WWE Battleground finally arrived on the WWE Network and I'm here with your official WWE Battleground recap from the show! WWE Battleground was live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wells Fargo Center. All the major championships were on the line and a few stipulated matches were included as well. Who walked out victorious in this Smackdown Live pay per view?
*** WWE Battleground Card ***
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jinder Mahal defended his title against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison Match. - WWE United States Champion AJ Styles defended his title against Kevin Owens. - WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles against The New Day. - John Cena battled Rusev in a Flag Match. - Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Lana, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina battled it out in a Fatal Five Way Elimination Match, to determine a new #1 Contender to the WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship. - Shinsuke Nakamura battled WWE Money In The Bank Winner Baron Corbin. - Mike Kanellis battled Sami Zayn. - Tye Dillinger battled Aiden English.
- Breezango looks to finally get to the bottom of who's been trashing their office and sending them threatening messages.
** WWE Battleground Pre-Show **
- Social Media Lounge Interview With Mike and Maria Kanellis: Maria is asked when she'll be back in the ring. Maria says she's always in the ring with her man, showing the power of love. Mike is asked about his strategy tonight. Mike says it's simple, he's going to punch Sami Zayn as hard as he can in the head. Mike and Maria are both asked if they have advice for everyone looking for true love. Maria says it won't happen because there's only one Mike and Maria Kanellis. Mike is wished good luck, but he says he doesn't need it because he has love.
- Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English: The match closes out with English grounding Dillinger and taking control of the match. English taunts Dillinger by singing a song while keeping him grounded. Dillinger fights back with a drop kick, unloads on English and goes for the Tye Breaker. English escapes outside and then lands a cheap shot on Dillinger as Dillanger chased English. Back in the ring, Dillinger hits a spine buster on English and gets a near fall. Both men battle to the top rope, where English counters a superplex and head butts Dillinger to the mat. English hits a flying cross body, but Dillinger rolls through on the catch and gets a near fall on English. English counters another Tye Breaker, plants Dillinger into the mat face first and gets a near fall. English starts to have a temper tantrum before trading shots with Dillinger. Dillinger and English trade more offensive moves until English catches Dillinger with the Director's Cut and scores the pinfall. Winner: Aiden English, by pinfall.
** WWE Battleground **
- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. The New Day: The match closes out with Jimmy missing the Uso Splash and Woods getting a near fall. Jimmy counters the Honor Roll as Jey tags in and hits a Samoan Drop on Woods for a near fall. The Usos double team Woods on the apron until Woods connects with an enziguri on Jey. Woods goes for an elbow drop off the ropes, but eats an Uso Kick from Jimmy for a near fall. Jimmy traps Woods in the crab submission and locks it tight. Woods fights for the ropes and finally escapes as Jimmy argues with the referee. Kofi tags in and he and Woods hit Midnight Hour on Jimmy, but it's a surprising near fall. Kofi springboards, but eats an Uso Kick from Jimmy and then Jey hits the Uso Splash off the ropes, but its another near fall. Both Usos climb the ropes, but Woods takes out Jey. Jimmy leaps and misses Kofi. Kofi hits Jimmy with Trouble in Paradise and Woods follows with a flying elbow drop to score the pinfall and win the titles. Winners: The New Day, by pinfall, to win the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.
- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin: The match closes out with Nakamura hitting a high knee on Corbin and follows with another for a near fall. Corbin hits a running clothesline on Nakamura and gets a near fall. Corbin unloads on Nakamura until Nakamura blocks a suplex attempt with a knee on Corbin. Nakamura delivers knees to Corbin's shoulder area, slams Corbin and measures for Kinshasa. Corbin counters Kinshasa, drills Nakamura with Deep Six and gets a near fall, leaving both men laid out. Both men are up as Corbin lands some shots on Nakamura. Nakamura fights back, counters a choke slam and hits a backstabber on Corbin. Nakamura takes offensive control and goes for the Exploder suplex on Corbin. Corbin purposely back kicks Nakamura below the belt and gets himself DQ'ed. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by DQ.
- After the match, Corbin smiles at his DQ loss and grabs his Money In The Bank briefcase. Corbin leaves, but comes back and lands a gut shot on Nakamura with the briefcase. Corbin hits End of Days and leaves Nakamura laid out.
- "Fatal Five Way, Elimination Match": Charlotte vs. Lana vs. Becky Lynch vs. Nattie Neidhart vs. Tamina:
** First Elimination: Lana drops Nattie and gets a near fall on Charlotte. Lana shows frustration and doesn't see Becky coming from behind. Becky traps Lana in the Dis Arm Her submission, but Tamina lands a kick, breaking the submission. Tamina plants Becky with a Samoan Drop and then spears Charlotte off the apron. Lana tries to steal the pinfall on Becky, but again gets trapped in the Dis Arm Her submission. Tamina again breaks the submission. Becky grabs Tamina and traps her in the Dis Arm Her submission and forces her to tap out.
** Second Elimination: Becky releases Tamina, immediately grabs Lana and forces her to tap out to the Dis Arm Her submission.
** Third Elimination: Nattie quickly grabs Becky after the submission and gets the surprise rollup pinfall.
** Final Elimination: We're down to Charlotte vs. Nattie Neidhart. Charlotte goes for the Figure Four leg lock submission, but Nattie counters into an arm breaker submission. Charlotte powers out and plants Nattie with a power bomb for a near fall. Charlotte goes for the moonsault off the ropes, but Nattie gets her knees up for the block. Nattie sends Charlotte head first into the turnbuckle and scores the pinfall. Winner: Nattie Neidhart, to become the new #1 Contender.
