"Mean" Gene Okerlund

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of "Mean" Gene Okerlund.  He was the consistent voice of wrestling for me from my childhood watching WWF on the weekends, and on into college until WCW closed its doors in 2001.  Announcers and wrestlers came and went, but Gene Okerlund was always there.

His interviews were legendary.  Watching him stand next to legends like Andre The Giant, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan, just to name a few.  Mean Gene was the consummate professional and was able to get the best out of anyone he interviewed.

Kurt Angle said it best, "Very seldom does an interviewer become just as popular, and at times even more popular than the superstars he/she interviews. Gene Okerlund was that person."

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.  He was 76 years old.

Dynamite Kid

 

One of the legendary wrestlers from the 1980's passed away today, "The Dynamite Kid" Tom Billington.

Billington gained notority teaming with his cousin, Davey Boy Smith as the tag team The British Bulldogs in WWF.  They won the WWF Tag Team Championship once, defeating Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake at Wrestlemania II.

Before joining the WWF, Billington wrestled in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.  He was active in the Junior Heavyweight division and had legendary matches with Tatsumi Fujinami and the original Tiger Mask.  He won the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship in Febuary 1984 while NJPW had a working relationship with WWF.  He defeated The Cobra in a tournament.  He vacated the title on November 6, 1984 when he left NJPW to return to WWF full time.

The British Bulldogs were a prominant tag team when I first started watching wrestling in the mid 1980's.  I used to love watching them because they had the bulldog, Matlida, and thought it was cool that they would bring their dog to the ring.  I loved to watch Billington wrestle because of how technically solid he was in the ring and how he flew with off the top rope and delivered the swandive headbutt.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He was 60 years old.

All In PPV Results

Here are the detailed results of the All In Pay-Per-View from last night in Chicago, IL.

Ian Riccaboni, Exaclibur and Don Callis welcome us to the historic All In pay-per-view.  They recap the card and send us to the ring to get the action started.

SoCal Uncensored (Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) vs. The Briscoes 

Frankie Kazarian and Jay Briscoe will start things off. Jay knocks Sky off the ring apron. The Briscoes are putting the boots to Kazarian. The Briscoes with a double shoulder tackle. Jay uppercuts Kazarian. Jay tags in Mark. Kazarian decks Jay with a Back Elbow Smash. Kazarian side steps Mark into the turnbuckles. Sky connects with a SpringBoard HeadScissors TakeOver. Sky ducks a clothesline from Jay. Sky with a Standing Double Foot Stomp. Sky dropkicks Mark. Kazarian follows that with a Rebound Dropkick. Kazarian with a forearm smash. Kazarian with a Side Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Kazarian applies a wrist lock. Kazarian tags in Sky. Sky with a Flying Double Sledge. Jay is running interference. Sky starts throwing haymakers at Mark. Jay clotheslines Mark. Mark kicks Sky in the face. Mark with a SlingShot Double Foot Stomp. Mark blasts Sky with a Knife Edge Chop. Mark tags in Jay. Jay kicks Sky in the gut. The Briscoes are cutting the ring half.

Jay repeatedly stomps on Sky’s chest. Jay is choking Sky with his boot. Mark applies a rear chin lock behind the referee’s back. Mark punches Sky in the ribs. Mark with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Mark is lighting up Sky’s chest. Jay dropkicks Sky. Sky continues to be trapped in The Briscoes corner. Following a snap mare takeover, Jay applies a rear chin lock. Sky gets back to a vertical base. Sky with shots to the midsection of Jay. Sky creates distance with a Hurricanrana. Sky tags in Kazarian. Kazarian ducks a clothesline from Jay. Kazarian delivers a ShotGun Dropkick. Kazarian follows that with a Spinning Leg Lariat. Kazarian drops Jay with a Float Over DDT. Kazarian with a Northern Lights Suplex/O’Connor Roll Combination for a two count.

Jay reverses out of the irish whip from Kazarian. Up and over goes Jay Briscoe. Jay goes for a Shoulder Block, but Kazarian counters with an Guillotine Leg Drop. Sky with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex which sends Mark crashing into his brother. Kazarian with a Beautiful Hurricanrana on the floor. Sky lands a SomerSault Plancha. Sky rocks Jay with a SlingShot Cutter. SoCal Uncensored locks in Stereo Dragon Sleepers. Jay rakes the eyes of Kazarian. Jay tosses Sky out of the ring. Kazarian and Jay are trading back and forth shots. Jay with a Running Back Elbow Strike. Mark follows that with a Forearm Smash. Jay kicks Kazarian out of the ring. Mark with a BlockBuster off the ring apron. Jay with a Delayed NeckBreaker for a two count.

The Briscoes are double teaming Kazarian. The Briscoes hits Redneck Boogie for a two count. Mark places Kazarian on the top turnbuckle. Sky runs Jay into the steel barricade. Sky with a Top Rope FrankenSteiner to Mark. Kazarian with an Assisted Tornado DDT. SoCal Uncensored connects with a Uranage Slam/Lung Blower Combination for a two count. Mark applies a side headlock. Jay rocks Sky with a Big Boot. Jay nails Kazarian with The Jay Driller. Kazarian kicks out of Froggy Bow. Jay transitions into a ground and pound attack. The Briscoes pick up Kazarian for The Doomsday Device, but he counters with a PowerSlam in mid-air. Sky lays out Jay with a Jumping Knee Strike. Kazarian hooks the leg to pickup the victory.

Winner: So Cal Uncensored via Pinfall 

This was a hell of a way to start off this Pay-Per-View event.  Scorpio Sky has so much potential to be a big star in the wrestling industry.

