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, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, NJPW, House of Hardcore, ICW, CZW, FIP, EVOLVE, SHINE, SHIMMER and any Indy promotion that I find an interesting story or a cool discovery in. Be sure to check out the W3C every Sunday afternoon at @TripleThreatCLE
*** WWE ***
- Alexa Bliss Wins Title: Alexa Bliss defeated Becky Lynch last Tuesday on Smackdown Live to become a 2 time WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion.
- #1 Contender Match Announced: Due to last Tuesday's #1 Contender’s Battle Royal ending in a double elimination between AJ Styles and Luke Harper, it was announced that Styles and Harper will meet one on one to determine a #1 Contender this week on Smackdown Live.
- Diamond Dallas Page Hall Of Fame Bound: WWE officially announced this week that DDP will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
- Rumored Summer Slam Title Match: Rumors have begun circulating this past week that WWE may already have their WWE Universal Championship Match planned out for Summer Slam in August. As of now the WWE is planning to run with Brock Lesnar defending the WWE Universal Championship against Braun Strowman. As of now these are only rumors and nothing for sure has been stated yet.
** 205 Live Recap **
This week, Brian Kendrick battled Akira Tozawa in a one on one match. Also #1 Contender to the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Jack Gallagher, was in action against Tony Nese in the main event.
2.) Backstage, Brian Kendrick says he's teaching Akira Tozawa lessons. RAW it was the beat down and tonight it was the countout loss. Kendrick says there will be more lessons for Tozawa coming soon.
3.) Backstage, Noam Dar mocks Rich Swann and guarantees that he and Alicia Fox aren't having issues, even though she's not with Dar tonight.
5.) Backstage, Neville says Jack Gallagher made the mistake of touching the king on RAW, now Gallagher has Neville's attention.
6.) Backstage, Jack Gallagher says tonight will be a preview of how he'll win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, with technique, footwork, and a great mustache.
*** NXT ***
- Heidi Lovelace Given NXT Name: Independent woman's wrestler Heidi Lovelace signed on with WWE NXT over the summer and has officially debuted her new gimmick name for NXT house shows. Lovelace will now be known as Ruby Riot and it's unknown when she'll make her official NXT TV debut.
- New Developmental Signee: Squared Circle Signings is reporting that WWE has signed 22 year old Canadian olympic weightlifter Isabel Lahela to a developmental contract. It was noted that she took part in a WWE tryout last September at the WWE Performance Center.
*** Impact Wrestling ***
** Impact Wrestling Recap **
This week Cody Rhodes returned to Impact, The Broken Hardy's search for more gold on their Expedition of Gold Tour and we were all invited to the wedding of Braxton Sutter and Laurel Van Ness.
1.) At The Hardy Compound, Matt Hardy talks to George Washington the giraffe and then Vanguard One. Matt tells Jeff he needs to house his abilities in Jeff's vessel until he returns from his teleportation to Egypt. Matt transferes his abilities to Jeff and then transports to Egypt
2.) Cody and Brandi Rhodes Promo: Cody talks about where he's been and how he's now back in Impact. Cody mentions Bobby Lashley attacking him last time, but assures Lashley that he's not here for him. Cody says he's here for Brandi and mentions how proud he is of her. Brandi says she's been spending her time trying to be like Cody, thanks Cody for his inspiration and then thanks Moose for helping train her. Cody calls Moose out so he can join Cody and Brandi. Moose arrives, Cody thanks Moose for his help and considers Moose apart of the Rhodes family. Cody, however, losses his cool when he finds out Brandi has Moose's phone number, because since they train together, eventually they'll sleep together. Moose immediately cuts in, tells Cody he's got it all wrong and he was just there to help. Brandi tries to calm Cody down when Cody suddenly starts laughing and says he was just kidding. Cody kisses his wife, but then suddenly low blows Moose. Cody lays Moose out with Cross Rhodes, grabs Brandi by the arm and forces her to leave with him.
3.) Eli Drake vs. Tyrus: Drake and Tyrus meet in the ring where Drake offers to give Tyrus a raise on his current deal with Drake. Tyrus grabs Drake by the throat, but then releases Drake, gives Drake a hug and accepts the raise and the return of their partnership.
4.) Backstage, Maria, Sienna and Laurel Van Ness are prepping for Laurel's Wedding and wonder where Allie is.
5.) At the Hardy Compound, Matt returns from Egypt with Skarsguard, which is a golden arc now and states he learned what must be done in Egypt. The Hardy's must win all the tag team gold in the whole world. Matt and Jeff grab Vanguard One and teleport to their next destination.
6.) Jade Promo: Jade calls out Rosemary. Rosemary appears and tells Jade that instead of trying to save the Knockout's Division from darkness she should just save herself. Jade says she's prepared to risk everything again and challenges Rosemary to a Last Knockout Standing Match. Rosemary accepts the challenge.
