®

STANLEY WESTON
Founder
(1919-2002)

EDITOR & PUBLISHER

Stuart M. Saks
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Bethany Lawler
SENIOR WRITERS
Dan Murphy
OR NEARLY 40 years I’ve kept a secret that practically everyone already knows. Harry Burkett

F So I guess it’s not really a secret, just something I wouldn’t allow myself to talk
about. It’s very similar to when Vince McMahon finally weighed the pluses and
minuses and decided it was time to admit that what his company presented was not
Al Castle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mike Bessler
Matt Brock
Elizabeth A. Hunter
Brady Hicks
actually sport, but rather sports entertainment. The men and women in the ring were Frank Krewda
Louie Dee
extremely athletic, but what they were doing was not competition in the most literal Kevin McElvaney
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
sense. Jennifer Orehowsky
ART STAFF
That admission angered a lot of fans, most of whom already knew the secret but Greg Stevens
resented the notion that it was being spoken by the most important man in the industry. Samantha Weyant
Julia Tran
McMahon had a financial reason to go public with the truth. The only way he could Kevin Boone
CONTRIBUTING ARTIST
free himself from the costly jurisdiction of various state athletic commissions was to Jason Conlan
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
admit that pro wrestling wasn’t an actual athletic contest. It didn’t turn out to be the George Napolitano
ruination of his business, like so many said it would, now did it? Duane Long
George Tahinos
There is no tangible reason to discuss my secret. The only reason to do it is because, Timothy A. Walker
Mike Lano
well, it’s just time. And, like I said, the only news here is that I’m actually saying it. Koichi Yoshizawa
Wayne McCarty
There might be a few people angry with me—readers, writers, maybe a journalism Matt Roberts
teacher from way back. Two people who won’t be angry are Matt Brock and Liz Hunter. Scott Finkelstein
John Smolek
They don’t exist. Steve Argintaru
Andrea Kellaway
Gary Morgenstein does and so do Dave Rosenbaum, Steve Farhood, Craig Peters, Zachary Tarrant
PamElla Winslow
Eddie Ellner, and Joe Bua, all of whom wrote as Matt or Liz for our family of wrestling
magazines over the years. There’s more to get off my chest: Up until the past few years,
the storylines and quotes you read in the Weston mags were as real as Matt and Liz. PRESIDENT
Despina McNulty
That is to say that we took liberties that would make Patrick Henry proud. SENIOR VP FINANCE/NEW BUSINESS
Bill Siebert
With the publication of Jon Langmead’s 5,000-word story on the history and inner SENIOR CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
workings of our magazines on the website popmatters.com in June, there is no reason David Tyler
RETAIL SERVICES DIRECTOR
not to be forthright about the manner in which we produced stories for five decades. Briana Coppola
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Langmead scoured the globe to track down the former editors listed above, all of Stu Saks
(215) 643-6385
whom had no problem revealing secrets that had previously been held sacred by the [email protected]
employees of this company. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
(386) 246-0114
And, you know, I have no problem with it. In the article, even I spoke freely (and
rather proudly) about producing “fake news” before the term was officially made part
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (ISSN: 1043-7576), Vol.
of the lexicon by our President. The thing is, we were damned good at it. Our goal was 38, No. 5, 2017 is published bi-monthly by Kappa
Publishing Group Inc., 6198 Butler Pike, Suite 200,
and is to entertain our readers. Did we make up quotes? In many cases, yes. If you’re Blue Bell, PA 19422. Periodicals postage paid at
Blue Bell, PA 19422, and additional post offices.
angry, forgive us. But interviewing Terry Bollea as Hulk Hogan would be just about Postmaster: Send change of address notices to: Pro
Wrestling Illustrated, P.O. Box 433120, Palm Coast,
the same as interviewing Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo. How do you pose questions FL 32143. Single copy price $6.99 U.S./Canada (£5.50
in U.K.). Annual subscription price $41.94 in the U.S.,
to a TV character? Believe me, there were times that we tried. Invariably, the wrestler $56.94 in Canada and Mexico, and $86.94 in other
would tell us, “Just write the way you always do. You can do me as well as I can do me.” countries. Not responsible for the loss or non-return
of unsolicited articles or photographs, which will not
When it came to hard news stories dealing with the person behind the character, we’d be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed
envelope bearing the proper amount of postage.
never make up a word. That’s when the real journalist in us would step forth. Today, The entire contents of this magazine are copyright
©2017 Kappa Publishing Group, Inc. No part of this
we do all of our stories in that more traditional manner. With most of our magazines magazine may be reproduced without the written
permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
consisting primarily of thematic sections, we run only a limited number of feature Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy or content
of any advertisements appearing in this magazine,
stories throughout the year. Those features, as you can see in this issue, are geared nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or services
offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement
more to the men and women behind the characters, so we encourage the subjects to is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies
assume liability for claims arising from the content
open up and tell our readers—in their own words—something about their lives that of their advertisements. All WWE trademarks, logos
and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE
is not brought out in their on-air promos. The result, I'm sure you'll agree, are stories and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and
copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
that are as entertaining as ever. ©2017 WWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You can e-mail me at [email protected] to offer your feelings. For me, Printed in U.S.A.
particularly after reading Langmead’s piece, I’ve never felt better about what we’ve
done in the past and are doing right now.
Stu Saks
Publisher
• OCTOBER. 2017 • 3
 Alexa Bliss
The only woman to have
held both the Smackdown
and Raw Women’s titles,
Bliss is making a strong bid
for the top spot in the 2017
PWI “Female 50.” Her Kendo
Stick on a Pole match victory
over Bayley is one of Harry
Burkett’s “Ringside” items.

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

CONTENTS: OCTOBER 2017
D E PA R T M E N T S F E AT U R E S
3 FROM THE DESK OF … 20 HOTSEAT: BOBBY ROODE
BY STU SAKS The former TNA champion was oh-so-close to call-
ing it a career when a friend competing for WWE ar-
6 BEFORE THE BELL ranged a meeting for him with Triple-H at last year’s
BY MIKE BESSLER WrestleMania. As Roode discusses in a lengthy in-
terview with Harry Burkett, things have been glorious
10 RINGSIDE ever since.
B Y H A R RY B U R K E T T
28 MOOSE ON THE LOOSE:
14 QUICK COUNT “I’M READY TO BE A
BY A L C AST L E
WORLD CHAMPION”
16 STRAIGHT SHOOTER He threw away his football career to live a childhood
dream of being a pro wrestler. Will the gamble pay off?
BY A L C AST L E

18 WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW 32 THE SILAS YOUNG YOU NEVER KNEW

B Y H A R RY B U R K E T T If you really want to know about someone, the best
thing to do is get the lowdown from their spouse.
60 THE BUSINESS PAGE Val Malone offered more on her hubby, Silas Young,
B Y H A R RY B U R K E T T than we could have imagined!

64 INDEPENDENT ROUNDUP 26 25 NXT STARS TO WATCH

BY MIKE BESSLER
Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, Shinsuke Naka-
66 INTERNATIONAL REPORT mura, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Finn Balor
all came to Raw or Smackdown via NXT and the
B Y D A N M U R P HY
WWE Performance Center. We forecast who’s on

68 ARENA REPORTS their way.

78 BETWEEN FALLS 44 WWE’S SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN:

BROCK LESNAR IS WORTH
80 OFFICIAL WRESTLING RATINGS EVERY PENNY
Forbes magazine recently printed WWE’s wrestlers’
82 DRAWING BLOOD annual salaries. Some people were shocked to see
BY JASON CONL AN Brock Lesnar, a part-timer, right near the top of the
list. Not us!
STAY CONNECTED!
REACHING YOU …
Pro Wrestling Illustrated—December 2017 (PWI 500): 52 STORM WARNING!
Digital edition on sale August 31; print edition on sale
YOU’D BE WISE TO TAKE COVER
WHEN THE NWA CHAMPION BLOWS
September 26
Website: www.pwi-online.com
The PWI Podcast: pwi.podbean.com; iTunes Store
Back Issues: Every PWI cover since 1979 can be viewed INTO YOUR TOWN!
at our website. Back issue availability is noted Tim Storm has the weight of a legendary title lin-
REACHING US … eage on his massive shoulders. So far, he’s held up
General e-mail: [email protected]
Letters to the editor: [email protected] quite well indeed.
Editorial mail: P.O. Box 96, Fort Washington, PA 19034

56 CARR-JACKED!
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Independent news e-mail: [email protected]
Subscription Inquiries: Kappa Publishing Group Inc., P.O. Box HYBRID SEAN CARR TAKES THE
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Subscription phone: 386-246-0114
WHEEL ON A FAST TRACK TO GLORY
Subscription e-mail: [email protected] Sean Carr had to strong-arm his way into ECWA’s
REACHING EACH OTHER … 2017 Super 8 tournament. Once he was in, he was
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ not going to let anyone stand in the way of fulfilling
PWI/127711697289232?fref=ts
Twitter: twitter.com/officialpwi
his long-time goal.
COVER PHOTO: ©2015 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
COVER DESIGN: GREG STEVENS
 COMPILED BY MIKE BESSLER

GLOW
s a pubescent heterosexual pro wrestling fan, GLOW successfully manages to re-create the

A the original Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling was

one of my guilty pleasures. It was a mixture of
1980s pro wrestling camp combined with Benny Hill-
1980s—the bizarre era of jazzercise, neon, and
recreational drug use, which provided the fertile soil
for an oddity like the original GLOW to sprout. Even
style comedic burlesque. It was pretty much every- though it is a comedy and it would be easy to make a
thing a 13-year-old boy could want in a television show. mockery of wrestling or reduce the girls to stereotypes
When word came out that Netflix was producing (the original GLOW certainly did), series creators Liz
a comedy series based on GLOW, I had my reser- Flahive and Carly Mensch treat the subject matter
vations. GLOW was a fad of the mid-to-late 1980s. with respect.Yes, the concept of the Gorgeous Ladies
When it debuted, Married With Children and The Of Wrestling is silly and campy, but that’s part of its
Simpsons were pushing TV boundaries. Today, in appeal. And behind the hokeyness of the in-ring prod-
this era of The Bachelor, Game Of Thrones, and the uct is the story of conflicted, sympathetic, relatable,
Internet in general, the and—most important-
risqué charm of GLOW ly—funny characters.
seems quaint and dat- The wrestling is ac-
ed. I had my doubts tually better than ex-
that Netflix could revisit pected. John Morrison
GLOW without muck- makes a cameo as a
ing everything up. trainer (loosely based
I’m happy to say I on Mando Guerrero,
PHOTO BY ERICA PARISE/NETFLIX

was wrong. who served as the

G LOW d e b u t e d trainer for the origi-
on June 23, and the nal GLOW girls) and
good people at Netflix leads the actresses
hooked me up with an through a surprisingly
advance screener of realistic set of drills.
Season One, which I The creators paid at-
watched and enjoyed in a marathon binge session. tention to details, and that makes the show from a
GLOW is the story of Ruth Wilder (pictured), played wrestling fan's point of view.
excellently by Community’s Alison Brie. Ruth is a While the original GLOW was PG fare, Netflix’s
down-on-her-luck actress looking for a meaty female GLOW is a bit more adult-oriented with coarse lan-
role in a Hollywood short of strong parts for women. guage, drug use, and brief nudity. Don’t go into GLOW
In desperation, she answers a blind casting call for a looking for five-star matches, but for fans of Maron’s
bold, new show—The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling. comedy and fans of the original series, Netflix’ GLOW
Marc Maron steals the show as Sam Sylvia, a is required watching.
shlock movie director hired for the project by a pam- Four suplexes out of five.
pered young producer who is funding the show as a —Dan Murphy
vanity project using family money. Maron’s brand of
brusque, no-nonsense comedy is the backbone of
the show, while the interactions between the GLOW
girls provides the heart and soul.

6 O PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED O

 Here’s a list of the top 10 wrestling-related items you’ve been
talking about lately and our gut reaction to each:

10. Jim Cornette and Eric Bischoff appear togeth- 4. CM Punk gets into an ugly shouting match
er on WWE Network’s Table For 3. with Johnny Devenanzio on MTV reality show
Given Cornette’s well-known penchant for insults The Challenge.
and profanity, Michael P.S. Hayes was also on Upon hearing that Johnny Bananas got the bet-
hand, ready to drown out any off-color rants by ter of Punk in their altercation, UFC’s Dana White
belting out a chorus of “Badstreet USA.” immediately signs the MTV pseudo-celeb to a
multi-fight deal.
9. Alberto El Patron defeats EC3 to retain the
Global Force heavyweight title. 3. Linda McMahon discloses that the McMahons
Certain that Jeff Jarrett will soon regret his new- had to lease a typewriter when they were short
est affiliation with Impact Wrestling, the guys from on cash during their early days of ownership.
Pawn Stars have tendered a standing offer of $50 Asked if she had ever stooped to siphoning gaso-
and a jar of mismatched shirt buttons in exchange line during this time, McMahon said they were far
for the GFW strap. too busy siphoning away talent from the territories.

8. WWE posts fascinating slow-motion video 2. Billy Corgan buys the NWA.
of a match between Roman Reigns and And with that, the odds of an NWA renaissance
Seth Rollins. are now almost as likely as a full reunion of the
Originally conceived as a unique way to show- original Smashing Pumpkins lineup.
case WWE wrestlers’ skills, the clip has the re-
verse effect on Reigns’ many critics. 1. Samoa Joe chokes out Finn Balor to win the
main event at Extreme Rules.
7. The Miz wins the Intercontinental champion- A man of uncomplicated tastes, Joe celebrates his
ship at Extreme Rules. victory at an intimate gathering, choking a handful
Miz is now second only to Chris Jericho in total of his closest friends and associates.
I-C title reigns. But with respect to being annoying,
he’s second to none.

6. Matt Sydal returns to Impact Wrestling.

It’s been a turbulent trip for the high-flyer, but he

©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

has once again touched down on a familiar runway.

5. Alexa Bliss retains the Raw Women’s title at

Extreme Rules, defeating Bayley in a kendo
stick match.
In hopes of regaining viewers after an abysmal
Raw segment by Bliss and Bayley, WWE has ten-
tative plans for a more entertaining “This Is Your
Life” segment … starring the kendo stick.

“It’s a television show! It’s the same as if you’re Biff in

Back To The Future and drive into a truck and have cow poo
all over you. James Michael Curtin is not Rockstar Spud! I
"To become the WWE champion, you need confidence in play a character named Rockstar Spud on a television show,
yourself, in your ability. You have to have confidence when who is a snivelly, whiny, little bad guy who deserves to lose
you speak. When you start to look backward, that's when the and be embarrassed.”
confidence begins to weaken. That's not me. Not anymore." —Rockstar Spud, discussing his loss to King Maxel Hardy
—Jinder Mahal, speaking to ESPN about the attitude and during an appearance on Buzzards Wrestling Podcast
skills that helped him to attain the WWE heavyweight cham-
pionship “I even began to fantasize that I’d actually kill someone
in the ring. I remembered all the bad guys from movies I’d
"There’s so little trust in pro wrestling. So little. And there watched, and all the villains I knew from wrestling, and I
should be. We all love this thing and want to put on the best drew on that and threw myself into the role of the arrogant
show and fill all of the seats in the house." sociopath.”
—Cody Rhodes to Chuck Carroll of CBS Local Sports on the —Mike Tyson, a big wrestling fan, discussing his transition
importance of a healthy work environment from a sensitive boy to a beastly man with news.com.au
 ONE TO WATCH: BEAUTIFUL BEAA
f the many paths that lead to the squared circle, Through her tenacity and determination, Beaa has

O Beautiful Beaa has traveled an uncanny variety

of terrains to reach her destination. From the
wrestling mats of her school’s gymnasium to studio
earned a respectable collection of titles, racking up
four reigns as PWA’s Elite Women’s champion and
becoming the first-ever Steel City Hybrid champion.
dance floors to the Ski-Doo trails of the Great White With the men and women of CWF, including Beaa’s
North, the 25-year-old lady grappler has gained valu- younger sister Patsy Blue, Beaa has also provided
able perspective on each step of her journey thus far. fans with an alternate view of wrestling life via a video
Beaa was first drawn to wrestling at the age of 14, series entitled “Ice Road Wrestlers.” The web-based
not by the televised grandeur of big-name operations project offers a dramatized, behind-the-scenes look
like WWE, but through the athletic program at her high at the company’s efforts to bring wrestling to remote
school. She gained a spot on her school’s team, but locations in Canada.
while she sparred with her male teammates during the Although she was temporarily sidelined twice in
week, she competed against girls from other schools 2016, with a broken thumb and then a broken knee,
at regional events. A ballet dancer since the age of 7, Beautiful Beaa got back into the swing of things quick-
Beaa’s unusual combination of grace and physicality ly. She attended an EVOLVE seminar in April 2017 with
garnered the attention of a local newspaper, which an eye on her future in the wrestling business. She
hailed the ambitious young woman for her strong work is excited at the prospect of eventually performing in
ethic and inner strength. SHIMMER, Ring of Honor, or Mexico’s burgeoning
Later, in her teen years, Beaa got her first glimpse of lucha libre scene, but Beaa also looks for guidance
independent wrestling when her uncle, Kryss Thorn, and inspiration from her fans, who continue to provide
came to town. Thorn, a wrestling veteran trained by her with valuable motivation to blaze new paths.
Dory Funk Jr., invited his niece to attend a Canadian “I’m ready to get out there,” Beaa said. “I just love
Wrestling Federation show, and the experience was wrestling.”
a turning point for Beaa.
“I became a superfan,” recalled Beaa of her
first brush with professional wrestling. “I went to
shows every week, made signs, and got to know
the wrestlers.”
Beaa became especially fond of CWF grappler
“Reckless” Ryan Swift and the two became an
item. The high-flyer took their relationship to the
next level in 2009, when Swift proposed to Beaa
in front of an audience of 600 fans.
Now part of the CWF family, Beaa began work-
ing shows as a manager, but she also labored
behind the scenes with setup and production.
PHOTO BY STEVE SKULLMASTER/SKULLMASTER PHOTOGRAPHY

She also started training for in-ring competition

under the guidance of her uncle, her husband,
and indy veteran EZE Eric Cairnie.
Beaa debuted as a wrestler in 2012, per-
forming in Ontario-based promotions including
Busted Knuckle Pro Wrestling and Pure Wrestling
Association. Utilizing a combination of hard-
hitting offense and high-risk maneuvers, she
has chalked up wins against the likes of Serena
Deeb, Tessa Blanchard, and K.C. Spinelli, taking
out opponents with devastating moves like the
killswitch and the black widow submission hold.
8 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l
 BEHIND THE CURTAIN: LUKE HAWX
ost wrestlers have at least one good story legend introduced Hawx to the film’s director and he

M about a harrowing bump inside the ring,

but Luke Hawx can boast about a few life
experiences that would make the most seasoned
was later invited to play a small part in the picture.
After wrapping up his first film role, Hawx decided
to pursue acting and stunt work as a regular gig,
grapplers take notice. To date, the 35-year-old wres- learning the ropes under the tutelage of stunt coor-
tler has been chewed up by an alligator, stabbed dinator Phil O’Dell. He worked a grueling schedule,
inside a prison, and thrown through a few windows. balancing work and training as he pursued dreams
Of course, the aforementioned exploits have trans- of success and stardom.
pired not within the confines of the squared circle, but “I wrestled on the weekends and worked in con-
through Hawx' work in a host of roles for television struction and as a bouncer,” Hawx said. “On the
shows and feature films. weekends that I didn’t wrestle, I would bounce all
Hawx began his wrestling career in 1999 and honed night, eat breakfast at IHOP, drive an hour to Phil’s
his chops in the storied hardcore promotion Xtreme house, and then train all weekend on stunts.”
Pro Wrestling. Over time, he developed the skills and Hawx gained his Screen Actors Guild credentials in
reputation of a wrestling journeyman, making appear- 2010 and subsequently earned a spot in the 2010 film
ances in NWA, CZW, and Ring of Honor. In the midst Wrong Side Of Town, which featured fellow wrestlers
of his budding wrestling career, Hawx was introduced Batista and Rob Van Dam. In the years that followed,
into the world of film in 2006 by Vampiro. Cast in an Hawx garnered spots in a diverse array of projects, in-
action movie entitled The Dead Sleep Easy, the WCW cluding television series like Roots, Salem, and NCIS:
New Orleans, and feature films like GI Joe: Retaliation.
In 2017, Hawx landed some of his biggest opportuni-
ties thus far, appearing on screen with Vin Diesel in
The Fate Of The Furious and mixing it up with Hugh
Jackman in Logan. To be sure, many of Hawx' parts
are brief, but they remain vital to the stories at hand.
Despite a burgeoning career before the camera,
Hawx manages to maintain a formidable presence
inside the squared circle. In his 18 years as a pro, he
has wrestled matches for all of the biggest companies
in North America, including Ring of Honor, TNA, and
even WWE. In 2011, he opened the WildKat Sports
and Entertainment training facility in his hometown
of New Orleans, Louisiana. WildKat puts on wrestling
shows up to a dozen times per year, packing venues
and reaching around one million households in the
local television market. Hawx donates proceeds from
this endeavor to area schools.
“I lived in a boys’ home before I was adopted,” Hawx
explained. “Without the support of places like that, I
would have never made it through. That’s why I like
to give back to the schools.”
Often cast as a thuggish goon or henchman, Hawx
likes to joke that he might someday earn the chance
to play the part of a hero. But after balancing multiple
PHOTO BY STU SAKS

careers, launching a business, and giving back to

his community—not to mention being a dad to two
boys—it’s clear that Hawx has already mastered the
role of a good guy in real life.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 9
 where it’s never been before.
He was even a groundbreaker
in NXT, becoming the brand’s
first two-time champion.
Joe’s heavy push is yet anoth-
er reason to put to rest the idea
that WWE wants to hold back
WITH HARRY BURKETT former TNA stars. WWE present-
ed AJ Styles as an international
main-eventer upon his debut
at the 2016 Royal Rumble and
AMOA JOE DOMINATES TNA heavyweight champion and he reigned as WWE champion

S wherever he goes, and that

has proven correct even
in WWE, where he hasn’t been
X division champion. The Wres-
tling Observer’s Dave Meltzer
gave five stars to his bout against
within a few months. Likewise,
Bobby Roode has held the NXT
title since January—and WWE’s
sucked into the corporate machine CM Punk in 2004, his three-way presentation of Roode has been
but rather has forced the powers- match against Christopher Dan- nothing short of glorious.
that-be to accept his physique, his iels and AJ Styles in 2005, and Kevin Owens must be con-
ring style, and his uncompromis- his clash with Kenta Kobashi in sidered among those stars who
ing attitude. Samoa Joe debuted 2005. He reached number four in have only begun to make career
on Raw back in January, seem- the “PWI 500” in both 2006 and impacts in WWE. In a candid in-
ingly as Triple-H’s mercenary, but 2008. A decade ago, we pro- terview with nola.com, Owens dis-
he has used that as a springboard claimed that Joe’s ground-and- cussed his dream WrestleMania
to become a genuine main-event pound style would take the sport opponents—both past and pres-
talent in WWE.

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

With Joe scoring big wins over
Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn,
it was almost considered an up-
set when Seth Rollins handed
Joe his first main-roster loss at
Backlash. Subsequent rematches
between Joe and Rollins have
been hard-hitting affairs with no
clear winner in the feud. Instead of
getting bogged down, Joe hit the
accelerator by winning a crucial
five-way match—also involving
Rollins, Reigns, Finn Balor, and
Bray Wyatt—at Extreme Rules to
earn a shot at Universal champion
Brock Lesnar at WWE’s Great
Balls of Fire pay-per-view.
Samoa Joe has been treated
as a marquee player since join-
ing NXT in 2015, thanks to Triple-
H and his appreciation for Joe’s
abilities and achievements. Re-
member, this is Samoa Joe, who
was trading elbows, kicks, and
chair shots with Masato Tanaka
and Shinjiro Otani in Zero-One
while still in his early-20s. He
After 17 years in the sport, Samoa Joe has finally forced
reigned as Ring of Honor cham- his way to main-event status in the world’s largest
pion for 21 months. He steam- promotion. He says he will not allow men like Roman
rolled TNA for 18 months before Reigns to stand in his path to the top of WWE.
suffering a loss. He reigned as

10 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

“I’m the only per- “There’s a big vision for this,”

son to win both the said Aries. “It doesn’t happen
Raw Women’s title overnight, and it’s still in its in-
and the Smackdown fancy stages, and there’s going
Women’s title, and to be growing pains, and there’s
I’ve put sweet, darling going to be figuring out the right
Bayley down in just formula.” Referring to young
five minutes on pay- cruiserweights getting their first
per-view—I’ve ended shots in WWE, he added, “I think
that fad real quick,” also you’re exposing a bunch of
enthused Bliss after- new people, myself included, to a
ward. “There’s noth- larger new audience. And it takes
ing I can’t do!” That time for characters and people to
may include captur- get acclimated with the Universe.”
ing the top spot in As if the Impact Wrestling an-
our “PWI Female 50” nounce team hasn’t offended
later this year. enough viewers already, longtime
Beating Dean Ambrose for his seventh Also on the card, Impact employee and broadcast-
Intercontinental championship sets up The Miz
perfectly for an eventual feud with the man who’s cruiserweight cham- er Jeremy Borash seemed to
held the belt a record nine times, Chris Jericho. pion Neville forced embrace a blame-the-fans men-
Austin Aries into sub- tality while ingratiating himself to
mission with his Rings Indian fans.
ent. “If you say past, it’s Shawn of Saturn finisher. Despite that loss, “India is such an emerging
Michaels, hands-down. If you say Aries is relishing his roles as color market with different cultures,
present, Sami Zayn and I have commentator and as cruiserweight and, the more you’re here, the
had such a rich history, I feel like elder statesman. He addressed more you realize that,” Borash
a one-on-one match at Wrestle- the state of the division while on told Sportskeeda. “The opportu-
Mania would be so perfect. But the Busted Open radio show to nities are just ridiculous here. An
there’s also Finn Balor. He’s my promote his vegan-themed auto- old codger like myself, I’m a little
best friend. He’s probably the one biography, Food Fight: My Plant- bored with American fans, to be
guy across the ring at WrestleMa- Based Journey From The Bingo honest—well, not exactly bored,
nia that would make my career … Hall To The Big Time. but the fan-wrestler relationship
He’s like a brother to me now.”

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

Despite his U.S. title victory
over Chris Jericho soon after his
switch to Smackdown, Owens is
still trying to find his niche with the
blue brand. His loose alliance with
Triple-H is no more and the Univer-
sal championship is not an option.
Look out, Jinder Mahal, don’t trust
this man as your tag team partner.
It could cost you the WWE title.
The Miz captured his seventh
Intercontinental title from Dean
Ambrose at Extreme Rules,
which turned out to be a con-
sequential pay-per-view for the
Raw brand. In addition to Ce-
saro and Sheamus regaining
the Raw tag team belts from The
Hardys, Alexa Bliss battered
and blistered former champion Austin Aries’ bell clap has WWE cruiserweight king
Bayley en route to retaining her Neville momentarily dazed. Aries says it will take time
Women’s title in a Kendo Stick on for the cruiserweight division to catch on with WWE fans.
a Pole match.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 11
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

that I’ve put on a hit list.”