Over The Budget Battle Royal. The Winner Will Get An Automatic ROH World Title Match 

1.) Marko Stunt eliminates Moose

2.) Ethan Page eliminates Brandon Cutler

3.) Punishment Martinez elimates Best Friends (Chuckie T and Trent)

4.) Brian Cage eliminates Rocky Romero

5.) Ethan Page eliminates Hurricane Helms

6.) Colt Cabana eliminates Ethan Page

7.) Bully Ray eliminates Tommy Dreamer

8.) Billy Gunn eliminates Jimmy Jacobs

9.) Austin Gunn eliminates Punishment Martinez

10.) Bully Ray eliminates Austin Gunn

11.) Brian Cage eliminates Billy Gunn

12.) Jordynne Grace eliminates Brian Cage

13.) Bully Ray eliminates Jordynne Grace

14.) Bully Ray eliminates Colt Cabana

15.) Chico El Luchador (Flip Gordon) eliminates Bully Ray

Listen, I love to watch a good Battle Royal as much as the next person, but trying to describe what went on in the match is just too much to type out.  All you need to know is that Chico El Luchador, er Flip Gordon was taken out during the match at ringside and stayed out until the very end when Bully Ray eliminated Colt Cabana and celebrated.  Then Chico El Gordon slid in the ring and eliminated Bully Ray.  Flip El Luchador then took off his mask to reveal his identity (glad this event didn't take place in Mexico or he would have been run out of the building) and celebrated because he was going to face Jay Lethal for the Ring of Honor World Championship later that night.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Matt Cross 

Cross brings the fight to MJF in the early stages of this match. Cross rolls MJF back into the ring. MJF is trying to create separation. MJF with a Forearm Smash to Cross. MJF drives Cross shoulder first into the steel ring post. Following a snap mare takeover, MJF with a Senton Splash for a two count. MJF stomps on the left wrist of Cross. MJF applies an arm-bar. MJF dodges a chop from Cross. MJF with a GutWrench PowerBomb for a two count. MJF argues with the referee.

MJF has Cross perched on the top turnbuckle. MJF slaps Cross in the face. Cross with clubbing blows to the back of MJF. Cross with a Top Rope FrankenSteiner. Cross fires up with multiple clotheslines. Cross with a HandSpring Back Elbow Strike. Cross with a SpringBoard Crossbody Block for a two count. MJF rocks Cross in mid-air. MJF with a Package ShoulderBreaker for a two count. Cross and MJF are trading back and forth shots. MJF pie faces Cross.

MJF gives the Chicago crowd the middle finger. MJF pokes Cross in the eyes. Cross responds with a Pump Kick. Cross with a Roll Through Double Foot Stomp. MJF with a lateral press for a two count. MJF applies an arm-bar. Cross rolls MJF over for a two count. MJF sends Cross to the ring apron. MJF attacks the injured arm of Cross. MJF connects with an Pendulum PileDriver for a two count. MJF goes for a MoonSault, but Cross ducks out of the way. Cross hits a HandSpring Cutter. Cross lands The Shooting Star Press to pickup the victory.

Winner: Matt Cross via Pinfall 

MJF is a classic arrogant heel.  I've followed Matt Cross' career since 2014 when he showed up on Lucha Underground as the masked superstar, Son of Havoc.  I loved this match.  It gave me everything I could ask for as far as entertainment.

Christopher Daniels vs. Stephen Amell 

Special Referee:  Jerry Lynn

After the wrestlers are introduced, ring announcer Justin Roberts announces that the referee for the match is "The Whole Ref'n Show" Jerry Lynn. Amell shoves Daniels. Daniels spits at Amell. Daniels ducks a clothesline from Almas. Daniels grapples around Amell. Daniels walks over Amell’s back. Daniels and Amell are trading knife edge chops. Amell ducks a clothesline from Daniels. Amell with a Waist Lock TakeDown. Amell shows Daniels extreme amounts of disrespect. Daniels responds with a chop/forearm combination. Daniels repeatedly stomps on Amell’s chest. Amell kicks Daniels in the jaw. Amell dropkicks Daniels. Amell follows that with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Amell clotheslines Daniels over the top rope. Amell runs Daniels into the ringside barricade. Amell slams Daniels head on the table. Amell goes for a Uranage Slam, but Daniels blocks it. Amell is choking Daniels with his boot.

Amell argues with the referee. Daniels with a Belly to Back Suplex. Daniels repeatedly kicks Amell in the back. Daniels with a hammerlock gut punch to Amell. Daniels is mauling Amell in the corner. Daniels with a GutBuster for a two count. Daniels applies a waist lock. Amell with three sharp elbow strikes. Daniels drives his shoulder into the midsection of Amell. Daniels with a SpringBoard MoonSault. Daniels goes for a Suplex, but Amell counters with a Hip Toss over the top rope. Amell clotheslines Daniels. Daniels fights out of Cross Rhodes. Amell drops Daniels with a Big Boot. Amell hits The Falcon Arrow for a two count. Amell whips Daniels to the corner. Amell lands The Coast To Coast for a two count.

Daniels dodges a leg lariat from Amell. Daniels connects with The BME for a two count. Daniels and Amell are trading back and forth shots. Daniels is laid flat on the table. Amell goes for a Diving Elbow Drop, but Daniels ducks out of the way. Lynn rolls Amell and Daniels back into the ring. Daniels is pissed. Lynn throws his referee t-shirt at Daniels. Daniels shoves Lynn. Amell with a schoolboy rollup for a two count. Daniels is throwing haymakers at Amell. Amell tells Daniels to bring it. Daniels kicks Amell in the gut. Daniels goes for Angel’s Wings, but Amell blocks it. Daniels with a Uranage BackBreaker. Daniels delivers another BME to pickup the victory.

Winner: Christopher Daniels via Pinfall 

I enjoyed watching their tag team match at Ring of Honor's Survival of the Fittest show in San Antonio last year.  When this match was announced, I couldn't wait to see what these two would do in a singles match.  The addition of Jerry Lynn to the match as the referee was great.  It allowed Daniels to get the cheap heat by being physical with a referee who wasn't afraid to stand his ground.  This was a very physical match that I enjoyed very much.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Chelsea Green vs. Madison Rayne vs. Britt Baker in a Four Corners Survival Match 

Rayne shakes hands with Baker and Green after the bell rings. Blanchard drops Rayne with a forearm smash. Green is playing games with Blanchard. Blanchard whips Rayne into the ringside barricade. Baker and Green are trading pinning combination. Green with a La Magistral for a two count. Green knocks Blanchard off the ring apron. Baker lands two deep arm-rags. Baker applies a side headlock. Baker goes for a Hip Toss, but Green blocks it. Green applies a wrist lock. Green delivers an Mexican Arm-Drag. Green goes for a Bronco Buster, but Blanchard counters with a Spear. Blanchard clotheslines Green over the top rope. Blanchard dropkicks the chest of Baker. Blanchard follows that with a Running Forearm Smash. Baker kicks Blanchard in the face. Blanchard decks Rayne with a Back Elbow Smash. Blanchard with a Draping CodeBreaker. Rayne responds with multiple pinning combinations.

