Petey Williams, by pinfall.
** Impact Zone **
- Johnny Impact and Garza Jr. vs Eli Drake and Chris Adonis: The match closes out with Drake and Adonis double teaming Garza. Impact tags in and hits a corkscrew splash on Adonis. Adonis goes after Impact but accidentally knocks Drake off the apron. Impact rolls up Adonis and scores the pinfall.
Winners: Johnny Impact and Garza Jr., by pinfall.
** Tijuana, Mexico **
- "Impact X Division Championship Match": Trevor Lee (c) vs. Ultimo Ninja: The match closes out with Ninja hitting a drop kick and goes for a moonsault on Lee. Lee counters by getting a leg up. Lee hits a double foot stomp on Ninja and scores the pinfall to retain his title.
Winner: Trevor Lee, by pinfall, to retain the Impact X Division Championship.
** Impact Zone **
- Moose w/Steffan Bonnar vs Bobby Lashley: The match closes out with Dan Lambert entering the ring and hitting Moose in the head with a trophy. Lashley charges and nails Moose with a spear. Stephen Bonnar hits the ring, nails Lashley with a knee and then a clothesline. American Top Team hits the ring and goes to attack. Moose grabs a steel chair and fights everyone off. Moose power bombs one of American Top Team's guys over the ropes onto the rest of the team.
Winner: Moose, by DQ.
- After the match, Moose and Lashley agree to a Six Sides Of Steel Cage Tag Team Match against each other at Bound For Glory.
- Jeff Jarrett Let Go From Impact Wrestling: Two months ago, Impact Wrestling put Jeff Jarrett on an indefinite leave of absence from his position with the company to focus on personal matters. This week, Impact Wrestling announced that they have officially released Jeff Jarrett from Impact Wrestling. The following statement was released today by Impact Wrestling:
"Impact Wrestling announced today that it has terminated its business relationship with Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment Inc., effective immediately."
Impact again made it clear that they are also no longer promoting anything Global Force Wrestling related.
- Jeff Jarrett Enters Rehab: It was reported this week that Jeff Jarrett was at a wrestling show in Canada and was passed out drunk backstage. After waking up he insisted on wrestling his match while intoxicated, but was forced off the show by the promotion. Pro Wrestling Sheet recently reported that Jarrett has finally entered rehab and is looking to get help for his current alcohol abuse problem he has. Rumors have said that the rehab he's entered is a rehab sponsored by the WWE. Best wishes to Jarrett and his family and hopefully he can defeat this disease.
- Reno Scum Finished: The tag team known as Reno Scum that entered Impact Wrestling on the first episode of the GFW introduction have cut ties and exited Impact Wrestling already.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap **
- Marty Scurll vs. Jay White: The match closes out with Scurll going for his umbrella, which he tossed to White. White gives it to the referee and gets a low blow from Scurll as the referee turns his back to get rid of it. Scurll cradles White and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Marty Scurll, by pinfall.
- The Addiction Promo: Christopher Daniels says that Jay Lethal is horrible when it comes to catering to the fans. Daniels says they'll solve that issue by putting Lethal on the shelf. Kazarian tells Kushida that he should stop hanging out with guys like Lethal and worship The Addiction.
- Jay Lethal Promo: Lethal says that he proudly represents ROH and he's sick of The Addiction spitting on ROH’s legacy. Lethal says The Addiction has cost him too much and he'll put an end to everything The Addiction represents in order to focus on regaining the world title.
- The Dawgs (Will Ferrara and Rhett Titus) vs. The Tempura Boyz (Sho and Yo): The match closes out with Yo hitting an enziguri on Titus, Sho with a lung blower on Titus and Yo with a kick to the face for a near fall. Titus lands a big boot on Yo. The Dawgs hit Yo with Who Let The Dogs Out and scores the pinfall.
Winners: The Dawgs, by pinfall.
- The Bullet Club Promo: Cody Rhodes brags about signing the most lucrative contract in ROH history. Hangman Adam Page, Marty Scurll and The Young Bucks laugh hysterically after Cody is asked how big is it.
