Impact Wrestling Spoilers – August 17th, 2017
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Tag: division
GFW Impact Wrestling Spoilers – July 4th, 2017
GFW taped the following tonight in Orlando, FL for an upcoming episode of Impact Wrestling:
– In-ring segment with LAX: Konnan introduces Alberto El Patron as the newest member of LAX. Alberto asks Carlos what he is doing? They have been friends for a long time, but he said it was BS, he is not joining LAX. Konnan asks Alberto to join, not to forget what other places have done to him, he has to join them to have protection. Alberto says the company is doing great things, Carlos has just become a bitter man, Alberto doesn’t mind being a loner. Konnan says that they can start a Latin Revolution, Alberto says no, LAX attacks him. Lashley out, decimates LAX, save Alberto, and hands him the title before leaving.
– Naomichi Marufuji vs Moose for The Grand Championship. EC3 hit Marufuji with the belt during round 3, he tried to hit Moose after. No winner is announced.
– Trevor Lee vs. William Weeks. Trevor comes out with the stolen X Division Title. After the match, Sonjay Dutt attacks Trevor.
– Laurel Van Ness defeated Ava Storie. Grado and Joseph Park are out to talk to Laurel Van Ness. Grado has flowers and champagne. He introduces himself to Laurel, he says that she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Grado asks Laurel if they can go out, eat some food, get some drinks, and watch some movies. Then suggests #netflixandchill. Before Laurel can answer Kongo Kong comes out and scares off Grado and Joseph Park.
– Lashley & Alberto defeat LAX, this was a non title match. Alberto says they make a damn good team to Lashley. LAX attacks Alberto, this time Lashley leaves Alberto to get beat down.
– Drago defeats Sammy Guevara.
– Sienna defeats Amber Nova in a non title match. After the match, Allie comes out and attacks Sienna with a kendo stick, Laurel comes out to Sienna’s aid, Rosemary Sienna. Gail Kim comes out. Gail removes Sienna and Laurel, Karen says next week it will be Rosemary vs Sienna for the title in a last KO standing match.
– Garza Jr, Laredo Kid, & Octagoncito vs Trevor Lee, Idris Abraham, and Demus 3:16.
– Sydal pins Low Ki to win the 3 way. Sydal says trust yourself and question authority, calls out Bruce Prichard. Bruce says he’s sick of tired of guys demanding spots, Sydal descended a title shot but so do other guys, out comes Lashley. Lashley says he is the only one who deserves a world title shot, Sydal says nobody wants to hear it from Lashley. Lashley says he’s telling Bruce to give him that title shot, he then spears Sydal and says that is only a start.
– These muscle dudes jumped out of the crowd and attacked Eli Drake and Chris Adonis.
– Eddie Edwards vs Moose vs EC3 vs Eli Drake. Eli Drake steals the pin on Eddie Edwards after Moose pulls EC3 out of the ring.
– LAX comes out attacking Dos Caras and El Hijo De Dos Caras, tells Alberto there are consequences. Konnan threatens to take off Dos Caras’s mask, Alberto out and says Carlos has taken this too far and to stop this nonsense. Konnan asks if he’s ready to join, Alberto says he will destroy them if he touches his dad, he will let them go if Alberto joins. LAX lets Alberto’s family go, Alberto says him and Carlos are no longer friends, Konnan says he needs a soldier. Alberto puts on the shirt… then attacks LAX. Alberto does not join LAX. Alberto lets everyone know they were a great crowd tonight expect Josh Matthews because he “f***ing sucks”. Alberto thanks everyone for making this one of the greatest days of his life, happy 4th of July!
Reason Why WWE Is Pushing Lana As A Top Female Superstar
As seen on WWE programming, Lana made her debut as a SmackDown Live Superstar and is already being positioned a top spot on the brand in the female division. Dave Meltzer discussed her SmackDown Live Women’s Championship match against Naomi and her position on the roster during today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer claimed that the company is adamant on having an attractive top WWE Superstar to represent the women’s division and this reason attributes her push within the company. He indicated that this role was originally planned for Eva Marie, but with her out of the picture they decided to go with Lana instead.
