TWO TITLE MATCHES AND THREE MAJOR DEBUTS!

Brock Lesnar clearly understands he cannot show weakness after losing his unblemished record against Lancelot at Battlefield and he came out and showed it in a big way. Cedric Alexander, one of the best free agents in the world, came down to the ring to challenge Lesnar for the World Title. Alexander, a world class athlete, hoped he’d be able to show Lesnar a look he’d never seen before and, to his credit, it looked like he had Lesnar on the ropes. Alexander even hit a Lumbar Check that elicited a near-three count. But Lesnar fought through it as he so often does before dropping Alexander with a thunderous F5 to win the match and retain the title. Lesnar is on a warpath that it seems no one will be able to stop.

Backstage, Rey Mysterio gives a pep talk to Bandido ahead of the young man’s Intercontinental Title open contract in the main event. But after Bandido walked away, Paul Heyman was there to confront Rey. Heyman cryptically reminded Rey of the open contract rules.

The group finals of the GAW Classic began with Keith Lee taking on Drew McIntyre to secure the Group A win. To make things short, this may well have been the best match of the Classic so far and you should go watch it if you haven’t already. Lee kicked out of a Claymore, McIntyre kicked out of a Spirit Bomb in a battle that nearly went the distance. But, with the fans behind him, Keith Lee hit a second Spirit Bomb to win Group A and advance to the GAW Classic finals.

But in the middle of his celebration, Ronda Rousey made her entrance to a cacophony of boos. Rousey arrogantly claimed no one in GAW could get the job done against her… but she overlooked one person. After months away, former US Champion Kacy Catanzaro made her entrance to an unbelievable ovation. Catanzaro, who has had more than her fair share of battles with Ronda Rousey, committed to earning a shot at Rousey at Nitro and taking the World Title.

Jay White and Jeff Hardy, both 2-0 in Group B, battled for the group win. Early on it seemed White was the better wrestler but Hardy, using the fans to buoy him, turned things around. He hit a Twist of Fate and even a Swanton but White survived. The Switchblade finished off the match with a powerbomb, clearly sending a message to his finals opponent Keith Lee. 

Backstage, Chris Danger interrupted the show just to announce he’ll be back on Storm next week… thanks for the Chris.

In the main event, Bandido awaited the man who will answer his open contract for the Intercontinental Title. A familiar theme blasted through the arena as Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machine Guns entered. Sabin, a former Intercontinental champion himself, prepared for his best chance to win a GAW title in four years… but then Paul Heyman’s voice rang through the arena. Heyman lamented that the White Company is just one title away from holding all the gold in GAW and that the open contract rules do not specifically say only one person can sign the deal. With that message made clear, Moose’s music hit. The former TNA World Champion stomped down to the ring to the fans’ stunned disbelief, making it a three way dance for the championship. All three men fought at a blistering pace with big moves aplenty. Each man had great opportunities but couldn’t hang on. Sabin hit Moose with the Cradle Shock which almost knocked the big man out but, before Sabin could convert on the prime opportunity, Bandido hit him with a high drop kick and made the pin himself. But the White Company wasn’t done yet. Shelton Benjamin ran down to the ring, distracting Bandido and beating up Chris Sabin on the outside. The momentary distraction allowed Moose to get to his feet, hit two drop kicks, a backbreaker, a senton and a bone-rattling spear on Bandido to win the title. Just like that, with no pomp or circumstance, the White Company have all the gold in GAW.