tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64495977328988685212024-03-12T19:06:36.382-04:00The Weigh-InYour Home for Combat SportsMatt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.comBlogger654125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-15025066950694428832024-01-28T21:15:00.000-05:002024-01-31T21:16:07.722-05:00WWE Royal Rumble 2024<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The WWE kicked off the road to Wrestlemania this evening as the Royal Rumble emanated from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. This evening’s event featured a men’s and women’s Royal Rumble match, as well as, a Fatal Four Way Match for the Undisputed Universal Championship as Roman Reigns put his 1,245 day title reign on the line against AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Women’s Royal Rumble Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Bayley</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Order of entry:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Natalya</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Naomi</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bayley</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Candice LeRae</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jordynne Grace</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Indi Hartwell</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Asuka</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ivy Nile</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Katana Chance</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bianca Belair</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kairi Sane</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tegan Nox</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kayden Carter</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chelsea Green</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Piper Niven</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Xia Li</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Zelina Vega</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maxxine Dupri</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nia Jax</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shotzi</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Becky Lynch</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alba Fyre</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shayna Baszler</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Valhalla</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Michin</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Zoey Stark</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Roxanne Perez</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jade Cargill</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tiffany Stratton</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Liv Morgan</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Final Three: Jade Cargill, Bayley, Liv Morgan (Tiffany Stratton and Bianca Belair were simultaneously eliminated off the apron by Bayley)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the final moments, all three women battled on the ring apron. First, Morgan shockingly tossed Cargill off the apron. Next, Bayley, ever the opportunist, kicked Liv’s legs out from under her for the elimination and to punch her ticket to Lincoln Financial Field for Wrestlemania.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Undisputed Universal Championship Fatal Four Way Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton vs. LA Knight</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Several weeks ago on Smackdown, Styles, Knight, and Orton competed in a Triple Threat Match to determine Reigns’ opponent for tonight’s event, however, The Bloodline ensured that no winner was determined. As a result of their actions, Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis declared that all three men would compete against Reigns tonight. In the closing moments, Reigns appeared to be in dire straits after a barrage of chair shots from AJ Styles and a massive elbow drop from LA Knight. Knight then attempted the BFT but Reigns countered and propelled him into the ropes where Styles was preparing to deliver a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles was knocked off the ropes and Reigns took advantage by executing a body crumbling spear to secure the pinfall and retain his title.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE United States Championship </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Logan Paul via disqualification</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the closing moments of the contest, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory made their way to ringside. Theory proceeded to slip brass knuckles to Logan Paul, however, Kevin Owens ripped them off his hand before he could be struck and turned around to use them on Paul. As Owens went for the pinfall, the referee saw the brass knuckles on Owens’ hand and disqualified him.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Men’s Royal Rumble Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Cody Rhodes</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Order of entry:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jey Uso</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jimmy Uso</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Grayson Waller</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Andrade</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Carmelo Hayes</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shinsuke Nakamura</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Santos Escobar</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Karrion Kross</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dominik Mysterio</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Carlito</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bobby Lashley</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ludwig Kaiser</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Austin Theory</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finn Balor</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cody Rhodes</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bronson Reed</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kofi Kingston</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gunther</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ivar</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bron Breakker</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Omos w/ MVP</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pat McAfee</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JD McDonagh</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">R-Truth</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Miz</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Damian Priest</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CM Punk</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ricochet</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Drew McIntyre</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sami Zayn</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Final Four: Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the closing moments of the match, Punk surprised McIntyre near the ropes and hoisted him up on his shoulders and dumped him out of the ring. Next, Rhodes dragged Gunther by his head and pulled him over the top rope leaving Punk and Rhodes. Punk then attempted the Go To Sleep, however, Rhodes escaped and tossed Punk out to win for the second year in a row.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the match, Rhodes directed his attention to the skybox, where Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman were seated, and pointed at The Tribal Chief setting up a rematch of their encounter from last year’s Showcase of the Immortals.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGl6JdZ_NNhrD-nuo0lD5eMgqeDCMnm2AeSTM68O-qcn7oWd3E7RPfrFAuCpqcL0L10N4dM0fgopba-cy4GbbZ5Bp8XcOvkXeH6WPjEvfmcMiqUZ3QqrLigtEtgRG5tbCZ93wtCPJEzZpIewr6g_Xucg5xsxh9NfqxF51FObLPF0p75QKLO2Ns7koEQzOX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGl6JdZ_NNhrD-nuo0lD5eMgqeDCMnm2AeSTM68O-qcn7oWd3E7RPfrFAuCpqcL0L10N4dM0fgopba-cy4GbbZ5Bp8XcOvkXeH6WPjEvfmcMiqUZ3QqrLigtEtgRG5tbCZ93wtCPJEzZpIewr6g_Xucg5xsxh9NfqxF51FObLPF0p75QKLO2Ns7koEQzOX" width="192" /></a></div></div><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-55986576941915799992024-01-10T13:47:00.034-05:002024-01-12T22:40:54.384-05:00Philadelphia Area Boxing Preview - January 2024<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Kings Promotions (Marshall Kauffman) ushers in the new year on Friday, January 12th at the Live Casino in Philadelphia, PA. Eight fights are scheduled with Philly favorite junior featherweight Christian Carto in the main event. Carto will square off against Filipino Ardin Diale in a bout slated for eight rounds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eight years ago, Carto successfully turned pro a few weeks after graduating from the prestigious Saint Augustine Prep. A meteoric rise followed as Carto fought regularly drawing large crowds. A hot commodity, Carto was being courted by every major promoter. After winning his first seventeen contests, Carto was iced by a no name from south of the border in February 2019. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and like many other fighters his career came to a halt. Then when it appeared Carto was back on track, he suffered a shoulder injury that needed surgery. Now fourteen months have passed since Carto was last in the ring. Training in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Bozy Ennis, look for Carto to be more polished even as he shakes off rust.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The following night, January 13th, in Atlantic City, promoters Mis Downing and Joe Frazier Jr put on eleven boxing matches at Boardwalk Hall. Heavyweight Joey Dawejko of Philadelphia, PA., looks to make it seven straight wins. Beginning in September 2022, J Russel Peltz began guiding Dawejko's career. Malik Titus, Baltimore MD is slated to oppose Dawejko in an eight rounder.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Undefeated Bantamweight Dylan Price, Sicklerville, NJ, faces Gilberto Mendoza of Mexico in the ten round main event. Unfortunately, the very talented Price's career was slowed down by the COVID pandemic. At one time, Price was under contract with Mayweather Promotions and is currently a free agent. With his skill set, Price will catch the eye of one of the games major players.</span></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-30949510485328155542023-12-23T22:32:00.000-05:002024-01-12T22:41:24.072-05:00December 2023 in the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia Boxing Scenes<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--StartFragment--><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of club shows highlighted a month of parties during the holiday season. Sal Musumeci promoted his sixth fight card on Saturday December 12th at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A crowd of close to seven hundred fans watched Philadelphia, PA heavyweight Joey Dawejko, 260 lbs., destroy Jesse Bryan, Jefferson City, Missouri, in one minute and seventeen seconds of the first round. This victory was an early Christmas gift for Dawejko, who slammed left hooks to Bryan's body and landed booming rights to his foes' chin. With Bryan, 241 lbs., back against the ropes, Dawejko moved in for the kill. After absorbing a series of power blows, Bryan slumped to the canvas. Displaying gumption, Bryan beat the count and indicated to the referee Eric Dali he was willing to continue. Moments later, Dawejko swarmed all over Bryan. Within seconds, the referee Eric Dali stepped in to end it. Dating back to September 2022, Dawejko has won six straight and is now 27-10-4,13 KOs. Bryan went home to Missouri with a Christmas payday and a record of 21-8-2, 16 KOs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the semi-wind-up, Bryce Mills, Liverpool, NY, was fed a holiday pastry named Tackie Annan, Accra, Ghana, that he ate up in 2:47 of round one. A one-sided blowout, Mills, 141.75 lbs., punched the tar out of Annan, 149 lbs., from the opening bell. Wisely and mercifully, referee Ricardo Vera halted the contest. This was Bryce’s, 14-1, 8 KOs, eighth straight victory. Annan who has been knocked out in all of his losses is now 15-11, 14 KOs. J Russell Peltz manages and guides both the careers of Mills and Dawejko.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A week later on Saturday night, December 16th, in Times Square, New York City, Larry Goldberg's Boxing Insider Promotions once again delivered a first-rate club show. Held at Sony Hall, these nights are always first-class affairs with the spectators dressed to the nines. Mongolian featherweight, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (aka </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tsendbaatar Erdenebat)</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, may have started his holiday partying too early. When he comes in at the featherweight limit </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tsendbaatar</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">is muscular. That evening Erdenebat weighed in at a flabby 139 lbs. Standing on the other side of the ring, Yohan Vasquez, 136 lbs., was fit and ready.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In control of the action, Tsendbaatar earned every round he won as a game Vasquez, Bronx NY via Dominican Republic, fought back and never relented in his effort towards victory. In the eighth and final round, the Mongolian slugger caught up to his foe and with thirty-one seconds left in the stanza. Referee Jamil Antoine wisely ended the night. A big-ticket seller, Erdenebat, is 8-0, 4 KOs. Vasquez drops to 25-5, 20 KOs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, I went to hall of fame cutman Joey Eye’s “Eyetalian” Christmas Party at Jimmy’s Time Out Sports Bar in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. The Philadelphia Pugilistic Association was presented at the celebration.</span></div>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-91814520777472026762023-12-08T14:57:00.005-05:002023-12-08T14:58:54.225-05:00Champions Sports and Entertainment Presents Battle at the Boat Live from the Showboat Atlantic City<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Press Release</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia heavyweight and fan favorite Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (26-10-4, 14KO) returns to the ring to defend his WBC USA heavyweight title in an 8-round battle vs. Jesse Bryan (21-7-2) of Jefferson City, Missouri. Dawejko-Bryan headlines a terrific night of LIVE BOXING that features NINE FIGHTS. Dawejko has been busy in 2023, posting a 3-0 record, which includes two exciting victories over Colby Madison (the first fight will most likely be the 2023 Philadelphia Fight of the Year). Dawejko continues to stay active as he fights towards once again becoming a top contender for the heavyweight crown. Jesse </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bryan looks to upset Dawejko’s plans of future glory, while a victory for Bryan would present new opportunities to grow his career.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVjE3XIUXNLe4_7TS1H8Lyb2EQEMW2ZV5d8mqwlIy2A3M2b-mqlcKRlwAf7yjff7ZV81-GEYGdT0vQnj0TZtWNn0TuPgBGajBceI6v0fA10Hc6AARqLYzN7VwOqZ4A38CB8SUP5qWmtbMM_A6neOCu9yN5s7CeHCnNeME_0_tusPxyCcEBERveQbwWLVi6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVjE3XIUXNLe4_7TS1H8Lyb2EQEMW2ZV5d8mqwlIy2A3M2b-mqlcKRlwAf7yjff7ZV81-GEYGdT0vQnj0TZtWNn0TuPgBGajBceI6v0fA10Hc6AARqLYzN7VwOqZ4A38CB8SUP5qWmtbMM_A6neOCu9yN5s7CeHCnNeME_0_tusPxyCcEBERveQbwWLVi6=w298-h320" width="298" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-35675021754646607582023-11-26T21:46:00.001-05:002023-11-27T21:58:39.695-05:00WWE Survivor Series: War Games 2023 Recap<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE’s Thanksgiving weekend tradition, Survivor Series, emanated this evening from Chicago’s Allstate Arena for its 37th installment. This year they would again incorporate the War Games component, adapted from WCW’s annual Fall Brawl events, in place of the traditional Survivor Series bouts. The event featured five matches with two titles contested and would be headlined by two War Games matches.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Women’s War Games Match</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi, & Bianca Belair vs. Damage Ctrl</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>(Asuka, Bayley, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winners: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi, & Bianca Belair</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The War Games match, for those unfamiliar with the concept, takes place within two adjacent rings with a colossal cage encasing them. The match begins with one competitor from each team in the ring with a new participant entering the fray in three-minute intervals alternating between teams. A winner can only be determined by pinfall or submission after ALL competitors have entered the match.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The women’s War Games began with Becky Lynch and Bayley going toe to toe. The subsequent order of entry was Shotzi, Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, Kairi Sane, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka. Once Asuka entered the imposing War Games structure, the match officially began meaning the first pinfall or submission would crown a winner. The closing moments saw Bayley singled out as Becky Lynch climbed to the middle turnbuckle with a table set up in front of her. Bayley then was hoisted up on the middle turnbuckle by The Man’s teammates where Becky Lynch delivered a Manhandle Slam to her plunging through the table setting up the pinfall.