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, GFW, 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 song of the week is "Go For Broke" by Machine Gun Kelly. The song is this year's featured song for WWE SummerSlam 2017.
*** WWE ***
- Ric Flair's Fiancee Comments: According to TMZ Sports, Ric Flair's Fiancée, Wendy Barlow, posted a message on her Facebook page, giving us all an update on Flair's status. The following is what she wrote:
"I took Ric to the hospital Friday night with severe abdominal pain. From that moment on it all seems like a nightmare, multiple organ problems. Not to go into too many details, I want everyone to know he still needs prayers as he is still in critical condition. And no, he did not have colon surgery, it was another surgery!"
According to PWInsider, the successful surgery was on his bowels due to a massive obstruction that was complicated by other health issues, including the heart. Things took a turn for the worse when his kidneys failed, he's currently undergoing dialysis to help fix the situation. Flair is still in a critical state that will require some time to recover from with at least one more surgery in the upcoming weeks.
- Sasha Banks Becomes #1 Contender: This past Monday on RAW, Sasha Banks defeated Nia Jax to become the new #1 Contender to the WWE RAW Women's Championship.
- Baron Corbin Cashes In On Smackdown Live: If you missed Smackdown Live this past Tuesday night, Baron Corbin cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase on Jinder Mahal, however, lost thanks to John Cena distracting Corbin.
- Undertaker Spotted: A picture going around social media this weekend is one of The Undertaker getting off a airplane in New York City. Could we see The Deadman return again at WWE SummerSlam??
- Shelton Benjamin Set To Return: PWInsider announced this week that Shelton Benjamin has agreed to return to the WWE. Benjamin was supposed to return last summer, but a rotator cuff injury sidelined him. It's unknown when Benjamin will make his debut.
- Scott Dawson Update: According to sources, Scott Dawson underwent surgery to repair his torn biceps this past week. Dawson is expected to make his return to the ring in December.
- SummerSlam Recap: Just a friendly reminder WWE SummerSlam is tonight. If you can't see the show then be sure to check out my recap of the show right here on TripleThreatCLE.com.
** 205 Live Recap **
This week's show saw the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa celebrate his title win with his own celebration.
- Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik vs. Tony Nese and Drew Gulak: The match closes out with Alexander landing drop kicks and an elbow on Nese. Nese drops Alexander then ends up outside brawling with Metalik. Alexander hits the Lumbar Check on Gulak and scores the pinfall.
Winners: Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Noam Dar, Ariya Daivari, Lince Dorado are laughing about Neville losing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Neville appears, angry, and throws a chair across the room.
Winner: Brian Kendrick, by DQ.
- Backstage, Ariya Daivari informs Rich Swann that he's taking TJ Perkins' place in their match tonight. Swann demands to know why, but Daivari tells Swann to worry about the match and not Perkins.
- Ariya Daivari vs. Rich Swann: The match closes out with Swann unloading kicks. Daivari drops Swann with a handful of hair and goes to the top rope. Daivari misses a splash and gets a spinning kick from Swann. Swann goes to the top rope when TJ Perkins' music plays. Perkins comes out on crutches and distracts Swann long enough for Daivari to get the pinfall.
Winner: Ariya Daivari, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Brian Kendrick is leaving the building and can't take Jack Gallagher anymore. Kendrick suggests a duel with Gallagher next week to settle things.
*** NXT ***
- Takeover: Brooklyn 3 Results: If you missed last night's show then be sure to check out my recap addition of Takeover: Brooklyn 3.
- Takeover: Brooklyn 4 News: WWE announced this week that NXT Takeover will officially be at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for Takeover: Brooklyn 4 in 2018. This will be the 4th year in a row for the event.
- Adam Cole BAYYY BAYYY!!: WWE officially announced this week that former ROH World Heavyweight Champion Adam Cole has signed with the WWE and will join NXT soon.
- Asuka Breaks Another Record: This week, NXT Women's Champion Asuka passed Rockin' Robin's 502 day reign as WWE Women's Champion. Asuka is now the longest reigning women's champion of any kind and the longest reigning champion in WWE history (besides the years long reigns by Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund, Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino that will likely never be surpassed).
*** GFW ***
** GFW Impact Recap **
This week's show was the made for TV Destination X pay per view. The main event of the show saw Bobby Lashley battle Matt Sydal with the winner receiving a title shot for any title they want.
- Backstage, an interviewer is trying to talk to Bruce Prichard. The door opens and she tells us that we are not going to believe who she just saw.