- After the match, WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi gets in the ring and extends her hand to Nattie. Nattie stares down Naomi and walks off, blowing off the handshake.
- "WWE United States Championship Match": AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens: The match closes out with Styles getting crotched on the ropes. Owens attempts a superplex, but Styles blocks it. Owens lands a shot to the face of Styles, but Styles slips free and sends Owens into the turnbuckle. Styles goes for a springboard, but Owens rolls outside. Owens takes out Styles, sends him into the ring post and then hits an arm breaker. Styles hits the Pele Kick and goes for the Styles Clash, but Styles' shoulder is bothering him and can't hit it. Owens sends Styles into the referee and all three men go down. Styles is up first, but eats a super kick from Owens. Styles counters out of the Pop Up Power Bomb and traps Owens in the Calf Crusher submission. The referee begins to wake up as Owens counters Styles' submission into one of his own. Styles counters out and traps Owens in a crossface submission. Owens counters the crossface into a pin and scores the pinfall to win the title. Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall, to win the WWE United States Championship.
- Backstage, The Singh Brothers inform Jinder Mahal that they are not going to be at ringside for his Punjabi Prison Match. Mahal says he's not worried because he'll take out Randy Orton alone and make the Punjabi Prison Orton's final resting place.
- "Flag Match": John Cena vs. Rusev: The match closes out with Cena going for the American Flag posted at the ramp. Rusev cuts him off and they both trade shots. Cena grabs the American Flag and tries to place it in the flag stand for the win, but Rusev grabs the flag stand and hits Cena with it. Rusev hits a stomp on Cena and locks on The Accolade submission. Rusev releases the hold and goes for the Bulgarian Flag. Rusev grabs the flag and heads toward the flag stand. Cena cuts off Rusev and they trade shots on the podium by the flag stand. Rusev counters an AA and hits Cena with the thrust kick. Rusev stomps on Cena's back and reapplies The Accolade submission. Cena powers out with Rusev on his back, walks up to the podium and AA's Rusev off the podium and through double stacked tables below. Cena grabs the American Flag and places it in the flag stand to win the match. Winner: John Cena.
- We get a Fashion Files video with Breezango trying to figure out who's been threatening them. The Ascension try to take credit for everything that's been happening. The lights suddenly go out and when they come back on both Tyler Breeze and Fandango are laid out and dragged away by unknown men.
- Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn: The match closes out with Zayn hitting a clothesline on Kanellis and follows with a back body drop. Zayn tosses Kanellis outside and then hits a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Zayn goes to the top rope and gets a near fall cross body on Kanellis. Kanellis counters a Blue Thunder Bomb from Zayn, but Zayn is able to hit a DDT. Zayn goes for the Exploder suplex, but Maria Kanellis gets in the ring and acts as a shield for Mike. Maria yells at the referee and Zayn, distracting both. The referee orders Maria out as Mike tries to cheap shot Zayn. Zayn counters and hits the Exploder suplex on Mike into the corner. Zayn hits the Helluva Kick on Mike and scores the pinfall. Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall.
- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Punjabi Prison Match": Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton: Jinder immediately calls for the first door of the inner cage to be opened. Mahal and Orton trade offense, send each other into the bamboo walls and stop each other from getting out of door number one as the 60 seconds expires, locking door number one permanently. We get back and forth offense as door number two is asked to be opened. Orton tries to escape after kicking Mahal away, but Mahal cuts off and stops Orton, as the 60 seconds expire, locking door number two permanently. More back and forth offense, which sees Mahal try to climb out of the inner structure, Orton suplexing Mahal into the bamboo cell and then trying to escape door number three. Both men stop each other from getting through door number three as the 60 seconds expire, closing it permanently. Orton hits the draping DDT on Mahal and asks for the last door to be opened. Mahal counters an RKO and knees Orton in the face. Mahal goes for the Cobra Clutch Slam, but Orton counters and hits the RKO.
The Singh Brothers suddenly hit the ring and get inside the Prison. The Singh Brothers pull Mahal out of the final door into the outer structure right as the 60 seconds expire, trapping Orton with no unlockable doors in the inner structure. Orton climbs out of the inner structure and stops Mahal from climbing out of the outer structure, but gets caught in a 3 on 1 beat down. The match closes out with Orton unloading steel chair shots and kendo stick shots on The Singh Brothers and Mahal. Orton starts climbing out of the outer structure as Sunil Singh tries to stop Orton. Orton kicks Sunil away when suddenly The Great Khali's music hits and out comes Khali. Khali shakes the outside structure stopping Orton from escaping. Khali climbs the structure and grabs Orton by the throat. Orton gets choked out while dangling from the cell wall as Mahal climbs out from the other side of the cell and wins the match to retain his title. Mahal celebrates with Khali to end the show. Winner: Jinder Mahal, to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
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, NWA, 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
This week's theme song of the week goes to a band called Bleeker. Their song entitled Highway will be the official theme song to WWE Backlash next Sunday night on the WWE Network.