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WWE Intercontinental Championship</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Gunther (c) vs. The Miz</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Gunther via submission</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This evening the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history, Gunther, put his 533-day title reign on the line against The Miz who sought to capture his ninth Intercontinental Championship. The Miz gave a valiant effort and was able to land several low blows, while distracting the referee’s attention, but in the end, Gunther was too much as he cinched in the Boston Crab to capture the win.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Santos Escobar via pinfall</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the past several weeks, Santos Escobar systematically took out each member of the LWO after he decided he no longer wished to remain in Rey Mysterio’s shadow. Escobar was supposed to square off with the last man standing in the LWO, Carlito, until he was brutally attacked on Smackdown last night. Following the assault, Dragon Lee stepped up and pleaded with Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis to put him in the match bringing us to tonight’s bout. Santos Escobar proved to be too much for Lee as he hit the South of the Border Destroyer and then the Phantom Driver to solidify the victory.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WWE Women’s Championship</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zoey Stark</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Rhea Ripley via pinfall</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Zoey Stark showed some brief flurries of offense, but Ripley was simply too formidable of an opponent. Ripley finally vanquished Stark with The Riptide to retain her title.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Men’s Wargames Match</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Drew McIntyre & The Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh) vs. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winners: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The same rules would apply for the men’s match as the women’s earlier in the evening. The key storyline to follow in this match would be whether Randy Orton, who’s been on the shelf injured for over a year and a half, would show after being announced as the final member of Rhodes’ team this past Monday on RAW. The first two participants in the match were Finn Balor and Seth Rollins. The order of entry following the first two competitors was JD McDonagh, Jey Uso, Damian Priest, Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Dominik Mysterio, and Randy Orton.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When it appeared Orton would no show, Rhea Ripley ran to the ring with Damian Priest’s Money In The Bank briefcase after Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, was put through a table. Just as Priest was going to cash in his contract, Orton interrupted and made his way to the ring. Orton helped his team run roughshod on the opposing team culminating in Cody Rhodes hitting the Cross-Rhodes on Damian Priest for the win.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As they celebrated in the ring, the shock of the night came as CM Punk’s music echoed throughout the arena and he made his return to WWE after his termination from AEW in August following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7ZwxSlRWgxKAUQkOFyulzpR-Su4feJ_ONpJORI2h4ltwalLB_d_3PBnA3aeQhY5d_1HVDeXubM9uG6XH70bboKVZ97HXaNlTjGcWUO99QcSxb59GmdQEin_G9l9JEl5Ab-SpxPoBpK48H73ozlgld_-Tse58znNMT63rgsJPbuiBoZ9p0lKbvxKTjyMMW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7ZwxSlRWgxKAUQkOFyulzpR-Su4feJ_ONpJORI2h4ltwalLB_d_3PBnA3aeQhY5d_1HVDeXubM9uG6XH70bboKVZ97HXaNlTjGcWUO99QcSxb59GmdQEin_G9l9JEl5Ab-SpxPoBpK48H73ozlgld_-Tse58znNMT63rgsJPbuiBoZ9p0lKbvxKTjyMMW=w256-h320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p></p><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-50209080524393205352023-11-21T13:21:00.047-05:002024-01-12T22:52:29.564-05:00November in the New York and New Jersey Boxing Scenes<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--StartFragment--><span><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The second week of November was very active and entertaining for the fight game. Getting things started was promoter Lou Dibella of Dibella Entertainment. Edison Ballroom in the heart of Times Square, New York City, hosted this event on November 7th. A first-rate affair that had cadets from West Point greeting well-dressed guests on arrival, former U.S. Marine junior lightweight Jamal Herring, Cincinnati, Ohio, returned to action after a brief fifteen-month retirement. He stopped and outclassed undefeated Nicholas Molina of Lowell, Massachusetts in round one. A packed house saw Herring raise his record to 24-4, 12 KOs, as Molina slipped to 13-1, 5 KOs.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 24.6519pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Two nights later, the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame (NJBHOF) had its fifty-third annual inductions at the Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey. Held at an opulent banquet hall, the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame dinner is a formal event just shy of being a black-tie affair. Notable guests included the Commissioner Larry Hazzard, former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner, heavyweight contender Otto Wallin, and world-renowned officials, boxing judge Steve </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Weisfeld</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and Referee Benji Estevez. Inductees this year were former world rated middleweight Omar </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sheika, one</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> time world rated light Anthony Fletcher (who was recently released from prison after serving 29 years first degree murder that was reduced to aggravated manslaughter by the Innocence Project), and heavyweight journeyman Maurice Harris. NJBHOF President Henry Hascup devotes countless hours to the Hall, and also handles the master of ceremonies duties for the annual event.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 37.6378pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">On Saturday, November 11th in Newark, NJ at The Robert Treat Hotel, the number one promoter in the Garden State, Rising Star Promotions, entertained a </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">sold-out</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> crowd. This was Rising Star Promotions' fiftieth fight card since starting the business in December of 2015. World ranked middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna is the CEO of the outfit. LaManna has been a key player in reviving the sport in the Garden State.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 36.8678pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">That evening, super bantamweight Emmanual Rodriguez got back on the winning track after losing two out of his last three battles. Rodriguez of Newark NJ is a popular boxer who sells a ton of tickets. Gilberto Mendoza was flown in from Modesto, California to face Rodriguez. Rodriguez has solid skills but is not a heavy hitter. Winning every round Rodriguez went home with </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">an</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> eight round unanimous decision victory.</span></span></span></p><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-86415673437911403482023-10-08T14:10:00.000-04:002023-10-13T14:10:43.139-04:00WWE Fastlane 2023<span id="docs-internal-guid-f4a7e128-7fff-cf4a-9876-98abf803cac0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Steve Ward</a></span></p></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE made their way to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana this evening for Fastlane. They would definitely need a strong showing tonight after AEW dropped a bombshell in the closing moments of their outstanding Wrestledream pay per view last weekend with the debut of Adam Copeland (formerly known as Edge). Following some additional roster cuts recently, that included such names as Dolph Ziggler and Matt Riddle, tonight’s card was noticeably thin as it only featured five bouts albeit with three championships contested. Despite the event featuring The Bloodline, Undisputed Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, would also be conspicuous by his absence from the show. Tonight’s main event pit Seth Rollins against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match with the World Heavyweight Championship hanging in the balance. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cody Rhodes & “Main Event” Jey Uso vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) (c)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso via pinfall</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following Jey Uso’s recent departure from The Bloodline and move to Monday Night RAW, The Judgment Day made an attempt to recruit him to no avail. The Judgment Day did not take this rejection well and proceeded to viciously attack him until Cody Rhodes came to his rescue. Authority figure Adam Pearce stepped in and that brought us to our title encounter tonight. The match devolved into chaos late as the rest of the Judgment Day and J.D. McDonagh became involved in the match. McDonagh inadvertently struck Priest in the knee with the Money In the Bank briefcase effectively removing him from the match and allowing Uso and Rhodes to focus on Balor. First, Rhodes executed the Cody Cutter with an assist from Uso and then finished Balor off with the Cross Rhodes to crown new Undisputed Tag Team Champions.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Six-Man Tag Team Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">L.W.O. (Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar) w/ Zelina Vega & a mystery partner vs. Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: L.W.O. (Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar) & Carlito via pinfall</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following a brutal beat down of Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro on Friday Night Smackdown by The Street Profits and Lashley, the L.W.O. was left shorthanded. Rey Mysterio proceeded to put in a call for backup to even the odds tonight. At the onset of the match, it appeared that we would have a handicap match on tap. Late in the match, Mysterio appeared to be in dire straits as Escobar was incapacitated. Rey’s backup then arrived just in time in the form of Carlito. Carlito delivered an immediate impact on the match and made short work of Montez Ford as he finished him off with a backstabber to claim victory.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka vs. Iyo Sky (c)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Iyo Sky via pinfall</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sky appeared in danger of losing her title late in the match as she was laid out on the arena floor while Flair had the upper hand on Asuka. Sky’s Damage Ctrl cohort Bayley then made her way to ringside to help Sky back into the ring. Flair then cinched in the Figure Eight on Asuka with a title victory within her grasp. Next, Bayley climbed to the ring apron to distract the referee and allow Sky to recover to execute the Over The Moonsault on Flair. The champ then covered Flair to retain her title.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">John Cena & LA Knight vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso) w/ Paul Heyman</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: John Cena & LA Knight via pinfall</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">John Cena was originally scheduled to team with AJ Styles until he suffered a brutal attack at the hands of Jimmy Uso, who continues to try and earn his way back into The Bloodline, and Solo Sikoa recently on Friday Night Smackdown. LA Knight quickly stepped up to fill the void leading us to tonight’s match. In the closing moments of the match, with Solo Sikoa outside the ring, John Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on a laid out Jimmy Uso setting up LA Knight for the Blunt Force Trauma to solidify the victory.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">World Heavyweight Championship Last Man Standing Match</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins (c)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Seth Rollins</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bitter rivalry between Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura entered a new chapter tonight following Rollins’ successful title defense at last month’s Payback event as tonight the championship gold would again be on the line - this time, however, in a Last Man Standing Match. For those unfamiliar with a Last Man Standing Match, a winner is crowned when you incapacitate your opponent to the extent he is no longer able to answer the referee’s ten count. The chaos of the main event eventually spilled out of the ring and into the crowd. The final moments saw the two competitors on a platform where Rollins hoisted Nakamura up into the Falcon Arrow and dropped him through a table. Nakamura was unable to answer the referee’s ten count as Rollins was able to retain his championship.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjaFDuaRWnAHWjO6Sy9egP7S-tiRX2N3diPkVz6VHWcgLNw0pZtIZYcBN_O2CcwvBYn59gGFsElespcqvAjSYUtOav-1dPj7az2bq4Z4KynbPNOr_vu88vhUPVu58AZOK6C23F8y4Yo07Vij1NWIuBsWsKNyB9h8DNUPiUQP7y8J5x8wV6uX68RuphDiN/s1366/Fastlane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjaFDuaRWnAHWjO6Sy9egP7S-tiRX2N3diPkVz6VHWcgLNw0pZtIZYcBN_O2CcwvBYn59gGFsElespcqvAjSYUtOav-1dPj7az2bq4Z4KynbPNOr_vu88vhUPVu58AZOK6C23F8y4Yo07Vij1NWIuBsWsKNyB9h8DNUPiUQP7y8J5x8wV6uX68RuphDiN/w400-h225/Fastlane.png" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-77877437877858134502023-09-25T13:58:00.000-04:002023-10-13T14:11:59.780-04:00Boxing Stars Converge on AC for Annual Hall of Fame Weekend<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span face=""><b><span><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/about.html">Matt Ward</a></span></span></b></span></span></div><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame is set to celebrate and honor the Class of 2023 this weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) returns to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on September 29, 2023. The star-studded weekend will feature the induction of 24 fighters, trainers, and contributors who have had significant impacts on the boxing scene and community in Atlantic City.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The seventh annual installment of the Awards & Induction Weekend kicks off with the Opening Bell VIP Cocktail Reception from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on September 29th at Hard Rock's DAER Club. An evening of professional boxing, presented by Hard Hitting Promotions, will close out Friday night’s festivities. The first bout on this card is scheduled for 8:00 PM at Bally’s.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The weekend continues Saturday, September 30th with the Fight Fan Experience at Hard Rock, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Awards & Induction Ceremony at Hard Rock’s Sound Waves Theater, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The weekend's festivities shift from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to the Flagship Hotel on Sunday, October 1st with the Brunch with Legends at the Blue Water Grille, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year’s induction class includes 24 of boxing’s finest, ranging from fighters to ringside reporters, with connections to the seaside resort town. This year's class is also significant in that it includes a new category of inductees, the Pioneers, a group of boxing people who made significant contributions to the city’s rich boxing scene in the pre-casino era.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The following individuals will be inducted into the ACBHOF this weekend:</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">George Foreman</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">George Foreman needs little introduction in the world of sports and grilling. The legendary two-time world champion reigned supreme as undisputed world heavyweight champion between 1973 and 1974, scoring victories over Joe Frazier, José Roman, and Ken Norton. His reign as champion was halted by sports icon Muhammad Ali in the October 30, 1974 showdown dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle. In the 1990s, Foreman held the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Union (WBU) world titles in the heavyweight division. The big man, whose career spanned nearly 30 years (1969-1997), fought in AC five times against notable heavyweight opponents such as Gerry Cooney, Evander Holyfield, Lou Savarese, and Shannon Briggs. Prior to his professional career, Foreman won the gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City. Non-sports fans became familiar with the former world champion for his namesake, fat-reducing, and portable grill, the George Foreman Grill.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Shannon Briggs</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Two-time world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs fought professionally from 1992 to 2016. A veteran of 68 professional fights, Briggs fought ten times in AC. Two of these contests in the city were for world titles. On March 28, 1998, he challenged Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council (WBC) world heavyweight title at the Convention Center. Briggs later unsuccessfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) world heavyweight title against Sultan Ibragimov at Boardwalk Hall. Other notable opponents in Atlantic City included fellow 2023 ACBHOF inductees Darroll Wilson (1996) and George Foreman (1997). A native of Brooklyn, Briggs was inducted into the New York State and Florida Boxing Halls of Fame in 2022.