- "GFW Knockouts Championship Match": Sienna (c) vs. Gail Kim: The match closes out with Gail escaping a choke and nails Eat Defeat on Sienna. KM gets on the apron and Gail attacks him. While the referee is distracted, Taryn Terrell returns and lays out Gail with a Cutter. Sienna hits the AK47 on Gail next and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Sienna, by pinfall, to retain the GFW Knockouts Championship.
- Bruce Prichard Promo: Prichard is in the ring with the GFW Global Championship and announces that Alberto El Patron has surrendered the title to focus on his family. Prichard announces that he is giving the title back to Bobby Lashley, however, Jim Cornette arrives and heads to the ring. Cornette announces that Anthem called him to help fix things in GFW. Prichard demands security to remove Cornette. Cornette breaks the news to Prichard that he's fired and security takes Prichard away. Cornette announces that top name wrestlers will no longer come to GFW and be handed the world, they need to earn it like everyone else. Cornette announces a 20 man gauntlet next week to crown a new GFW Global Champion. LAX interrupt next and tell Cornette that Low Ki should be facing the Gauntlet winner not competing in it. Cornette says he feels for Low Ki, but he's still competing in the Gauntlet. LAX surround Cornette and he warns them that they'll all go to jail if they touch him. LAX step down, claiming to not be afraid of jail to end the segment.
- "Super X Cup Tournament Finals": Taiji Ishimori vs Dezmond Xavier: The match closes out with Xavier missing a 450 Splash and Ishimori hits a drop kick. Ishimori with a head kick, a head stand stomp, a gut buster and then gets a near fall 450 Splash on Xavier. Xavier counters an irish whip and connects with a back flip kick, knocking out Ishimori to score the pinfall and win the Super X Cup Tournament.
Winner: Dezmond Xavier, by pinfall.
- After the match, Xavier shakes Ishimori's hand, accepts the Super X Cup Trophy and promises that he's targeting who ever walks out the GFW X Division Champion tonight.
- Backstage, Bruce Prichard warns Karen Jarrett that she hasn't seen the last of him. Karen tells Prichard he'll never step foot in the Impact Zone ever again.
- Backstage, Joseph Park tells Grado he'll have to say goodbye to the Impact Zone next week.
- "GFW X Division Championship, Ladder Match: Sonjay Dutt (c) vs Trevor Lee: The match closes out with Dutt getting tossed into the barricade, but comes back and trips Lee into a ladder. Lee gets laid on a ladder and then Dutt hits a frog splash on top of him. Dutt climbs the ladder, but Caleb Conolly hits the ring, power bombs Dutt through a table and yells for Lee to go for the title. GFW icon Petey Williams suddenly hits the ring, hits the Canadian Destroyer on Conolly and yells for Dutt to grab the title. Lee climbs the ladder as Dutt springboards onto the ladder. Dutt sends Lee flying off the ladder and crashing onto another ladder below. Dutt grabs the title for the victory.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt, to retain the GFW X Division Championship.
- Backstage, Bobby Lashley says he's beating Matt Sydal tonight and regaining the GFW Global Championship.
- OVE vs Jason Cade and Wintz: OVE are Jake and Dave Crist from the independent promotions. The match closes out with OVE making quick work of their opponents for the pinfall.
Winners: OVE, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Moose and Ethan Carter ask to be in next week's Gauntlet. Jim Cornette says they are in. Eli Drake interrupts and mocks Cornette. Cornette enters Chris Adonis and Eli Drake in the Gauntlet. Cornette then tells Drake that since he thinks he's number one than he can enter the Gauntlet #1.
- "Winner Gets The Title Shot Of Their Choosing": Bobby Lashley vs. Matt Sydal: The match closes out with Sydal hitting a double knee on Lashley from the top rope. Lashley hits a spine buster on Sydal, gets a near fall and then hits a running power slam on Sydal for another near fall. Lashley hits the Dominator on Sydal and he again kicks out at two and a half. Lashley grabs a steel chair and the referee tries to take it from Lashley. Sydal catches Lashley off guard and kicks the chair in his face with a Van Daminator. Lashley counters the Shooting Star Press by getting his knees up on Sydal. Lashley goes for the spear, but Sydal dodges it, making Lashley hit the turnbuckle head first. Sydal rolls up Lashley and scores the upset pinfall.
Winner: Matt Sydal, by pinfall.
- After the match, one of Lashley's MMA corner men grab referee Brian Hebner and chokes him out. Lashley breaks it up to end the show.