Daniels, who finally achieved
his goal of becoming Ring of
Honor champion at 47 years of
age, understands what drives
Cody. “I think the reputation of
ROH is a place people want to
go and want to experience …
Cody came to ROH last year
and has run roughshod. It takes
courage to step away from the
WWE system on your own. One
of the things on his Twitter list
was ROH, which says a lot about
ROH that guys like Cody want to
come here and wrestle. Every-
one who comes to ROH wants
to be world champion, and, right
A well-placed boot to the head puts Drew McIntyre on the verge now, it’s my job to stop him.”
of defeating NXT champion Bobby Roode in Aberdeen, Scotland. Daniels or Rhodes? The “Ring
Unfortunately for McIntyre and his countrymen at the GE Oil &
Gas Arena, McIntyre couldn’t finish the job. General” or the “American Night-
mare”? We’ll see how this plays
out now that Cody is a full-time
in the States and a lot of other about it,” she said. Kim added roster member.
places is different. that her back feels fine and that By the way, Daniels and
“Here, I think it’s just genu- she’s eager to participate in the Rhodes had better make way for
ine enthusiasm and excitement. next round of Impact TV tapings. Dalton Castle, who, after some
Most of all, the fans appreciate The 40-year-old, who studied deliberation, has re-signed with
good drama and they like a good kinesiology and nutrition while in Ring of Honor. Sources close to
show. I think that’s what brought college, is wise enough to make Castle (no, I’m not talking about
me to wrestling—the show, the her physical health a top prior- The Boys) say he is determined
spectacle, the lights, and the ity. Besides, as the only six-time to have a major main-event run.
glamour and everything that goes Knockouts champion, a former NXT kicked off its U.K. tour
with it. I think that’s really appre- WWE Women’s champ, the with a June 5 show in Aberdeen,
ciated here in the presentation of only woman in the Impact Hall Scotland, featuring a unique first-
it all. Sometimes I think that part of Fame, and a previous num- time match between two former
is lost in America.” ber one in our PWI “Female 50,” TNA heavyweight champions:
I understand what Borash is Kim’s legacy is secure. Bobby Roode and Drew Gal-
trying to say. Indian fans are Ring of Honor champion Chris- loway. Roode, the current NXT
more innocent with that awe- topher Daniels’ rivalry with Cody champion, survived Galloway on
some sense of wide-eyed won- Rhodes continues to simmer, his home turf, although he had
der. I often yearn for those days, with both men expressing respect to stoop to a low blow to do so.
but that era is largely impossible for each other and the prize at Wouldn’t Galloway vs. former
today. Borash inadvertently came stake. Cody confirmed the cham- 3MB partner Jinder Mahal for
across as someone resenting pionship is a major reason why he the WWE title be a natural? Or a
diehard fans for their criticism decided to stop being a free agent three-way also involving Heath
and high expectations. You’re and sign with Ring of Honor. Slater? It could happen!
walking a fine line, J.B.! “For the very first time in my Speaking of NXT’s tour of
Gail Kim updated Kevin Eck career, my goal of the world title the U.K., Mark Andrews suf-
on his PressBox podcast, con- is clearly defined,” he told Sports fered a severely bruised neck
firming that a nagging back ail- Illustrated’s website. “It was an after a vicious Authors of Pain
ment sidelined her this past year. out-of-body experience when I clothesline during an eight-man
“Luckily, Impact has been so good put my hands on that title after tag team affair at the Download
to me in terms of letting me take the Dalton Castle-Christopher Festival in Derby, England. After
time off to make sure I’m healthy Daniels match at Supercard of a CT scan came back negative,
and never making me feel bad Honor. This is the first world title Andrews tweeted, “Everything’s

12 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 okay, guys. Thanks for all boy” Buddy Rose and their
your concern and messages! red-hot feud with The Mid-
Huge thanks to the workers at night Rockers, Shawn Mi-
Queens Medical Centre who chaels and Marty Jannetty, ERA OF JOE
treated me quickly.” in the mid-1980s … Ron “I fly when necessary, but I really
Before we part, I’d like Starr, who spent much of his want to bring back mat grappling,
to acknowledge the follow- career on the Gulf Coast and just as lucha libre revolutionized
ing deaths since last issue. in Continental Championship the sport a few years ago,” Sa-
“Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe, Wrestling, died in his sleep on moa Joe told me in 2003. “I’d like
who went from journeyman June 8. He was 67. Starr of- to bring back the old ‘ground and
wrestler to star-making train- ten ventured out of the South- pound’—with a new intensity—to
er, passed away at age 65 on east, enjoying success in the pro wrestling in general.” Instead of
April 10 in Woodland, New Central States, Puerto Rico’s conforming to what already existed,
Jersey. He’s best known for WWC, and Calgary’s Stam- Joe set out to change the business
launching the career of ex- pede Wrestling. He was also to suit him. His current position in
WWE proves he was successful.
bounty hunter Bam Bam Big- a two-time NWA junior heavy-
elow … Another blond “Pret- weight champion … Finally, THE NEW JERICHO?
ty Boy,” and another great Brazo de Oro, a member of
The Miz is smart to take the path
worker, Doug Somers, also the famed Alvarado wres-
already blazed by Y2J. Miz, now in
passed away at age 65, on tling family in Mexico, died his seventh reign as Intercontinental
May 16 in Buchanan, Geor- unexpectedly of a heart at- champion, is closing in on Jericho’s
gia. He’s best known for his tack on April 28. He was 57. nine reigns. I can easily see Jericho
eight-month AWA World tag That’s all for now. Save a preventing Miz from eclipsing that re-
team title reign with “Play- ringside seat for me. cord, even if it means helping him win
matches as champion or lose match-
es if he’s in the I-C title hunt again.
Yes, it would be petty, but it would be
the perfect Miz-Jericho feud.
40 IS THE NEW 20
It’s amazing to see stars such as
Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, and Bobby
Roode come across as the new
wave of wrestling when they’ve
been around since the late-1990s.
It reminds me of The Radicals de-
fecting from WCW to WWE back
in 2000, when Chris Benoit, Eddie
Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Perry
Saturn led a similar wave. It’s a tes-
tament to how tough—and inspir-
ing—this business can be.
THE PLAYBOY AND THE
PRETTY BOY
The AWA was in a rut when The
Road Warriors—the most dominant
tag team in history—left to work in
Japan and Jim Crockett Promotions.
In that void, the rivalry that captivat-
ed the AWA in 1986-87 came from
four mid-carders: Doug Somers,
Buddy Rose, Shawn Michaels, and
Larry Sharpe, who recently passed away at age 65, shows off
Marty Jannetty. Watch their bloody
one his most successful students, Bam Bam Bigelow. A marginal cage match that aired on ESPN. It’s
competitor, Sharpe trained such stars as Tony Atlas, Sheamus, one of the best tag bouts ever.
Big Show, and The Godfather at the famed Monster Factory.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 13
 ZOMBIE
In June, Impact Wrestling cele-
brated its 17th anniversary. Staying
alive that long in the wrestling in-
dustry may appear impressive. But
exactly how “alive” is Impact?
After its latest reboot, which in-
cluded shedding Dixie Carter, most
of its big-money talent contracts,
BY AL CASTLE and the abysmal “TNA” name, fans
once again had hope of a renais-
sance for Impact. But its weekly
viewership of about 275,000 is
NE OF MY wrestling mag- With several new or recently down about 25 percent from a year

O azine writer mentors, Matt

Brock, taught me long ago
the value of a quality adult bever-
renovated arenas in the New
York City Metro area—including
SummerSlam’s home for three
ago, and is a small fraction of the
2 million viewers Impact was draw-
ing seven years ago.
age in getting through this busi- consecutive years, Brooklyn’s While Impact may not exactly
ness. And clearly, some members Barclays Center—running WWE be setting the wrestling world
of WWE’s creative team feel the events, MSG may make less afire, there are some signs of life,
same way. If the Fashion Files, business sense than ever before. including a recent TV taping in
the “Drama King” Aiden English,

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

and babyface Charlotte don’t
reek of alcohol-impaired judg-
ment, I don’t know what does.
Let’s raise a glass to this
booze-inspired edition of “Quick
Count.” And forgive me if it makes
less sense than usual.

MANHATTAN
It’s known as the “World’s
Most Famous Arena.” But, when
it comes to hosting big-time
WWE events in recent years,
Madison Square Garden has
been one of the world’s most
neglected arenas.
It’s been six years since the
Garden has hosted a WWE pay-
per-view event, and even longer
since a Monday Night Raw or
Smackdown was held in the icon-
ic New York City venue that has
hosted three WrestleManias, three
SummerSlams, three Survivor
Series, and two Royal Rumbles.
Yes, WWE still regularly runs Finn Balor soaks in the cheers of
live events at the venue. But, for Irish and non-Irish fans alike in
Trenton, New Jersey. Al Castle
bigger shows, it seems WWE notes that Balor and Becky
has been steering clear of the Lynch became WWE stars fol-
Garden—perhaps because of its lowing the rise in popularity of
Conor McGregor in UFC.
reputation as one of the most ex-
pensive venues to book.

14 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 ©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
India and the company’s
return to Sunday night
pay-per-view in July, with
Slammiversary.
Still, simply surviving
isn’t enough. To thrive,
Impact needs to actually
make an impact.

IRISH COFFEE
There are several les-
sons WWE could learn
from UFC. But at least
one lesson WWE seems
to have learned already:
the value of an Irish
superstar.
As he moves closer Mark Andrews, Nikki Cross, and Bobby Roode make the day for Lily Harrison, one of the
to what would be one of many victims of Manchester, England, terror attack on May 22. WWE decided not to run its
the biggest showdowns scheduled event at the Manchester Arena, but made a donation to the emergency fund and
allowed its talent to try to cheer up some of those injured in the blast.
in combat sports history,
a boxing match against
Floyd Mayweather, UFC superstar between the United States and in many a wrestling show be-
Conor McGregor has established Russia. And it’s just a matter of ing rescheduled over the years.
himself as a true box office giant. time before that tension makes its But the cloud that loomed over
The Dublin native’s Celtic charis- way into the wrestling ring. Manchester, England, in May,
ma has driven him to become the Throughout the 1970s and 80s, resulting in the cancellation of
biggest star in MMA and helped evil Russians were a staple of an NXT event, had nothing to do
drive UFC to become a $4-billion every wrestling promotion’s heel with rain.
business. locker room, as exemplified by Following the May 22 suicide
Whether it’s coincidence or not, the likes of Ivan Koloff and Nikolai bombing at the Manchester Arena
McGregor’s rise to stardom has Volkoff. But with the birth of that killed nearly two dozen peo-
been followed by several Irish- “Glasnost” in the late-1980s, ste- ple, WWE made the call to cancel
born wrestlers achieving stardom reotypical Russian villains soon its scheduled June 6 NXT event at
in WWE, including Finn Balor and became extinct. the venue. In a statement, WWE
Becky Lynch. Sheamus’ WWE Rusev seemed to be ahead of said it chose to nix the show “out
successes preceded McGregor’s the curve when he proclaimed of respect for all those affected by
rise, but he too has found new himself Vladimir Putin’s favorite the Manchester tragedy.”
relevance as fans have grown to wrestler a few years back, but he While the stars of NXT did not
better appreciate the unique cha- soon ditched the gimmick and wrestle in Manchester on June
risma and toughness inherent in embraced his Bulgarian roots. 6, they did keep their date in
Irish fighters. Now, more than any time in the city—visiting victims of the
The natural progression of decades, there may be an ap- senseless bombing. WWE also
WWE’s Irish movement? A “no- petite for a Russian character. announced it was making a dona-
torious” guest appearance at Of course, WWE would have to tion to the We Love Manchester
WrestleMania. tread carefully in weaving some Emergency Fund. The charitable
very sensitive current events into gestures went above and beyond
its storylines. Historically, this has any responsibility WWE had to
MOSCOW MULE not been WWE’s strong suit. its ticketholders.
Another European nation has Just ask Muhammad Hassan— Vince McMahon has long
also found itself more in the if you can find him. claimed WWE is in the business
American consciousness as of of putting smiles on people’s fac-
late, if for all the wrong reasons. es. If a city ever needed some-
Not since the height of the Cold DARK ’N’ STORMY one with that job description, it’s
War have tensions been as high Severe weather has resulted Manchester.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 15
 simply isn’t what it was back
in the glory days of 1948-1988
when Lou Thesz, Jack Brisco,
Harley Race, and Ric Flair wore
the company’s gold.
The wrestling game has
changed dramatically since the
territory days when the NWA
ruled the roost. The fact that it
survives at all today is a testa-
BY DAN MURPHY ment to the intrinsic value of the
NWA brand, even if it’s for nostal-
gia reasons only.
On May 1, word got out that
F YOU HAD to put a dollar gether, these promotions have Corgan and Tharpe had agreed

I amount on it, what would you

value the “NWA” brand in 2017?
I’m not talking Straight Outta
been able to share talent, co-
promote, and pool their market-
ing. Under the guidance of at-
in principle to terms on a sale of
the NWA brand. Details had not
been made public as of press
Compton, Easy E, Ice Cube, and torney Bruce Tharpe for the past time, but the deal looks to include
Dr. Dre. I’m talking “Straight Outta five years, the NWA was able the NWA name, logo, and intel-
The Territorial Days,” The Empire, to remain stable and even form lectual property. The extensive
Americos, and Tim Storm, the a brief alliance with New Japan video library Tharpe acquired
National Wrestling Alliance. Pro Wrestling. Rob Conway, Hi- from Paul Boesch’s territory
Billy Corgan seems to think royoshi Tenzan, Jax Dane (now (which is the cornerstone of the
the NWA still has plenty of value. known as Wilcox in Impact Wres- NWA On Demand streaming vid-
And, I may be in the minority, but tling), and Tim Storm have done eo service) remains with Tharpe,
I’m inclined to agree with him. a commendable job defending at least for the time being.
Once the premier name in the the NWA heavyweight title with Immediate reaction was mixed.
world of pro wrestling, the NWA honor and preventing it from fall- One concerned NWA wrestler
is now a series of affiliated inde- ing into obscurity. But even the (who shall remain nameless)
pendent promotions operating world’s biggest NWA supporter called my cell and asked, “Is it
beneath the NWA umbrella. To- would acquiesce that the NWA true? Did the guy who almost
PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

Billy Corgan purchased the venerable National

Wrestling Alliance from R. Bruce Tharpe in
May. Here, Corgan attends the Cauliflower
Alley Club Reunion in 2011. The smiling face
over his left shoulder is that of Dan Murphy,
who gives the Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman a
fighting chance to succeed.

16 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

killed TNA just buy the NWA?” The history of the NWA
Deadspin reported on the ac- dates back to 1948, when
the organization recognized
quisition with the headline “Billy Orville Brown as champion.
Corgan Is Buying Wrestling’s Old- With such names as Lou
est And Deadest Brand To Use Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Jack
Brisco, Harley Race, Dusty
As He Pleases,” presenting it as Rhodes, Ric Flair, and the
a vanity purchase, like a middle- Funk Brothers in the world
aged man emptying his savings title lineage, Corgan hopes
to be able to capitalize on
on a shiny new sports car. the still viable brand.
I’ve heard prominent people
in the wrestling business literally
scoff at the notion. The NWA is
“dead.” Corgan is a “money mark.”
Everyone is having a laugh.
And no one is smiling wider
than Billy Corgan.
Corgan is not a stupid man.
I’ve had the privilege of speak-
ing to him about wrestling, and
he has an astute mind for the
game. I’m not alone in that opin-
ion, either. Many people who
worked alongside him in TNA
have praised his creativity, his
willingness to work with talent,
and his dedication to wrestling.
The man made a fortune with
The Smashing Pumpkins. In
his musical career, Corgan was
notoriously stubborn, refusing
to let anyone pigeonhole him,
not his record label or even his
bandmates. He may be eccen-
tric, but he is true to his vision mine that global recognition and enon happened during Corgan’s
and absolutely methodical in his turn it into cash. time at the helm of TNA. That’s
approach to his art. The NWA may not be what it not to say that credit shouldn’t go
Corgan may be a polarizing once was, but it’s certainly not to Matt Hardy or Jeremy Borash,
figure, but he’s had success. He “Wrestling’s Deadest Brand.” (I’d but it was Corgan who saw the
comes into NWA ownership as a make a case that Jeff Jarrett’s potential and gave it the green
man who doesn’t need wrestling Global Force Wrestling leads light. That’s the sign of someone
to pay the bills. He has all the the pack in that category.) It has who’s willing to take risks. That’s
money he needs. He’s buying the a legacy. It has a subculture of what the NWA needs in 2017.
NWA because he sees value in fans who remember what the It would have been easy for
those initials and what they rep- NWA is all about, including Corgan to walk away from the
resent: tradition, longevity, and many fans who stopped watch- squared circle after his litigious
brand awareness. ing wrestling altogether when battle with Dixie Carter and TNA.
Tharpe burned the candle at the NWA fell off the national ra- Instead, he’s stepping back up
both ends to keep the NWA to- dar a generation ago. to the table and doubling down.
gether and increase its visibility. Corgan is the kind of vision- And you have to think that he’d
Corgan comes to the table with ary who can reinvigorate the like nothing better than to stick it
more money to invest and a wider brand by reaching out to lapsed to the company that essentially
network of contacts in the televi- NWA fans while also pushing rejected him. The NWA affiliates
sion and entertainment field. The the envelope and creating bold are hungry for a resurgence.
NWA name still carries consider- new content that could make the Corgan has a Dixie-sized chip
able weight in Japan and in Eu- NWA stand out. Don’t forget, the on his shoulder. I wouldn’t bet
rope. Corgan might be the man to entire “Broken Hardy” phenom- against him.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 17
 Heenan, and Curt Hennig; McMa-
hon, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler.
It was almost impossible to get
any real conversation going, and
there was always an odd man left
out. Bruno didn’t finish a sentence
for all of 1987.
I can think of several two-man
teams that had chemistry:
McMahon and Pat Patterson.
BY HARRY BURKETT Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ven-
tura. Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby
Heenan. Jim Ross and Michael
Hayes. Tony Schiavone and
AURO RANALLO’S de- asm it deserved, sometimes mat- Bobby Heenan. Jim Ross and

M parture from Smackdown

symbolized a larger trend
in pro wrestling, and that is the
ter-of-factly, sometimes punctuat-
ing the action with a “mamma mia!”
That’s what made Ranallo
Jerry Lawler. Even Michael Cole
and Tazz.
Great three-man teams? I can’t
deteriorating state of announcing. special. That’s why he was a think of any.
I’m talking about play-by-play, deserving Wrestling Observer Back to Smackdown. Tom Phil-
color commentary, the whole Announcer of the Year. That’s lips personifies the smooth, pol-
deal. Announcers should repre- why I miss him. ished professional I was talking
sent the values of the viewers, As a result of Ranallo’s depar- about. Yet he’s been demeaned in
and convey the excitement, dra- ture, the Smackdown team has stand-up interviews too many
ma, and, yes, even the shortcom- been reduced from four to three. times, the butt of Chris Jericho’s
ings of what is happening in the Why the heck does any event jokes and the object of The Miz’
ring. need four announcers? Three- derision. Phillips would be a com-
Many of today’s announcers man announce teams never work petent 11 p.m. local news anchor,
are well trained and smooth … either. Vince McMahon, back grimly reporting a fatal car wreck
but maybe too smooth. when he was lead announcer, without a twitch of emotion. Unfor-
Ranallo was a throwback to experimented with several combi- tunately, the greatest John Cena
when pro wrestling was portrayed nations: McMahon, Jesse Ventu- comeback or Shinsuke Nakamura
as a sport, not a spectacle. He did ra, and Bruno Sammartino; multi-kick flurry is dulled by Phil-
actual play-by-play, describing McMahon, Roddy Piper, and lips’ straight delivery.
every maneuver with the enthusi- Randy Savage; McMahon, Bobby And I haven’t figured out what
David Otunga is adding to this
All things being equal, Byron Saxton and Tom Phillips would rather be
“womanhandled” by Alicia Fox than have Vince McMahon screaming at them team. Otunga is smart and articu-
through their headsets. Harry Burkett blames the organization for many of the late, a Harvard graduate, but he
announcers’ shortcomings. offers very few insights in his color-
by-the-numbers color commen-
tary. At The Royal Rumble, Ranallo
asked Otunga how John Cena
could turn around his losing streak
against AJ Styles. Otunga didn’t
answer the question, so John
Bradshaw Layfield finally blus-
tered, “What does Cena need
to do?”
©2014 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Otunga responded, “Stick to his

game plan that has made him a
15-time world champion.”
“Is he going to stick to the same
game plan that made him lose at
SummerSlam?” inquired JBL.
“I’ll tell you this, John Cena’s
probably got a couple of tricks up

18  PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED 

 The star-studded announce team of Borash. Just as I groaned while
Jesse Ventura, Vince McMahon, and
Bruno Sammartino lacked chemistry 30 Michael Cole was doing heel
years ago, and it’s the same today for play-by-play a few years ago,
any team of more than two people. there is no entertainment value in
the bickering between Mathews
and Borash. Announcers can’t
help wrestlers get over if they’re
too busy trying to get themselves
over. Sheeeesh!
Ring of Honor faced a major
challenge recently when longtime
announcer Kevin Kelly—most
famous for his WWE run in the
late-1990s and early-2000s—
decided to step away from the
broadcast desk. Ian Riccaboni,
who had provided play-by-play for
Women Of Honor and Future Of
Honor events, replaced Kelly in
February. While Riccaboni has a
PHOTO BY DUANE LONG

lot of experience as an interview-

er, particularly on Phillies Nation
TV segments, he is still honing his
play-by-play-skills. He’s improving
with each broadcast and has
his sleeve,” replied Otunga. “One of WrestleMania 19, remarked demonstrated chemistry with co-
of the things that has made him that Cole’s excellent broadcasting hosts such as Colt Cabana and
so successful is his ability to skills carried her through the Silas Young.
evolve over the past decade.” event. “You’re live and you’re Even Young is entertaining in
“You are a lawyer,” retorted JBL plugged into the truck through his gruffness. At an ROH broad-
with exasperation. your ear,” she told me in a 2011 cast from Dallas, Riccaboni won-
JBL can be a jerk, and I’m still interview. “You have to start dered why Hangman Page was
mindful of his alleged treatment counting down in your head while “grilling” the ring announcer prior
of Ranallo, but he adds a wel- you’re saying something. And to his match. Young dryly replied,
come dose of authenticity. JBL you’ve got fans screaming around “He’s grilling him about not being
often calls out his colleagues for you and you’re not supposed to good at his job.”
inconsistencies. It’s ruthless, but I look at the monitor down on the That was totally within Young’s
find it refreshing. And JBL is about stage to see when a clip is done character, simple and to the point—
the only person who can get away and start talking. So I have the and we don’t expect “Real Man”
with that in WWE. utmost respect for those people. humor to be a side-splitter. Ricca-
I try not to be too tough on Phil- It’s a lot going on in your head.” boni and Young remind me of the
lips, Otunga, Byron Saxton, and These are difficult jobs. We’ve long-forgotten broadcast team of
others. They’re only doing what all heard stories about Vince Jack Reynolds and Angelo Mosca,
WWE Corporate wants them to McMahon screaming in their ears who called the action for WWF All-
do: Stick to the story-telling, get through their headsets. Maybe it’s Star Wrestling in the mid-1980s.
the characters across, and tease too much pressure, too much of a Reynolds provided the facts and
what’s coming up next. demand to be exactly cue. Mosca provided the insight. It’s not
Michael Cole, Raw’s lead Impact Wrestling’s Josh Ma- a complicated formula.
announcer, is the godfather of thews has quipped about Smack- The importance of announcing
WWE’s current generation of down needing 47 announcers. to a wrestling show is immeasur-
broadcasters. He lacks Jim Ross’ Mathews’ barbs would be more able. Wrestlers come and go
heart and soul, but he’s a seam- cutting if Impact’s broadcasts within 10 or 20 minutes. Announc-
less professional. weren’t in such disarray. Perhaps ers are with us for the whole ride.
Former WWE Women’s cham- the most obnoxious television I’ve Would you want to be a on a long
pion Ivory, who co-hosted “Wres- seen this year was the feud car trip with Mathews and Borash
tleMania All Day Long” coverage between Mathews and Jeremy squabbling in the backseat? 

 OCTOBER. 2017  19
 TAR S
RT'S TOP S
F T H E SPO
ONE O
I E W WITH
V
VE INTER
CISI
AN IN

FTER ONE YEAR in NXT, Bobby Roode is about to realize a

A dream he’s had for three decades: to become a main-event

player in WWE. He grew up watching Hulk Hogan, Randy
Savage, Rick Steamboat, and Bret Hart. Now Roode is about to
enter their league … and he’s already being touted as a soon-to-
be WWE or Universal champ.
This is the culmination of a 20-year journey. He met Sean Morley
(later known as Val Venis) while tending bar in his hometown of
Peterborough, Ontario, back in 1996. Morley and later “Glamour
Boy” Shane Sewell showed him the ropes. Roode became a
standout in the Atlantic Maritimes and began making forays
into the U.S., most notably a bout against The Amazing
Red at the ECWA Super 8 Tournament in 2002. He
followed that with WWE dark matches and occa-
sional television appearances.
Yet Roode gained his true notoriety in TNA,
where he is in the record book for having the
longest heavyweight title reign of all-time.
Despite his tremendous achievements,
including tag team championship suc-
cess with Beer Money Inc. partner James
Storm, Roode felt depressed toward the
end of his 12-year run. Company tur-
moil and lack of professional direction
caused Roode to contemplate another
line of work.
A meeting with Triple-H changed his
thinking and re-ignited his passion for
the business. Roode amplified his
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ring presence with a new “Glorious”

persona and soon captured the NXT
championship. In this 40-minute
interview with Senior Writer Harry
Burkett, Roode discusses his long
route to WWE, offers insights into
the WWE Performance Center and
NXT, and addresses his future.
 The “Glorious Domination” theme song, written by WWE’s Jim
Johnston, instantly sets the mood of all fans as Roode makes his way
to the ring. “It continues to get over bigger and better,” Roode said.
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Burkett: You won the NXT continue to make NXT great and here. He's helped his own brand
title in January, and that cham- a brand that continues to grow. very much here in the U.S.,
pionship is usually a springboard Burkett: I want to ask you and he’s gone to Smackdown
for a youngster about to get the in particular about Shinsuke to become a major player. So
call-up to the main roster. But Nakamura. You defeated him I can’t say enough about the
you seem more like an anchor, for the championship and he’s experience I got with Shinsuke
and WWE is building the brand been the most talked-about in the ring; we definitely had
around you. What kind of respon- superstar to be called up since memorable matches.
sibility do you feel? Is it similar WrestleMania. What was unique Burkett: You’ve faced a lot of
to how you felt in TNA, as far as about your matches with him? the superstars that are now on
carrying a brand? Roode: Nakamura is known as the main roster. In particular, I’m
Roode: In a way, yeah, but it’s the king of the strong style, and thinking about Samoa Joe. Are
different. Obviously, I was young- I have a more traditional type there one or two people you’ve
er in TNA, and now, with WWE, I of style. So there was definitely never faced in the ring, and
have more experience under my a clash of styles, but we went you’re kind of champing at the
belt. I think about champions that out there and were able to have bit to get a crack at them once
came before me, like Samoa Joe, great matches. We were able to you’re in Raw or Smackdown?
Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, guys adapt and tell a great story in the Roode: I get asked a lot about
like that. That’s a lot to live up ring. Without a doubt, Shinsuke Kevin Owens. He’s a Canadian
to. A lot of responsibility comes Nakamura was a huge star here guy, I’m a Canadian guy. We
along with that. I just hope to in NXT for the year that he was grew up maybe four hours from

 OCTOBER.2017  21
 each other. We began our careers
at about the same time, but we’ve
never met each other in the ring.
So he’s a guy I’d like to do some-
thing with. Obviously there’s also
Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and
John Cena. Hopefully, when that
opportunity comes about, those
guys will still be around and I’ll be
able to do my thing with them.
Burkett: You must feel very
lucky how WWE is marketing
you. Gee whiz, “Glorious” is your
persona, and that’s the kind of
gimmick—like the “Nature Boy,”
“Mr. Perfect,” the “Million-Dollar
Man”—that requires a main-event
presentation, someone who’s
a champion or in the champi-
onship hunt. How much input
have you had in the crafting of
your persona?
PHOTO BY LEE SOUTH/IMPACT WRESTLING

Roode: That’s the great thing

about being part of NXT. You’re
able to have input and listen to
the ideas that other individu-
als have. Prior to WWE, while I
was with TNA, I had a persona
like this—where I wore the robes
and such, so that’s a character
I feel comfortable with. Coming
Roode may someday here, I could turn it up a notch,
reprise his feud with AJ especially with the WWE pre-
Styles, whom he wrestled
countless times in TNA
sentation and production of it
(above). Roode’s 256-day all. But I never once thought my
TNA World title reign, catchphrase would be “Glorious.”
beginning in October 2011,
eclipsed Styles’ record of
It all evolved—the character, the
211 (below). music, the entrance, the style,
the entire persona—into this glo-
rious thing. I’ve been here since
last June and it continues to get
over bigger and better.
Burkett: Indeed. When I first
interviewed you 15 years ago,
you mentioned how you were
a big WWE fan while growing
up. You listed Hulk Hogan, The
PHOTO BY LEE SOUTH/IMPACT WRESTLING

Iron Sheik, Randy Savage, and

Rick Steamboat as your favor-
ites, and you said your dream
was to someday wrestle there. I
recall you did wrestle quite a few
matches for WWE in the early-
2000s, including wrestling Eric
Young on the undercard and
teaming with him a bit.
Roode: I broke into the busi-
ness in 1998, so, in the early-
2000s, I was trying to make a
name for myself, just trying to
network and be seen wherever I
could. I was really fortunate. My
very first match with WWE was
against Perry Saturn for Sunday
Night Heat back in 2001. But in
this business and life, everything
happens for a reason, and it just
wasn’t the right time for me to be
part of WWE. So I went off and
proved myself in other places.
Burkett: Your path to WWE
obviously included lots of
achievements and 12 years in
TNA. You were the longest-reign-
ing TNA World champion, and
you and AJ Styles have always
been recognized as franchises of
TNA, like Sting was associated In the 147 days of his two NXT title

PHOTO BY JOHN SMOLEK

with WCW. How does that expe- reigns, it’s fair to say Shinsuke
rience compare to a successful Nakamura never faced someone on the
level of Roode, whose double-knee
company like WWE? backbreaker (above) and half-Boston
Roode: I’ll try to answer that Crab (below) stunned the self-assured
the best I can. Thinking about Japanese star at NXT TakeOver: San
Antonio in January.
those days, I have no regrets.
WWE didn’t work out at first, so
I managed to find a place, TNA,
where I could live my dream.
I got to work with a lot of great
people, both in and out of the
ring. I got great experience on the
road and on television. I learned
how to work on television. I
learned how to work live events.
I learned how to work with dif-
ferent styles. I learned how to
deal with veterans. I learned how
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

to deal with new guys. It was a

great learning experience for 12
years. Think about the talent that
walked through that door. You
talked about AJ and Samoa Joe.
You also had Austin Aries, Sting,
Kurt Angle, The Hardys, Booker T,
Scott Steiner, Rob Van Dam, The
Dudleys—a who’s who of profes-
sional wrestling of the past 20 WWE has people in the right too. He’s such a smart guy in the
years. There were a lot of oppor- positions to make the right deci- industry. The right people are in
tunities, but the people in the posi- sions. Obviously, Vince McMahon the right positions on the pro-
tion to do the right thing or make is a genius, he’s been doing this duction side, with the cameras
the company better didn’t do that. forever, and Triple-H has vision, and all the stuff that goes into