*** WWE ***
- Braun Strowman Injured: WWE announced this week that Braun Strowman will be out of action for the next few months due to needing surgery on his elbow. WWE Officials have noted that WWE is now in the process of changing storylines due to Strowman's injury. Strowman was scheduled to face Roman Reigns in some kind of a gimmick match at WWE Extreme Rules and then was supposed to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at WWE Great Balls of Fire. It's unknown at this time on who will get the push to Lesnar now.
- Rusev's Return: This past week Rusev posted a video stating that he will in fact be at Smackdown Live this Tuesday and will be demanding answers from Shane McMahon. In case you missed it, last month when Rusev was drafted to Smackdown Live, Rusev stated that he refused to wrestle for Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan unless he was given a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at WWE Money In The Bank in June. Shane McMahon has ignored all demands and has continued his day to day regime. Rusev has stated that if he doesn't get what he wants then he'll quit Smackdown Live and go back to Bulgaria.
- Is The Dollhouse Coming To The WWE?: Sources are saying that former tag team partners and friends from Impact Wrestling, Jade and Marti Bell, who went by the team known as The Dollhouse both could be on their way to the WWE. WWE is looking at signing as much women talent that they can find for their 32 Women Tournament this summer.
- England Tryouts: This past week while touring in England, the WWE held performance tryouts with some of the UK's top wrestlers. The following wrestlers tried out with their hopes of getting a WWE contract.
** Jurn Simmons: Is currently the Unified World Wrestling Champion of Germany's Westside Xtreme Wrestling.
** Adam “Flex” Maxted: Is from Belfast, Ireland and has actually had a past feud with Drew McIntyre.
** German Cruiserweights Axel “Juvenile X” Gress and Christian “T-K-O” Tscherpel: Both were trained by former WCW wrestler Alex Wright and wrestle for Wright's wrestling organization, New European Championship Wrestling.
** Welsh cruiserweight Flash Morgan Webster: Webster actually competed in a WWE Cruiserweight Classic qualifying match last year in PROGRESS Wrestling.
** Travis Banks and Chris Brookes: They are the reigning Revolution Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions, a promotion based in the UK. They go by the tag team name of The Commonwealth Catch Kings.
** TK Cooper: From New Zealand, Cooper wrestled with PROGRESS during their show at Wrestlemania Axxess this year.
- Brie Bella Has Her Baby: This past Wednesday, Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella welcomed their first child into the world. Birdie Joe Danielson was born at 11:58pm and weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and 21 inches.
** 205 Live Recap ** This week Jack Gallagher thanks Austin Aries with an old fashioned England toast. The main event of the show saw Brian Kendrick battle Akira Tozawa.
- Jack Gallagher Toasts Austin Aries: 205 Live kicked off with Gallagher showing appreciation to Aries for helping him last week. Aries says a simple thank you would've been fine and says he's more of a red wine guy as Gallagher wants to drink a pint of beer with Aries. Neville interrupts, calls England a parody and mocks Aries for failing twice at beating the King of the Cruiserweights. TJ Perkins suddenly attacks Aries' knee out of nowhere as Neville goes for Gallagher, after Gallagher spits beer in Perkins' face. Aries makes the comeback with the Discus Five Arm and clears Neville and Perkins from the ring.
- Backstage, Rich Swann mocks Alicia Fox and Noam Dar that they're back together. Alicia says she'd never leave a real man like Dar. Dar promises Swann that they haven't forgotten what Swann tried to do.
- Tony Nese vs. Mustafa Ali: The match closes out with both men trading chops and slaps. Nese counters a lariat, hits a series of strikes and then gets a near fall double foot stomp. Ali sends Nese into the turnbuckle and then hits a second rope DDT. Ali hits the 450 Splash on Nese and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Ariya Daivari yells at a stage hand for not shining his boots incorrectly and then yells at Akira Tozawa for getting his sweat on his suit. Tozawa glares at Daivari and does his "HA" chant until Daivari walks off.
- Brian Kendrick vs. Akira Tozawa: The match closes out with Kendrick hitting Sliced Bread #2 on Tozawa on the floor, but Tozawa just beats the ten count. Kendrick is in complete control of the match until Tozawa finally comes back with kicks and elbows. Kendrick retaliates with a standing drop kick and a Dragon Suplex, which he turns into the Captain's Hook submission. Tozawa escapes and counters Sliced Bread #2, but gets trapped in the Captain's Hook submission again. Tozawa escapes, counters another Sliced Bread #2 attempt by Kendrick and scores a rollup pinfall. After the match, Kendrick attacks Tozawa and sends him into the ring steps repeatedly. Kendrick then stomps on Tozawa while he's pinned in between the ring steps. Kendrick says this is Tozawa's life lesson and it's "No one messes with Brian Kendrick".
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall.
*** NXT ***
- Ember Moon Injured: WWE announced that NXT women's superstar Ember Moon was injured last week after Asuka attacked her, Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross. Ember has suffered a grade one shoulder sprain and will not be able to compete at NXT TakeOver: Chicago on May 20th. Doctors estimate that Moon will require four to five weeks to recover from the injury.
