Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/11/18: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

NXT returned this week for more NXT action. Two weeks ago, Johnny Gargano became the new #1 Contender to the NXT World Championship. Ember Moon successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship against Sonya Deville. NXT was back at it in Atlanta, Georgia for this week's show after having a best of last week.

** NXT TV Card **

- Shayna Bazsler battled Dakota Kai.
- Kassius Ohno battled Raul Mendoza.
- Lars Sullivan battled Lio Rush.
- NXT World Tag Team Champions Undisputed Era defended their titles against Roderick Strong and Aleister Black.

** NXT **

- Shayna Baszler vs. Dakota Kai: The first match of the night saw the NXT debut of Baszler as she battled Dakota Kai. The match closes out with Baszler stomping repeatedly on Dakota's arm and elbow area, forcing the referee to step in and call off the match by stoppage. After the match, Baszler continues the assault and applies a sleeper on Dakota. Ember Moon finally hits the ring and makes the save. 

- Kassius Ohno vs. Raul Mendoza: The second match of the night saw Ohno battle Mendoza in a one on one match. The match closes out with Mendoza getting a near fall springboard kick. Mendoza ends up in the Electric Chair and gets dropped by Ohno. Ohno hits the rolling elbow on Mendoza and scores the pinfall.

- Lio Rush vs. Lars Sullivan: The third match of the night saw Lio Rush battle the monster called Lars. The match closes out with Rush dodging a Lars charge, but gets run over with a huge lariat, as he charged at Lars. Lars hits the Freak Accident and scores the pinfall. After the match, Lars challenges Killian Dain and then hits another Freak Accident on Rush.

- "NXT World Tag Team Championship Match": Undisputed Era (c) vs. Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe: The match never happens as SAnitY is found backstage laid out after Undisputed Era arrive in the ring. Nikki Cross tries to get revenge for SAnitY and hits the ring. NXT officials hold Nikki back as NXT GM William Regal arrives and announces that Undisputed Era is still defending their titles tonight against new challengers, Roderick Strong and Aleister Black.

- "NXT World Tag Team Championship Match": Undisputed Era (c) vs. Roderick Strong and Aleister Black: The match closes out with Black taking out Bobby Fish outside. Adam Cole distracts Black, forcing Black to chase Cole through the crowd. Fish and O'Reilly hit their double team finisher on Strong and score the pinfall to retain their titles. After the match, Black returns and unloads on Fish and O'Reilly. Cole returns and helps with the three on two on Strong and Black. Cole hits a fireman's carry onto a steel chair on Black. William Regal arrives and announces that it will be Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black in an Extreme Rules Match at Takeover: Philadelphia.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/10/18: Smackdown Live Birmingham Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

What's up wrestling fans, welcome to this week's Smackdown Live recap.

Last week, Sami Zayn scored the upset pinfall on the WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, as Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon continued to have issues with each other during the match. Xavier Woods defeated Aiden English and advanced in the WWE United States Championship Tournament. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable thought they had won the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship, however, due to pinning the illegal man in the match, the match was restarted and The Usos retained. Let's get to this week's recap as the show was live in Birmingham, Alabama.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- Ruby Riot battled Becky Lynch.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled The Ascension.
- Mojo Rawley battled Zack Ryder in a WWE United States Championship Tournament Match.
- Rusev and Aiden English battled Breezango.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura battled Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a Handicap Match.

** Smackdown Live **

- Renee Young Interviews AJ Styles: Smackdown Live kicked off in the ring with Renee Young interviewing AJ Styles. Styles says he was being sarcastic when he said he wanted a Handicap Match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, but he'll hit them hard and fast. Styles says the decision to make the match wasn't fair, but neither is life. Styles says he's not sure what Daniel Bryan's deal is, but it seems like Styles is being pushed into Bryan's business and he also doesn't want to get included in Shane McMahon's either. Styles says he'll beat both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and truly be the best. Owens and Zayn interrupt next and Owens promises that Styles has no chance to retain the title at the WWE Royal Rumble and he and Zayn will be the first ever co-world champions. Shane McMahon interrupts next and says he agrees with Styles that this match isn't fair and can't understand why Bryan approves of this. Shane then announces another Handicap Match for tonight's main event. It'll be Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura.