 OCTOBER . 2017  23
 wanted, to be honest. The com-
pany itself—I don’t even know the
words—was just uncontrolled.
We were doing television, but
we weren’t doing any live events.
The reason I got into this busi-
ness was to be on the road, to
do live events, and do things I’m
now doing in WWE. I didn’t want
to be part of a company that just
wanted to do television and work
once a month. It sounds crazy,
but that wasn’t what I got into
the business for. It wasn’t about
the money. It was about going
out and doing what I wanted to
Roode has lifted title belts over his do my entire life, and that’s to
head in victory hundreds of times,
but the feeling of beating Nakamura perform. They weren’t doing that.
after a pair of Glorious DDTs on I got really frustrated, I lost my
January 28 in front of nearly 10,000 passion for the business, and
fans was the most gratifying.
I just wanted to get out. I didn’t
know what was next for me. I was
getting up in age and I really felt
like I had a lot of years to give,
but I just didn’t know if I wanted
to do it.
I had a lot of friends in WWE,
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

so I obviously talked to them and

it all happened fairly fast. I left
TNA in early-March and I ended
up in Dallas at WrestleMania a
few weeks later. As far as the
independent scene and Ring of
Honor, I really wasn’t out there
long enough to get any offers. I’m
honestly very happy with the way
making a sports-entertainment Roode: It’s a good feeling, and things turned out. When I was in
company successful. I feel like now the pressure is just on me to Dallas and got a chance to be at
WWE knows exactly what they’re perform. For me, at the age of 40, TakeOver and see how NXT was
doing, and that’s night and day that means trying to stay young produced, and then meet with
compared to what I became used and stay healthy and make the Triple-H, it was very exciting for
to for 12 years. most of my time here in the com- me, and I immediately started
Burkett: It’s easy to dump on pany. If you want to be success- to get that passion back. I knew
TNA because of its current situa- ful and you want to continue your NXT was where I really wanted
tion, but I think we both agree that career here, it’s on you. to be.
TNA had its shades of brilliance Burkett: You didn’t go the Burkett: You just mentioned
and had terrific talent most of the extended free-agent route like Triple-H. I recall a recent inter-
time. Still, it had to be a roller- AJ Styles, doing Ring of Honor view, and I’m paraphrasing here,
coaster ride for you because you or New Japan for a year or two. where he said that you came to
really didn’t know whether this Were you tempted to take that NXT still needing to learn the
company was going to be around route, or were you pretty much WWE way of doing television, but
the next year. How does it feel to dead certain that you wanted to because of your extended expe-
be in a company that you know go straight to WWE? rience in TNA and elsewhere,
isn’t going anywhere, that’s so Roode: When I was still in you had a tremendous comfort
solid and financially stable? TNA, I really didn’t know what I level and that’s allowed you to

24  PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED 

 The highly anticipated rematch between Roode and
Nakamura at TakeOver: Orlando went 28:20 and ended
in a similar manner to their January bout. Hopefully,
they’ll resume the rivalry in Raw or Smackdown.
PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

absorb so much more. Could you was. Like you, I’ve heard about entrances, for example. There’s
elaborate on that? it for the past 20 years. WWE “Road Dogg,” whom I’ve had the
Roode: Yes, absolutely. Even knows how to make stars and pleasure of working with on my
though I have nearly 20 years produces stars because they entrance many times in NXT.
of experience, I know that I’m know how to present their stars. He’s a guy who has experience
not perfect. Any time a guy like It’s all in the production, from the and knows what works and
Triple-H, Arn Anderson, “Road old-school vignettes to the inter- what doesn’t work. I had a lot
Dogg” Brian James, or Michael views, and now, from my own of entrances over 18 years, but
Hayes comes up to me and says, experience, the entrances. They nothing even comes close to my
“Maybe you should do something know how to present characters, last year here in WWE, from my
like this,” it’s a positive experi- make them larger than life, and first NXT TakeOver in Brooklyn,
ence for me. Shawn Michaels, make them connect with people. when I was coming down in the
for instance, is now part of NXT, From that standpoint, it’s been a lift, to the choir in Toronto and the
and he can come to me and say, total change for me. piano players in San Antonio, it
“That was great, but maybe you Burkett: You’ve made thou- just continues to get bigger and
should’ve done this.” That’s a way sands of ring entrances in your better. People look forward to that
to improve and climb the ladder time, and some pretty dramatic entrance. It’s part of the show.
here in WWE. ones. How specific do the train- Burkett: We’re always looking
Burkett: What has impressed ers get, as far as walking to the for colorful tidbits about upper
you most about the television ring, the right place to enter the management. What good advice
production value in WWE, tech- ring, striking a pose? has Triple-H given you, or what
nically or generally? Roode: It’s a TV production has he said or done that’s really
Roode: Everything about it … and everything is very particu- left an impression on you?
it’s something that I really wasn’t lar. There are guys behind the Roode: Just that he’s there,
used to, coming from where I scenes who are experts in ring and you’re able to go up to him

 OCTOBER . 2017  25
 Roode: [Laughs] I know,
it’s great. When I first started
Roode cinches down on a rear here, I was able to be part of
chinlock against Tommaso the Download Festival that was
Ciampa during a six-man in the U.K., and that was a lot
match in Philadelphia.
of fun, to be on that tour, to get
to know the guys in that way.
Since then, NXT’s been travel-
ing everywhere. We’re on the
West Coast right now and then
we have a weekend off, and then
we have a live event heading
into TakeOver and then we have
television and then we take off to
the U.K. again. To be in NXT as
the champion is a great position.
Burkett: You’ve talked about
hot crowds and enthusiastic fans.
What was the hottest crowd you
experienced prior to WWE?
Roode: I would say any-
where in the U.K., performing in
Manchester or Wembley Arena
PHOTO BY STU SAKS

in London. I’ve had some pretty

good matches there, and some
hot crowds were there in the ear-
lier days of TNA.
Burkett: Now that you’re in
and talk to him anytime—just live events this weekend on the NXT, and you touched on the
being able to be personal with West Coast, and there are only TakeOver events, what has been
him. He’s pretty laid back, pretty so many people you can bring on the best crowd so far?
cool. He’s all business, but he these shows. Everybody wants to Roode: They’ve all been pretty
likes to have fun. He always be part of them. great, but I would have to say my
keeps you on your toes. I think It’s weird for me because I think very first one in Brooklyn, to be
everybody at NXT can say that about what I did in their position. I in front of 15,000 people in the
about Triple-H. He’s always open would go to guys like Kurt Angle or Barclays Center, sold out for my
to listening to talent’s ideas, too. Jeff Jarrett, and now I find myself debut match on television for the
Burkett: Obviously they view at NXT, being in those shoes. One company. That was insane. My
you as a person with a lot of day, when I hang up the boots, I’d career came full circle in Toronto,
knowledge to pass along to the love to still be part of the sports- my hometown, so that was emo-
younger guys at NXT. Have you entertainment business and try to tional for me, too.
given advice to anyone at NXT? help any way I can. Burkett: We talked about
What would or what would you Burkett: As you alluded, it Triple-H. Just out of sheer curios-
tell someone who’s been in NXT feels like everything has fallen ity, have you had much interaction
for three or four months trying to into place for you, timing-wise. with Vince McMahon yet?
make their way? What a great time to arrive Roode: No, I haven’t actually.
Roode: I don’t go out of my way at NXT, when they’re begin- The only interaction I’ve had was
to approach the younger people, ning to tour and going to the very small. I had won the title
but if they come to me, I’m willing smaller cities, the older wres- from Shinsuke the previous night
to help as much as I can. At the tling towns, like Spartanburg, at TakeOver, and just before The
Performance Center in Orlando, South Carolina. They haven’t Royal Rumble in San Antonio,
there are about a hundred people gone to the Maritimes yet, but he came up to me and shook my
down there right now. When you Spartanburg, that town’s been hand and said hello. He said that I
look at a TakeOver event, there ignored for so long. You’ve got to “did a great job” and that was it. It
are five matches. We’re doing love that. was a very, very small interaction,

26  PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED 

 “Glorious” character, there’s a lot
of fun to be had. It’s really good to
be in the ring with him because
he’s so talented.
Burkett: Both of you occupy
that sweet spot in the wrestling
business—the young veteran.
How is your body holding up? Do
you have any nagging injuries?
How do you feel?
Roode: I feel great, I really do.
I feel like I’m in the best shape
of my life right now. I have no
injuries. I look forward to getting
in the ring every night. I look for-
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ward to working with everybody.

I’ve been working out harder
than ever, just taking care of my
body, working smart, eating right.
I feel healthier than ever.
Burkett: If you win the WWE
or Universal title, would you con-
sider your career complete, or do
you have other goals?
Hideo Itami was confident he could avenge his countryman at TakeOver:
Chicago in May, but Roode came up big once again. “I feel like I’m in the best Roode: It all depends. I’m hav-
shape of my life right now,” the champion said. “I look forward to getting in ing fun, and that’s most impor-
the ring every night.” tant for me right now. There was
but still pretty cool for the boss to Obviously the business evolves a time a couple of years ago,
come up and say that. Hopefully and there’s a lot of guys here before I got to WWE, when I felt
I’ll have many more interactions doing different things. Throughout like I was spinning my wheels
with Vince McMahon in the future. my career I’ve been able to adapt and had lost the passion for the
Burkett: It’s almost like you to different styles, whether it’s a business I once loved. But I came
worked 20 years to get that “great smaller guy or a bigger guy. My to WWE and NXT, and that pas-
job” from Vince. style is pretty easy to work with. I sion came back and I’m having
Roode: Yeah, it could have don’t see myself changing up too fun again. Winning the WWE or
gone worse. drastically, that’s for sure. Universal title would be huge for
Burkett: We talked about the Burkett: In the ring, you have me. But the biggest dream for me
television side and making certain good chemistry with Tye Dillinger. is being part of a WrestleMania.
adjustments, but have you altered Considering you may very well I hope that happens sooner
your in-ring style at all? face him in the ring again soon, than later.
Roode: When it comes to my what stands out to you about his Burkett: One final question:
style, I don’t believe I have. But skill-set? Now that you’ve hit it big, should
one of the things I’ve been told Roode: His style is very simi- Glamour Boy Shane receive any
to work on is my aggression. lar to mine. It’s very old school. residuals?
As far as the TV production, I’m He’s very good technically. He’s Roode: Ha, ha. Well, if he’d call
familiar with how to perform on been around a long time. He’s me every once in a while, maybe
television. There’s certain things finally getting his break. He’s one he would! Shane’s a really good
WWE looks for and wants, so of those guys who’s worked hard guy and I owe a lot to Shane.
those are just minor adjustments. and took criticism and never quit He’s one of those guys that not a
As far as the presentation is con- and it’s paying off for him now. lot of people know about. By far,
cerned, I’m comfortable. In the As far as chemistry goes, he’s I think he’s one of the best tal-
ring, what’s worked for me for the the best I’ve been in the ring with ents the business has ever had.
last 20 years is going to work for here in NXT. We try to keep out- Hopefully, he’ll read this article
me for the next 20 years. I’m not doing each other in the ring. With and realize what a great guy I
really going to change too much. his “Perfect 10” character and my think he is.

 OCTOBER . 2017  27
 TEXT BY DAN MURPHY

L
AST SUMMER, MOOSE, a former fifth-round draft
selection of the Atlanta Falcons, found himself with
an opportunity most football stars hold dear: gaining
free agent status while relatively young and already at the
top of his game.
Rumors swirled as to where the 6’5”, 300-pound sensa-
tion would turn up. Ring of Honor, the company he compet-
ed for when he was voted 2015 PWI Rookie of the Year,
most definitely wanted him to stay. Many experts felt he
would sign with WWE and take an assignment with NXT.
Instead, Moose forged a different path, debuting in Impact
Wrestling at Destination X last July. The big man had made
his decision … and he made it known that he was looking
for nothing less than the heavyweight championship.
“Wrestling is what I've wanted to do since I was 10 years
old,” Moose (born Quinn Ojinnaka) told PWI (full interview
can be heard on The PWI Podcast, Episode 72). “I got draft-
ed into the NFL in 2006, that’s something you never plan.
Getting drafted by the Falcons just happened. I always want-
ed to wrestle. You talk to someone about it who isn’t a wres-
tling fan, they look at you like you’re crazy. I got that.
“The first person I told that I was retiring from the NFL to
become a pro wrestler was my ex-wife, and her reaction was
that she hated it and that I was being selfish for retiring at a
young age,” Ojinnaka told Yahoo! Sports. “One of the biggest
reasons why we split up was because I was leaving all this
money on the table for something that was just a maybe.
“All my friends who weren’t wrestling fans would look at me
like, ‘Dude, you’re nuts,’” he continued in his interview with PWI.
‘Why would you want to be a wrestler?’ That just motivates me
more. It makes me want to do it more. It’s like when your par-
ents tell you that you can’t touch that cookie from the cookie jar.
It makes you want that cookie more.”

28 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 PHOTO COURTESY OF IMPACT WRESTLING

l
OCTOBER. 2017
l
29
 PHOTO BY JEAN MARIE BIELE/IMPACT WRESTLING
PHOTO COURTESY RING OF HONOR

Moose levels Christopher Daniels with a clothesline in July Moose got recognition at the 2006 NFL Combine for
2016. Had Daniels been ROH heavyweight champion then his leaping ability. Michael Bennett never could have
instead of now, Moose might never have left the company for expected those boots to find his head as he sat atop
Impact Wrestling. the turnbuckles.

But while cookies out of Mom’s cookie jar can “Being a world champion has always been a
be sweet, there is nothing sweeter to a profession- goal of mine,” he said. “The way I was going with
al wrestler than a championship. Title aspirations ROH, it didn’t seem like that was going to happen
proved to be the main factor in Moose’s decision at the time I wanted it to happen, that it was going
to leave ROH and join Impact Wrestling. to take a little longer. The issue is, when I thought
“I didn’t want to leave Ring of Honor,” he said. “I I was ready, the company didn’t think I was ready
had some goals set out for me when I decided to yet. We just saw it differently.”
become a wrestler. Just the way it was looking, I Critics might say that Moose was impatient. Some
didn’t think I was going to accomplish those goals in might say that he was still a little too rough around the
the time I wanted to accomplish them, so I thought edges to become the franchise player of a major pro-
the best thing for me to do was to go somewhere motion. But Moose believed he was ready to carry a
where I could—and that was Impact Wrestling.” bigger load. His years on the gridiron put a fire in his
Moose insists that it was strictly a business belly. The 300-pounder with the 28.5-inch vertical leap
decision and stressed that he still considers ROH took a leap of faith by signing with a brand that was
head booker Hunter Johnston a dear friend. clearly unsteady at the management level.
PHOTO BY JEAN MARIE BIELE/IMPACT WRESTLING

Cody Rhodes went toe to toe with the former offensive lineman, but not for
long. The two threw three punches each before Rhodes backed down.

30 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

PHOTO BY JEAN MARIE BIELE/IMPACT WRESTLING

Though he lost the title to Drew Galloway three

months later, he regained the championship
with a split-decision victory over Galloway,
becoming the first two-time champion. He has
amassed wins over elite competition, including
Cody Rhodes and Mike Bennett, and estab-
lished himself as one of the most dominant and
intimidating competitors in Impact.
Though the Grand title was established as a
secondary title to the Impact Wrestling heavy-
weight championship, Moose is working to elevate
his title to the same level of respect as the top sin-
gles prize in the company.
“I’ve already achieved one goal by winning a
title in the Grand championship. In fact, I believe
with my schedule and all the traveling I’m doing,
I’m making it a true ‘world’ title. In the next few
weeks, I’m going to India to Manchester (England)
to Dublin (Ireland) to Germany,” he said.
But a championship defended worldwide and
the championship that announces to the world that
you are the very best competitor in the company
At 6’2”, 230 pounds, Eli Drake is not accustomed to are different things. Moose is continuing to earn
being manhandled like this. He has seldom faced someone respect and establish credibility for the Grand title,
with Moose’s aggression and raw power, however.
but the big man isn’t going to rest until he captures
“I don’t worry about things like that,” said Moose. the top prize in Impact Wrestling and becomes the
“I just need to believe in myself and get an opportu- face of the company, something he was unable to
nity. Everything after that will take care of itself.” accomplish in ROH.
It has so far. “At some point this year, I want to compete for
In October, Moose upended Aron Rex to the World title,” Moose said. “Hopefully, the compa-
claim the Impact Grand championship, his first ny sees me as a guy who they can give the World
major championship on the national stage. title and make it relevant. I know I can do that.”

Mike Bennett thought his fellow ROH alum would have his back in Impact, and for a while he did. But Moose has
far greater ambitions than to be someone’s flunky. After Bennett got crushed with a moonsault (below), he and
his wife, Maria Kanellis, seem stunned that it’s Moose’s hand that’s being raised (bottom left).

PHOTOS BY JEAN MARIE BIELE/IMPACT WRESTLING

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 31
 g.
k”on Silas Youn
rienc e, th er e is certainly a“boo an d in te n-
ith more than 15
years of expe outh physicality
At age 36 and w th e jo urne ym an vet’s smashm l as his televise
d WWE
rly sh ow ca se 50 0,” as w el in All
clea “PWI
This “book” will st ra ig ht ap pe arances in the ill ou tli ne hi s successful runs
s eight ws. It w inly de-
sity. It will list hi ni s, Th e M iz , and Luke Gallo ra go nG ate U SA. It will certa
t Val Ve and D y along
matches agains hi o Va lle y W re stling, EVOLVE, ud es an R O H Tag Wars victor
ling, O of Honor that in
cl e months later.
American Wrest lid work in Ring um ble victory thre
s of so on or R ss re-
tail his eigh t ye ar
Ju ne 20 16 and an R O H H
th e m or e ab stract, but no le
Bruiser in
slightest glimps
e in to regard-
with Beer City no t ev en th e im pr es si ve su ccess stories—
offers wrestling’s mos
t
But the “book” e Young one of
th at m ak t of 13
markable, tra its
m pl is hm en ts to date. s w ife of 11 years and vale
hi
less of his in-rin
g acco and success is ering a low blow
e to Yo un g’s motivation ou se is not above deliv her real
Indispen sa bl
ur al ly, Yo un g’ s 30-year-o ld sp
sb an d a fo re ign object, but
e. Nat her hu nst to
years, Val Malon ct in g a re fe ree, or slipping nt rib ut io ns in ways unbeknow
s, dist ra co
to his opponent restling-related
ay s fa r ex ceeded her w -teenage
value has al w
un g stem s from his late
fans. ct on Yo coming
most wrestling at ic an d m eaningful impa ad di ct io n to heroin. In over
Malone’s most
dram ttled an e mover
to n, W is co nsin, native ba cr ed its M al one as the prim
e App le Youn g in, and
years, when th th e to ug he st fight of his life, w as ab le to overcome hero
es as un g
what he describ restling that Yo ean life.
ry . It w as through pro w ab le to maintain a cl l Malone
in his reco ve
g su pp or t th at he ’s be en
op le ha ve seen, but as Va
waver in few pe de and
through Val’s un H ’s “L as t R ea l Man” that very iv at es S ila s Young both insi
to R O m ot
There is a side seen side that
to Fr an k K re w da, it is that un
explained
g.
outside of the rin

IL AS YO UN G
THE S KN EW
YO U N EVER NK KREWDA)
ALONE (AS TOLD TO FRA
TE XT BY VAL M

ler. Just look at

ore than a braw
B ut he’s much m finishers. No,
E O P L E M AKE his Pee Gee Plunge and Misery so ce
ANY P e is me nuan
meet Silas he isn’t a technician, but ther

M ke w he n th ey m uscl e an d
a mista ag gr es si ve an eu ve rs . S o Silas has
e an to those m butes
Young. They se he ’s no th - ing fo r him . Those two attri
sum e technique go t what
wrestler and as th ea d. B ut e rin g. H ow ever, they are no
ea are gold in th to
a loudmouth m out. Then again,
ing more than s is m uc h, m uch deeper Silas Young is really all ab l ab ou t, yo u’ d
take it from me:
Sila
S ila s th an w ha t S ila s Yo ung is al
e to understand t peop le
e is always mor of him that mos
than that. Ther ha ve to see the side d hi s family.
meets the eye. t a bi g de al r se en , ex ce pt for me an
t him, it’s no have neve Silas
When fans mee th ey m is s a pl e, fe w pe ople know how
him. At worst, For ex am ace. As
if they misread y w hi le he ’s pr o w re st lin g in the first pl
with a cool gu oke into iscon-
chance to hang w he n ot he r br y gr ow in g up in Appleton, W
ter his match. B
ut young gu He came
hawking gear af fig ur ed ou t, a ju st lik e m ost teenagers.
they have Sila
s sin, he w as But af-
wrestlers think d th at co ul d lid fa m ily w ith strong values.
nging him … an from a so little to
they’re shor tcha ol an d w or k, there was very
error for them. ter scho
be a very costly ca n di sh ou t punishment.
s
Let’s face it, Sila

32 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 l have fun
s Silas and Va o is now
Doting parent ck , wh
ly child, Ja
with their on n only hope
ran wrestler ca
eight. The vete kind of example Silas’
e
he can set th t for him.
, se
father, James

PHOTO BY ANDREA KELLAWAY/RING OF HONOR

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 33
 s into this
erything he ha has had
Young puts ev Si la s
ainst ACH.
clothesline ag es s in th e sport, but
su cc
his share of stature to
rd to raise his
he’s working ha provider for his family.
er
be an even bett
PHOTO COURTESY OF RING OF HONOR

do in his free time. His options were limited. So like said to himself, Damn, I can do what Tom was do-
many teenagers, Silas grew bored, idle, unfulfilled, ing in the ring! And that was it. Silas signed on with
and turned to drugs to fill the void. Mike Mercury at All-Star Championship Wrestling
He soon developed a heroin addiction and even- and started training.
tually went to a clinic for treatment. But his counselor It was tough. After a few days of taking bumps,
kept telling him he’d only relapse and become an- Silas wasn’t sure he’d made the right choice, but he
other statistic. That negative rhetoric certainly didn’t stuck it out and soon realized that the time, energy,
help, no matter how much methadone he took. and discipline needed to make it through training
Then, in April 2001, Silas, by chance, went to an ate up any time he’d otherwise waste on drugs.
indy show in Green Bay with his friend Tom Triolo, Ironically, pro wrestling, which often gets people
who was wrestling on the card. After the show, Silas into drugs, got Silas out of drugs.

34 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 ds his strength that, I started thinking about him dif-
Matt Taven fin g’s firm side
ed by Yo un ferently. Once the ice was broken—
sapp
gentle dad is
headlock. This of the most and I can’t remember when or how
on e
regarded as
Ring of Honor. that happened—we started dating.
rugged men in
Over the following months, we
found that our personalities were extraordi-
narily compatible, and our long-term goals were
similar. We both wanted a strong family life, like

SAKS
the ones we grew up in. After two years of dating,
we got married in 2006.

PHOTO BY STU
Pro wrestling has brought us together and has
given us what we wanted, and our sense of team-
work has enabled us to keep what we’ve been giv-
en. It’s not always easy, but it works because we
want it to work. Neither one of us wants any kind of
darkness in our happy home, so we’re both willing
and able to manage our personalities when neces-
sary so that love and peace prevail.
Of course, we have “the conversation” about Si-
las’ past issues when the appropriate times come,
but I don’t have to hammer him with warnings,
threats, or ultimatums, or torture him while he’s out
on the road supporting us, because our son, Jack,
HONOR

and I are living reminders of Silas’ good fortune.

Another reason I believe in Silas so strongly is
HILTEY/RING OF

that I can see just by looking at how deeply he has

intertwined his own family experience into his pro-
fession that family is at the core of his existence. His
PHOTO BY ZIA

entire “Last Real Man” persona is based upon his

father, James “Big Jim” DeWall, a beloved former
fire chief of Appleton. Every detail of Young’s appear-
ance is meant to emulate his father, from the facial
hair and slicked back hair to the
ost noteworthy
One of the m er blustery, full-volume voice and
Yo un g’ s ca re
vi ct or ie s of be r ag ai ns t take-charge demeanor. And
cem
came last De ger at Final
Th unde r Li when I look at how he interacts
Jushin s
York City. Sila
Battle in New ns with Jack—who is his spit and
that with wi
followed up on Ja y Le th al , image—I can see how much it
A,
over KUSHID
y Fish . means to Silas to replicate his
and Bobb
childhood for his son.
Our love and sense of commitment is so potent
that not even professional aspirations can derail us.
Sure, Silas has goals, but no matter how far he goes
or doesn’t go in the ring, pro wrestling has already
given him what matters most—a happy family. No
But being clean and staying clean are two dif- doubt, title belts, bigger contracts, and more expo-
ferent things. And it turned out that I would help sure would be personally gratifying and may even
him stay clean. In 2004, my brother, Dysfunction, allow him to support us more easily from a financial
worked for Mid-American Wrestling. I used to go to perspective. But finances are fleeting. Family is not.
shows with him. The boys always chatted with me, Silas may not have a title belt around his waist or
yet Silas never showed me any attention. I used to global name recognition, but he has his family and
think, Does this guy not like me for some reason? he’ll do anything to protect us. His toughness and
Then he started crashing at our house in Milwau- skill are easy to see, but it’s his depth of passion and
kee when the shows were in town. He became a commitment to his values that most folks overlook,
family friend. One day, my brother’s girlfriend told and that’s exactly what sets him apart from other
me Silas was asking my brother about me. After wrestlers and family men.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 35
 SPOT …
O T HE R E TO FILL A
“YOU ARE
N SO SAYS A
O T A K E A SPOT.”
ERE T E WWE
YOU’RE H A W ALL AT TH
O N
T HANGS WRESTLE
RS
SIGN THA R . TH ESE
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PERFORM HAT.
RIN G TO DO JUST T
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ARE PREP

OUIE DEE with WWE

TEXT BY L e rs ary of NXT,
e fifth a n n iv Champion-
M ARKED th ry fr om Florida
UN E 2 0 17 ental te rr ito e Center in
s developm Performanc

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on the WW
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since then,
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ni, but who

it has evolve e k ly worldw ide pla tfo rm
r a re NXT alum
brand wit h a w e nt WW E ro s te f NXT’s top
rs on the curre th e fu ture of 25 o ,
Many w re stle ead lo o k to em a call-up
e n e x t? T h e pages ah rib u te th a t could earn th d date for
will be th e special att n estimate
lyzing the on back, and a Superstars.
talents, ana g th at could ho ld th e m
a ke them WWE
rtc o m in s a n d m
one sho igh the con
s will outwe
when the pro

36 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

©2015 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 37
BOBBY ROODE CON: There’s a reason McIntyre has bounced
PRO: Everything. Roode has the TNA resume, he’s around over the last decade: Can he keep his at-
held the NXT championship, and he’s unquestion- titude in check and not take his talent for granted?
ably the most marketable star in NXT. It should be And even if he succeeds there, could he, like Roode,
a question of when, not if, Raw or Smackdown be- become a victim of his own notoriety and have NXT
comes “glorious.” need him more than he needs NXT?

CON: Is Roode a victim of that pedigree? He could ETA: Mid-2018. Shinsuke Nakamura needed only a
have gone straight to the main roster when signed, year in NXT to prove to himself ready. It looks like
but as now the most recognizable star on the brand, McIntyre is ready for the same path, and we don’t
his name value and talent are needed to help the next see him taking his second chance lightly.
generation while keeping NXT shows marketable.
HIDEO ITAMI
ETA: Early-2018. NXT needs Roode more than PRO: The world knows Itami has the talent, and
Roode needs NXT, but as soon as someone is ready WWE has seen it in the Andre the Giant Battle Roy-
to have the torch passed to them, Roode will do and al—and now that CM Punk’s departure has given
move on … and just imagine his first entrance com- him back the Go 2 Sleep, Itami seems much more
ing at number one in the Royal Rumble match. comfortable in his own skin.

DREW McINTYRE CON: He’s small at 5’9” and 185 pounds, he’s aging
PRO: WWE. TNA. England. Independents. Hell, (36), he’s been injured for the majority of his WWE
even the “PWI 500” (where he was No. 11 in 2016). tenure, his English language skills are lacking …
McIntyre is physically gifted for a man his size and, pick your poison with Itami.
because of it, has found quick success every-
where—and he’s still only 32 years old, with his best ETA: Whenever 205 Live needs a boost. Itami could
years ahead of him. be very successful in WWE, but as with Austin Aries,

Hideo Itami has mostly been

seen in street clothes during
his three years with WWE.
Still, Triple-H and WWE are
very high on his prospects
for future success.

©2016 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

38 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 Andrade “Cien” Almas has been ranked
among NXT’s top stars longer than any-
one. He has ample talent, but hasn’t won
enough to be called up anytime soon.
PHOTO BY STU SAKS

putting Itami in the cruiserweight division as a vet- has a long way to go. He has been in PWI’s weekly
eran stabilizing force might give WWE its best return ratings a half-year longer than Roode, who is his
on investment once his run in NXT is done. closest competitor for what can be considered a du-
bious distinction.
RODERICK STRONG
PRO: Strong has been around a long time, but he’s NO WAY JOSE
much younger than even the “young veterans” in PRO: In-ring ability aside, Jose has the charisma to
NXT. 2017 marks his 18th year in wrestling, but just be one of the most popular acts on the WWE roster.
his 34th birthday.
CON: Charisma only goes so far, and eventually, re-
CON: Strong was No. 13 in last year’s “PWI 500,” but sults matter—and the fact is, No Way Jose’s results
him spending almost 15 years in Ring of Honor while in NXT are middling at best. He’s popular, but would
numerous others moved to WWE isn’t simply an over- he be any more than a low-card act to pop the crowd
sight. There are reasons, and perhaps his checkered right now?
past with TNA—which has shown to be as lenient as
it comes—was a huge strike against him. ETA: Mid-2018. Popularity earned Enzo & Cass a
call-up without any solid results in NXT, and the night
ETA: Mid-2018. With a lot of mileage left, Strong after WrestleMania in New Orleans seems like a hell
seems like the type that will bridge the gap to NXT’s of a place to bring the conga line.
next generation of top talent before moving up.
KASSIUS OHNO
ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS PRO: Ohno has found success worldwide, but
PRO: Since tapping into his mean streak late last he didn’t make it out of NXT in his first WWE run.
year and adding the Hammerlock DDT, Almas has This is his second chance, and as he’s in his late-
been a much more prominent piece of the NXT puz- 30s, he knows what to do (and not to do) to avoid
zle and earned himself some better opportunities. squandering it.

