Daily News Update – July 2, 2021

This is another special one as we have Terry Funk’s lifetime achievement banquet. This one is rated TV-MA and has another disclaimer to make me wonder what is on here. Joey Styles opens things up at a podium, talking about how he is new in this business but the highlight of his career has been working with Terry Funk, even when Funk tried to kill him. Joey teases the idea of strangling Paul Heyman (next to him) with a plastic bag, which Heyman takes from Joey for a shot to the arm. Getting more serious, Joey talks about how important it is to see Terry wrestle and how much it means to him.

Next up is Sandman, who is already emotional about how he has always wanted to be a wrestler and idolized the northeastern wrestlers. Sandman thanks the people who founded and operate this company for giving him a chance to live his dream. Oh and his wife too. We move on to Barely Legal tomorrow night, which features a three way dance between Sandman, Stevie Richards and Funk himself. Sandman can’t believe how far Richards has come in such a short time and it will be an honor to face Funk. It was bizarre to hear Sandman talking all sane and such like this.

Richards is up next (with an unpainted Blue Meanie) and talks about how he showed up to the ECW Arena, willing to do absolutely anything. Now he is getting to wrestle Sandman and Terry Funk on pay per view in the same arena. Richards thanks Heyman and hugs Funk, saying may the best man win.

Blue Meanie is up next and says he isn’t used to talking in a normal voice. Meanie doesn’t have much to say other thank thank you Funk.

Someone who looks like Nova says football had Joe Montana, baseball had Babe Ruth and wrestling had Funk.

Joey introduces the Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus), with Saturn saying he isn’t the best talker. He remembers thinking wrestlers were superheroes and Funk paved the road they walked down. Saturn talks about meeting Funk for the first time and being amazed that Funk thought he was a good worker, to the point where he called everyone he knew.

Kronus loves Funk and that’s it.

Styles talks about a young up and coming wrestler who is only going to get better and better. Funk: “Thank you!” It’s actually Chris Candido, with Tammy Sytch, with Chris talking about being NWA Champion and being terrified to talk to Funk for half an hour. One night they went to Dennys but Funk had locked the keys in his trunk so he had to eat in his gear, which had him panicking. Dory Funk Jr. said that wasn’t true, which is an excuse for a bunch of (funny) Funk impressions. Candido loves Funk too.

Next up is Louie Spicolli, who thought no one could beat up Hulk Hogan until Terry Funk did it. Funk always puts in the work and now he’s doing moonsaults because he can do anything.

Joey brings up the Pitbulls, who are nice guys but scare the heck out of him. They can’t believe they are in the same locker room as Funk and are very thankful for Funk helping them so much.

Now we have an introduction Joey doesn’t want to do, as he brings up Bill Alfonso. Bill talks about being brought in to ECW in 1994 and how much he loved Funk as a kid and apparently they knew each other twenty years ago. Cool enough.

Joey talks about being scared of the next speaker, even if he is a terrifying man. That would be Taz, who talks about how everyone here is great but it’s all about Funk. Taz tells a story about his first match in the company and being stunned that Funk took him aside to critique his match that night. He hopes Terry is around for another 52 years (Would you bet against him?).

Joey introduces Francine, who is rather choked up about getting to be up here. She looks at Funk like a father and hopes he walks her down the aisle when she gets married.

Now we have Sabu, who presents Terry with a trophy and whispers something in his ear before sitting back down.

Next up is a referee whose name I couldn’t understand. Funk has praised him too and can’t believe he has had the honor to be in the same ring as Funk over the years. He talks about how Funk has done so many things for so many people and talks longer than most of the wrestlers.

Now we get a more obscure name with Barry Blaustein, who has made a documentary about ECW (and was regularly mentioned by Jesse Ventura back in the late 80s). It has been an honor to get to show the greatness of wrestling, which has included seeing Funk covered in blood. Funk said he was too old for wrestling that night but Barry knew that could never be true. Blaustein has worked on a lot of big movies but he has never been prouder of anything than this.

Now we have a female wrestling promoter whose name Joey kind of mumbles. She talks about meeting Terry at a commercial for Kodak in 1984 which had nothing to do with wrestling. Then she found out what he could do in wrestling and was amazed at how great he really was.

Joey talks about Tod Gordon (ECW founder) not knowing who he was when he was trying out. Joey: “Do you know who I am now Tod?” Gordon talks about how they needed a big star who could bring the hardcore when they started and there was only one option: Abdullah the Butcher. Funk didn’t think much of the first show they had but then things got better and that is because of what Funk did.

Joey talks about trying to work for WWF and WCW but only ECW called him back. That brings up the one person who called him back: Paul Heyman (oh boy). Paul talks about how emotional this is and thanks Gordon for giving him a job in 1993. He can’t believe how far they have come and goes into a promo about how extreme ECW is. New Jack, in a white suit and top hat, stands up after a mention from Heyman, who knows Jack had that hanging in his closet.

Heyman knows that everyone here put on a suit because they know Funk deserves the honor. New Jack (in the back of the room) says something the mic doesn’t pick up and we get the ECW chant. Heyman talks about doing photography for years in the early 80s and hearing about how he should just go straight up to Funk because he was such a great guy. That got him thrown out of the locker room and Heyman didn’t see Funk again until 1989.

They met again in Amarillo, Texas and Funk offered to take him for a ride the next morning. Funk drove crazy fast and Heyman was scared to death but he met Terry’s wife….who thought Heyman was hilarious (meaning more impressions). Then they went to a show with Funk vs. Eddie Gilbert as the main event. Heyman was taken to the ring where he was terrified (mainly because Ric Flair (WCW boss at the time) was going to kill him for some reason). Funk gave him some advice that night: if Missy Hyatt gets in your face, slap the f****** s*** out of her.

Then they had the match and Funk went off the apron and head first through a table. Gilbert thought Funk was dead and Heyman knew Flair was going to kill him. Heyman went over to check on Funk, who was fine enough that he cracked a joke to him (which is hard to understand but pops the room).

Then a few days later, Funk broke his tailbone a few days before the 1989 Great American Bash. For the first time, Heyman saw Funk crying because he was devastated. There was nothing that was going to stop Funk from going to the show and giving the fans what they paid to see. Then Funk wrestled 34 straight days on the road and Heyman was so in awe that he called his father to talk about how amazing Funk was.

Heyman prayed he could find one wrestler like Funk and now he has him in ECW. The criteria to work here is work ethic and the example for that has been set by Funk himself. Heyman talks about the wrestlers who have worked so hard here and they do it because Funk made them want to. The people who work behind the scenes do the same things and they do it because of the locker room.

That brings Heyman to Funk’s protege: Tommy Dreamer. Heyman praises Dreamer for everything he has done, without even being nervous about Barely Legal. Dreamer never gets shaken up but tonight has messed with him because he wants everything to be perfect for Funk. Everyone wants to make it special, like Taz, who has never mentioned his personal life but his wife is here with him because it is worth the honor to Funk. Having Funk in the locker room is like an audience with the Pope or the President because he means that much.

Heyman explains to the fans in attendance how much this means and they give Funk a standing ovation. ECW was ready for pay per view last year with November To Remember but they needed to do something special and someone to build around. They needed Terry Funk and now Heyman knows what can happen tomorrow and it is going to be a tribute to Funk.

