Wrestling

The first round of the Cageside Seats Greatest Finisher Tournament continues today with a match-up pitting number three seed the 3D, as performed by the Dudley Boyz, against number 14 seed the Vadersault, as performed by Vader. Remember, voting closes at midnight CT. In order to cast your vote, leave a comment and in the subject line make sure you adhere to the guidelines as follows: To vote 3D simply write: Vote - 3DTo vote Vadersault simply write: Vote - Vadersault Here are videos showcasing each move. 3D: Vadersault: Updated bracket: (Click Image to Enlarge)

WWE SmackDown comes waltzing back into our lives tonight (May 24, 2013) from Omaha, Nebraska, featuring all the fallout from the Extreme Rules pay-per-view (PPV) this past Sunday night and a United States championship match between Dean Ambrose and Kofi Kingston. If you're the impatient type and wish to read full spoilers for the show you can find out exactly what goes down by clicking here. Either way, come back here at 8 p.m. ET for the SmackDown open thread. ____________________ WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS AND LIVE BLOG FOR MAY 24 Geno here.

Speculating on the rumors surrounding pro wrestling is a favored pastime of many fans, perhaps second only to actually watching the matches. In this daily column, we take a look at the latest rumors being churned out by the pro wrestling rumor mill. Important reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact; so remember to take it all with a grain of salt. Rumors for the Day: Though Paul Heyman is currently busy managing his newest "guy," Curtis Axel, rumors continue to run rampant that his other two clients, CM Punk and Brock Lesnar, are on a collision course. Punk vs. Lesnar was one of the feuds WWE was hoping for when they re-signed Lesnar, and it looks like they might be getting their wish. The most likely scenario would be Punk turning face after being dropped by Paul Heyman, leading into the feud with heel Lesnar. There is apparently no set plan for Lesnar's next feud now that, by all reports, his feud with Triple H is over, but he is expected to next work a match in August at SummerSlam. Depending on when Punk returns from his hiatus, that event is likely the earliest a match between the two could take place. It is unlikely, however, that the two would meet at WrestleMania 30 where WWE is still holding out hope for a Lesnar/Rock match. (Or, failing that, Lesnar/Undertaker.) With the tag team titles now around the waists of the Shield's Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, it is expected that Team Hell No is headed for a breakup. They will likely stick around long enough to get an official rematch for the titles, probably at June's Payback pay-per-view, but the team is not expected to last beyond that. After a disappointing WWE main roster run, Mason Ryan has apparently been making the most of his opportunity in NXT. By all accounts, he has improved by leaps and bounds, drawing high praise from all who have seen him in action, including Jim Ross. There is a real expectation of Ryan making his way back to the main roster within the next couple of months. In some Indy news, Sami Callihan has reportedly wrestled his last match with Dragon Gate USA. While he is still under contract with the company, Callihan has drawn serious interest from WWE and will be released if/when he signs a deal with them. If you have heard of any interesting rumors that you'd like to add, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Please remember, these are merely rumors. Try not to take them too seriously, just have fun with them.

The Bryan and Vinny Show returns today with a packed show: Granny returns for this week's contest, caption Dave Meltzer in the New York Times; Bryan and Vinny tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the upcoming Vegas Convention, plus Bryan cuts a promo on Ed that he later expresses some remorse about; full Impact report from Thursday night; thoughts on Generico in NXT; plus your topic for Friday's After Dark Radio. A fun show as always so check it out~! {radioShow dmdocuments/052413bvshow.mp3}

Friday Night July 5th at the FREEMONT Hotel DOWNTOWN Vegas. DINNER BUFFET Three Entrees Buffet @ $59.00 inclusive (includes tax, tip, room rental) Banquet room will be reserved for four hours maximum. Buffet will be served for 90 minutes. Tossed Greens with Assorted Dressings, Italian Antipasto Salad, Caesar Salad, Fresh Sliced Fruits, Vegetable Relish Tray Roast Pork Tenderloin, Herbed Roasted Chicken, Teriyaki Beef Shortribs, Au Gratin Potatoes, Whipped Mashed Potato Oriental Vegetables Stir-fry Black Forest Cake Above includes Dinner Rolls & Butter Coffee, Tea, Decaf., Brewed Ice Tea *menu subject to change The price is based on 50 people. The room and deposit have been paid so now it's official. Cost is $59 per person and is now due by May 31st. Payments can be sent via paypal to srjaialaiot@yahoo.com If you paid a partial downpayment the remaining balance is also due by May 31st, we will try and extend this dead line. As usual, Edinsanantonio will be getting a Penthouse Suite at the RIVIERA for an afterparty (usually until 2am). This costs extra and is based on donations only and the BYOB principal (bring your own booze) Please send donations to sideswipe at jrobar@sympatico.ca we need $300 and any extra collected will go to Booze for the party, Bryan remember you did not pitch in last year and we expect you to pitch in this year. Other events being worked on are, group show on Thursday night, not sure what yet but will more then likely be one of these cirque du soleil LOVE, or O, or Terry Fator Sunday we will also be having a KISS mini Golf tournament and at some point Vinny is working on a Karaoke party some where. Also many members of the site will be competing in Grapplers Quest, including Mike Coughlin, The Peachmachine, Alex Goff, Jbennet and I think Admin Tony. Here is the address for the Convention Facebook Page.