Rayne with a Tilt-A-Whirl HeadScissors TakeOver. Blanchard drops Rayne with a straight right hand. Blanchard sends Rayne crashing into Baker and Green. Green with a Bicycle Kick to Baker. Green plays to the crowd. Green lands a Suicide Dive. Blanchard with Clubbing Forearm across the jaw of Green. Blanchard wipes out the field with a Twisting Crossbody Block. Rayne wraps this sequence with a Flying Crossbody Block off the steel ring post. Rayne with the cover for a two count. Baker fires up with Three SlingBlades for a two count. Baker whips Green back first across the turnbuckles. Rayne with a Ripcord Cutter for a two count.

Blanchard with clubbing blow to the back of Rayne. Blanchard with a Delayed Vertical Suplex. Baker sends Blanchard crashing into the steel ring post. Green blasts Blanchard with The Broski Boot. Baker responds with a Saito Suplex. Blanchard goes for a HammerLock DDT, but Baker blocks it. Blanchard with a Swinging FlatLiner. Rayne responds with a Tornado DDT. Green lands a Missile Dropkick. Rayne is throwing forearms at Baker. Rayne has Baker perched on the top turnbuckle. Rayne connects with an Avalanche Cutter for a two count.

Green SuperKicks Baker. Blanchard hits a Flying Magnum. Baker SuperKicks Blanchard. Baker with the lateral press for a two count. Blanchard rolls Baker over for a two count. Standing Switch Exchange. Blanchard with a Nasty Elbow Smash to Baker. Rayne with a Crucifix Bomb for a two count. Baker with a Ripcord Forearm Smash to Rayne. Baker follows that with a Fisherman’s NeckBreaker for a two count. Green drops Baker with The Unprettier for a two count. Green is displaying her frustration. Green kicks Blanchard in the gut. Blanchard kicks out of The Canadian Destroyer. Blanchard hits The HammerLock DDT to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tessa Blanchard via Pinfall

I'm a big fan of both Tessa Blanchard and Madison Rayne, so to get them both in a match as the same time was very enjoyable.  I haven't watched TNA / Impact in a while now, so I found Chelsea Green's character to be a bit confusing.  First time I have seen Britt Baker in the ring and I was impressed.  She has the "it factor" and could be a big star in this industry.

Hangman Page vs. Joey Janela w/Penelope Ford in a Chicago Street Fight 

Janela ducks a clothesline from Page. Page drops Janela with a Big Boot. Page follows that with an elbow strike. Page tosses Janela out of the ring. Page lands a Suicide Dive. Page rolls Janela back into the ring. Janela regains momentum with a tope of his own. Page with a Running Boot to Janela. Page delivers a Triangle MoonSault. Page kicks Janela in the face. This leads us to a forearm exchange in the center of the ring. Page connects with an PumpHandle Fallaway Slam on the steel chair for a two count. Page is caught off guard by Joey Ryan chants. Janela drives Page back first into the cracker barrel. Janela with a SomerSault Senton off the cracker barrel.

Janela brings Page back to the ringside area. Page leapfrogs over the cracker barrel. Janela unloads two forearm shivers. Page responds with a Buckshot Lariat on the floor. Page brings out a table from under the ring. Janela levels Page with a Leaping Palm Strike. Janela with a Running Death Valley Driver into the turnbuckles for a two count. Janela puts a ladder on top of the cracker barrel. Page gets Janela trapped in a Torture Rack Position. Page with a Burning Hammer on the ladder. Ford applies a sleeper hold. Ford slaps Page in the face. Ford shows off her athleticism. Ford drops Page with a Stunner. Ford follows that with a Diving Crossbody Block. Ford transitions into a ground and pound attack. Janela with a Flying Elbow Drop through the table.

Janela clotheslines Page on the ramp. Janela is trying unhook the steel guard rails. Janela and Ford sets up two tables in tandem. Page SuperKicks Janela. Page with a Running PowerBomb off the ramp. Page rolls Janela back into the ring. Page removes his elbow pad. Page lands another Buckshot Lariat. Page connects with The Rite Of Passage for a two count. The cursed boots fall out of the black garbage bag. Page blasts Ford with a Bicycle Kick. Janela SuperKicks Page for a two count. Janela brings more weapons into the ring. Janela is favoring his neck. Janela climbs up the ladder. Page is throwing haymakers at Janela. Page repeatedly hits Janela with the same telephone that killed Joey Ryan. Page plants Janela with The Rite Of Passage off the ladder through the table to pickup the victory.

Winner: Hangman Page via Pinfall 

Following the match Joey Ryan rises from the dead with the help of his phallic druids and lays out Hangman Page

First time I have seen Joey Janela or even heard of him.  He looks like a young Chris Jericho, but is as crazy as Jeff Hardy.  Hangman Page is someone that you can build a company around.  Alright, I get that Joey Ryan is a comedic pornstar wannabe wrestler, but mocking the Undertaker and using "Dick Druids" was a bit much for me.

Jay Lethal (c) w/Lanny Poffo vs. Flip Gordon w/Brandi Rhodes For The ROH World Championship 

Lethal and Gordon adhere’s to the code of honor.Lethal applies a waist lock. Gordon easily breaks free from the hold. Lethal is treating Brandi like Elizabeth. Lethal drives his knee into the midsection of Gordon. Gordon lands a deep arm-drag. Gordon slides under Lethal. Lethal blasts Gordon with a knife edge chop. Gordon responds with a Crossbody Block. Gordon drops Lethal with a shoulder tackle for a one count. Gordon skins the cat. Lethal clotheslines Gordon over the top rope. Brandi is attending to Gordon on the outside. Lethal chases Brandi around the ringside area. Lethal presses Brandi up on his shoulders. Brandi taps Lethal on the shoulder. Lethal is now back in a stable condition.