- NXT Takeover: Chicago Card: The following is the current lineup for NXT Takeover: Chicago so far:
** "NXT World Championship Match": Bobby Roode (c) vs. Hideo Itami
** "NXT World Tag Team Championship, Ladder Match": Authors of Pain (c) vs. #DIY
** "NXT Women's Championship, Triple Threat Match": Asuka (c) vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ruby Riot
** "WWE United Kingdom Championship Match": Tyler Bate (c) vs. Pete Dunne
*** Impact/Global Force Wrestling ***
** Impact/GFW Recap ** This week's show saw Impact Grand Champion Moose defend his title against Marshe Rockett. The main event of the show saw GFW Global Champion Magnus defend his title against Alberto El Patron.
- "Fatal Four Way Match": Matt Sydal vs. Andrew Everett vs. Desmond Xavier vs. Caleb Konley: The match closes out with all four men hitting aerial moves. Xavier with a frog splash on Konley gets him a near fall. Sydal hits a leaping head scissors on Xavier, but Xavier lands on his feet. Everett comes out of nowhere and plants Xavier with a Frankendriver to score the pinfall.
Winner: Andrew Everett, by pinfall.
- Jeremy Borash returns sitting in the crowd behind Josh Mathews with his "Free JB" and "POS" signs again.
- Earlier in the day, Ethan Carter arrived to the arena. EC3 insults James Storm, calling him The Coward and promises us that Storm will be here tonight.
- KM is shown in his hotel room receiving a pizza, but refuses to pay the delivery driver and threatens him.
- Ethan Carter Promo: EC3 arrives dressed like James Storm. EC3 mocks Storm's country voice and calls himself E Cowboy 3. EC3 pretends to mock himself as Storm and then turns his attention to Storm. EC3 loved the fact that he cost Storm the Impact World Championship and badly sings a country song about it. Storm hits the ring and beats down EC3. EC3 hits Storm with his cowboy boot and then handcuffs Storm to the ropes. EC3 grabs a strap and starts whipping Storm on his back repeatedly. EC3 lays in over 30 whips before Impact Officials, Bruce Prichard and Scott D'Amore finally pull EC3 off of Storm. EC3 gets a few whips in on a Impact stage hand as well.
- Josh Mathews gets irritated with Jeremy Borash and steals one of JB's signs.
- The Laredo Kid and Garza Jr. vs. Hakim Zane and Idris Abraham: The match closes out with Garza getting double teamed, but Garza lands a power bomb on Abraham right on top of Zane. Garza and Kid hit some aerial moves and then Laredo hits a 450 Splash on Zane to score the pinfall.
Winners: The Laredo Kid and Garza Jr., by pinfall.
- Laurel Van Ness vs. Ava Storie: The match closes out with Laurel making quick work of Ava. Laurel hits a double foot stomp on Ava and scores the pinfall. After the match Laurel claws at Ava's eyes as Kongo Kong looks on.
Winner: Laurel Van Ness, by pinfall.
- Rockstar Spud is still in recovery from Swoggle attacking him last month.
- Backstage, LAX arrives in their lowrider. LAX are in face paint and promise to pay respects to The Decay tonight.
- LAX Promo: LAX arrive with urns in hand, Konnan says they are not paying respect to The Decay and LAX dump the ashes from the urns that represent Abyss and Crazzy Steve. LAX then send a warning to all the tag teams that they will be in the upcoming GFW World Tag Team Championship Tournament. Konnan insults America after seeing a fan waving a flag and threatens to use the flag as toilet paper. The Veterans of War suddenly hit the ring, take out Santana and Ortiz and chase LAX from the ring.
- "Impact Grand Championship Match": Moose (c) vs. Marshe Rockett: Moose takes Round 1 on Rockett with a 30-27 judges score. The match closes out in Round 2 with Moose making quick work of Rockett with a Pop Up Power Bomb, a moonsault and the Go To Hell chokeslam for the pinfall. After the match, Tyrus distracts Moose allowing Eli Drake to jump Moose from behind. Tyrus hits the Heart Punch on Moose as Chris Adonis hits the ring. Adonis fakes the save, starts beating down Moose and puts Moose in the Adonis Lock submission. Drake grabs a steel chair and drills Moose with a chair shot.
Winner: Moose, by pinfall, to retain the Impact Grand Championship.
- Backstage, Dutch Mantell announces an Ultimate X Match for the Impact X Division Championship next week.
- Angelina Love vs. Alisha Edwards: The match closes out with Angelina going for her finisher, but Alisha counters with a Future Shock DDT. Davey Richards gets on the apron and Alisha takes a swing at him. Angelina wraps her hand with a chain and hits Alisha in the back of the head with it as Richards distracted the referee. The referee, however, turns around and sees what happened and DQ's Angelina. After the match, Richards and Angelina attack Eddie Edwards from behind and work on his back leg, hitting him with his own crutches.
Winner: Alisha Edwards, by DQ.
- Backstage, Impact World Champion Bobby Lashley reminds us that he's won every single major title in Impact Wrestling and says the GFW Global Championship will soon be his too.
- "GFW Global Championship Match": Magnus (c) vs. Alberto El Patron: The match closes out with both men going to the top rope. Magnus tries a superplex, but ends up in the tree of woe. El Patron goes for the double foot stomp, but Magnus moves. El Patron hurts his leg on the landing and then takes a power bomb from Magnus. Magnus picks El Patron up on his shoulders, but El Patron counters out and traps Magnus in the cross arm breaker submission. Magnus tries to fight it, but ends up tapping out giving El Patron the title.
Winner: Alberto El Patron, by submission, to win the GFW Global Championship.