- Ruby Riot vs. Becky Lynch: The first match of the night saw the women's division in action, with Becky battling Ruby of the Riot Squad. Charlotte and Naomi were at ringside giving Becky back up, as Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were in Ruby's corner. The match closes out with Ruby attempting the Riot Kick, but Becky counters it and traps Ruby in the Dis Arm Her submission for the tap out win.

- The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Ascension: The second match of the night saw The Bludgeon Brothers battle The Ascension. The past couple weeks The Bludgeon Brothers have been destroying Breezango with The Ascension coming to Breezango's aide. This week The Ascension got their chance. The match closes out with The Ascension trying to attack earlier, but get destroyed quickly and pinned in a squash match. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers leave both members of The Ascension laid out.

- "WWE United States Championship Tournament Match": Mojo Rawley vs. Zack Ryder: The third match of the night saw the final match of the tournament between the former tag team partners. The match closes out with Mojo avoiding the Broski Boot by rolling outside. Ryder attempts more offense, but catches a running right hand from Mojo, giving Mojo the win. Mojo advances to the Final Four to face Bobby Roode.

- Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable, Out For Justice: Benjamin and Gable are in the ring, show footage of last week's match against The Usos, state what it takes to be a superior athlete and state that they were robbed last week just like Georgia was robbed against Alabama in the National Championship. Gable says they were the new champs last week. Benjamin mentions the second referee coming down and ordering the match restarted. Benjamin and Gable state that it's come down to jealousy, the second referee was a snitch, a crime was committed and they deserve justice. Daniel Bryan interrupts and hits the ring. Bryan says he understands their complaints, but the referee's ruling will always stand. Bryan says the wrong Uso was pinned therefore the decision is final. Gable accuses Bryan of taking things out on them because Shane McMahon is mad at Bryan. Bryan finally announces a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match at the WWE Royal Rumble between The Usos and Benjamin and Gable.

- Rusev and Aiden English vs. Breezango: The fourth match of the night saw Rusev and English battle Breezango. The match closes out with Rusev attempting The Accolade on Fandango, but Breeze stops it. All four men begin brawling and it ends with Fandango rolling up Rusev for the pinfall.

- The Shane McMahon And Daniel Bryan Drama Continues: Before the main event, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan meet backstage. Shane says he and Bryan are not on the same page and Bryan's decisions lately have been horrible. Shane disagrees with the fact that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn could become co-world champions and feels The Usos shouldn't have to again defend their titles against Benjamin and Gable when they already beat them. Shane accuses Bryan of being unstable. Bryan tells Shane that he could say the same about him considering he's a McMahon. Shane says they'll just agree to disagree at the moment then.

- "Handicap Match": AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn: The main event of the show saw the three on two handicap match that Daniel Bryan set up in the opening segment of the show. The match closes out with Owens and Zayn purposely getting counted out. Shane McMahon arrives, restarts the match and announces that it's a No Count Out Match now. The match continues with Zayn countering an RKO from Orton. Owens hits the ring with a steel chair and unloads on Orton, getting Owens and Zayn DQ'ed. Shane McMahon arrives again, restarts the match and announces it a No Count Out and No DQ Match. Styles and Owens brawl backstage as Zayn is trapped at ringside with Orton and Nakamura. Nakamura hits the Kinshasa on Zayn and Orton follows with the RKO to grab the victory. 

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/9/18: RAW Memphis Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

It's the beginning of the week and time to kick things off in wrestling with Monday Night RAW!

Last week on RAW, Roman Reigns survived Samoa Joe and retained the WWE Intercontinental Championship, Asuka defeated the WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss in a non title match and The Balor Club, Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson reunited. Brock Lesnar and Kane battled it out in a face to face that seen Lesnar survive and laugh at a Kane choke slam. We're getting closer to the Royal Rumble as RAW was live this week in Memphis, Tennessee.

