The Wrestling Roundup is here to bring you all the news and rumors you need to know in one place.
Firstly, rest in peace to former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard. Shad’s body was recovered by authorities after a search on Venice Beach where he had gone missing during a swim on Sunday. He was pronounced dead by the LAPD on Wednesday, aged 39. Gaspard is said to have instructed rescuers to save his ten-year-old son from the riptide they were both caught in before submerging himself. From all accounts by wrestlers, friends, and fans, Shad was a class act and a hero to his core. Our condolences to his friends, family and loved ones.
WWE is saddened to learn that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39. WWE extends its condolences to Gaspard’s family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/cQDlDgQCHh
— WWE (@WWEIndia) May 20, 2020
WWE NXT Results
NXT was back at it on Wednesday night with the finals of the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship round robin and a match between Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai. What else went down on NXT? Here are the results:
- Karrion Kross def. Liam Gray
- El Hijo del Fantasma def. Akira Tozawa in an NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament match
- Mia Yim def. Santana Garrett
- Roderick Strong def. Dexter Lumis
- Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch def. Ever-Rise
- Drake Maverick def. KUSHIDA in an NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament match
- Io Shirai def. Rhea Ripley by disqualification
NXT In Your House has some matches set and some other matches teased. The night started with Tommaso Ciampa coming to the ring and challenging Karrion Kross to a match at the show. It’ll be Kross’ TakeOver debut when he battles Ciampa in what should be an excellent contest.
IT'S OFFICIAL: @NXTCiampa vs. @WWEKarrionKross (w/ @Lady_Scarlett13) at #NXTTakeOver: In Your House! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xDqEsbMcJq
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 21, 2020
Another teased match is between Johnny Gargano/Candice LeRae and Keith Lee/Mia Yim. Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling came out on NXT and insulted Yim, which brought out Lee in short order. A mixed-tag match could be a really fun spectacle for these four, even if it isn’t that high profile of a feud.
The tournament to crown an interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship wrapped up in dramatic fashion. In one block, El Hijo del Fantasma secured the top spot by defeating Akira Tozawa. The other block is more complicated. Drake Maverick beat KUSHIDA, making it a three way tie between those two and Jake Atlas at the top. The three of them will battle in a triple threat next week to see who faces Fantasma for the belt.
ONE. MORE. MATCH. 💜
@iamjakeatlas vs. @WWEMaverick vs. @KUSHIDA_0904 NEXT WEEK, and the winner will advance to the FINALS of the #NXTCruiserweight Championship Tournament! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/BsmsJT2Evv
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 21, 2020
AEW Dynamite Results
This Wednesday was the AEW Double or Nothing go home show. How did AEW build up to the show that is seemingly their biggest show of the year? MJF returned to in-ring action against Mark Stunt, and the build towards the Stadium Stampede match pitting the Elite against the Inner Circle continued. What else was on Dynamite? Here are the results:
- Jon Moxley def. 10
- MJF def. Marko Stunt
- Rey Fenix def. Orange Cassidy
- Britt Baker & Nyla Rose def. Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander
- Matt Hardy def. Sammy Guevara
Jon Moxley is not a man to mess with. Brodie Lee has physically taken the AEW Championship from Mox, so what was he supposed to do to get revenge? The answer – break the arm of 10, one of the Dark Order Minions. Brodie Lee was willing to sacrifice one of his men, and Moxley is a man of his word. This was an interesting build to their world title match on Saturday, which still doesn’t feel particularly hot.
Is this mind games by Mr. @ThisBrodieLee?
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama or https://t.co/GdI7QAsxEP for our International fans. #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/VYIwos5C98— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 21, 2020
We got just a taste of what the Stadium Stampede match will be, and the answer is pandemonium. The show went off the air with the return of the Young Bucks and Adam Page. They helped even the odds against The Inner Circle at the football stadium in a show-closing brawl. This will be one of the strangest matches in the short history of AEW, but I am all for it.
The Young Bucks came back to Dynamite just in time!
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama or https://t.co/GdI7QAsxEP for our International fans. #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/EkOnIbPU6n— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 21, 2020
It is a classic move to hype a multi-man ladder match by having all the participants skirmish. That’s exactly what AEW did to hype the Casino Ladder Match on Saturday. The guy who got the worst of it was Rey Fenix. Four people were on the outside, yet no one was able to catch him. Tough bump for him to take.
All hell broke loose between the Casino Ladder Match participants!
Order Double or Nothing on Saturday, May 23rd on all major cable & satellite providers / @BRLive / @FITETV (International Fans Only) #AEWDoN pic.twitter.com/ykfu5zerIy
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 21, 2020
One more match was added to the Double or Nothing card. Shawn Spears has had his issues with the Rhodes family in the past, and it will continue. He’ll face off against Dustin Rhodes on Saturday night.
It's official!
This Saturday night at Double or Nothing.
It's @dustinrhodes vs. #TheChairman @Perfec10n!Order Double or Nothing on Saturday, May 23rd on all major cable & satellite providers / @BRLive / @FITETV (International Fans Only) #AEWDoN pic.twitter.com/nfxF9pAfKg
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 21, 2020
One for the Road:
WWE has uploaded a playlist remembering Shad Gaspard’s career with them. Give it a watch to reminisce on some Cryme Tyme.