Heyman introduces Tommy Dreamer (after stealing the show by being an AMAZING storyteller), who thanks a bunch of the wrestlers around here, capped off by finally thanking Funk himself. Dreamer talks about what a family ECW is and (of course) breaks into tears (Dreamer: “Yeah right I’m hardcore.”). He presents Funk with a plaque and a bunch of wrestlers come up to hug Funk.

It’s time for Funk himself to speak….and he needs to go to the bathroom….and he actually runs off so we get a lot of hugs between the speakers. New Jack gives Heyman an ECW ring as Funk is back. Funk thanks everyone for the plaque and talks about what it means to him. If he could present an award tonight, it would be the Against All Odds Award to Heyman and Gordon for making it so far.

Funk praises his wife, who the fans deem hardcore. He praises his wife for the hardcore matches they have had over the years and can’t wait to spend the rest of his life and eternity with her. Funk introduces his children and announces that he is done wrestling in the United States after this year. Even the people here don’t seem to believe him but Funk has a few more things to say.

Stevie Richards came into ECW with a couple of old bags but he never mentioned their names. Then we have the referees, who Funk knows are lying because they are referees. Funk talks about how the book of Genesis says Jacob met an angel and they didn’t play hockey or baseball. They wrestled each other, because it is something is always going to be around.

Funk talks about the people in the arena and in the ring who work so hard to make their mark. Wrestling is in his heart and there are people in ECW who have that passion too. Funk has his family come around him and the family applauds everyone for being here tonight and supporting ECW.

I’m not a big ECW guy but this was GREAT, as you could feel how much Funk meant to everyone here. Heyman’s stuff was outstanding and the story of Funk in Amarillo was awesome. I didn’t think Heyman was going to be topped and then Funk came in and blew the doors off of the place with one of the most powerful wrestling speeches you will ever here. This is worth seeing, though depending on your ECW taste, you might want to just watch Heyman and Funk.

NXT UK – July 1, 2021: Crank It Up

NXT UK
Date: July 1, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

We have a pretty stacked card this week with Jordan Devlin vs. A-Kid and Tyler Bate defending the Heritage Cup against Jack Starz. This is a good example of what NXT UK does well, as they have built those matches up to feel important rather than throwing big names out there and having them do whatever. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Emilia McKenzie vs. Isla Dawn

McKenzie charges straight at her but Dawn hammers her down. That doesn’t seem to bother McKenzie, who is back with a swinging neckbreaker into a suplex. Dawn gets in some stomping and a forearm to the back of the neck gets two. What might have been a botched suplex is turned into a small package to give Dawn two more and McKenzie is sent outside.

A whip into the barricade has McKenzie in more trouble but she comes back in with an enziguri and a cutter. McKenzie’s spear only hits knee though and a Saito suplex plants her. A second spear connects with Dawn, who is right back with a superkick. Dawn takes a bit too much time being all freaky though and McKenzie takes her down, setting up a running knee for the pin at 6:07.

Rating: D+. Not much to see with this one and that shouldn’t be a huge surprise. This was a pretty low level women’s match and Dawn isn’t someone who is going to win very often. McKenzie has a long way to go but at least she has started off well enough. WWE might be able to do something with her and it isn’t like her matches have been terrible. For someone who is still getting started around here, this worked well enough.

Post match Dawn looks up and talks to someone.

We look back at Walter attacking Ilja Dragunov after last week’s main event.

Gallus is happy with their friendly rivalry, though Mark Coffey goes off to ask about a match. Everything is cool.

Heritage Cup: Tyler Bate vs. Jack Starz

Bate is defending and has Trent Seven as his second. Round one begins with a feeling out process into a rather early standoff. Bate goes for the wrist and pulls on an armbar to settle things down a bit Starz fights up into an armbar of his own. That’s countered into a fairly fast paced series of near falls until Bate hits a dropkick for two as the round ends. Round two begins on the mat again…and Bate rolls him up for the pin at 37 seconds of the round (4:10 total).

Round three begins with Bate grabbing a cravate but Starz shoves him away and hits a running elbow. Starz suplexes him out of the corner for two and grabs his own airplane spin into a pop up uppercut for two. Bate tries la majistral but Starz sits down on it to tie things up at 2:39 of the round (6:50 total). Round four begins with Bate trying a rolling Liger kick but Starz reverses into a Boston crab. That’s reversed with a flip though and now the Liger kick connects. The Tyler Driver 98 retains Bate’s title at 1:21 of the round (8:44 total).

Rating: C+. They had me thinking of an old low level Ric Flair NWA World Title defense here, as Flair gave up enough to make you think a miracle might happen but then everything got back to normal. Starz was never going to win here but it was a fine example of looking good in defeat. That seemed to be what Bate had in mind when he made the challenge, so well done on setting things up and then making them work.

Post match, Wolfgang and Mark Coffey come out for some mock praise.

Pretty Deadly is having a photo shoot when Sid Scala interrupts. The champs don’t like being interrupted but Scala has news: next week it’s Lewis Howley vs. Mark Andrews. If Andrews wins, Subculture gets a title shot. Short and to the point here.

Here is Women’s Champion Meiko Satomura for a chat. The title is one of the few things she had never accomplished but now NXT UK is her home. Cue Nina Samuels to congratulate her on the, but now Satomura needs a win over a star to establish her reign. Amele runs in to jump Samuels and say she wants a title shot. Satomura may be the final boss, but Amele doesn’t play games. That’s fine with Satomura, who knocks her down and grants the title match.

After last week’s triple threat, Joe Coffey sat down next to Rampage Brown and respect seems to be shown.

Blair Davenport is here and as all but already known, it’s Bea Priestly.

Mila Smidt vs. Aoife Valkyrie

Smidt seems to have an amateur background and stays low to the mat to start. They trade takedowns until Valkyrie starts in on the arm. A running dropkick sets up another armbar as we hear about Smidt training for the Olympics. Valkyrie strikes away until Smidt suplexes her down for two. Cue Jinny to watch as Valkyrie kicks Smidt down, setting up the top rope ax kick for the pin at 3:41.

Rating: C. This was a double shot as Valkyrie gets back on track with an impressive outing, which Smidt also got her first chance to shine. Valkyrie winning isn’t a surprise but they did a nice job of making you buy Smidt having a tiny chance. Smidt’s amateur background can get her pretty far and this kind of a match suggests she is going to get at least one chance.

Post match, Valkyrie stars Jinny down.

An intense looking Kenny Williams is ready for Nathan Frazer next week.

Trent Seven is answering questions when Eddie Dennis interrupts. Dennis asks how it feels to always be a bridesmaid but never a bride. Seven reminds him of the Burning Hammer through a table to destroy Dennis’ shoulder, which gets him to back off.

Jordan Devlin vs. A-Kid

Devlin takes him down by the arm to start until Kid reverses into a headscissors. They continue the reverses on the mat until Kid’s near fall gives us a standoff. Kid flips over him a few times and tries what looks to be a monkey flip, only to be shoved off the top and down to the floor in a nasty crash. That’s almost enough for a countout so Devlin grabs a belly to back suplex for two more.

We hit the neck crank for a bit before Devlin drops down onto Kid’s banged up back. Kid comes back up with a dropkick but Devlin snaps off a cutter for a double knockdown. A fisherman’s suplex gives Kid two and he grabs a guillotine to put Devlin in real trouble. That’s escaped with a suplex and an exchange of rollups gets two each. A triangle choke puts Devlin in trouble again, with a rope grab getting him out of trouble this time.

