Weekend 3 Count 12/3/17

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, ROH, Lucha Underground, NJPW, House of Hardcore, NWA, ICW, CZW, FIP, PWG, AAW, EVOLVE, PROGRESS, SHINE, SHIMMER, BEYOND 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 song of the week goes to Braun Strowman.

*** WWE ***

- Matt Hardy Shows Signs Of Being Broken: This past week on RAW, Hardy suffered a loss to Bray Wyatt. After the match, Hardy began to snap and chanted "delete" repeatedly, appearing to be releasing the Broken Matt Hardy gimmick.

- Daniel Bryan Still Hoping For A Return To The Ring: This past week, Daniel Bryan's wife, Brie Bella, tweeted out that Bryan has been cleared by every doctor he's been to return to the ring to wrestle. WWE doctors, however, still have not given the ok to Bryan and have him currently still on the uncleared list.

- AJ Styles Silences Rumors: This past week a rumor began circling around Twitter that Styles was planning on retiring after Wrestlemania 34. Styles commented on the rumor and made the official announcement that the rumor was false and Styles wants to wrestle a few more years before he officially retires.

- Ford Suing John Cena: It was announced this week that Ford has filed a lawsuit against John Cena. According to the lawsuit, Cena was contractually obligated by Ford to hold onto the vehicle for at least two years. Ford, which is only producing 250 of the supercars a year that Cena purchased, carefully selected buyers out of an applicant pool of celebrities and Ford enthusiasts, alleges that Cena unfairly made a large profit from the unauthorized resale flip of the vehicle. Ford has suffered additional damages and losses, including, but not limited to, loss of brand value, ambassador activity and customer goodwill due to the improper sale.

- Marine 6 News: WWE announced this past week that The Miz will be taking time off to film the movie Marine 6. The movie will also guest star Becky Lynch. Both Miz and Becky Lynch have been written off WWE TV with injuries.

- Goldberg To Appear On CW's The Flash: WWE's Goldberg announced this week on his Twitter account that he will guest star in an episode of the CW show The Flash. It's unknown what character he'll be playing at the moment.

** 205 Live Recap **

- Rich Swann battled Noam Dar: The first match of the show saw, Rich Swann, who won the first Fatal Four Way Match to determine a #1 Contender on RAW, battle Noam Dar, who's still a loyal member of the Zo Train. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore was at ringside and made it clear before the match that he was upset that the Zo Train allowed Swann to win on Monday. Enzo tried to run distraction and help Dar during this match, but Swann hits the Phoenix Splash on Dar and gets the win.

- Jack Gallagher battled Kalisto: The second match of the night saw Gallagher, who was accompanied to the ring by his current running buddy Brian Kendrick, take on Kalisto. Gallagher was in control of things until Kalisto makes the comeback and unloads. Kalisto sets Gallagher up for Salida Del Sol, however, Kendrick hits the ring, attacks and beats down Kalisto, getting Gallagher DQ'ed. 

- Tony Nese and Drew Gulak battled Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali: The main event of the show saw all four men that will battle it out in the second Fatal Four Way Match on this Monday's RAW battle in tag team action. Alexander and Ali showed a little bit of miscommunication in this match, as Gulak and Nese took advantage of it. Ali gets sent into Alexander, who flies off the apron and to the floor. Nese rolls up Ali during the mishap and gets the pinfall.

** Starrcade Recap **

WWE brought back the NWA classic event for a live house show last Saturday night in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro has been the home of many classic NWA events in the past and was dubbed the heart of NWA Wrestling.

- Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler, Special Enforcer Arn Anderson: The opening match of the show saw Roode and Ziggler go one on one with NWA/WCW great and WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson serving as special enforcer. Ziggler would get two near falls on Roode with a Fameasser and a Zig Zag. Ziggler grabs a steel chair and looks to use it on Roode. Arn Anderson enters the ring and has a stare down with Ziggler, after stopping Ziggler from using the chair. Anderson lays out Ziggler with one of his trademarked spinebusters, which allows Roode to hit the Glorious DDT on Ziggler for the pinfall.

- "Twelve Man Tag Team Match": The Bludgeon Brothers, The Colons, Mike Kanellis and Rusev vs. Breezango, The Ascension, Tye Dillinger and Sin Cara: The second match of the night saw some classic multi men tag team action. The Bludgeon Brothers finally get involved in the match and destroy everyone in their path, including their own teammates. The Bludgeon Brothers hit their double team Crucifix Power Bomb and score the pinfall for their team. 

- Naomi vs. Tamina: The third match of the night turned to women's wrestling action. Naomi was able to fight off the powerhouse Tamina and pick up the pinfall with the split legged moonsault.