Lethal is lighting up Gordon’s chest. Gordon kicks Lethal in the jaw. Lethal responds with a Hip Toss. Lethal goes for a Basement Dropkick, but Gordon ducks out of the way. Gordon with a Standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Gordon is playing mind games with Lethal. Gordon with a low bridge which sends Lethal crashing to the outside. Gordon delivers Two Tope’s. Gordon follows that with a Corkscrew Plancha. Gordon rolls Lethal back into the ring. Gordon with a Reverse High Fly Flow for a two count. Neither man can deliver a back body drop. Lethal rolls Gordon over for a two count. Lethal with a back slide cover for a two count. Lethal blasts Gordon with a Pump Kick. Gordon responds with a spinning heel kick. Gordon with a Standing MoonSault for a two count. Lethal and Gordon are trading back and forth shots.

Gordon hits The Kinder Surprise. Gordon goes for a 450 Splash, but Lethal ducks out of the way. Lethal connects with The Lethal Combination for a two count. Lethal drops Gordon with a brutal chop. Gordon with an O’Connor Roll for a two count. Gordon rocks Lethal with a Jumping Knee Strike. Gordon follows that with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Gordon goes for a SpringBoard Cutter, but Lethal counters with The Torture Rack. Poffo helps Lethal re-channel his inner macho man. Lethal bodyslams Gordon. Lethal with a series of Macho Man Elbow Drops for a two count.

Gordon hulks himself up. Gordon points at Lethal. Gordon with rapid fire haymakers. Gordon drops Lethal with a Big Boot. Gordon thrust kicks the midsection of Lethal. Gordon lands a Pele Kick. Gordon hits a Star Spangled SlingBlade. Gordon dives over Lethal. Gordon with an Samoan Pop. Gordon with a Running Shooting Star Press. Gordon wraps this sequence with a Twisting Splash for a two count. Gordon has Lethal perched on the top turnbuckle. Gordon goes for another Kinder Surprise, but Lethal counters with a Leaping Cutter. Lethal plants Gordon with The Lethal Injection to pickup the victory. After the match, Bully Ray attacks Gordon, Lethal and Lanny Poffo. Colt Cabana Spears Bully. Cabana transitions into a ground and pound attack. Cabana, Gordon and Lethal puts Bully through a table with The Cerberus PowerBomb.

Winner: Still ROH World Champion, Jay Lethal via Pinfall 

Wow!  What a match!  So much back and forth action!  I loved seeing "The Genius" Lanny Poffo at ringside with Jay Lethal and seeing him bring back "Black Machismo".  Lethal gave me exactly what I wanted out of a championship match.  Gordon surprised me and showed he has the talent to compete in main event matches.

Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr 

Pentagon reminds Omega that has zero fear. Omega slaps Pentagon in the face. Pentagon responds with a Spinning Back Kick. Omega leapfrogs over Pentagon. Pentagon kicks Omega in the ribs. Pentagon rolls Omega back into the ring. Pentagon is throwing forearms at Omega. Omega reverses out of the irish whip from Pentagon. Pentagon with a Rebound LungBlower to Omega. Pentagon is playing mind games with Omega. Omega fires back with a Hurricanrana. Omega plays to the crowd. Pentagon ducks a clothesline from Omega. Pentagon hits The SlingBlade. Pentagon follows that with a SomerSault Plancha.

Pentagon attacks the left hamstring of Omega. Pentagon slaps Omega in the chest. This leads us to a nasty chop exchange on the floor. Pentagon runs Omega into the ringside barricade. Pentagon PowerSlams Omega. Pentagon is controlling the pace of the match. Battle of chops in the center of the ring. Pentagon with a Corner Clothesline. Omega responds with a Rolling Senton. Omega goes for a MoonSault, but Pentagon gets his knees up in the air. Omega ducks a clothesline from Pentagon. Omega drops Pentagon with a Tornado DDT. Omega with a SpringBoard Crossbody Block. Omega dropkicks Pentagon. Omega connects with Aoi Shoudou for a two count.

Omega goes for a V-Trigger, but Pentagon counters with a SuperKick. Standing Switch Exchange. Pentagon goes for a German Suplex, but Omega lands back on his feet. Omega hits a Snap Dragon Suplex. Omega goes for The One Winged Angel, but Pentagon counters with a Power LungBlower for a two count. Pentagon dives over Omega. Omega clotheslines Pentagon. Omega with a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Omega blasts Pentagon with V-Trigger 1. Omega has Pentagon perched on the top turnbuckle. Pentagon decks Omega with a Cheeky Nandos Kick. Pentagon with a Flying Double Foot Stomp for a two count. Pentagon goes for a Package PileDriver, but Omega lands back on his feet. V-Triggers 2 and 3.

Pentagon tells Omega to bring it. Omega obliges with a PowerBomb. Omega drops Pentagon with V-Trigger 4 for a two count. Pentagon fights out of the Electric Chair Position. The action spills to the ring apron. Omega with a Big Boot to Pentagon. Pentagon blocks a Running Boot from Omega. Pentagon kicks Omega in the gut. Pentagon connects with Fear Factor on the apron. Pentagon follows that with another Flying Double Foot Stomp for a two count. Omega fires back with a Swinging Fear Factor of his own for a two count. Omega nails Pentagon with V-Trigger 5. Omega goes for The One Winged Angel, but Pentagon counters with The Sacrifice. Omega kicks out of The Fear Factor. Omega blocks a SuperKick from Pentagon. Pentagon unloads multiple leg kicks. Omega responds with V-Trigger 6. Omega with a Reverse Hurricanrana for a two count. Omega lands V-Trigger 7. Omega plants Pentagon with The One Winged Angel to pickup the victory.