Devlin snaps off a Spanish Fly but Kid pulls him into the modified Rings of Saturn. Another rope grab breaks it up and they slug it out with Devlin getting dropped for two more. Some rolling German suplexes rock Devlin, who comes back with a headbutt to knock himself outside. Kid hits a dive to drop him again but Devlin snaps the rope into his face for a clever counter.

Devlin drops him knee first onto the steps but the Devlin Side is countered into a sunset bomb. A half crab goes back to the knee and they go into an exchange of submission attempt until Devlin BENDS KID’S LEG AROUND for the tap at 15:23. Kid was laying face down on the mat and Devlin pressed the leg so far that it bent around so that it was laying on the mat, foot up.

Rating: B. The ending alone makes this worth seeing (assuming you don’t have a weak stomach) but this was a heck of a technical showdown for the most part. They were trading holds back and forth until Devlin had to cheat with the steps. Devlin has cooled off a bit in recent weeks and this is the kind of win that could bring him back a bit. Now it’s Kid needing a win, which is weird after a nice title reign.

Medics come out to check on Kid immediately as Devlin celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The long main event is the boost that the show needed as it was only so good going into it. Just like NXT though, one of the best things to be said about NXT UK is they know how to make something out of not much. They didn’t have the top names featured this week and the show worked anyway. That’s a good sign for the show and it is a sign we have seen a lot more than once now. NXT UK is on solid footing and that’s more than most shows can say these days.

Results

Emilia McKenzie b. Isla Dawn – Running knee

Tyler Bate b. Jack Starz 2-1

Aoife Valkyrie b. Mila Smidt – Top rope ax kick

Jordan Devlin b. A-Kid – Knee crank

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling – June 24, 2021: One Of The Nice Ones

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 24, 2021
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, D’Lo brown

We are on the way to Slammiversary and the show is starting to take shape. This week is likely going to deal with the fallout of Tommy Dreamer (yep) being announced as the new Anthem representative, because not only do we need two bosses, but one needs to be Tommy Dreamer. Last week Dreamer fired Don Callis, right before Kenny Omega gets to defend against Sami Callihan. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at the end of last week’s show with Dreamer announcing Callis’ firing. There is something interesting about the network representative firing a former network representative.

Don Callis and Kenny Omega arrive but Callis is not on the talent list. Callis lists off his recent accomplishments and he insists that he is here with Omega.

Rosemary vs. Kiera Hogan

Tasha Steelz is here with Hogan. We hit the stall button to start with Hogan bailing to the floor in a what is likely a wise move. Commentary talks about the MICKIE trash bag from last week as Rosemary plants Hogan with a side suplex for two. Hogan charges into a knee in the corner and it’s the Upside Down to make it even worse. Steelz trips Rosemary down though and it’s time for Hogan to choke on the rope. A lot of trash is talked so here is Havok to chase Steelz off.

Hogan hits a running corner dropkick for two and it’s time to stomp away in the corner. Another running boot sets up more stomping as Hogan is more aggressive than usual here. Back up and Rosemary grabs her by the throat, setting up an SOS slam. A Sling Blade sets up Austin Aries’ Last Chancery, sending Hogan over to the rope. Rosemary hits a reverse DDT for two but Hogan is back up with something like a bulldog. Hogan kicks her in the head for two but Rosemary is right back with As Above So Below for the pin at 8:02.

Rating: C. They aren’t being subtle about what they’re setting up with for the Tag Team Title match and they aren’t trying to. Rosemary and Havok are fine enough as the next challengers, as it isn’t like they have any regular teams around here in the first place. Rosemary winning likely means Havok beating Steelz soon, which is a tired trope it’s better than nothing.

We look at last week’s brawl between the X-Division.

Chris Bey isn’t joining either side in the X-Division battle. Trey Miguel and Petey Williams come in to ask which side he wants to be on. I believe he just answered that people.

Tommy Dreamer talks about how he is here to run the company for the best. Scott D’Amore come in to thank Dreamer for what he said last week but Dreamer is sticking around as a consultant. D’Amore isn’t happy.

Here’s what’s coming tonight.

Susan vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Non-title and Kimber Lee is here with Susan. They talk trash to each other to start with Purrazzo shoving her in the face. The headlock doesn’t last long as it’s time for a standing switch. Purrazzo takes her down with ease and stops to yell at Lee. A Tequila Sunrise has Susan in more trouble and something like a curb stomp makes it worse.

Susan is knocked outside and Lee has to help her back in so Purrazzo can grab a cross arm choke. A Backstabber out of said choke gets two, with Purrazzo pulling her up. Susan starts the comeback and manages a superplex but Purrazzo snaps on the Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 6:53.

Rating: D+. This was almost a squash with Purrazzo never being in anything close to trouble. Above all else, this match made me feel bad for Susan, who has fallen through the floor since this whole angle started. She went from being the force in the division to just a person and that is a shame. Purrazzo is awesome, but Susan deserves a lot better.

Post match Purrazzo stays on her but Kimber Lee makes the save, likely setting up next week.

TJP and Fallah Bahh b. Decay on Before The Impact.

Fallah Bahh keeps losing at Swinger’s Palace when Willie Mack and Rich Swann come in. Johnny Swinger doesn’t like him because the Mack And Pack connection is over. John E. Bravo and Swann compare shoes and a tag match is set up between Bahh/TJP and Swann/Mack.

Don Callis sucks up to Tommy Dreamer and talks him into being part of a six man tag against Kenny Omega/the Good Brothers.

Rohit Raju/Shera vs. Petey Williams/Trey Miguel

Raju hits Williams in the face to start but gets dropped into 619 position for a running dropkick to the back. The Tree of Woe O Canada has Raju in more trouble and it’s off to Miguel for a double hiptoss into a double backbreaker. Shera comes in to shove Williams into the corner and a quick powerslam plants him for two. We take a break and come back with Raju chinlocking Williams, who fights up in a hurry.

Miguel comes in to pick up the pace, including an atomic drop and cutter to drop Raju. Back up and Raju hits a quick jumping Downward Spiral but Miguel is over for the tag in a hurry. Williams cleans house and loads up the Canadian Destroyer but here are Ace Austin and Madman Fulton for a distraction. Raju hits the Drive By for the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C. Pretty simple and effective way to set up the X-Division Title match, but there was little way around the fact that this is Impact’s version of the Money In The Bank building momentum match. I’m not sure what is happening to the title at Slammiversary, but does it matter given how the build has been going?

Post match Austin and Fulton come in for the brawl, with Josh Alexander running in for the save. That earns him a beating as well, with Chris Bey coming out to film the whole thing.

Sami Callihan is yelling at Tommy Dreamer when the interviewer comes in. They agree to be on the same team in next week’s six man. Moose comes up to say he’s in too and walks away. Apparently Dreamer won’t be on Team Dreamer and they need a third man. It’s going to be Tommy Dreamer isn’t it?

Rachael Ellering didn’t see the red flags with Jordynne Grace and she should have. Grace comes out so Ellering can talk about all of their time together and how she was at a low point when the team got together. Everyone kept telling Ellering that it would be better and now she is doing the same thing to Grace.