CON: That change has led to a few wins, but Almas’ CON: KO’s past works both ways, and it’s possible
record is still closer to .500 than desired, and he’s his WWE return is simply to serve as a name-value
still seemingly having trouble adjusting from Lucha veteran mentor in NXT before transitioning to the
Libre to the WWE style. Can he find that next gear Performance Center staff.
he needs to succeed on a WWE level?
ETA: Mid-2018. It’s more than possible that Ohno’s
ETA: 2019. Almas is on the right track, but he still role is as stated above. But, if anyone deserves a

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 39
 ASUKA
PRO: Her reign as NXT Women’s
champion being the longest title reign
of any kind in NXT history says enough,
but her secret weapon is that she’s
shown she is comfortable taking on all
comers—including two or three at a
time—and doing whatever it takes (le-
gal or not) to keep winning.

CON: She’s the female Bobby Roode.

Beyond her, who is the next biggest fe-
male star in NXT? There are no Four
Horsewomen here, and Asuka’s domi-
nance has left no one seemingly ready
to take that torch.

ETA: Mid-2018. Triple-H has said he

doesn’t want to call up NXT talents
just because, and Asuka is the current
poster child for that. Let her lead the
women’s division in NXT for another
little while, and everyone will be better
for it in the long run.

EMBER MOON
PRO: Ember has experience (nearly a
decade on the independents before join-
ing WWE), and in taking the NXT Uni-
verse by storm, she’s shown she has an
PHOTO BY STU SAKS

ultimate trump card in the diving cork-

screw stunner she calls the Eclipse.

CON: So Moon has the Eclipse, but what

else? One-hit wonders can get to the top
Aleister Black is a superb striker who, after 15 years in the sport, has to
adapt to the WWE style. He’s too good to keep down for long. of the charts, but she needs to flesh out
her arsenal a bit more to compete with
chance, it’s him, so don’t discount him being part of the big guns in WWE, and she also has to make
Superstar Shakeup sometime next year. sure the shoulder injury she suffered in the leadup to
TakeOver: Chicago doesn’t linger.
ALEISTER BLACK
PRO: A 15-year veteran overseas, Black has a ETA: 2019. The shoulder issue set her back a bit,
unique look and a true finisher in the Black Mass but even without it, Moon is a good example of
spin kick, which, like the RKO, can come from any- someone who needs to develop into a more well-
where and end any match immediately. rounded character to become WWE ready.

CON: Black is a great striker, but the middle W in RUBY RIOT

WWE doesn’t stand for martial arts. An arsenal of PRO: Her smallish stature may not scream it, but
suplexes, strikes, and an occasional MMA-style sub- Riot’s mental toughness is perhaps outshined by
mission only goes so far, unless you’re Brock Lesnar. her physical fortitude. The former Heidi Lovelace
is not afraid of any challenge, and her year-long
ETA: Mid-2018. Black has the chops to hang in undefeated run with CHIKARA’s Young Lions Cup
WWE—and he’s already shown it on the main ros- proved she can, and will, take on anyone, any-
ter’s European tour—but WWE likes to season long- where, anytime.
time overseas veterans. Like Nakamura, though,
Black’s wait shouldn’t be too long. CON: Riot has had a tendency to get sucked into

40 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 obsession, and she needs to break out of that. Gold about three decades too late for that. In being built to
is the ultimate goal, but Riot’s feud with Nikki Cross win together, they may be doomed to fail apart.
has already shown that even in NXT, she will let her
pride get in the way of her focus. ETA: Late-2017. There may be no more perfect
“Horsewomen” than Kay & Royce—and if Charlotte
ETA: Late-2017. Ruby is a perfect example of some- needs some help in her fight against the Smackdown
one who just needs a little polish to be ready for the women’s division, the two veterans may get the call.
big time, and it shouldn’t be long before she shines.
MANDY ROSE
BILLIE KAY & PEYTON ROYCE PRO: WWE clearly has faith in Rose. She signed
PRO: LayCool, the BFFs, and the Welcoming Com- a five-year deal after being a runner-up on Tough
mittee, look out: These Aussies have the Mean Girls Enough in 2015, and she quickly made her way to
mantra down, and they’ve proven in SHIMMER and the cast of Total Divas, securing a prominent spot in
on the independent scene that they can get it done WWE’s pop culture landscape.
in the ring, too.
CON: Is her focus on wrestling, or setting up a post-
CON: Kay & Royce have had very little success WWE media career? Her ring results leave a lot to
winning without each other. They’d probably be be desired, and she could easily become the next
dominant Women’s tag team champions, but they’re Eva Marie, who came, saw, and left without doing
much conquering in the squared circle.

ETA: Mid-2018. Since we drew a parallel to Eva Ma-

rie, who took about three years to go from signee
to WrestleMania, we’ll optimistically give Mandy the
same timeline.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay (left) make a formidable

combo, but there are no women’s tag team championships
to shoot for in any of the WWE brands. Their chances might
be better if they split up.

Mandy Rose applies an armlock against Sara Lee under the

watchful eye of head women’s trainer Sarah Stock (below).
The learning opportunities the wrestlers receive at the
Performance Center are unprecedented in the history of
this industry.
©2016 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PHOTO BY JOHN SMOLEK

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 41
ADDENDUM:
FIVE TO WATCH
PATRICK CLARK: A 2015 Tough Enough alum-
nus, Clark has the independent resume that proves he can
go in the ring, and now seems to have found his personality
as “The Velveteen Dream.” If he can put it all together, he
can become a special talent.

JEET RAMA: Rama casts an impressive physical

shadow (6’4”, 235), and was a two-time amateur
heavyweight champion in his native India. Competing on
WWE live events in India has boosted his confidence in NXT.

SONYA DEVILLE: The former MMA competitor

is another 2015 Tough Enough alum who has shown great

PHOTO BY STU SAKS

ring aptitude and gotten some prime opportunities on NXT
TV. Her status as the first openly gay female performer in
WWE makes her a role model to many.

THE EALY BROTHERS: Twins Gabriel and Manager Paul Ellering is doing for The Authors of Pain what
Uriel, who signed in late-2015, have the size (both about he did for The Road Warriors 30 years ago. The NXT tag
team champions should be promoted by next year.
6’4”), look (Gabriel is a former model), and athleticism
(Uriel was a standout high school basketball player).
They’ve already harnessed the power of “Twin Magic” at AUTHORS OF PAIN
NXT live events, so their path is all predicated on how fast PRO: Paul Ellering. Akam and Rezar are great
they show in-ring improvement. athletes with size, but they’re also young, and it’s
no fluke that within months of aligning with WWE
TIAN BING: WWE’s first-ever China-born signee, Hall of Famer Ellering, they won the Dusty Rhodes
Bing inked in 2016 after three years in Antonio Inoki’s IGF Tag Team Classic and the NXT tag team title.
promotion. He’s only 23, but he learned from Inoki, and he’s
already gotten some major exposure in the 2016 Dusty CON: The Authors have never really experienced
Rhodes Tag Team Classic and WrestleMania 33’s Andre the adversity and may not know how to handle it if and
Giant Memorial Battle Royal. when things go wrong.

ETA: Mid-2018. If WWE put out a brochure tout-

ing the success of the Performance Center as a
training ground, these guys might be on the cover.
Their size, and their resume, makes them too tan-
talizing to keep in Orlando too much longer.

HEAVY MACHINERY
PRO: The sizeable Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic
certainly live up to their team name, but they’re not
©2016 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

as one-dimensional as you’d think. Both were ac-

complished amateur wrestlers, and they’ve used
those skills to take opponents by surprise at times.

CON: Knight and Dozovic need to work on their

stamina, which should not be an issue with a tag
team. They’re prone to mental mistakes in longer
matches, so if an opposing team can withstand
Strength coach Sean Hayes puts Tian Bing through the initial fury, they can conquer the beast.
the paces with a series of box jumps.
ETA: Late-2018. What you see now is probably

42 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 PHOTO BY STU SAKS
what you’re going to get with Heavy Machinery. Former TNA heavyweight champion Eric Young has the
Knight has waited four years in NXT for the right wrestling IQ to harness the considerable talents of the fac-
tion known as Sanity. Though still at the top of his game
opportunity, so even if Dozovic isn’t as experi- after nearly 20 years, WWE may have plans for EY to stay
enced, their peak as a pair may be right around behind as a coach.
the corner, and their time may be now.

SANITY rather thin: 10 weeks as NXT tag team champion,

PRO: Can anarchy, by definition, be cohesive? four months as Ring of Honor TV champion, and
Apparently yes, because there’s no doubt the San- one ECWA Super 8 tournament win that took him
ity members are on the same page. They comple- three attempts to achieve.
ment each other perfectly and have been domi-
nant because of it. ETA: Early-2018. Breaking up a successful tag
team is always risky. Ciampa, however, is an ex-
CON: They’re great together, but can they suc- cellent singles wrestler who has never been in-
ceed on their own? Killian Dain’s size says yes, but clined to share a spotlight.
Nikki Cross may be too reckless for her own good.
Alexander Wolfe and Sawyer Fulton were stuck in JOHNNY GARGANO
neutral until Eric Young came along, and what EY PRO: He makes the most of opportunity. Garga-
himself has left in the tank might be better utilized no is barely 30, but after waiting a decade for his
in a player/coach role. chance in WWE, he was able to grab the NXT tag
title with Ciampa and become arguably the most
ETA: Late-2017. A stable like Sanity can bring a popular wrestler on the roster along the way.
lot to Raw or Smackdown (Survivor Series, any-
one?), and even if someone leaves the fold, the CON: Fans love Gargano, and he has mastered
cult-like vibe Young perpetuates is enough for the babyface psychology as part of DIY … but can
rest to recruit and stay afloat for a long time. he survive on his own? Gargano made the 5’11”,
200-pound Ciampa look big, and without a partner
TOMMASO CIAMPA to help pick up the pieces, would he be little more
PRO: Fire. Ciampa was in WWE developmental in than plankton for the big sharks on the main roster?
2007, but was released within six months. By tap-
ping back into his “Psycho Killer” persona in dis- ETA: Mid-2018. Gargano’s best shot at making
solving DIY, he’s also already proven that he’s not waves on the main roster might have been DIY, or
just happy to be here. at least in a tag team of some sort. He does connect
with the fans, and that will be a huge benefit for his
CON: Over the last decade, Ciampa's resume is career going forward.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 43
44
l
PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED
l
©2017 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 Considering the sparsity of his appearances, some may consider
Brock Lesnar overpaid at what respected business magazine
Forbes estimated to be $6-million a year. We think not!
TEXT BY AL CASTLE

E
CONOMISTS HAVE ESTIMATED that billion- Of course, there’s some facetiousness behind
aire Bill Gates—known as the wealthiest man that calculation, as Lesnar’s value to WWE extends
in the U.S.—earns about $1.38-million an far beyond the bell-to-bell confines of a wrestling
hour. It’s an impressive sum, to say the least. But match. But the larger point holds true: Despite
there’s one man whose hourly rate can beat it. being a part-time attraction who wrestles fewer
Or, should we say, one beast. than a dozen times a year, Lesnar is one of the
In a recent article listing the highest-paid wres- highest-paid performers in the company’s history.
tlers in WWE, Forbes estimated that Brock Lesnar Off the record, Lesnar’s salary is a source of
earned about $12-million in 2016. About half of pride for his “advocate,” Paul Heyman. For the
that came from his one-off return to the octagon record, he said:
as part of UFC 200. That means that in 2016 “It would be a breach of confidence for me to
Lesnar, who competed in just 11 matches, earned confirm or deny any details regarding Brock
a cool $6-million from WWE. Lesnar’s record-breaking pay structure in WWE or
Over that 12-month period, Lesnar wrestled for in any of the other sports that are interested in
a combined 1 hour 20 minutes. If you do the math featuring the single biggest box office attraction in
(and, yes, we did) that works out to $4.5-million sports, entertainment, or sports entertainment
per hour of wrestling. Take that, Mr. Microsoft. today. While I thank you for your interest in the

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 45
PHOTO BY ANDREA KELLAWAY

Lesnar would realize how bright his star power

could shine.
Like he did in WWE years earlier, Lesnar rose
through the ranks of the UFC at a meteoric
pace—being granted an opportunity at, and win-
ning, the heavyweight championship in just his
third fight. Over the next three years, Lesnar set
UFC pay-per-view records that would not even be
approached for years, before having his MMA
career cut short due to intestinal problems.
When he decided to return to WWE in 2012,
Lesnar was doing so as more than just an ex-wres-
tling star, but rather as one of the most dominant
heavyweights in combat sports history and a bona
fide box office giant. And he wouldn’t come cheap.
But rather than viewing Lesnar’s asking price as
a bloated salary for a part-time attraction, WWE
wisely viewed it as a worthwhile investment—not
only in Lesnar’s star power, but in the star power
he could help generate from other wrestlers with
whom he shared the spotlight.
It was a solid strategy, albeit one that produced
mixed results. Sure, Lesnar’s feuds with Dean
“No, no, Brock,” shouts Paul Heyman. “That’s the Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns all
man who signs your paycheck!” helped establish his opponents as main-event
players. But not one was catapulted into Lesnar’s
reigning, defending undisputed Universal champi- stratosphere—in part because not one of them
on and his finances, we are going to take the posi- earned a clean victory over “The Beast Incarnate.”
tion that this information is a private matter and “For sure, there have been some squandered
therefore end this conversation here and now.” opportunities with Brock over the years,” said one
Nobody can say “no comment” quite like veteran WWE backstage agent who has worked
Heyman. We’ll take his non-denial of the Forbes
report as confirmation and move on.
If WWE’s working relationship with Lesnar seems
way out of the ordinary, it’s because Lesnar is no
ordinary wrestler, and never was. From before
Lesnar signed his first WWE contract 17 years ago,
he was one of the most talked-about acquisitions in
the company’s history. As a 6’3”, near-300-pound
NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion
with the athleticism and agility of a man half his size,
and the looks of a James Bond movie henchman,
Lesnar was almost too good to be true.
In fact, he was even better, as was evidenced by
his history-making first run in WWE. In his first 12
months in WWE, he won the King of the Ring tourna-
ment, the Royal Rumble, headlined WrestleMania,
and became the youngest WWE World champion in
history at the age of 25.
Lesnar left the company in a nasty split in 2004.
But his stock only increased during his eight-year
WWE hiatus, which included a reign as IWGP
heavyweight champion and a brief stint with the
NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.
But it was in his next athletic venture that

46 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

closely with Lesnar over the last five years. “If the WWE’s few, clear difference-makers when it
whole idea of paying him top dollar for just a hand- comes to television ratings, live attendance, mer-
ful of dates a year was to help make new stars, it’s chandise sales, and WWE Network subscriptions.
hard to say it’s worked.” Evidence of Lesnar’s drawing power came
Then there are the few WWE superstars who have when UFC tapped Lesnar to headline one of its
gotten the better of Lesnar over the last five years— most loaded shows ever, last July’s UFC 200. In
men like John Cena, who earned a pinfall victory in his first MMA match in five years, Lesnar defeated
Lesnar’s very first match after his 2012 return, perennial heavyweight title contender Mark Hunt.
Triple-H, who came out victorious in Lesnar’s first Although the match was later ruled a no-contest
WrestleMania match in nine years, and Goldberg, because Lesnar tested positive for a banned sub-
who returned from his own 12-year hiatus to domi- stance, the dominance Lesnar showed in the cage
nate and beat Lesnar in just 86 seconds. only further added to his credibility, and added
None of the three established wrestling legends gravitas to his subsequent SummerSlam main
added much to their respective legacies by beating event against Randy Orton.
Lesnar. And in each instance, the losses served to Like he’s done to so many of his opponents,
take a little shine off of Lesnar’s aura of invincibility. Lesnar dominated Orton and dispatched him in
Of course, Lesnar has also earned his share of relatively short order—a beaten and bloody mess.
victories against WWE icons, perhaps none more The short duration of Lesnar’s matches—the aver-
memorable than his defeat of The Undertaker at age of which lasted about seven minutes in
WrestleMania 30. But not only did the match not 2016—may also fuel criticism that he is overpaid.
help WWE make much money—it may have cost But, despite our earlier calculation, Lesnar does
the company some revenue in the long run, as one not get paid by the hour. The speed and ease with
of WrestleMania’s major selling points for years, which Lesnar destroys his opponents is not some-
’Taker’s “streak”—was no more. thing to criticize. It’s something to be awed by.
But the return on WWE’s considerable invest- And, despite his dominance, Lesnar consistently
ment in Lesnar shouldn’t be measured strictly by delivers entertaining matches. Even at the age of 39,
the number of stars he helped make. It should be Lesnar is still an athletic freak with nearly-unparal-
measured by Lesnar’s own star power, and the leled amateur wrestling credentials and a firm grasp
money it has generated. Lesnar has been one of on pro wrestling fundamentals. What he does, he

Lesnar unexpectedly quit WWE in 2004, stating his desire to play pro football. He
wound up playing a few preseason games for the Vikings before being cut (far left).
His next career, that of a UFC heavyweight, was a tad more successful (below).
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS

PHOTO BY JOSH HEDGES/UFC

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 47
PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

Lesnar prefers that Paul Heyman take care of his business affairs
only, but “The Advocate” had a personal stake in Lesnar’s feud with
CM Punk at SummerSlam 2013 and couldn’t restrain himself. doubled the number of appearances he
makes and matches he wrestles per year,
does well—even if it’s a dozen suplexes in a row. Lesnar would likely still keep his special
Lesnar is equally impressive in how he carries him- attraction status, and WWE would have an easier
self outside his matches, especially in his no-non- time putting together main events for pay-per-views.
sense WWE promos, which are virtually indistinguish- And, to maximize the return on its sizable
able from the ones he’s given to promote his mixed investment, WWE must have Lesnar pass the pro-
martial arts fights over the years. Though he is a man verbial torch to the next “next big thing”—and, per-
of few words, he doesn’t mind including some four-let- haps, do it soon. According to some reports,
ter ones among them. But don’t look for Lesnar to Lesnar’s WWE contract is set to expire right
intimidate opponents by screaming into a micro- around next year’s WrestleMania 34. At 40 years
phone. On the contrary, it’s Lesnar’s quiet, cool confi- old, and with multiple years of earning seven-fig-
dence that chills audiences and opponents. ure wrestling salaries, Lesnar could be ready to
While there’s little issue with the quality of call it a career by then.
Lesnar’s performances, there’s ample reason for For years, all signs have pointed to Roman
concern about the quantity of them, especially given Reigns being Vince McMahon’s pick to dethrone the
his current status as the WWE Universal champion. mayor of Suplex City and absorb some of the credi-
After appearing on Raw the night after winning the bility Lesnar has generated over his reign as wres-
title from Goldberg at WrestleMania, Lesnar did not tling’s baddest man. It’s a risky gamble—and one
make a solitary appearance on WWE television— WWE has tried before. Lesnar defended the WWE
much less a title defense—for nearly three months. World title against Reigns in the main event of
There’s certainly something to be said for 2015’s WrestleMania 31. Many expected it would be
Lesnar’s sporadic appearances actually benefiting Reigns’ crowning moment, even though several fans
WWE. Unable to rely on a Lesnar appearance or made it clear they would reject Reigns in the role.
title defense to pop a quarter-hour rating, WWE has That match memorably ended with Seth Rollins
been forced to take a more disciplined approach to cashing in his Money in the Bank guaranteed title
its storytelling. As a result, not only has the Universal shot and pinning Reigns in an impromptu triple-
title gained prestige, but so has the Intercontinental threat match. The question of who would prevail in
title, which, in Lesnar’s absence, has become the a one-on-one showdown between WWE’s two
most prestigious championship on the Raw brand, most dominant forces remained unanswered.
and main-event fodder. More than two years later, it’s still unclear
But, unquestionably, WWE would be better off whether Reigns is the best choice to cash in on
having Lesnar around more than it does now— the considerable equity—and money—WWE’s
especially for what they’re paying him. Even if he invested in Lesnar over the years. Other candi-

48 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

dates for that role include Finn Balor, Shinsuke its next poster boy. So it stands to reason that the
Nakamura, and AJ Styles—three stars with the company would spend plenty on Reigns’ compen-
potential to carry WWE on their backs. All would sation as well—$3.5-million last year. Regardless
benefit tremendously from toppling the Beast, and of how you might feel about him, it’s hard to argue
sending him to the retirement home. that Reigns didn’t work hard to achieve his status
And you can bet they wouldn’t mind freeing up as WWE’s fourth-highest paid performer. He wres-
his salary, too. tled more than 150 matches in 2016, sold truck-
The rest of WWE’s Top 10 earners in 2016, loads of merchandise to his fan base of women
according to Forbes: and children, and did a solid job representing the
JOHN CENA: Lesnar’s estimated $6-million company in various mainstream media appear-
annual WWE salary was second only to that of its ances. All that said, there is little evidence that
most entrenched star, John Cena, who earned a Reigns has moved the needle much, as Raw rat-
reported $8-million in 2016. But, by the same calcu- ings dropped to 20-year lows with him on top.
lation used to figure out Lesnar’s hourly pay, Cena OVER-VALUED
might barely be earning above minimum wage, DEAN AMBROSE: Many fans might be sur-
given his long-held reputation as the hardest-work- prised to learn that Ambrose earned an estimated
ing man in wrestling. Even though he spent the first $2.4-million in 2016—more than all but four other
half of the year on the disabled list and worked the WWE performers. WWE’s resident “lunatic” was
lightest schedule of his career upon his return, one of the busiest wrestlers in the entire company,
Cena still wrestled about 50 matches in 2016— competing in more than 200 matches over the cal-
most of them exhaustingly long main-event bouts— endar year. That included a three-month run with
made many more promotional and charitable the WWE championship, which he successfully
appearances, and remained WWE’s top merchan- defended at one of the biggest shows of the year,
dise seller. And while his WWE appearances may SummerSlam. Ambrose, who has won or finished
be more sporadic than in the past, Cena’s rising second in PWI’s Most Popular Wrestler voting for
marketability as a mainstream film

PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

and TV star makes him all the
more valuable when he does
appear. UNDER-VALUED
TRIPLE-H: Triple-H took home
$3.8-million last year, both as an
on-air performer and in his office
job as executive vice president for
talent, live events, and creative. In
his former role, Triple-H wrestled
just nine matches all year, but did
enjoy a three-month reign as World
champion. Unlike Lesnar, Triple-H
has helped elevate several up-and-
coming stars to whom he’s lost on
big stages, including Daniel Bryan,
Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins.
But it’s been off-air that Triple-H has
truly earned his keep. Whether it’s
been in growing NXT into one of
the most talked-about brands in the
sport, recruiting top wrestling talent
from around the globe, or embrac-
ing smaller, more athletic wrestlers,
Triple-H has made moves that will
cover his salary 100 times over in
the long run. UNDER-VALUED
ROMAN REIGNS: Not since “The Beast Incarnate” accomplished the seemingly impossible at Wrestle-
the Lex Express has WWE spent Mania 30 in 2014 when he ended The Undertaker’s ’Mania winning streak at
21. Vince McMahon came under heavy fire from fans and press for booking a
so much time and energy creating part-time performer to end the sport’s most revered record.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 49
PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

The only man to have earned more money than

Lesnar in 2016 was John Cena, whose pay-per-
match was far lower and who undoubtedly brought
in more money to the company.

the past three years, has quietly become one of overworked. For just the second time in his career,
WWE’s most valuable players. FAIRLY-VALUED the “Dead Man” wrestled just one match all year.
AJ STYLES: It would be quite the injustice if That said, it was the main attraction of WWE’s most
Styles—widely regarded as the very best wrestler in successful show ever—his WrestleMania 32 Hell in
WWE, if not the world, was not included among a Cell match against Shane McMahon. Inasmuch
WWE’s highest-paid performers. Forbes estimates as The Undertaker likely put many of those
that Styles earned $2.4-million in his freshman year in 101,763 butts in their seats at AT&T Stadium in
WWE—one in which he wore the world title longer Dallas, Texas, it stands to reason that he deserves
than anyone else. He wrestled more than 180 match- a big share of the till. FAIRLY-VALUED
es in 2016—many of them phenomenal or better. SETH ROLLINS: The Seth Rollins of 2015 would
Having come up in TNA, Styles likely isn’t complain- have been a steal at the $2-million Forbes estimated
ing about making a seven-figure salary, but given his WWE paid him last year. The Seth Rollins of 2016?
worth to the sport, we wouldn’t mind seeing him a few Not so much. Although Rollins’ skill in the ring and
notches higher on this list. UNDER-VALUED merit as a main-event player are unquestioned, he’s
SHANE McMAHON: Unlike his brother-in-law disappointed over the past year. Much of that was
Triple-H, Shane’s 2016 had little to do with his cor- out of his hands, as he was miscast as a heel upon
porate contributions, which ranged from little to returning from a prolonged injury hiatus, and his
none, depending on who you ask. Rather, Shane’s eventual babyface turn was too late and too flat.
estimated $2.2-million earnings in 2016 had Today, there’s little evidence of fans rushing to their
everything to do with his marquee match at TVs or to the box office in big numbers to see the
WrestleMania 32 against The Undertaker. Yes, “King Slayer.” OVER-VALUED
Shane carried his end of the bout, which climaxed RANDY ORTON: Like Rollins, Orton’s estimat-
with his death-defying dive off the top of a cell, ed $1.9-million earnings in 2016 probably reflect
and also appeared regularly on WWE television the fact that he missed much of the year due to
throughout the year. But $2.2-million? At best, it’s injury. Whenever he is around, Orton is a perenni-
nepotism. OVER-VALUED al main-event star and world title contender. But,
UNDERTAKER: It’s hard to begrudge The while he’s still just 37, it’s likely that Orton’s prime
Undertaker earning the $2-million payday Forbes years are behind him. At his best, he brings
claims he did in 2016, given his nearly 30 years of instant credibility to any main-event match. But his
sacrifice and commitment to WWE. But compared ceiling as a drawing card is well established, and
to ’Taker’s schedule, even Brock Lesnar seems not all that high. FAIRLY-VALUED

50 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

Tim Storm got off to a late start in his career as a pro wrestler, but he
quickly made up for lost time and continues to do so 21 years later!
TEXT BY SEAN NEUMANN

A S A YOUNG kid, maybe 11 or 12, Tim

Storm remembers sneaking back inside
the Pine Bluff Convention Center in
Arkansas after the evening’s matches were over
one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, it seemed
like something out of a movie. With building secu-
rity not quite as stringent as it is today, Storm
returned to the arena after the fans had departed.
to get a closer look at the wrestling ring in the cen- He climbed into the ring and stood on the second
ter of the darkened room. Earlier on, he watched rope with his arms raised, imagining what it might
Andre the Giant win a brutal match over Ken feel like to be a wrestler.
Patera in the main event. He remembers watching “There was a fire lit inside me that night,” said
in awe as Andre picked up Patera for a bodyslam Storm, now 52. “That was the spot that exploded
and seeing Patera’s legs clip the kettle light above in my brain, and I went, ‘I have to do that.’”
the ring, sending the fixture swinging wildly back Storm didn’t make his pro debut until he was 31,
and forth above them as Andre scored the pinfall but he knew, deep within his heart, that he would
victory. Sitting cloaked in darkness as the only someday answer his calling. “While other kids were
light in the building flashed back and forth around getting up and watching cartoons, I was watching

52 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

l
PHOTO BY MIKE LANO

OCTOBER. 2017
l
53
 PHOTO BY STACI BROWN/3B PHOTOGRAPHY

wrestling,” Storm said. “In the morning, I got

Memphis Wrestling. In the afternoon, I got Georgia
Championship Wrestling. At night, I got the Von
Erichs and WCCW. At that point, I’m seeing the best
in three different promotions on one given day.”
In his eyes, men like Ric Flair, Terry Funk,
Dusty Rhodes, and Harley Race were celebrities.
The NWA title belt they wore was magical. He
dreamed of being a professional wrestler; he
never dared to dream about being on the same list
of men who held what was once considered the
most prestigious championship in the sport.
Storm grew to 6’3”, 260 pounds and was
offered an opportunity to attend Ouachita Baptist
University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on a football
scholarship.
After graduating from OBU with degrees in com-
munications and physical education, he entered the
business world and worked his way up the ranks
quickly. Still, the desire to be a pro wrestler burned
within him. “I was the vice president of Jez
Enterprises, and my boss wasn’t thrilled with the
idea of me trying my hand at wrestling,” Storm said.
“He didn’t think wrestling spoke well for his busi-
ness. He did his best to discourage me.”
This time, Storm wouldn’t allow anything to
stand in his way.
Though late to the wrestling game, his athletic
background gave him a leg up when he began train-
ing in Paris, Arkansas, with Bill Ash—a trainer Storm
With 260 pounds of Storm on top of his head and a rigid
ring rope beneath, Tristan Warrior is in a bad spot. said is “as old school as you could possibly get.”
Storm then moved to Texas, where he was schooled
PHOTO BY STACI BROWN/3B PHOTOGRAPHY

Storm may have lost some of his quickness as he

moves through his 50s, but, as Barrett Brown will
attest, he has not lost any of his strength.