** Monday Night RAW Card **

- Bayley and Sasha Banks battled Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
- Woken Matt Hardy battled Curt Hawkins.
- WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defended his title against Cedric Alexander.
- Sheamus and Cesaro battled Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews.
- Samoa Joe battled Rhyno.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns and WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan battled The Balor Club in a Six Man Tag Team Match.

** RAW Highlights **

- The Big Dog Kicks Off The Show: Roman Reigns kicks off RAW with a promo. Reigns says he silenced Samoa Joe last week and if you mess with anyone in The Shield, you mess with the entire group. Jason Jordan interrupts and hits the ring. Jordan says Reigns proved that the yard is his and thanks Reigns on behalf of he and Seth Rollins. Rollins interrupts and hits the ring next. Rollins tells Jordan that he still has a lot to learn and Jordan has to work on his timing because he's interrupting Reigns' moment. Jordan says they're all champions so it's all their moments. Reigns interrupts and tells Jordan to knock off the "we" stuff. Jordan says they're not The Shield but they're a dominant group. The Balor Club suddenly interrupt and hit the ring next. Balor says that Jordan isn't apart of the most dominate group, the only real group in the ring are The Balor Club who have been running things for ten years. Luke Gallows calls Jordan a nerd, forcing Jordan to slap Gallows. RAW GM Kurt Angle interrupts before a fight breaks out and announces The Balor Club vs. Reigns, Rollins and Jordan in the main event tonight.

- Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville: The first match of the night saw women's division tag team action. Sasha and Bayley continued their feud with Absolution, taking on Mandy and Sonya. The match closes out with Bayley accidentally distracting the referee after getting knocked off the apron, allowing Sasha to get hit with a cheap shot. Bayley knocks Sonya off the apron as Sasha traps Mandy in the Banks Statement submission and gets the tap out win. 

- Woken Matt Hardy vs. Curt Hawkins: The second match of the night saw Matt Hardy debut his "Woken" gimmick against the winless Curt Hawkins. The match closes out with Hardy making quick work of Hawkins with the Side Effect and the Twist of Fate for the pinfall. After the match, the lights go out and Bray Wyatt appears behind Hardy. Bray and Hardy go face to face and laugh at each other.

- Miz TV with The Miz, The Miztourage and Elias Samson: Elias Samson began with a concert, singing about Elvis, how horrible Memphis is and then welcoming back The Miz. The Miz and The Miztourage arrive to kick off Miz TV. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas fight over who missed The Miz the most until Miz tells them to sit down and shut up. Miz says he didn't forget about The Shield taking him out two months ago or Roman Reigns taking his WWE Intercontinental Championship. Miz says that 2018 will see the birth of his daughter and also Miz getting back his WWE Intercontinental Championship from Reigns and becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history.

- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Enzo Amore (c) vs. Cedric Alexander: The third match of the night saw Enzo defend his title against Alexander. Enzo was originally supposed to defend the title last week, but the flu kept Enzo out of action. Before the match, Goldust wished Alexander good luck backstage. The match closes out with Enzo taking a shot to the face from Alexander, busting open Enzo around his eye. Enzo gets sent to the floor where Alexander sentons over the ropes onto Enzo. Enzo appears to seriously injure his ankle and can't stand to beat the ten count, giving Alexander the win by countout. Enzo retains the title, as titles don't change hands on countouts.

- Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews: The fourth match of the night saw the #1 Contenders, Sheamus and Cesaro, take on Titus Worldwide in tag team action. The match closes out with Cesaro getting sent to the floor. Sheamus tries to Brogue Kick Crews off the apron, but Crews counters by moonsaulting off the apron and on to Cesaro. Titus rolls up Sheamus and scores the upset pinfall.