- Alberto El Patron Stripped Of His Title: GFW announced this week that they have decided to strip Alberto El Patron of the GFW Undisputed Championship due to the altercation he had with Paige at the Orlando Airport last month.
"My company Impact and I have come to an agreement that it's best for both parties if I be stripped from the championships. I came up with the suggestion just to show that Impact doesn't have favorites and everyone gets treated the same. Apologies to fans and my brothers and sisters in the company, even though I came out all clear and there was no wrong doing, it was still a scandal. So thanks for your support and let's move forward more positively. One day I hope to be your champ again! #SiSiSi"
- Tyrus Refuses To Do TV Tapings: Tyrus announced this week that he is now refusing to do TV tapings with GFW because he is unhappy with the way his character has been treated. Tyrus stated that he will not return to GFW until they figure out a better idea on where Tyrus' gimmick and character is going from here.
- Angelina Love Leaves GFW: GFW announced this past week that Angelina Love has asked for her release from the company, which GFW granted. Love's husband Davey Richards asked for his release last month as well, as he is looking at finishing up his degree to become a professional doctor.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap **
The main event of the show saw ROH Television Champion Kushida defend his title against Kenny King.
- Kazarian Promo: Kazarian states that the fans lack respect for Christopher Daniels, the fans are smarks and none of them deserve to see Christopher Daniels compete. Kazarian promises to ruin everything the fans love about ROH.
- Punishment Martinez vs. Flip Gordon: The match closes out with Martinez choke slamming Gordon off the top rope and scoring the pinfall.
Winner: Punishment Martinez, by pinfall.
- After the match, Jay White hits the ring and attacks Martinez. White and Martinez brawl until security separate both men.
- Backstage, Colt Cabana sends out a challenge to Dalton Castle and The Boys for a shot at the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship. Cabana says The Tempura Boys will be his partners.
- Dalton Castle Promo: Castle arrives on stage and tells Colt Cabana he's sick of him running his mouth so he and The Boys will battle Cabana and The Tempura Boys next week with the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship on the line.
- "ROH Television Championship Match": Kushida (c) vs. Kenny King: The match closes out with Kushida locking King in the Hoverboard Lock submission, but Hangman Adam Page and Marty Scurll hit the ring and attack Kushida.
Winner: Kushida, by DQ.
- After the match, Kenny King says he's not letting The Bullet Club ruin his title match and not get revenge. King offers Kushida to team with him and battle Page and Scurll now. Everyone accepts the challenge.
- Kushida and Kenny King vs. Hangman Adam Page and Marty Scurll: The match closes out with King hitting the Royal Flush on Page and scoring the pinfall.
Winners: Kushida and Kenny King, by pinfall.
- After the match, Kushida and King shake hands and King asks for another title shot.
*** Lucha Underground ***
** Lucha Underground TV Recap **
This week's show saw the semi finals of The Cueto Cup Tournament take place.
- While working out, Cage gets confronted by Catrina, who demands Cage to hand over the Gauntlet before the evil takes him over. Cage refuses.
- Dario Cueto meets with Officer Joey Ryan. Ryan reveals that Veneno is actually Cortez Castro, an undercover cop. Dario announces Sexy Star vs. Veneno next week, in a mask vs. mask match.
- "The Cueto Cup Tournament Match": Prince Puma vs. Fenix: The match closes out with Fenix hitting a running kick on Puma. Marty The Moth suddenly appears and stalks ring announcer Melissa Santos. Fenix takes out Marty with a moonsault. Puma hits Fenix with a knee and then a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Puma goes to the top rope and hits the 630 Splash on Fenix for the pinfall and advancing to the Finals.
Winner: Prince Puma, by pinfall.
- Mil Muertes is working out when Cage suddenly attacks him. Cage lays out Muertes with his Gauntlet glove and leaves. Catrina uses a magic rock to make Muertes rise and orders him to break Pentagon Dark in two later.
- "The Cueto Cup Tournament Match": Pentagon Dark vs. Mil Muertes: The match closes out with Muertes hitting a snap slam for a near fall on Pentagon. Pentagon blocks a corner clothesline and hits a backstabber. Pentagon hits a super kick on Muertes and then kicks Catrina away, trying to interfere. Pentagon hits the double stomp on Muertes and scores the pinfall, advancing to the Finals.
Winner: Pentagon Dark, by pinfall.
- After the match, Pentagon tries to break Muertes' arm, but he escapes.