- "Four Corner Survival Match To Determine A #1 Contender To The ROH World Television Championship": Shane Taylor vs. Chuckie T vs. Punishment Martinez vs. Mark Briscoe: The match closes out with Taylor hitting a knockout punch on Martinez. Chuckie T hits a piledriver on Taylor. Briscoe hits the Death Valley Driver on Chuckie T and then the Froggy Bow to score the pinfall.
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall.
- After the match, Jay Briscoe hits the ring and asks Mark Briscoe if they're still a tag team or if he's going solo and would rather hang out with a Dudley. Jay and Mark argue back and forth to end the show.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
- NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 Poster Revealed: This past week NJPW officially released this year's poster for Wrestle Kingdom 12. You can check that out below.
*** EVOLVE ***
- Keith Lee Wins The WWN World Championship: If you missed EVOLVE 94, Keith Lee defeated Matt Riddle in a Last Man Standing Match to become the new WWN World Champion.
- Full Impact Pro Invades EVOLVE: After the Chris Dickinson vs. Jason Kincaid match concluded at EVOLVE 94, The End (Odinson, Drennen and Parrow) from FIP arrived and beat down both Dickinson and Kincaid. Later in the night, The End would return to beat down Brandon Watts and Darby Allin after their matches. The next night at EVOLVE 95, The End arrived again and beat down Shane Mercer, Mikey Webb and then started a huge brawl with the EVOLVE locker room emptying out to end the show.
** EVOLVE 94 Recap **
- Dominic Garrini defeated Rayo, by submission with a Kimura Lock.
- Chris Dickinson defeated Jason Kincaid, by pinfall with a Pazuzu Bomb into a jackknife pin.
- Austin Theory defeated Brandon Watts, by pinfall with the TKO.
- Darby Allin defeated Jarek 1:20, by pinfall with The Last Supper.
- "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams defeated Fred Yehi, by submission with a guillotine choke.
- Jaka defeated Zack Sabre Jr., by pinfall with a sitdown power bomb.
- "WWN World Championship, Last Man Standing Match": Keith Lee defeated Matt Riddle (c) to win the title. Lee hit an Avalanche Ground Zero on Riddle to put him down for the 10 count.
** EVOLVE 95 Recap **
- Shane Mercer defeated Mikey Webb, by pinfall with Moonsault and Battery.
- Jarek 1:20 defeated Brandon Webb, by pinfall with a Canadian DDT.
- Dominic Garrini defeated Cyrus Satin, by submission with a cross arm breaker.
- Austin Theory defeated Jason Kincaid, by pinfall with the TKO.
- Keith Lee defeated Darby Allin, by pinfall with a Spirit Bomb.
- "EVOLVE World Tag Team Championship, Triple Threat Elimination Match": Doom Patrol (c) defeated The Ugly Ducklings and The GymNasty Boys to retain their titles.
- "PAPW World Heavyweight Championship Match": Richard Holliday (c) defeated RJ Rude, by pinfall with the Market Crash to retain his title.
- Fred Yehi defeated Matt Riddle, by referee stoppage to the Koji Clutch submission.
- "EVOLVE World Championship Match": Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated "Hot Sauce" Tracy Williams, by pinfall with the European Clutch to retain his title.
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!
After a week in which we saw 7 teams in the top 25 lose to unranked teams, including 4 teams in the top 10, this past Saturday went chalk. The only movement in my top 25 is a flip flop of Notre Dame and Oklahoma after the Fighting Irish put on a dominating performance against USC while Oklahoma needed a last minute touchdown to beat Kansas State.
The rest did what they were supposed to do and took care of business. Penn State extracted revenge on Michigan after their 49-10 loss to the Wolverines last season to the tune of 42-13. Alabama remained dominant while once again letting Tennessee know just how far away they are to becoming competitive rivals again. TCU did what every team does to Kansas and Miami held off Syracuse, who was looking for their 2nd straight big upset.
