{"id":72704,"date":"2019-01-02T16:35:29","date_gmt":"2019-01-02T22:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=72704"},"modified":"2019-01-10T21:06:08","modified_gmt":"2019-01-11T03:06:08","slug":"weekly-overview-wwe-thru-1-2-top-stories-of-week-major-show-lineups-live-event-results-schedule-of-live-events-noteworthy-social-media-posts-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2019\/01\/02\/weekly-overview-wwe-thru-1-2-top-stories-of-week-major-show-lineups-live-event-results-schedule-of-live-events-noteworthy-social-media-posts-more\/","title":{"rendered":"WEEKLY OVERVIEW \u2013 WWE (thru 1\/2): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-519506282\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p><i>The following is the latest in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/category\/prowrestlingnews\/weekly-overviews\/\">a new series of\u00a0weekly in-depth articles<\/a>\u00a0exclusive 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.<\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>\u2022Top Stories of the Week<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Wrestlers started declaring their entrance to the Royal Rumble matches this week. Drew McIntyre and all three members of The New Day join R-Truth in the men\u2019s Royal Rumble match while Natalya, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan all join Carmella in the women\u2019s match.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">A.J. Styles won a Fatal Five-way match on Smackdown to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship again. He and Daniel Bryan will face off again at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022WWE Weekly Event Results<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster (Columbus, Ohio) 12\/27\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Finn Balor beat Dolph Ziggler &amp; Drew McIntyre<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Apollo Crews won a 15-man battle royal to earn an Intercontinental Championship opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8211; Other entrants: Lucha House Party, The Ascension, Titus O\u2019Neil, Rhyno, Jinder Mahal, Curt Hawkins, No Way Jose, Mojo Rawley, Zack Ryder<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Natalya &amp; Ember Moon beat Ruby Riott &amp; Sarah Logan<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Bobby Lashley (w\/ Lio Rush) defeated Elias<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Dean Ambrose (c) beat Seth Rollins to retain the Intercontinental Championship after Baron Corbin interfered<\/span><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1693764696\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) Bobby Roode &amp; Chad Gable (c) beat The Revival &amp; The Authors of Pain to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks beat Dana Brooke &amp; Mickie James (w\/ Alicia Fox)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Bray Wyatt defeated Baron Corbin in a No Disqualification Match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8211; Wyatt replaced the injured Braun Strowman<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(9) Ronda Rousey (c) defeated Nia Jax (w\/ Tamina) to retain the Raw Women\u2019s Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/12\/28\/12-27-wwe-in-columbus-ohio-rousey-vs-nia-jax-bray-wyatt-substitutes-for-braun-against-corbin-ambrose-vs-rollins-in-a-cage-battle-royal-more\/\">PWTorch.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster (Uniondale, N.Y.) 12\/27\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Mustafa Ali beat The Miz<\/span><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1251518612\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) R-Truth &amp; Carmella defeated Andrade Cien Almas &amp; Zelina Vega<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, &amp; Shelton Benjamin beat The Col\u00f3ns &amp; Aiden English<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Karl Anderson &amp; Luke Gallows beat Sanity<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) The Bar beat The Usos &amp; The New Day<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Daniel Bryan beat John Cena in a steel cage match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Naomi &amp; Lana defeated Mandy Rose &amp; Sonya Deville<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(9) Rusev beat Shinsuke Nakamura<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(10) Asuka beat Charlotte &amp; Becky Lynch<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrestlinginc.com\/news\/2018\/12\/wwe-live-event-results-649249\/\">WrestlingInc.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster (Baltimore, Md.) 12\/28\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Mustafa Ali defeated The Miz<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) R-Truth &amp; Carmella beat Andrade Cien Almas &amp; Zelina Vega<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, &amp; Shelton Benjamin defeated The Col\u00f3ns &amp; Aiden English<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Karl Anderson &amp; Luke Gallows beat Sanity<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) The Bar (c) beat The Usos &amp; The New Day (Kofi Kingston &amp; Xavier Woods w\/ Big E) to retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Daniel Bryan (c) beat John Cena in a steel cage match to retain the WWE Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(9) Naomi &amp; Lana defeated Mandy Rose &amp; Sonya Deville<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(10) Rusev (c) beat Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the United States Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(11) Asuka (c) beat Charlotte &amp; Becky Lynch to retain the Smackdown Women\u2019s Championshp<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/12\/29\/12-29-wwe-in-baltimore-md-cena-challenges-daniel-bryan-for-wwe-title-asuka-vs-becky-vs-charlotte-rusev-vs-nakamura-miz-tv\/\">PWTorch.