That isn’t what Grace wanted and a good partner or friend should have known. Tenille Dashwood is brought up and Grace cuts her off, saying she had a career before Ellering showed up. She loved having Ellering as a partner but she can do things on her own. Ellering brings up Dashwood again, drawing a threat from Grace.

Cue Jazz to say this is just a hurdle and they can get this together. Ellering is willing but Grace needs some more time. Grace storms off and here are Kaleb With A K and Tenille Dashwood to interrupt. She offers to be Ellering’s partner again but Ellering says no. They can have a match instead so the brawl is on, with Jazz and Ellering cleaning house. As mentioned last week: THEY WERE A TEAM FOR TWO MONTHS!!! STOP ACTING LIKE IT IS SOME BIG EPIC HISTORY!!!

Jake Something vs. Sam Beale

Brian Myers is here with Beale. Jake knocks him down to start and hits the running shoulder but stops to glare at Myers. Beale bails outside and comes back in with a high crossbody, which Jake pulls out of the air. Myers throws in a chair, which is kicked right back out. The Black Hole Slam finishes Beale at 2:22.

Post match Myers says Beale didn’t lose that, because he gets a lesson: never be like Jake Something.

Rich Swann and Willie Mack wish Eddie Edwards and Satoshi Kojima luck in their Tag Team Title shot. Edwards appreciates that and promises them the first shot.

Tag Team Titles: Satoshi Kojima/Eddie Edwards vs. Violent By Design

Deaner and Joe Doering are defending for Violent By Design, all of whom are here. Eddie and Doering start things off, with Eddie being sent into the corner in a hurry. Kojima comes in to take Deaner down by the arm and we take an early break. Back with Deaner getting double elbowed down but a Doering distraction lets Kojima hammer away. The champs take turns on Kojima in the corner, setting up Doering’s standing chinlock.

Doering can’t suplex him though and Kojima manages one of his own. Eddie comes in off the hot tag to start cleaning house but Doering breaks up the tiger driver. The champs get knocked to the floor for the stereo dives and we take a break. Back with a Rhino distraction letting Deaner grab a powerbomb out of the corner for two.

Deaner puts on a chinlock, followed by some standard choking in the corner. Doering comes in for a big boot but Deaner’s suplex is countered into a belly to back suplex. The hot tag brings in Kojima to clean house and the top rope elbow gets two on Deaner. A running neckbreaker drops Kojima but Deaner misses a middle rope headbutt.

Doering runs Eddie over with a high crossbody and now the top rope headbutt can connect for two. Everything breaks down with Doering hitting a double clothesline but the Koji Cutter drops the monster. The Boston Knee Party is countered into the revolution powerbomb though and Eddie is done at 19:13.

Rating: B-. This took some time to get going but I was rather surprised by how well this combination of Violent By Design held up. Doering and Deaner sounds like the lowest level of a team as you could have here but it worked out well. There wasn’t much of a chance of a title change as Kojima is just visiting, but at least they had a good match out of these four.

Overall Rating: C+. As usual, this was a bunch of stuff thrown together without one big thing to focus on, but this was better than the usual stuff. Slammiversary is starting to look good and if they do it right, we should be in for a heck of a show. What we got here worked pretty well for about an hour and a half though and I’ll take that over what we get from Impact most of the time.

Results
Rosemary b. Kiera Hogan – As Above So Below
Deonna Purrazzo b. Susan – Fujiwara armbar
Rohit Raju/Shera b. Trey Miguel/Petey Williams – Drive By to Williams
Jake Something b. Sam Beale – Black Hole Slam
Violent By Design b. Eddie Edwards/Satoshi Kojima – Revolution powerbomb to Edwards

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Daily News Update – July 1, 2021

Happy Second Half Day!

An NXT Star May Have Just Spoiled His Future Storyline.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/nxt-star-may-just-spoiled-future-plans/

Update On Sasha Banks’ Return To WWE TV.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/update-sasha-banks-return-wwe-tv/

WWE RUMOR: Surprising Backstage News On Baron Corbin.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/surprising-backstage-news-baron-corbins-reputation/

WWE Names Top Five Tag Teams Of All Time.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-names-top-five-tag-teams-time/

Burger King Weighs In On Current WWE Storyline.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/burger-king-weighs-current-wwe-storyline/

MVP Rips Fans For Criticizing WWE Television.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/mvp-rips-fans-criticizing-wwe-television/

Triple H Stayed In Contact With Jon Moxley For A Good Reason.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/triple-h-stayed-contact-jon-moxley-good-reason/

Nasty Injury Takes Place During AEW Dynamite.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/nasty-injury-takes-place-aew-dynamite/

As always, please check out all of the videos if you can, hit up the comments section and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

New Column: 7 The NXT Way

The main roster needs some help, so maybe these people can help.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/kbs-review-7-nxt-way/

Dynamite – June 30, 2021: There Is Nothing Like Seeing WWE Dynamite Live!

Dynamite
Date: June 30, 2021
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Excalibur, Chris Jericho, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross

We’re finally back to the normal schedule and that is a very good thing. It’s the final night in Daily’s Place as the show is heading back on the road starting next week. The big match this week is Sammy Guevara vs. MJF, which should make for a heck of a grudge match. Throw in the Young Bucks vs. Penta El Zero Miedo/Eddie Kingston and we should be good to go. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Chris Jericho is here for commentary.

Young Bucks vs. Penta El Zero Miedo/Eddie Kingston

Non-title but if Penta/Kingston win, they get a title shot later. The Bucks debut their latest horrible look with some rather thin facial hair. Matt gets taken down for an early rollup to start and Kingston holds the legs for Penta’s top rope double stomp. It’s off to Nick to take Penta down though and the double fist drop sets up some pelvic thrusting. Penta gets sent outside where he grabs a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Matt.

Back in and a high crossbody hits Nick, allowing the hot tag off to Kingston to start the house cleaning. Kingston is taken outside though and a knockdown sets up the apron moonsault/splash combination. Back in and Matt grabs a chinlock, but Kingston fights up again. That earns him a running knee to the face but More Bang For Your Buck is broken up. A superplex plants Nick though and the hot tag brings in Penta to start striking away. Everything breaks down and a corkscrew Code Red gets three but the referee calls it two anyway, earning a VERY unimpressed chant from the crowd.

A Backstabber gets a slightly farther apart two but Nick grabs the referee and kicks Penta low. The spike Fear Factor gets two on Penta with Kingston diving in for a save. Cue the Good Brothers (JR: “Where the h*** do they work anyway?”) but Kingston starts the comeback. That earns him a series of superkicks and it’s back to Penta, who gets backdropped to the floor. Brandon Cutler spray Nick in the face with the cold spray, so here is Kazarian to take him out. Penta hits the big flip dive onto everyone and the Fear Factor into the spinning backfist finally puts Matt away at 13:50.

Rating: B-. It took a lot but it was nice to see the Bucks lose for a change. You can only be so unbeatable for so long before it stops having any impact so it making them seem a little vulnerable is a good idea. I’m not sure I buy Penta and Kingston’s chances of winning the titles, but it gave them a bit of an opening and that is a good thing.

Here’s what’s coming tonight.