- Brock Lesnar Sends A Message To His WWE Royal Rumble Challengers: Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman arrive for a promo. Heyman says the old school mentality of getting a challenger for the world title was one man stepping up and challenging the champion. Heyman hypes Lesnar battling Kane and Braun Strowman at the WWE Royal Rumble. Heyman wonders if Lesnar will pin Kane or Strowman or just stack them on top of each other and pin them both. Heyman announces that Lesnar will leave the WWE Royal Rumble the reigning and defending WWE Universal Champion. Kane attacks Lesnar from behind as he leaves the ring and they both brawl backstage.

Braun Strowman suddenly attacks from behind and tosses Lesnar into a production case and through a table. Strowman picks up a production case and hits Kane in the face with it. Strowman grabs a grappling hook, throws it up and wraps it around a metal scaffold wall and brings it crashing down on Kane and Lesnar. Kane gingerly crawls away and Lesnar gets stretched off and loaded into an ambulance.

- Samoa Joe vs. Rhyno: The fifth match of the night saw Samoa Joe battle ECW icon Rhyno. The match closes out with Joe making Rhyno tap out to the Coquina Clutch submission. After the match, Joe says the cracks in Roman Reigns have begun to form. Joe officially announces his entrance into this year's Royal Rumble and promises that John Cena we be the first man he eliminates.

- Nia Jax Attacks Asuka: Earlier in the night, Alexa Bliss confronted her best friend Nia and whispered in her ear something that Asuka said about her. As Asuka made her way out to the ring for her match, Nia attacked Asuka from behind and planted her with an electric chair drop. Nia then landed a senton splash on Asuka and left the emperess of tomorrow laid out.

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan vs. Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson: The main event of the show saw the six man tag team match that was set up during the kick off the show. The match closes out with Balor charging at Jordan. Jordan dodges Balor, causing Balor to drop kick Rollins into the corner instead. Jordan gets taken out as Balor hits Coup de Grace on Rollins to score the pinfall. After the match, The Miz and The Miztourage attack Reigns while he's still outside and beat him down. Back in the ring, The Miztourage hold up Reigns and set him up for The Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz and The Miztourage then hoist up Reigns and plant him with the triple power bomb to end the show.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/3/18: Smackdown Live Orlando Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

What's up wrestling fans, welcome to this week's Smackdown Live recap. It's the first Smackdown Live of 2018 and things are moving full steam ahead to this year's WWE Royal Rumble.

Last week, the WWE United States Championship Tournament kicked off with Bobby Roode and Jinder Mahal winning their matches and advancing to the Final Four. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable earned themselves a WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship match. Kevin Owens scored a non title victory over the champion AJ Styles. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan also continued to have their problems with each other running the show. Let's get to this week's recap, live in Orlando, Florida.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles against Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled Breezango.
- Xavier Woods battled Aiden English in the United States Championship Tournament.
- The Riot Squad battled Nattie Neidhart, Tamina and Carmella in a six woman tag team match.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles battled Sami Zayn in a non title match.

** Smackdown Live **

- The Champ That Runs The Camp: AJ Styles kicked off Smackdown Live in the ring for a promo. Styles wishes us a Happy New Year and says that main eventing Wrestlemania 34 is his New Year's Resolution. Styles calls out Daniel Bryan to explain why Sami Zayn wasn't banned from ringside last week. Bryan arrives, but immediately gets interrupted by Shane McMahon. Shane apologizes to Styles for what happened last week. Shane asks Bryan why he allowed Zayn at ringside. Before Bryan can give any explanation, Shane cuts him off, accuses Bryan of helping Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn with their "Yep Movement" and announces that he will be at ringside tonight when Styles battles Zayn. Bryan says that we might as well let Owens at ringside too and Bryan will be there too. Bryan gets a "Yes" Chant going to end the segment.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable: The first match of the night saw the tag team titles on the line as Benjamin and Gable got their shot against The Usos, after becoming the #1 Contenders last week. The match closes out with Jimmy and Benjamin trading shots. Benjamin is tossed outside as Jey unloads on Gable. Gable is sent outside and Jey hits the Uso Dive. The Usos both run the ropes, but Benjamin trips up Jey and sends him into the apron. Benjamin and Gable power bomb Jimmy off the top rope and score the pinfall to win the titles.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable: Benjamin and Gable believed to have won the tag team titles, however, there was a huddle at ringside with the referee of the match and a second referee from backstage. Jey Uso was the legal man in the match and Jimmy was the one that was pinned. The referee restarted the match after learning of the mess up. The match closes out with both teams brawling outside. Jey with a Samoan Drop and Benjamin hits a spine buster. Benjamin and Gable attempt another top rope power bomb on Jey, but Jimmy saves him with an Uso Kick. The Usos hit double Uso Kicks and an Uso Splash off the top rope to retain their titles in this controversial match.