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster (Chicago, Ill.) 12\/29\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Finn Balor beat Dolph Ziggler &amp; Drew McIntyre<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Apollo Crews won a battle royal for a future Intercontinental Championship opportunity<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Nia Jax (w\/ Tamina) beat Ember Moon<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Bobby Lashley (w\/ Lio Rush) beat Elias<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Bobby Roode &amp; Chad Gable (c) defeated The Revival &amp; The Authors of Pain to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) Bayley, Sasha Banks, &amp; Natalya beat Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, &amp; Dana Brooke (w\/ Liv Morgan &amp; Alicia Fox)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Bray Wyatt defeated Baron Corbin in a No Disqualification match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Dean Ambrose (c) beat Seth Rollins in a steel cage match to retain the Intercontinental Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/wrestleyard.com\/wwe\/wwe-chicago-live-event-results-dec-29-2018-seth-rollins-apollo-crews-more\/\">WrestleYard.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster (Buffalo, N.Y.) 12\/30\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Finn Balor beat Dolph Ziggler &amp; Drew McIntyre<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Apollo Crews won a battle royal for a future Intercontinental Championship opportunity<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Bobby Lashley (w\/ Lio Rush) beat Elias<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Nia Jax (w\/ Tamina) beat Ember Moon<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Bray Wyatt defeated Baron Corbin in a No Disqualification match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) Bobby Roode &amp; Chad Gable (c) defeated The Revival &amp; The Authors of Pain to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Bayley, Sasha Banks, &amp; Natalya beat Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, &amp; Dana Brooke (w\/ Liv Morgan &amp; Alicia Fox)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Dean Ambrose (c) beat Seth Rollins in a steel cage match to retain the Intercontinental Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrestlinginc.com\/news\/2018\/12\/wwe-live-event-results-649339\/\">WrestlingInc.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster (Tampa, Fla.) 12\/30\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) The Bar beat The Usos &amp; The New Day<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Titus O\u2019Neil defeated Killian Dane<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Mustafa Ali beat Andrade Cien Almas<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Jeff Hardy beat Samoa Joe<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) John Cena defeated The Miz<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) Lana &amp; Naomi beat Mandy Rose &amp; Sonya Deville<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Rusev beat Shinsuke Nakamura<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(8) Asuka defeated Charlotte &amp; Becky Lynch<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(9) Daniel Bryan beat A.J. Styles in a steel cage match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/12\/31\/12-30-wwe-in-tampa-fla-fans-begin-to-leave-during-styles-vs-bryan-in-a-cage-match-cena-vs-miz-in-match-youd-expect-before-intermission\/\">PWTorch.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>If you attend a live event, please send results to <\/i><a href=\"mailto:pwtorch@pwtorch.com\"><span class=\"s5\"><i>pwtorch@pwtorch.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><i>. Thanks!<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022WWE TV Match Results<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Monday Night Raw TV Results 12\/31\/18<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Drew McIntyre beat Dolph Ziggler in a Steel Cage Match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Apollo Crews won a battle royal to earn an Intercontinental Championship match later in the night<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, &amp; Bayley defeated The Riott Squad<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) Jinder Mahal &amp; The Singh Brothers beat Heath Slater &amp; Rhyno in a handicap tag team match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(5) Bobby Lashley (w\/ Lio Rush) beat Seth Rollins via Disqualification after Seth hit Lashley and Rush with a chair<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(6) Dean Ambrose (c) defeated Apollo Crews to retain the Intercontinental Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(7) Ronda Rousey &amp; Natalya beat Nia Jax &amp; Tamina<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Smackdown Live TV Results 1\/1\/19<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Samoa Joe beat Jeff Hardy to qualify for Fatal Five-way match later in the night<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Sonya Deville beat Naomi<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(3) John Cena &amp; Becky Lynch defeated Andrade Cien Almas &amp; Zelina Vega<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(4) A.J. Styles defeated Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, &amp; Mustafa Ali to earn a WWE Championship Match at the Royal Rumble<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>205 Live Results (Aired on WWE Network) 1\/1\/19<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Kalisto defeated Lio Rush to qualify for the Royal Rumble Fatal Four-way Cruiserweight Championship match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) Akira Tozawa beat Drew Gulak to qualify for the Royal Rumble Fatal Four-way Cruiserweight Championship match<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami will happen next week in final qualifying match for Royal Rumble Fatal Four-way.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Main Event (Aired on Hulu and WWE Network) 1\/2\/19<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(1) Titus O\u2019Neil beat Curt Hawkins<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"s1\">(2) The Revival defeated Tyler Breeze &amp; Zack Ryder<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s3\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/12\/29\/12-28-wwe-monday-night-raw-tv-taping-results-spoilers-for-12-31-results-of-what-will-air-on-new-years-eve\/\">PWTorch.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022Upcoming Lineups for Stadium\/PPV Events<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WWE Royal Rumble on Jan. 27 from Phoenix, Ariz.