54 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 PHOTO BY STACI BROWN/3B PHOTOGRAPHY
in the lucha and Japanese styles from drills
passed down to his trainers by Chris Benoit and
Dean Malenko. “Because of that, I have two sepa-
rate sets of trainings. I’ve been able to work either
style and kind of mesh those.”
The one thing they couldn’t teach Storm was
size. He had that in abundance. But Storm is also
deceptively quick. Throughout his career, he has
battled with big guys and with high-flyers, adapting
to the style his opponent brings to the fight. It was
nearly half a century into his life that he realized
that winning the NWA heavyweight title was a real
possibility. In October 2014, he beat Byron Wilcott
for the NWA North American title. His reign lasted
177 days before he was finally beaten by Jax
Dane. After Dane was forced to relinquish the title
due to injury, Storm regained it by beating Andy
Anderson in the final round of a tournament.
When Dane returned to action, he beat Hiroyoshi
Tenzan for the NWA heavyweight title on February If Graham Bell insists on calling himself "the worst per-
son ever," Storm does not want to share a ring with him.
14, 2015, and reigned for 14 months.
In the finale of a four-match series with Dane,
Storm finally captured the NWA’s grandest prize punch them in the face and continue the fight.
on October 21, 2016, becoming the oldest person Storm remembered a moment from a show when
to win that title. While Storm had the size, ability, Homicide—a 24-year veteran and decorated cham-
and heart, he said his 20-year run-up to finally pion across multiple promotions—approached him in
winning his most coveted championship took the back, saw the NWA belt lying on top of his bag,
patience, adaptation, and plenty of learning. and asked, “Is that it? Do you mind if I hold it?”
The Arkansas-born wrestler’s first flirtation with “The prestige is there,” said Storm. “There are
the title came in 1996—his first year in the busi- those out there who would say it’s not, but for true
ness—in a match against Dan Severn, who was just wrestling fans and true lovers of the business, it’s
beginning his own dominant four-year run with the there and it means something.”
NWA gold. Storm came close to winning, but he just Former NWA champions have noticed a special
didn’t have the experience to get the job done. He aura about the belt as well. Colt Cabana, who held
had one more opportunity against Severn, one the title in 2011 and again in 2012, still gets attention
against AJ Styles, one against Tenzan, and four because of once having held the championship. “To
against Dane over the course of the past two years. this day, people still come up to me with their NWA
That fourth time was the charm. belts signed by Ric Flair and Harley Race and ask
Storm looks forward to forging a relationship with me to sign as well,” Cabana said. “In 100 years,
Billy Corgan, who purchased the NWA on May 1. The when I’m gone, it’ll be nice that I’ll be on that list.”
Smashing Pumpkins frontman is the latest in a line of The list of 53 wrestlers who have held the NWA
men who feel they can capitalize on what still is a heavyweight championship is filled with some of
prestigious brand (see “Straight Shooter,” page 16). the all-time greats. While most people don’t know
“Being a world champion is an experience in Tim Storm’s name—even Cabana didn’t know
itself,” Storm said. At a recent show, Storm met a Storm was the current NWA champion—he said
fan who took a bus from Louisville, Kentucky, to holding the belt will forever be his greatest accom-
Little Rock, Arkansas, just to get a picture with the plishment in the ring.
belt. In Japan when he wrestled Ryota Hama, the “Every time I get in the ring it’s a pleasure and an
fans didn’t boo him, but instead started chanting honor, but I can’t imagine a bigger honor than step-
“NWA! NWA!” as he walked to the ring. ping in the ring as the NWA World champion,” said
Storm laughed as he remembered that during a Storm, who also teaches eighth-graders U.S. histo-
recent 60-man battle royal, guys would lock in with ry in Euless, Texas. “I’ve always been a wrestling
him just to say, “I can’t tell you what an honor it is,” fan. I love wrestling. I’m passionate about wrestling,
or “I’m a big fan,” or “I can’t believe I’m in here with and I consider myself a wrestling historian. To be a
the world champion” before Storm reared back to part of this makes it so much more special.”

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 55
56 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l
If history were to repeat itself, somewhere some young boy is reading this story and
receiving inspiration to win a future ECWA Super 8 tournament. That’s precisely how
Sean Carr became the focal point of PWI’s annual coverage of this prestigious event

TEXT BY MIKE BESSLER

PHOTOS BY BRIAN KRIEGER/ECWA

N
O REASONABLE HUMAN being would dare question Sean
Carr’s commitment to becoming the best in his business. The
29-year-old grappler showed just how far he is willing to go to
get to the top of the heap at this year’s ECWA Super 8 tournament in
Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, when he injected himself by force
into the event by ambushing matchmaker Joe Zanolle and threatening
to break the leg of late-entrant Mike Law. Although fans were shocked
and outraged, Carr brushed it off as simply a means to an end.

l l JUNE. 2017
OCTOBER l 57
 ECWA matchmaker Joe Zanolle relents—under duress—to give Sean Carr a spot in
the 2017 Super 8 (top left). The eight-man field consisted of (clockwise from top
left) Lio Rush, Timmy Lou Retton, Brandon Scott, Carr, Leon St. Giovanni, Joe Gacy,
Anthony Bennett, and Zombie King (top right).
“When I was a kid, I·G go
with my mom to the grocery store and look at wres- against Rush in 15 minutes of fury. In the closing
tling magazines,” Carr recalled. “I always followed minutes of their battle, Rush had victory in his
the ECWA Super 8 tournament in Pro Wrestling sights, hitting Carr with a Spanish Fly. Powering
Illustrated. I knew what it was about, and I knew back after the ensuing near fall, Carr delivered a
how to win. It was really just a matter of time until I flurry of superkicks, ultimately putting Rush on the
got there myself and fulfilled my destiny.” canvas for a three-count.
Carr·s performance in the 21st annual event Carr was awarded the ECWA Super 8 cup at
backed up his own hype. After a first-round victory the end of the night, and, although it initially
against Brandon Scott, he took on then-CZW seemed like he had finally made peace with
champion Joe Gacy and won by pinfall. The run- ECWA fans during the course of the tournament,
ner-up for PWI·s 2016 Rookie of the Year award, he chided the crowd as he walked out the door
Lio Rush, advanced with wins over Anthony Ben- with his coveted prize.
nett and Zombie King, setting up a collision with “The people in South Jersey bring out the worst
Carr in the tourney final. in me,” Carr explained. “They identify with Philly. I
If Carr had even the slightest inclination to am the biggest New York Giants fan ever. I just go
return to underhanded tactics in pursuit of a finals nuts when I·P in that part of the country, and I
victory, he suppressed such urges, matching up become the bad guy they love to hate.”
Outside of the greater Phila-
delphia area, fans of indepen-
dent wrestling might be surprised
to know about Carr ·s rather
unsavory reputation in ECWA, as
most fans generally regard the
eight-year veteran as a down-to-
earth, straight-shooting sports-
man. His in-ring style was argu-
ably shaped most by the men he
first encountered as a fan during
his most impressionable years, a
mix of hardscrabble heroes who
struck a perfect balance between
physicality and showmanship.
“The first time I ever saw wres-
tling, I was flipping through the
channels at the age of 6 or 7, and
I saw Shawn Michaels wrestling
The British Bulldog,” Carr recalled.
The intensity on Carr’s face as he applies a rear chinlock on Brandon
“I said to myself, ¶What is this?·
Scott is an indication of how much the Super 8 meant to him. and I just got hooked from there.”

58 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 As his interest in professional
wrestling evolved, Carr came to Joe Gacy doubles over in pain after taking a
identify with particular tech- stiff kick from Carr in the semifinals.
niques, including those that he
would later incorporate into his
own repertoire.
“I was really drawn to the work-
horses, like Dean Malenko and
Eddie Guerrero,” he said. “Then
Rob Van Dam really made an
impression on me with the way
he utilized martial arts like tae-
kwondo in his style.”
Carr dabbled in wrestling
while in high school and went on
to train in mixed martial arts
before making a go at profes-
sional wrestling. In 2008, he
began training with East Coast
Pro Wrestling in his hometown of
Binghamton, New York, under the tutelage of those who he has bested in the ring are compelled
regional stalwarts I.B. Green and Kage. Debuting to acknowledge Carr’s mettle as a competitor.
in 2009, Carr crossed swords with his former train- “Sean gets my respect because he fights just
ers and others on the ECPW roster before ventur- as hard as I do,” said Gacy. “He doesn’t take the
ing into other proving grounds, including Squared easy way out.”
Circle Wrestling in Syracuse and Pennsylvania- In 2015, Carr defeated Matt Saigon in an iron
based World Xtreme Wrestling. In time, he cap- man match for the ECWA Unified heavyweight
tured title gold, both as a singles competitor and title. The victory was a watershed moment in his
tagging with Kage as Team CK. Carr’s fast-paced, career, kicking off a 463-day title reign.
hard-hitting tactics have propelled him to win over “When Sean held the title, he competed like a true
the likes of A.R. Fox and John Morrison. Even champion,” said ECWA owner Mike Tartaglia. “He
wrestled with intensity and passion
in every match. Sure, he’s shown
us a bad attitude in ECWA over the
years, but we’re still excited to see
how far he’ll go in the future.”
As evidence that his star is on
the rise, Carr landed a spot in
Ring of Honor’s Top Prospect
Tournament earlier this year,
matching up with John Skyler in
the first round. Although Carr was
pinned, the experience gave him
a taste of what he might someday
accomplish in the big leagues.
On the home front, the 6'3",
209-pounder has a young daugh-
ter and is engaged to be married
to Amber Pratt, a teacher’s assis-
tant from Duncan, Oklahoma.
“I have a lot on my bucket list,”
he said.
He can now put a check mark
Once Carr had intimidated his way into the tournament, it was next to … “Win Super 8 Tourna-
important to him that he fought his way through the talented
field in a relatively clean manner. Lio Rush was the clear crowd ment.”
favorite in the final round, but Carr was the better man that night.

l l JUNE. 2017
OCTOBER l 59
 Impact Wrestling already has
a foundation in India, with its pro-
gramming airing on Sony Six, and
with its offshoot, Ring Ka King,
making a run there in 2012. TV
tapings were held in Mumbai amid
considerable hype in June, but
The Wrestling Observer revealed
an embarrassing tidbit: Producers
paid people to attend the show,
anywhere from 250 to 400 rupees
by HARRY BURKETT
each (between 3.80 and 7.60 in
U.S. dollars). The audience was
also heavily coached to cheer the
“heroes” entering from one side of
the building and boo the “villains”
he play for India … WWE title reign. entering from the opposite side.

T and Impact Wrestling took

dramatic steps to capture
the Indian market this spring, with
WWE’s business plans in India
were a significant factor in the deci-
sion to push Mahal to the top. Con-
Then again, Mahabali Shera
and Sonjay Dutt, along with Ethan
Carter III, were genuinely popular
Jinder Mahal being crowned WWE sider the timeline: WWE launched with the crowd. And many Impact
champion and Impact Wrestling its online merchandise hub, WWE defenders asserted that compen-
hosting TV tapings on the sub- Shop, in India on April 3, the same sating spectators was a small price
continent. Both moves proved day that WrestleMania 33 aired in to pay to gain a foothold in the
controversial. the country. Two weeks later, the burgeoning Indian market.
Some fans felt Mahal’s win company appointed Sheetesh And what is the potential of that
over Randy Orton for the title Srivastava as vice president and market? Many media industries,
at Backlash seemed desperate. general manager of WWE India. particularly Hollywood, are looking
Others welcomed a shakeup on WWE programming currently airs toward India as China’s economy
the Smackdown brand, consid- on TEN 1 and TEN 2, India’s pre- slows. Yet India’s strength is not in
ering Orton’s less-than-inspiring mier 24-hour sports channels. its famous cinema-plexes or tradi-
tional television, but in the preva-
lence of mobile devices, thanks in
part to government intervention
to achieve lower data prices. Ac-
The prospect of reaching 1.2 billion peo-
ple in India was the driving force behind cording to the firm Kleiner, Per-
Jinder Mahal being given an opportuni- kins, Caufield, & Byers, Indian cell
ty to be WWE champion. Once consid- phone users spend nearly half of
ered lower-tier enhancement talent,
Mahal has reshaped his body and devel- their waking hours on their devices
oped a championship attitude. and 45 percent of that time is
focused on entertainment—that’s
three times more time on their
phones than watching television.
WWE executives are aware of
that fact, considering the WWE
Network has been available in
India since 2015. But a good por-
tion of the Indian population is
poor and people are not as quick
to pay the equivalent of $9.99 per
month. As the Impact Wrestling
PHOTO BY DUANE LONG

example demonstrates, there’s a

limit to the average citizen’s dis-
cretionary income.
The reason India is being touted
as “fastest-growing” in so many

60  PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED 

areas is that technological and
physical infrastructure is so lacking
in the first place. The China market,
for example, can be exploited right
now. With India, the real promise is
in its future.

Sinclair Broadcast Group

purchases Tribune … The finan-
cial, entertainment, and political
worlds quaked in early-May when
Sinclair announced it had spent
$3.9-billion to acquire a much
more famous entity, Tribune Me-
dia, former parent company of the
Chicago Tribune newspaper and
current owner of 42 television sta-
tions, WGN America, WGN Radio,
and major stakes in Food Network,
careerbuilder.com, and several
real-estate holdings. As a result, The headline at the tribunemedia.com website ushers in a new era for the
169-year-old company. Increased U.S. penetration could bode well for
Sinclair now owns 223 stations, Sinclair’s Ring of Honor.
serving 108 markets.
Politicos and entertainment possibly snatching up disgraced The Young Bucks entering the
analysts suggested that Sinclair’s former Fox News Channel host No Spin Zone? Ring Of Honor
conservative-leaning ownership Bill O’Reilly. Wrestling, already a staple of most
is interested in grabbing a stake So what does this mean? Jay Sinclair stations, will gain even
of the broadcast news business, Lethal with his own cooking show? more exposure now that its par-
ent company reaches 72 percent

WWE STOCKWATCH
[FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 11 TO JUNE 11, 2017]
of U.S. households. Sinclair and
ROH have solidified their status as
national players.

60-DAY HIGH: 22.12 on April 11 WWE minus USA? … With the

60-DAY LOW: 19.12 on May 18 WWE Network reaching 1.95 million
52-WEEK HIGH: 23.14 on February 14, 2017
52-WEEK LOW: 16.77 on November 9, 2016 subscribers to watch WrestleMania
33, there was renewed talk of how
WWE’s first-quarter report revealed good news, with the company WWE could survive with its flagship
earning $46.5-million in revenue, compared to $40-million during the same programs, Raw and Smackdown,
quarter last year. The biggest revenue driver continues to be television rights airing on the Network instead of
fees from NBC Universal, amounting to $64-million in Q1. After production, USA. WWE executives believe that
transportation, and other expenses, WWE rakes in $32.5-million of that
exposure on cable television is still
number in total profit.
To the relief of the suits and ties, the WWE Network is generating plenty
important and hope to keep the two
of revenue, $46.5-million for the first quarter. Costs to implement and shows on USA well beyond the next
promote the Network took a significant bite out of that revenue, however, negotiation cycle in 2019.
leaving $18.2-million in profit. While WWE’s much-touted figure of 1.95 Cord-cutting trends could af-
million Network subscribers deflated somewhat after WrestleMania 33, fect WWE in one of two ways.
Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios said in a conference USA Network might have even
call that he expected that number to settle in at a respectable 1.63 million more incentive to retain WWE
subscribers by the end of June. programming or reduced profits
WWE’s third major revenue stream, live-event tickets and merchandise, could prompt USA to lower WWE’s
generated $39.2-million, with a profit of $12.2-million. Live touring is an television rights fees. Either way,
expensive proposition, as reflected by the profit margin.
WWE owning an online network
Revenues from YouTube, Facebook, and other social media were small
in comparison, but these platforms continue to offer vital exposure, perhaps
with at least two million subscrib-
encouraging fans to subscribe to the Network. WWE will be launching ers will provide leverage going
content for Snapchat in August. into negotiations.
 OCTOBER. 2017  61
TV BREAKDOWN
RAW [USA]
--VIEWERS IN MILLIONS

April 10: 3.43 Analysis: Raw’s numbers dropped precipitously in the post-WrestleMania period, as they do
April 17: 3.35 every year. More concerning in 2017 is the fact that Raw dropped below three million viewers
April 24: 3.01 as of May 1 and has yet to recover. All the editions of Raw in May and early-June of 2016—the
May 1: 2.87 same time period last year—were well above three million viewers. The June 5 Raw showed
May 8: 2.70 promise, however, scoring an average viewing number of 2.99 million. Without competition from
May 15: 2.75 the NHL’s Stanley Cup or NBA finals, and airing the night after Extreme Rules, Raw delivered a
May 22: 2.62 relatively good rating thanks to strong opening and closing matches, with Roman Reigns defeat-
May 29: 2.61 ing Bray Wyatt, and Samoa Joe gaining a tainted victory over Seth Rollins, respectively. But it’s
June 5: 2.99 still disappointing that Raw couldn’t surpass the three-million mark despite those positive factors.

SMACKDOWN [USA]
--VIEWERS IN MILLIONS

April 11: 2.30 Analysis: Smackdown was faced with several challenges heading out of WrestleMania, includ-
April 18: 2.54 ing the The Miz, Dean Ambrose, and Bray Wyatt switching to Raw in the Superstar Shakeup,
April 25: 2.50 John Cena spending more time in the mainstream media and away from the ring, and the
May 2: 2.30 program literally losing its voice, Mauro Ranallo. That placed all the more pressure on new
May 9: 2.35 arrivals Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura. Owens’ feud with Chris Jericho over the U.S.
May 16: 2.18 title and Nakamura’s appearances didn’t provide the spark needed to lift the blue brand. Even
May 23: 2.33 Owens vs. Nakamura on June 6 didn’t change the equation. All of this helps to explain the
May 30: 2.35 sudden ascendance of Jinder Mahal to the WWE championship. Nevertheless, Smackdown’s
June 6: 2.35 numbers are very much the same today as they were in the spring of last year. It’s always
been tough to budge Smackdown’s ratings, compared to Raw’s.

IMPACT
--
[pop]
VIEWERS IN MILLIONS
LUCHA
--
UNDERGROUND [EL REY]
VIEWERS IN MILLIONS

April 13: .30 Analysis: While it may seem dispir- May 31: .10 Analysis: After El Rey put
April 20: .32 iting that Impact Wrestling has June 7: .15 the show on hiatus in
April 27: .26 as much difficulty reaching a January, the second half
May 4: .26 plateau of 300,000 viewers as Raw of Lucha Underground’s third season began on May
May 11: .31 has in reaching three million, it’s 31 with a risky lineup: actually, one bout, an “All Night
May 18: .27 worth reiterating that 300,000 is Long” Iron Man match pitting LU champion Johnny
May 25: .31 a relatively big number in the Pop Mundo vs. The Mack. The time limit expired, however,
June 1: .29 universe. But, unlike Smackdown, with Mundo and Mack tying at three falls apiece. The
June 8: .32 Impact has demonstrated the abil- overall number of viewers was frighteningly low,
ity to use creativity, star-power, and with only about 100,000, including the replay. Lucha
marquee matches to move its numbers. Low-Ki’s capture of Underground rebounded the next week, with about
the X division title and Bobby Lashley’s Impact title defense 150,000 combined viewers. Owner Dario Cueto
against James Storm on April 20’s live edition, Scott Steiner’s sanctioned a rematch between Mundo and Mack, a
return on May 25, and Impact’s first show from India on June falls-count-anywhere match that ended when Mundo
8 all provided enough intrigue to attract more than 300,000 sunset-power-bombed Mack on a row of steel chairs
viewers. But here’s the cold dose of reality: Impact routinely to score the pin. And in some spooky interplay, Prince
scored over 300,000 viewers one year ago. Cord-cutting is Puma was falling under Vampiro’s hypnotic lure, with
affecting everyone’s numbers. friend Rey Mysterio Jr. trying to intervene.

62  PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED 

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Oct. 1996 (Special Issue): WCW Mid-Year Outlaws, Eddie Guerrero, Triple-H, Bill Gold- es We Really Want! Also: Tazz, Dudleys, Miss Elizabeth, D-Lo Brown, FBI, WWE nos-
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cho, strutters. Take To Topple This Man? Also: Rey Mis- April 2002: Feud Alert! The Lowdown On Wrestlers Who Get No Respect. Also:
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7589/1211
 BY MIKE BESSLER

RUISED, BLOODIED, and on the evening via social media, As a result of the spectacle, both

B battered, Jimmy Havoc

was the last man standing
at Combat Zone’s Tournament
hailing the win as one of the best Rhodes and the wrestling com-
moments of his career. pany donated over $1,400 to St.
Jude’s Research Hospital.
of Death 16. The June 10 event,
which unfolded in Townsend, Del- Always keen to further his
aware, on the grounds of an out- unique relationship with fans, Scoring a pinfall victory over
door venue dubbed the “Ultravio- Cody Rhodes took an unusual Maxx Stardom in the final round of
lent Underground,” pitted hard- request at an appearance with this year’s Florida J Cup, Jonny
core vets including MASADA WrestlePro in Rahway, New Jer- Vandal became the tournament’s
and Rickey Shane Page against sey, on May 19. During a meet and first-ever two-time winner. Hosted
the likes of younger talents such greet after the show, a fan, Wil- by the Orlando-based promotion
as Conor Claxton and SHLAK, liam Heins, asked Rhodes if the I Believe in Wrestling on June 2,
all in pursuit of a massive trophy wrestler would be willing to body the J Cup show also featured an
capped with a circular saw blade. slam him onto a batch of thumb- intergender battle royal, which
The titles of the early tournament tacks. Cody agreed on the condi- was won by Deon James.
rounds read like the highlight reel of tion that all of the money collected
a serial killer’s most twisted dreams, at the post-show gathering went
including “Light Tubes And Cin- to charity, adding that he would Sylverhawk defeated Wani to
derblocks,” “Pains In The Glass,” match whatever the company col- capture CHIKARA’s Young Lions’
“Doorway To Death,” and “Barbed lected. WrestlePro brass agreed Cup title at the Hour of Power
Wire Craziness.” The latter bout and Rhodes followed through with show in Philadelphia on June 4.
was the scene of one of the most his end, driving the enthusiastic In tag action, Solo Darling and
cringeworthy spots of the afternoon, Heins onto a smattering of tacks Travis Huckabee beat Cajun
in which Clint Margera tossed and garnering raucous applause. Crawdad and Hermit Crab … At
Claxton backward onto a trampo-
PHOTO BT CHRIS GRASSO

line frame wrapped in barbed wire.

Claxton ultimately survived, defeat-
ing Margera and advancing all the
way to the final round, in which he
fell to Havoc via pinfall in a “No
Ropes, No Canvas, Barbed Wire,
Light Tube” death match.
After the match, Havoc at-
tempted to bask in his big vic-
tory while enjoying the support of
CZW fans. Claxton wasn’t having
it, though, crashing Jimmy’s cel-
ebration and trashing the Tour-
nament of Death trophy. Despite
the tumultuous finish, 33-year-
old Havoc later reflected fondly The sorest of sore losers, Conor Claxton stomps on the Tournament of Death
trophy after being beaten by Jimmy Havoc in the tournament’s final round.
64 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l Havoc plans to leave Claxton in the same shape as the trophy.
 PHOTO BY SCOTT FINKELSTEIN
Bar Wrestling’s June 8 show in
Baldwin Park, California, Ivelisse
and Matt Cross partnered to de-
feat the self-proclaimed “World’s
Cutest Tag Team,” Candice Le-
Rae and Joey Ryan. Earlier in
the night, Peter Avalon beat Pin-
kie Sanchez and Taya Valkyrie
bested Shayna Baszler … Arik
Cannon retained his F1RST
Wrestling Wrestlepalooza title with
a win over Airwolf at the promo-
tion’s June 3 show in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. At the same event, the
DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal title
changed hands three times, first
when Grado defeated Joey Ryan,
again when Queenie Von Curves
beat Grado, and then once more
when Ryan won the strap back
from Queenie … John Henni-
gan, better known to longtime
wrestling fans as John Morrison
or Johnny Mundo, won the Pa-
cific Coast Wrestling heavyweight
strap from Rob Van Dam on June WrestlePro fan William Heins actually asked Cody Rhodes to bodyslam him
2 in Los Angeles. Douglas James onto a mat of thumbtacks. Though initially reticent, Rhodes agreed when
his demand of a charitable donation was met.
also took home title gold the same
night, wresting the light heavy-
weight belt from Mr. 450 … Adam
Cole, rumored to be WWE-bound,
defeated Jonathan Grisham to
capture International Wrestling
Cartel’s Super Indy 16 tournament
on June 10 in Elizabeth, Pennsyl-
vania … Mr. USA won the NWA picked apart Chris before claiming in at number 500 in last year’s
junior heavyweight title from Ar- the title as their own … An eight- “PWI 500” rankings, defended his
rick Andrews at the NWA New man tag bout topped the card at custom-made “PWI 500” champi-
South Championship Wrestling the inter-promotional “Battle Of onship title at West Virginia Cham-
show in Franklin, Kentucky, on Chicago” show presented by pionship Wrestling’s Miracle on
May 20. Andrews held the title for Freelance Wrestling and Resis- the Mountain 7 show in Bluefield,
less than two months after beating tance Pro on May 20. The team West Virginia, on June 3. Retton
John Saxon in early-April … The of John Skyler, Arik Cannon, met Darius Lockhart and Wild-
team of Riker and Matt Durden, Suge D, and Mad Man Pondo man Kongo in a wild three-way
known collectively as The Rising, ultimately picked up the win over elimination match, earning pinfall
seized the Body Progression Pro- Darin Corbin, Ethan Page, Wil- victories over each man. For the
fessional Wrestling tag straps from lie “Da Bomb” Richardson, and time being, his homegrown cham-
Jerry and Christopher Dean at Cody Jones. In a contest for the pionship and self-styled moniker
a show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Resistance Pro tag title, Mojo Mc- “Mr. 500” remain safe at hand, al-
June 10. In a contest that was Queen and Yabo the Clown won though Retton could be looking for
more mugging than match, The the belts from incumbent champs a new nickname when this year’s
Rising restrained Jerry with a copi- Jake Omen and Scotty Young “PWI 500” rankings are unveiled
ous quantity of duct tape and then … Timmy Lou Retton, who came in our next issue.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 65
 BY DAN MURPHY

ESPITE LOSSES TO ACH, Brit proceeded to deliver a series one more and then took the pin at

D Desperado, and Tiger Mask

IV, Kushida managed to
win the 2017 New Japan Best of
of eight precision back kicks be-
tween his spread legs directly to
Kushida’s exposed jaw. Kushida
the 27:59 mark.
In addition to bragging rights,
the win earns Kushida a shot
the Super Juniors Tournament, fell helplessly to the mat and was at the IWGP junior heavyweight
defeating Will Ospreay in the fi- in big trouble. Ospreay brought championship, currently held by
nals on June 3. Kushida up the turnbuckles and Takahashi.
Kushida—a four-time former was about to plant him on the mat It should be noted that Ospreay
IWGP junior heavyweight cham- when Kushida found it within him- and Ricochet once again put on
pion and the winner of the 2015 self to deliver a Back to the Future a show-stealing match featuring
Super Juniors tournament—was small package driver. He added insane sequences of flips, dives,
desperate to win the event and

©2017 NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING, LTD.

regain momentum after falling
into a slump following a disap-
pointing loss to “The Ticking Time
Bomb” Hiromu Takahashi in
April. Kushida entered the event
as the reigning Ring of Honor TV
champion, having won that title
from new Bullet Club member
Marty Scurll on May 14.
Following early losses, Kushi-
da found himself behind the pro-
verbial eight-ball, needing three
consecutive wins to win his block
and advance to the finals. He
went on to defeat Yoshinobu
Kanemaru, Ryusuke Taguchi,
and Volador Jr. to earn his way
into the final round.
His opponent, Ospreay, seek- Kushida proudly dis-
ing back-to-back Super Juniors plays the Ring of Honor
wins, established himself as a TV belt and his newly
won Best of the Super
clear favorite with convincing wins Juniors trophy after
over his perennial rival Ricochet beating Will Ospreay to
and Jushin Liger. conclude the 2½-week
tournament.
The final match was sensation-
al, with momentum swinging back
and forth throughout. Nearing the
half-hour mark, Ospreay draped
Kushida face-first across the turn-
buckles and tucked his oppo-
nent's head toward his chest. The

66 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

and counters, adding another
chapter to their controversial rival-
ry. Also, Jushin Liger announced
that this would be his final appear-
ance in the Super Juniors tourna-
ment, competing in the event an
unbelievable 25 times since 1991.
The Undertaker and his streak
have nothing on the ageless Liger!
Meanwhile, in Mexico, Marco
Corleone became CMLL heavy-
weight champion on June 6, win-
ning a 10-man torneo cibernetico
for the vacant championship.
Kairi Hojo’s defection to WWE
The title was vacated when then- leaves a hole at the top of the
champion Maximo Sexy was fired STARDOM roster. Fortunately,
in May. Corleone—better remem- it looks like the stories of the
pending retirement of 24-year-
PHOTO COURTESY KOUNOSUKE IZUI/LADYRING MAGAZINE

bered in the U.S. as WCW com- old Mayu Iwatani are not true.
petitor Mark Jindrak—outlasted
the field of Dragon Rojo Jr.,
Euforia, Rush, Rey Bucanero,
Gran Guerrero, Kraneo, Mr. Nie-
bla, El Terrible, and Pierroth.
With the win, Corleone became
the first non-Mexican to hold that
title in 20 years; the last foreigner
to accomplish the feat was a fella
named Steele, who went on to
wrestle under the name Val Venis.
In other news from south of the pions Stan Hansen, Vader, and that she was planning to retire in
border, Cuervo and Scorio won Terry Gordy. However, at 41 years the near future. At 24 years old,
a four-way tag match to capture old, Ishikawa is likely a stop-gap Iwatani is one of STARDOM’s
the tag team title at AAA’s big champion for AJPW, a company top names and most consistent
“Verano de Escandalo” (Sum- that has fallen far since its glory competitors. With Kairi Hojo
mer of Scandal) event on June 4. days of the 1970s and 1980s. headed to WWE and Io Shirai
The main event of the show saw On May 21, Kai and Kengo- heavily rumored to be following,
Psycho Clown and Dr. Wagner Mashimo defeated The Big Guns the company looked like it was
Jr. triumph in a six-way masks- (Bodyguard and Zeus) for the losing its three top stars in one
vs.-masks match against Psycho AJPW tag team title, but the Guns fell swoop. Iwatani is likely to
Clown’s former runningmates regained the belts on June 11. step into Shirai’s shoes as STAR-
Monster Clown and Murder Pro Wrestling NOAH crowned DOM’s franchise player for the
Clown and the team of Carta a new GHC junior heavyweight time being, but the defections
Brava Jr. and Soul Rocker. Per champion on May 27 as freelancer show a dire need to increase the
the stipulation, Brava and Soul HAYATA defeated Hajime Ohara. overall depth of the roster.
Rocker were forced to unmask It’s a thorny situation, as NOAH’s In other international women’s
after losing the fall. new open door policy is allowing wrestling news, Toni Storm be-
Shuji Ishikawa made good use outsiders like HAYATA in and see- came the inaugural Progress
of the title shot he earned by win- ing the rise of new factions, such Wrestling Women’s champion,
ning the 2017 All Japan Pro Wres- as HAYATA’s RATEL group. NOAH winning a two-day tournament
tling Champion Carnival as he is still reeling from the effects of for the belt on May 28. Storm de-
went on to beat Kento Miyahara the Suzuki-gun invasion of 2015. feated Bea Priestley in the open-
for the Triple Crown title on May 21. STARDOM officials likely ing round and Dahlia Black in the
The 6’5”, 300-pounder has a breathed a big sigh of relief when semifinals before defeating Jinny
roughhouse style that hearkens Wonder of STARDOM champion and Laura Di Matteo in a three-
back to former Triple Crown cham- Mayu Iwatani squashed rumors way bout in the finals.

