WWE Houston Notes – Lesnar’s return, Jericho for Cena, main event, Sin Cara replaced, post-WM32 SD return date, NBA legend attends, refunds, more

By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor


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WWE returned to Houston on Friday night, which included a rare house show appearance by Brock Lesnar, but follow-up on John Cena’s injury situation.

WWE Live News & Notes 1/8

– Brock Lesnar defeated former WWE World Hvt. champion Sheamus in the pre-intermission match. Lesnar, who was accompanied by Paul Heyman, went all-out in 8-10 minutes of work delivering multiple suplexes to fulfill the “Suplex City” marketing.

– WWE announced at the start of the show that co-headliner John Cena was injured and would not be at the show. Ring announcer JoJo offered refunds within the first 20 minutes of the show.

– Chris Jericho was named Cena’s replacement before the show on the advertising. He was then Cena’s actual replacement on the show opposite U.S. champion Alberto Del Rio.

Del Rio started the show with a promo, said he did not have to wrestle since Cena was injured, and was interrupted by Jericho.

Jericho then pinned Del Rio clean in a non-title match.

– The main event was Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens in a Street Fight for the Intercontinental Title. Ambrose won after hitting Dirty Deeds on weapons.

– El Torito replaced the injured Sin Cara in a tag match with Kalisto against Los Matadores.

– Tamina of Team B.A.D. came to the ring alone, without Sasha Banks and Naomi, for a Divas match against Brie Bella with Summer Rae as special referee. Brie was accompanied by Alicia Fox, but not her injured sister Nikki Bella.

– WWE announced that the post-WrestleMania 32 Smackdown will be held in Houston on April 5. The schedule will be WM32 on Apr. 3 in Arlington, Tex., post-Mania Raw on Apr. 4 in Dallas, and post-Mania Smackdown four hours south in Houston on Apr. 5 to wrap up WrestleMania Weekend.

– Former Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady sat on the front row behind ring announcers JoJo and Greg Hamilton from the second match onward.

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