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">David Tua</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Samoan-New Zealand former heavyweight boxer, David Tua achieved international notoriety after capturing the bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. His December 1, 1992 debut marked the beginning of a nearly 21-year professional boxing career. Over the course of his career, Tua fought 14 of his 59 bouts in Atlantic City. On March 15, 1996, he defeated John Ruiz for the WBC International heavyweight title at Convention Hall. He went on to successfully defend this belt the following year on April 5th against Oleg Maskaev at Bally's Park Place. Other notable opponents in AC included Michael Moorer (2002) and Monte Barrett (2010).</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Pinklon Thomas</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A professional fighter from 1978 to 1993, Pinklon Thomas held the WBC world heavyweight title from 1984 to 1986. A veteran of 51 fights, he appeared on seven boxing cards in Atlantic City. Notable opponents in the city included Gerrie Coetzee (1983), Alfonso Ratliff (1983), and Evander Holyfield (1988), all of whom held world titles at some point in their careers.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Tracy Harris Patterson</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The adopted son of former world heavyweight champion, Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson had a career that spanned over 15 years. A two-division world champion in the super bantamweight and super featherweight divisions, Tracy and his father became the first father and son duo to win world titles in boxing. Out of his 73 professional fights, Patterson fought in Atlantic City 14 times. Notable opponents in the city included Hector Acero Sánchez (1994) and Arturo Gatti (1997). Patterson fought his last professional fight in 2000, and retired with a record of 63 wins, eight losses, and one draw.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Doug DeWitt</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Doug DeWitt fought professionally from 1980 to 1992. Over the course of his long career, the Yonkers-based pugilist fought 22 times in Atlantic City. Notable fights in AC included capturing the WBO middleweight title with a victory over Robbie Sims on April 18, 1989, and a defense of this title against Matthew Hilton on January 15, 1990. DeWitt also fought his last fight in AC, a loss to James Toney at Trump Taj Mahal, on December 5, 1992.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Darroll Wilson</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A professional fighter in the heavyweight division between 1993 and 2006, Darroll Wilson was a respected, and at times, dangerous gatekeeper fighter for young prospects and world champion hopefuls for much of his career. A veteran of 16 professional fights in Atlantic City, notable opponents in the city included Shannon Briggs (1996) and Ray Mercer (2005). In his March 15th bout against Briggs, Wilson knocked out the rising star in the third round of the contest, handing him his first career loss. Wilson was well-liked by AC boxing fans, having fought out of Pleasantville for much of his career.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Shamone Alvarez</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School, Shamone Alvarez was one of the Atlantic City area’s most popular professional fighters during the early 2000s. A welterweight boxer, who fought professionally from 2002 to 2012, Alvarez was featured on 16 boxing shows in AC. On June 2, 2007, he won the vacant WBO – North American Boxing Organization (NABO) welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Luis Cruz at Boardwalk Hall. Alvarez successfully defended this title in the same venue later that summer on August 31st with a victory over Germaine Sanders. He retired with a record of 21 wins and six losses. Alvarez was honored by the New Jersey Boxing of Fame last fall when the fighter joined the 2022 induction class at a ceremony in Garfield.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Jamillia Lawrence</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jamillia Lawrence fought professionally from 1998 to 2001, compiling a record of seven wins and five losses. Three of her professional contests were on Atlantic City cards, with another fought in nearby Pleasantville. Her December 8, 2000 bout at Bally’s Park Place against Marlene Keyes was on the undercard of Leavander Johnson versus Sean Fletcher.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Arnold Robbins</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Arnold Robbins is an Atlantic City-based manager and trainer. Several fighters with connections to the area have worked with him over the course of his career, including the late Leavander Johnson, Shamone Alvarez, Patrick Majewski, Alfred Kinsey, and Osnel Charles. Robbins serves as a boxing coach at the Atlantic City Police Athletic League (PAL).</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Matt Howard</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Matt Howard is a boxing advisor, manager, trainer, and casino executive from New Jersey. Over the years, he has trained and advised several notable fighters, including Ray Mercer, Tracy Harris Patterson, Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, Arturo Gatti, and Virgil Hill. Howard has served in a variety of roles in the casino industry for locations such as Harrah's, Tropicana, Resorts, and Foxwoods.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Joe Hand Sr.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Joe Hand Sr. is the founder and chairman of Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. Hand, a former Philadelphia Police Officer and Detective, started his long career in boxing when he became a charter shareholder of Cloverlay Corporation in 1967. This organization gained notoriety as a guiding force behind Joe Frazier's march to the world heavyweight title. His work with Cloverlay taught him valuable lessons about sports promotions and led him to establish Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. in 1971. Over the years, the company has established itself as a leader in the distribution of pay-per-view boxing, UFC, and special events on the east coast, especially in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Hand's previous honors include inductions into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1992), Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame (2012), and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2013).</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rudy Battle</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Longtime chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Rudy Battle started his career as a professional boxing referee in 1977. Until his retirement from refereeing in 2004, he was the "third man in the ring" for bouts involving a "who's who" list of boxing royalty. He refereed over 500 matches that included world champion fighters such as Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Riddick Bowe, Matthew Saad Muhammed, Roberto Duran, Vinnie Pazienza, Bernard Hopkins, and Bobby Czyz. A native of Philadelphia, Battle was a fixture at Atlantic City boxing cards ranging from world title fights to club shows. The biggest assignment of Battle’s career came on April 19, 1991, when he refereed the Evander Holyfield versus George Foreman world heavyweight championship fight at Convention Hall in AC.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Benjy Esteves Jr.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Benjy Esteves Jr. has served as professional boxing referee since 1992. Arguably one of the most active referees in New Jersey boxing history, Esteves "cut his teeth" in boxing officiating club shows in the Garden State. Many of his early fights were held in the casinos and convention spaces of Atlantic City. Since then, Esteves' reputation as an outstanding official has landed him refereeing jobs in mega fights such as the September 15, 2018 middleweight world title showdown between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Lee Samuels</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A native of Pennsville, New Jersey, Lee Samuels is best known for being the longtime publicist for boxing promotion, Top Rank, Inc. Apart from a short break from the company between 1993 and 1996, Samuels served as the promotion’s PR man from 1983 to 2017. Since 2017, he has worked as a coordinator with Top Rank. Besides working as a publicist, Samuels also wrote for the <i>Pennsville Progress</i>, <i>Penns Grove Record</i>, <i>Camden Courier-Post</i>, and <i>Philadelphia Bulletin</i>. Samuels was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York in 2019.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Joseph Santoliquito</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The longtime president of the Boxing Writers Association of America, Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter from the Philadelphia area. He has written feature stories for several major media outlets, including SI.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, MLB.com, Deadspin, <i>The Ring</i>, and <i>The Philadelphia Daily News</i>. Santoliquito’s 2006 ESPN.com story, “Love at First Beep,” was nominated for an Emmy Award.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Buster Drayton</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia's Buster Drayton held the IBF super welterweight title from 1986 to 1987. A veteran of 21 fights in Atlantic City, Drayton unsuccessfully challenged Julian Jackson for the WBA super welterweight title on July 30, 1988 at Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino in the city. This was Drayton's final appearance as a fighter before an AC crowd. He retired from boxing in 1995 with a record of 40 wins, 15 defeats, and one draw. Drayton died at the age of 70 on November 20, 2022.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Marty Feldman</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Broomall, Pennsylvania’s Marty Feldman wore many different hats during a lifetime in boxing. A professional boxer, manager, trainer, and gym owner, Feldman is well-known for his work with fighters Frank "The Animal" Fletcher, Prince Charles Williams, and Dave Tiberi. Feldman fought professionally in the middleweight division between 1953 and 1962, compiling an impressive record of 20 wins and three losses. To kick-off his career, he won by fourteen consecutive knockouts between 1953 and 1955. Over the course of his boxing career, he fought once at Convention Hall in AC on July 1, 1961. Feldman died at the age of 83 on February 14, 2017. He is the father of boxing promoters David and Damon. Feldman was inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rocky Castellani</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rocky Castellani lived and fought out of Northeast Pennsylvania over the course of his professional boxing career, with the exception of a stint in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was considered a top contender for the world middleweight title, fighting boxing greats such as Bobo Olson in 1954 for the world middleweight title, Sugar Ray Robinson in 1955, and Gene Fullmer in 1956. Following his long boxing career, Castellani retired with his family to Atlantic City where he trained young fighters and owned Rocky Castellani and Sons taverns in AC and Galloway Township.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Frankie Polo</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A native of Philadelphia, Jerry Anzalone fought professionally under the moniker Frankie Polo from 1930 to 1934. An AC transplant, the lightweight fought 20 of his 37 recorded professional fights in AC. On July 8, 1930, Polo squared off against Philadelphia’s Eddie Roberts on the first boxing card held at AC’s Convention Hall. A veteran of 16 fights at the legendary Waltz Dream Arena in AC’s Northside, Polo retired with a record of 21 wins, 11 losses, and five draws. Following his retirement from prizefighting, Polo ran many local boxing shows for churches and charities, and trained amateur fighters at the AC, Pleasantville, and Somers Point PALs. His grandson, Guy Loggi, owns and serves as the senior instructor at International Karate Academy in Somers Point.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Joe Miller</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A promoter of several hundred boxing cards, Joe Miller was arguably one of the most important figures in AC during the pre-casino era. He purchased the Waltz Dream Arena, a 3,000-seat venue on the city’s northside, in 1925. Miller turned the former jazz club on Ohio Avenue into the most consistent and important AC boxing venue during this era. Miller offered high quality shows featuring rising prospects, club fighters, and visiting stars. Miller also welcomed African American fighters and allowed “mixed-race” matches between Black and White boxers. He sold the Waltz around 1941 and opened a newsstand and sandwich shop on the Boardwalk.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Horace M. Leeds</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Horace M. Leeds was born in AC on November 1, 1865 to a notable family in the area. Known as the “Fighting Quaker” during his bare-knuckle boxing career, Leeds is credited with fighting the first boxing main event in the history of AC, a February 1887 loss to Willie Clark. He fought and trained with notable fighters of his day including Willie Clark, Al O’Brien, Billy Leedom, Professor John H. Clark, Dominick McCaffrey, and James J. Corbett. Known as a particularly aggravating fighter in the ring, Leeds had excellent footwork, speed, and defense that helped him to avoid punishment in amateur and professional contests. In 1929, Leeds, a lifelong resident of AC, died at the age of 64 and is interred at the Atlantic City Cemetery.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">"KO" Becky O'Neill and Willie O'Neill</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The O’Neills, “KO” Becky and Willie, are considered boxing legends in the city of Philadelphia and beyond in large part thanks to their work with WBA bantamweight world champion Jeff Chandler. The O’Neills’ connection with Chandler began in the mid-1970s when the then rising Philadelphia prospect approached his friend Willie to help guide his career. Willie, under the impression that past legal issues would hinder his ability to get a manager license from the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission, turned to his wife Becky to officially take on the role of Chandler’s manager. With Willie as his trainer and adviser, and Becky as his manager, “Joltin’” Jeff Chandler went on to capture the WBA bantamweight title in 1980 with a victory over Juan Solis in Miami. Willie passed away in 1994, with Becky dying after a long illness in 2005.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Founded in 2014, the ACBHOF is committed to preserving the rich boxing history of Atlantic City, through live historical curation, exhibits, legendary boxing stars, and personality appearances.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Visit the ACBHOF <a href="https://www.acbhof.com/">website</a> for tickets, room accommodations, and a full schedule of this weekend’s events.</span></p><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Matthew H. Ward is a historian and journalist who specializes in boxing, Jersey Shore, and Philadelphia history. He is the co-author of the Arcadia Publishing books BOXING IN ATLANTIC CITY with John DiSanto, and THE RARITAN BAYSHORE with John Allan Savolaine.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">This story also appeared on <a href="https://patch.com/new-jersey/galloway/boxing-stars-converge-ac-annual-hall-fame-weekend">Patch</a>.</span></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD8k-ojeQ4BfjOuRARrKkMZpfMnVCGJXJcYGm5XxEMrNHI7N28ZNI5ATSBIIjRFfWg7d54VRn-Za8V35owOjRUKlb31EKKC2VwXOMSgb5i53Ym72hRpnVW36TgwcCfMRrdirLJMzUYuS5vizimLmsttzkzQuu-U92150H3PO-f4LORHP12HwGRsUOh34fQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD8k-ojeQ4BfjOuRARrKkMZpfMnVCGJXJcYGm5XxEMrNHI7N28ZNI5ATSBIIjRFfWg7d54VRn-Za8V35owOjRUKlb31EKKC2VwXOMSgb5i53Ym72hRpnVW36TgwcCfMRrdirLJMzUYuS5vizimLmsttzkzQuu-U92150H3PO-f4LORHP12HwGRsUOh34fQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-72742175083570818982023-09-03T21:20:00.006-04:002023-09-06T22:33:08.052-04:00WWE Payback 2023<div><!--StartFragment--><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Steve Ward</a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The WWE emanated from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA this evening as they presented Payback. Tonight’s card featured six matches with four titles contested and was headlined by Seth Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura. The World Heavyweight Championship was of course brought back earlier this summer because Roman Reigns is essentially a part-timer, despite holding the Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Championship, and WWE needs to have a major title to defend on each Premium Live Event. In addition to the headlining title bout, the show also boasted a grudge match between Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch inside an unforgiving steel cage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Steel Cage Match</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Becky Lynch via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Tonight’s card opened with a rare women’s steel cage match pitting “The Man” Becky Lynch against Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus, who made a rather surprising full-time return earlier this year. Initially aligned with each other, Trish became tired of the “sidekick” role and turned her back on Lynch igniting a bitter rivalry between the two. Following an encounter that left Trish Stratus covered in welts and bruises, Zoey Stark decided to become involved in the match. Stark attempted to hold The Man at bay as Trish scaled the cage. Lynch delivered a Manhandle Slam to Stark and then ascended the cage to intercept Trish. Lynch then pulled Trish back down the side of the cage and delivered a Manhandle Slam from the top turnbuckle to solidify the victory. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The Miz vs. LA Knight </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">w/ Special Guest Referee John Cena</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: LA Knight</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Prior to this match, John Cena made his way to the ring as the host of Payback and decided to announce that he was naming himself the special guest referee for the next match. In the closing moments of the match, The Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale, however, it wasn’t enough to secure the pinfall. Moments later, LA Knight was able to rebound and hit the elbow drop before the Blunt Force Trauma to put away The Miz.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">United States Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Austin Theory</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Rey Mysterio via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Theory was recently set to defend his title against Santos Escobar until he unleashed a vicious attack on his knee and took him out of the bout. Fellow LWO member Rey Mysterio then stepped in and was able to bring the title home. Tonight, Theory attempted to regain his title as he again squared off with the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio. In a rather abrupt match, Mysterio found himself up on the shoulders of Theory in a rather precarious position but turned it to his favor as he rolled up Austin for the pinfall victory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Undisputed Tag Team Championship Pittsburgh Steel City Street Fight</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) vs. Finn Balor & Damian Priest</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: Finn Balor & Damian Priest via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sami Zayn and his tag team partner Kevin Owens, who made his recent return from injury, defended their titles against the Judgement Day’s Finn Balor and Mr. Money In The Bank, Damian Priest, in a no holds barred Pittsburgh Steel City Street Fight where victory could only be attained by pinfall or submission. It appeared that Zayn and Owens were poised to defend their titles late in the match as Balor was the recipient of a Helluva Kick from Sami. As Balor was covered for a pinfall attempt, Dominik Mysterio stormed the ring with Priest’s Money In The Bank briefcase and cracked Zayn over the back. Mysterio then rolled Balor on top of Zayn to secure the pinfall and crown new tag team champions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Following this match, there was another filler segment on the show as there was an installment of The Grayson Waller Effect with guest Cody Rhodes. Instead of Rhodes making any substantial announcement regarding himself, he introduced “Main Event” Jey Uso as the newest member of the Monday Night RAW roster. Uso came out, received a few insults from Waller, and reciprocated with a Superkick to the face.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">RAW Women’s Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Rhea Ripley via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Rhea Ripley had her most physically imposing opponent to date in Raquel Rodriguez set to go toe to toe with her this evening with her coveted championship gold on the line. This match came to it’s merciful conclusion following interference once again by Dominik Mysterio which opened the door for Ripley to execute the Riptide and retain her title.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">World Heavyweight Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nakamura has had the World Heavyweight Champion in his crosshairs for the past month, following a shocking surprise attack on him on Monday Night RAW, which culminated in their title bout this evening. Shinsuke Nakamura controlled the tempo for a vast majority of this match as he continued to target Rollins’ back. Late in the match, Rollins surprised Shinsuke with a Pedigree and quickly followed up with The Stomp to retain his title.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvOZN28mucBD0nmMsf18FFOScHCRFrOphJ8Qo4o3Z7eYEz3oH6oZO6H0OTK6HGnaKpg_WFcV1U92Il8IHfSOcUXfvJDsWZfoqtl6wCeiDbv6Q9nS2A0x58Ef4E90hum-lU4LNuxvYgjzwPuNpmDhzcsLPoSIzepq1gOcObkQyVhZ35Xi3VQ37LnvMb1KU0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="283" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvOZN28mucBD0nmMsf18FFOScHCRFrOphJ8Qo4o3Z7eYEz3oH6oZO6H0OTK6HGnaKpg_WFcV1U92Il8IHfSOcUXfvJDsWZfoqtl6wCeiDbv6Q9nS2A0x58Ef4E90hum-lU4LNuxvYgjzwPuNpmDhzcsLPoSIzepq1gOcObkQyVhZ35Xi3VQ37LnvMb1KU0=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-58740232202388732292023-08-06T22:25:00.000-04:002023-08-07T22:26:05.718-04:00WWE Summerslam 2023<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Steve Ward</a></p><p><!--StartFragment--><b id="docs-internal-guid-41d30725-7fff-2271-5ce2-48a5818bc11f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-41d30725-7fff-2271-5ce2-48a5818bc11f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE finally returned to the United States this evening following back-to-back Premium Live Events (aka pay per views) in Saudi Arabia and England as Summerslam emanated from a sold-out Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Tonight’s card was scheduled for eight bouts with four titles contested. As the show opened, Michael Cole proclaimed that there would be FOUR main events…really? In my opinion, stating four matches are main events is not only contradictory, but also, diminishes the luster of the final bout of the night. Nonetheless, the final match of the evening pit Roman Reigns against his cousin Jey Uso in a familial civil war with the Undisputed Universal Championship on the line.</span></span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-41d30725-7fff-2271-5ce2-48a5818bc11f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Logan Paul vs. Ricochet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Logan Paul via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The evening kicked off with the polarizing Logan Paul, who made his way to the ring welcomed by an overwhelming chorus of hatred, to take on the high-flying Ricochet. In the closing moments of the contest, Ricochet seemed poised to claim victory as he ascended to the top rope to attempt the 630. Paul rolled out of harm’s way and as the referee checked on him, a member of Paul’s entourage slipped him a pair of brass knuckles which he used to drop Ricochet to solidify the victory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Brock’s betrayal of Cody on RAW the night after Wrestlemania, the two have engaged in a bitter rivalry that has seen each man claim one victory a piece in each of their two previous meetings with the deciding match this evening. Brock Lesnar dominated the vast majority of this bout as he delivered everything in his arsenal only to have Rhodes continue to ask for more. Late in the match, Lesnar met the dreaded exposed turnbuckle with his head which opened the door for Cody to cinch in Brock’s own patented Kimura Lock on him. Brock managed to escape and attempt the F5 again only to have Cody slip out. Rhodes proceeded to deliver three consecutive Cross Rhodes to slay The Beast.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summerslam Battle Royal</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: LA Knight</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an effort to pack more talent onto the card, an over-the-top battle royal was added to the card with nothing other than bragging rights at stake. The final four men in the bout were AJ Styles, Bronson Reed, LA Knight, and Sheamus. The first to go was Bronson Reed at the hands of LA Knight. Styles was eliminated next by Sheamus thanks to an assist by Karrion Kross. As Styles stood on the ring apron, likely setting himself up to deliver a Phenomenal Forearm, Kross grasped Styles’ leg allowing Sheamus to take advantage and kick him in the face. LA Knight then clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope to reign victorious.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MMA Rules Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Shayna Baszler via submission</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Baszler’s betrayal of Rousey during their tag team title bout at Money In The Bank, which cost them their titles, things have gotten ugly between the two former sparring partners. With a long-standing friendship dating back to their UFC days, the two have quickly become bitter rivals as Baszler has felt like she’s been trapped in Rousey’s shadow which has brought us to tonight’s match. Following a rather uneventful match, Baszler cinched in the Kirifuda Clutch to earn the submission victory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE Intercontinental Title Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Gunther via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since Gunther overcame McIntyre and Sheamus at Wrestlemania to retain his championship, he has continued his torrid streak as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of the 21</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">st</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Century. Recently, McIntyre made his return to WWE television for the first time since Wrestlemania and immediately confronted The Ring General. That lead us to tonight’s hard-hitting encounter between the two as Gunther entered the night only 32 days from matching the Honky Tonk Man’s legendary reign as Intercontinental Champ. McIntyre gave Gunther a run for his money as he was perched on the top rope and appeared to be in dire straits as The Scottish Warrior seemed poised to deliver a superplex until he was propelled by Gunther onto the top rope in a quite precarious landing position. Gunther then capitalized and delivered the power bomb to solidify his title defense.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">World Heavyweight Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Balor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their ongoing rivalry continued this evening as Balor received another title shot against Rollins after he was arguably cost a victory at Money In The Bank thanks to the distraction of his fellow Judgement Day stablemate, Damian Priest. Just as Rollins was building momentum late in the match, Priest made his way to ringside with Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley soon to follow. The distraction was enough to give Balor a temporary edge as he was able to land the Coup de Grace but could not capitalize. Priest then slid the Money In The Bank briefcase in the ring and proceeded to distract the referee. As Balor crawled over to retrieve it, Rollins stopped him with the stomp as he drove Balor’s face into the briefcase allowing him to secure the pinfall.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE Women’s Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Asuka (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Asuka looked to continue her title reign following her victory over Bianca Belair at Night of Champions as she engaged in a triple threat affair with Belair and Charlotte Flair who made her recent return. In the closing moments of the match, Flair had the Figure 8 cinched in on Belair. Asuka then sprayed the mist in the face of Flair and attempted to kick Belair in the head. Belair ducked and rolled up Asuka to become the new champion - for a few minutes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE Women’s Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bianca Belair (c) vs. Iyo Sky</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Iyo Sky via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just moments after Belair won the Women’s Championship, Miss Money In The Bank, Iyo Sky’s music echoed throughout Ford Field as she made her way to the ring with Bayley. Sky cashed in her briefcase and immediately hit a moonsault on Belair to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE Undisputed Universal Championship Tribal Combat Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman vs. Jey Uso</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Jimmy and Jey Uso’s election to turn on Roman Reigns, they have become embroiled in a bitter Bloodline civil war which led us to tonight’s Tribal Combat. Essentially this no holds barred match was not only for the Undisputed Universal Championship, but also to determine who would sit at the head of the table as the tribal chief. As Jey Uso seemed poised to pull off the unthinkable late in the match, Solo Sikoa emerged to turn the tides. Jey was able to remove Sikoa from the equation with a splash through the announce table and again turned his attention to Roman. After delivering an Uso Splash to Roman, Jey was pulled from the ring by his brother Jimmy who emerged from the crowd. Roman then capitalized and drove Jimmy through another table propped up in a corner of the ring with a devastating spear to retain his title.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgssjfOljKQlc_V5fidvCARgUMH9hXGRmZKr2Cak9tKAkxfWNnhaNMB2MtOK-8yu4x2BuzMfGWGnzKoz-wewQewsiR02koC63NyEpSXEhPbKqgS6fkAIsk52kkUC6toFZVImAPQgNwUoG1mh2b-ksMze2Y0jLax65lMd9sjHsMTTQK1XkoYiI4uQ9U0BsQQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="282" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgssjfOljKQlc_V5fidvCARgUMH9hXGRmZKr2Cak9tKAkxfWNnhaNMB2MtOK-8yu4x2BuzMfGWGnzKoz-wewQewsiR02koC63NyEpSXEhPbKqgS6fkAIsk52kkUC6toFZVImAPQgNwUoG1mh2b-ksMze2Y0jLax65lMd9sjHsMTTQK1XkoYiI4uQ9U0BsQQ=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><!--EndFragment--><br /><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-45662415952018206302023-07-07T14:40:00.001-04:002023-07-08T14:45:24.183-04:00The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">By <span><span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/about-weigh-in-boxing-blog-and-podcast.html">TWI Staff</a></span></span></span></b></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--StartFragment--><span>Check out the latest from<span> </span><b>Luis A. Cortes III</b><span> </span>on<span> </span><b>The Sweet Science</b>:</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><a href="https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/77564-the-business-of-boots-ennis-that-is">The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)</a></b></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGnKJedueO225Uyb1cVEJrE2vqVqWNHx3geTZO8V4ZWpA8gCqQ7dOM7sKICL7rx5eucVzHxsrRcNs4BEcPbZR5jNT1R1pf7hRSrSYA98B9dWBzJRDme5XUiHeMl3pcCpyWwXFK86RU2GrPR6RTF8wGs3v2atLDjQ5wS3Alup11HDfeROXmwuySJH8Z8GwK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="716" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGnKJedueO225Uyb1cVEJrE2vqVqWNHx3geTZO8V4ZWpA8gCqQ7dOM7sKICL7rx5eucVzHxsrRcNs4BEcPbZR5jNT1R1pf7hRSrSYA98B9dWBzJRDme5XUiHeMl3pcCpyWwXFK86RU2GrPR6RTF8wGs3v2atLDjQ5wS3Alup11HDfeROXmwuySJH8Z8GwK" width="298" /></a></div><p></p><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-90604430368849833502023-07-03T19:52:00.075-04:002023-07-05T20:10:18.383-04:00Inside the Ringside with Frank Bartolini - Hulu Theater at MSG<p><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City: Matchroom Boxing delivered another superb night of boxing to New York. On top of the card, popular super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga, Brooklyn, NY, faced Jason Quigley, Ireland. Berlanga garnered an undefeated record as part of Top Rank’s stable. Earlier this year, Top Rank and Berlanga parted ways. Both Golden Boy and PBC showed interest in signing Berlanga, but he chose Eddie Hearn. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Irishman Jason Quigley, 167.5 lbs., was brought in as the opponent to showcase Berlanga's,167.75 lbs., skills. A big draw in the Big Apple, Berlanga had a house full of cheering fans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Anxious to end a four-bout drought without scoring a knockout, Berlanga went straight to work from the opening bell. In round three, Quigley hit the deck after absorbing a Berlanga right to the side of the head. During the fifth stanza, Berlanga scored a questionable knockdown after hurting Quigley with a left hook to the chin. To his credit, Quigley kept himself in the fight with some slick boxing while getting in his licks when he had his chances. As the clock ran out in the final heat, Berlanga got through with a left hook followed by a straight right to his foe’s cranium that resulted in Quigley eating rosin dust. Going for the kill, Berlanga dropped Quigley again with a barrage of punches.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The sold-out crowd roared in approval with the decision when ring Announcer Dave Diamante read the scores 116-108 twice and 118-106, all for Berlanga who’s record is now 21-0, 16 KOs. Quigley gave an admirable effort as his record dips to 20-3, 14 KOs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A former junior middleweight champ Jamie Munguia and future Hall of Famer Gennady Golovkin are a couple of names that have come up as potential future adversaries for Berlanga. After scoring sixteen first round knockouts in first sixteen fights as a professional, Berlanga has become a "bombs away" headhunter at times, shots that negate his body attacks. During his streak of kayoes, Berlanga's mid-section assault was a precursor to him tagging his opponents with crushing shots to the head. Berlanga will have to revisit those techniques if he is going to compete against the elite of the super middleweight ranks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Bombs away! Nothing better than watching two heavyweights with limited defensive ability take turns clocking one another. Thirteen-year veteran heavyweight Joe Cusumano, Danville, VA, scored the biggest win of an up until now ordinary career. Sadly, Cusumano crushed the hopes of one-time heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki, Brooklyn, NY, resurrecting his livelihood. A Cusumano, 238.25 lbs., right to Kownacki’s face dropped the Polish hammer in round one. Kownacki, 251.75 lbs., found his way back to his corner and continued his losing struggle until he was brutally finished at the two-minute mark of round eight. With the win, a big payday awaits Cusumano, 22-4 20 KOs. Falling to 20-4, 15 KOs, Kownacki has lost his last four fights, three of those by ugly knockouts. Popular consensus agrees Kownacki should never again step foot in a boxing ring.