T.J. Perkins, who has worked for TNA in the past, was under the mask.

5.23 Impact Wrestlingby Jeff Hamlin (hamlin37@hotmail.com) Twitter: @hamlin37 The Big News: A newsworthy live show from Tampa as A.J. Styles rejected a chance to join Aces and Eights, hitting both Kurt Angle and several members of A&8 with a hammer to end the show. The story is Styles continues to be on his own side, and no one else's. The love affair between Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan may not be over, as Bully told her he still loves her on separate occasions, perhaps leading to Brooke joining Aces and Eights. Mickie James claimed the TNA Knockouts title for the first time since 2011 by defeating Velvet Sky. James Storm's mystery tag team partner for Slammiversary was revealed as the returning Gunner. And Suicide made his return after a two year absence in a victory against Joey Ryan and Petey Williams.  The company opened by wishing the very best to the victims of the tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma. TNA almost always has its heart in the right place dealing with tragedies.  Hulk Hogan started the show with a big pop. Mike Tenay proclaimed Tampa as Hogan's hometown. He did a big speech which somehow included a mention of Shark Boy. When he got down to business, Hogan said A.J. Styles had decided to jump to Aces and Eights, "as Jeremy Borash as his witness." Sting came out, and Hogan said Sting didn't have to follow through with the stipulation that if he loses to Bully Ray at Slammiversary, he can never get a title shot again. Sting said if he couldn't take the title and the power it brings from Ray, he doesn't need to be wrestling. Has anyone ever seen an example of the power that a TNA champion supposedly holds ever wielded? Brooke Hogan came out and blamed herself for driving a wedge between herself and her father, and well as Sting and Hogan. Somehow, this led to Brooke announcing she wanted to resign as Knockouts GM. Hulk tried to talk her out of it. Ray came out and said it was his fault that Hogan didn't know how to run the company, and his fault that he stabbed Sting in the back. Ray said he blamed Brooke for making him fall for her. Ray he thinks about Brooke every night when he goes to bed, and he still loves her, and always will. He even still had his wedding ring on. Crowd went from being hot for Hogan, to being indifferent as an episode of "The Hogans" took place in the ring, but Ray's stellar heel work got them lively again. It sure did indicate a Brooke heel turn.  1. Suicide pinned Joey Ryan in a X Division three-way that also included Petey Williams in 4:02. Kenny King was on commentary. No zipline for Suicide in the arena setting upon his return. Joey Ryan just grounded this match to a halt as both Suicide as Petey Williams had to stand and wait for him as various points. Suicide and Williams looked comfortable working with each other. Williams attempted the Canadian Destroyer on Suicide, but Ryan broke it up. Suicide caught a reverse neckbreaker, then pinned Ryan after a Tiger Suplex dropped into a double knee to the crotch. ** Chris Sabin talked with James Storm about being his tag team partner at Slammiversary. Sabin said the two greatest tag teams in TNA history were The Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money, and he needed someone to beat up. Storm politely declined, saying Sabin had plenty of potential to win the X Division title and the TNA Heavyweight title on his own. Sabin said everything was cool.  Brooke got in Ray's face about what did he mean about him still loving her. Ray said he meant what he said, then walked off.  Mickie James went into Velvet Sky's locker room to make sure she was ready to compete tonight for the Knockouts championship despite her bad knee, an injury exacerbated by Gail Kim's Steel Post Figure Four. James offered to postpone the bout, but Sky wouldn't hear of it.  Sam Shaw came out for his Gut Check tournament match against Alex Silva, but Silva never came out. As Dave reported three weeks ago, Silva has been sidelined in OVW with a concussion. Instead, Wes Brisco, Garrett

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) of The Layfield Report and Baltimore Sun caught up with WWE Hall of Famer, 90-year-old Mae Young. In the interview, the pair talk about Vince McMahon booking her in a match against Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania the year of her 100th birthday, and how she exercises daily and is in terrific shape.