- New Signee: Impact Wrestling announced the signing of MJ Jenkins. MJ has worked at past Impact tapings and One Night Only events, but was never an official roster member until this week's signing.
MJ Jenkins Career Highlights:
- Debuted in 2015
- Trained by Johnny Rodz
- Has wrestled for EVOLVE, East Coast Pro Wrestling, Legendary Action Wrestling, Women's Wrestling Revolution, AIW, CZW, World of Unpredictable Wrestling, Impact Championship Entertainment, Bronx Wrestling Federation, BriiCombination Wrestling and Impact.
- 1 Time World of Unpredictable Wrestling Stunners Champion
- GFW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Announced: This past week on Impact, it was announced that a tournament will take place soon to crown the first ever GFW World Tag Team Champions. Impact and GFW teams are expected to compete in this tournament.
*** Ring Of Honor ***
** ROH TV Recap ** This week's show saw ROH World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defend their titles against The Spirit Squad. The main event of the show saw Adam Cole and Cody Rhodes battle ROH World Heavyweight Champion Christopher Daniels and Dalton Castle.
- "ROH World Tag Team Championship Match": The Young Bucks (c) vs. The Spirit Squad: The match closes out with Nick Jackson tagging in and unloading on The Squad. Mikey plants Nick with a snapmare driver. Kenny tags back in as Mikey hits a spinebuster. Kenny misses a top rope leg drop, which opens the door for The Bucks to unleash the Super Kick Party. The Bucks hit the Meltzer Driver on Mikey and score the pinfall to retain the titles.
Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall, to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
- Matt Taven hypes his ROH World Heavyweight Championship Match against Christopher Daniels at War of the Worlds Dearborn.
- The Briscoes promise to retain their ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship against The Rebellion and promise to run Shane Taylor out of ROH.
- Punishment Martinez vs. The Beer City Bruiser: The match closes out with Martinez and Bruiser trading shots. Martinez connects with a spin kick and gets a near fall. Bruiser hits a dropkick and a Bossman Slam for a near fall. Bruiser misses the corner cannonball allowing Martinez to hit the choke slam for the pinfall.
Winner: Punishment Martinez, by pinfall.
- ROH Television Champion Marty Scurll hypes his title defense against Matt Sydal at the next ROH pay per view.
- Adam Cole states that The Bullet Club is stronger than ever.
- Adam Cole and Cody Rhodes vs. Dalton Castle and Christopher Daniels: Jay Lethal was on commentary for this match. The match closes out with Daniels hot tagging and unloading. Daniels hits the Iconoclasm for a near fall. Daniels with an STO on Cole as Cody tosses Castle outside. Cody attempts Angel's Wings on Daniels, but Daniels counters out. Cody counters the Best Moonsault Ever, but gets taken out with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Cole with a super kick on Daniels and hits The Last Shot. Cody puts Daniels away with Cross Rhodes, pinning the world champion.
Winners: Adam Cole and Cody Rhodes, by pinfall.
- The Bullet Club Promo: Adam Cole, Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks are all in the ring stating The Bullet Club is stronger than ever. Jay Lethal interrupts and says he's really irritated that Cody Rhodes was added to the ROH World Heavyweight Championship Match at the upcoming ROH pay per view because he wanted Christopher Daniels one on one. Cody shoves Lethal into Daniels who's still in the ring and then attacks Lethal. Lethal and Cody brawl until Lethal lays Cody out with a Lethal Injection. Lethal then hits another Lethal Injection on Daniels, sending Daniels a warning.
* ROH War of the Worlds Dearborn * ROH and NJPW was live this week in Dearborn, Michigan for a special live non televised show to hype their upcoming ROH War of the Worlds 2017 pay per view, which I will recap for you next Sunday. The main event of the show saw ROH World Heavyweight Champion Christopher Daniels defend his title against Matt Taven.
- Dalton Castle defeated Bobby Fish with the Bang A Rang.
- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Jay White and Motor City Machine Guns defeated The Rebellion.
- Silas Young defeated KUSHIDA.
- War Machine defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jay Lethal.
- "ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship, No DQ Match": Bully Ray and The Briscoes (c) defeated EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI to retain their titles, after BUSHI was Bubba Bombed through a table.
- Tetsuya Naito defeated Punishment Martinez, hitting Destino for the pinfall.
- "Instant Reward Proving Ground Match": Cheeseburger defeated Beer City Bruiser, Marty Scurll, Frankie Kazarian, Will Ferrara, Gedo, and Vinny Marseglia, making Cheeseburger the #1 Contender tonight for the ROH Television Championship.
- "ROH Television Championship Match": Marty Scurll (c) defeated Cheeseburger, to retain his title, making Cheeseburger tap out to the Crossface Chicken Wing submission.
- "ROH World Championship Match": Christopher Daniels (c) defeated Matt Taven, by pinfall, with Best Moonsault Ever to retain the title.
- "Eight Man Tag Team Match": Hirooki Goto, Will Ospreay and Roppongi Vice defeated Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page and The Young Bucks, after Ospreay pinned Nick Jackson with the OsCutter.
*** New Japan Pro Wrestling ***
- New IWGP Title Announced: NJPW announced this week that they will be bringing a new title to the promotion when they tour the United States over the summer. The new title will be called the IWGP United States Championship and the inaugural champion will be crowned in a two day tournament on July 1st and 2nd.
