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WEEKLY OVERVIEW – WWE (thru 12/5): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more

By Zach Graham, PWTorch Contributor

December 7, 2018

Former champion reportedly returning to WWE
SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

The following is the latest in a new series of weekly in-depth articles exclusive to PWTorch which will help put in perspective major wrestling promotions with a weekly overview, looking at news and roster developments, results, future line-ups, social media activity, key interviews, plus a timely commentary at the end. We will be featuring similar features on other promotions each week and each will be updated weekly.

•Top Stories of the Week

  • WWE is swapping NXT Takeover and the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony for Wrestlemania 35 next April. NXT Takeover will now be Friday, April 5, and the Hall of Fame ceremony will be Saturday, April 6 with both events taking place at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. WWE told PWInsider that this decision was made because “We believe it better serves our fans.” With this change the NXT Takeover show will no longer be going head to head with the combined Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling show that sold out Madison Square Garden. (SOURCE)
  • WWE Tribute to the Troops was filmed on Tuesday 12/4 in Fort Hood, Texas. This two hour special will be aired on USA Network on Thursday, December 20 at 9:00 PM EST. WWE announced a special appearance by Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show, and country music artist Morgan Wallen. Here is the official announcement posted on WWE.com on 11/29: LINK
  • WWE scouts were in Santiago, Chile this week for their first-ever tryout in Chile. WWE.com posted this article about the tryout as well as some information on those in attendance: LINK. WWE.com also posted a story announcing their first ever tryout in Mumbai, India in March 2019. You can read the official announcement on WWE.com here: LINK.

•WWE Weekly Event Results

WWE Live Event (Mexico City, Mexico) 12/1/18

(1) Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship ended in a no contest

(2) Rey Mysterio & The New Day beat Shinsuke Nakamura & The Colóns when Mysterio pinned Nakamura

(3) Drew McIntyre beat Finn Balor

(4) Charlotte defeated Mandy Rose

(5) Elias vs. Baron Corbin stopped mid-match to create 2-on-1 Handicap Match

(6) Elias defeated Baron Corbin & Bobby Lashley after Finn Balor interfered to help Elias

(7) Buddy Murphy (c) beat Kalisto to retain the Cruiserweight Championship

(8) Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose to retain the Intercontinental Championship

(9) Rusev & Lana beat Andrade Cien Almas & Zelina Vega

(10) Ronda Rousey (c) defeated Nia Jax via Disqualification after Tamina interfered

(11) A.J. Styles beat Samoa Joe

Source: Sportskeeda.com

If you attend a live event, please send results to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thanks!

•WWE TV Match Results

Monday Night Raw TV Results 12/3/18

(1) Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated Mickie James & Alicia Fox

(2) Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik, Kalisto, & Lince Dorado) beat Scott Dawson (w/ Dash Wilder)

(3) Dolph Ziggler beat Drew McIntyre

(4) Drake Maverick & AOP beat Bobby Roode & Chad Gable

(5) Heath Slater defeated Rhyno to keep his spot on the Raw roster. Rhyno has been fired from Raw.

(6) Finn Balor defeated Jinder Mahal (w/ The Singh Brothers)

(7) Ronda Rousey & Ember Moon beat Nia Jax & Tamina

Smackdown Live TV Results 12/4/18

(1) Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose defeated Charlotte & Asuka

(2) Jey Uso (w/ Jimmy Uso) beat Xavier Woods (w/ Kofi Kingston & Big E) & Cesaro (w/ Sheamus) in a Triple Threat match

(3) Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy

(4) A.J. Styles beat The Miz

WWE Mixed Match Challenge Results (Aired on Facebook Watch) 12/4/18

(1) R-Truth & Carmella defeated Jeff Hardy & Charlotte when R-Truth pinned Jeff Hardy

(2) The Miz & Asuka beat Jimmy Uso & Naomi when Asuka made Naomi tap out to the Asuka Lock

Mixed Match Challenge Bracket

Raw Playoff Bracket

-Finn Balor & Bayley vs. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox

Winners advance to T.L.C.