Straight from our Cageside Features Section, we bring you the results for our fifth CSS Pro Wrestling Championship Series of tournaments here at Cageside Seats. Our latest match-up in the first round of our tourney is complete, and so are your results. Yesterday, (Wed., May 23) our number four-seeded Doomsday Device defeated the thirteenth-seeded Pepsi Plunge by 30 votes! Thus bringing the Doomsday Device one-step closer to being crowned the Greatest Finisher of All Time. The final tally was: (Click Image to Enlarge) Be sure to vote today (Fri., May 24) as the CSSGFT continues our next first round match: (3) 3D vs. (14) Vadersault. Voting will remain open in the comments section of the new match thread from 6 a.m. ET today, right up until midnight-CT tonight -- with the results announced tomorrow (Sat., May 25). Our bracket will continue to be narrowed down by you, the Cagesiders, in order to determine which finisher CSS believes to be the Greatest Finisher of All Time.

Impact was beyond wild as they ventured into Hulk Hogan’s hometown of Tampa, Florida. The action was off the charts and surprises were around every corner. Also, would A.J. Styles join Aces and Eights? The show opened with a graphic sending thoughts and prayers out to the Oklahoma victims. It also showed how you can donate to the Red Cross. Abyss is back and a lot of people want to know what’s up. Joseph Park went berserk on D’Lo Brown to earn a future shot at Devon’s TV Title. Bully Ray then said he wanted Sting to promise that if he were to lose at Slammiversary, he will never be allowed to challenge for the TNA World title. Ken Anderson said A.J. Styles would be patched in, tonight. Hulk Hogan got a monster pop as he returned home to Tampa. Taz complained that Hulk set Impact to be in Tampa. Mike Tenay talked about the great Hiro Matsuda, as well as the Brisco Brothers. Hulk said it was great to be home. Hulk said the word out was that tonight it was going to be wild. Hulk even brought up Shark Boy. Hulk said the people around him were family. Hulk then turned his focus to A.J. Styles. Styles got booed, big time. Hulk said Styles’ defection wasn’t that big a deal. Hulk then invited Sting to join him in the ring. Sting was wearing his new shirt. I like that one. My Sting shirt is starting to wear out. Hulk told Sting that he appreciated Sting’s willingness to risk never getting a future World title shot. Hulk said it didn’t have to go down like that. Sting asked Hulk to keep things just like they are. Sting knew he needed to take the title and the power from Bully Ray. Sting said if he didn’t take it all from Bully, he wouldn’t deserve to ever be champ, again. Hulk said Sting didn’t have to risk it all. Brooke Hogan then strolled form the back. Brooke said she should take the blame for Bully Ray. Brooke said she fell in love with the jerk and drove wedges all around. Hulk told Brooke that she didn’t need to go there. Brooke said she was sick of seeing Hulk and Sting taking all the blame. Brooke was ready to resign from TNA. Hulk told her to move past Bully… Out came her “hubby”, Bully Ray. Bully didn’t know why the three of them were trying to take the blame for how things happened. Bully made it clear it was all his fault. Bully said he runs the show. Ray did blame Brooke for making Ray fall for her. Ray said he thinks about her morning and night. Ray said he still loved Brooke. Ray said he would never take off his wedding ring, because of his love. Ray then walked away as Brooke broke down. Puh-lease. It was time for another Suicide promo video. More bizarre crap. Suicide was ready to unleash his payback. This is the anniversary of a sad day in wrestling history. On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart fell to his death at a wrestling show. 14 years have passed but it still feels like yesterday that we lost a great wrestler and an even greater man. Gone…but never forgotten. Kenny King joined the announce team for the next match. Joey Ryan vs Petey Williams vs Suicide Zema Ion was supposed to fight Petey and Suicide but he is recovering from emergency surgery on his appendix. Suicide took down Joey, quickly. Flying Octopus by Suicide into a Roll Up on Petey. Petey with a flip of Suicide. Suicide with a Hurancanran. Petey with a Dropkick to Suicide’s back. Joey tried for a Dropkick but Joey put on the break. Joey with a hard throw. Joey poured oil on his chest. Ewww. Top Rope Head Scissors. Suicide with an Abdominal Stretch on Petey and an Indian Death Lock on Petey. Petey came back with a Side Russian Legsweep, which tweaked Joey’s knee. Joey took out Petey. Joey flew out of the ring. Petey with a Suicide Div on Joey. Suicide with a Cannonball Roll onto Joey. Code Breaker by Petey to Joey. Suicide pulled Petey ot the outside. Suicide with a Back Roll Roll Up to Joey. Petey charged the corner. Petey went for the Canadian Destroyer but Joey prevented it. Joey rushed the corner and Suicide with the Flying Neckbreaker. Suicide with a B