- Breezango vs. The Bludgeon Brothers: The second match of the night saw another match between Breezango and The Bludgeon Brothers. Before the match can even start, The Bludgeon Brothers attack Breeze and Fandango and beat them down. The Ascension hit the ring to help, but suffer the same fate and get beaten down by Harper and Rowan. The Bludgeon Brothers celebrate as the match ends in a No Contest.

- "United States Championship Tournament": Aiden English vs. Xavier Woods: The third match of the night saw the United States Championship Tournament continue. Before the match, The New Day, Aiden English and Rusev argued backstage about who was winning their match tonight. The winner of this match will battle Jinder Mahal in the Final Four. The match closes out with English getting a near fall power bomb on Woods. Woods counters a super face buster and back drops English to the mat. Woods hits the elbow drop off the top rope on English and scores the pinfall to advance to the Final Four.

- "Six Woman Tag Team Match": The Riot Squad vs. Nattie Neidhart, Tamina and Carmella: The fourth match of the night saw the women's division in six woman tag team action. The match closes out with Tamina knocking Liv Morgan off the apron and then super kicks Ruby. Tamina then plants Sarah Logan with a Samoan Drop. Tamina goes to the top rope, but gets shoved off by Liv as Ruby distracted the referee. Sarah hits a knee to the back of the head on Tamina and scores the pinfall. After the match, Ruby announces that The Riot Squad will be in the Royal Rumble and then gets interrupted by Charlotte. Charlotte calls Ruby a dreamer and then brings out Naomi and Becky Lynch. All six ladies brawl at ringside. Charlotte hits a running boot on Sarah. Naomi lays out Liv and then Becky hits the Bexploder on Liv and Ruby.

- AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn: The main event of the show saw Styles battle Zayn. Kevin Owens, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were all at ringside for this match. The match closes out with Styles and Zayn trading shots that ends with a Styles Pele Kick. The referee gets knocked outside as Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles rolls up Zayn, but Owens distracts the referee until Shane comes over and stops it. Styles argues with the referee about missing the pinfall. Shane gets on the apron and orders the referee to eject Owens. Bryan interrupts and says that if Owens is getting ejected than so should Shane. Styles knocks Owens off the apron. Zayn hits the Helluva Kick on Styles and scores the upset pinfall. After the match, Styles tells Bryan and Shane to stop bickering and he's sick of others getting involved. Styles demands a Handicap Match against Owens and Zayn. Styles then is stunned as Bryan announces it for the WWE Royal Rumble with Styles' WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line to end the show. 

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/2/18: RAW Miami Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

It's the beginning of the week and time to kick things off in wrestling with Monday Night RAW! First off, Happy New Year wrestling fans, I hope 2018 is a great year for all of you.

Last week on RAW, John Cena returned as we get closer to the WWE Royal Rumble. Roman Reigns survived by getting DQ'ed against Samoa Joe, to retain his WWE Intercontinental Championship. The shocker of the show was the newly aligned team of Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defeating Sheamus and Cesaro to win the WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship. What surprises would the New Year bring us with the first RAW of 2018 live in Miami, Florida.

** Monday Night RAW Card **

- WWE RAW World Tag Team Champion Jason Jordan battled Cesaro.
- Bray Wyatt battled Apollo Crews.
- WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss battled Asuka in a non title match.
- Braun Strowman battled Rhyno.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns defended his title against Samoa Joe. If Roman Reigns gets DQ'ed then Samoa Joe is automatically the new champion.
- Cedric Alexander and Goldust battled Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari.
- The Balor Club reunited to battle Elias Samson and The Miztourage in a Six Man Tag Team Match.