Smackdown Playoff Bracket

– R-Truth & Carmella vs. The Miz & Asuka

Winners advance to T.L.C.

205 Live Results (Aired on WWE Network) 12/5/18

(1) The Brian Kendrick (w/ Akira Tozawa) defeated Drew Gulak (w/ Jack Gallagher) via disqualification after Jack Gallagher interfered

(2) Ariya Daivari beat a local enhancement talent via referee stoppage

(3) Lucha House Party (Kalisto & Lince Dorado) defeated TJP & Mike Kanellis (w/ Maria Kanellis) in a Tornado Tag Team Match when Lince Dorado pinned TJP
Buddy Murphy vs. Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander vs. Tony Nese next week

Main Event Results (Aired on WWE Network and Hulu) 12/5/18

(1) Tyler Breeze beat Curt Hawkins

(2) Zack Ryder & The B-Team defeated Mojo Rawley & The Ascension

Source: PWTorch.com

•Upcoming Lineups for Stadium/PPV Events

WWE T.L.C. on Dec. 16 from San Jose, Calif.

  • Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship
  • Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin in a T.L.C. Match
    – If Braun wins, he will earn another Universal Championship match vs. Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble and Baron Corbin will be out of power entirely
    – If Baron Corbin wins, he will become permanent General Manager of Raw
  • Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship
  • Daniel Bryan (c) vs. A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship
  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Asuka in a Triple Threat T.L.C. Match for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
  • Mixed Match Challenge Finals: Raw bracket winner vs. Smackdown bracket winner
  • – Winners receive 30th (last) entry into their respective Royal Rumble matches.
  • The Bar (c) vs. The New Day vs. The Usos in a Triple Threat Tag Team match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
  • Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre
  • Elias vs. Bobby Lashley

WWE Royal Rumble on Jan. 27 from Phoenix, Ariz.

  • Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship (Pending Braun beating Baron Corbin at T.L.C.)
  • Men’s Royal Rumble Match
  • Women’s Royal Rumble Match

•Upcoming Events

Wed. 12/5/18 WWE Live Event –Raw Roster, Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile

Thu. 12/6/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Luna Park Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fri. 12/7/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Luna Park Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sat. 12/8/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Antel Arena, Montevideo, Uruguay

Sat. 12/8/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Sun. 12/9/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Stampede Corral, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Mon. 12/10/18 WWE Raw, Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, Calif

Mon. 12/10/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif.

Tue. 12/11/18 WWE Smackdown, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Fri. 12/14/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn.

Sat. 12/15/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Rabobank Arena, Bakersfield, Calif.

Sat. 12/15/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Oracle Arena, Oakland, Calif.

Sun. 12/16/18 WWE T.L.C. SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.

Mon. 12/17/18 WWE Raw, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Calif.

Mon. 12/17/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Stockton Arena, Stockton Calif.

Tue. 12/18/18 WWE Smackdown – Save Smart Center, Fresno, Calif.

Mon. 12/24/18 WWE Raw – No listing on WWE.com

Tue. 12/25/18 WWE Smackdown – No listing on WWE.com

Wed. 12/26/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

– Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin
– Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Chamionship in a Steel Cage Match
– Ronda Rousey vs Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship
– Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley
– Velveteen Dream, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, Ricochet, & Aleister Black vs. Tomasso Ciampa & Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, & Bobby Fish.)
– Dolph Ziggler, Alexa Bliss, Natalya, Sasha Banks, and Bayley are also scheduled to appear

Wed. 12/26/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Allstate Arena, Chicago, Ill.

Thur. 12/27/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, N.Y.

Thur. 12/27/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

– Ronda Rousey vs. Mickie James (w/ Alexa Bliss) for the Raw Women’s Championship
– Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship
– Braun Strowman vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre in a two-on-one handicap match

Fri. 12/28/18 WWE Raw (WWE.com has Raw scheduled for Friday 12/28 in Detroit, Mich. Tickets being sold through the site also have it listed as a Raw television show for Friday 12/28)

Fri. 12/28/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, Md.