- "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes vs. Dash Wilder: Dustin Rhodes (Goldust) made an appearance with his WCW gimmick "The Natural", which he competed as at past NWA/WCW Starrcades. Rhodes gets a quick win over Wilder with the Bionic Elbow and the Bulldog. After the match, Dustin cuts a promo about his father, the late great Dusty Rhodes and how proud Dusty would be right now to see the NWA tradition of Starrcade back tonight.

- Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat Promo: NWA legend and WWE Hall of Famer Ricky The Dragon Steamboat makes a special appearance and talks about the NWA. Steamboat calls Greensboro Coliseum hollowed ground and it was known as the Madison Square Garden of the NWA. Steamboat talks about some of his great memories in the NWA and told stories of some of his NWA/WCW United States Championship matches.

- "WWE United States Championship Match": Baron Corbin (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: The fifth match of the night saw Ricky Steamboat ring announce both men to the ring as Corbin defended his title against Nakamura. Nakamura hits a knee on Corbin and then goes for the Kinshasa. Corbin grabs a steel chair and hits Nakamura with it to get himself DQ'ed. Nakamura wins but Corbin retains his title.

- The Hardy Boys And The Rock N Roll Express: Current WWE icons the Hardy Boys and former NWA tag team and WWE Hall of Famers The Rock N Roll Express came out to give the fans some history on how important wrestling has been in North Carolina. The Hardy's tell the Rock N Roll Express that they were their heroes growing up. The Rock N Roll Express talk about all their great battles in the past at Starrcade. The New Day interrupt next and start dancing with The Hardy's and Rock N Roll Express. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupt next and head to the ring for their tag team match next.  

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship, Fatal Four Way Match": The Usos (c) vs. The New Day vs. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn: The sixth match of the night saw The Usos defending their tag team titles and retaining, after unloading an Uso Kick party.

- Ric Flair Promo: 16 time world champion and 2 time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair arrives. Flair was given an NWA tribute video and says that he's cried three times today already being back in Greensboro. Flair talks about his NWA memories and meeting with his legendary friends backstage. Flair introduces his daughter, the WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion, Charlotte, for her title defense tonight. 

- "WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship, Steel Cage Match": Charlotte (c) vs. Nattie Neidhart: In the first of two steel cage matches tonight, Charlotte defended her title against Nattie. Nattie lands a superplex off the ropes and gets Charlotte trapped in The Sharpshooter submission twice. Charlotte is able to hold on and escape the submission. Charlotte hits a spear on Nattie and then makes her tap out to the Figure Eight submission to retain her title. 

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Steel Cage Match": AJ Styles (c) vs. Jinder Mahal: The main event of the show saw the second steel cage match of the show, as Styles defended his title against Mahal. The Singh Brothers climb into the cage and try to attack Styles. Styles hits the Styles Clash on both Singh Brothers. Mahal tries to escape through the cage door as Styles tries to escape by climbing over the cage wall. Styles meets Mahal on the other side and kicks the door into Mahal's head, stopping him from escaping. Styles jumps down to the floor and escapes the cage to retain his title.

*** NXT ***

- New Tag Team Champions Crowned: This week during NXT TV tapings, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly defeated SAnitY to win the NXT World Tag Team Championship.

- Main Event For NXT Philadelphia Announced: This week during the NXT tapings, it was revealed that newly crowned NXT World Champion Andrade "Cien" Almas will defend his title against Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, which takes place the night before the WWE Royal Rumble in January. 

*** Impact Wrestling ***

** Impact TV Recap **

- "Impact Knockouts Championship Tournament, Triple Threat Match": Laurel Van Ness vs. KC Spinelli vs. Madison Rayne: With Gail Kim officially vacating the title and retiring, Impact began a tournament to crown a new champion. KC lifts Madison into the air and hits the electric chair drop. Laurel grabs KC and lays her out with the Unprettier to score the pinfall and advance into the finals of the tournament.

- Hakim Zane vs. Taiji Ishimori: The second match of the night saw Hakim Zane and Taiji Ishimori battle in a one on one match. Zane attempts a hurricanrana, but gets countered and hit with knees to the face by Taiji. Taiji climbs the ropes and hits a 450 Splash on Zane for the pinfall. After the match, Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley hit the ring, attack and lay out Taiji.

- Sami Callihan vs. Randy Myers: The third match of the night is shown in Seattle, Washington with Defy Wrestling. Callihan hits a huge lariat on Myers to score the pinfall in this one. 

- KM Tries To Prove Himself To American Top Team: KM is spotted backstage attacking random people, trying to prove himself in joining Bobby Lashley and American Top Team. KM finds ATT arriving and asks them if he proved enough to them. Dan Lambert says they didn't see anything because they just arrived to the building. KM tries to talk to Lashley, but Lashley isn't listening.