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!
Remember the old WWE slogan...."Where Anything Can Happen"? Well that is exactly what's going on over on Smackdown Live. The current #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is Jinder Mahal.....let that sink in a minute.....Jinder Mahal! The same Jinder Mahal that was jobbing with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre in 3MB a few years back. What would this week's Smackdown Live have in store for us live in Des Moines, Iowa.
** This Weeks Card ** - AJ Styles battled Baron Corbin. - American Alpha battled The Shining Stars in a Beat The Clock Challenge Match to determine a new #1 Contender to the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship. - WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton battled Erick Rowan in a non title No DQ Match. - Breezango battled The Ascension in a Beat The Clock Challenge Match to determine a new #1 Contender to the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship. - WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi defended her title against Charlotte.
- Promos By: Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and a video promo from Rusev.
** Smackdown Live **
- Shinsuke Nakamura Promo: Before Nakamura can talk Dolph Ziggler interrupts and heads to the ring. Ziggler says most of us don't know Japanese so he'll translate for us. Ziggler says that Nakamura looks up to Ziggler, thinks his dance moves are stupid and is feeling really intimidated right now being close to his idol, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler says Nakamura's real name is Michael and he grew up poor in Indiana. Ziggler continues the story making Nakamura out to be Michael Jackson. Nakamura grabs the microphone, asks Ziggler if he has a problem and then mocks Ziggler in Japanese. Ziggler lands a cheap shot on Nakamura and then goes for the super kick. Nakamura counters it and goes for the Kinshasa, but Ziggler escapes out of the ring.
- AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin: Kevin Owens is at the commentary table for this match. The match closes out with Corbin dropping Styles and then sending him into the corner. Styles plants a boot on a charging Corbin. Styles goes for a springboard, but Owens talks trash to Styles. Styles has to back off and land on his feet when he attempted the Phenomenal Forearm due to the distraction. Corbin goes for a power bomb, but Styles counters and scores a roll up pinfall. After the match, Owens helps Corbin double team Styles. Sami Zayn hits the ring and sends Corbin into the ring post. Zayn drops Owens and then hits the Helluva Kick on Corbin. Owens attacks Zayn from behind and then plants Styles with the Pop Up Power Bomb. Owens stands tall with his WWE United States Championship in hand. Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Charlotte says she dominated RAW and needed a new place to dominate. Tonight she'll show Naomi that she's the greatest of all time when she takes her WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship.
- "Beat The Clock Challenge Match": American Alpha vs. The Colons: The match closes out with Primo planting Gable with a power slam and hits a leg drop for a near fall. Primo lands a cheap shot on Jordan and Primo and Epico go for a double team Back Stabber on Gable. Jordan makes the save and he and Gable hit Grand Amplitude on Primo to score the pinfall. The time to beat is 5:17. Winners: American Alpha, by pinfall.
- Rusev Video Promo: Rusev says he hates that he was drafted to Smackdown Live and the only way he'll come work for Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan is if he gets a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at WWE Money In The Bank in June.
- Backstage, Tamina Snuka, Nattie Neidhart, Carmella and James Ellsworth try to intimidate Becky Lynch to join their new stable.
- "No DQ Match": Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan: The match closes out with Orton hitting the draping DDT on Rowan. Rowan counters the RKO, plants Orton then tosses him out of the ring. Rowan grabs the steel steps and smacks Orton in the side of the face with them. Rowan tosses Orton back into the ring and then grabs a steel chair. Rowan wedges the chair in the corner and sends Orton towards it. Orton counters, tosses Rowan head first into the chair and then hits the RKO to score the pinfall. Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall.
- Randy Orton Promo: Orton still has no clue what a House of Horrors Match is, but Bray Wyatt will be sent to his eternal hell by Orton at WWE Payback. Jinder Mahal interrupts and feels disrespected that Orton is thinking about Bray Wyatt and not Jinder Mahal being his next challenger. Mahal says he has more wealth, talent, class and culture and feels disrespected by Orton for looking different. Mahal says he will win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, take the title home to Punjabi and be given respect. Mahal tries to attack Orton, but Orton counters the attack and goes for the draping DDT. The Singh Brothers hit the ring and grab Orton. Mahal plants Orton with the Cobra Clutch Slam and leaves Orton laid out. Mahal and the Singh Brothers leave in possession of Orton's WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
- Backstage, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers drive away in an SUV, Mahal still has the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
- "Beat The Clock Challenge Match": The Ascension vs. Breezango: The match closes out with Fandango unloading on Viktor, but gets distracted by Konnor and then hit with a knee by Viktor for a near fall. Breezango regain control of the match after being double teamed and score the pinfall in 2:36 to win the Beat The Clock Challenge and become #1 Contenders. Winners: Breezango, by pinfall, to become the new #1 Contenders.
- Backstage, Naomi respects Charlotte, but hates her trash talking. Naomi says she'll prove why she's the champion and make Charlotte feel the glow.
- "WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship Match": Naomi (c) vs. Charlotte: The match closes out with Naomi landing a kick on Charlotte for a near fall. Naomi hits the Rear View on Charlotte and gets another near fall. Charlotte catches Naomi in mid air and hits a sit down power bomb for a near fall. Charlotte attempts a moonsault off the top rope, but Naomi blocks it with her knees. Carmella, Tamina Snuka and Nattie Neidhart suddenly hit the ring and attack Charlotte, causing a DQ. After the match, Naomi and Charlotte both get beat down by the trio of girls and are left laid out to end the show. Winner: Charlotte, by DQ.