Christian Cage gives Jungle Boy another pep talk, saying he’ll be World Champion one day. Tonight is important too though, as Boy can be the first AEW wrestler to fifty wins. The rest of Jurassic Express comes in with Luchasaurus thanking Christian for having Boy’s back on Saturday. Christian happens to be related to a dinosaur and Luchasaurus is interested.

Here are the Men Of The Year for a chat about Ethan Page’s match against Darby Allin. Page is sick of trying to get rid of Darby Allin so it is time to try and exterminate him. After everything he has put Allin through, both here and on the independent circuit, Page needs to do more. Every time Allin tries the Coffin Drop, it’s going to get even worse….and here is Sting, pulling a coffin. Allin is inside of course and house is cleaned in a hurry. Page and Scorpio Sky bail out, with Page saying the coffin match is off for next week. If Allin will agree to not touch him until the match, MAYBE they can do this at Fyter Fest.

Jungle Boy vs. Jack Evans

They go technical to start with neither being able to get very far. An early Snare Trap attempt sends Evans bailing to the ropes, setting up a kick to the ribs. A very springboard wristdrag sends Evans down and a dropkick does the same. We take a break and come back with Boy dropkicking the knee out and hitting a hard clothesline. Evans catches him up top but a German superplex is escaped. Boy catches him in the Tree of Woe for a quick shot and the Snare Trap makes Evans tap at 6:06.

Rating: C. Boy has one of the best attributes you can have as a wrestler: likability. There is something about him that makes you want to see him win and that is going to take him a very long way. The fact that he can wrestle a good match with just about anyone is going to make it even better, and it has been working so far.

Post match here is the Hardy Family Office for the brawl, but Christian and the rest of Jurassic Express comes in for the big brawl. Christian chokes Hardy with the suit jacket until Evans makes the save, allowing Hardy to escape.

MJF talks about how he infiltrated the Inner Circle and started his own stable with the Pinnacle. It amazes him to see how Chris Jericho has turned into a version of the Looney Tunes and we hear about some things Jericho has done. MJF is feeling generous though and is willing to give Jericho some stipulations to get one more match. If Jericho can meet those, which he won’t, he has to leave MJF alone once MJF beats him again. That’s for next week though, because tonight Sammy Guevara has to learn that while he’s the future, MJF is the now. MJF was all fired up here, which is where he does his best.

Andrade El Idolo, in English and Spanish, with subtitles, wants to face Matt Sydal (“Matt Something”) at Road Rager in Miami.

Tony Schiavone brings out Kenny Omega, also with some questionable facial hair, for a chat. Omega talks about how earlier today, Tony asked him how he stayed motivated to find that next gear. Tony: “I didn’t ask you anything today.” Omega lists off everyone that he has beaten (or at least their accolades) before saying there is no one left in the rankings to face. That means he is going to take some time off from around here so he’ll be defending his other titles at the moment.

Cue the Dark Order with Evil Uno saying there are some challenges left. Omega laughs that off (fair) as the fans chant for some COWBOY S***. Uno admits that they don’t have the singles wins to make that work, but they know someone who does. Omega knows who they mean but doesn’t think he has the guys. This is where Omega bids them goodbye and goodnight and that’s that. They had me a bit scared with the Dark Order tease so the ending helped.

Brian Pillman Jr. didn’t like Miro putting his hands on Griff Garrison, who is like a brother to him. This isn’t just about the TNT Title, because this is personal.

TNT Title: Miro vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Miro is defending and throws him into the corner to start. There’s an Irish whip into the corner and Miro starts hammering on the back. Miro slams him down again and we take an early break. Back again with Pillman making a comeback and sending Miro into the barricade. Air Pillman connects for two and Pillman hits a few superkicks but Miro hits his own. Game Over knocks Pillman out at 8:40.

Rating: C+. The 180 that Miro has done is outstanding as he is now one of the best things going in AEW. He is a serious monster at this point who is running through everyone in front of him. On top of that, his God’s champion deal is excellent and it is fun to watch him every time he is on screen. On top of that too, you have him wrecking people in the ring to make it even better.

Hangman Page is ticked off as the Dark Order for bringing him up to Kenny Omega. They don’t think he’s scared of Omega but they think he might be scared of failure. They’re here for him….and then leave him alone. Page doesn’t seem sure about this being his time.

Taz talks about how Team Taz is not at full strength, but sometimes family has to fight to clean things up. That’s why on July 14, Brian Cage is defending the FTW Title against a medically cleared Ricky Starks.

Rebel/Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose/Vickie Guerrero

Baker jumps Vickie to start so Rebel can fail at a choke on Rose. A splash crushes Rebel and now it’s off to Vickie, meaning the Eddie Dance is back. We take a break and come back with Baker coming in for a Sling Blade on Rose. That earns her a failed Beast Bomb attempt and a low superkick staggers Rose. The glove is loaded up but Rose is back with a chokeslam. The splash in the ropes gets two but Baker pulls Vickie comes in, only to get pulled out of the corner. Lockjaw finishes Vickie at 6:55.

Rating: D+. So what was the plan here? Vickie asked for this match and then didn’t do anything out of the ordinary here, making it little more than a handicap match. That’s a weird way to go, unless the plan was just to be a distraction so Rose could do her thing. It really didn’t work and doesn’t exactly make Vickie look that smart.

Post match Rose lays Baker out again and it’s a powerbomb off the apron and through a table at ringside. Rebel seems to have been hurt, as she disappeared about halfway through the match and never came back.

The Inner Circle is ready for their six man tag against the Pinnacle next week because it’s time for some revenge. They’ll have their dogs around to deal with Tully Blanchard too.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Sammy Guevara

MJF bails to the floor to start before coming back in to run the ropes…into a strut. Guevara is back with a weak strut but misses a dropkick. Sammy runs him over but the GTH is countered into a pinfall reversal sequence with both guys nipping up. A rake to the eyes doesn’t cause Sammy many problems as he sends MJF into the buckle. It’s too early for the 630 so MJF bails outside, only to get caught with a double springboard cutter for two back inside.

They head outside again with Guevara being sent into the barricade as we take a break. Back with MJF tying him in the ring skirt for some forearms but Guevara grabs a backdrop. A springboard is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give MJF two but a Spanish Fly gives Guevara two. Guevara sends him to the floor for a big running corkscrew dive, followed by a springboard Canadian Destroyer for two more.

MJF is back with a shot of his own and grabs a chair, which is dropkicked into his face. That sends MJF over the barricade and Sammy busts out a CRAZY dive from the top to take MJF out again (that was amazing). Back in and Sammy goes up but MJF crotches him down. MJF hits a super Tombstone and that gets two, while also banging up MJF’s knee.

Another pinfall reversal sequence gets two each until Sammy hits the GTH for two, as MJF’s foot is in the rope. The 630 connects for two more and here is Shawn Spears. Chris Jericho gets up from commentary to cut him off but Wardlow jumps Jericho from behind and throws him off a not very tall platform. Spears gets in the chair to Guevara to give MJF the pin at 20:07.

Rating: B. This was a crazy match with some amazing athleticism and way too much going on to bog it down. There was too much interference, far too many people involved and at least two spots that either should have finished the match or not been included. The result was fine as MJF is gearing up for the mega showdown with Jericho, but there was too much here and it brought it down from great to good.