Money in the Bank 2017 – Predictions & Analysis
Hype Bros vs. The Colons
With Zack Ryder’s recent return to WWE programming after a lengthy layoff due to injury, The Hype Bros have re-emerged as a threat in the Smackdown Live tag team division. Mojo Rawley’s momentum has been stalled since winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania this year, and Ryder’s return could not have come at a better time for Rawley.
After debuting on Smackdown Live as The Smoking Guns 2.0 several weeks ago, The Colons have yet again found themselves floundering in the lower mid-card. Primo and Epico are vastly underrated in the ring, but their presentation on WWE programming has robbed them of any and all credibility they had as a legitimate threat in the tag team division. This does not bode well for their chances tonight.
Speculation has already started that The Hype Bros’ run as a tag team will be short lived, with Zack Ryder set to turn on Rawley in the near future. This certainly seems to be a safe bet, but I don’t see it happening tonight. This match will serve as a momentum builder for them before their eventual split, which will make Ryder’s heel turn (or maybe even Rawley’s heel turn?) all the more dramatic when it finally occurs.
Winners: The Hype Bros
Commentary Team Revealed for Slammiversary
Impact Wrestling announced the following today:
IMPACT Wrestling Taps MLB/NHL Announcer Robert Flores For Slammiversary
Don West Comes Back For Color Commentary Duties
NASHVILLE (June 13, 2017) — IMPACT Wrestling is dipping into the high-profile sports world for a little broadcasting help at Slammiversary 15, a pay-per-view extravaganza on July 2 in Orlando, Florida.
IMPACT has signed Robert Flores to be the lead announcer for Slammiversary, to work alongside longtime IMPACT color commentator Don West, who is making a one-night return behind the microphone.
IMPACT faced an announcing dilemma for Slammiversary as broadcasters Josh Mathews and Jeremy Borash are wrestling in a tag-team match as the animosity between the two has boiled over in recent weeks. Borash and Joseph Park will team up against Mathews and “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, one of the most powerful and feared wrestlers of all time.
Flores is a studio host appearing across MLB Network’s programming, including MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning daily studio show, MLB Tonight. In addition to MLB Network, Flores is a studio host for NHL Network and contributes across MLB Advanced Media’s digital properties, including MLB.com and Sports On Earth.
Flores joined MLB Network and NHL Network in 2016 from ESPN, where he most recently anchored SportsCenter, ABC’s college football studio updates and ESPN2’s Fantasy Football Now. Flores joined ESPN in 2005 as an ESPNews anchor and later contributed to a variety of studio shows, including Baseball Tonight, NBA Fastbreak and Friday Night Fights.
Flores is a lifelong pro wrestling fan.
“I’m excited to have a part in this year’s Slammiversary and grateful to Jeff Jarrett for this unique opportunity,” Flores said.
Flores said the match that he’s most excited to announce is for the X-Division Championship. “I’m a fan of high-flyers,” Flores said.
A Texas native, Flores earned his bachelor’s degree in radio and television from the University of Houston in 1992. Flores attended J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston and is a member of their JFD Hall of Fame. His wrestling roots are engrained in his Houston childhood.
“To play a role in Slammiversary alongside Don West is really cool,” Flores said. “Slammiversary is an event 15-years in the making, and the best always separate themselves on the biggest stages – be it the in the wrestling ring or the World Series.
“I can’t wait to see what the IMPACT Wrestling stars do on July 2nd at Slammiversary.”
Don West broke onto the broadcasting scene in the 1990s on the Shop At Home Network. He was the popular, loud, energetic, abrasive salesman, pitching countless products on late-night television – and he even was in a parody video (portrayed by actor Will Ferrell) during a segment of Saturday Night Live.
West spent about 10 years as a color commentator for IMPACT Wrestling, dating back to the company’s first-ever event on June 19, 2002.
“I am so excited to be a part of IMPACT again and to be a part of the great Slammiversary weekend,” West said. “As an avid sports and baseball fan, it will be a great honor to work next to Robert Flores as I have admired his professionalism for years. When Jeff Jarrett asked me to do this, I had only one response, ‘YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!’”
“It will be great to see and hear Don West back on an IMPACT Wrestling broadcast; no one brings more energy and excitement to a broadcast than Don,” said Jeff Jarrett, the Chief Creative Officer for IMPACT Wrestling. “Having a broadcaster on Slammiversary at the level that Robert Flores has achieved is unbelievable. We are so excited to have RoFlo in the IMPACT family – and broadcast booth.”