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you the WWE Fastlane recap. WWE Fastlane was live at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was the next stop on the Road to Wrestlemania 33 for RAW. WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defended his title against Goldberg. WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defended their titles against Enzo and Big Cass. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defended his title against Jack Gallagher. WWE RAW Women's Champion Bayley defended her title against Charlotte. Braun Strowman battled Roman Reigns in a one on one match. Samoa Joe battled Sami Zayn in a one on one match. Nia Jax battled Sasha Banks in a one on one match. Akira Tozawa and Rich Swann battled Noam Dar and Brian Kendrick in Cruiserweight Division tag team action. Cesaro battled Jinder Mahal in an impromptu one on one match. Big Show battled Rusev in an impromptu one on one match.
** Pre-Show **
- Backstage, Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar talk strategy. Kendrick tells Dar to stay focused on the match and not his crazy girlfriend Alicia Fox. Alicia gets riled up, forcing Dar to calm her down.
- Backstage, Mick Foley is on the phone with Stephanie McMahon, because Stephanie's flight is delayed. Jinder Mahal interrupts to announce that due to Rusev's attitude, they are no longer a tag team. Foley puts Stephanie on hold as Rusev and Lana storm in and Rusev accuses Mahal of stealing his ideas. Foley tells them to get to the ring because they'll be in a tag team match tonight. Foley walks off and forgets about Stephanie on hold.
- Social Media Lounge Interview With Samoa Joe: Joe says Triple H brought Joe in to make an impact and he did that by injuring Seth Rollins. Joe says tonight he'll punish Sami Zayn until he breaks him. Joe plans on announcing his Wrestlemania 33 plans soon and promises his presence will be felt full force.
- Akira Tozawa and Rich Swann vs. Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar: The match closes out with Tozawa landing a kick on Kendrick, but Kendrick gets a near fall roll up. Kendrick tags in Dar who gets tossed to the floor by Tozawa. Swann is in and tosses Kendrick to the floor. Swann and Tozawa charge and hit double suicide dives on Kendrick and Dar. Tozawa hits a Shining Wizard on Kendrick, but Tozawa eats a Dar knee. Swann hits a knee on Dar and goes to the top rope. Swann lands on his feet after Dar moves and Dar gets a near fall roll up on Swann. Swann kicks both Dar and Kendrick in the mouth and Tozawa follows with a snapping german suplex on Kendrick. Swann goes to the top rope, hits the Phoenix Splash and scores the pinfall. Winners: Akira Tozawa and Rich Swann, by pinfall.
** WWE Fastlane **
- Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn: The match closes out with Joe connecting with an inverted atomic drop and a boot for a near fall. Joe gets another near fall powerslam and Zayn makes a comeback afterwards. Zayn goes to the top rope, but Joe meets Zayn there and they trade strikes. Joe goes for the Muscle Buster, but Zayn counters it. Joe hits a leaping enziguri and stuns Zayn on the ropes. Joe goes for a superplex off the top rope, but Zayn again comes back to life and lands shots on Joe. Zayn goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Joe holds on and blocks the move. Zayn ends up dropping Joe face first on the turnbuckle instead and goes for the Helluva Kick. Joe counters the Helluva Kick and plants Zayn into the mat with a slam. Joe traps Zayn in the Coquina Clutch submission and Zayn has no choice but to tap out. After the match, Joe tells a hurting Zayn "I told you so", before leaving the ring. Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission.
- Backstage, Bayley says she's nervous about tonight's match with Charlotte. Bayley is expecting Charlotte to bring Dana Brooke with her, but Bayley is up for the unfair advantage. Nia Jax interrupts to inform Bayley that tonight Nia is ripping apart Bayley's friend Sasha Banks and if Bayley somehow survives Charlotte, Nia is coming for Bayley next.
- "WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship Match": Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo and Big Cass: The match closes out with Enzo dodging an elbow from Gallows. Enzo finally tags Cass and Cass unloads on Anderson and hits a fall away slam. Cass hits a corner splash, another fall away on Anderson, another splash and a side slam. Cass hits the Empire Elbow on Anderson then knocks Gallows off the apron. Anderson rolls up Cass and gets a near fall, but Cass comes back with a big boot. Cass and Enzo hit a double team on Anderson, but Gallows stops the pinfall.
Cass and Gallows brawl on the floor where Gallows sends Cass into the apron and the barricade. Enzo flies and sends Gallows off the apron and to the floor. Anderson nails a big boot on Enzo and scores the pinfall, however, Enzo's foot was on the bottom rope, which should have cancelled the pinfall, but Gallows shoved it off. After the match, Cass tries to tell the referee what happened, but the referee refuses to listen. Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, by pinfall, to retain the WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship.
- Backstage, Mick Foley is on the phone with Stephanie McMahon again. Stephanie says her plane is stuck on the tarmac so Foley needs to make sure Fastlane is a success. Stephanie says she'll check in all night by phone and then can be heard yelling at the pilots.
- Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax: The match closes out with Nia countering a Sasha guillotine choke submission by powering out. Sasha jumps onto Nia's back and applies a sleeper hold submission. Nia again counters out by slamming Sasha into the mat. Sasha unloads some punches, a knee and puts in some boots on Nia. Sasha plants Nia with a DDT and immediately locks in the Banks Statement submission. Nia powers out of the submission, but Sasha hangs on and unloads on Nia. Nia plants Sasha on the mat as she charges and then drops the leg drop on her. Nia talks trash instead of covering Sasha and then tosses Sasha around by her hair. Nia goes for the Samoan Drop, but Sasha counters out, rolls up Nia with a bridge and scores the pinfall. Winner: Sasha Banks, by pinfall
- Jinder Mahal and Rusev In Ring Segment: Mahal and Rusev argue over who's wrestling first and start brawling. Mahal sends Rusev into the ring post and then dumps him over the barricade.
- Cesaro vs. Jinder Mahal: The match closes out with Mahal landing a knee and sending Cesaro into the corner. Cesaro lands a suplex and then unloads the uppercut train on Mahal in the corner. Cesaro hits the Swiss 19, goes to the top rope and hits a cross body for a near fall. Mahal counters the Cesaro Swing and plants a super kick on Cesaro. Rusev returns to ringside and distracts Mahal. Cesaro hits an uppercut on Mahal and scores the pinfall. After the match, Rusev sends Mahal into the ringpost, unloads punches and drops Mahal with a thrust kick. Big Show makes his way out to face Rusev next. Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall.
- Big Show vs. Rusev: The match closes out with Rusev in control, stomps on Show's back and goes for The Accolade submission. Show counters out by shoving Rusev to the floor. Show grabs Rusev as he gets back in the ring and plants Rusev with a choke slam. Show brings down his straps and plants Rusev with another choke slam. Show grabs Rusev up off the mat and delivers a third choke slam. Show drags Rusev into the corner and lays him down on the bottom turnbuckle. Show delivers the Knockout Punch on Rusev and scores the pinfall. Winner: Big Show, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Kevin Owens guarantees he's beating Goldberg tonight and the Kevin Owens Show will go on.
- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Neville (c) vs. Jack Gallagher: The match closes out with Gallagher drilling Neville with a head butt and gets a near fall. Neville counters the Gallagher running drop kick and kicks Gallagher out to the apron. Neville goes for a superplex, but Gallagher counters and sends Neville to the mat. Gallagher takes control and hits another head butt on Neville, as Neville sits on the top rope. Neville comes back to life and sends Gallagher flying off the ropes to the mat. Neville hits the Red Arrow on Gallagher and scores the pinfall, to retain the title. Winner: Neville, by pinfall, to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
- Backstage, Paul Heyman arrives and says that Brock Lesnar has the right to be here, but Heyman isn't going to say whether or not Lesnar is in the building. Heyman says that Brock Lesnar will be the ultimate winner of tonight's WWE Universal Championship Match no matter if Goldberg wins or not.
- The New Day Promo: The New Day arrive with an ice cream cart and state that the fans made Booty-O's cereal possible now it's time to get New Day ice cream started. New Day announce that their riding their ice cream cart all the way to Wrestlemania 33.
- Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman: The match closes out with Strowman missing a running boot, gets tangled in the ropes and falls to the floor. Strowman appears to have hurt his knee as Reigns hits the Drive By. Reigns goes for the spear, but Strowman catches Reigns and power slams Reigns through the announcers table. Reigns gets tossed back into the ring, but hits the spear on Strowman as Strowman re-enters the ring and gets a near fall. Reigns gets sent into the corner as Strowman charges, misses and eats the turnbuckle. Reigns hits a Superman Punch and then follows with a second one knocking Strowman into the ropes. Reigns charges at Strowman, but gets dropped to the mat. Strowman climbs to the top rope and goes for a big splash on Reigns. Reigns moves out of the way and then hits the spear on Strowman to score the pinfall. Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Mick Foley confronts Samoa Joe and says that he better not get involved with the main event because it would taint the win if he helps Owens win. Foley promises that Joe will have hell to pay if he does.
- "WWE RAW Women's Championship Match": Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte: The match closes out with Bayley hitting the hurricanrana and an elbow drop for a near fall. Charlotte tosses Bayley to the floor and then hits Natural Selection as Bayley gets back into the ring for a near fall. Bayley counters the Figure Four leglock and sends Charlotte to the floor. Bayley gets on the apron and gets sent to the floor by Charlotte. Sasha Banks suddenly hits ringside and distracts Charlotte. Charlotte lays out Sasha, but then Charlotte gets dropped with Bayley To Belly on the floor. Back in the ring, Charlotte gets a near fall roll up on Bayley with a handful of tights. Sasha yells at the referee to bring Charlotte's cheating to his attention. Charlotte again gets distracted by Sasha allowing Bayley to hit Bayley To Belly to score the pinfall and retain the title. Winner: Bayley, by pinfall, to retain the WWE RAW Women's Championship.
- "WWE Universal Championship Match": Kevin Owens (c) vs. Goldberg: Owens plays games with Goldberg by refusing to wrestle and pacing around outside the ring. Owens finally gets in the ring and as soon as the bell rings Chris Jericho's music hits. Jericho stands on the stage distracting Owens. Goldberg hits the spear and the Jackhammer on Owens, covers and scores the pinfall to win the title. Goldberg celebrates with the fans to end the show. Winner: Goldberg, by pinfall, to win the WWE Universal Championship.