- Johnny Mundo and Rey Mysterio Meet Face To Face: Mundo arrives with security and says he's crushing Rey's dreams next week. Mundo mocks Rey's family and asks if Dominick is really his son. Rey and Mundo start brawling. Security save Mundo and then the rest of Worldwide Underground attack Rey. Mundo hits a Curb Stomp on Rey, as The Mack, Sexy Star and Dragon Azteca hit the ring. Prince Puma and Pentagon hit the ring next and they brawl with each other. Mil Muertes and Cage hit the ring next, with Cage nailing Mundo with a power bomb. Marty The Moth, Fenix, Mariposa, Vinny Massaro and Joey Ryan all arrive and start brawling. The Rabbit Tribe watches on top of Dario Cueto's office as Dante Fox and Killshot hit the ring next and brawl. Puma hits a 630 Splash and takes out a pile of guys outside. Rey hits the 619 on Mundo and stands tall to end the show.
WEDNESDAY! The best vs the best! Johnny Mundo vs Rey Mysterio for the #LuchaUnderground Championship! 8p ET only on @ElReyNetwork! pic.twitter.com/kv1kGtgoLc
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 17, 2017
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
** G1 Climax Finals **
After a huge grueling three week tournament, the Finals of the G1 Climax is here. Kenny Omega battled Tetsuya Naito in the Finals, to crown the #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, who will meet Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4th.
- "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Taka Michinoku, Desperado, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Kushida, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and Hirai Kawato: The match closes out with Kawato getting triple teamed and beat down. Kanemaru hits a second rope DDT on Kawato and scores the pinfall.
Winners: Taka Michinoku, Desperado, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall.
- After the match, all eight men brawled throughout the arena.
- Guerillas of Destiny vs. Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi: The match closes out with Loa picking up Nakanishi and hitting a Rikishi Driver to score the pinfall.
Winners: Guerillas of Destiny, by pinfall.
- Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi vs. Togi Makabe and David Finlay: The match closes out with Yoshi hitting Karma on Finlay and scoring the pinfall in a quick match.
Winners: Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Juice Robinson, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzen vs. Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens: The match closes out with Juice hitting Pulp Fiction on Owens to score the pinfall.
Winners: Juice Robinson, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzen, by pinfall.
- "IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship Match": The Young Bucks (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet: The match closes out with Taguchi countering The Young Bucks' second attempt at a Meltzer Driver and hits a springboard hip attack. Ricochet climbs the ropes, hits a Shooting Star Press, covers and scores the pinfall to win the titles.
Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet, by pinfall, to win the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship.
- Katsuyori Shibata Returns For A Promo: In a surprise return Shibata made his way to the ring to let the fans know that he was alive after almost becoming paralyzed a few months back in his match against Kazuchika Okada, when a very stiff head butt caused Shibata to collapse backstage and cause serious internal injuries.
- "IWGP Tag Team Championship Match": War Machine (c) vs. Cody Rhodes and Hangman Adam Page: The match closes out with Hanson hitting a Swanton outside on Cody. Hanson and Rowe then hit Fallout on Page and score the pinfall to retain their titles.
Winners: War Machine, by pinfall, to retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. and Takashi Iizuka vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi and Michael Elgin: The match closes out with Elgin destroying all of his opponents in his path. Sabre, however, is able to trap Tanahashi in the Octopus Stretch submission and get the tap out win.
Winners: Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. and Takashi Iizuka, by submission.
- After the match, Elgin and Suzuki brawl into the crowd and take out every official that try to separate them.
- "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Evil, Sanada, Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano and Gedo: The match closes out with Gedo getting destroyed by everyone's finishing moves. Hiromu traps Gedo in the Triangle Choke submission and gets the tap out win.
Winners: Evil, Sanada, Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi, by submission.
- After the match, Evil grabs Okada and lays him out with Darkness Falls right on top of a stack of steel chairs.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall, to win the G1 Climax Tournament.
- After the match, Naito was presented the trophy and the G1 flag from Masahiro Chono. Naito thanks everyone and says this was a victory for the fans.
- Ryusuke Taguchi made his professional wrestling debut in 2002, was trained by NJPW Dojo and was born in Iwanuma, Miyagi.
- Taguchi has wrestled for NJPW and CMLL.
- Top Titles Won:
** 1 Time CMLL World Welterweight Champion.
** 2 Time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
** 6 Time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
** 2 Time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.
- PWI ranked Taguchi #102 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in 2015.