We get a rather nice highlight package on the time in Jacksonville with a song talking about thanking everyone for being there. That’s pretty cool of AEW after almost a year and a half. JR: “There is nothing like seeing WWE Dynamite live!” End of show. I know it’s just a slip of the tongue, but that has happened, way, way too often for JR and they need to do something about it.

Overall Rating: B+. Now this was more like the old school Dynamite which worked out rather well. They had good action up and down the card while also setting up some things for the future. It was energized, had the right flow and did everything they needed to do. I had a good time watching this and it flew by with a heck of a pair of bookend matches. Awesome show here and their best in a long time.

Results
Penta El Zero Miedo/Eddie Kingston b. Young Bucks – Spinning backfist to Matt
Jungle Boy b. Jack Evans – Snare Trap
Miro b. Brian Pillman Jr. – Game Over
Rebel/Britt Baker b. Vickie Guerrero/Nyla Rose – Lockjaw to Guerrero
Maxwell Jacob Friedman b. Sammy Guevara – Chair shot

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Monday Night Raw – January 29, 2007: He’s Here

Monday Night Raw
Date: January 29, 2007
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Attendance: 17,115
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

We’re done with the Royal Rumble and that means it is time to start moving forward towards Wrestlemania. The big Raw stories coming out of last night would be John Cena retaining the WWE Title in a great Last Man Standing match over Umaga, plus Shawn Michaels coming this close to winning the Royal Rumble. I wonder if that means anything. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Royal Rumble if you need a recap.

Here is Shawn Michaels to get things going. Last week, he said no mortal man was going to keep him from making it to Wrestlemania. The problem is there were 29 mortal men in the Royal Rumble and one Undertaker. That was a setback, but he is going to Wrestlemania to become the new WWE Champion. Undertaker has the right to choose, but he hasn’t picked yet. If Undertaker picks Bobby Lashley’s ECW World Title (Shawn has jokes) or Batista’s World Heavyweight Title, that leaves John Cena and the WWE Title wide open. Tonight, Shawn is throwing his hat in the ring but here is Cena to interrupt.

Cena likes that idea but here is Edge to interrupt. Edge laughs at Shawn for losing last night and is greeted with a YOU SUCK chant. Shawn lost last night and he has beaten Cena more times than he can count. Edge is undefeated at Wrestlemania so the title shot should be his. Cue Randy Orton, who doesn’t seem to agree.

Last night it was every man for himself and it is the same with that WWE Title. Edge has had 30 title shots at Cena but Orton hasn’t had one. Cena cuts them off and the challenge is on but Vince McMahon pops up on screen. Since it’s Fan Appreciation Night, the Tag Team Title match is on for later. Cena seems intrigued and Shawn….kind of stands there.

JTG talks to the camera and sends some shout outs to his friends but Shad Gaspard says they have a match up next.

Cryme Tyme vs. Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas

Haas hammerlocks Shad to start but a shoulder puts Haas into the corner. A Shelton cheap shot cuts him off though and it’s time to stomp on Shad’s knee. Benjamin comes in and stays on the leg, even cutting off Shad’s rights and lefts with a half crab. Shad finally kicks him away and brings in JTG to take over. An elbow to Benjamin and a backdrop to Haas connect but everything breaks down. Shad is sent outside and Haas sneaks in a DDT so Benjamin can cover JTG (with tights) for the pin. That’s Cryme Tyme’s first loss.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure what the point was in having Cryme Tyme lose here unless they needed to be cooled down a bit, as they are the hottest regular team going at the moment. Haas and Benjamin haven’t been doing much of anything lately so this was kind of a strange loss. It’s not a career killer or anything, but kind of odd.

Vince McMahon gives Melina a pep talk in the back, telling her to seize the moment. Vince gets a hug and Melina leaves, with Coach replacing her. Fan Appreciation Night is ready to go and they’re both excited. It’s going to be bigger than the Royal Rumble and maybe even bigger than Wrestlemania. This is going to leave Vince’s name up there with Mother Teresa, Gandhi and DESMOND TUTU! Coach goes to make sure everything is ready.

This Week In Wrestling History: the first Royal Rumble, which was in no way aired to screw with the NWA’s Bunkhouse Stampede (which didn’t need to be screwed with in the first place).

Melina vs. Maria

The winner gets a Women’s Title shot at some point in the future, as per Vince McMahon’s order (or a First Contenders match according to Melina). JR says Maria has been improving every time she is in the ring, which is a scary concept. Maria rolls her up to start and hits a Bronco Buster for one. Melina isn’t having that and tosses Maria down by the hair to take over. A few kicks out of the corner don’t do Maria much good as Melina hits a not great looking flapjack. Melina screams a lot and grabs a Muta Lock for the tap. Lawler says that’s called California Dream, which Melina told him online. Lawler: “I’d like to blog her.”

Shawn Michaels isn’t going to kick Todd Grisham again but he’ll win the Tag Team Titles tonight. John Cena is no HHH though.

Super Crazy interrupts Mickie James, asking her if she remembers people calling her crazy. Well he’s SUPER Crazy! Melina comes in to say Mickie must be crazy if she thinks she’s keeping the Women’s Title. A brawl breaks out, with Melina shouting “I’M THE TRUE CHAMPION YOU WH***!”

Edge is with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch and can’t believe that Randy Orton thinks he should get a title shot at Wrestlemania. No one can take the Tag Team Titles from them though.

Stills of Umaga vs. John Cena.

Umaga vs. Val Venis

Umaga starts fast with the Samoan drop and ties Venis in the Tree of Woe. The running headbutt connects and the running hip attack sets up the Samoan Spike to complete the squash.

Here is Vince McMahon, in a cowboy hat, for Fan Appreciation Night, complete with something under a sheet. Vince: “HOWDY PARDNER! Why you must be the new school marm!” That’s ridiculous, just like wearing a cowboy hat (yep). Anyone over the age of five wearing a cowboy hat is stupid, because it even messes up your hair. Vince stomps on the hat and thanks the fans for making him a billionaire. He would like to give everyone some monetary thanks but it can only be one person.

Vince calls in a woman from the crowd, who is in no way a model. He knows she must be nervous and then pulls the sheet off, revealing a large version of his Muscle & Fitness cover from last year. The woman seems to like it and Vince sends her away, saying he won’t remember her name (Jackie). And now, in a moment that I’m sure will age just fine, Donald Trump appears on the screen, sending Vince into a panic. He says the fans have no choice but to do what Vince wants and no one would want that picture. Not even Vince’s wife!

Trump knows what the fans want, including the value for what they paid for tickets tonight. Therefore, he is dumping money out of the ceiling, which seems to be completely real, despite what Vince says. Vince: “DONALD TRUMP YOU SON OF A B****!” JR even catches some money as Vince tries to get his head around the idea that it is raining cash. Vince rants about how the people are taking his money and storms off, as JR declares that Vince has been trumped. It’s going to be a long, long Road To Wrestlemania.

Post break, Coach, with money, says he can’t believe Trump would try to upstage him like that. Coach has gathered up as much money as he could, even throwing in some of his own (Ten dollars!). Vince jumps in the limo and leaves in a huff anyway.

Carlito/Super Crazy vs. Kenny Dykstra/Chris Masters

Torrie Wilson is here with Carlito/Crazy. Masters drives Crazy into the corner to start and drives in some knees to the ribs. Crazy knocks him down and drops a corkscrew elbow for an early two. It’s off to Dykstra, who gets caught with a basement dropkick. Carlito comes in for a hurricanrana to the floor and the stereo dives drop the villains.