7.) Backstage, Mike Bennett tries to cheer up Braxton Sutter, who doesn't care about Laurel Van Ness or the wedding. All Sutter can think about is Allie.
8.) Bram vs. Jessie Godderz: The match closes out with Godderz trapping Bram in the Adonis Lock submission, but Eddie Kingston distracts Godderz on the apron. Godderz sends Bram crashing into Kingston and then rolls up Bram for the pinfall.
9.) The Hardy's are teleported to the Madison Civic Center in West Virginia and search for the Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions. Matt and Jeff argue with the #1 Contenders, two men in cowboy hats named Matt and Louis. Another man appears, states that the champions are Mathis and Rage and they haven't been beaten in 12 years, but he thinks The Hardy's can do it. Matt and Louis agree and let The Hardy's have their #1 Contenders spot.
10.) Backstage, Allie finally arrives and gets mocked by Maria, Laurel Van Ness and Sienna. Laurel demands Allie to go book the Honeymoon Suite. Allie leaves, accidentally bumps into Braxton Sutter and asks if this is really what he wants. Sutter apologizes to Allie and says he has to do this.
11.) Backstage at the Madison Civic Center, the champions accept The Hardy's challenge and a huge locker room brawl breaks out between all the wrestlers.
12.) "Mid Atlantic Tag Team Championship Match": Mathis and Rage (c) vs. The Broken Hardy's: The match closes out with Jeff brawling with Rage backstage, where Jeff puts Rage in a dumpster and wheels him down a flight of stairs. Jeff returns to the ring where he and Matt hit the Twist Of Fate into the Swanton Bomb and score the pinfall to win the titles. The Hardy's celebrate with everyone in the ring and then suddenly teleport back to Cameron, North Carolina. Back home The Hardy's place the Mid Atlantic Tag Team Championship inside Skarsguard the Golden Arc.
13.) "The Warmaster" Josh Barnett vs. Bad Bones: Bobby Lashley sits at commentary to watch this match. The match closes out with Barnett hitting a power bomb and a northern lights suplex on Bad Bones. Barnett stares at Lashley, locks on an armbar submission and makes Bad Bones tap out.
14.) "Impact X Division Championship Match": Trevor Lee (c) vs. DJ Z: The match closes out with DJ Z hitting a reverse hurricanrana on Lee and then goes for the ZDT. Shane Helms distracts DJ Z by grabbing his foot. Lee rolls up DJ Z with a handful of tights and steals the pinfall to retain the title. After the match, Andrew Everett hits the ring, attacks Lee and Helms and then lands a Shooting Star Press on Lee.
15.) The Braxton Sutter/Laurel Van Ness Wedding: The Best Man Mike Bennett arrives with Braxton Sutter to the alter. The Flower Girls Aron Rex and Rockstar Spud arrive next tossing flower pedals. The Bridesmaids Maria and Sienna arrive next to the alter. Laurel Van Ness is out next and then Maria demands the Ring Bearer Allie to come out now. Allie finally appears and heads to the alter. The ceremony begins, Laurel reads her vows and says she doesn't care that Sutter is broke because she's rich and will change Sutter. Sutter says he forgot his vows and just wants this to conclude already. Maria shoves Allie down and demands her to hand over the rings. Laurel says "I do" but Sutter hesitates and finally says "I'm sorry, I don't". Sutter says he can't marry Laurel because he's in love with Allie and he was being forced to marry Laurel or else Maria was going to fire Allie. Maria laughs now that the cat is out of the bag and fires Allie. Allie says Maria can't fire her because she quits. Sienna grabs Allie and Maria tries to hit Allie with her shoe. Sutter stops it and then knocks Mike Bennett down. Allie spears Maria as Brooke Tessmacher arrives and helps Allie fight off Maria and Sienna. Robbie E arrives next and goes after Mike Bennett as Allie and Sutter escape together. Allie and Sutter kiss as Laurel cries and drinks champage to end the show.
- Kevin Sullivan Returns: This past Tuesday, wrestling producer Kevin Sullivan (not the wrestler) announced on Twitter that he has returned to Impact Wrestling, working backstage with the company.
- Dutch Mantell/Zeb Colter Returns: Dutch Mantell announced on Twitter this week that he has signed on with Impact in a creative advisory role. Many expected this to happen as Mantell and Jeff Jarrett are good friends.
- Mike Bennett And Marie Bennett Sign New Contracts: The Bennett's announced this week that they both have signed new one year contracts with Impact Wrestling.
- New Impact Creative Team Announced: According to PWInsider, the new creative team will be headed up by Jeff Jarrett and officially consisting of Dutch Mantel and Scott D’Amore. The three of them will be assisted by Abyss, Rockstar Spud and Jeremy Borash. There is also the possibility of a writer being hired to be responsible for taking the shows and turning them into scripts to be produced.