HEISMAN WATCH
5. Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
4. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
3. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
2. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Much like my top 10 ballot, there's not much change to this list. The only thing different from last week is that reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson has fallen out of the top 5 and has been replaced by RB Josh Adams. The Notre Dame RB ran all over USC last Saturday, gaining 191 yards on the ground with 3 TD's. On the season, Adams has 967 yards on only 105 carries(9.2 YPC) with 8 touchdowns.
1-4 holds steady, as Saquon Barkley furthered himself as the clear cut favorite after an 108 yard, 2 touchdown game against Michigan.
WEEK 9 PREVIEW
#11 Oklahoma State at #22 West Virginia - 12:00 PM
2 of the nation's best passing attacks will be on display in this game, as both Oklahoma State and West Virginia love to air it out. OKSU's QB Mason Rudolph has thrown for 2,650 yards and 19 touchdowns in their 7 games this season and he will look to have a lot of success against a WVU defense that gives up 460 total yards a game. But while West Virginia gives up more total yards per game, Oklahoma State gives up more passing yards per game as the Cowboys give up just under 400 yards through the air. That's where the Mountaineers offense could find their big advantage, QB Will Grier has over 2,400 yards passing this season with 24 touchdowns. This game may come down to whoever has the ball last, but expect a lot of passing and a lot of scoring in this game.
#14 North Carolina State at #9 Notre Dame - 3:30 PM
Two of the hottest teams in the country right here, with Notre Dame currently on a 5 game win streak and North Carolina State winning their last 6. Notre Dame's bread and butter has been the run game, RB Josh Adams is putting himself in Heisman discussion and QB Brandon Wimbush adds some running ability on option plays. North Carolina State has a bit more balanced of an offense, QB Ryan Finley rarely turns the ball over and RB Nyheim Hines has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last 3 games. The determining factor in this game could come down to the trenches, where a couple of potential top 10 NFL picks will be facing off. Notre Dame OT Matt McGlichey may be the best offensive lineman in the country, as many project him to be the first OL selected in the draft. NC State's DE Bradley Chubb will be a tough task though as he too is a top NFL prospect and can disrupt both the run and pass game. North Carolina State will need a balanced offense with no turnovers and for Bradley Chubb to be a difference maker in order to win here while Notre Dame needs to continue to run the football effectively in order to win.
PREDICTION: Notre Dame 31-20
#2 Penn State at #6 Ohio State - 3:30 PM
This will be the game of the week right here as a battle for Big Ten East division along with a playoff spot hangs in the balance. The Ohio State Buckeyes have seemed to turn it around after their lopsided loss to Oklahoma in week 2, putting up 50+ points in 4 of the last 5 games. There is still skepticism out there though as they have not played a ranked team so their offensive output may be due to competition, this will be the big test to see if the offense is for real or just fool's gold. Penn State goes as RB Saquon Barkley goes, as the Heisman frontrunner commands full attention from the opposition and even then, he's usually not contained. QB Trace McSorley can beat the defense with his legs as well as he is a real good decision maker when it comes to the option run. He can also pull back make plays with his arm, with TE Mike Gesicki and WR DaeSean Hamilton being his main targets. Ohio State's defensive front 7 will be a huge factor here, they will need to keep containment on Barkley and McSorley while making sure they do not give up the big play. Two evenly matched teams with a ton at stake here, doesn't get much bigger than this for a regular season game.
The sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes entered their off-week firing on all cylinders and playing some of their best and most complete football of the year. The 6-1 Buckeyes have gone unscathed in Big Ten play and find themselves staring down the barrel of the toughest part of their schedule. With three ranked Big Ten opponents looming over the next five games, including this weekends showdown against No.2 Penn State, we’ll see if the Buckeyes have truly progressed since their loss to Oklahoma and preview their biggest Big Ten battle. Here are some of the biggest questions going into the final stretch of the 2017 Buckeye season:
Has J.T. Barrett and the Buckeye offense actually gotten better?