Back in and Masters trips Crazy down so Dykstra can drop an elbow to take over. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by Carlito coming in to break up a cover. Dykstra grabs his own chinlock but gets belly to back suplexed for his efforts. The double tag brings in Carlito and Masters to pick up the pace, including Carlito’s running knee lift. Everything breaks down and the Backstabber gives Carlito the pin.

Rating: C-. This could have been worse as Carlito and Crazy worked out well enough together. I never need to see Masters vs. Carlito again though, as it is one of those pairings that has been beaten so far into the ground. Dykstra continues to be one of those people who is just kind of there, but it can be rather hard to build someone up from almost nothing.

Randy Orton talks about what an honor it was to win the Tag Team Titles with Edge but they both want to be WWE Champion. As for tonight, they’re retaining the titles.

Intercontinental Title: Great Khali vs. Jeff Hardy

Khali is challenging and knocks Hardy outside in a hurry. Hardy gets pulled back in with one arm and some heavy shots knock him down again. A big clothesline makes it worse for Hardy, who manages to get up for a Whisper in the Wind. That doesn’t do much though as the big chop puts Hardy on the floor for the countout.

Rating: D. It was more of an angle than a match and it made Khali look great without having Hardy get pinned. In theory this should set up Khali destroying him to win the title, or at least a title match, though I’m not sure I believe WWE is going to follow through on it. Nothing match, but it wasn’t supposed to be.

Candice Michelle is in a GoDaddy commercial for the Super Bowl. Not on Peacock of course.

Wrestlemania Recall: the first Money In The Bank.

Vladimir Kozlov is amazed that money fell from the ceiling but he wasn’t impressed by the Royal Rumble. He would have won you see.

Highlights of the Last Man Standing match.

John Cena and Ric Flair are in the back, with Flair saying Shawn Michaels wants to go to the main event of Wrestlemania. He might even superkick Cena to get there.

Vince McMahon will be on ECW this week. Oh dear.

Tag Team Titles: Rated-RKO vs. Shawn Michaels/John Cena

Michaels/Cena are challenging and the champs bail to the floor to start. Shawn chops Edge to start and Orton is almost ready to come in and save him. Instead it’s more chopping against the ropes with Edge flopping around early on. Cena comes in to quite the reaction and it’s a hiptoss into an elbow to the jaw for two. A DDT is good for the same but it’s off to Orton for some forearms to the back.

Orton grabs a suplex and Cena gets caught in the wrong corner. Cena fights up but gets knocked down again, only to have Orton knock Edge down by mistake. Things are about to fall apart but Orton knees Cena in the back from the apron to keep him in trouble. A knee drop gives Orton two and Edge adds a dropkick for the same.

The bodyscissors with a chinlock goes on until Cena fights up and powers his way to freedom. The hot tag brings in Shawn to clean house but Orton breaks up the superkick with a dropkick. Shawn blocks the RKO though and brings (the busted open) Cena back in for the FU and the pin to give us new champions.

Rating: C+. This was the way to get the Road To Wrestlemania off in a hurry as Shawn vs. Cena is already all but set for the show. That isn’t a bad thing, and it isn’t like there is a strong division underneath the titles in the first place. Michaels and Cena holding the titles isn’t that much different than Orton and Edge, so using it as a plot device to get us to Wrestlemania is not a bad thing.

Post match Shawn teases a superkick but stops, leaving Cena to yell at him instead. Then the gong goes off and here is Undertaker to stare them down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling wasn’t the point here, because this show was all about having stuff happen. They did a lot of big things on this show and you can see where a good chunk of the Wrestlemania build is going. Your individual tastes may vary, but there is something to be said about having the build start hot and that is what they did here. The followup is important, but at least they were off to a good start.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Daily News Update – June 30, 2021

Happy Stuff And A Scary Kick.

RUMOR KILLER On Huge WWE Backstage Change.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/rumor-killer-huge-wwe-backstage-change/

Released WWE Stars Facing Immigration Issues.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/released-wwe-stars-facing-immigration-issues/

WWE Planning Some Very Odd Name Changes.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-planning-odd-name-changes/

Title Change Takes Place On NXT In Unannounced Match.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/title-change-takes-place-nxt-unannounced-match/

NXT Is Starting A New Tournament Next Month.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/nxt-starting-new-tournament-next-month/

Keep Them Going: Another Name Gone From WWE.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/another-name-gone-backstage-wwe/

VIDEO: Mercedes Martinez Hospitalized After Scary NXT Spot.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/video-injured-wrestler-hospitalized-nxt-match/

WWE Confirms Two Top Stars Have Gotten Married.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-confirms-hugs-wrestling-wedding/

As always, please check out all of the videos if you can, hit up the comments section and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

NXT – June 29, 2021: The Balancing Act

NXT
Date: June 29, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

It’s the go home show for the Great American Bash and a lot of the card is either set or all but set. They still have a few hours to get the rest of it ready and that should work out well, though I’m not sure how much they are going to put on the show. Samoa Joe still has people to choke out too so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Shotzi Blackheart/Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai/Raquel Gonzalez vs. Io Shirai/Zoey Stark

The winners get a Tag Team Title shot next week. Moon and Shirai starts in on Gonzalez, who runs them both over with straight power. Blackheart comes in to springboard armdrag Gonzalez but Kai makes the save. Everything breaks down and they all brawl on the floor, setting up dives from Shirai and Moon, followed by a heck of a springboard dive from Stark to take everyone out.

We take a break and come back with Gonzalez in control over Blackheart and Shirai, including some running shoulders in the corner to the former. Shirai gets in a shot of her own though and Stark gets the hot tag to start cleaning house. A 619 rocks Kai and Shirai adds a springboard missile dropkick for two. Blackheart hits a reverse Sling Blade for two on Shirai and Moon comes in for stereo kicks to Kai and Shirai. A tiger suplex gives Blackheart two on Kai with Gonzalez making the save.

That means a quadruple teaming on Gonzalez until Kai makes the save, meaning it’s time to load up the Tower of Doom. Gonzalez breaks that up as well and Kai hits a heck of a top rope double stomp on Blackheart. Shirai is back up with a moonsault onto Gonzalez and Kai at the same time but Moon is back in with the Eclipse to Stark. Kai hits Moon with a running kick to the face for two, only to get palm striked down by Shirai. The Moon Over Moonsault finishes Kai to give Shirai the pin at 14:08.

Rating: C+. Believe it or not, a team with less than five matches together as team is getting a shot at the titles. I know that’s hard to fathom, but this is Shirai and Stark’s third match together, putting them ahead of some other challengers. The match was action packed enough and Gonzalez looked like a monster, which is exactly how she should be presented.

The Way jumps Karrion Kross in the back. Referees break it up and Kross swears revenge.

The Breakout Tournament is coming back in two weeks. Cool, though we don’t get any brackets.

Bronson Reed is happy with the tournament being back but Hit Row comes in to ask how he got the title. That would be hard work, but Top Dolla (or Dolla King according to Reed) wants the title on the line tonight. Swerve Scott is getting said shot.