Sat. 12/29/18 WWE Smackdown (WWE.com has Smackdown scheduled for Saturday, 12/29 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Tickets being sold through the site also have it listed as a Smackdown television show for Saturday 12/29)

Sat. 12/29/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, United Center, Chicago, Ill.

Sun. 12/30/18 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.

Sun. 12/30/18 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Keybank Center, Buffalo, N.Y.

Mon. 12/31/18 WWE Raw – No listing currently on WWE.com, WWE could be playing tape delayed version of Raw from 12/28 scheduled Raw event

Tue. 1/1/19 WWE Smackdown – No listing currently on WWE.com, WWE could be playing tape delayed version of Smackdown from 12/29 scheduled Smackdown event

Fri. 1/4/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Ga.

Sat. 1/5/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Greensboro Colliseum, Greensboro, N.C.

Sat. 1/5/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Fla.

Sun. 1/6/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, N.C.

Sun. 1/6/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Hertz Arena, Fort Myers, Fla.

Mon. 1/7/19 WWE Raw, Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.

Mon. 1/7/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C.

Tue. 1/8/19 WWE Smackdown, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Fla.

Fri. 1/11/19 WWE Live Event – Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, W.Va.

Sat. 1/12/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tenn.

Sat. 1/12/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, Tenn.

Sun. 1/13/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.

Sun. 1/13/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Von Braun Civic Center, Huntsville, Ala.

Mon. 1/14/19 WWE Raw, FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.

Mon. 1/14/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Tue. 1/15/19 WWE Smackdown, Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Ala.

Fri. 1/18/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas

Sat. 1/19/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Taylor County Coliseum, Abilene, Texas

Sat. 1/19/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sun. 1/20/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Chi Health Center, Omaha, Neb.

Sun. 1/20/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls, Texas

Mon. 1/21/19 WWE Raw, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mon. 1/21/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Landon Arena, Topeka, Kan.

Tue. 1/22/19 WWE Smackdown – Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kan.

Sun. 1/27/19 WWE Royal Rumble, Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.

Mon. 1/28/19 WWE Raw, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Ariz.

Mon. 1/28/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Tucson Convention Center, Tuscon, Ariz.

Tue.1/29/19 WWE Smackdown, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Ariz.

•Latest TV Highlights

Monday Night Raw

  • -Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler are no longer working together. During Baron Corbin’s “Drew McIntyre Appreciation Night” segment, Corbin presented McIntyre with a gold medal of excellence. Dolph Ziggler interrupted this ceremony and was upset that he wasn’t invited to attend. Dolph reminded Drew that he was the brains and Drew was the muscle. Drew disagreed saying that he was the brains, muscle, and talent in their tag team. Drew told Dolph he used him to get into a prominent position. Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre had a match, and after Finn Balor came to ringside and assisted Dolph Ziggler, Dolph managed to get the win over McIntyre.
  • Ronda Rousey was supposed to team with Natalya, but due to an attack by The Riott Squad, Natalya couldn’t compete and Ronda had to find a new tag team partner for the main event match. Ronda confronted Alexa Bliss saying that The Riott Squad had crossed a line, but that she still wanted the match with Nia Jax and Tamina. Alexa told Ronda she could still have the match, but needed to find another tag team partner. Ronda selected Ember Moon and the two of them won after Ember hit Tamina with an Eclipse and Ronda put her in an armbar for the win.
  • Dean Ambrose continues to insult fans. This week Dean walked down to the ring flanked by six men. Dean and his six security guards were all wearing gas masks. Dean cut a promo through the gas mask insulting the fans and saying protective measures like this are necessary in a slum like Houston. Dean then turned his focus to Seth Rollins saying that protective measures are also needed against Seth Rollins who attacked him unprovoked. After taking off the mask Dean admitted that the attack was a little provoked. Dean went on to say he used to be proud of the Shield until Seth and Roman Reigns started caring too much about being role models for the fans and accused them both of selling out. Dean also proclaimed to be the last man in the industry with integrity and that he is the moral compass of WWE. After all of this Seth snuck into the ring from the crowd while Dean’s security force faced the ramp waiting for Seth to come out from backstage. After a brawl through the crowd, Dean gained the advantage by hitting Seth with his gas mask, then hit Seth with a couple of Dirty Deeds.
  • During another open forum segment with Bayley and Sasha, they both mentioned wanting to fight Trish Stratus and Lita at Wrestlemania and Bayley also said she wanted to be the first-ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Smackdown Live