The Buckeyes have averaged 57 points per contest over their last four games. In that span J.T. Barrett has thrown five touchdowns twice, ran for three, and has 19 total scores. He is completing 71% of his passes and has zero turnovers. Barrett has even played himself back into some Heisman talk with his recent play.
But to really answer the question we must look past the numbers.
One of the biggest criticisms earlier in the year of J.T. Barrett was he didn’t look like he progressed from last year. There was no growth.
The most obvious factor for J.T.’s early struggles was a new offensive coordinator bringing a new offense to the Buckeyes. Kevin Wilson’s offense is highlighted by two components that the Buckeye’s weren’t very good at last year; tempo and big plays.
Last year Kevin Wilson’s Indiana offense threw 52 pass plays of 20 yards or more. The Buckeyes had only 33. The Buckeyes still aren’t hitting the long ball the way they want, but J.T. is getting better. Through seven games this year Barrett has completed nine passes of 20 yards or more for four touchdowns. The most encouraging part of those numbers is that four of the nine passes came last week against Nebraska.
Perhaps the most noticeable improvement in Barrett’s game is his confidence in himself, and his teammates.
One of my biggest criticisms of Barrett early in this year was his inability to give his guys a chance to make a play. Barrett looked like he was hesitant in his throws and reads. Only throwing to guys that were obviously wide-open and missing badly on throws to contested receivers.
Over the past couple games Barrett has taken advantage of the skill set and physicality of his wideouts. He is leading guys open, making crisp back shoulder throws, and tossing jump balls to his 6'4" playmaker Binjimen Victor. Fifteen different players have recorded a catch for the Buckeyes this season, nine of which have caught a touchdown.
Ohio State center Billy Price has seen the improvement and believes it’s legit.
“Right now, the offense as a whole is clicking the best it’s been in years. It’s clicking at the right moment.”
Much of Barrett’s improvement can’t be seen in the box score. He has put up big numbers ever since he was named the starter and own’s almost every relevant passing record at Ohio State. With his recent play he’s even started to sneak his name into Heisman consideration. This weekend will be his biggest test and will give Buckeye fans and the nation a good look at what type of J.T. Barrett we can expect going forward.
How much is the Buckeye secondary benefiting from weak passing attacks?
Losing three first-round defensive backs has proven to be a bigger hit than many Buckeye fans envisioned. There was no doubt to how great the Buckeye secondary was last year but replacing them with talents like Denzel Ward, Damon Arnette, and Kendall Sheffield gave many fans comfort as 2017 season approached.
Perhaps we expected too much too soon.
The beginning of the year was rough for the Buckeye secondary. In the first two games of the year the Buckeye secondary gave up a total of 806 yards and six touchdowns through the air while allowing a 67% completion percentage.
Since then the Buckeyes have allowed a quarterback to throw for over 100 yards just once and have two games with less than 20 passing yards allowed. But the competition also changed for Ohio State.
The very next game after Oklahoma threw for 386 yards against them the Buckeyes played an Army team that runs a triple option and only attempted eight passes going 2-8 for 19 yards. Add to that games against a passing attack led by a third-string quarterback for Maryland, a Rutgers quarterback with twice as many interceptions than touchdowns, and current interception leader in the Big Ten; Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee, and you have a stretch of games that has allowed your secondary to gain some confidence and get comfortable with each other in the defensive backfield.
Bottom line is we just don’t know if the Buckeyes have improved or if the poor competition has inflated their recent numbers. But we’ll find out come Saturday when the Big Ten leader in passing yards, Trace McSorley, brings the No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions to Columbus.
Penn State travel to Ohio State 6-0 including last week’s beatdown of No.19 Michigan, 42-13, where Heisman front-runner Saquon Barkley continued to display the all-around skill set that will make him one of the top picks in the NFL draft next year.
Statistically these teams are very similar. Ohio State and Penn State rank 1-2 in the Big Ten in scoring, total offense, and passing.
As mentioned McSorley is the Big Ten passing leader but J.T. Barrett is only 41 yards behind him. Although McSorley has the edge in passing yard Barrett has 7 more passing touchdowns, and has only thrown one interception this year compared to McSorley’s five. Barrett also is a more prolific runner although McSorley is a very capable runner and is coming off his most impressive rushing game of the year with 76 yards and three rushing touchdowns against Michigan.