- Champions Profile: RICOCHET: Ricochet teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi this past week and defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship.
- Ricochet made his professional wrestling debut in 2003, was trained by Chuck Taylor and Brandon Walker and was born in Paducah, Kentucky. Ricochet was also known as the masked wrestler Prince Puma in Lucha Underground.
- Ricochet has wrestled for NJPW, Lucha Underground, CHIKARA, EVOLVE, PWG and other Indy Promotions.
- Top Titles Won:
** 1 Time DDT Pro-Wrestling
Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.
** 1 Time Open the Brave Gate Champion.
** 1 Time Open the Dream Gate Champion
** 1 Time Open the Triangle Gate Champion.
** 2 Time Open the Twin Gate Champion.
** 1 Time Open the Freedom Gate Champion.
** 2 Time Open the United Gate Champion.
** 1 Time HOG World Heavyweight Champion.
** 1 Time IPW Junior Heavyweight Champion.
** 2 Time Lucha Underground World Champion.
** 1 Time Lucha Underground Trios Champion.
** 3 Time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
** 3 Time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.
** 1 Time Revolution Pro Wrestling
Undisputed British Tag Team Champion.
- PWI ranked Ricochet #15 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in 2016.
*** EVOLVE ***
Evolve returned this month with their usual two show weekend events. Live from Joppa, Maryland, the main event of the show saw WWN World Champion Matt Riddle battle Lio Rush in a non title match.
- ACH and Ethan Page defeated Chris Dickinson and Jaka. Page hit the RKEgo and ACH hits a spike brainbuster for the win.
- Darby Allin defeated Craig Mitchell, by pinfall, after turning the Gibson Lock into a pinfall.
- Austin Theory defeated Jason Kincaid, by pinfall, after Priscella Kelly distracted Kincaid allowing Theory to hit a TKO.
- "EVOLVE World Tag Team Championship Match": Anthony Henry and James Drake (c) defeated Tracy Williams and Rory Gulak, by pinfall, after Drake hit the TEK, to retain the titles.
- Keith Lee defeated Timothy Thatcher, by pinfall.
- "PROGRESS Atlas Championship Match": Walter (c) defeated Fred Yehi, by submission to a rear naked choke submission to retain the title.
- Matt Riddle defeated Lio Rush, by submission to the Bromission submission.
The main event of the show saw WWN World Champion Matt Riddle defend the title in a Fatal Four Way Match against Keith Lee, Walter and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams.
- Ethan Page defeated ACH, by pinfall, with the ripcord finger thrust.
- Darby Allin defeated Timothy Thatcher, by pinfall with the Gibson Lock.
- "EVOLVE World Tag Team Championship Match": Anthony Henry and James Drake (c) defeated Fred Yehi and Jason Kincaid, by pinfall, to retain their titles.
- Mark Haskins defeated Austin Theory, by submission with the Sharpshooter.
- Chris Dickinson and Jaka defeated TK Cooper and Travis Banks, by pinfall with the Death Trap.
- "WWN World Championship, Fatal Four Way Match": Matt Riddle (c) defeated Keith Lee, Walter and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams, by submission, with the Bromission on Williams.
*** House of Hardcore ***
House of Hardcore 32 took place live in Freehold, New Jersey. The main event of the show saw MVP, Jake Hagar and Tommy Dreamer battle in a Triple Threat Match.
- Matt Striker defeated Vik Dalishus.
- Angelina Love defeated Katred.
- Joey Mercury defeated Bull James.
- Petey Williams defeated Alex Reynolds.
- Jeff Cobb defeated Nick Aldis.
- Bobby Fish defeated Rhett Titus.
- "Anything Goes Match": Bully Ray defeated Sami Callihan.
- The Spirit Squad defeated Bill Carr and Dan Barry.
- "Triple Threat Match": MVP defeated Jake Hagar and Tommy Dreamer.
House of Hardcore was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the second night of their weekend shows. The main event of the show saw Jeff Cobb battle Sami Callihan.
- Lance Anoa’i defeated Vik Dalishus.
- Nick Aldis defeated Bull James.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Bully Ray and The Rock N Roll Express defeated The Spirit Squad.
- Joey Mercury defeated Tommy Dreamer.
- MVP defeated Rhett Titus.
- "Fatal Four Way Match": Petey Williams defeated Bobby Fish, Anthony Blitz and Alex Reynolds.
- Dan Barry vs. Matt Striker went to a No Contest.
- Jeff Cobb defeated Sami Callihan.
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!