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 67
 We encourage promoters and readers
to e-mail results to:

[email protected]
Please try to utilize the exact format you see
in the “Arena Reports.” Also, please distin-
guish between handicap matches and three-
or four-way matches. And, when reporting
the result of a handicap match, indicate the
number of competitors and who was the last
man eliminated. Finally, please note pinfall
finishes. Following these guidelines will help
us greatly and make it more likely that your
report will be used.

SPOTLIGHT CARD
SAN DIEGO—WWE NXT at Viejas Are-
na: No Way Jose pinned Kona Reeves
… Lacey Evans & Ruby Riot defeated
COLORADO
GOLDEN—New Era Wrestling at Buffalo
OF THE MONTH Bianca Blair & Mandy Rose … Kassius Rose: Danger Dean defeated Damian
Ohno pinned Oney Lorcan … Johnny Payne … Jason Noel defeated Kevin
MARYLAND Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeat-
ed Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli …
Price … Delta Jr. defeated Tony Morales
… Hunter Grey beat Juntsu … Johnny
BALTIMORE—WWE Extreme Rules Drew McIntyre pinned Patrick Clark … Proof defeated Adrian Matthews …
at the Royal Farms Arena: Kalisto Women’s champion Asuka pinned So- Joey Kincaid beat Rob Ryzin … Duff
pinned Apollo Crews … The Miz nya Deville … Hideo Itami & Tye Dill- Doyle & Jefferson James defeated Ben-
pinned Intercontinental champion inger defeated Adrade “Cien” Almas & jamin Cumberbatch & Cody Devine.
Dean Ambrose for the title … Rich Bobby Roode. (05-06-17)
Swann & Sasha Banks beat Noam (05-06-17) —Ralph Lopez
Dar & Alicia Fox … Raw Women’s
champion Alexa Bliss pinned Bayley
in a Kendo Stick on a Pole match …
—Chad Simplicio

RIVERSIDE—WWE NXT at Riverside

FLORIDA
ORLANDO—Ignite Wrestling at the Team
Cesaro & Sheamus defeated Raw Municipal Auditorium: No Way Jose Vision Dojo: Nick Nero beat Carlos Gabri-
tag team champions Jeff & Matt Har- pinned Kona Reeves … Ruby Riot el, CT Brown, and Willie Brown in a four-
dy for the title … Cruiserweight cham- pinned Bianca Blair … Johnny Gargano way … CJ O’Doyle pinned Maxx Stardom
pion Neville beat Austin Aries by & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Riddick … The Whisper pinned Slade Porter …
submission … Samoa Joe beat Bray Moss & Tino Sabbatelli … Andrade Martin Stone pinned Timmy Lou Ret-
Wyatt, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Almas pinned Kassius Ohno … Hideo ton … White Mike pinned Rex Bacchus
and Seth Rollins in a Fatal 5-Way. Itami pinned Patrick Clark … Drew Mc- … Lance Lude & Rob Killjoy beat Cor-
(06-04-17) Intyre pinned Oney Lorcan … Asuka & nelius Crummels & Sonny Defarge …
Lacey Evans beat Mandy Rose & Sonya Chasyn Rance pinned Mike Austin … Ig-
—Spotlight Photos ©2017 WWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Deville … Heavyweight champion Bobby nite champion Aaron Epic beat Jon Cruz,
Roode pinned Tye Dillinger. Jason Cade, and Ophidian in a four-way.

ARIZONA
PHOENIX—WWE NXT at Comerica The-
(05-05-17)
—Arnie Lazarro
(05-20-17)
—Al Haft

atre: No Way Jose pinned Kona Reeves

… Lacey Evans & Ruby Riot defeated
Bianca Blair & Mandy Rose … Kassius
Ohno pinned Oney Lorcan … Johnny
Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated
Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli …
Drew McIntyre pinned Patrick Clark …
Women’s champion Asuka pinned Sonya
Deville … Heavyweight champion Bobby
Roode vs. Tye Dillinger ended in a no-
contest … Hideo Itami & Tye Dillinger
defeated Adrade Almas & Bobby Roode.
(05-04-17)
—Bill Morrison

CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES—Women of Wrestling at
the Belasco Theater: Beast pinned Ste-
phy Slays … Women’s champion San-
tana Garrett pinned Abilene Maverick
… Jessie Jones pinned Malia Hosaka
… Loca pinned Stephy Slays … Abilene
Maverick pinned Khloe Hurtz in a “ring Kalisto had a tough matchup in Apollo
rats” match … Malia Hosaka pinned Ray Crews, who moves extremely well and is
Lyn … Katarina Leigh pinned Jessie much stronger. It wasn’t until Crews had a
Jones … Women’s champion Santana disagreement with his mentor, Titus O’Neil,
Garrett pinned Amber Gallows. that the luchador was able to score the victory.
(05-11-17)
—Chad Simplicio

68 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

 ed The Outlaw Rusty Livings … Jack
Helter beat Theodoric … Ric Knight
defeated Damien Black … Wrestle Club
heavyweight champion Marcus King
Anderson beat Adriel Noctis.
(05-21-17)
—Brian Westcott

ILLINOIS
CHICAGO—WWE Backlash at the All-
state Arena: Tye Dillinger pinned Aiden
English … Shinsuke Nakamura pinned
Dolph Ziggler …Smackdown tag team
champions Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Tyler
Breeze & Fandango … Carmella, Na-
talya, & Tamina Snuka defeated Becky
Lynch, Charlotte Flair, & Naomi … U.S.
champion Kevin Owens beat AJ Styles
by countout … Luke Harper pinned Erick
Rowan … Jinder Mahal pinned WWE
champion Randy Orton for the title.
(05-21-17)
—John Smolek
Dean Ambrose had successfully defended the Intercontinental title
numerous times on the house show circuit against The Miz, but he CHICAGO—::(1;77DNH2YHUDWWKH
came up short at Extreme Rules. Miz’ right knee finds Ambrose’s Allstate Arena: Roderick Strong pinned
jaw on his way to beating him for his seventh I-C title win. Eric Young … Pete Dunne pinned Unit-
ed Kingdom champion Tyler Bate for the
title … NXT Women’s champion Asuka
pinned Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot in a
COCOA—Atomic Wrestling Entertainment DAYTONA BEACH—WWE NXT at Mid- triple-threat … Heavyweight champion
at the Cocoa Expo: JD Amazing & Chico town Cultural & Education Center: Kassius Bobby Roode defeated Hideo Itami
Adams beat Sinn Bodhi & Gangrel … Ohno defeated Adrian Jaoude … Sonya … Tag team champions Akam & Rezar
Alex Todd pinned Markos Espada … Effy Deville defeated Kimberly Frankele … defeated Johnny Gargano & Tommaso
Gibbes & Teddy Stigma vs. Leon Scott Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight beat Steve Ciampa in a ladder match.
& Wolfe Taylor ended in a double-coun- Cutler & Wesley Blake … Jeet Rama de- (05-20-17)
tout … Cruiserweight champion Chasyn feated Kona Reeves … Lana beat Dani- —John Smolek
Rance pinned Nick Nero … Vertigo Ri- elle Kamela … Buddy Murphy & Rod-
vera pinned Zack Monstar in a hardcore erick Strong defeated Cezar Bononi & EAST CARONDELET—Southern Il-
match … Jason Dugan & Alex Santiago Lars Sullivan … Babatunde Aiyegbusi linois Championship Wrestling at the
beat CJ Conners & Teigan James … Leva beat Demitrius Bronson … Hideo Itami, Community Center: Jimmy D & Bobby
Bates beat Rosemary, Gabriela Rio, and Aliyah, & Asuka defeated Andrade Al- D defeated Shawn Santel & Mauler
Raegan Fire in a four-way … Chris Metro mas, Billie Kay, & Peyton Royce. McDarby … Clint Poe vs. The Big
& JC Metro beat Johnny Atomic & Sean (05-11-17) Texan ended in a double-DQ … Flash
Hawley … Shannon Moore pinned heavy- —Duane Long Flanagan beat Curtis Wylde and Marc
weight champion CJ O’Doyle for the title. Houston in a triple-threat … Moondog
(05-19-17) ST. PETERSBURG—WWE NXT at the Rover beat Dave Vaughn by DQ …
—Al Haft St. Petersburg Armory: Otis Dozovic & Gary Jackson vs. Johnny Blade ended
Tucker Knight beat Gabriel & Uriel Ealy in a time-limit draw … Ken Kasa, Heath
YBOR CITY—6KLQHb:UHVWOLQJDWWKH2U- … Lars Sullivan defeated Cezar Bononi Hatton, & Sean Vincent defeated Steve
SKHXPb Dementia D’Rose pinned Aja … Lana beat Kimberly Frankele … Jeet Fender, Ax Allwardt, & Bubba Troll …
Perera … Maria Maria pinned Dynamite Rama defeated Brennan Williams … Chris Hargas beat Flash Flanagan for
DiDi … Keira Hogan pinned Priscilla Roderick Strong beat Killian Dain by DQ the vacant Classic Wrestling champions
Kelly … ACR pinned Lindsay Snow … Billie Kay & Peyton Royce defeated … Sean Vincent won the Bruiser Brody
… Ivelisse Velez & Mercedes Marti- Aliyah & Danielle Kamela … Steve Cut- Memorial Battle Royal.
nez beat tag team champions Santana ler beat Tian Bing … Angelo Dawkins, (05-20-17)
Garrett & Gabriela Rio for the title … Montez Ford, & Lana defeated Alexan- —Patrick Brandmeyer
Allysin Kay pinned Chelsea Green … der Wolfe, Eric Young, & Nikki Cross.
Renee Michelle beat Candy Cartwright (05-06-17) SUMMIT—(92/9( DW WKH 6XPPLW 3DUN
by DQ … Aerial Monroe, Priscilla Kelly, —Duane Long District: Keith Lee pinned Donovan Dijak
& Renee Michelle beat Aria Blake, Can-
dy Cartwright, & Kiera Hogan … Singles
champion LuFisto pinned Leva Bates.
GEORGIA
ROYSTON—APW at Royston Gym: Tag
… Fred Yehi defeated Jason Kincaid by
submission … Lio Rush pinned Austin
Theory … Tracy Williams pinned Jeff
(05-12-17) team champions Dynamic Dexter & Cobb … Tag team champions Jaka &
—Al Haft Stevie Ray Frost pinned Jeremy Cruz Chris Dickinson defeated Matt Knicks &
& Don E … North Georgia champion Isaias Velazquez … Heavyweight cham-
ORLANDO—'LYLVLRQ 3URb :UHVWOLQJ DW Demarko Knight beat Sam Kooper … pion Zack Sabre Jr. pinned Ethan Page
Venue 578: Amber Nova pinned Kaci Carnage pinned Brandon Bates … Eh- … WNN champion Matthew Riddle beat
Lennox … Chasyn Rance pinned Carlos rin Black beat Hoss Michaels … Jacob Kyle O’Reilly by submission.
Gabriel … Braydon Knight defeated Aar- Ashworth pinned James Boulevard … (05-20-17)
on Epic … Jason Cade pinned Snoop Stryknyn beat Southern States cham- —Leonard Brand
Strikes … Lio Rush pinned Corey Hollis pion Scott Mayson.
… Sami Callihan beat Mr. 450 by submis-
sion … Shayna Baszler defeated Lana
(05-19-17)
—Brian Edens INDIANA
Austin by submission … Tom Lawlor
defeated Kyle O’Reilly by submission …
Brian Cage pinned Moose.
IDAHO
NAMPA—Idaho Wrestle Club at Lake-
HANOVER—1:$ 6XSUHPHb &RXQWHU
Strike at Hanover College: Rob Royale
won a battle royal … NWA Tri-State TV
(05-12-17) view Park: Brad Zane defeated Lost champion Josh Lewis defeated Sgt.
—Al Haft Soul Garibai … James Grimm defeat- Howitzer, Red Phoenix, and Dark

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 69
 Saint in three consecutive matches … Chris Xion … Sadon pinned DW Kel- ens by DQ … Naomi, Charlotte Flair, &
NWA Mid America heavyweight cham- ley … Rod Street, Deputy Dave, & Eva Becky Lynch defeated Tamina Snuka,
pion Roger Malcolm vs. Van Martigan Lonis defeated Matt O’Hare, Alexander Carmella, & Natalya … Tag team cham-
ended in a time-limit draw … NWA Mid S. Kirk, & Cynnamon … Heavyweight pions Jey & Jimmy Uso beat Jason
America tag team champions Nic Noble champion Steven Drochner pinned Fire- Jordan & Chad Gable … Sami Zayn &
& Leon Elliot beat The East & West Ex- ball … Michiana Online champion Adam Randy Orton defeated Baron Corbin &
press and Big ’n’ Tasty in a triple-threat Bueller pinned Jayden Michael Quick. Jinder Mahal.
… Rob Royale defeated Go-Go … Tex- (05-13-17) (05-22-17)
as Outlaw beat Eric Draven in a Texas —Leonard Brand —Leonard Brand
bullrope match.
(05-20-17) HANOVER—1:$ 6XSUHPHb 5HEHOX- LIVONIA—EVOLVE at the Knights of
—Jason Cohen tion at Southwestern High School: Dustin Columbus Hall: Dominic Garrini beat
Jackson pinned Colton Cage … Nic Alex Daniels by submission … Tag team
EVANSVILLE—WWE NXT at Old Nation- Noble & Leon Elliot defeated NWA Mid champions Chris Dickinson & Jaka de-
al Events Plaza: No Way Jose defeated America tag team champions Big ‘n feated Austin Theory & Jason Kincaid
Patrick Clark … Ruby Riot beat Lacey Tasty & The East and West Express in … Allysin Kay pinned Priscilla Kelly …
Evans … Killian Dain defeated Oney a triple-threat for the title … Eric Draven Ethan Page pinned Donovan Dijak …
Lorcan … Drew McIntyre beat Wesley defeated NWA Supreme heavyweight Tracy Williams defeated Kyle O’Reilly
Blake … Kassius Ohno beat Alexan- champion Rob Conway for the title … by submission … Keith Lee pinned Fred
der Wolfe … Women’s champion Asuka Rob Conway defeated NWA Supreme Yehi … WWN champion Matt Riddle
beat Sonya Deville … Roderick Strong U.S. champion Josh Lewis for the title beat Jeff Cobb by submission … Heavy-
& Aleister Black beat Bobby Roode & … Dark Saint defeated Texas Outlaw … weight champion Zack Sabre Jr. defeat-
Andrade Almas. Josh Lewis defeated Go-Go … NWA Mid ed Lio Rush by submission.
(05-19-17) America heavyweight champion Roger (05-21-17)
—Bobby Houston Malcolm vs. Dustin Jackson ended in —Leonard Brand
a time-limit draw … NWA junior heavy-
LAKEVILLE—Pro Wrestling King at weight champion Arrick Andrews de- GLADSTONE—UPW Pro Wrestling at
Lakeville High School: The Celtic Night- feated Van Martigan. the UPW Arena: Darkchild pinned Bull-
mare won a battle royal … Maltese Ti- (05-12-17) dozer Mike Morris … Judge Jesse
ger defeated Whip O’Doyle, Ox Baker —Jason Cohen defeated Grant Ryder and Red Rocket
Jr., The Celtic Nightmare, JC Bunyan,
and Jackie Chen in a six-way … Devon
Shaw & BD Smooth defeated Alexander
KENTUCKY
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS—WWE NXT at
in a three-way … Joseph Schwartz &
The Zodiac defeated Brett Powers &
James Hunter and Joey Avalon & Mark
Beardslee & Zach Main … Tony Thun- BB&T Arena: No Way Jose defeated Priebe in a three-way by DQ in a three-
der & Jorge Bravo beat Cletus Farmer Wesley Blake by DQ … Sonya Deville way … Stacy Shadows defeated Randi
& Big Fish Rembowski … Ames pinned defeated Lacey Evans … Drew McIntyre West and Shayla Hyde in a three-way …
beat Patrick Clark … Aleister Black Maru vs. Shad Satu ended in a double-
defeated Oney Lorcan … Women’s countout … Thomas Walton III pinned
champion Asuka beat Nikki Cross and Alternative champion Malcom Monroe III
Ruby Riot in a triple-threat … Tommaso for the title … Mark Priebe pinned Joey
Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Alexan- Avalon … Heavyweight champion Brock
der Wolfe & Eric Young ended in a no- Hall pinned Peter B.
contest … Killian Dain defeated Kassius (05-20-17)
Ohno … Roderick Strong & Hideo Itami —Leonard Brand
beat Bobby Roode & Andrade Almas.
(05-18-17) WESTLAND—International Bigtime
—Marv Montgomery Wrestling at the Token Lounge: Frank
Isaac Anderson pinned Caleb Stills
SHELBYVILLE—Appalachian Mountain … CJ Anderson pinned Maltese Tiger
Wrestling at The Clear Creek Park Recre- … Amazing Maria pinned Ingrid Isley
ation Center: Maxx Sledd pinned Casey … Chuck Wagon pinned Rev. Ronnie
Reeves … Women’s champion Misty Roberts … Kef Sweat pinned Dre Ja-
James pinned Big Mamma … Jordan cobs … Mosh Pit Mike pinned Madman
Clearwater pinned Beau James … Clin- Pondo … Tag team champions The DBA
ton Stacy & Kyle Maggard beat Stan & Malcom Monroe III defeated Revenge
Lee & Daniel Richards … Appalachian of the Nerds & The Fat World Order …
champion Stan Sierra pinned Larry D. Bobby Fulton pinned Greg Valentine
(05-12-17) … Heavyweight champion Alcatraz 187
—Nathan Lyttle pinned Ruff Crossing … Mysterious
Movado pinned Shawn Daivari.
MOREHEAD—Thoroughbred Champion- (05-14-17)
ship Wrestling at The Carl Perkins Cen- —Leonard Brand
ter: Maxx Sledd pinned Jordan Clearwa-
ter … Austin Tyler MorrisbSLQQHGJesse VASSAR—Ultimate Championship Wres-
Londas … Beau James & Stan Lee beat tling at the North Pavilion: Gary Dawson
Bad Henry & Chief Tomahawk … Bran- pinned Sheldon Jean … Lewis Lambda
don Taggart pinned Alex Angel … Ron- vs. Sean Lawhorn ended in a double-DQ
nie Roberts pinned Larry D.b … The Soultaker defeated Lewis Lamb-
(05-02-17) da & Sean Lawhorn … Aaron Orion won
—Kerry Campbell a battle royal … Lawrence Jeter & Fa-

Mixed tag team matches are not intended

MICHIGAN
YPSILANTI—WWE Smackdown at the
bio Morocco defeated Chuck Wagon &
Kurt Hendrix … The Brooklyn Brawler
pinned Aaron Orion.
to have men in action against women, EMU Convocation Center: Tyler Breeze (05-13-17)
but don’t tell that to Sasha Banks, who & Fandango defeated Konnor & Viktor —Leonard Brand
has a bead on Noam Dar. We’ll see what … Tye Dillinger pinned Aiden English
happens to the relationship of Dar and … Mojo Rawley pinned Aiden English … PORT HURON—Blue Water Champion-
Alicia Fox after this big loss to Banks Luke Harper pinned Erick Rowan … AJ ship Wrestling at the American Legion
and Rich Swann. Styles beat U.S. champion Kevin Ow- Post 8: Mr. Fitness, Frank Stein, & Rob

70 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

pler, & The Shadow … Justin Mane … Dysfunction pinned Mason … Dys- ST. LOUIS—Dynamo Pro Wrestling at Con-
pinned James Alexander … Micro cham- function defeated Hardcore Craig, Jimmy cordia Turners Gym: The Snitch defeated
pion POD pinned Eric Smalls … Chris Blaze, Scotty D, Greeko Suave, and Max Nero … Froto the Ghost beat Mauler
Masters & Tiana Ringer defeated Cody Morrison in a six-way ladder match. McDarby … OutKast defeated Ozzie Gal-
Hawk & Shawna Reed … Kef Sweat de- (05-13-17) lagher … CH Shine defeated Makaze …
feated Alex Weir and Billy Ray Daniels —Leonard Brand Adrian Surge beat Elvis Aliaga.
in a three-way … Chris Harris pinned (05-13-17)
Caleb Stills … Bombshells champion —Larry Nickel
Malia Hosaka defeated Ingrid Isley and
Thunderkitty … Heavyweight champion
Sean Casey pinned Bobby Fulton.
MISSOURI NEVADA
ST. LOUIS—National Wrasslin’ League LAS VEGAS—NWA Vendetta Pro
(05-13-17) at the Casa Loma Ballroom: Thor The- Wrestling/Pro Wrestling Bushido/Gold
—Leonard Brand riot defeated Party Crasher Spike … Rush Pro Wrestling/Big Valley Wres-
Emmett DuBois pinned Neon Iverson tling/Alpha Omega Wrestling/NWA Big
CLINTON TOWNSHIP—Xtreme Intense … Xavier Church beat Party Crasher Apple at the Gold Coast Hotel & Ca-
Championship Wrestling at the Impe- Boulder … Skyler Beckett & Javy Tor- sino: Greg Anthony won the Top Rope
rial House: Jay Maynard pinned Griz- res defeated Adam Ryan & Jackie Lee Battle Royal, last eliminating The Stro
zly House Jones … Yoshi Tatsu pinned Bosch … Jack Foster pinned Ken Dhar- … Billy Blade & Richie Slade defeated
Hakim Zane … Jeff Brooks pinned Idris ma … Kansas City champion Dak Drap- NWA International tag team champions
Abraham … Palmer Cruise & Xavier er beat Jay Lutz … St. Louis champion Shane & Shannon Ballard for the title
Walker defeated Willie Watts & El Ridic- Todd Letterman, Cornell Douglass, & … Mustang Mike & Andrew Anderson
uloso … Lightweight champion Johnny Brother Castle beat Maverick, Davey vs. Wild Horse & Sam Houston ended
Devine pinned Joey Ryan … Chris Moore Gibson, & Mathew Grundy. in a no-contest … Bobby Hart defeat-
pinned Dre Jacobs … Midwest champion (05-21-17) ed Kikutaro … Sean Casey & Cody
Gavin Quinn pinned Jake Something … —Patrick Brandmeyer Hawk defeated Levi Shapiro & Buddy
Tag team champions The DBA & Malcolm Royal … Malia Hosaka beat Liiza Hall
Monroe III defeated Zach Gowen & Jaimy ST. LOUIS—Mid-Missouri Wrestling Al- in a Lumberjill match … NWA National
Coxxx … Shane Douglas pinned Joe liance at the South Broadway Athletic heavyweight champion Kahagas de-
Coleman for the title. &OXEb The Big Texan pinned Jimmy D feated Jake Logan … America Strong,
(05-13-17) … Da’Marius Jones defeated Moondog Tab Jackson, Violet Payne, & Shawna
—Leonard Brand Rover … Barackus beat J-Mal Swagg … Reed defeated Kikyo, La Rosa Negra,
Frodo Meyer pinned J.D. Wilk … Bran- Mazzerati, & Andrea the Giant … Gold
don Espinosa defeated Ace Hawkins Rush Pro Wrestling heavyweight cham-
CADILLAC—Universal Wrestling Enter- in a ladder match … Deacon Cash beat pion Zack Reeb beat Funny Bone …
prises at the Wexford County Civic Arena: Johnny Park for the vacant cruiserweight Beast, Big Dirty, & Mike James beat
Hardcore Craig pinned Adam Grace title … Gary Jackson & Brian James Big Valley Wrestling tag team champions
… Max Morrison pinned Kris P. Bacon beat A.J. Williams & B.T. Daramola. Alexander Braven & Ryan J. Morals
… Greeko Suave pinned Mike Idol … (05-13-17) and Big Valley Wrestling heavyweight
Jimmy Blaze pinned Huevos De Oros —Ben Simon champion Jason Muse … Greg Anthony
Alexa Bliss proudly circles her fallen prey, Bayley, after PENNSYLVANIA
PHILADELPHIA—52+1-3: DW 
vanquishing her in a Kendo Stick on a Pole match. Bliss’
grip on the Raw Women’s title seems to be getting $UHQD Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
stronger and stronger. beat Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali
… Josh Woods defeated David Starr
… Jay Lethal beat Beer City Bruiser
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defeated Jessie Brooks & Tasha Steelz
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& Raymond Rowe defeated Cheese-
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Ray, Dalton Castle, Jay Briscoe, &
Mark Briscoe … Hangman PageSLQQHG
Adam Cole … Kelly Klein defeated Jen-
ny RoseE\VXEPLVVLRQ‫ڢ‬Chuck Taylor,
Beretta, & Rocky Romero EHDW +DQJ-
PDQ3DJHNick Jackson, & Matt Jack-
son … Rhett Titus & Shane Taylor YV
Jay White & Jonathan Gresham ended
LQDQRFRQWHVW‫ڢ‬KushidaSLQQHG52+
79FKDPSLRQMarty Scurll for the title …
%HHU&LW\%UXLVHU Silas Young defeated
defeated Sinn Bodhi for the 2017 Cauli- defeated Grant Andrews, Chris Kelley, Bobby Fish -D\/HWKDO‫ڢ‬Matt Taven
ߔRZHU$OOH\&XS and Craig Mitchell LQ D IRXUZD\‫ ڢ‬5H- & Vinny Marseglia beat Brandon &
(05-01-17) VSHFW FKDPSLRQ Mojo McQueen SLQQHG Brett … Punishment Martinez defeated
—Brian Westcott Jay Maynard … Tanu the Savage, Papa Joey Daddiego … Christopher Daniels,

NEW JERSEY
WRIGHTSTOWN—United Wrestling Coali-
Dingo, & The Beast defeated Jimmy Frankie Kazarian, & Hiroshi Tanahashi
Shane, Movado, & Heather Owens … defeated Gedo, Hirooki Goto, & Will Os-
Dusty Dillinger & Cody Hawk beat Aus- preay‫ڢ‬0DUW\6FXUOOEHDW$GDP&ROHE\
WLRQ DW .HOO\‫ڕ‬V %DQTXHW +DOOb JJ tin Manix & Brandon Edwards, Rod VXEPLVVLRQLQDVWUHHWߓJKW
&UX]bEHDWbDaisy E\IRUIHLW … Kleetus & Jay Street & Deputy Dave, and Chris Hall & (05-14-17)
Evans defeated Tony Emerald & Bobby Sherman Tank LQDIRXUZD\ … Orlando —Brady Hicks
Piper ‫ڢ‬bKillian McMurphy defeated Lance Christopher SLQQHG Mikey Smalls …
Scaper ‫ڢ‬bWarhead SLQQHGbGeoffrey Bra- +HDY\ZHLJKW FKDPSLRQ Matt Taylor de- SUNBURY—:;: & DW WKH ,FH 5LQN
vo ‫ڢ‬bJay Kirby SLQQHGb--&UX] ‫ڢ‬bFredo feated Brandon DayE\'4‫ڢ‬0DWW7D\- Luca Brazzi & Jimmy Konway beat Pyro
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Mustang defeated Jimmy Pipes … Text- &KULVWRSKHUb &KULV+DOOGHIHDWHG%UDQ- SLQQHG RJR … Cyrus DeVille & Joe
book Philly Madison SLQQHGSpectrum GRQ 'D\ 0RMR 0F4XHHQ 0LNH\ 6PDOOV Ettell beat Danger Jameson & Stefan
(05-20-17) Kyron, & Kyle Kraven Ramon … Jersey Devil SLQQHG Cauli-
—Joseph Grana (05-06-17) ߔRZHU%URZQ … Ricky MartinezSLQQHG