</span></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-22959300783448133842023-06-18T14:16:00.092-04:002023-06-22T12:05:42.989-04:00Inside the Ringside with Frank Bartolini<p><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As I traverse north on the New York Thruway to this year's International Boxing Hall of Fame inductions, the Hudson River runs alongside me moving in the opposite direction passing by New York City before dumping into the Atlantic Ocean. My mind began thinking about the great island of Manhattan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Who is Larry Goldberg? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry is a Ventnor New Jersey native. During Atlantic City’s pugilism heyday Goldberg fell in love with the sport of boxing in grade school while attending fights at various casinos. By the time Goldberg graduated Atlantic City High School in 1996, Larry had been ringside to witness all-time greats Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Mike Tyson and the list goes on and on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Attending Hofstra University turned Larry into a New Yorker, and these days he calls Manhattan home. In 1998, during the early days of boxing websites when most fans were still receiving their timely reports from Boxing Flash and Boxing Update, Goldberg launched boxinginsider.com. Boxinginsider.com immediately became, and still is, one of the most popular boxing websites on the internet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In October 2022, Larry delved into promoting professional boxing club shows at the Sony Hall in Times Square NYC. Since then, Goldberg’s promotional company, Boxing Insider Promotions, has promoted an additional three more shows at the venue and each one is better than the last. Helping guide Larry is IBHOF inductee Lou DiBella and seasoned matchmaker Eric Bottjer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">All of the Boxing Insider shows are scheduled on Thursday nights. Most recently on April 27th, Goldberg took a big step forward when DAZN aired this show globally on their streaming network. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Boxing Insider Promotions returns to Sony Hall in Times square on June 29th. Sizzling hot prospect junior welterweight Kurt Scoby will face Philadelphian, and former world title challenger, Hank Lundy in a scheduled eight round main event. Back in February, Scoby stole the show on a ShoBox fight card with a stunning second round knockout. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly a half a millennium ago, legend tells us our forefathers purchased Manhattan Island from Lenape Indians for a few shekels and a pouch of beads. In 1626 when this deal was consummated, the world was full of mystics. Not one soothsayer foresaw what this islet would manifest into by February 4, 2023, when a sold-out HULU theater hosted undisputed world featherweight queen Amanda Serrano, Brooklyn, NY, duking it out with gloves against Erika Cruz of Mexico. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Determined to attend the Serrano vs Cruz weigh-in on Friday morning, I came into the Big Apple Thursday night and lodged at The New Yorker Hotel. Located across the street from Madison Square Garden on Eighth Ave., The New Yorker Hotel opened in 1930. Nikola Tesla boarded there on the thirty-third floor for the last fifteen years of his life. Upon entering the lobby through the revolving door, you will discover an art deco masterpiece that still maintains an aesthetic appeal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">An exuberant, smiling Alycia Baumgardner captured everyone's heart at the weigh-in on Friday. Baumgardner has never relented in her pursuit of greatness. When Alycia disrobed to mount the scale the "oohs" and "aahs" could be heard. No longer a young prospect with her hair in braids and braces on her teeth, Baumgardner posed with her sculpted figure, head full of beautiful curly hair, and gorgeous smile in a gold bikini. She appeared to be a <i>Sports Illustrated</i> swimsuit model rather than a prizefighter. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I lodged at the UN Millenium Hilton Hotel, s</span>ituated on the corner of First Ave and Forty Fourth street with a street address of One UN Plaza, on Friday and Saturday. After having a cocktail at the hotel bar, aptly named the Ambassador Grill and returning to my room, I took in a view of the East River. Frigid temperatures broke all time lows and mighty whirlwinds whisking through the cavernous streets and avenues created a sub zero wind chill. Cutting arctic sting chills did not interfere on whether or not I was going to walk a block and a half up Forty Fourth street to a favorite haunt of Manhattanites titled the Overlook Bar. A unique cast of patrons can always be found there, including newsies who are employed by the various networks in the area. Upon entering, I knew it was going to be an entertaining evening when two friends, the bouncer Mike and the proprietor Mark, were both on the job. Making it back to the sanctity of my hotel bed before sunrise was an achieved goal. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since landing on United States soil Matchroom Boxing USA has consistently delivered quality fight cards. All in attendance at the sold-out Hulu Theater would agree as they roared their approval for Amanda Serrano's unanimous ten round decision win over a hard fighting Cruz. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Matchroom Boxing's next show at the Hulu Theater is on June 24th. Headlining the show is super middleweight Edgar Berlanga, who squares off against Jason Quigley of Ireland in a twelve rounder. Matchroom signed Berlanga soon after he and Top Rank parted ways. Another interesting scrap set for ten rounds; heavyweight Adam Kownacki will be trying to snap a three-fight losing streak when he faces Joe Cusumano in the semi wind up.</span></div><div><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-15481243091216018212023-06-17T14:24:00.001-04:002023-06-22T12:22:18.036-04:00Dawejko KO's Vance <p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--StartFragment--><span><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: On June 17th, Bally’s Hotel and Casino hosted a night of boxing promoted by Sal Musumeci with Renee Atkins handling the matchmaking. </span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 21.0149pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><span><span style="text-indent: 21.0149pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">A crowd of four hundred spectators cheered on Philadelphia, PA heavyweight Joey “Tank” Dawejko, 266.5 lb., as he starched Dennis Vance Jr., 277 </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">lb.,</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> West Branch, Michigan in under one round. </span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 22.1259pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 22.1259pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dawejko started out quickly and scored solid jabs to Vance's face. A well-placed left hook by Dawejko to Vance's body had a delayed effect. Moments after the blow landed, Vance took a knee. Upon rising Vance went down two more times from left hooks to the mid-section. Showing a huge heart Vance rose and continued to trade punches. Finally, after being allowed to continue after three trips to the canvas, the coup de grace came when Dawejko feinted a left to the body and scored a booming left hook on Vance's chin. After Vance hit the deck for the fourth time, he attempted to regain his footing as the referee waved things off at 2:01 mark of round one. </span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 28.1568pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-07241ddc-7fff-5a31-fa77-4f8befa85710" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 28.1568pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Raising his record to 25-10-4, 14 KO’s, Dawejko is scheduled to fight on September 15th at the Live! Casino in Philadelphia, PA. In a post-fight interview, Dawejko said he is staying in the gym to be ready if a bigger opportunity arises. Vance goes back to the Midwest with a stomachache and a record of 4-10, 2 KO’s. </span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-indent: 28.1568pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">J Russell Peltz of Philadelphia is guiding Dawejko's </span></b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">career.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.32186; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 3.2998pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.814003pt; text-indent: -0.814003pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAlwHZcc7XQGXDynggzZtuaq5Zs69hkvIC69FcYQuisjy0_O56dS6brhFLNf4iEzJvuD4Gr_ftZMW5-EtHK0sl9LNtC3oJEOR-WTOQ_61oqokzwgioeKk8lnY1-1-IN3QYOu0pqI4t-xMAMnDSG12mGOU9Dtr-XTZWmyFHISEHfibtc9-pKlfzwnMO153/s480/Joey%20Dawejko.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAlwHZcc7XQGXDynggzZtuaq5Zs69hkvIC69FcYQuisjy0_O56dS6brhFLNf4iEzJvuD4Gr_ftZMW5-EtHK0sl9LNtC3oJEOR-WTOQ_61oqokzwgioeKk8lnY1-1-IN3QYOu0pqI4t-xMAMnDSG12mGOU9Dtr-XTZWmyFHISEHfibtc9-pKlfzwnMO153/s320/Joey%20Dawejko.PNG" width="227" /></a></div></div></div><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-25432303351817769692023-05-08T21:04:00.003-04:002023-05-09T21:09:18.415-04:00WWE Wrestlemania Backlash 2023<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE made it’s pay per view/premium live event debut this evening as they emanated from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tonight’s card seemed to be overshadowed with the buildup to Night of Champions later this month where a new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned for the RAW brand as Roman Reigns will be confined to Smackdown with his Undisputed Universal Championship following this year’s WWE Draft. With Reigns out of the picture for tonight, the show would be headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar. In addition to the colossal main event, the show featured seven matches in all, and three titles were contested. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>WWE RAW Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Io Sky
Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite being drafted to Smackdown last week, Belair still holds the RAW Women’s Championship and would put it on the line this evening against Damage Ctrl’s Io Sky. Sky seemed poised to upset the champ in the closing moments of the match, but one could argue the late appearance by her Damage Ctrl stable mates cost her the title. Belair was laid out on the canvas as Sky ascended to the top turnbuckle for a moonsault attempt, however, Bayley decided to grab the hair of Belair and hold her down only to be caught by the referee. This distraction was enough for Belair to recover and roll out of harm's way as Sky leaped from the top rope. Belair then executed the KOD to retain her title.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Seth Rollins vs. Omos w/ MVP </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the announcement recently of a soon-to-be-crowned World Heavyweight Champion on the RAW brand, Seth Rollins made his intentions known for targeting the new title only to be interrupted by Omos. Omos and MVP proceeded to challenge Rollins to a match this evening as a way for Omos to secure a signature win over “The Architect.” Omos proved to be quite the formidable opponent for Rollins in this contest. The Nigerian Giant withstood the frog splash and multiple stomps (the first of which he stopped with his neck), however, Rollins finally overcame the odds in the end as he delivered the Stomp from the top turnbuckle which allowed him to cover Omos for the victory. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE United States Championship </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (c) </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Austin Theory via pinfall</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This bout created another interesting dynamic with the recent roster shake-up from the 2023 WWE Draft as new Smackdown Superstars, Theory and Lashley, competed with RAW’s Bronson Reed in a three-way dance for the United States Championship. In the closing moments of the match, Lashley speared Reed after he missed a moonsault attempt on Theory. The defending champ then snuck up on Lashley and tossed him out of the ring allowing him to easily cover Reed and steal another victory in familiar Theory fashion.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zelina Vega </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Rhea Ripley via pinfall</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In another situation where the defending champion was recently drafted to the brand opposite of the title which she holds, RAW Superstar Rhea Ripley would defend the Smackdown Women’s Title she just won a few weeks ago at Wrestlemania against Zelina Vega who represented the newly reformed Latino World Order, LWO. Despite the overwhelming crowd support for Vega, who’s family was seated at ringside, the size and power of Ripley was too much for her to overcome as she finally dispensed of Vega with Riptide to successfully defend her title.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">San Juan Street Fight Match </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Bad Bunny via pinfall</span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a battle of Puerto Rican natives, The Judgment Day’s Damien Priest went toe to toe with multi-platinum recording artist and ally of the LWO, Bad Bunny, in a San Juan Street Fight. Late in the match, Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio came to the aid of Priest until Rey Mysterio, a surprising appearance by Carlito, the LWO, and Savio Vega all evened the odds and restored order to the match. Bad Bunny, moments later, was able to dispense of Priest with a Bunny Destroyer (a variation of the Canadian Destroyer) following a barrage of chair shots.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso) vs. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, & Sami Zayn </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: The Bloodline via pinfall</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The ongoing feud between The Bloodline and Undisputed Tag Team Champions, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (with the recent infusion of Matt Riddle in the fray), continued tonight in a six-man tag team encounter. The Bloodline was able to overcome several disagreements amongst themselves to dispense of the tag champs and Riddle in the end. The closing moments of the match saw Solo blind tag himself into the match without Riddle’s awareness. Riddle proceeded to focus on Jey Uso as he executed the Bro Derek only to be ambushed by Solo from behind and put down with a Samoan Spike.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following his betrayal of </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cody Rhodes,</span><span style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the night after Wrestlemania, a bitter feud has embroiled between Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes. In the closing moments of tonight’s main event, a bloodied Brock Lesnar seemed to have a victory in his sights after he dropped Rhodes with the F5 and immediately followed it up with the Kimura Lock. Rhodes who appeared to be in dire straits, drove The Beast back onto his shoulders while still trapped in the submission hold to shock Lesnar with the pinfall victory in a rather abrupt match.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcHnVrirE3CA_qbtscpmTm1sJXFpglPMfEA6dlRJl-vcAdJ_n-M91lTWZbda7a8Aplzs-aWBiCnKE_RhQANLItjHJiDIGp_EmtD6tVi9A9NpZoLqtmoqpaG20jkhXgFzALZpsdstyWoq9KeDk-pWmH2ByljKYldKVaCCVanlg_tNpdZRfyxzDIjnlXlw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcHnVrirE3CA_qbtscpmTm1sJXFpglPMfEA6dlRJl-vcAdJ_n-M91lTWZbda7a8Aplzs-aWBiCnKE_RhQANLItjHJiDIGp_EmtD6tVi9A9NpZoLqtmoqpaG20jkhXgFzALZpsdstyWoq9KeDk-pWmH2ByljKYldKVaCCVanlg_tNpdZRfyxzDIjnlXlw=w256-h320" width="256" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span></span></span></span></div><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-14960919709493484732023-04-03T21:49:00.002-04:002023-04-03T21:49:48.789-04:00WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><!--StartFragment--><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE’s 39th installment of the Showcase of the Immortals continued this evening from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA following a solid overall first night. While night one featured some WWE legends in action and entertaining bouts for the Smackdown Women’s and United States Championships, the star power is much more prevalent across the card for night two with names such as Brock Lesnar, Edge, and Roman Reigns showcased. This evening’s card featured seven matches, three title contests, and was headlined by Roman Reigns putting his 945-day title reign on the line against “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Brock Lesnar vs. Omos w/ MVP</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Brock Lesnar via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Tonight’s card kicked off with one of WWE’s biggest draws, Brock Lesnar, squaring off with the 7’3” Nigerian Giant, Omos. With no title bout for Lesnar this year, WWE decided to pair him up with the largest man in WWE - and one of the largest competitors ever. A dire situation appeared to be afoot for Lesnar to open this bout as he was manhandled by Omos. Lesnar capitalized on a window of opportunity that opened when he ducked out of the way of a charging Omos while in the corner. Lesnar’s evasion lead the Nigerian Giant to slam his head into the ring post. Lesnar then took the massive Omos to Suplex City and finished the massive giant off with an impressive F5.