  • Smackdown Live opened with the three women fighting at Survivor Series signing the contract for the match. Becky said that unlike Charlotte and Asuka she would do anything it took to win. Charlotte said Becky is always telling the same story about her being handed opportunities then said she destroyed Ronda at Survivor Series and reminded Becky that Nia broke her face. Asuka chimed in reminding Charlotte that Becky already beat her. Asuka then told Becky she chose wrong picking Charlotte to replace her at Survivor Series because she would’ve beaten Ronda. The three then argued back and forth about who has beaten who, after Becky signed the contract and walked away Charlotte and Asuka continued arguing. After Asuka challenged Charlotte to a match, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville walked out and asked Paige what would happen if Charlotte and Asuka don’t make it to T.L.C. Paige then set up a tag match between the four and after Charlotte accidentally kicked Asuka, Asuka retaliated with a dropkick to Charlotte which allowed Sonya to pin Charlotte for the win.
  • Daniel Bryan was on Miz TV this week. Daniel Bryan said he realized he doesn’t care about the people and that the fans aren’t his intellectual peers. The Miz brought up Bryan’s low blow of A.J. Styles and Bryan responded saying it was a small sin compared to the consumerism of the fans. Bryan then went on a tirade about the fans eating meat and using plastic. He said that while he may have kicked Styles in the groin to win the title, that is just one person, meanwhile people are destroying the earth for future generations. A.J. Styles ran out to attack Bryan, but Bryan pushed The Miz into A.J. who hit him with a Skull Crushing Finale. The Miz and A.J. Styles then had a match with Bryan joining commentary where he said he hopes his daughter kicks thousands of men in the groin and said Byron Saxton is a horrible person for his lifestyle. A.J. won the match and while celebrating the victory, Daniel Bryan attacked A.J. and focused heavily on his legs.

•Listen to the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-Show – Smackdown Post-Show with guest Jason Solomon from Solomonster Sounds Off

PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch Livecast host and PWTorch Newsletter columnist Greg Parks as they discuss WWE Smackdown with live callers first, an on-site correspondent, and then later answering email questions. This show features topics such as heels advocating for alcohol moderation, reducing plastic water bottles, and avoiding factory farmed animal products in Texas’s most liberal and blue city, Austin. Also, more with Charlotte, Asuka, and Becky Lynch, another Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy match, Miz vs. A.J. Styles, pancakes being tipped over, and much more.

-On Tune In Radio HERE
-On Apple Podcasts HERE
-Or search “Wade Keller” on your podcast app of choice

•WWE Social Media Highlights

I forgot to include this in last week’s Weekly Overview, but I thought it’s still important to share. Roman Reigns was on the sidelines for Georgia Tech’s football game vs. Georgia on November 24 and they tweeted out this quick video of him before the game.

Here is your weekly Ronda/Becky update:

Drake Maverick announced on Twitter that Cedric Alexander is the number one contender for Buddy Murphy’s Cruiserweight Championship

Becky announced on Wednesday that tickets to meet her at the Royal Rumble sold out in 90 seconds and she sent this out to show appreciation to the fans.