NEW YORK
NEW YORK—52+:DURIWKH:RUOGVDW OKLAHOMA
—Leonard Brand Samuel Adams‫ڢ‬8OWLPDWHKHDY\ZHLJKW
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landoLQDIDOOVFRXQWDQ\ZKHUHPDWFK‫ڢ‬
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& Vinny Marseglia ZLWK TK O’Ryan) 3HUIHFW 3UDFWLFH $WKOHWLF &HQWHU 5HDOLW\ Supastar Whiplash, Kris Kage, & Razeb
defeated Sho & YoheiLQDGDUNPDWFK‫ڢ‬ RI:UHVWOLQJ79FKDPSLRQJ. J. Blake de- 
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lor ZLWKCaprice Coleman) beat Cheese-
burger, Gedo, & Will Ferrara in a dark
PDWFK‫ڢ‬Dalton Castle ZLWKThe Boys)
Skylar Slice … Psycho Sawyer beat Dan
Maestro … Anthony Andrews & Shawn VIRGINIA
Hendrix defeated Gavin Dixon & Damon PEARISBURG—$OO 6WDU :UHVWOLQJ DW 7KH
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las Young ZLWK Beer City Bruiser) … Breaker beat Nathan Estrada and Mor- Wolf beat Joe Briggs & Austin Mitchell …
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… Hanson & Raymond Rowe defeated GHIHDWHG 2NODKRPD ; GLYLVLRQ FKDPSLRQ :RPHQ‫ڕ‬V FKDPSLRQ Misty James SLQQHG
EVIL & Sanada and Chris Sabin & Jona- Aaron AndersLQDQRQWLWOHPDWFK Rebecca Lynn … Jimmy Valiant, The
than Gresham ZLWKAlex Shelley) … Will (05-20-17) Iron Cross, & Frank Parker beat Drake
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6L[0DQ7DJ7HDPFKDPSLRQVBully Ray, Daniel HallenSLQQHGSargent Long
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LQ D QR'4 PDWFK ‫ ڢ‬52+ :RUOG 7HOHYL- KRXVH *\P Richie Adams defeated
VLRQ FKDPSLRQ Marty Scurll defeated Steven Cruze … Wesley Crane & Aero- WAYNESBORO—$ZHVRPH :UHVWOLQJ
Matt SydalE\VXEPLVVLRQ‫ڢ‬52+:RUOG naut beat Maddox Jones & Dean Lam- (QWHUWDLQPHQW DW WKH :D\QHVERUR +LJK
7DJ7HDP FKDPSLRQV Nick & Matt Jack- bert … Cody Burns, Trey Cole, & The 6FKRRO *\PQDVLXP Hornswoggle
son SLQQHG BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito … Longhorn Outlaw GHIHDWHG WDJ WHDP SLQQHGRC Luv’n … Kid Kash defeated
Hiroshi TanahashiSLQQHGAdam Cole … FKDPSLRQV J. D. & Alex for the title in a Doug Delicious … Lance Lude & Rob
52+ :RUOG FKDPSLRQ Christopher Dan- KDQGLFDS PDWFK ‫ ڢ‬Dimitri Alexandrov Killjoy beat Phil Brown & Timmy Lou
iels defeated Cody and Jay Lethal defeated Colt Killbane … Riker beat Retton IRU WKH YDFDQW WDJ WHDP WLWOH ‫ڢ‬
(05-12-17) Matt DurdenLQDVWUHHWߓJKW‫ڢ‬Mr. Nasty Dani Ferrera beat Kacee Carlisle and
—Al Castle defeated Skyler Fayden ‫ ڢ‬+RPH7RZQ Savannah Evans LQ D WULSOHWKUHDW ‫ڢ‬

OHIO
LIMA—:$5:UHVWOLQJDWWKH8$:+DOO
+HURHV FKDPSLRQ Paul Puertorico de- Jamin Olivencia defeated Sonjay Dutt,
feated Jason Kincaid ‫ ڢ‬+HDY\ZHLJKW C.W. Anderson, and Prince Tita in a
FKDPSLRQ Tim Rockwell GHIHDWHG - ' IRXUZD\HOLPLQDWLRQPDWFKIRUWKHYDFDQW
7DJ WHDP FKDPSLRQV John Murray & LQDQR'4PDWFK KHDY\ZHLJKWFKDPSLRQVKLS
Byren Douglas defeated Super Tough (05-06-17) (05-06-17)
Dudes … Thomas Jefferson Samson —Mike Iles —Tim Walker

72 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

WEST VIRGINIA
HARPERS FERRY—3ULPDO
Testosterone … Preston Perry SLQQHG Randy Orton GHIHDWHG AJ Styles and
Knine … Lady Yasmine SLQQHG Stefany Jinder MahalLQDWKUHHZD\
&RQߔLFW Sinclair ‫ ڢ‬+HDY\ZHLJKW FKDPSLRQ Rene (05-14-17)
:UHVWOLQJDWWKH.2$7DJWHDPFKDPSL- DupreeGHIHDWHGHannibal LQDFDJHPDWFK —Agnete Jensen
ons The Punk Rock All-Stars GHIHDWHG (05-13-17)
Chuck Lennox & Fenix Fury … Logan
Easton LaRoux SLQQHG Cousin Clay
—Adam Beazley ENGLAND
NEWCASTLE—::( 6PDFNGRZQ DW
… Bobby Shields EHDW Zubov … Ken TORONTO, ON—52+ DW 7HG 5HHYH$UH- 0HWUR5DGLR$UHQDShinsuke Nakamura
Dixon GHIHDWHG KHDY\ZHLJKW FKDPSLRQ QDCheeseburger & Will FerraraGHIHDWHG GHIHDWHGDolph Ziggler … Tye Dillinger,
Doug DeliciousIRUWKHWLWOH‫ڢ‬Matt Co- Channing Decker & Trent Gibson … Ca- Tyler Breeze, & FandangoGHIHDWHGKon-
nard GHIHDWHG Gory … Greg Valentine, price Coleman & Rhett Titus EHDW Alex nor, Viktor, & Aiden English … Luke
1XL 7RߓJD, & Hoss Hagood EHDW Sean Shelley & Chris Sabin ... Hirooki Goto Harper EHDW Erick Rowan … Naomi,
Studd, Mark Bravura, & G-Fed … Dirty EHDWShane Taylor … Dalton Castle & The Charlotte Flair, & Becky Lynch GHIHDW-
MoneySLQQHGSonjay Dutt. Boys GHIHDWHG Beretta, Rocky Romero, ed Natalya, Carmella, & Tamina Snuka
(05-21-17) & Gedo … Bully RayGHIHDWHGHangman ‫ ڢ‬86 FKDPSLRQ Kevin Owens EHDW
—Sophia Cates Page and Punishment MartinezLQDWKUHH Sami Zayn … Tyler Bate, Trent Seven,
ZD\‫ڢ‬Cody RhodesEHDWWill Ospreay … & Saxon Huxley GHIHDWHG Joseph Con-

INTERNATIONAL BUSHI & Tetsuya NaitoEHDWMatt Taven & nors, Pete Dunne, & James Drake ...
Vinny Marseglia … Jay & Mark Briscoe Baron CorbinGHIHDWHGMojo Rawley …
EHDWBeer City Bruiser & Silas Young and 7DJ WHDP FKDPSLRQV Jimmy & Jey Uso

BELGIUM EVIL & SanadaLQDWKUHHZD\‫ڢ‬KUSHI- GHIHDWHGPrimo & Epico and Chad Gable
DAGHIHDWHGJay Lethal … Kenny Omega, & Jason JordanLQDWKUHHZD\‫ڢ‬::(
LIEGE—::( 5DZ DW &RXQWU\ +DOO 7DJ Kushida Jackson, & Nick JacksonGHIHDW- FKDPSLRQ Randy Orton GHIHDWHG AJ
WHDP FKDPSLRQV Jeff & Matt Hardy de- ed Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazar- Styles and Jinder MahalLQDWKUHHZD\
IHDWHG Cesaro & Sheamus and Enzo ian, & Hiroshi Tanahashi. (05-12-17)
Amore & Big CassLQDWKUHHZD\‫ڢ‬Dana (05-07-17) —Nigel Garrett
Brooke & Sasha BanksEHDWAlicia Fox & —Andrea Kellaway
Nia Jax‫&ڢ‬UXLVHUZHLJKWFKDPSLRQNeville SHEFFIELD—::(6PDFNGRZQDW6KHI-
EHDWAleister Black and Austin Aries in a
WKUHHZD\ ‫ ڢ‬Goldust, R-Truth, Kalisto, DENMARK ߓHOG $UHQD Shinsuke Nakamura de-
IHDWHG Dolph Ziggler … Tye Dillinger,
& Apollo CrewsGHIHDWHGCurt Hawkins, COPENHAGEN—::( 6PDFNGRZQ DW Tyler Breeze, & FandangoEHDWKonnor,
Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, & Titus O’Neil … 5R\DO $UHQD Shinsuke Nakamura de- Viktor & Aiden English … Luke Harper
,QWHUFRQWLQHQWDOFKDPSLRQDean Ambrose IHDWHG Dolph Ziggler … Tye Dillinger, GHIHDWHG Erick Rowan … Naomi, Char-
EHDWThe Miz‫ڢ‬:RPHQ‫ڕ‬VFKDPSLRQAlexa Tyler Breeze, & Fandango GHIHDWHG lotte Flair, & Becky LynchGHIHDWHGNa-
BlissGHIHDWHGBayley … Finn BalorEHDW Konnor, Viktor & Aiden English … talya, Carmella, & Tamina Snuka … U.S.
Karl Anderson … Seth Rollins & Roman Luke Harper GHIHDWHG Erick Rowan … FKDPSLRQ Kevin Owens GHIHDWHG Sami
ReignsEHDWBray Wyatt & Samoa Joe. Naomi, Charlotte Flair, & Becky Lynch Zayn … Baron CorbinEHDWMojo Rawley
(05-12-17) GHIHDWHG Natalya, Carmella, & Tamina ‫ڢ‬7DJWHDPFKDPSLRQVJimmy & Jey Uso
—Thomas Peeters Snuka ‫ ڢ‬86 FKDPSLRQ Kevin Owens GHIHDWHGPrimo & Epico and Chad Gable

CANADA GHIHDWHG Sami Zayn … Baron Corbin & Jason JordanLQDWKUHHZD\‫ڢ‬::(

GHIHDWHG Mojo Rawley ‫ ڢ‬7DJ WHDP FKDPSLRQ Randy Orton GHIHDWHG AJ
HAMILTON, ON—$OSKD :UHVWOLQJ DW FKDPSLRQV Jimmy & Jey Uso GHIHDWHG Styles and Jinder MahalLQDWKUHHZD\
.QLJKWV RI &ROXPEXV +DOOb Alex Daniels Primo & Epico and Chad Gable & Jason (05-11-17)
SLQQHGTracy Williams‫ڢ‬7DJWHDPFKDP- JordanLQDWKUHHZD\‫ڢ‬::(FKDPSLRQ —Nigel Garrett
SLRQV Josh Alexander & Gavin Quinn
GHIHDWHGRex Atkins & Brute Van Slyke
‫= ڢ‬HUR *UDYLW\ FKDPSLRQ Alessandro
del Bruno SLQQHG John Silver … Jade
Chung SLQQHG Beautiful Beaa ‫ ڢ‬$OSKD
0DOHFKDPSLRQKobe DurstSLQQHGJoey
Janela … Ethan Page ZRQ D 0DQ
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Gregory IronLQDGRJFROODUPDWFK
(05-14-17)
—JP Zammit

KITCHENER, ON—3XUH :UHVWOLQJ $V-

VRFLDWLRQ DW WKH$OSLQH &OXE Jimmy King
SLQQHG Brandon Jacobs ‫ ڢ‬3XUH FKDP-
SLRQ Eddie Osbourne SLQQHG Super Ka-
mikazeLQDQR'4PDWFK‫ڢ‬Josh Alexan-
derSLQQHGJeff Black … Elian Habanero
SLQQHGCorey SpadesLQDVWUHHWߓJKW … Sgt.
DicksonSLQQHGThe Cadet … Joey Allen
SLQQHG Tracy Smothers ‫ ڢ‬-LPP\ .LQJ
ZRQ D EDWWOH UR\DO IRU WKH YDFDQW 2QWDULR
FKDPSLRQVKLS‫ڢ‬Lenny Lilac & Beautiful
BeaaEHDWEric Cairnie & Krystal Banks.
(05-13-17)
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SMITH FALLS, ON—*UHDW 1RUWK :UHV-

WOLQJ DW WKH 0HPRULDO &HQWHU Paul Rosen-
berg SLQQHG Genesis … Colin Oliver YV With Jeff Hardy having already escaped the cage, Matt Hardy had to overcome
Jacques LamoureuxHQGHGLQDWLPHOLPLW both Cesaro and Sheamus to successfully defend the Raw tag title. The
GUDZ ‫ ڢ‬Amanuel Hassan & Blade EHDW challengers soon became champions as their power and double-team ability
Madman Taylor & Sideshow JackE\'4 proved to be too much for Matt.
… Davey Boy Smith Jr. GHIHDWHG Maxx

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 73
BIRMINGHAM—WWE Smackdown at sha Banks, Bayley, & Mickie James vs. Big Cass in a three-way … Kalisto beat
Genting Arena: Shinsuke Nakamura de- Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, & Emma ended in Curt Hawkins … Goldust, R-Truth &
feated Dolph Ziggler … Tye Dillinger, Ty- a no-contest … Cruiserweight champion Apollo Crews beat Titus O’Neil, Cur-
ler Breeze, & Fandango defeated Konnor, Neville defeated Austin Aries … Tag tis Axel, & Bo Dallas … Sasha Banks
Viktor & Aiden English … Luke Harper Team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy beat & Dana Brooke beat Nia Jax & Alicia
beat Erick Rowan … Naomi, Charlotte Sheamus & Cesaro, Enzo & Big Cass, Fox … Intercontinental champion Dean
Flair, & Becky Lynch defeated Natalya, and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson in a Ambrose defeated The Miz … Women’s
Carmella, & Tamina Snuka … U.S. cham- four-way … Goldust, R-Truth, Rhyno, & champion Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley
pion Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn … Heath Slater beat Curtis Axel, Bo Dal- … Finn Balor defeated Karl Anderson
Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, & Dan Moloney las, Titus O’Neil, & Curt Hawkins … Seth … Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins beat
beat Joseph Connors, Pete Dunne, & Rollins & Finn Balor beat Bray Wyatt & Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe.
James Drake ... Baron Corbin defeated Samoa Joe … Roman Reigns defeated (05-09-17)
Mojo Rawley … Tag team champions Jim- Braun StrowmanLQDVWUHHWߓJKW —Jacques Lemieux
my & Jey Uso defeated Primo & Epico and
Chad Gable & Jason Jordan in a three-way
… WWE champion Randy Orton defeated
(05-07-17)
—Nigel Garrett GERMANY
STUTTGART— WWE Raw at Porsche Are-
AJ Styles and Jinder Mahal in a three-way. NORWICH—WWE United Kingdom Cham- na: Tag team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy
(05-10-17) pionship at Epic Studios: Wolfgang defeated defeated Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo &
—Nigel Garrett Joseph Conners … TJP & Brian Kendrick Big Cass in a three-way … Sasha Banks
beat Dan Moloney & Rich Swann … Tyson & Dana Brooke beat Nia Jax & Alicia Fox
BOURNEMOUTH—WWE Smackdown at T-Bone defeated Saxon Huxley … Akira … Goldust, R-Truth, Kalisto, & Apollo
Bournemouth International Centre: Shin- Tozawa beat Tony Nese … Sam Gradwell Crews beat Titus O’Neil, Curtis Axel, Curt
suke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler beat James Drake … Pete Dunne defeated Hawkins, & Bo Dallas … Cruiserweight
… Luke Harper defeated Erick Rowan … Trent Seven … U.K. champion Tyler Bate champion Neville beat Aleister Black and
Smackdown tag team champions Jimmy defeated Mark Andrews. Austin Aries in a three-way … Interconti-
& Jey Uso defeated Primo & Epico and (05-07-17) nental champion Dean Ambrose defeated
Chad Gable & Jason Jordan in a three- —Nigel Garrett The Miz … Women’s champion Alexa Bliss
way … U.S champion Kevin Owens beat Bayley … Finn Balor defeated Karl
defeated Sami Zayn … Sin Cara, Tyler NORWICH—WWE United Kingdom Anderson … Roman Reigns & Seth Rol-
Breeze, & Fandango defeated Konnor, Championship at Epic Studios: Roy lins beat Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe.
Viktor, & Aiden English … Mojo Rawley Johnson defeated HC Dyer … Mark (05-11-17)
beat Aiden English … Women’s champion Andrews beat James Drake … Saxon —Hans Scholz
Naomi defeated Charlotte Flair, Becky
Lynch, Natalya, and Carmella in a Fatal
5-Way … Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, & Mark
Huxley & Akira Tozawa defeated Brian
Kendrick & Tony Nese … Pete Dunne
defeated Sam Gradwell … TJP beat
IRELAND
DUBLIN—WWE Raw at 3Arena: Tag team
Andrews beat Joseph Connors, Pete Rich Swann … Tyson T-Bone defeated champions Jeff & Matt Hardy beat Big
Dunne, & James Drake ... WWE cham- Dan Moloney … Trent Seven defeated Cass & Enzo Amore, Cesaro & Shea-
pion Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles and Wolfgang … U.K. champion Tyler Bate mus, and Karl Anderson & Luke Gal-
Jinder Mahal in a three-way. beat Joseph Conners. lows in a Fatal 4-Way … Jordan Devlin
(05-08-17) (05-06-17) pinned Tucker … Heath Slater, Rhyno,
—Nigel Garrett —Nigel Garrett Goldust, & R-Truth beat Bo Dallas, Curt

LIVERPOOL—WWE Raw at Echo Arena:

Tucker vs. Jordan Devlin ended in a no-
FRANCE
LILLE—WWE Raw at Zenith Arena: Tag
Hawkins, Curtis Axel, & Titus O’Neil …
Cruiserweight champion Neville pinned
Austin Aries … Braun Strowman vs.
contest … WWE Intercontinental champion team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy de- Roman Reigns ended in a no-contest …
Dean Ambrose defeated The Miz … Sa- feated Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo & Bayley, Mickie James, & Sasha Banks
beat Alexa Bliss, Emma, & Nia Jax … In-
tercontinental champion Dean Ambrose
pinned The Miz … Finn Balor & Seth Rol-
lins defeated Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe.
(05-05-17)
—Kevin O’Reilly

ITALY
BOLOGNA—WWE Raw at the Unipol Are-
na: Tag team champions Jeff & Matt Har-
dy beat Big Cass & Enzo Amore, Cesaro
& Sheamus, and Karl Anderson & Luke
Gallows in a Fatal 4-Way … Heath Slater,
Rhyno, Goldust, & R-Truth beat Bo Dal-
las, Curt Hawkins, Curtis Axel, & Titus
O’Neil … Cruiserweight champion Neville
beat Austin Aries by submission … Ro-
man Reigns pinned Braun Strowman in
DVWUHHWߓJKW‫ڢ‬Bayley, Mickie James, &
Sasha Banks beat Alexa Bliss, Emma,
& Nia Jax … Intercontinental champion
Dean Ambrose pinned The Miz … Finn
Balor & Seth Rollins defeated Bray Wy-
att & Samoa Joe.
(05-04-17)
—Rico Bianchi

ROME—WWE Raw at Palalottomatica: Tag

Cruiserweight king Neville was obviously prepared for his submission match
team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy beat
against Austin Aries, using finishers—like this anklelock—he rarely employs.
Big Cass & Enzo Amore, Cesaro & Shea-
At the end, he used his most effective and thrilling move, the Red Arrow, to
mus, and Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
set up a Rings of Saturn.
in a Fatal 4-Way … Heath Slater, Rhyno,

74 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

Goldust, & R-Truth beat Bo Dallas, Curt
Hawkins, Curtis Axel, & Titus O’Neil …
Cruiserweight champion Neville beat Aus-
tin Aries by submission … Roman Reigns
pinned Braun StrowmanLQDVWUHHWߓJKW‫ڢ‬
Bayley, Mickie James, & Sasha Banks
beat Alexa Bliss, Emma, & Nia Jax …
Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose
pinned The Miz … Finn Balor & Seth Rol-
lins defeated Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe.
(05-03-17)
—Rico Bianchi

NETHERLANDS
ROTTERDAM—WWE Raw at Ahoy: Tag
team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy de-
feated Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo &
Big Cass in a three-way … Goldust, R-
Truth, Kalisto, & Apollo Crews defeated
Titus O’Neil, Curtis Axel, Curt Hawkins,
& Bo Dallas … Sasha Banks & Dana
Brooke beat Nia Jax & Alicia Fox …
Cruiserweight champion Neville defeated
Aleister Black and Austin Aries in a tri-
ple-threat … WWE Intercontinental cham-
pion Dean Ambrose defeated The Miz … With a rare shot at Brock Lesnar’s Universal
Women’s champion Alexa Bliss defeated title offered to the winner of this Fatal 5-Way,
Bayley … Finn Balor defeated Karl An- Finn Balor puts it all on the line with this suicide
derson … Roman Reigns & Seth Rol- dive against Samoa Joe, Bray Wyatt, and Seth
lins defeated Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe. Rollins. It was Joe who prevailed, however,
(05-13-17) taking out Balor with a Coquina Clutch.
—Ab Van den Berg

NORTHERN IRELAND
BELFAST—WWE Raw at SSE Arena: In-
Chad Gable & Jason Jordan and Primo
& Epico in a triple-threat … Luke Harper
Orton defeated AJ Styles and Jinder Ma-
hal in a three-way.
tercontinental champion Dean Ambrose defeated Erick Rowan … U.S champion (05-13-17)
defeated The Miz … Sasha Banks, Bay- Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn … —Hugo Karlsson
ley, and Mickie James beat Alexa Bliss,
Nia Jax, and Emma … Cruiserweight
champion Neville defeated Austin Aries
Sin Cara, Fandango, & Tyler Breeze beat
Aiden English, Konnor, & Viktor … Mojo
Rawley defeated Aiden English … Wom-
SWITZERLAND
ZURICH—WWE Raw at Hallenstadion: Tag
… Tag team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy en’s champion Naomi defeated Natalya, team champions Jeff & Matt Hardy defeat-
defeated Sheamus & Cesaro, Enzo & Big Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte ed Cesaro & Sheamus and Enzo Amore
Cass, and Luke Gallows & Karl Ander- Flair in a Fatal 5-Way … WWE champion & Big Cass in a three-way … Goldust, R-
son in a Fatal 4-Way … Tucker vs. Jordan Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles and Truth, Kalisto, & Apollo Crews beat Curt
Devlin ended in a no-contest … Goldust, Jinder Mahal in a triple-threat. Hawkins, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, & Titus
R-Truth, Rhyno, & Heath Slater beat Cur- (05-07-17) O’Neil … Dana Brooke & Sasha Banks
tis Axel, Bo Dallas, Titus O’Neil, & Curt —Matias Santiago beat Alicia Fox & Nia Jax … Cruiserweight
Hawkins … Seth Rollins pinned Samoa champion Neville defeated Aleister Black
Joe … Finn Balor pinned Bray Wyatt. VALENCIA—WWE Smackdown at Plaza and Austin Aries in a three-way … Inter-
(05-06-17) de Toros: Shinsuke Nakamura pinned continental champion Dean Ambrose beat
—James Boyle Dolph Ziggler … Tag team champions The Miz … Women’s champion Alexa Bliss

SCOTLAND
GLASGOW—WWE Smackdown at the
Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Primo & Epico and
Chad Gable & Jason Jordan in a three-
way … Luke Harper pinned Erick Rowan
defeated Bayley … Finn Balor defeated
Karl Anderson … Seth Rollins & Roman
Reigns beat Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe.
SSE Hydro: Shinsuke Nakamura pinned … U.S. champion Kevin Owens pinned (05-10-17)
Dolph Ziggler … Tag team champions Sami Zayn … Tyler Breeze, Fandango, & —Sarah Muller
Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Primo & Epico
and Chad Gable & Jason Jordan in a
three-way … Trent Seven, Tyler Bate,
Sin Cara defeated Konnor, Viktor, & Aid-
en English … Women’s champion Naomi
beat Becky Lynch, Carmella, Charlotte
WALES
CARDIFF—WWE Smackdown at Car-
& Wolfgang beat Joseph Conners, Flair, and Natalya in a Fatal 5-Way … diff Motorpoint Arena: Shinsuke Naka-
Pete Dunne, & Tyson T-Bone … Luke WWE champion Randy Orton beat AJ mura pinned Dolph Ziggler … Tag team
Harper pinned Erick Rowan … U.S. Styles and Jinder Mahal in a three-way. champions Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Pri-
champion Kevin Owens pinned Sami (05-06-17) mo & Epico and Chad Gable & Jason
Zayn … Tyler Breeze, Fandango, & Sin —Matias Santiago Jordan in a three-way … Luke Harper
Cara defeated Konnor, Viktor, & Aiden
English … Women’s champion Naomi
beat Becky Lynch, Carmella, Charlotte
SWEDEN
STOCKHOLM—WWE Smackdown at Hov-
pinned Erick Rowan … U.S. champion
Kevin Owens pinned Sami Zayn … Ty-
ler Breeze, Fandango, & Sin Cara de-
Flair, Tamina Snuka, and Natalya in a et: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph feated Konnor, Viktor, & Aiden English
Six-Pack Challenge … WWE champion Ziggler … Tye Dillinger, Tyler Breeze, … Mojo Rawley pinned Aiden English
Randy Orton beat AJ Styles and Jinder & Fandango defeated Konnor, Viktor & … Mark Andrews, Trent Seven, & Tyler
Mahal in a three-way. Aiden English … Luke Harper defeated Bate beat James Drake, Joseph Con-
(05-04-17) Erick Rowan … Naomi, Charlotte Flair, & ners, & Pete Dunne … Women’s cham-
—Ethan Acheson Becky Lynch defeated Natalya, Carmella, pion Naomi beat Becky Lynch, Car-

SPAIN
CORUNA—WWE Smackdown at Coli-
& Tamina Snuka … U.S. champion Kevin
Owens defeated Sami Zayn … Baron
Corbin defeated Mojo Rawley … Tag team
mella, Charlotte Flair, Tamina Snuka,
and Natalya in a Six-Pack Challenge …
WWE champion Randy Orton beat AJ
seum da Coruna: Shinsuke Nakamura champions Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Primo Styles and Jinder Mahal in a three-way.
defeated Dolph Ziggler … Tag team & Epico and Chad Gable & Jason Jordan (05-05-17)
champions Jimmy & Jey Uso defeated in a three-way … WWE champion Randy —Aeron Jones