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Wrestlemania Showcase Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan vs. Natalya & Shotzi vs. Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville vs. Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler via submission</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Much like the men’s tag team showcase on night one, the women were featured tonight in an effort to give more of the roster exposure on the stage of Wrestlemania and the winners would put themselves in prime position for a future tag team title opportunity. In the closing moments of the match, Shayna Baszler made a blind tag on Liv Morgan and then Rousey tagged her partner to become the legal competitor in the match. Rousey and Baszler disposed of Morgan and then Rousey cinched in the armbar on Shotzi for the submission victory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Gunther via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Gunther was forced to put his historic 296-day Intercontinental Title reign on the line against both Sheamus and McIntyre after the two men fought to a no contest in their match to determine the number one contender for tonight’s contest. Late in this incredibly hard-hitting affair, that left all three competitors with bruised and swollen pectorals, Sheamus appeared poised to earn the victory on McIntyre when Gunther flew from the top turnbuckle to break up the pinfall attempt. Gunther then hoisted Sheamus up and powerbombed him onto McIntyre and then powerbombed McIntyre as well to secure the pinfall victory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WWE RAW Women’s Championship</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Asuka vs. Bianca Belair (c)</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">After Rhea Ripley elected to use her Royal Rumble victory to challenge Charlotte Flair for her Smackdown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania, RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair was left without an opponent until the Empress of Tomorrow answered her challenge. Tonight, Belair would put her second longest ever RAW Women’s Championship reign on the line against the highly decorated Asuka on the grandest stage of them all. In the closing moments, Belair avoided the dreaded mist and was able to survive the armbar to deliver a KOD to solidify her title defense.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Miz vs. Snoop Dogg</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Snoop Dogg via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">After The Miz and Snoop Dogg announced the attendance for Night Two, The Miz proceeded to reprimand Snoop for putting him in an impromptu match with Pat McAfee on Night One. Snoop then introduced Shane McMahon as the opponent for The Miz tonight. Shortly after the bell rang, Shane McMahon landed wrong as he leapfrogged a charging Miz and legitimately tore his quadricep. While the ringside doctor attended to McMahon, Snoop Dogg stepped up and dropped The Miz with a couple right hands and then delivered his version of The People’s Elbow to pin The Miz.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Hell In A Cell</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Edge vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Edge via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In what should be the final chapter in the long, bitter rivalry between Edge and Finn Balor, they decided to do battle in the ominous Hell In A Cell tonight. At the end of this brawl, the confines of the cell was littered with chairs, kendo sticks, ladders, broken tables, and blood. Balor appeared to have the match in hand until Edge evaded his Coup de Grace attempt leaving him to crash through a table. Edge then speared The Demon and finished him off with the Conchairto to leave Wrestlemania victorious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WWE Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Championship</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Cody Rhodes</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Cody Rhodes made his shocking return to WWE after leaving the company he helped to build, AEW, at last year’s Wrestlemania but was derailed shortly after with a torn pectoral muscle that put him on the shelf for over six months. Rhodes then made his triumphant return at this year’s Royal Rumble as entrant number 30 and prevailed to punch his ticket to the main event tonight against Roman Reigns. The real question would be whether WWE would elect to end Roman Reigns’ title reign short of 1,000 days. Following a hard-hitting affair where each competitor emptied their arsenals, the difference proved to be Solo Sikoa. Roman’s title reign appeared to be in serious jeopardy late after Rhodes built momentum following interference from both The Usos and the new tag team champions, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Rhodes executed back-to-back Cross Rhodes and was about to try and put away The Tribal Chief with a third when Paul Heyman climbed up to the ring apron to draw the referee’s attention. With Dan Engler distracted, Solo Sikoa snuck into the ring and delivered a Samoan Spike to the neck of Rhodes. This gave the defending champ the opportunity he needed to put away The American Nightmare with a body-crumbling spear to continue his historic title run.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQNLVcOEKYiCobUN_XXhW4xQV7XFhVuZk8MPKFzRkZvG9xpkwgr2gPFgX8bHnUYiE75LHrj4svizJUsXXgMzxgGZFvuljlJMdQH1ZosCogsJulkd86KvjLxhlKVDXUlLvkS3Q55iAeLpN-2MWJzqAQpD-xKtKudhH4h0OUvfE06JclyKbUSk9c-O5Zg/s353/WrestleMania_39_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQNLVcOEKYiCobUN_XXhW4xQV7XFhVuZk8MPKFzRkZvG9xpkwgr2gPFgX8bHnUYiE75LHrj4svizJUsXXgMzxgGZFvuljlJMdQH1ZosCogsJulkd86KvjLxhlKVDXUlLvkS3Q55iAeLpN-2MWJzqAQpD-xKtKudhH4h0OUvfE06JclyKbUSk9c-O5Zg/s320/WrestleMania_39_Poster.jpg" width="256" /></a></div></div><!--EndFragment--></div>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-45556607376146358402023-04-01T08:57:00.002-04:002023-04-03T21:44:09.466-04:00WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night One<div><!--StartFragment--><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">World Wrestling Entertainment elected to go for the mega cash grab business model again for this year’s Showcase of the Immortals once again as they would emanate two nights in a row from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California - likely because they no longer generate revenue from pay-per-view buys and sold off the WWE Network to Peacock. Nonetheless, what would typically be a five to six hour mega event has now been split into two shows. Night One would feature eight matches with three titles contested and the main event pit The Usos against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">United States Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">John Cena vs. Austin Theory (c)</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Austin Theory via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The show surprisingly kicked off with the return of John Cena to a WWE ring following another prolonged absence as he answered the challenge of the brash Austin Theory. Cena made a solid showing in the ring with little evidence of ring rust, however, Theory prevailed in the end. Cena had Theory on his shoulders and inadvertently knocked the referee out. Cena proceeded to cinch in the STF prompting a tapout from Theory to no avail as the referee had still not recovered. As Cena attempted to revive the referee, Theory struck him with a low blow followed by the A-Town Down to retain his championship.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Wrestlemania Showcase Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Ricochet & Braun Strowman vs. The Viking Raiders w/ Valhalla vs. Alpha Academy (Otis & Chad Gable) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: The Street Profits via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This match not only allowed WWE to fit more Superstars onto the card but also would serve to designate who the next team in line for a tag team title opportunity would be. In the closing moments, Ricochet attempted the Shooting Star Press only to land on Angelo Dawkins’ raised knees and Montez Ford proceeded to dive from the top turnbuckle to drive Ricochet’s face into Dawkins’ knees again setting up the pinfall.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Logan Paul first eliminated Seth Rollins from the Royal Rumble Match, then cost him a victory in the Elimination Chamber, and has trolled him endlessly culminating in their encounter tonight at Wrestlemania. Seth Rollins withstood outside interference from KSI, the GTS, and a frog splash to turn around and hit the curb stomp to pull out the victory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Becky Lynch, Lita, & Trish Stratus vs. Damage Ctrl (Bayley, Io Sky, & Dakota Kai)</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: Becky Lynch, Lita, & Trish Stratus via pinfall </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Following their shocking victory over Io Sky and Dakota Kai to claim the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles several weeks ago with the backing of Trish Stratus, a bitter rivalry has continued to fester leading us to tonight’s encounter. The crowd seemed disinterested in this match during the early going but in the closing moments they would become much more engaged as Lita executed a Litasault from the top turnbuckle and then Becky Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam from the second rope on Bayley to claim the pinfall victory for her team.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Rey Mysterio via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">After he abandoned his father to join The Judgement Day, Dominik Mysterio has continued to try everything in his power to goad his father into a match at Wrestlemania. Rey continuously rejected his son’s attempts until Dominik disrespected his mother at ringside recently on Smackdown. That leads us to their confrontation tonight following Rey’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last night in Los Angeles. Rey appeared to be in dire straits with the appearance of The Judgment Day at ringside but The Legado del Fantasma and Spanish announce table guest commentator Bad Bunny evened the odds. In the end, Rey hit the 619 and immediately followed up with the frog splash to seal the victory over his son.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Smackdown Women’s Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Rhea Ripley via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Following her victory in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, Rhea Ripley elected to challenge Charlottle Flair in an attempt to avenge her Wrestlemania loss in 2020. Neither of these competitors left anything in the ring as each exhausted their entire arsenals but in the end, Ripley executed the Riptide from the turnbuckle to finally put away Charlotte Flair to become the new Smackdown Women’s Champion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The Miz vs. Pat McAfee</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winner: Pat McAfee via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The hosts of Wrestlemania, The Miz and Snoop Dogg, made their way to the ring to announce the attendance and The Miz proceeded to claim he made an open challenge that no one responded to. Pat McAfee then surprised the crowd to accept. With an assist from San Francisco 49er George Kittle, McAfee finished The Miz off with a punt to the head to claim victory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The Usos (c) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn via pinfall</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Following his dismissal from The Bloodline, Sami Zayn pled with Kevin Owens for weeks to team with him to gain revenge on The Bloodline finally wearing him down and bringing us to tonight’s contest for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. In the closing moments of the match, Sami Zayn gained retribution on Jey Uso and The Bloodline as he executed three consecutive Helluva Kicks to allow him to cover Uso for the pinfall as new Undisputed Tag Team Champions were crowned.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZWRKKoyId48zKq490pxCxIzuuKtvGOkj08_MhQRS3FylE3QDv4E9c43ToR4FQ-JX2rWi3wPcjY53qC2rHTYtIRYyLcTw3C6cyh9XfL4kt3ZGEQEP3oHZqx5gooOH0G83acmpuShXFnYXnLrdhct9fUQcg6-uUwoWFdJ6YR4KmNNUAWtUPxUaDYz13g/s353/WrestleMania_39_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZWRKKoyId48zKq490pxCxIzuuKtvGOkj08_MhQRS3FylE3QDv4E9c43ToR4FQ-JX2rWi3wPcjY53qC2rHTYtIRYyLcTw3C6cyh9XfL4kt3ZGEQEP3oHZqx5gooOH0G83acmpuShXFnYXnLrdhct9fUQcg6-uUwoWFdJ6YR4KmNNUAWtUPxUaDYz13g/s320/WrestleMania_39_Poster.jpg" width="256" /></a></div></div>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-35795130293373067572023-03-31T15:42:00.011-04:002023-04-02T16:10:42.891-04:00Frank Bartolini Selected for the 2023 New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">By <span><span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/about-weigh-in-boxing-blog-and-podcast.html">TWI Staff</a></span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Congratulations to boxing writer Frank Bartolini on his induction to the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For those of you who are not familiar with Frank's writing career, here is a snapshot of his accomplishments.: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Frank Bartolini grew up in Jackson, New Jersey, where he graduated from Jackson Memorial High School. He was a boxing columnist, feature writer, and reporter for the <i>The Observer</i>, an Ocean County daily newspaper, from the early to mid 1990s. Frank covered numerous fights in the tristate region, including Atlantic City's biggest fights during this period. Frank went on to contribute to a number of print and online boxing media outlets. His feature stories can be found in boxing media outlets such as the USA Boxing News, Boxing Insider, Boxing Action 24, Philly Boxing History, and The Weigh-In. He is a press row staple at big fights across the tristate area and Florida. Frank is also the president of FB Roofing & Siding, Inc. in Jackon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Stay tuned to The Weigh-In for information on the 2023 New Jersey Boxing Hall Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony. </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVok-6GqbHq7JwpI6SQP05WnyI8L3zoypRGU28jUhqBDrR8CoJki95ZtwC4EUzidfjSsg0i0VROJ9jq-_TGVRGHCQp2qDaFvVj075hDGd2qwXasVN8ra9DrIYNaGbmZG9bHjENpVs4DGPMvgHMz5bVovoAlJpTtg-InqRhK7I7qKcmW4GpVTEx4uACQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVok-6GqbHq7JwpI6SQP05WnyI8L3zoypRGU28jUhqBDrR8CoJki95ZtwC4EUzidfjSsg0i0VROJ9jq-_TGVRGHCQp2qDaFvVj075hDGd2qwXasVN8ra9DrIYNaGbmZG9bHjENpVs4DGPMvgHMz5bVovoAlJpTtg-InqRhK7I7qKcmW4GpVTEx4uACQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-47388235822598480482023-02-18T20:51:00.000-05:002023-02-24T20:51:43.464-05:00WWE Elimination Chamber 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">WWE made their return north of the border tonight for the final pay per view stop on the Road to Wrestlemania as Elimination Chamber emanated from The Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. After tonight’s massive card, the landscape for the championship title picture will be clear as the winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber match will oppose Bianca Belair for the RAW Women’s Championship and the victor of the encounter between Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn will defend the Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Championship against Cody Rhodes at the Showcase of the Immortals. </span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Women’s Elimination Chamber</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Asuka vs. Carmella vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nikki Cross vs. Natalya vs. Liv</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Asuka</b></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tonight’s card kicked off with the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match where the winner would punch her ticket to Wtrestlemania for a championship encounter with RAW Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair. Natalya and Liv kicked off the match and another competitor would join the chaos every two minutes. The combatants would be eliminated by pinfall or submission with the last woman standing being crowned the victor. The first participant to be released from her pod was Raquel Rodriguez who immediately used her size and strength advantage to impose her will. The next competitor to be released from her respective pod was Nikki Cross with still no eliminations. With the majority of the competitors already displaying signs of fatigue, Carmella was the next to enter the fray. Moments later, Raquel put Cross through the panel of one of the pods which set her up for an easy pinfall moments later. Asuka then made her way into the match and quickly ran roughshod over the other competitors. Asuka first dispensed of Liv Morgan as she made her pass out in the clutches of the Asuka Lock. Next, Carmella delivered a kick to the head of Natalya who had Asuka trapped in the Sharpshooter which allowed her to eliminate Neidhart. Rodriguez was then the recipient of several kicks to the head from Carmella and Asuka who joined forces to deliver a tandem pinfall on her leaving them as the final competitors standing. Asuka was too much for Carmella as she quickly cinched in the Asuka Lock on Carmella earning the submission and punching her ticket to Wrestlemania.</span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Bobby Lashley via DQ</b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This match was to be the decisive third match in a trilogy between these two imposing Superstars. Each man executed their signature moves several times on each other before Lesnar found himself in the Hurt Lock. Ensuring he would not suffer defeat, Lesnar elected for the low blow which prompted referee Chad Patton to call for the disqualification. Lesnar then left a path of carnage behind him as he F5’d the referee multiple times and also delivered an F5 to Lashley for good measure that sent him crashing through the announce table before he left the arena satisfied with his actions.