Winner: Kenny Omega via Pinfall 

Following the match, the lights go out.  The lights come back on and Pentagon is still laying in the ring.  Omega is looking around checking everything out when Pentagon gets up and drops Omega with a....CODEBREAKER???  Pentagon unmasks and its...CHRIS JERICHO!  

This match and the main event were the two matches I was incredibly excited for when they were announced.  It didn't disappoint.  Omega showed why he is "The Best Bout Machine" and Pentagon showed why TNA / Impact had faith in him to make him their world champion, even though he doesn't speak English.  Jericho swerved everyone by continually saying he wasn't going to be in Chicago, only to have him show up like this was classic.  How they kept his appearance a secret is beyond me.  I hope this will set up an Alpha vs. Omega II in the future.

Marty Scrull vs. Kazuchika Okada 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada backs Scrull into the ropes. Okada pats Scrull on the chest. Back to the collar and elbow tie up. Scrull flexes his muscles. Scrull ducks a clothesline from Okada. Scrull applies a hammer lock. Scrull with a pinning combination for a two count. Okada applies a wrist lock. Scrull reverses the hold. Scrull transitions into a side headlock. Scrull goes for a shoulder tackle, but Okada stands still. Okada is not impressed. Okada towers over Scrull. Okada drops Scrull with a shoulder tackle. Okada obviously has the strength advantage. Scrull kicks Okada in the gut. Scrull goes for The GhostBuster, but Okada blocks it.

Scrull bounces Okada head on the top turnbuckle pad. Scrull with chop/uppercut combination. Scrull argues with the referee. Okada is throwing forearms at Scrull. Okada decks Scrull with a Back Elbow Smash. Scrull side steps Okada into the turnbuckles. Okada with a Vertical Suplex. Following a snap mare takeover, Scrull unloads two running european uppercuts. Scrull SuperKicks Okada. Scrull lands a Suicide Dive. Scrull is lighting up Okada’s chest. Scrull rolls Okada back into the ring. Scrull with a wrist lock takedown. Scrull stomps on the left elbow of Okada. Okada responds with a FlapJack. Okada with a NeckBreaker for a two count. Okada with a Nasty DDT on the floor.

Okada wraps this sequence with a SlingShot Senton. Scrull repeatedly slaps Okada in the chest. Okada is subtly displaying his fighting spirit. Okada rocks Scrull with a forearm smash. Okada applies a straight jacket hold. Scrull gets back to a vertical base. Scrull creates distance with a LungBlower. Scrull dropkicks Okada. Okada reverses out of the irish whip from Scrull. Scrull with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Scrull follows that with a Swinging DDT for a two count. Okada negates The Graduation. Okada with a Leaping Elbow Strike in the corner. Okada kicks Scrull in the gut. Okada with a Spike DDT for a two count. Okada goes for a Reverse NeckBreaker, but Scrull rolls him over for a two count. Scrull and Okada are trading back and forth shots.

Scrull hits a Brain Buster. Scrull throws up the two sweet hand gesture. Scrull starts favoring his back. Okada with a Reverse NeckBreaker for a two count. Scrull levels Okada with a Leaping Uppercut. Both men are jockeying for position on the top rope. Scrull connects with a SuperPlex. Scrull brings his combination offense to Okada. Following a long pinning exchange, Scrull hits one of his signature moves for a two count. Okada regains momentum with a ShotGun Dropkick. Okada with a Flying Missile Dropkick for a two count. Okada with clubbing blows to the back of Scrull. Okada goes for a TombStone PileDriver, but Scrull counters with a Swinging DDT.

Okada finally hits The TombStone PileDriver. Okada does signature Rain Maker pose. Scrull snaps the fingers of Okada. Okada dropkicks Scrull. Okada goes for The Rain Maker, but Scrull counters with The ChickenWing. Okada rolls Scrull over for a two count. Scrull shoves Okada into the referee. Scrull blasts Okada with The ALL IN Umbreall. Scrull drops Okada with The Rain Maker for a two count. Scrull goes for The ChickenWing, but Okada counters with The Rain Maker. Scrull wants more punishment. Okada obliges with a series of forearm shivers. Scrull is not backing down as he paint brushes Okada. Okada with a Discus Rain Maker. Okada plants Scrull with The Signature Rain Maker to pickup the victory.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada via Pinfall 

It was a coup for this event to get Okada on it.  The Rainmaker showed why he is considered to be one of the best in the world and make people wonder how TNA / Impact could fuck up the opportunity they had with him in 2010-11.

Rey Mysterio, Fenix and Bandido vs. The Golden Elite (The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi) in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Matt Jackson and Bandido will start things off. Quick shoving contest. Matt and Bandido are exchanging haymakers. Matt applies a side headlock. Bandido reverses the hold. Bandido with a Twisting Crossbody Block. This leads us to a standoff in the center of the ring. Bandido with a HeadScissors TakeOver. Bandido with a Twisting Plancha. Bandido rolls Matt back into the ring. Nick made a blind tag. The Bucks with a Double Hip Toss. The Bucks with Stereo Basement Dropkicks. Bandido tags in Fenix. Fenix with a Springboard Crossbody Block. Nick blasts Fenix with a RoundHouse Kick. Fenix responds with a HandSpring Cutter. Ibushi and Mysterio are tagged in. Ibushi leapfrogs over Mysterio. Mysterio with a Step Up Hurricanrana. Ibushi catches Mysterio in mid-air. Mysterio dodges The PK. Ibushi is having a hard time landing his leg kicks.

Ibushi ducks a clothesline from Mysterio. Mysterio kicks Ibushi in the chest. Ibushi responds with a Buzzsaw Kick. Ibushi applies a front face lock. Ibushi tags in Matt. Mysterio with a Roll Through Tornado DDT. Mysterio tags in Fenix. Fenix brings the fight to Matt. Matt with an Inverted Canadian Destroyer. Ibushi brings his combination offense to Bandido. Bandido sweeps the legs of Ibushi. Bandido goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Ibushi ducks out of the way. Ibushi hits The PK. Ibushi with a Standing MoonSault for a two count. Fenix and Bandido are double teaming Ibushi. Ibushi creates distance with a Double Back Flip Kick. Ibushi tags in Nick.

