Credit: F4WOnline
As noted, Kurt Angle has re-signed with TNA and obviously will not be making a return to WWE. WWE apparently did not want Angle back as a wrestler.
There’s still a feeling within WWE that once Angle is finally done and retired from wrestling in the ring, he will likely be hired for a coaching job at NXT.
Credit: Mike Bessler
After all of NXT’s dynamic intro packages, we hunker down for all the actions. Lucha Dragons hit the ramp first.
Lucha Dragons vs. Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan
Tye stars off against Kalisto and the chops start a-flyin’. After some back and forth, Jordan tags in and catches Kalisto in mid-air. He moves into the dominant spot quickly. Jason and Tye tag in and out quickly and remain on top. Tye earns a near fall and then works Kalisto over on the mat. After getting a second wind, Kalisto brings in Sin Cara who turns things around for his team. He hits Dillinger with a sunset bomb on his opponent off the ropes and follows up with a three-count for the win.
Result: Lucha Dragons win via pinfall.
Post match, The VaudeVillains mount a sneak attack on the Dragons and the announce team call for medics.
CJ Parker and Bull Dempsey talk about Baron Corbin backstage. CJ and Corbin will meet in the ring later.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass introduce Carmella. Then Big Cass calls out Blue Pants for a match.
Blue Pants vs. Carmella
The crowd chants “Let’s go Blue Pants!” as the ladies lock up. Carmella takes control quickly and thwarts efforts by Blue Pants to put together some offense. She keeps Blue Pants on the mat for a short stretch until Enzo momentarily distracts her, giving Blue Pants the chance to roll up Carmella for the surprise pin.
Result: Blue Pants defeats Carmella via pinfall.
After the bell, Carmella chases the guys around to vent her frustration.
CJ Parker vs. Baron Corbin
Parker emerges with a handwritten cardboard sign that reads “You can break my sign but you’ll never break my spirit.” Corbin lumbers out next. Bull Dempsey is at ringside. After the bell, Corbin stares down Dempsey and then picks up Dempsey for Snake Eyes and ultimately follows with End of Days for a quick win.
Result: Baron Corbin defeats CJ Parker via pinfall.
Post-match, Baron Corbin asks Dempsey if he’s going to keep running scared and then heads outside where they mix it up for a minute or two. A bunch of refs scramble out to break it up.
Backstage, Regal announces that Sami Zayn will return to NXT next week. Curtis Axel barges in and says he wants a match and Regal books him against Hideo Itami on the next episode.
Charlotte comes out to the venue for an in-ring interview and reprimands the crowd for chanting while she’s a-talkin’. She says Sasha is the toughest opponent she’s faced but notes that she’s also beaten Banks twice now. Sasha appears on the ramp to take issue and says that she and her pal Becky Lynch will now commence to beating down Naitch’s daughter. As they advance on the champ, Natalya’s music hits. She comes out to head them off, prompting Banks and Lynch to retreat.
WWE rolls a webcam promo by Sami Zayn who says he’ll address the betrayal by Kevin Owens when he gets back to NXT. Then we see Renee’s interview with Kevin Owens. Renee asks Owens why he stole Sami’s moment at [R]Evolution and Steen gets irritated by the verbiage and he storms out. Then the main event is within sight…
Hideo Itami and Finn Balor vs. The Ascension
The announce team debates whether Hideo is bigger than John Cena or Ric Flair in Japan. After the bell, everybody throws down. The Ascension gets rolled out and the ref holds back Hideo and Finn so he can get the thing re-started. Balor and Viktor end up squaring off and Viktor struggles to stay in it. Hideo tags in and he keeps it up with some strikes and a big kick to the back. Balor comes back in over the top rope and gets a near fall. Finn stays on top of things, bringing Hideo back in. Mat grappling ensues and Balor comes back in. The Ascension finally sees daylight as Balor is knocked outside of the ring by Viktor. The show heads to break as Balor rolls on the floor outside. On the other side of the commercial, we learn that The Ascension whooped up on Balor during the break. Konnor is now the legal man and Balor is getting all the punishment. Viktor comes back in and levels Finn with some chops, followed by a near fall. Konnor tags in and keeps things moving in The Ascension’s favor. A lengthy stretch of mat work ensues, peppered with near-falls, but no three-count. The Ascension tags in and out as they work over Finn Balor. Balor finally lands a huge kick on Konnor and tags in Hideo who cleans house. He mixes it up with Viktor and looks to get the win but Viktor counters and gets some momentum back. Viktor sets up Hideo for the win and Hideo scrambles out. Konnor returns but he’s taken out by Balor. Hideo finishes Viktor with a spin-kick and the three-count.
Result: Hideo Itami and Finn Balor defeat The Ascension via pinfall.
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WWE Superstars Results 1/1/5 from the Verizon Center in Washington D.C (Taped 12/29/14)
* Erick Rowan defeated Tyson Kidd
* Fandango defeated R-Truth
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– The Wrestling Observer recently reported that it is believed that Gail Kim is working with TNA on a per-event deal instead of having a new deal in place. WrestlingInc later posted the same note. Kim denied the report on Twitter, simply writing, “@WrestlingInc lol. Wrong.” It should be noted that Kim’s profile is still on the TNA roster page.
– On a related note, Rob Terry has been moved from the TNA roster page to the Alumni section, so it appears that he is done with the company. Additionally, the Menagerie profile has no mention of him in their faction profile, and the group is now regarded as a three-person unit.
– TNA has also removed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson from their roster page to the Alumni section.
– We noted earlier that TNA announced that they have re-signed Kurt Angle, Abyss and EC3. TNA Executive Vice President John Gaburick noted on Twitter that there will be more signings announced later this week and next.
– TNA has revamped their official site with a new look.
Ben Wilding and Andrew Kha contributed to this article.
Source: PWInsider
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler has been hospitalized over the last several days due to a case of diverticulitis.
Lawler is expected to be released some time within the next several days.
Sheamus noted on Twitter that he’s heading back to the United States this weekend. He’s been at home in Ireland for the holidays while recovering from surgery that he had towards the end of November.
There’s still no word yet on what kind of surgery Sheamus had but the storyline at the time was that he suffered “a left cervical neurapraxia (stinger in arm), bone spurring, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) and narrowing of the nerve canals (neuroforaminal) along with nerve compression in his neck.”
There’s been some speculation within WWE that Sheamus will be returning to work as a heel for the WrestleMania 31 season.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
After months of uncertainty, top WWE officials were informed about three weeks ago that Daniel Bryan would be able to return. The decision was made then to have him return at the 2015 Royal Rumble.
With Bryan being in the Rumble match, there’s been a lot of speculation already about whether or not this changes plans for Roman Reigns. Apparently this hasn’t been considered within WWE yet.
As of this week, Reigns was still scheduled to win the Rumble and then win the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 31.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
As noted, WWE suspended the Legends contract of Kevin Nash while he has an outstanding domestic case for the incident with his son last week.
Nash was suspended due to the company policy of suspending any talent or front office employee that gets domestic violence charges. If the case is dismissed in court, Nash will be reinstated by WWE. Nash still has a few years left on the contract as he signed a five-year Legends deal back in 2011.
As noted, we had confirmed that Nashwas pulled from the RAW Reunion special on January 19th from Dallas. He was scheduled to do a nWo reunion angle with Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan.