l OCTOBER. 2017 l 75
 tic photos of 2007, predictions for 2008.
June 2008: Special Tribute To Ric Flair:
His 25 Greatest Covers Of All-Time. Plus:
Y2J-JBL, Christian Cage, NWA, Brock Le-
snar, Vickie Guerrero, John Morrison.
July 2008 (164-Page Special): Report
Cards Of The Stars. PWI JUDGHVWKHVSRUW·V
WRSVWDUV
Aug. 2008: Was Shawn Wrong? Former
World Champions Speak Loudly … And
Unanimously! Plus: Angle-Joe, Undertaker,
CM Punk, Austin Aries, State of the Game.
Wint. 1999: 20th Anniversary Special. Lawler, Eddie Guerrero, Austin-Hogan. Sept. 2008: Take It Like A Man, Orton! A
A Celebration of PWI … And the Sport of July 2006: WM 22: Magic Mania Moments! Real Champion Knows How To Lose. Plus:
Wrestling. Plus: The State of the Game, Abyss & Mitch- Lance Cade, McChif, general managers,
Sum. 2000 (116-Page Special): The Greats ell, Davey Richards, Christian Cage. guide to independents, Mid-Year Report.
Of The Game. Relive the careers of: Gold- Aug. 2006: Exclusive! Edge Comes Out Oct. 2008: PWI 500. 5DQNLQJ WKH WRS 
berg, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Mick Swinging! Plus: Brother Runt, Benoit & stars in the sport.
Foley, Hulk Hogan, Madusa, Kevin Nash. Lashley, Milano Collection AT. Dec. 2008: Five-Way Faceoff: Raw vs.
May 2001: The WrestleMania Curse! Will Sept. 2006: The Triple-H Paradox: What He Smackdown vs. ECW vs. ROH. Plus: Mi-
The Great One Ever Win The Big One? Needs He Cannot Keep. Plus: Mid-year re- chelle McCool, JBL, Shawn Michaels, An-
Plus: Vince McMahon, William Regal, Page port, Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Chris gle-Styles, Ric Flair.
& Nash, Ivory, Lance Storm, ECW. 'DQLHOV 6XPPHU6ODP·V WRS  PDWFKHV Jan. 2009 (164-Page Special): The Greats
Feb. 2002: A New Era For Wrestling. Plus: ECW years—1992-2001. Of The Game: Relive the careers of: The
Goldberg, State of the Game. Oct. 2006 (164-Page Special): Report Undertaker, Randy Orton, Booker T, Shawn
June 2002: 2002 Insiders’ Poll: 50 Red- Cards Of The Stars. PWIJUDGHVWKHVSRUW·V Michaels, Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio Jr.
Hot Questions Answered! Plus: NWO, WRSVWDUV Feb. 2009: Annoying? Si … Successful?
Steve Austin, Ric Flair. Jan. 2007: Sudden Impact! Can Kurt An- Si … But Is Santino A Worthy Champ?
Sum. 2003 (Special Edition): WWE at 40! gle Do For TNA What Hulk Hogan Did For Plus: Sheik Abdul Bashir, TNA Wars, Hard-
(Digital only; visit pwi-online.com—Cover WCW? Plus: Raw vs. Smackdown vs. TNA ys, Super 8, Bryan Danielson, second-gen-
History) vs. ECW, Big Show, Orton-Masters-Carli- erations stars vs. dads, 20 matches that
Sept. 2003: Guardian Angle: The One to-Nitro, Matches of the Year. changed wrestling.
Superstar WWE Couldn’t Afford To Lose. Feb. 2007: Hollywood Ending: Cena’s March 2009: 2008—The Year In Wrestling.
Plus: The Hurricane, Sting, Kazarian-Sabin, Pumped For A Year Of Wrestling Only! Plus: 2008 In Review, Achievement 2008
Jeff Jarrett, Booker T. Also: Randy Orton, Hardcore Holly, Book- awards, Unofficial/Official awards, phantas-
Jan. 2004: All Fired Up! Can Kane Blaze er-Batista, Kurt Angle. tic photos of 2008, predictions for 2009.
A Trail To The Raw Title? Plus: John Cena, March 2007: 2006—The Year In Wrestling. June 2009: The PWI Poll. Plus: Hardy vs.
Samoa Joe, Flair-Goldberg, Christian, ugli- Plus: 2006 In Review, Achievement 2006 Hardy, Christian, Team 3-D, Kelly Kelly,
est wrestlers. awards, Unofficial/Official awards, phantas- CZW, Shawn Michaels, greatest wrestlers
Oct. 2004: Eugene, The Impossible Dream: tic photos of 2006, predictions for 2007. never to win world title.
When Will His Opponents Wake Up? Plus: April 2007 (164-Page Special): Wrestling July 2009 (164-Page Special): Report
Victoria, Edge, Dudleys, AJ Styles, six-sided Annual. A month-by-month recap of 2006. Cards Of The Stars. PWI JUDGHVWKHVSRUW·V
ring. May 2007: The 2007 PWI Poll. Plus: Ba- WRSVWDUV
Fall 2004: Women Of Wrestling. 164 pages tista, AMW, CM Punk, Bam Bam Bigelow, Aug. 2009: Jacked Up! Old Pro, New Era
RI ZUHVWOLQJ·V KRWWHVW VWDUV 'LJLWDO IRUPDW Flair-Dykstra, Chris Sabin. For TNA. Plus: Batista, FCW prospects,
only.) July 2007: ’Mania Madness: Exclusive WM MVP, Homicide, State of the Game.
Feb. 2005: A Yes Man? No Way! Ric Flair’s 23 Coverage. Plus: The State of the Game, Sept. 2009: Mid-Year Report. Plus: Angelina
Secret Plan Will Ruin Triple-H! Plus: Y2J, Samoa Joe, wrestling deaths, global wres- Love, MVP, Evan Bourne, 3:,·V 30th anniversary.
The Naturals, Luther Reigns, WrestleMania tling. Oct. 2009: PWI 500. 5DQNLQJ WKH WRS 
21 countdown. Sum. 2007: The Match Vince Let Get Away stars in the sport.
March 2005: 2004—The Year In Wrestling. … And The Title He Wouldn’t! Also: Ho- Dec. 2009: Five-Way Faceoff: Raw vs.
3OXV  ,Q 5HYLHZ $FKLHYHPHQW · gan-Big Show, Team 3-D, WrestleMania 23 Smackdown vs. ECW vs. ROH. Plus: ODB-
awards, Unofficial/Official, phantastic pho- weekend, ECW. Cody, Orton-Cena, American Wolves, Dolph
WRVRISUHGLFWLRQVIRU Sept. 2007: Orton Pays The Price In The Ring Ziggler, anti-Americanism, Gabe Sapolsky.
April 2005: Batista: Can He Steal Wres- … And Earns The Fans’ Respect. Plus: Mid- Jan. 2010 (164-Page Special): The Greats
tleMania’s Future From Orton? Plus: Jeff year report, Edge, MVP, Jay Lethal, Great Khali. Of The Game: Relive the careers of: Chris
Hardy, Eugene, Undertaker, JBL. Oct. 2007 (164-Page Special): Report Jericho, AJ Styles, CM Punk, Team 3-D, Big
June 2005: Our Challenge To John Cena: Cards Of The Stars. PWIJUDGHVWKHVSRUW·V Show, Kevin Nash.
Dominate 2005 … Or We Don’t Want To WRSVWDUV Feb. 2010: Triple-H—Wrestler Of The De-
See You! Plus: Steve Austin, Austin Aries, Nov. 2007: The PWI 500. Plus: John Cena, cade. Plus: The Decade In Review, Des-
Big Show, AMW. TNA, WWE draft, TNA analysis. mond Wolfe, Super 8, John Cena, Hulk Ho-
July 2005: Gold Strike! Cena & Batis- Dec. 2007: Triple-H Disses The Champ: gan, Capt. Lou by Paul Heyman.
ta Change The Face Of Wrestling! Plus: “Cena’s Disrespect Is A Sign Of Fear.” March 2010: 2009—The Year In Wrestling.
Kevin Nash, Chris Benoit, Heartbreakers, Plus: Kurt & Karen Angle, McMahons-Horn- Plus: 2009 In Review, Achievement 2009
all-time WrestleMania roster, the state of swoggle, Batista-Khali, Raw vs. Smackdown awards, Unofficial/Official awards, phantas-
the game. vs. TNA vs. ECW, 90 minutes with Chris tic photos of 2009.
Aug. 2005: Kurt Angle: The 10 Reasons Jericho. July 2010 (164-Page Special): Report
He’s The Best Ever. Plus: Edge, Alex Shel- Jan. 2008 (164-Page Special): The Greats Cards Of The Stars. PWI grades the
ley, Christy Hemme, DDP, WWE Hall of Of The Game. Relive the careers of: Tri- VSRUW·V WRS  VWDUV SOXV 6KDZQ 0LFKDHOV·
Fame. ple-H, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Batista, Sting, career grades.
Fall 2005 (164-Page Special): Wrestling Edge. Aug. 2010: The Bell Tolls For HBK: Team Cov-
Yearbook. ,QVLGHU VFRXWLQJ UHSRUWV RQ  Feb. 2008: HBK: “If You Ask Me, I’m erage Of WrestleMania 26. Plus: Adam Pearce,
top stars. Younger Than Randy Orton.” Plus: Kurt Amazing Red, Briscoes, State of the Game.
Dec. 2005: Triple-H: Which “H” Fits? Hat- Angle, Nigel McGuiness, Gail Kim, Royal Sept. 2010: Cena (2010), Kobashi (2010),
ed? Hero? Hypocrite? Plus: Guerrero-Mys- Rumble at 20, sleaziest sluts & slimeballs. Flair (1990), Race (1980)—Who Would Win
terio, Dixie Carter. March 2008: 2007—The Year In Wrestling. The Battle Of The Decades? Plus: Vince
Feb. 2006: Losing Street Cred? The Time Plus: 2007 In Review, Achievement 2007 McMahon, Jack Swagger, Abyss, Edge, col-
Is Now For Cena To Get Tough. Plus: Jerry awards, Unofficial/Official awards, phantas- lectibles, Mid-Year Report.
Oct. 2010: PWI 500. Ranking the top 500 Bully Ray, report cards. /DVKOH\ :UHVWOH .LQJGRP  :UHVWOH0DQLD
stars in the sport. July 2013: Redemption, Thy Name Is Cena. YV:UHVWOH0DQLD
Dec. 2010: Cena’s Suicide Mission: 3OXV :UHVWOH0DQLD  :LQQHUV  /RVHUV Aug. 2015: WrestleMania 31: The Real Win-
There’s No Winning And There’s No Way WWE Hall of Fame, Jesse Sorensen, Matt ners & Losers. Plus: Johnny Mundo, Ethan
Out! Plus: Danielson-Shingo, Kane-Under- Taven, Devon, PWI Poll. &DUWHU,,,PWI Poll.
taker, Hardcore Justice, Motor City Machine Sept. 2013: Our Annual WWE vs. TNA vs. Oct. 2015: Exclusive Interview—Kevin Ow-
Guns, secondary titles, four-way faceoff. ROH Face-Offs. Plus: Ryback, Mark Henry, ens: “I’m Proud To Be Different.” Plus: Dolph
Jan. 2011 (164-Page Special): The Greats &XUWLV$[HO&KULV6DELQ%ULVFRHV0,7% =LJJOHU'UHZ*DOORZD\86 ,&WLWOHV52+YV
Of The Game. Relive the careers of: Chris Nov. 2013: PWI 500. Ranking the top 500 1HZ-DSDQZUHVWOLQJ·VULVLQJVWDUV
Jericho, AJ Styles, CM Punk, Team 3-D, Big stars in the sport. Dec. 2015: 3:,500. Ranking the top 500 stars
Show, Kevin Nash. Jan. 2014: Daniel Bryan: The Fans Say in the sport.
Feb. 2011: John Cena vs. Randy Orton: “Yes”! Why Do The McMahons Say “No”? Feb. 2016: Female 50.3OXV1LNNL%HOOD-D\/H-
3:,·V Special 50-Category Analysis. Plus: Plus: Cheerleader Melissa, Adam thal, NXT, injustices.
Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy, Phill Shatter, Big Cole, Punk-Heyman, Magnus, AJ April 2016: 2015—The Year In Wrestling. Plus:
6KRZ52+&03XQN:KDW·V$KHDGLQ" Styles, “PWI Female 50.” ,Q5HYLHZ$FKLHYHPHQWDZDUGV8Q-
March 2011: 2010—The Year In Wrestling. March 2014: 2013—The Year In Wrestling. RIÀFLDO2IÀFLDODZDUGV
3OXV  ,Q 5HYLHZ $FKLHYHPHQW  3OXV  ,Q 5HYLHZ $FKLHYHPHQW  June 2016: A(+J)! Our Report Cards For 100
awards, Unofficial/Official awards, phantas- awards, Unofficial/Official awards. Stars: Plus: New Japan, Roderick Strong, TNA,
WLFSKRWRVRI May 2014: Exclusive Analysis: Ranking The Rey Mysterio Jr., WresleMania memories.
June 2011: CM Punk: Is He Destined To Undertaker’s Toughest WrestleMania Oppo- Aug. 2016: WrestleMania 32: The Real Winners
Let History Destroy Him? Plus: The Har- nents. Plus: Randy Orton, Batista, WWE Net- & Losers. Plus: Drew Galloway, WWE Hall of
dys, Edge, Sheamus-Morrison, Winter, all- work, TNA Hall of Fame, Report Cards. Fame, PWI Poll.
time WrestleMania roster, PWI Poll. July 2014: WrestleMania 30: The Real Oct. 2016: Seth Rollins’ Exclusive “Hotseat”
July 2011 (164-Page Special): Report Winners & Losers. Plus: Ultimate Warrior, Interview. Plus: Young Bucks, Jax Dane, Jade,
Cards Of The Stars. PWIJUDGHVWKHVSRUW·V Adam Cole, Carter Family, Super 8, broth- 1DSDOP%RPE::(+LWV 0LVVHV
WRS  VWDUV SOXV 8QGHUWDNHU·V FDUHHU ers, WWE HOF, PWI Poll. Dec. 2016: PWI 500. Ranking the top 500
grades. Sept. 2014: Celebrate With Us As PWI stars in the sport.
Aug. 2011: Rock vs. Cena: Can’t “Bring It” Turns 35. Plus: AJ Styles, NXT, Eric Young, Feb. 2017: A Bizarre New Universe: This Is
Soon Enough! Plus: Sin Cara, Matt Mor- WWE vs. TNA vs. ROH. (Digital only) 1RW <RXU )DWKHULQ/DZ·V ::( Plus: Will
JDQ :UHVWOH0DQLD  SD\SHUYLHZ SLUDF\ Dec. 2014: PWI 500. Ranking the top 500 Ospreay, Hotseat: Kenny Omega, Female 50.
State of the Game. stars in the sport. April 2017: 2016—The Year In Wrestling. Plus:
Sept. 2011: Can Cena Stay On Top With Feb. 2015: Unstoppable: Why Brock Le-  ,Q 5HYLHZ $FKLHYHPHQW  DZDUGV
Rock In His Head? Plus: Randy Savage, snar Will Remain Champ For As Long As 8QRIÀFLDO2IÀFLDODZDUGV
RVD-Hulk, Christian, Brie Bella, Super 8, He Likes. Plus: Cesaro, Jay Briscoe, Bob- Aug. 2017: WrestleMania 33: The Real Winners
Mid-Year Report. by Roode, Paige, the “PWI Female 50”. & Losers.3OXV3:,3ROO+RWVHDW&KULV-
April 2015: ³7KH <HDU ,Q :UHVWOLQJ topher Daniels.
[All issue also available in digital format 3OXV  ,Q 5HYLHZ $FKLHYHPHQW 
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 RETURN TO OWENSBORO
WRESTLEMANIA 33: THE REAL WINNERS & LOSERS
guably the best tag team in pro
I just got the August 2017 issue wrestling today, and, yes, Scott
of PWI, and the mere mention of Dawson and Dash Wilder are
the April 15 UCW Royal Resur- better than The Young Bucks.
FAREWELL,
PHENOM!
rection in Owensboro, Kentucky Subpar teams were graded, but
FREE
AT
(with Scott Steiner, Al Snow, The Revival was not.
LAST! REDEMPTION!
Koko B. Ware, and Simon Dean), Next the Achievement Awards.
PARTY TRASH-
HARDY! TALKING!
in “Ringside” with Harry Burkett Where to begin? I feel due to the
was music to my ears. This was fact that many PWI readers are
august 2017
IT’S
ABOUT
TIME!
the first time in over 20 years that extremely limited in their knowl-
display until AUGUST 1

$6.99

www.pwi-online.com
pro wrestling had been to the edge of pro wrestling around the
Owensboro Sportscenter. (The world, the most deserving do not
last time I was there,
WINNERS/LOSERS Jerry Lawler was CWA
champion and Dustin
It looked like Jinder Mahal’s con- Runnels was nowhere
frontation with Rob Gronkowski near being Goldust.)
during the Andre the Giant Battle
I took my seven-
Royal was simply a case of a hard-
working hand being thrown a bone. year-old daughter to
We labeled Mahal a “winner” for watch it live for the
the media coverage he received. first time ever and she
Who could have imagined that, with loved it!
the August 2017 edition still on sale, JAMES HOLMAN
Mahal would be WWE champion? Tell City, IN
“Pro wrestling is unique to sports
in that everything is done with a focus FRUSTRATED
on making the current event great, but
also on how to sell future events,”
READER
As a reader of 25
wrote Andy Sterling. “Your ‘Winners
plus years and a cur-
& Losers’ analysis does a great job of
reflecting that.” rent subscriber, I feel I
PHOTO BY GEORGE NAPOLITANO

“You guys called Impact Wres- must express my disap-

tling a ‘real loser’ for not coming to pointment in a couple
terms with the Hardys,” noted Jim of travesties that were
McAlister. “I think that’s a bit harsh. made in both the “PWI
Impact is simply not in a position to Achievement Awards”
pay a lot of money for a lot of stars.” (April 2017) and the
The Undertaker was perhaps the “PWI Report Cards”
biggest winner among the ’Mania The Doomsday Power Bomb is just one of the
(June 2017). many double-team maneuvers that earned The
losers for the classy way he went I will begin with the Revival David Sandefur’s vote for Tag Team of
out, but, wrote Sheila Byrstrum, “If the Year. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder’s fourth-
Report Cards. Where
he comes back now, a classic moment place finish left David as bewildered as Chad
will be for naught.” is The Revival's Re- Gable was when the move was competed.
port Card? This is ar-
78 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l
win the majority of the time. Al- I still think of it as
most every award was given to the second biggest
a WWE performer who was no- PPV on the WWE
where near the best in his or her calendar. And a
category. I'll keep my points to the great, dramatic pre-
more ridiculous winners. miere to the Road
Nia Jax as Rookie of the Year to WrestleMania.
over Matt Riddle? The New Day But, of course, that
as Tag Team of the Year over The limits the pool of
Revival? New Day had zero qual- winners, as Mur-
ity matches, while The Revival phy so aptly point-

PHOTO BY JOEY DeFALCO/RING OF HONOR

revitalized tag team wrestling. ed out.
I believe it's time to start men- Instead of one
tioning indy promotions and big Rumble, why
foreign promotions in the same not make the entire
breath as WWE. I will continue event about the
reading, but I implore y'all to show Rumble itself and
more respect to those smaller have multiple Rum-
promotions that are bringing fans bles with themes,
back to pro wrestling that have getting the women
been gone ever since WWE was involved in a Rum- Winning the ROH heavyweight title in his 24th year
as a pro was an emotional moment for Christopher
the only option. ble as well as the Daniels. Reader Hank Marsden appreciates the ring
DAVID SANDEFUR tag teams before veteran and what he had to say in the August issue’s
Fayetteville, NC getting a 20-man “Hotseat” interview.
main event.
I would do anything to make such a positive approach, I can
TAG TEAM 100? sure they keep the Royal Rumble see him remaining at or near the
I began reading Pro Wrestling and evolve to being the playoffs to top at age 50.
Illustrated almost 40 years ago ’Mania's Super Bowl. Al Castle’s “Hotseat” interview
when I was a kid. Like many read- FARO KANE with him in the August 2017 really
ers, two of my favorites issues are Ft. Lauderdale, FL showed sides of him that I previ-
the annual “PWI 500” and the “Fe- ously was unaware of. If anyone
male 50.” Has PWI ever consid- missed it, I highly recommend that
ered releasing a similar issue for IT’S ABOUT TIME you pick up that issue.
tag teams? I know that many of I’ve enjoyed Ring of Honor HANK MARSDEN
the wrestlers making the “500” are since the company’s inception Bohemia, NY
tag team specialists, but I would in 2002. ROH has an impres-
love to see an annual ranking of sive list of champions, including
the top 100 tag teams. Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, WHAT GIVES?
Something else I'd really love CM Punk, and Tyler Black. The I have been a subscriber long
to see would be an all-time “PWI crowning of its current champion, before you changed the format
500,” perhaps for an anniversary Christopher Daniels, has made of the “PWI Poll” from asking
issue. Keep up the good work! me the happiest of all. members of the media to asking
TOMMY LISAK Daniels has been at this since PWI subscribers. I have a lot to
Pittsburgh, PA 1993 and never earned the top offer, yet I have never received
position in a major company. With a call from PWI to participate.
his talent and charisma, that’s What does it take, PWI? Call me
ROYAL RUMBLE MAKEOVER amazing. ROH finally gave him next year!
Along with the bang-up job an opportunity to run with the ball, BRAD MALONE
by Harry Burkett with the Cody and he’s represented the com- Chattanooga, TN
Rhodes “Hotseat” interview, I pany superbly ever since. [Editor’s note: Except for the
wanted to chime in about Dan I have to give ROH some credit fact that we try to target a cross-
Murphy's “Straight Shooter” col- for giving such an opportunity to section of readers geographi-
umn in the June 2017 issue. a man who’s as old as me, 47. cally and age-wise, the selec-
While I agree The Royal Rum- Daniels has taken care of him- tion is quite random. Hang in
ble definitely needs a shakeup, self physically and he maintains there, Brad!]
l OCTOBER. 2017 l 79
 FOR PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 12, 2017

PHOTO BY DUANE LONG

TOP 10 TAG TEAMS

1 KAZUCHIKA OKADA
240, Tokyo, Japan
(5) IWGP heavyweight champion
1 NICK & MATT JACKSON
Combined weight: 350 pounds
(2) ROH/IWGP jr. heavy tag team champions

2 JINDER MAHAL
222, Punjab, India
(–) WWE heavyweight champion
2 CESARO & SHEAMUS
Combined weight: 499 pounds
(4) WWE Raw tag team champions

3 ROMAN REIGNS
265, Pensacola, FL
(6)No. 1 contender WWE Universal title
3 MATT & JEFF HARDY
Combined weight: 449 pounds
(1) No. 1 contenders Raw tag team title

4 KEVIN OWENS
266, Marieville, QC
(7) WWE U.S. champion
4 JIMMY & JEY USO
Combined weight: 479 pounds
(3) Smackdown tag team champions

5 SAMOA JOE
282, Huntington Beach, CA
(–) No. 2 contender WWE Universal title
5 KARL ANDERSON & LUKE GALLOWS
Combined weight: 548 pounds
(6) No. 2 contenders Raw tag team title

6 CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
224, Los Angeles, CA
(9) ROH heavyweight champion
6 TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA
Combined weight: 439 pounds
(–) IWGP tag team champions

7 SETH ROLLINS
217, Davenport, IA
(3) No. 3 contender WWE Universal title
7 THE NEW DAY
Combined weight: 702 pounds
(–) No. 1 contenders Smackdown tag team title

8 BOBBY LASHLEY
273, Denver, CO
(–) Impact heavyweight champion
8 ENZO AMORE & BIG CASS
Combined weight: 476 pounds
(9) No. 3 contenders Raw tag team title

9 THE MIZ
221, Hollywood, CA
(–) WWE Intercontinental champion
9 AKAM & REZAR
Combined weight: 620 pounds
(8) NXT tag team champions

10 BOBBY ROODE
235, Toronto, ON
(10) NXT heavyweight champion JINDER MAHAL
10 ZEUS & THE BODYGUARD
Combined weight: 458 pounds
(–) All Japan tag team champions

WWE RAW SMACKDOWN IMPACT ROH

Universal Champion: WWE Champion: Heavyweight Champion: Champion:
BROCK LESNAR JINDER MAHAL BOBBY LASHLEY CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
(C) 286, Minneapolis, MN (–) 222, Punjab, India (C) 273, Denver, CO (C) 224, Los Angeles, CA
1—ROMAN REIGNS 1—KEVIN OWENS 1—ALBERTO EL PATRON 1—KUSHIDA
(2) 265, Pensacola, FL (2) 266, Marieville, QC (1) 239, San Luis Potosi, Mexico (–) 192, Tokyo, Japan
2—SAMOA JOE 2—SHINSUKE NAKAMURA 2—ETHAN CARTER III 2—BOBBY FISH
(5) Huntington Beach, CA (8) 229, Kyoto, Japan (2) 225, Cleveland, OH (4) 200, Albany, NY
3—SETH ROLLINS 3—RANDY ORTON 3—MOOSE 3—JAY LETHAL
(1) 217, Davenport, IA (C) 250, St. Louis, MO (3) 309, Washington, DC (2) 225, Elizabeth, NJ
4—THE MIZ 4—AJ STYLES 4—DAVEY RICHARDS 4—MARTY SCURLL
(–) 221, Hollywood, CA (3) 218, Gainesville, GA (4) 202, Othello, WA (1) 195, Cambridge, England
5—DEAN AMBROSE 5—DOLPH ZIGGLER 5—EDDIE EDWARDS 5—SILAS YOUNG
(3) 225, Cincinnati, OH (6) 221, Hollywood, CA (5) 214, Boston, MA (9) 209, Milwaukee, WI
6—NEVILLE 6—SAMI ZAYN 6—JAMES STORM 6—BULLY RAY
(6) 194, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Eng. (7) 205, Montreal, QC (8) 233, Leipers Fork, TN (–) 293, Hell’s Kitchen, NY
7—FINN BALOR 7—TYE DILLINGER 7—SONJAY DUTT 7—JAY BRISCOE
(10) 190, Bray, Ireland (10) 200, Niagara Falls, ON (–) 194, Mumbai, India (–) 234, Sandy Fork, DE
8—BRAY WYATT 8—BARON CORBIN 8—BRAXTON SUTTER 8—JAY WHITE
(8) 285, Brooksville, FL (4) 275, Lenexa, KS (10) 220, Buffalo, NY (–) 198, Auckland, New Zealand
9—BIG SHOW 9—LUKE HARPER 9—ELI DRAKE 9—ADAM COLE
(9) 380, Tampa, FL (9) 275, Rochester, NY (6) 232, Los Angeles, CA (3) 205, Panama City, FL
10—APOLLO CREWS 10—MOJO RAWLEY 10—TREVOR LEE 10—KENNY KING
(–) 240, Stone Mountain, GA (5) 265, Alexandria, VA (7) 215, Cameron, NC (–) 230, Las Vegas, NV

80 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l

Top 10 and Tag Team ratings are based on won-lost records for the past month, quality of opposition, and inherent
skill of each wrestler or tag team. These ratings are compiled by a committee consisting of Stu Saks, Dan Murphy,
Kris Zellner, Louie Dee, Harry Burkett and STRIGGA (cagematch.net, purolove.com). The numbers in parentheses
indicate a wrestler’s position in that category last issue. Agate-sized ratings are supplied to PWI by promoters and
can be e-mailed to us at [email protected] (please put the word “ratings” in the subject line).

ALL AMERICAN WRESTLING: CHAMPION—Sami Callihan; 1—Pentagon; terio Jr.; 2—Alberto El Patron; 3—Adam Cole; 4—Wrecking Ball
2—Michael Elgin; 3—Rey Fenix; 4—Trevor Lee; 5—Keith Lee; 6—ACH; Legursky; 5—Travis Gordon; 6—Donovan Dijak; 7—Jerry Lawler; 8—
7—AR Fox; 8—Chuck Taylor; 9—John Morrison; 10—Eddie Kingston Vinny Marseglia; 9—Sami Callihan; 10—Jack Swagger

ATOMIC WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT: CHAMPION—Shannon NWA SUPREME: CHAMPION—Eric Draven; 1—Roger Malcolm; 2—Josh
Moore; 1—Chasyn Rance; 2—Jesse Neal; 3—JD Amazing; 4—Chico Lewis; 3—Rob Conway; 4—Leon Elliot; 5—Johnny Justice; 6—Van Mar-
Adams; 5—CJ O’Doyle; 6—Jason Dugan; 7—Gangrel; 8—Vertigo tigan; 7—Texas Outlaw; 8—Nic Noble; 9—Rob Royale; 10—Angus Barnett
Rivera; 9—Adam Rose; 10—Sonjay Dutt
PREMIER WRESTLING ALLIANCE: CHAMPION—Chris Cruit; 1—Rowdy
EVOLVE: CHAMPION—Zack Sabre Jr.; 1—Matt Riddle; 2—Keith Lee; Randy; 2—Jimmy Fahrenheit; 3—Outlaw Tony James; 4—Bryan Blade;
3—Tracy Williams; 4—Jaka; 5—Fred Yehi; 6—Kyle O’Reilly; 7—Ethan 5—JT Hogg; 6—Jim Daily; 7—Chris Pain; 8—LA Cordova; 9—Morgan
Page; 8—Timothy Thatcher; 9—Lio Rush; 10—Donovan Dijak Taylor; 10—Juan Crazy

FULL IMPACT PRO: CHAMPION—Fred Yehi; 1—James Drake; 2—Joey REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING: CHAMPION—Fred Flash;
Janela; 3—Jon Davis; 4—AR Fox; 5—Matt Riddle; 6—Anthony Henry; 1—Andy Header; 2—Rob Noxious; 3—Cliff Serenyi; 4—Mr. Ooh La La;
7—Caleb Konley; 8—Jason Cade; 9—Ethan Case; 10— Sami Callihan 5—Mr. Ping; 6—Jack Molson; 7—Drake Evans; 8—Disco Vinny; 9—CJ
Cruz; 10—Stefon Ramon
I BELIEVE IN WRESTLING: CHAMPION—Josh Hess; 1—Jonny Vandal;
2—Tyranus; 3—Aaron Epic; 4—Chasyn Rance; 5—Maxx Stardom; 6—Jerrelle RENEGADE WRESTLING ALLIANCE: CHAMPION—Shane Andrews;
Clark; 7—Deon James; 8—CT Brown; 9—Kaci Lennox; 10—Daniel Drennen 1—Rev. Ron Hunt; 2—Daniel Eads; 3—C.A. Elliot; 4—Super Hentai; 5—
Jason Gory; 6—Big Lenny; 7—Danimal; 8—Chris Taylor; 9—Sonjay Dutt;
INTERNATIONAL BIGTIME WRESTLING: CHAMPION—Alcatraz 187; 10—Jimmy Cicero
1—Officer Rod Street; 2—Ruff Crossing; 3—Mysterious Movado; 4—
Hernandez; 5—Mosh Pit Mike; 6—Kef Sweat; 7—Shane Douglas; 8— UNITED WRESTLING COALITION: CHAMPION—Andd Bivians; 1—
Frank Isaac Anderson; 9—CJ Anderson; 10—Shawn Daivari Jimmy Pipes; 2—Textbook Philly Madison; 3—Nate Mustang; 4— War-
head; 5—Geoffrey Bravo; 6—Spectrum; 7—Jay Kirby; 8—JJ Cruz; 9—
NORTHEAST WRESTLING: CHAMPION—Cody Rhodes; 1—Rey Mys- Definitely Donnie; 10—Craig Francis

NXT JAPAN MEXICO WOMEN

Champion:
BOBBY ROODE 1—KAZUCHIKA OKADA 1—MARCO CORLEONE 1—ASUKA
(C) 235, Toronto, ON (1) 240, Tokyo, Japan (–) 265, Atlanta, GA (3) 137, Osaka, Japan
IWGP heavyweight champion CMLL heavyweight champion NXT Women’s champion
1—ALEISTER BLACK 2—ALEXA BLISS
(2) 205, Amsterdam, Netherlands 2—YAMATO 2—JOHNNY MUNDO
(2) 181, Chiba, Japan (1) 210, Los Angeles, CA (8) 102, Columbus, OH
2—RODERICK STRONG AAA champion Raw Women’s champion
(3) 200, New Orleans, LA 3—SHUJI ISHIKAWA
287, Iwata, Japan 3—REY HECHICERO 3—BAYLEY
3—HIDEO ITAMI (–) AJPW Triple Crown champion (3) 207, Monterrey, Mexico (1) 119, San Jose, CA
(8) 182, Tokyo, Japan 4—NAOMI
4—KATSUHIKO NAKAJIMA 4—ATLANTIS
4—KASSIUS OHNO (3) 287, Shizuoka, Japan (6) 181, Guadalajara, Mexico (2) 125, Pensacola, FL
(1) 240, Dayton, OH Smackdown Women’s champion
5—HIROSHI TANAHASHI 5—ULTIMO GUERRERO 5—ROSEMARY
5—DREW McINTYRE (3) 287, Shizuoka, Japan (7) 205, Gomez Palacio, Mexico
(–) 245, Ayr, Scotland (6) 150, Winnipeg, MB
GHC champion 6—ANGEL DE ORO Impact Knockouts champion
6—NO WAY JOSE 6—KUSHIDA (8) 181, Gomez Palacio, Mexico 6—CHARLOTTE FLAIR
(6) 230, Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. (–) 192, Tokyo, Japan 7—VOLADOR JR. (4) 135, Charlotte, NC
7—KILLIAN DAIN 7—KONOSUKE TAKESHITA (9) 192, Monclova, Mexico 7—NATALYA
(–) 322, Belfast, N. Ireland (7) 187, Osaka, Japan 8—MEPHISTO (–) 136, Calgary, AB
8—BUDDY MURPHY 8—KENNY OMEGA (10) 200, Toluca, Mexico 8—SASHA BANKS
(9) 227, Melbourne, Australia (–) 203, Winnipeg, MB (5) 114, Boston, MA
9—SOBERANO JR.
9—ONEY LORCAN 9—KENTO MIYAHARA (–) 165, Coahuila, Mexico 9—BECKY LYNCH
(7) 190, Boston, MA (4) 225, Fukuoka, Japan (9) 135, Dublin, Ireland
10—EL BARBARIO CAVERNARIO
10—ANDRADE ALMAS 10—TETSUYA NAITO (–) 196, Jalisco, Mexico 10—ALLIE
(5) 180, Gomez Palacio, Mexico (5) 225, Tokyo, Japan (–) 125, Toronto, ON

. OCTOBER. 2017 .  81
82 l PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED l
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