Following a flurry of strikes, Nick connects with a BullDog/Lariat Combination. The Bucks takes out Fenix and Bandido with Stereo Dives. Mysterio responds with a SpringBoard MoonSault. Bandido wraps this sequence with a Corkscrew Splash off the steel ring post. Nick kicks Bandido in the gut. Matt Jackson with a Cannonball Senton off the ramp. Nick tags in Matt. The Bucks hits their Buckle Bomb/Enzuigiri Combination. Matt throws Bandido into a German Suplex from Ibushi for a two count. Bandido regains momentum with a Triple Hurricanrana. Bandido tags in Mysterio. Mysterio with a SpringBoard Seated Senton. Mysterio turns a Sunset Flip into a Leg Lariat. Mysterio shoves Matt into his brother.

Mysterio goes for the 619, but Matt blocks it. Bandido and Fenix negates The Meltzer Driver. Bandido with a Flying Hurricanrana off the ring apron. Fenix with a Package PileDriver to Matt. Bandido connects with The Canadian Destroyer. Fenix and Bandido takes out Nick and Ibushi with Stereo Topes. Mysterio lands a Frog Splash for a two count. Fenix and Mysterio has Matt perched on the top turnbuckle. Bandido with a Standing Enzuigiri. Bandido follows that with an Avalanche Back Flip BlockBuster. The SuperKick Party arrives in Chicago. Golden Elite with a Trifecta MoonSault for a two count. The Bucks plants Bandido with The Meltzer Driver to pickup the victory.

Winner: The Golden Elite (The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi) via Pinfall 

If you like action, this match was for you.  What a pace these six men were able to carry!

Nick Aldis (c) w/ Kamilla Kaine vs. Cody Rhodes w/ Brandi Rhodes For The NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Aldis applies a wrist lock. Rhodes backs Aldis into the ropes. Rhodes cartwheels around the ring. Aldis is not impressed. Back to the collar and elbow tie up. Rhodes applies a hammer lock. Aldis transitions into another wrist lock. Rhodes reverses the hold. Rhodes applies a side headlock. Rhodes slides under Aldis. Aldis drops Rhodes with a shoulder tackle. Nasty Open Hand Chop Exchange. Aldis applies a side headlock. Aldis delivers another shoulder tackle. Rhodes responds with a dropkick. Rhodes lands a Suicide Dive. Following a quick forearm exchange, Aldis connects with a Snap Vertical Suplex on the floor. Aldis drives Rhodes back first into the steel ring post. Aldis rolls Rhodes back into the ring. Aldis is lighting up Rhodes chest.

Aldis whips Rhodes back first across the turnbuckles. Aldis with a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Aldis applies a rear chin lock. Rhodes gets back to a vertical base. Rhodes with shots to the midsection of Aldis. Aldis reverses out of the irish whip from Rhodes. Aldis unloads multiple haymakers. Aldis with shots to the midsection of Rhodes. Rhodes decks Aldis with a Drop Down Uppercut. Both men are knocked down after a double clothesline. Rhodes SuperKicks Aldis. Aldis negates Cross Rhodes. Aldis goes for a Back Body Drop, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Aldis is trying to regain his composure on the outside.

Rhodes goes for a SpringBoard Crossbody Block, but Aldis counters with a Forearm Smash in mid-air. Rhodes is busted open. Rhodes dives over Aldis. Rhodes PowerSlams Aldis for a two count. Rhodes applies a front face lock. Rhodes kicks Aldis in the jaw. Rhodes goes for a MoonSault, but Aldis ducks out of the way. Aldis drives his knee into the midsection of Rhodes. Aldis with an Avalanche Fallaway Slam. Aldis with a Flying Splash for a two count. Rhodes fights out of the Texas CloverLeaf. Rhodes with a double leg takedown to Aldis. Rhodes gets Aldis trapped in a Figure Four Leg Lock. Aldis reverses the hold. Rhodes grabs the bottom rope to create separation. Rhodes blocks The PK. Aldis with a Running PowerSlam on the floor.

Aldis rolls Rhodes back into the ring. Aldis blasts Rhodes with a knife edge chop. Rhodes responds with a Swinging Alabama Slam for a two count. Rhodes is tuning up the band. Aldis avoids The Beautiful Disaster Kick. Aldis PowerBombs Rhodes for a two count. Aldis locks in a Texas CloverLeaf. Rhodes refuses to quit. Brandi is trying to wake up her husband. Aldis with a Spike PileDriver. Aldis inadvertently lays out Brandi with a Flying Elbow Drop. Aldis with the lateral press for a two count. Rhodes rocks Aldis with The Beautiful Disaster Kick. Rhodes follows that with Cross Rhodes for a two count. Aldis and Rhodes are trading back and forth shots. Rhodes goes for The VerteBreaker, but Aldis blocks it. Aldis goes for a sunset flip, but Rhodes counters with a pinning combination to pickup the victory.

Winner: New NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Cody Rhodes via Pinfall

An excellent match.  Seeing the title put around Cody's waist and him then hitting his knees in tears was the perfect way to end the evening.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart

The wrestling world lost another great one today.  Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart passed away after suffering a head injury following a seizure.

Neidhart toured New Japan in 1985 when they had a working agreement with WWF.  He returned in 1992 following his release from WWF, competing in the 1992 G1 Climax, Super Grade Tag League II and Battle Final.

I was lucky enough to meet The Anvil in 2010.  I ran into him at the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.  He was super nice and very gracious with his time.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He was 63 years old.

Masa Saito

 

Masa Saito, the Japanese wrestling legend, passed away today from complications from Parkinson's disease.

I was first introduced to the man I knew as Mr. Saito in 1990, when he teamed up with The Great Muta for the Pat O'Connor Memorial Tag Team Tournament at WCW's Starrcade.  Yes he did play the traditional salt-throwing Japanese heel, but what made him memorable was his physical style.