- Texano vs. James Storm: The fourth match of the night saw James Storm continue in his feud with Texano. Texano targets Storm's back during the match. Storm attempts Eye of the Storm twice, but can't hit it due to his back pain. Storm finally is able to lift Texano on the third attempt, but Texano counters and hits a super kick. Texano puts on Storm's cowboy hat and taunts him. Texano walks right into The Last Call and Storm scores the pinfall. After the match, American Top Team hit the ring and attack Storm. Lashley sends Storm back first into the apron and then the steel steps. Storm tries to fight back, landing The Last Call on an ATT member. Lashley scoops up Storm and plants him on his bad back with a running power slam. Moose hits the ring with a steel chair and saves Storm from anymore damage. Dan Lambert announces that next week it'll be him and Lashley vs. Moose and Storm, so they can end Impact Wrestling once and for all.

- Tyson Dux vs. Matt Sydal: The fifth match of the night saw Tyson Dux battle Matt Sydal, as Ethan Carter looked on from the commentary table. Sydal climbs the ropes, going for the Shooting Star Press, when Dux cuts him off with a near fall DDT. Sydal hits double boots to the face and then hits the Shooting Star Press to score the pinfall. After the match, EC3 and Sydal have a stare down with EC3 stating that Sydal can't beat him. 

- Johnny Impact vs. Alberto El Patron: The main event of the show saw Impact and El Patron finally get their one on one match against each other. El Patron cost Impact the World Title at Bound For Glory and both men brawled all over the arena last week, as Impact looked for revenge. The referee goes down and El Patron hits a low blow on Impact. El Patron puts Impact in a tree of woe, rips Impact's tape off his arm and shoves it in Impact's mouth. Eli Drake suddenly appears and distracts El Patron. El Patron attacks Drake and beats him down on the floor. El Patron gets pulled back to the ring by Impact, who hits Starship Pain and scores the pinfall. After the match, Drake hits El Patron with his world title, as Chris Adonis attacks Impact. Petey Williams hits the ring and attacks Drake and Adonis. Drake attempts Gravy Train on Williams, but he counters it. Impact hits a super kick on Drake and Williams follows with the Canadian Destroyer to end the show.

- Anthem Announces They Have Dropped The Broken Gimmick Lawsuit: Anthem announced this week that they have dropped the lawsuit on Matt Hardy, banning him from using the "Broken" gimmick in the WWE or anywhere else. Anthem stated that they have now given all their wrestlers the right to use any gimmick they come up with and use it in other promotions.

- Laurel Van Ness Asks For Her Release: PWInsider announced this week that Laurel Van Ness has asked for her release from Impact Wrestling. As of this time Impact Wrestling has not agreed to release Laurel yet as her contract isn't up until the summer of 2018.

*** RING OF HONOR ***

** ROH TV Recap **

- "#1 Contender Match": Silas Young vs. Jonathan Gresham: The winner of this match received the final spot in the Fatal Four Way Survival Match at ROH Final Battle, for the ROH Television Championship. Beer City Bruiser gets involved and distracts the referee. Gresham comes off the top rope, but Young dodges it. Young hits Misery on Gresham and scores the pinfall to take the final spot.

- The Addiction Attacks War Machine: War Machine made their way to the ring for their match when suddenly Christopher Daniels and Kazarian jumped them from behind. Rowe picks up Kazarian and tosses him into the crowd, taking out a female fan at ringside. Both teams are separated and the fan, who was bleeding from the nose, was given medical attention.

- The Kingdom Continues To Blame Conspiracy: The Kingdom state that they should be ROH World Tag Team Champions and ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions, but there is a conspiracy within ROH holding them back. The Kingdom state that they will end that next week when they defeat The Motor City Machine Guns and take home the tag team titles.

- Coleman's Pulpit With Special Guest Kenny King: King is excited to be defending the ROH Television Championship at ROH Final Battle. Coleman tells King that ROH is using him as a pawn and only want the ratings that he's bringing. King says he's doing this for his daughter. Coleman accuses King of not being a good father, using his daughter for ratings and calls King a pimp. King calls Coleman a false prophet and is going to tell ROH officials to put his title on the line so he can get his hands on Coleman for talking about his family. After King storms off, Coleman smiles because he just baited King into a match for his title.

- Eight Man Tag Team Action: The main event of the show saw The Bullet Club battle Flip Gordon, Scorpio Sky and Coast To Coast in an eight man tag team match. Before the match The Bullet Club mocked their opponents, calling them spot monkeys and mocking Flip Gordon, stating he'll never flip again when they get done with him. Gordon attempted a suicide dive, but eats four Bullet Club super kicks. Sky hits a hurricanrana and Gordon with a 450 Splash gets the near fall. The Bullet Club hit an Indytaker, a Meltzer Driver and The Rite of Passage on Sky and Gordon to take the victory.

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!