</span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Mixed Tag Team Match</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. The Judgement Day (Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio)</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winners: Edge & Beth Phoenix</b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The bitter rivalry between Edge and Beth Phoenix and the faction he created, The Judgement Day, before his unceremonious expunging, would come to a head tonight as they would seek redemption in a Mixed Tag Team affair. In a match riddled with attempted outside interference by Dominik Mysterio, Edge and Beth finally prevailed. First, Beth dispatched of Ripley with a Glam Slam outside the ring and then she rejoined Edge in the ring as they executed the Shatter Machine on Finn Balor to secure the pinfall victory.</span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>United States Championship Men’s Elimination Chamber Match</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Austin Theory (c) vs. Montez Ford vs. Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Seth Rollins</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Austin Theory</b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The stakes were high for the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match as the last man standing would walk out the United States Champion. The chaos commenced with Rollins and Gargano going toe to toe. After two minutes elapsed, the next competitor to enter the bout was the defending U.S. Champion, Austin Theory. After Rollins and Gargano took Theory out of the picture temporarily, Damian Priest entered the match and promptly asserted his dominance. With still no pinfalls recorded, Bronson Reed next entered the match to deliver his brutal brand of punishment on the other participants. As Bronson Reed found himself the lone man still on his feet, Montez Ford finally made his way into the contest. Minutes later, Reed would finally be put down by Gargano and Rollins which allowed Ford to ascend to the top turnbuckle from where he executed a frog splash which led to Reed’s exit from the match. The closing moments saw Rollins and Theory as the final two Superstars remaining. With Rollins seemingly poised to reclaim the U.S. title, Jake Paul made his way to the ring, delivered his version of Adam Page’s Deadeye, as well as, Rollins’ own curb stomp. This left Rollins out of sorts and vulnerable as Theory covered him to retain his title.</span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Undisputed WWE Universal Championship</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Sami Zayn</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall</b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Following his expulsion from the Bloodline after he came to the aid of his former friend and Roman Reigns’ opponent, Kevin Owens, at the Royal Rumble in addition to the subsequent dissention that manifested within the Bloodline, Sami Zayn found himself in the biggest match of his career against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Reigns dominated much of the early part of the match before Sami rallied with everything in his arsenal, including the Helluva Kick and Blue Thunder Bomb. As Roman’s title reign appeared in jeopardy, the referee was knocked out which opened the door for Jimmy Uso to make his way to the ring and shift the match back in favor of Reigns. As Roman appeared poised to finish off Zayn, he missed him with a Superman Punch and took out the second referee of the match. With another window of opportunity open for the Tribal Chief, Paul Heyman obtained a chair from beneath the ring. As Reigns turned to strike Zayn, his cousin Jey Uso was standing in the ring. Roman then handed Jey the chair and directed him to finish off Zayn. Jey hesitated and as Zayn attempted to sneak up on Reigns with a spear, Roman sidestepped him leaving his cousin Jey as the recipient. Roman then proceeded to lay waste to Zayn with the chair and finished him off with the Superman Punch just in time for the first referee to miraculously recover and count the pinfall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After the match, Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns proceeded to beat down Zayn who was rescued by fellow Canadian, Kevin Owens. Owens and Zayn proceeded to gain a measure of revenge on Roman Reigns giving the Canadian crowd some semblance of satisfaction as they stood tall in the end.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXt0gjabi2wTCX1_YSBL8DY6zKlqqpSF23p2HHf7vzQo3cc9W279DhQuKW_5AAinPTCrj9D6No73vWuM4FcaEqNp-ZwR3JA9FwMfrzLv5XhgqfRwpcrgY0yE2suuMaq2--RtOMiXGwo3uK32d39r8A3L_GsroBBqPQbS8vt2zrI8tR9CVCbZiXWBFeBA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXt0gjabi2wTCX1_YSBL8DY6zKlqqpSF23p2HHf7vzQo3cc9W279DhQuKW_5AAinPTCrj9D6No73vWuM4FcaEqNp-ZwR3JA9FwMfrzLv5XhgqfRwpcrgY0yE2suuMaq2--RtOMiXGwo3uK32d39r8A3L_GsroBBqPQbS8vt2zrI8tR9CVCbZiXWBFeBA=w257-h320" width="257" /></a></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-36341272434905795312023-02-03T21:05:00.091-05:002023-02-05T22:37:52.889-05:00Inside the Ringside with Frank Bartolini<p><b style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">With holiday celebrations behind us and decorations being stored away in attics, I traveled to Washington, D.C. for the first of two shows I attended in January. Boxing began in a big way in D.C.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1/7/23 - Washington, D.C.: </b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly twenty thousand fight fans filled the seats at the Capitol One Arena to cheer on every punch the World Boxing Association Lightweight King Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Baltimore, MD, threw. Appearing to be a bit distracted at times, Davis, 134 lb., did not seem to be in top condition going into his title defense against Hector Luis Garcia, San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">This evening was about the excitement “Tank” creates. Gates opened at 4 pm, and soon afterward, the fighters on the first undercard bout were being called into the ring by announcer Mark Fratto. Seats remained empty as the corridor was packed with revelers until around 9 pm. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once the semi wind up ended, the house heated up in anticipation to see the tatted Davis throw his gloved fists. An explosive roar rocked the house when Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announcing the boxers' names and particulars.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Both boxers launched their arsenal of punches from a southpaw stance. Bumping up a weight class, Garcia, 134 lbs., won the WBA Super Feather Championship in his last fight. Fighting to the top of his ability, Garcia landed to the head and body. After three rounds of feeling his opponent out, Davis opened up in round four exploding bombs to Garcia’s midsection and head. After the halfway point in the seventh stanza, Davis, 134 lbs., unleashed his fury, smacking punches off of Garcia from the outside. Davis countered well with a straight left to Garcia's chin.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">The eighth round proved to be the last one of the fight, but not before drama outside the ropes interrupted and stopped the action. It turned out Gary Russel, Jr. and his brothers Gary Antonio and Gary Antuane got into a verbal scuffle with rapper Meek Mill. Both combatants paused to check out what was going on. Once the action resumed, Davis tore into Garcia. As the bell rang to conclude the session, Garcia returned to his corner complaining he could not see out of his right eye and did not come out for the ninth round.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px;">This was the first loss of Garcia’s career; his record dips to 16- 1, 10 KO’s. By representing himself well in this title challenge, Garcia's stock may rise regardless of this loss. With his skill set, Garcia will find success defending on to his super featherweight belt.</span>
</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px;">Garcia did a great WWE impersonation after the stoppage of the contest by doing a backflip off the top rope and landing perfectly on his feet as the audience roared. At the young age of twenty-eight years old, Davis has ten years' experience and an impressive resume that includes titles in three different weight classes. Tank’s record stays perfect at 28-0, 26 KO’s.</span>
</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px;">Immediately in the days following the event, talks between PBC head honcho Al Haymon and Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boys Promotions, on pairing Davis and Golden </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boy promoted Ryan “Kingry” Garcia for a super fight this spring. As of this writing, De La Hoya states he has the contract in hand. </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">De La Hoya may be trepid as he holds out for a larger percentage of the split. “Tank” has become a legitimate superstar who drew the largest monetary gate for an event in the history of The Capital One Arena. Paid ticket receipts totaled over five million dollars, and it has been reported pay-per-view proceeds added another twenty million dollars to the gross earnings. Another large source of revenue is the celebratory disposition of Davis's fan base transfer into the arena as patrons at the concessions stands. Add a few million bucks more to the proceeds from that revenue. Hence, De La Hoya has few bargaining chips at the table and will try to squeeze PBC for all he can without blowing the deal. April 15th is the projected date for the matchup, but no venue has been selected.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1/20/23 - Bethlehem, PA: </b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two weeks later, I found my way to the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Wind chills had the temperature in the teens. Entering the casino portion of the former Bethlehem Steel Mill, I saw a lively night brewing as the gaming house was filled with patrons. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Wind Creek Event Center was packed with close to fifteen hundred fight fans that came to watch a Kings Promotions fight card that was part of The Showtime Network SHOBOX The New Generation fight series. Kings CEO Marshall Kauffman filled the card with first rate local talent.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Undefeated super middleweights Sean Hemphill, New Orleans, LA, fought David Stevens, Reading, PA, in a scheduled eight round bout, a ho hum affair that was even after six rounds. Midway through round seven, Stevens',165 ¾ lbs., constant forward pressure was squeezing the strength out of Hemphill, 166 lbs. Battling aggressively until the end, Stevens pressed ahead in the last round. Then with seconds left in the fight, Stevens pummeled a cornered Hemphill. After absorbing a pounding, Hemphill slumped to the canvas. Using very questionable judgment, referee Shawn Clark let the action go on. Brutally aspiring to finish off his foe, Stevens assaulted Hemphill with three bombs to the head. As referee Clark stepped in to call a halt at 2:58 seconds while Hemphill collapsed to the ring apron. Stevens' record stays perfect at 12-0, 9 KO’s. Hemphill suffered his first blemish to his record and slides to 14-1, 8 KO’s.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><!--EndFragment--></p><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-89702974172383342952023-01-30T22:41:00.001-05:002023-01-31T22:50:23.051-05:00WWE Royal Rumble 2023<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The road to Wrestlemania officially kicked off this evening as the Royal Rumble emanated from a sold out Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This evening’s stacked card featured five matches with two titles contested and was headlined by the Men’s and Women’s 30-participant over the top battle royals. While the return of Cody Rhodes has already been confirmed for the match, there has also been the annual air of speculation with what surprises could be in store with one popular theory being the return of The Rock which would potentially set up a showdown at the Showcase of the Immortals with his cousin Roman Reigns - assuming he retains his title in a showdown with Kevin Owens.</span></span></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-bdf2d25b-7fff-26a2-37fc-94910e4964ec" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Men’s Royal Rumble Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Cody Rhodes</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quite to my surprise, this year’s show opened with the Men’s Royal Rumble Match - possibly to set up a face to face with the winner of the Universal Championship Match.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Participants:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gunther</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sheamus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Miz</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kofi Kingston</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Johnny Gargano</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Xavier Woods</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Karrion Kross</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chad Gable</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drew McIntyre</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santos Escobar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelo Dawkins</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brock Lesnar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bobby Lashley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baron Corbin</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seth Rollins</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Otis</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rey Mysterio (never entered the match after he was allegedly jumped by Dominik Mysterio </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">backstage)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dominik Mysterio</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elias</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finn Balor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Booker T</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damian Priest</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Montez Ford</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edge</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Austin Theory</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Omos</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Braun Strowman</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ricochet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Logan Paul</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cody Rhodes</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the closing moments, the commentators believed the final four to be Gunther, Cody, Rollins, and Austin Theory. Theory was the first to go thanks to a clothesline from Cody Rhodes. Next, Logan Paul (thought to be out of the match) returned to eliminate Seth Rollins. Next, Cody hit the Cross Rhodes on Logan and promptly eliminated him. This left the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, who set the record for longest time in a traditional Royal Rumble match, and the returning Cody Rhodes. In the closing moments, Cody hit the Cross Rhodes on Gunther and then promptly dumped him over the top rope to solidify his victory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sadly, this match had only one real surprise in Booker T and the booking was simply lazy by saving the one participant who everyone knew was in the match for #30 - this received a chorus of boos from the WWE Universe when Logan Paul entered at 29 which solidified Cody for 30 removing any air of mystique.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Bray Wyatt via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The past several weeks has seen LA Knight (who many better recognize as Eli Drake from his Impact and NWA days) finally receive a significant push, following his abysmal Maximum Male Models program, with Bray Wyatt. Not much was known about the match stipulations heading into this event except that anything goes and the identity of Uncle Howdy could possibly be revealed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the bell rang, the normal lights went out revealing a black light reactive ring so essentially this was a hardcore match in what looked like a ring that would fit in at a glow in the dark mini golf course. In a rather short affair, Wyatt put Knight away with the Sister Abigail.