*** RING OF HONOR ***
** ROH TV Recap **
This week saw the Finals of the Decade of Excellence Tournament as Christopher Daniels battled Jay Briscoe with the winner earning a future ROH World Championship Match against ROH World Champion Adam Cole.
1.) "The Last Real Man" Silas Young vs. Bull James: The match closes out with the Beer City Bruiser trying to interfere and help Young. James hits a monkey flip on Young and a tornado DDT on Bruiser. James counters Misery, but gets a full nelson knee from Young. Young is able to hit Misery on the next attempt and scores the pinfall.
2.) "Handicap Match": Colt Cabana vs. The Boys: Dalton Castle was on commentary for this match. The match closes out with Cabana tossing one of The Boys into Castle at the commentary table. Castle gets held back by the referee as Cabana hits the Chicago Skyline on Boy #1. Cabana applies the Billy Goats Curse submission on Boy #2 and gets the tap out victory.
3.) "Decade of Excellence Tournament Finals Match": Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Briscoe: Kazarian was on commentary for this match. The match closes out with Daniels hitting a Uranage and goes for the Best Moonsault Ever. Briscoe counters and gets a near fall roll up. Daniels hits another Uranage and misses on the second attempt at the Best Moonsault Ever. Briscoe connects with a super kick and a lariat for a near fall. Daniels counters the Jay Driller and crotches Briscoe in the corner. Daniels and Briscoe end up on the ropes and trade blows back and forth until Daniels again crotches Briscoe on the ropes. Daniels hits Super Angel Wings off the ropes and scores the pinfall to win the tournament. After the match, Daniels and Briscoe shake hands to end the show.
*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***
- Kenny Omega Returns: Kenny Omega will make his official return to New Japan Pro Wrestling this weekend at NJPW Honor Rising. There was rumors surrounding Omega since January on whether or not he would sign with WWE or return to NJPW. Omega made the decision to sign a new one year contract with NJPW.
*** AAW ***
** Art of War Recap **
AAW Art of War took place in Merrionette Park, Illinois. The main event of the evening saw a Six Man Tag Team Match with ACH, AR Fox and Fenix battling AAW World Champion Sami Callihan and 014K. The event also featured TNA's DJ Zema Ion, TNA's Trevor Lee, former NJPW wrestler Matt Sydal, former TNA wrestler Low Ki, ROH's Michael Elgin, Lucha Underground's Brian Cage, TNA's Abyss and TNA's Eddie Kingston.
1.) Chuck Taylor and Trent Baretta defeated Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett.
2.) DJ Zema Ion defeated Connor Braxton.
3.) Matt Riddle defeated Jason Kincaid.
4.) "AAW World Tag Team Championship Match": Trevor Lee defeated Matt Sydal. (Lee was forced to defend the titles in a singles match.)
5.) Low Ki defeated El Hijo Del Fantasma.
6.) Michael Elgin and Brian Cage defeated Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz.
7.) Abyss defeated Eddie Kingston.
8.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": ACH, AR Fox and Fenix defeated Sami Callihan and OI4K.
*** PWG ***
** Only King's Understand Recap **
The main event of the show saw Zack Sabre Jr. defend his PWG World Championship against Chuck Taylor. The show also featured Cody Rhodes, TNA's Trevor Lee, former Lucha Underground wrestler Ricochet, ROH's Lio Rush, Jay White, Michael Elgin and Marty Scurll, Lucha Underground's Brian Cage, ROH World Champion Adam Cole, ROH World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks and Sami Callihan.
1.) Trevor Lee defeated Cody Rhodes. The biggest story coming out of this match was what Lee said during his in ring promo. Apparently Lee said "F*** Dusty Rhodes" which upset Cody Rhodes, who wasn't aware that Lee was going to say that in his promo.
2.) Trent defeated Rey Fenix.
3.) Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb defeated Michael Elgin and Brian Cage.
4.) Ricochet defeated Lio Rush.
5.) Marty Scurll defeated Jay White.
6.) "Six Man Tag Team Match": Adam Cole and The Young Bucks defeated Sami Callihan and OI4K.
7.) "PWG World Championship Match": Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Chuck Taylor. After the match, Sabre turned heel and joined with Marty Scurll. Both men beat down Taylor until Trent made the save.
*** Other ***
- The Rock Calls CM Punk While In A WWE Ring: If you haven't heard, this past week while filming his new movie about Paige's life, The Rock called CM Punk while standing inside a WWE ring. The call unfortunately went to voice mail and of course rumor is Vince McMahon was furious backstage about The Rock's publicity stunt. (I originally was going to post the actual video, but WWE keeps deleting everyone's videos that taped it because obviously they still want nothing to do with Punk)
Punk took to Twitter later and stated that he was out walking his dog that's why he didn't pick up the phone. He appreciated all the love that Los Angeles gave him though.
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!