** RAW Highlights **

- Kurt Angle Kicks Off The Show: RAW GM Kurt Angle kicked off RAW to wish us a happy 2018. Angle then gets into business by announcing that John Cena has officially entered this year's Royal Rumble. Angle announces that the rules to the women's Royal Rumble will be no different than the men's. Angle goes to announce tonight's plans, but gets interrupted by Sheamus and Cesaro. Sheamus and Cesaro state that they were robbed of the tag titles last week and Angle is playing favorites by allowing Jason Jordan to team with Seth Rollins and get their title shots. Sheamus and Cesaro demand their rematch tonight, but Angle cuts them off and says they'll get it when Angle says they can have it. Jason Jordan interrupts next and a verbal back and forth argument breaks out between Jordan, Angle, Sheamus and Cesaro. Seth Rollins interrupts next and says he'll stand in Jordan's corner as Angle announces Jordan vs. Cesaro right now.

- Cesaro vs. Jason Jordan: The bell sounded to kick off the opening match, as Rollins stood in Jordan's corner and Sheamus stood in Cesaro's corner. The match closes out with Cesaro taking out Jordan's knee and then arguing with the referee, allowing Sheamus to get in a cheap shot. Cesaro applies a half crab and then turns it into a Boston Crab submission. Jordan is able to reach the ropes for the submission break. Sheamus attempts another cheap shot, but Rollins stops him and lays Sheamus out. Jordan catches Cesaro during the distraction and scores the pinfall.

- Bray Wyatt vs. Apollo Crews: The second match of the night saw the eater of worlds, Bray Wyatt, battle Apollo Crews of Titus Worldwide. The match closes out with Bray in control of Crews and goes for his crab walk. Dana Brooke gets on the apron and shouts encouragement to Crews, distracting Bray. Bray scares Dana off the apron causing her to fall onto Titus. Crews hits a jumping kick on Bray and goes for the Apollo Bomb. Bray counters and hits Sister Abigail to score the pinfall. After the match, Woken Matt Hardy interrupts on the TitanTron, says he's transformed Wyatt's fireflies into his Woken Warriors and says that once Sister Abigail is gone, Bray will be deleted.

- Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka: Last week, Asuka sent a message to Alexa that she was winning the Royal Rumble and coming for Alexa. This match was made official by Kurt Angle earlier in the night. Before the match, Alexa tried to get her best friend Nia Jax to stand in her corner, however, Nia left the building to be with Enzo Amore, who was in the hospital with the flu. The match closes out with Alexa working over Asuka's rib area. Alexa unloads on Asuka in the corner and then slaps Asuka. Asuka gets fired up and unloads a series of dropkicks on Alexa. Asuka hits a corner hip attack and then a running hip attack. Asuka locks Alexa in the cross arm breaker submission and taps out the champion.

- Braun Strowman vs. Rhyno: The fourth match of the night saw #1 Contender Braun Strowman battle the ECW icon Rhyno. Heath Slater tries to distract Braun, which forces Braun to dare Slater to get in the ring and fight too. Slater does and he and Rhyno double team Braun. The match closes out with Braun hitting the running power slam on Slater and Rhyno and scores the pinfall. After the match, Braun hits three more running power slams on both Rhyno and Slater.

- "WWE Intercontinental Championship Match, If Roman Reigns Gets DQ'ed He Loses The Title": Roman Reigns (c) vs. Samoa Joe: The fifth match of the night saw Roman Reigns putting the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line against Samoa Joe. After losing by DQ last week, the rule was set that Joe would win the title if Reigns gets DQ'ed again. The match closes out with Reigns getting warned to not to use the steel steps on Joe. Reigns hits a Superman Punch on Joe outside and another inside the ring for a near fall. Joe counters the spear and then shoves Reigns into the referee. The referee thinks Reigns hit him on purpose and goes to call for the bell, but Reigns begs him not to. Joe hits the Uranage on Reigns and gets a near fall. Joe argues with the referee and demands that Reigns should've been DQ'ed. Joe goes for the Coquina Clutch submission, but Reigns escapes and hits the spear to score the pinfall and retain the title.