The Backlash from Backlash: What’s Next for Smackdown
They actually did it, you guys. The absolute madmen, they actually did it. Jinder Mahal beat Randy Orton at Backlash to become the WWE Champion. Not only that, but he is the 50th person to hold the title. He’s now in the same league as men like The Rock, Stone Cold, Bret Hart, and Hulk Hogan.
Meanwhile, Kevin Owens retained the US title by trapping AJ Styles’ leg in an announce table. Natalya beat Becky Lynch (no surprise there) to pick up a victory for the Welcoming Committee. Shinsuke Nakamura finally had a match. Obviously all of these have repercussions and consequences, so let’s try to figure out how the Smackdown environment will change.
The Tag Team Division
Unfortunately, Tyler Breeze and Fandango were not able to pick up a win (and the Smackdown Tag Team Championship) at Backlash. They lost to the Usos, who resorted to sort of underhanded tactics to win. This “tainted” win will most likely mean that this feud is not over.
Unfortunately it really feels like the tag team division is spinning its wheels until the New Day can arrive. While they put on quite a match and won our hearts, Breezango ultimately feel like placeholder contenders to be fed to the Usos while New Day is on hold. With the Hype Bros out and American Alpha MIA (hopefully doing a hard reset), there was clearly no one else left to challenge the Usos.
This most likely means that Breezango gets one more match and then brutalized to give the Usos some heat. With the ever looming threat of the New Day hanging over the tag division, I expect the Usos will be keeping the titles warm for the them to take.
The United States Championship
Kevin Owens barely won the match. After securing a count-out victory, Owens proclaimed that he was better than AJ Styles. Styles, of course, will not take that lying down. He will most likely demand a rematch. Not that there’s anything wrong with that as they put on a great match.
Maybe at Money in the Bank, Styles and Owens will lock horns again. Hopefully this time there will be a decisive winner. The question is, will it be AJ Styles or will Kevin Owens hold onto the gold?
Styles has just come off one of the best debut years in recent history. He debuted in a WWE Championship match, was in the main event of two pay-per-views within the first four months of his WWE career, beat John Cena clean as a whistle, and became WWE Champion. Meanwhile Kevin Owens became Universal Champion, was unable to successfully defend it without interference, and lost to Goldberg in under 30 seconds. Who needs a win more?
I feel that Owens will retain the US title, which will free up Styles to re-enter the WWE title picture. That’s already starting to look crowded, but in a good way. Meanwhile Owens can defend the title against Sami Zayn or Tye Dillinger. Both of those programs show promise.
The Women’s Division
The Welcoming Committee have firmly established their dominance over the whole division (read: six people) at Backlash by making Becky Lynch tap out to Natalya. The backlash from this? We’re about to find out.
Charlotte is still gunning after the Women’s Championship, but there are other sharks circling about. Carmella can claim a shot at the title, because she pinned Naomi. As they say, you pin the champion, you get a title match.
Natalya, however, also may have a few words to say. She won the match for her team, which means she beat Naomi and Charlotte. She beat the champion and the number one contender. Surely that boosts her standing a little? Either way, Naomi has new foes to face.
She is probably going to drop the title soon, most likely to Charlotte. Hopefully this will allow for a Becky Lynch v. Charlotte match at Summerslam where Becky can pick up the win. It’s been so long since she has won.
The WWE Championship
The million dollar question now is this: what’s going to happen to the WWE Championship? Jinder Mahal is for sure not holding onto the title for very long.
Orton was kicking his ass decisively until the Singh Brothers came along and Randy casually murdered them. Randy Orton is not someone you want as your enemy.
There’s also Rusev demanding a title shot. While he hasn’t shown up yet, surely they’ll humor him. He’s on the hunt, and right now his target is Jinder Mahal. If all goes well, Rusev will have a match at Money in the Bank.
Money in the Bank. You know, where someone gets an opportunity for a WWE Championship match anytime and anywhere? That thing? Yeah, it’s happening next month. So now the champion has to potentially deal with Randy Orton, Rusev, and Mr. Money in the Bank. It could be Baron Corbin, or Sami Zayn. Heck, it could even be Erick Rowan. This is going to be an interesting title picture for the next few months.