Saito is credited with being the innovator of the Scorpion Deathlock / Sharpshooter and the Saito Suplex.  During his time in prison from 1985-1987, Saito created a hold called Kangokugatame, which translates to Prison Hold.

Saito had a legendary feud in New Japan with the legendary Antonio Inoki.  In 1987, to settle their feud, the two competed in an Island Death match.   The match lasted two hours and went all over the island.  Inoki was eventually victorious defeating Saito by TKO.  Saito won the IWGP Tag Team Championship twice during his career, once with Riki Choshu and the second with Shinya Hashimoto.

Saito wrestled his last match in 1999 against Scott Norton.  Following his retirement, he stayed with New Japan as a commentator until 2003.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He was 76 years old.

Matt Cappotelli

Former Tough Enough winner, Matt Cappotelli, has lost his battle with brain cancer. He was 38.

Matt’s wife, Lindsay, has been keeping fans up-to-date on his well-being through her blogs and Facebook posts. Yesterday, she shared the news with the world.

“Hey Team Capp…I’ve been struggling with what to say and how to say this, and I’ll probably end up rambling, but here goes,” she wrote. “Today my love-my strong, sweet, beautiful love-took his last breath at 3:30 a.m. and went Home to be with Jesus…exactly one year after his brain surgery,” she continued. “You think you can be prepared for this when you know it’s coming, but you just can’t. The only person whose comfort I want right now is the one who can’t give it to me.”

Earlier this year, Lindsay outlined the timeline of Matt’s latest battle with brain cancer.

“Dr. Yao, the brain surgeon, came to our room to discuss things more with us and give us our options,” Lindsey wrote. “He explained that the tumor was of significant size and that he was shocked at how fast it had grown in the 4 months since Matt’s February MRI.”

Cappotelli had been working as a trainer at Ohio Valley Wrestling since 2013. He had previously won the promotion’s heavyweight championship before being diagnosed with a brain tumor for the first time in 2006. He announced last summer that he’d been diagnosed with a grade IV glioblastoma multiforme cancer. This form of cancer is the most aggressive of its kind.

“Throughout all of this, Matt and I really never discussed death,” Lindsey wrote. “A part of me wishes that we had, but I just never wanted to make him think that I didn’t think he would make it. Because I still had hope, and I didn’t want him to give up hope.”

Sting Comforted Vader In His Final Days

The wrestling world lost Leon White earlier this week. The wrestler better known as Big Van Vader touched a lot of people in his 63 years. Wrestling legends and personalities, such as Mick Foley and Jim Ross, have paid tribute to Vader in the days since his death. His memory was honored at the NJPW shows this weekend as well.

TMZ has published an interview with Vader’s son, former NXT wrestler Jesse White. White wrestled under the name Jake Carter in WWE developmental from 2011 to 2013. According to Jesse, Sting was a big help to the family in Vader’s final days.

“Dallas Diamond Page, [Stone Cold Steve] Austin, Mick Foley,” White mentioned as having helped but one of Vader’s old friends made an extra special impression. “I do have to send a big thank-you out to Sting, Steve Borden.”

“Sting has been a huge blessing,” White said, also noting they had grown closer since Vader’s health began to decline.  “My father was a God-fearing man and so was Sting, and they would sit down and read the bible together. Go over the Bible, just talk about life and good time stories and, yeah, Stings been a huge blessing throughout this process.”

Sting and Vader were rivals in the ring. Vader won his first WCW World Championship from Sting in 1992, simultaneously ending Sting’s first run with the belt. Vader would lose the belt to Ron Simmons but gain it back just 5 months later. In 1993, Sting defeated Vader to win his 2nd WCW World Championship. He would drop the title back to Vader just 6 days later, however. All throughout 1992 and 1993, Sting and Vader would wrestle each other on WCW house shows as well.

Big Van Vader

 

The legendary wrestler, Big Van Vader passed away today from complications from pneumonia.

Vader was considered one of the greatest super-heavyweight wrestlers of all times.  It was amazing to watch him use his size and weight to make his moves look more painful than when performed by someone half his size.

I first saw Vader at WCW's Great American Bash in 1990.  He came out to the ring wearing the mastodon mask that spouted smoke once he took it off.  I was scared of him.  He wasn't like the big, lovable El Gigante.  Vader was a massive man that scared the crap out of me.

Watching Vader in the ring, I was amazed at what he could do.  His speed was that of a man half of his weight.  Watching him do a moonsault off the top rope, my jaw dropped.  I never thought a man of his size could be able to do a move like that.

I was never lucky enough to watch Vader in New Japan, except for the WCW/New Japan Supershow cards.  So I missed out on his matches with Antonio Inoki and Riki Choshu.  I also missed out on the legendary match with Stan Hansen, when Vader's eye popped out of it's socket after Hansen accidentally poked his thumb in Vader's eye.

However, I was lucky enough to see Vader have amazing matches in WCW with Sting and Ric Flair.  But it was his matches with Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) that I remember the most.  Those matches were so physical and makes me cringe just thinking about them.  Especially the match in Germany, where Cactus Jack lost his ear when he got tangled up in the ropes.

Most fans will remember him for his run in WWF, but I try to forget it.  When he came to WWF, he was paired up with Jim Cornette, and to me it never worked.  WCW paired him up with Harley Race and it worked.  Harley had that rough voice and was known for being a tough man himself.  Cornette had the high pitched voice and looked like he was he was AWOL from an accounting firm.

I don't remember Vader having any memorable matches in his WWF run.  While he did have matches against people like Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Goldust and Kane, it made me sick at my stomach to see Vince McMahon turn the man I once feared, into a glorified jobber.

I will always remember Big Van Vader as the power house monster that made a kid want to cry as he squashed his heroes.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He was 63 years old.

Scott Hall Invaded WCW 22 Years Ago Today

Scott Hall invaded WCW Nitro on May 27th, 1996. His appearance kicked off one of the most significant angles in wrestling history.

Former WCW President, Eric Bischoff, commented on the famous angle during his “83 Weeks” podcast recently.