- Drew Gulak And Ariya Daivari Call Off The WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match: Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari are in the ring and announce that Enzo Amore is not here tonight to defend his title against Cedric Alexander, due to the flu. Cedric interrupts and states that since Enzo is too scared to show up then either Gulak or Daivari need to take his place. They agree but only if Cedric can find a partner and make it a tag team match. Goldust suddenly interrupts and agrees to team up with Cedric.

- Cedric Alexander and Goldust vs. Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari: The sixth match of the night saw this match made official. The match closes out with Goldust unloading on Gulak. Goldust hits the bulldog on Gulak and then climbs the ropes and hits a cross body on Gulak and Daivari. Cedric tags in, hits a double springboard clothesline and then hits the Lumbar Check on Gulak for the pinfall.

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": The Balor Club vs. Elias Samson and The Miztourage: Earlier in the night, Finn Balor informed Kurt Angle that he found his tag team partners for tonight to battle Elias Samson and The Miztourage. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson appeared with Balor, reuniting The Balor Club. The match closes out with Axel getting tossed outside. Anderson nails Elias and sends him into the ring post. Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer on Dallas as Balor hits Coup de Grace afterwards and scores the pinfall.

- The Year Of The Beast: Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman closed out RAW this week with a promo in the ring. Heyman talks about the WWE stacking the deck against Lesnar yet again by making him fight Kane and Braun Strowman. Heyman guarantees that Lesnar will walk in and walk out of the WWE Royal Rumble still the champion. Heyman says one on one Lesnar would beat Kane, Strowman and all 30 men in the Royal Rumble. Heyman hypes Lesnar up to victory when suddenly Kane interrupts and choke slams Lesnar. Lesnar sits up like Kane, laughs at Kane and hits Kane with the title. The RAW locker room empties out and keeps Kane and Lesnar separated to end the show.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 12/28/17: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

NXT returned this week for more NXT action at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. This week, a new number one contender to the NXT World Championship was decided. NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon was also in action, defending her championship against Sonya Deville.

** NXT TV Card **

- The Street Profits battled Kris Starr and Riley Apex.
- NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon defended her title against Sonya Deville.
- Johnny Gargano, Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black and Killian Dain battled in a Fatal Four Way Match to determine a new number one contender to the NXT World Championship. 

** NXT **

- The Street Profits vs. Kris Starr and Riley Apex: The first match of the night kicked off NXT with tag team action. The current undefeated Street Profits took on Kris Starr and Riley Apex. The match closes out with The Street Profits making quick work of their opponents. Dawkins hits a big spine buster and Ford follows with a frog splash to score the pinfall.

- "NXT Women's Championship Match": Ember Moon (c) vs. Sonya Deville: The second match of the night saw Ember Moon put her title on the line against Sonya Deville. The match closes out with Sonya locking in a bear hug, but Ember escapes, blocks a wheel barrow lift and sends Sonya into the corner. Ember unloads on Sonya and gets a near fall. Ember hits a springboard drop kick and finishes Sonya off with the Eclipse Stunner for the pinfall. After the match, Kairi Sane appears and stares down Ember. Shayna Baszler suddenly debuts on NXT and chokes Kairi out on the stage.

- "#1 Contenders, Fatal Four Way Match": Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano: The main event of the show saw the Fatal Four Way Match to crown a new #1 Contender to the NXT World Championship. The match closes out with Sullivan taking out Black and Gargano then faces off with Dain. Black comes back in and unloads strikes on both Dain and Sullivan. Black nails the Black Mass kick and covers, but Undisputed Era hit the ring and interrupt the match. Gargano unloads on Undisputed Era and then tries to cover Black. Sullivan gets sent into the steel steps and then Gargano sends Dain into Sullivan after a counter. Gargano hits a leaping DDT and scores the pinfall to take the victory.