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Men\u2019s Royal Rumble Match \u2013 winner receives a championship match at Wrestlemania<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Known Entrants (5): Drew McIntyre, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, R-Truth (will enter last)<\/i><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Women\u2019s Royal Rumble Match \u2013 winner receives a championship match at Wrestlemania<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Known Entrants (8): Natalya, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Carmella (will enter last)<\/i><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. (Cedric Alexander\/Hideo Itami) in a Fatal Four-way Match for the Cruiserweight Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Daniel Bryan (c) vs. A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022Upcoming Events<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 1\/4\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Ga.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/5\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Greensboro Colliseum, Greensboro, N.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/5\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Fla. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/6\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, N.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/6\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Hertz Arena, Fort Myers, Fla.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/7\/19 WWE Raw, Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/7\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 1\/8\/19 WWE Smackdown, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Fla.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 1\/11\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, W.Va.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/12\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tenn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/12\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, Tenn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/13\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/13\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Von Braun Civic Center, Huntsville, Ala.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/14\/19 WWE Raw, FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/14\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, Tenn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 1\/15\/19 WWE Smackdown, Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Ala.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 1\/18\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, AT&amp;T Center, San Antonio, Texas<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/19\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Taylor County Coliseum, Abilene, Texas<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 1\/19\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/20\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Chi Health Center, Omaha, Neb.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 1\/20\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls, Texas<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/21\/19 WWE Raw, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Okla.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/21\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Landon Arena, Topeka, Kan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 1\/22\/19 WWE Smackdown \u2013 Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Sun. 1\/27\/19 WWE Royal Rumble, Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/28\/19 WWE Raw, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Ariz.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 1\/28\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Tucson Convention Center, Tuscon, Ariz.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue.1\/29\/19 WWE Smackdown, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Ariz.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 2\/1\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Sasktel Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/2\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Brandt Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/2\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 2\/3\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Canalta Centre, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/4\/19 WWE Raw, Moda Center, Portland, Ore.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/4\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Yakima Sundome, Yakima, Wash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 2\/5\/19 WWE Smackdown, Angel of the Winds Arena, Everrett, Wash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 2\/8\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/9\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/9\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, NIU Convocation Center, Dekalb, Ill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 2\/10\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, The DOW Event Center, Saginaw, Mich.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 2\/10\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/11\/19 WWE Raw, Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/11\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Canton Civic Center, Canton, Ohio<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 2\/12\/19 WWE Smackdown, Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 2\/15\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Bert Ogden Arena, Edinburg, Tex.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/16\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Sames Auto Arena, Laredo, Tex.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/16\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Rapides Coliseum, Alexandria, La.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/18\/19 WWE Raw, Cajundome, Lafayette, La.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/18\/19 WWE Live Event, Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles, La.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 2\/19\/19 WWE Smackdown, Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, La.