Despite some impressive quarterback play the heart and soul of the Penn State offense is Saquon Barkley. Barkley can do it all out of the backfield for the Nittany Lions amassing 757 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and another 448 yards and three touchdowns receiving.
The Buckeye’s will undoubtedly see Barkley all over the field as Penn State can use their 230-pound bell-cow inside, off-tackle, or running wheel routes down the sideline. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is well-aware of the task of defending the nation’s leader in all-purpose yardage.
“No question, he’s the best all-purpose guy we’ve probably faced in probably, maybe my career,” Meyer said. “I’d be careful to say this, but he’s as good an all-purpose running back we’ve seen. And that’s 30 years.”
The Buckeye defense is also well-aware of how great Barkley is and the task they have in trying to contain him.
When asked about Barkley, Ohio State linebacker put it about as well as you can saying, “The dudes a monster. I’m very excited to go against him because he can do it all. Pass block, run routes, run the ball, jump over you, run through you.”
The Buckeyes got an extra week of preparation for Barkley as they are coming off a bye-week. Meyer is 20-1 coming out of a bye-week, his only loss happened in his first-year coaching, 2001, at Bowling Green State. He is 5-0 against Top 25 opponents.
Last year Penn State stunned the No.2 Buckeyes in overtime 13-6. That loss kept the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game but didn’t derail their trip to the College Football Playoff. Revenge is definitely a motivator and when coach Meyer was asked about he didn’t shy away, "
They Buckeyes know the magnitude of this game. The Big Ten and National Championship implications. Someone will be on the path to the College Football Playoff after this game while the other will be praying for teams to fall for a chance to somehow find a way back in. With an early loss to Oklahoma the margin of error is much less for the Buckeyes.
“We still have that feeling in our gut of losing,” Billy Price said. “Since week two, we’ve been trying to get better defensively, offensively and on special teams. We’ve just been building it up every week, so when we go out there Saturday we’ll be ready to play.”
What: No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions
When: Saturday October 28, 2017 at 3:30 PM ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -6
Over/Under: 55
Money Line: OSU -245, Penn St +210
The Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings travel to England to play their game this week. The Browns still winless on the season after losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans. The Browns will also be without Joe Thomas in the starting lineup for the first time since the 2006 season. Kevin Shaffer was the last guy not named Joe Thomas to start at left tackle for the Browns. The Vikings are leading the NFC North with a 5-2 record.
Browns Offense vs Vikings Defense
The Browns will be starting DeShone Kizer at quarterback after benching him in the second half of last weeks game. The Browns game plan this week is pretty simple, protect the ball. Kizer needs to take care of the ball especially in the redzone. The Browns will start Spencer Drango at left tackle in place of Joe Thomas this week.
The Browns running game is probably the most important key to the game this week. The Browns need some type of a running game to protect Kizer from throwing the ball too much. In my opinion Duke Johnson should get the majority of the carries but that's unlikely because we know Hue Jackson likes to run Crowell instead. Johnson and tight end David Njoku need to be on the field more and those are the only two consistent playmakers Kizer has had this year.
Browns Defense vs Vikings Offense
The Browns will be without Myles Garrett who is suffering from a concussion. The Browns could be without Jabrill Peppers and Jason McCourty this week too.
The Browns will be going up against Case Keenum this week. The goal for the Browns defensively is to limit Adam Thielen. Thielen is one of the leading receivers on the year. If the Browns can limit him and force Keenum to dink and dunk his way down the field the Browns defense could have a pretty good day. The Vikings running game isn't really a threat after rookie Dalvin Cook injured his knee and is out for the season.
The Browns are going to have a tough time getting pressure on Keenum and forcing him into bad throws so I almost expect for them try and force him into quick throws like they did week one against Pittsburgh.