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RAW Women’s Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair (c) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a rather uneventful match, Belair put Bliss away with the KOD in rather short order to retain her title. Following the match, an eerie vignette played in the arena displaying Bliss from her time under Bray Wyatt’s “control” seemingly foreshadowing an upcoming turn in character for her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women’s Royal Rumble Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Rhea Ripley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Participants:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rhea Ripley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liv Morgan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dana Brooke</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emma</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shayna Baszler</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bayley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B-Fab</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roxanne Perez</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dakota Kai</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iyo Sky</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Natalya</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Candice Lerae</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zoey Stark</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Xia Li</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becky Lynch</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tegan Nox</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Asuka</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Piper Niven</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tamina</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chelsea Green</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zelina Vega</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Raquel Rodriguez</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mia Yim</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lacey Evans</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle McCool</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indi Hartwell</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sonya Deville</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shotzi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki Cross</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nia Jax</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The final four in the Women’s Royal Rumble came down to Asuka, Nikki Cross, Liv Morgan, and Rhea Ripley. The first to be eliminated was Nikki Cross at the hands of Liv Morgan as she stood on the ring apron attempting to eliminate Asuka. Minutes later, all three women found themselves standing on the apron. Asuka delivered the mist to the face of Liv and Ripley proceeded to kick Asuka’s legs out from under her sending her to the floor. Then a “blinded” Liv was launched from the ring apron as Ripley hung from the top rope and lifted her legs up around Liv’s head to eliminate her and punch her ticket to Wrestlemania.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Undisputed Universal Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman & Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This match really only seemed to manifest because of the longstanding history between the “Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens with Zayn’s loyalty being questioned for months. Tonight, Reigns absolutely steamrolled Owens enroute to yet another successful defense of his title as his historic reign continues.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the match, the beat down of Owens continued until he found himself handcuffed to the ring ropes. The Usos proceeded to deliver countless super kicks to Owens until Reigns picked up a steel chair and gave it to Zayn to finish the job. A conflicted Zayn proceeded to strike The Tribal Chief instead and received a beat down of his own for his efforts by The Bloodline, with the exception of Jey Uso who had his own conflict of conscience and walked out of the arena. The remainder of the Bloodline proceeded to exit the arena unified as they basked in their victory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ5LCrYyZYWReRJiDiBNELDBJspWd4iUJ5I93w0IpzzdoQL93BcR-xAgt1b_S3tIiCvB8LloR09ZaNnQ9Om_Rv7Ry-NMwGaDzipP7P51CUxlufFt8cnuVufjGIrdKbKuZboy8MYnohXbx7-Jlw80QHv1SlB2BZG0ojE4xkaPtVU-tBQF_18TnFd6avNA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ5LCrYyZYWReRJiDiBNELDBJspWd4iUJ5I93w0IpzzdoQL93BcR-xAgt1b_S3tIiCvB8LloR09ZaNnQ9Om_Rv7Ry-NMwGaDzipP7P51CUxlufFt8cnuVufjGIrdKbKuZboy8MYnohXbx7-Jlw80QHv1SlB2BZG0ojE4xkaPtVU-tBQF_18TnFd6avNA=w278-h400" width="278" /></a></div><p></p></span></b><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-18276273082155154412023-01-06T11:50:00.002-05:002023-01-06T11:50:46.510-05:00Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – A Pure Fighter on the Cusp of a Breakout Year<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">By <span><span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/about-weigh-in-boxing-blog-and-podcast.html">TWI Staff</a></span></span></span></b></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--StartFragment--><span>Check out the latest from <b>Luis A. Cortes III</b> on <b>The Sweet Science</b>:</span></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2;"><b><a href="https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/75315-jaron-boots-ennis-a-pure-fighter-on-the-cusp-of-a-breakout-year"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – A Pure Fighter on the Cusp of a Breakout Year</span></a></b></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9gX-HBriBnKXqjiKvKhu_va_LOLQ93qIo_r11fbq6myu-N1lYozYzReHiIW4OwOU_4AwILXGtu2YmNDm4aQnr2jKuIkqg2mmrRamNSOGqDuTxFgSk7phcJIIpA1Di9lyjqU8ZluMCqUHqxyn4Mf6Iz_Rq9ilkxB6-HITsEzJeNiwZtUPGYGzVXB46iA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="980" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9gX-HBriBnKXqjiKvKhu_va_LOLQ93qIo_r11fbq6myu-N1lYozYzReHiIW4OwOU_4AwILXGtu2YmNDm4aQnr2jKuIkqg2mmrRamNSOGqDuTxFgSk7phcJIIpA1Di9lyjqU8ZluMCqUHqxyn4Mf6Iz_Rq9ilkxB6-HITsEzJeNiwZtUPGYGzVXB46iA=w320-h265" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-85021955394476208232022-12-30T09:25:00.041-05:002023-01-06T11:43:55.065-05:00Philly’s Next Champ Gym Hosted Jerron “Boots” Ennis Media Workout<p><!--StartFragment--><b style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0.23466px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span>By <a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/frank-bartolini.html">Frank Bartolini</a></span></span></span></b><!--EndFragment--></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia, PA: Philly’s Next Champ Gym in Northeast Philadelphia hosted Jerron “Boots”
Ennis' media workout in preparation for his upcoming bout on January 7th at The Capitol One
Arena in Washington D.C. Ennis will be squaring off against </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Karen Chukhadzhian </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for the
interim IBF World Welterweight Title as the semi wind up of WBA World Lightweight king
Gervonta Davis' title defense versus Hector Luis Garcia. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Upon entering the gym, it is obvious Ennis is not a coddled fighter as he sat outside the
ring on a stool and wrapped his own hands. After skipping rope and breaking a sweat, Boots
took his sweatshirt off to reveal a sculpted physique that showed how physically mature he has
become. Calling this workout impressive would be an understatement. Ennis' display of hand
speed and punching power was spectacular. A thunderous noise, just a decibel below the sound
of a shotgun blast, reverberated as Boots' gloved fists pounded the pads. When Bozy Ennis
begins the chore of training his son, both men are focused and tend to the business at hand. At
the conclusion of the session both were drenched in sweat. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">During the question-and-answer session, Boots indicated he expected a short night's
work. Ennis also indicated that a bump up to junior welterweight for a title shot would not be out
of the question.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fU3PIOCfLnFA7a_qVxyjzHtx5lh-oI6cEUiL0BbtYH43R-P2zQSM-izrfQUq3JYZCh4b0ShY-lWxhRczswzD5tDZsJiJgTRtb1H7rhbBMs0YcJFKmKXCNcTtZvXu42O3VnIE6EvKG96kBmB61daYyXZmYXesijFP6KIro2nrSDN9MRvsyPoMdp5I_A/s2048/Boots%20Ennis%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fU3PIOCfLnFA7a_qVxyjzHtx5lh-oI6cEUiL0BbtYH43R-P2zQSM-izrfQUq3JYZCh4b0ShY-lWxhRczswzD5tDZsJiJgTRtb1H7rhbBMs0YcJFKmKXCNcTtZvXu42O3VnIE6EvKG96kBmB61daYyXZmYXesijFP6KIro2nrSDN9MRvsyPoMdp5I_A/s320/Boots%20Ennis%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eeqe5315ZSO5cblZ6DroNXVyhh4cxg95q98LIB2QfKvGoCgpSlgMvnUNkcgwvFjCeG_3HiS3JSxKoPnixL20SgYNwi8J1MfPche-Lt4KmPVpA8xBg9eoUeGsft8Z3cEWrE2iGOoEzMHqCeZzT3fxBv4Ac_MqAbXVpM_nsJurKa27UCq6j6Vg7VQi_A/s2048/Boots%20Ennis%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eeqe5315ZSO5cblZ6DroNXVyhh4cxg95q98LIB2QfKvGoCgpSlgMvnUNkcgwvFjCeG_3HiS3JSxKoPnixL20SgYNwi8J1MfPche-Lt4KmPVpA8xBg9eoUeGsft8Z3cEWrE2iGOoEzMHqCeZzT3fxBv4Ac_MqAbXVpM_nsJurKa27UCq6j6Vg7VQi_A/s320/Boots%20Ennis%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-85839452905303981542022-11-27T12:34:00.004-05:002022-11-27T12:34:47.512-05:00WWE Survivor Series War Games 2022<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/not-too-long-ago-my-brother-matt-ward.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Ward</a></span></p><!--StartFragment--><span id="docs-internal-guid-5cebe191-7fff-42f8-ae52-3acc2e7eb8fc"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWE returned to Boston’s TD Garden this evening for the latest installment of Survivor Series. This year a new spin was implemented as the Thanksgiving tradition would be fused with War Games, a throwback to WCW’s annual Fall Brawl that had most recently been revived on the NXT brand. Since Triple H has taken the reigns following Vince McMahon’s retirement, the programming has become noticeably more entertaining and several previously released talents have been brought back into the fold including: Bray Wyatt, Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Braun Strowman. This evening’s card featured five matches with two titles defended and was headlined by not one, but TWO, War Games ,matches. For those of you unfamiliar with a War Games match, two rings are encompassed by a massive steel cage as two teams are added to the match with participants alternating in entry. Once all combatants are in the cage, the match technically begins and a team is declared the winner by pinfall or submission.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women’s War Games Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Team Belair (Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim, & Bianca Belair) vs. Team Bayley (Rhea Ripley, Nikki Cross, Bayley, Io Sky, Dakota Kai)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners: Team Belair via pinfall</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The opening contest on the card pit RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair’s team against Bayley’s team composed of her Damage Ctrl faction, Cross, and Ripley. Dakota Kai and Bianca Belair opened the match and from that point on a new woman entered the fray every three minutes with Team Bayley holding the advantage. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Order of entry:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dakota Kai</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bianca Belair</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Io Sky</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Asuka</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki Cross:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexa Bliss</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bayley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mia Yim</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rhea Ripley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becky Lynch</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Becky Lynch’s entry into the cage, the match finally officially commenced and a winner would be determined by the first pinfall or submission. The closing moments of the match saw Io Sky and Dakota Kai positioned on a table in the corner of the ring. Becky Lynch then proceeded to scale the cage and delivered a leg drop to both women that decimated the table. Lynch proceeded to pin Kai to seal the victory for her team.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest vs. AJ Styles w/ Gallows & Anderson</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: AJ Styles via pinfall</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This match pit two men with an extensive history dating back to New Japan Pro Wrestling as each man was a leader of the Bullet Club in their respective tenures. This bout legitimately came down to Styles and Balor only as The OC and Judgement Day proved to be non-factors after they brawled out of the arena. Styles and Balor were visibly battered from their vicious encounter and in the end, Styles delivered a Phenomenal Forearm to help him earn the pinfall.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smackdown Women’s Championship</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronda Rousey (c) w/ Shayna Baszler vs. Shotzi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Ronda Rousey via submission</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronda Rousey’s latest contender came in the form of Shotzi tonight after she recently prevailed in a Six-Pack Challenge on Smackdown. Following a relatively sloppy match, Ronda finally overwhelmed Shotzi first with a Judo throw from the top turnbuckle, then the Piper’s Pit, and finally earned the submission victory with an armbar.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States Championship Triple Threat Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seth Rollins (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winner: Austin Theory via pinfall</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seth Rollins found himself in the crosshairs of both Bobby Lashley and Austin Theory. Lashley after he defeated him for the US Championship and Austin Theory after he became frustrated with his attempts at cashing in the Money In The Bank briefcase being repeatedly thwarted (before finally failing) and turned his attention to another champion. The end of the match saw Seth Rollins superplex Theory and then hold on and hoist him up for the Falcon Arrow. Before Rollins could execute the move, Lashley speared him and Rollins then collapsed with Theory on top of him long enough for a three count by dumb luck.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Men’s War Games Match</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy & Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, & Sami Zayn) w/ Paul Heyman vs. The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland), Drew McIntyre, & Kevin Owens</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners: The Bloodline via pinfall</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roman Reigns still found himself in tonight’s main event, however, it was as a part of War Games rather than in defense of his title - which unless he makes a defense on WWE weekly programming means his next defense could theoretically be at the Royal Rumble on January 28. The first two participants in the main event were Butch and Jey Uso who battled for five minutes before Ridge Holland entered the ominous cage from which point a new participant would enter every three minutes until all ten men made their way into the chaos.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Order of entry:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Butch</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jey Uso</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ridge Holland</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sami Zayn</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drew McIntyre</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jimmy Uso</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kevin Owens</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Solo Sikoa</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sheamus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roman Reigns</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Roman Reigns, the final participant to enter the match, made his into the cage, the bell rang officially marking the start of the bout. In the closing moments, Sami Zayn affirmed his allegiance to the Bloodline as he first delivered a low blow to Kevin Ownes and then put him down again with a Helluva Kick. Zayn then positioned Owens for a splash by Jey Uso that was immediately transitioned into a pinfall that solidified the win for The Bloodline.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWqz3sMCNmbhzXEOuR2dx3hH91KTh4UKYTM6iqxqL1jpJubY4OldpZFcepanC3izV8JTMWBRd52D3q-XLtv1CCiAzTG7CSBVu6cryj24MjTDxjYGl6YPDZCYq0orTv_tmLD-O-LiQtDIV2KKlx4p2Mwpr9UNMXw_2DfLq_15I-GZzNN-49e4An7OjtXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWqz3sMCNmbhzXEOuR2dx3hH91KTh4UKYTM6iqxqL1jpJubY4OldpZFcepanC3izV8JTMWBRd52D3q-XLtv1CCiAzTG7CSBVu6cryj24MjTDxjYGl6YPDZCYq0orTv_tmLD-O-LiQtDIV2KKlx4p2Mwpr9UNMXw_2DfLq_15I-GZzNN-49e4An7OjtXQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div></span></span><p></p><!--EndFragment--><!--EndFragment-->Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449597732898868521.post-2879859224518290822022-11-16T12:35:00.021-05:002022-11-27T12:39:53.247-05:00Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham draws inspiration for comic books from Navy service and boxing<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">By <span><span><a href="http://www.theweighinpodcast.com/p/about-weigh-in-boxing-blog-and-podcast.html">TWI Staff</a></span></span></span></b></p><p><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: arial;">Check out the latest from Matt Ward on <b>We Are The Mighty</b>:</span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><!--EndFragment--></p><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><b><a href="https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-sports/uss-steve-cunningham/">Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham draws inspiration for comic books from Navy service and boxing</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5Z3VQSmFo2YOApg4J7yMkPeXmvdDW5JVdbF5TddUwFdCGahv5DPR2txfuBmMt_1S_MwV-kYMOEHeWr2tMXnm4MTx6t9qmPEfDJ0v4u9ouvKVy0oZvokwer3hEGtxTKDsm5g9eDKdaigIeuu9kNKvvm1zM0flWg-NAr9-VQ_4pmsSh3JykUoLEaggEEA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1128" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5Z3VQSmFo2YOApg4J7yMkPeXmvdDW5JVdbF5TddUwFdCGahv5DPR2txfuBmMt_1S_MwV-kYMOEHeWr2tMXnm4MTx6t9qmPEfDJ0v4u9ouvKVy0oZvokwer3hEGtxTKDsm5g9eDKdaigIeuu9kNKvvm1zM0flWg-NAr9-VQ_4pmsSh3JykUoLEaggEEA=w400-h264" width="400" /></a></div></div><!--EndFragment--></span>Matt Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673192004885472964noreply@blogger.com0