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Fri. 2\/22\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, First National Bank Arena, Jonesboro, Ark.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/23\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sat. 2\/23\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Bancorpsouth Arena, Tupelo, Miss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 2\/24\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Raw Roster, Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Ala.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Sun. 2\/24\/19 WWE Live Event \u2013 Smackdown Roster, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, S.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Mon. 2\/25\/19 WWE Raw, State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Ga.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Tue. 2\/26\/19 WWE Smackdown, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022Latest TV Highlights<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Monday Night Raw<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Seth Rollins came to the ring looking for a rematch against Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship. Instead of Dean coming down to take on Seth, Triple H\u2019s music interrupted Seth. Triple H said there isn\u2019t going to be anything automatic anymore and Seth\u2019s IC Title rematch isn\u2019t happening. Triple H also said he doesn\u2019t think Seth deserves that rematch. Triple H then talked about how he once believed in Seth and when he finally didn\u2019t, Seth kicked his ass at WrestleMania and made him believe in him again. Hunter challenged Seth to stop asking for things. Seth fired back talking about carrying Raw on his back while Brock is up in Canada doing whatever he does while Seth was \u201cchurning out classics with Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler, Mojo Rawley of all people.\u201d Seth asked Triple H if he wants the ruthless bastard and soulless guy who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants and Hunter responded saying yes that\u2019s what he wants. Later in the night Seth fought Bobby Lashley (w\/ Lio Rush) and was disqualified in that match after using a steel chair on both of them (apparently unleashing the ruthless bastard within).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Apollo Crews had a notable Monday night. He won a battle royal to earn an Intercontinental Championship match later in the night. He eliminated eight people in that battle royal including Baron Corbin for the win. He did lose the championship match to Dean Ambrose, but it wasn\u2019t a squash match by any means. This could be the start of a push for Apollo Crews.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">WWE teased some different things taking place next week including appearances by John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and the return of Braun Strowman. The Revival will get another opportunity at the Raw Tag Team Championships. Alexa Bliss will also debut her new talk show called \u201cA Moment of Bliss\u201d with her guest Ronda Rousey.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Smackdown Live<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">John Cena was back on Smackdown this week. He talked about his 2018 then said he didn\u2019t know his reason for being back on WWE television was yet, but usually about this time in his promos someone interrupts him. This week Becky Lynch would be the one to come out and confront Cena. Becky talked about her 2018 saying she wasn\u2019t just aiming for Charlotte and to be on posters and billboards, she was aiming for John Cena too. She said it was time for someone to step into Cena\u2019s shoes and that person was her. Becky finished off her promo by saying if Cena had a problem with that, \u201cNikki Bella won\u2019t be the only woman to drop you this year.\u201d The two would be interrupted by Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega. Cena and Lynch then teamed up in a mixed tag match against Almas &amp; Vega. Near the end of the match Becky went for a pin on Vega that was broken up by Almas, after Cena hit Almas with all of his signature moves, Becky threw Cena out of the ring as he posed. Becky would then reverse a quick pin attempt by Vega and force her to submit to the Dis-Arm-Her.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">A.J. Styles won a Fatal Five-way match to once again become the number one contender to the WWE Championship. He will face Daniel Bryan again at the Royal Rumble. Before the main event, A.J. went to talk to Vince and Shane McMahon. A.J. asked if they were sure they wanted to see him (after he attacked Vince last week). A.J. then said he should apologize for last week, but he wouldn\u2019t and that he will show the world who the real A.J. Styles is in the main event. A.J. then made a threat towards Vince and Shane which prompted Shane to stand up and confront Styles. After Styles left, Shane asked Vince if he\u2019s sure he wants to see the real A.J. Styles and after he said yes Shane noted that he needs to be careful what he wished for.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>\u2022Listen to the latest Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-Show \u2013 Smackdown Post-Show<\/h3>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">In today&#8217;s episode, PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch.com&#8217;s Zack Heydorn for coverage of the Jan. 1 episode of WWE Smackdown including a full detailed rundown and analysis of the show and some analysis including the big John Cena-Becky Lynch segment, the New Day&#8217;s news at the start, a Fatal Five-way to determine A.J. Styles would challenge Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble, and more with a surprisingly newsworthy pre-taped episode. Then in a bonus segment at the end, the Wade&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100px;\" src=\"https:\/\/tunein.com\/embed\/player\/t128474851\/\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">-On Tune In Radio\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/tun.in\/tiVng5\">HERE<\/a><br \/>\n-On Apple Podcasts <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/wade-keller-pro-wrestling-podcast\/id1253158731?mt=2\">HERE<\/a><br \/>\n-Or <strong>search \u201cWade Keller\u201d<\/strong> on your podcast app of choice<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022WWE Social Media Highlights<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Gene Okerlund passed away this week. WWE announced it on Wednesday morning and almost the entire roster took to Twitter to comment.