Five Guys to Watch
1. DeShone Kizer: This one is pretty simple. Like every other week he starts he is the number one guy fans should watch. Kizer hasn't really developed as we all hoped and with the injury to Joe Thomas he will probably get hit a lot more.
2. Duke Johnson: Johnson is the only dynamic playmaker on the team. It is inexcusable that Johnson doesn't get the ball more. I say this every week. Duke needs to be the number one running back going forward for this team.
3. Carl Nassib: With Garrett out this week Nassib will be starting in his place. Nassib has played okay when Garrett was out. The Browns need him to get pressure on Keenum in order to create a potential turnover.
4. Jamar Taylor: With McCourty being questionable this week Taylor is the number one corner again this week. Taylor did a good job last week against the Titans but with have a tough challenge this week with the weapons the Vikings have.
5. Any Receiver: The Browns need one of their receivers this week to step up. Britt has been a cancer on this team, but if Bryce Treggs or Kasen Williams can have a decent game hopefully it will be something Kizer and his receivers can build upon.
With a potential blowout in England, Hue Jackson going 1-23 in his tenure, and the bye week next week this could be Hue Jackson's last game as the Browns head coach. Unless the owner and front office come out and say we are going to keep Hue Jackson for the rest of the season and go into 2018 with Hue also. This upcoming bye week could be interesting for a number of reasons. A fired head coach and/or a potential new hire to the front office...Stay Woke.
NXT returned this week for more NXT action at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. This week, a women's battle royal decided the final spot in the NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four Way Match at NXT WarGames.
** NXT TV Card **
- Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch battled Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli. - A Women's Battle Royal took place for the final spot in the Fatal Four Way Match for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT WarGames. - Aleister Black battled a local talent. - Andrade "Cien" Almas battled Roderick Strong.
** NXT **
- NXT GM William Regal announces that Nikki Cross will be able to compete in tonight's women's battle royal, due to interference that cost her the match two weeks ago against Peyton Royce. Regal also announces that The Authors of Pain will face SAnitY next week for the NXT World Tag Team Championship.
- Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vs. Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli: The match closes out with Moss catching Lorcan and fall away slamming him into the corner. Tino tags in and he and Moss hit a double team finisher on Lorcan and score the pinfall. Winners: Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli, by pinfall.
- Women's Battle Royal For The Final Spot In The NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four Way Match at NXT WarGames: The match closes out with Martinez placing Belair on the ropes and nails a boot. Martinez and Belair end up on the apron, as Nikki Cross goes for the elimination on both and connects. Billie Kay grabs Nikki and tosses her over the ropes, but Nikki lands on the apron and holds on. Nikki rolls back under the ropes and tosses Billie out for the victory. Winner: Nikki Cross.
- After the match, Kairi Sane, Ember Moon, Peyton Royce and Nikki Cross all pose for pictures with William Regal as the four women for the NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four Way Match at NXT Wargames are set.
- Drew McIntyre gets interrupted by Zelina Vega as he's talking to the media and asks where Andrade "Cien" Almas' title shot is. McIntyre tells Vega that when Almas asks for it man to man then he'll get it.
- Aleister Black vs. A Local Talent: Before the match even starts The Velveteen Dream Patrick Clark attacks Black from behind. Clark ties up Black in the ropes and demands that Black say his name. Clark lands some slaps, but Black gets loose and goes after Clark. Black goes for the Black Mass kick, but Clark dodges it and escapes. Winner: No Contest.
- Andrade "Cien" Almas vs. Roderick Strong: The match closes out with Strong hitting double knees and a drop kick on Almas. The referee misses Zelina Vega attack Strong and drop him with a hurricanrana outside into the steel steps. Almas hits the Hammerlock DDT and scores the pinfall. Winner: Andrade "Cien" Almas, by pinfall.
- After the match, Vega says that Almas will meet Drew McIntyre face to face next week to see if he's a man of his word. Undisputed Era hit the ring and help Strong to his feet. Undisputed Era offer Strong a UE wristband and a chance to join them again. Strong keeps the wristband and appears to be thinking about the offer now to end the show.