“It’s hard for me to create a timeline that occurred 20 years ago, especially with the angle of the nWo,” Bischoff said.  “When I knew Scott Hall was coming in, probably a couple of weeks before he was due to arrive, at least in my mind, from what I remember now, that is when the idea started to form in my head. I knew that I wanted to do this reality-based angle.”

“I wanted to do this storyline where the audience didn’t know whether or not the story was real or it was scripted. Scott and Kevin worked with WCW previously. Scott and Kevin both felt that WCW didn’t treat them well, and that they weren’t being treated as stars, etc. We have heard it all before. They went to WWF and became bigger stars, or big stars in WWF. Storyline-wise it became apparent to me that it was a perfect catalyst of these two guys that used to work here and got pissed off, they left, became big stars and then came back to exact revenge. That was the premise of the nWo storyline.”

“Macho Man” Randy Savage Died 7 Years Ago Today

7 years ago today, we lost one of the most influential performers in the history of wrestling.  Randall Mario Poffo, better known to wrestling fans as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, died 7 years ago today.

Savage died of a heart attack while driving with his wife in Seminole, Florida. He lost control of his Jeep Wrangler and they crashed into a tree. Early reports indicated Savage had been killed in the collision but it was later concluded he died from atherosclerotic heart disease. Doctors found his heart was enlarged and the arteries surrounding it had been narrowed by more than 90%. It is believed he never knew about his heart condition.

Savage was cremated and his remains placed under a tree on his home in Largo, Florida.

There are few accolades for professional wrestlers that Savage did not earn during his long career.

In wrestling storyline, Savage was a 2x WWF Champion, a 4x WCW Champion, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. He was even more celebrated as a performer, however.

Savage was inducted into the inaugural class of the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1996. His match with Ricky Steamboat from WrestleMania III also won Wrestling Observer Match of the Year in 1987.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has also honored Savage frequently throughout the years. He was honored as Wrestler of the Year, and Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1988. The following year he would be voted Most Hated Wrestler of the Year by the same magazine.

A recent Ring of Honor show featured Savage’s brother, Lanny Poffo, interacting with Jay Lethal. The former Black Machismo brought Lanny Poffo out to deliver the same address he had given during the Macho King’s inauguration many years ago. Poffo then gave Lethal a pair of the Macho Man’s famous sunglasses.

Randall Mario Poffo was 58 years old.

Big Bully Busick

Nick Busick, better known to wrestling fans as Big Bully Busick, has passed away at the age of 63. He had been receiving hospice care after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Busick began his wrestling career in the late 1970s. He had been competing as a powerlifter before then and wrestled in high school. After moving to Atlanta to work for the local police department, Busik began wrestling for Jerry Blackwell and developed the Big Bully persona.

Under his gimmick, Busick wore a derby hat and smoked a cigar. When he debuted for Vince McMahon in 1989, he used the gimmick as a way to get heat with fans at ringside. Busik would be shown popping a kids balloon with his cigar and committing other acts to antagonize live crowds. The act led to the introduction of the “Sid Justice” character in 1991. The Sid Eudy character came to the aid of a ring announcer Big Bully Busick was bullying. Busick would then enter a feud with the Brooklyn Brawler before leaving the company the same year.

His son Branko is a professional Mixed Martial Artist. Branko lost his debut fight in Bellator last year but won his 2nd bout earlier this year.

Busick suffered cardiac arrest in 2005 but reportedly refused medical treatment after. His health started to deteriorate further in 2015 when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. After losing almost 80lbs during chemotherapy, Busick announced he was cancer-free in 2016.

He underwent surgery for a brain tumor last year. Busick was diagnosed with cancer of the Cerebrospinal fluid earlier this year and was placed into hospice care in Weirton, West Virginia. His wife released word of his passing yesterday.

After leaving wrestling in 1991, Busick began working as a bouncer and private investigator in Atlanta. He continued competing in powerlifting competitions up until 2015.

Tom Zenk

Former AWA, WWF and WCW star, Tom "The Z-Man" Zenk has passed away. 

I first remember watching Tom Zenk when he was a member of the Can-Am Connection with Rick Martel in the WWF.  I thought he was cool doing all the high flying stuff that normally wasn't seen in the WWF at that time.  Then he disappeared and I didn't know why.  I was introduced to WCW a year or so later and was amazed that a guy named "The Z-Man", who was tagging with Brian Pillman was actually the same guy I saw in WWF (yes I was young and had no idea that wrestlers could go from company to company at that time).

After I learned of his passing, I wanted to gather some information to make an informative post about him.  I had no idea that Zenk was introduced to the sport of professional wrestling by Road Warrior Animal, whom he met at a body building competition. Or that in 1984 he was named co-Rookie of the Year by the Wrestling Observer along with the legendary Jushin "Thunder" Lyger!

I'm not sure what happened in his career, whether it was injuries or whatever, but he retired in 1996.

Tom Zenk was 59 years old.  My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

It is with great sadness that I must announce the passing of a true legend in wrestling, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.  He passed away today from complications from throat cancer.

Bobby Heenan will always be the best manager ever in wrestling.  I remember Arn Anderson saying once that Heenan was so good, all he had to do was raise his eybrow and the fans would start chanting "Weasel" at him.  People say that Heyman is the best manager with a microphone, and I will strongly disagree and say it is Bobby Heenan.  He was able to use the skills he learned as a manager and turn it into a very successful career as a broadcaster.

Heenan managed a list of Hall of Fame wrestlers that included: Angelo Poffo, Nick Bockwinkle, The Blackjacks (Mulligan & Lanza), Ernie Ladd, Big John Studd, Andre the Giant, The Brainbusters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard), Rick Rude, Harley Race, Curt Hennig, Ken Patera, Paul Orndorff and Ric Flair.  Heenan was able to do one thing that a lot of managers were not, and that was be a physical part of the match.  While he was never a trained wrestler, it just came naturally to him.

As great as Heenan was as a manager, I think I will remember him most for his comedy.  His comedic timing with Gorilla Monsoon was legendary.  It was on full display in 2004 when he was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame.  I laughed so hard at his speech, and to this day it is my favorite Hall of Fame speech.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He was 72 years old.