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WWE<\/a>\u2019s most memorable segments. \u201cMean Gene\u201d was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9ddj6372eE\">https:\/\/t.co\/9ddj6372eE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Triple H (@TripleH) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TripleH\/status\/1080494046924193792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Gene Okerlund was an incredibly rare talent. He made everything and everyone better. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ThankYouMeanGene?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ThankYouMeanGene<\/a> for all the incredible memories. Our condolences to his family and loved ones. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IxpjiLo9UN\">https:\/\/t.co\/IxpjiLo9UN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StephMcMahon\/status\/1080510646754660355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">When I was younger and just starting out in wrestling all the guys at the wrestling gym went by 2 rules to pick a name..<\/p>\n<p>1) You had to be able to imagine Vince McMahon saying the name on commentary<\/p>\n<p>2) You had to be able to hear Mene Gene saying it with a question<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RIPMeanGene?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#RIPMeanGene<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Aswang TJP (@MegaTJP) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MegaTJP\/status\/1080508481658974208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Just heard Mean Gene Okerlund has passed away. As an interviewer, pitch man, announcer, or host, he was untouchable. Simply the best. Total professional with quick wit, sarcasm, humor, and that golden voice. <br \/>Condolences to his friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/steveaustinBSR\/status\/1080499511741448192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Of the very few regrets I harbor in my career, one was never getting to scream &quot;Mean Gene&quot; when answering the queries of a man who presence was larger than life and ingrained in the better memories of my childhood. <br \/>RIP Mean Gene. <br \/>My condolences to the Okerlund family.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamoaJoe\/status\/1080497225476816899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Becky Lynch was at it again this week. She exchanged tweets with the official Looney Tunes Twitter account after a fan compared a picture she posted of John Cena to Foghorn Leghorn. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I&#39;m not, I say, I&#39;m not getting in the Man&#39;s way anytime soon&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YBXtbBbm6s\">pic.twitter.com\/YBXtbBbm6s<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Looney Tunes (@LooneyTunes) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LooneyTunes\/status\/1079798662450929669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE\/status\/1079813571549294593<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Us after betting on Becky Lynch. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TD2UxaEZ7j\">pic.twitter.com\/TD2UxaEZ7j<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Looney Tunes (@LooneyTunes) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LooneyTunes\/status\/1079815211916222467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE\/status\/1079821275256840192<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Becky also had some fun with the fans in a thread of tweets pretending to be backstage during Smackdown even though it was a pre-taped show this week. She also thanked John Cena and said he\u2019s welcome back on her show anytime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE\/status\/1080261134404472832<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE\/status\/1080293849929400320<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Corey Graves took to twitter to propose a new romance angle with Bayley as well as remind Mandy Rose he\u2019s happy to receive any messages from her if Jimmy Uso isn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I can\u2019t wait for our \u201cromance\u201d angle.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEGraves\/status\/1080303746570174466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Hey @WWE_MandyRose &#8230;just in case you forgot, my DM\u2019s are open&#8230;.and I\u2019m pretty sure you have my number.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SDLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SDLive<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEGraves\/status\/1080305224009633792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Corey also replied to someone who commented that he should do a romance angle with Becky. Not a good idea on Corey\u2019s part. Like others before him, he responds to Becky and like those before him, he still loses the battle.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Me too. She could use it.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEGraves\/status\/1080305465446334465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE\/status\/1080605480903499781<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Year. Same bootleg <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheNotoriousMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TheNotoriousMMA<\/a> act.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re friends with him right? You should be better at it. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeckyLynchWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@BeckyLynchWWE<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vk6de3c6bx\">https:\/\/t.co\/vk6de3c6bx<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEGraves\/status\/1080606858501677056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#8230;and I look damn fine in these skinny jeans.