Here are a ticked off Karrion Kross and Scarlett, with Kross daring Johnny Gargano to come out and face him. The JOHNNY WRESTLING chants bring out Gargano, to say he isn’t afraid. Gargano doesn’t have the sword that Kross was talking about, but he has talent. He’s smarter than Kross and here is Austin Theory to jump Kross from behind. Kross fights back and sends Gargano into the barricade. The steps are loaded up but security and Samoa Joe break it up. Kross tells Joe he’s doing a h*** of a job and Scarlett says they’ll pay for that.

The battery is at 61%.

The Way bails in their car, with Gargano waving goodbye.

Roderick Strong vs. Asher Hale

Strong grabs a headlock to start and wrestles Hale to the mat without much effort. Back up and Hale grabs a choke, only to get sent face first into the buckle. A Rock Bottom backbreaker plants Hale and a hard shot to the face puts him down again. Strong cranks on both arms arms at once for the tap at 3:05.

Rating: C. This was a fine debut squash for the team as Strong is likely to be the star. Let him get in there and show off his new style with a bit of the old mixed in with the backbreaker. They got in and out with a name who has been slightly established on 205 Live, which is about as good as that show is going to get at the moment. Not bad and I’m curious to see where the team goes.

Post match, Malcolm Bivens says the Diamond Mine is open for business.

Cameron Grimes vs. Ari Sterling

Speaking of people established on 205 Live, we have Sterling who has done the same. Sterling snaps off a hurricanrana but Grimes cartwheels to safety. Grimes tells him to kiss his grits and sends Sterling to the floor, where a trip drops Grimes face first onto the apron. A springboard moonsault to the floor takes Grimes down and he drops a knee to the back inside. Sterling’s standing corkscrew moonsault gets two and he goes up top, only to miss a shooting star to a standing Grimes. The Cave In finishes Sterling at 2:45. Simple come from behind win here and it did what it was supposed to do.

Post match here is LA Knight to laugh at Grimes. The fans think Knight sucks and Grimes agrees before challenging Knight for the Million Dollar Title next week. That’s not happening….but hang on as Knight has an idea. Knight has been having problems with the little things, so he’ll put the title on the line. When he wins though, Grimes is going to be his butler. That’s fine with Grimes, who has no problem being a butler. Not that it matters though, as he’s winning the title and taking it TO THE MOON! Nothing wrong with dusting off a classic idea.

Io Shirai and Zoey Stark are ready for the Tag Team Title shot but here is the Way to interrupt. They don’t think much of the challenge, with Candice LeRae saying Shirai can be a sore loser.

Here’s Kyle O’Reilly to say that all he wants is to fight people who make him a better fighter. That’s why he is facing Adam Cole again next week, because they went to war before. Cue Cole, but here is Samoa Joe to make sure this doesn’t break down. Cole says O’Reilly is obsessed with him, with O’Reilly recapping their feud and accusing Cole of being the one who is obsessed.

Cole laughs it off and talks about how he is the real star around here and everyone knows it, even O’Reilly’s wife. That is too far for O’Reilly, who tells Cole to never mention her again. He was in the Undisputed Era with Cole and now it disgusts him. Violence is teased but Joe says not now. O’Reilly isn’t listening and pulls Cole into a heel hook. Cole: “GET HIM OFF ME!” Joe walks away so security breaks it up.

Tian Sha is ready for revenge on Jake Atlas and Mercedes Martinez.

The battery is at 71%.

Hit Row fires up Isaiah Scott, who promises to win the North American Title.

Tian Sha vs. Jake Atlas/Mercedes Martinez

Atlas and Martinez jump Boa and Xia Li to start with the guys staying in the ring. Boa gets dropkicked down for two and it’s off to the women. Li kicks Martinez in the back but can’t grab a suplex. Instead Martinez rolls her up for two and hits a backdrop to send Li rolling outside. We take a break and come back with Atlas making the hot tag to Martinez to clean house.

Martinez grabs a butterfly superplex for two with Boa having to break up the cover. Atlas comes in for a belly to back suplex/middle rope clothesline combination to get rid of Boa. That leaves Martinez standing but Mei Ying stands up on stage. Martinez goes for the staredown, allowing Li to get in a shot from behind. Li kicks Martinez in the head for two….and the referee stops it anyway at 8:24 (Martinez was covered but kind of rolled up in the fetal position so her shoulders wouldn’t go down. That looked really, really bad.).

Rating: C-. That ending looked awful as Martinez is either a great actress or was knocked absolutely senseless. Hopefully she’s ok because Li’s kick looked great and it made her feel like a monster. Tian Sha is an interesting group and I’m curious to see just what they do next, as there are a few options.

Here are Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher for a face to face sitdown chat with MSK. Ciampa talks about how the champs are the underdogs next week, because Thatcher has never held gold in NXT and he is hungry. Nash Carter starts to cut Ciampa off but everyone gets up with the chairs being thrown away. MSK knows they are the young guns but they’re ready to fight. That means a slap to Ciampa, with Thatcher having to be held back. Ciampa gets in Carter’s ear to say keep the titles shiny, because only tonight is free.

William Regal is excited about the Great American Bash. Sarray comes up to say she would like a match with Toni Storm. Regal will consider it.

The battery is at 81%.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett are leaving when Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory jump him. Gargano slams the car door on Kross, who pops up and chokes him out. Kross and Scarlett drive off, with Samoa Joe popping up to drag Gargano back inside.

Great American Bash rundown.

North American Title: Bronson Reed vs. Isaiah Scott

Scott, with the rest of Hit Row, is challenging. Reed headlocks him to start but has to fight out of a triangle choke. Back up and Reed swats a crossbody out of the air, setting up a gorilla press drop. Reed pulls Scott off the apron to set up a splash as it’s all champ so far. Scott goes after the leg and tries a sunset bomb to the apron, only to have Reed sit on his chest in a smart counter.

We take a break and come back with Scott driving Reed into the ropes for a German suplex. The half nelson doesn’t last long so Scott settles for a choke, earning himself a flip over into a crash. Scott is back up with a shot to the face, earning himself a heck of a clothesline. Reed plants him with a Death Valley Driver for two and it’s time for the Tsunami. Hit Row offers a distraction but Top Dolla is sent crashing through the barricade. Reed tosses Ashante Adonis onto him but the distraction lets Scott hit the House Call. The 450 onto Reed’s back is enough for the pin and the title at 13:12.

Rating: C+. As much as I’m surprised Reed lost the title, I’m all the less surprised that Scott won it. Hit Row has come in with some momentum and they needed something to validate their status. That’s what a win like this can do and it makes the team feel that much more important. Good enough match too, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Reed on his way up to the main roster sooner rather than later.

A celebration ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was an interesting show as they were pushing a lot of what was left for the Bash while also doing a little something of their own. The Bash is a hue card at the moment, almost feeling like a mini Takeover. If NXT can deliver on something like that, they are going to be fine next week. This week’s show worked well, but it didn’t quite handle the balancing act as perfectly as they could have.

Results
Io Shirai/Zoey Stark b. Shotzi Blackheart/Ember Moon and Dakota Kai/Raquel Gonzalez – Moon Over Moonsault to Kai
Roderick Strong b. Asher Hale – Double arm crank
Cameron Grimes b. Ari Sterling – Cave In
Tian Sha b. Mercedes Martinez/Jake Atlas – Kick to Martinez’s head
Isaiah Scott b. Bronson Reed – 450

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.