•Closing Commentary

•Oliver Luck and Vince McMahon announced the XFL cities on Wednesday this week. They noted that over 30 cities submitted bids to have an XFL team, but gave no mention to some of the cities that did not receive a team. Teams will be located in the following cities and play at the listed venues:

New York, N.Y. – Metlife Stadium (home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL)

Dallas, Texas – Globe Life Park (home of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers)

Houston, Texas – TDECU Stadium (home field for the University of Houston)

Los Angeles, Calif. – Stubhub Center (home of the LA Galaxy of MLS and temporary home for the Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL)

St. Louis, Mo. – The Dome (former home of the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL)

Seattle, Wash. – Centurylink Field (home of the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL and the Seattle Sounders of MLS)

Tampa Bay, Fla. – Raymond James Stadium (home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL as well as the home field for the University of South Florida football team)

Washington D.C. – Audi Field (home of D.C. United of the MLS)

I found this announcement to be very interesting. Vince only spoke for a moment and it was rather generic leaving Oliver Luck to do most of the talking, but since this is Vince’s new business, I thought it was worth mentioning. It was very clear they are targeting NFL fans after their season ends. At one point Vince mentioned that the first week of games will be February 8 and February 9, 2020 which is the weekend after the Super Bowl in 2020. Clearly they are looking to capitalize on NFL fans wanting more football.

Luck also talked about where they would find players. He noted that hundreds of players get cut from NFL teams every September at the end of their pre-season because the NFL only allows a 53-man active roster. NFL teams can also have a small group of players as a part of their practice squad. It’s interesting he addressed this, and while he attempted to make it sound like they are very good players being cut due to roster limitations, it was hard not to think that the XFL is going to become the home of the NFL rejects and leftover players. When stopping to think about where they would acquire talent this seems like an obvious thing, but I found it fascinating that Luck was so blunt about it. He also said they plan to offer very competitive contracts and that we can expect player acquisitions to start happening in the first quarter of 2019.
You can watch the announcement on YouTube here or on XFL.com:

•Becky Lynch is destroying Ronda Rousey on Twitter. More than Becky winning the war of words*9, I think Ronda’s responses to Becky are just plain odd. Ronda continues to accuse Becky Lynch of taking a “Doctor Paid Vacation” and I don’t understand it. I will admit that age-wise I am a part of Ronda’s “Millennial Man” she also keeps rambling about, but her calling Becky weak in a roundabout way just is not a good look. Any reasonable person would follow their doctor’s orders to not compete when injured. Professional athletes in every sport are told they can’t compete because of injury, are they all weak too? Concussions are a very serious injury that are at the center of lawsuits and controversy in multiple major league sports and Ronda making light of a concussion injury is not a smart move. I think it’s a very silly point to keep harping on, but in every reply tweet she sends Becky’s way it mentions her being on “Dr. paid vacation” or that Becky is “hiding behind a doctor’s note.”

The millennial man stuff is also confusing. Ronda has attempted to take out people who like avocado toast, accused millennials of trying to write their name with urine in the snow (listed below), and this week she went after participation trophies. What exactly sparked the millennial man comments? I don’t understand where it came from and I can’t figure out why Ronda would keep bringing it up. Depending at what site you look at, millennials are defined as people born sometime between 1980 and possibly as late as 2004. That’s a very large window of fans Ronda is attacking with these silly comments. Oh, I forgot to mention that Becky and Ronda were both born in 1987 and according to Google they were born 2 days apart from one another! The fact that they are the same age and both considered millennials makes these comments even weirder to me. I don’t understand Ronda’s comments and I don’t think it’s smart to throw out these very strange generalities about millennial men. Besides, who doesn’t like avocado?

NOW CHECK OUT OTHER WEEKLY OVERVIEWS HERE.

OR JUMP TO LAST WEEK’S WWE OVERVIEW: WEEKLY OVERVIEW – WWE (thru 11/29): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more

The following is the latest in a new series of weekly in-depth articles exclusive to PWTorch which will help put in perspective major wrestling promotions with a weekly overview, looking at news and roster developments, results, future line-ups, social media activity, key interviews, plus a timely commentary at the end. We will be featuring similar features on other promotions each week and each will be updated weekly

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