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEGraves\/status\/1080609825459965955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"s1\">\u2022Closing Commentary<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>&#8211; Rough start to the McMahon promised \u201cFresh Start\u201d this week for me.<\/strong> There were two key moments on Smackdown that show me again why I think this fresh start concept is all talk. The first thing I took issue with was the Fatal Five-way match. Why did Samoa Joe or Jeff Hardy have to qualify, but Mustafa Ali, A.J. Styles, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio all automatically got in? I can make the argument for Ali and Styles pretty easily. Mustafa Ali pinned the Daniel Bryan, which should qualify him for that spot, and A.J. Styles just lost the championship after holding it for a very long time. While I personally don\u2019t think being the former champion should qualify you for an opportunity to immediately fight for the championship again, WWE has always done that with the automatic rematch clause. Now that the rematch clause is no more, automatic entry to a number one contenders match is close. So by WWE logic, Styles deserves to be entered in that match too. What have Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton done lately to earn an automatic bid, though? If you want to justify why they deserve to be in the match, tell the audience why; don\u2019t just ignore it and act like people won\u2019t ask that type of question. I thought of this as soon as they announced Joe and Hardy would be fighting to qualify, and I can\u2019t be alone. Even if the explanation is a bad one like \u201cthey\u2019re legends\u201d or something, at least you made an attempt to address the plot hole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">The other issue was the Mandy Rose\/Sonya Deville vs. Naomi match. The match was scheduled to be Mandy Rose vs. Naomi, but somehow it was changed to Sonya Deville at the last possible second? Rose and Deville even walked to the ring to Rose\u2019s music and the announcers said that the match was Rose vs. Naomi, so how did it get changed? If you didn\u2019t watch Smackdown, Mandy Rose was in the ring posing while Naomi was trying to get her hands on Rose. Mandy then took off her Mandy Rose shirt to reveal an Usos shirt underneath. Noami was furious about this and Mandy ducked out of the ring. Meanwhile, Sonya Deville entered on the other side behind Naomi and the bell rang to start the match. The very next match on Smackdown was an impromptu mixed tag match with John Cena &amp; Becky Lynch vs. Andrade Cien Almas &amp; Zelina Vega. After Smackdown returned from a commercial break and this mixed tag match started, the announcers said that the McMahons made this match official during the break, which provided a quick and simple explanation as to how the match started. So who authorized Rose and Deville to switch places? It\u2019s little things like this that will continue to drive people like me insane. It\u2019s completely unnecessary and so easily fixable. WWE Creative or Vince McMahon just don\u2019t take the time or don\u2019t think it\u2019s worth doing all the time. Clearly some of the time it\u2019s worth doing, like the mixed tag match, so why not do it every time? Hopefully this \u201cFresh Start\u201d nonsense actually begins next week when they go back to live shows, but they\u2019ve already been flaunting this new moniker around, so I\u2019d assume we\u2019re already underway with the fresh start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>&#8211; Can we please resist the urge to add crowd noise on pre-taped shows WWE?<\/strong> Watching the shows these last two weeks it\u2019s been laughable at how raucous the crowd is audibly, but how disinterested they are visually. This isn\u2019t even something I was initially looking for, but it\u2019s just so obvious and done so heavy-handed that I caught on quickly. Watching the fans opposite the hard camera sit on their hands on television while it sounds like they are going crazy for the matches was both comical and borderline sad. I think doing this makes WWE look foolish and desperate to add sound post-production like that. In a time where they say it doesn\u2019t matter what type of reaction a wrestler is getting, just that they get one, I found it interesting that they made sure to clearly add cheers for faces and boos for heels. Quick side note: my favorite added cheer sound had to be on Smackdown when John Cena mentioned writing his children\u2019s book and the crowd audibly went nuts over this book he wrote. I don\u2019t mind them adding some sound to amplify the show or try to subliminally tell the television audience what they want you to think about a wrestler, but it was just done so heavy-handed and obviously that I couldn\u2019t take any crowd noise seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>NOW CHECK OUT OTHER\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/category\/prowrestlingnews\/weekly-overviews\/\">WEEKLY OVERVIEWS HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>OR JUMP TO LAST WEEK\u2019S WWE OVERVIEW:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/12\/28\/weekly-overview-wwe-thru-12-27-top-stories-of-week-major-show-lineups-live-event-results-schedule-of-live-events-noteworthy-social-media-posts-more\/\">WEEKLY OVERVIEW \u2013 WWE (thru 12\/27): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1853924929\"><div id=\"pwtor-205220327\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>The following is the latest in\u00a0a new series of\u00a0weekly in-depth articles\u00a0exclusive 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, <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2019\/01\/02\/weekly-overview-wwe-thru-1-2-top-stories-of-week-major-show-lineups-live-event-results-schedule-of-live-events-noteworthy-social-media-posts-more\/\" title=\"WEEKLY OVERVIEW \u2013 WWE (thru 1\/2): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6075,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-weekly-overviews","category-news_wwe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/03\/WWE-logo-3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72704"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72725,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72704\/revisions\/72725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}