PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

3/30 WWE LFG TV REPORT

Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of Episode 7 of WWE LFG on A&E!

After a short recap of last week’s episode, Shawn Michaels gathers everyone at the Performance Center. He introduces Gunther as this week’s guest. Michaels says that Gunther is going to fill them in on the privilege that it is to be a professional wrestler. Bubba Ray explains, through a talking head moment, that the mood is about to change.

Gunther shakes all of the Legends’ hands. In a talking head moment, The Undertaker talks about loving what Gunther is about. A video package airs on Gunther that covers his championship accomplishments. Gunther then sizes up the Future Greats. He says that he knows that all of their real passions didn’t work out for them, so why not try wrestling? Gunther says that you have to love wrestling in order to succeed in the industry.

Gunther pokes at Tyra Mae Steele’s Olympic accomplishments, saying that they don’t pay the bills. Zena Sterling tells Gunther that she wants to inspire people. Gunther says that no one wants to see Barbie, which motivates her to prove him wrong. Gunther then focuses on Jasper Troy. Booker T says that Troy is his guy, but Gunther doesn’t like that Troy opened his mouth to CM Punk. Gunther says that Troy is easily replaceable if he doesn’t like what Gunther is saying. Troy, in a talking head moment, gets emotional but says he isn’t a quitter. Chris Island, in a talking head moment, talks about enjoying Troy’s tough moment with Gunther.

Gunther tells the Future Greats that he wants to see the passion they have for professional wrestling. In a talking head moment, Gunther talks about how wrestling is all about making people relate to the action and stories. Bubba Ray tells the camera that he has no notes on what Gunther told the Future Greats.

Gunther and the Legends then set up the matches for tonight’s episode. The Undertaker loves that Gunther got on Tyra Mae Steele a little bit. Gunther wants to know why Steele doesn’t feel like a killer. The Undertaker, after initially taking a bit of offense, knows Gunther is right. Troy Yearwood, Shiloh Hill, Leigh Laurel, Bayley Humphrey, Cutler James, and Jasper Troy are talked about for matches. The matches are decided and they will be: Troy Yearwood (Team Mickie) vs. Shiloh Hill (Team Undertaker), Jasper Troy (Team Booker) vs. Cutler James (Team Bubba), Zena Sterling (Team Bubba) vs. Tyra Mae Steele (Team Undertaker), and Leigh Laurel (Team Booker) vs. Bayley Humphrey (Team Undertaker).

After the matches are set, Dani Sekelsky is shown getting treatment for her injuries. Her back has been bothering her, and her match last week against Penina Tuilaepa did not help. Sekelsky knows that she isn’t 100%, but she doesn’t want her injuries to stop her from getting into the ring.

The Future Greats are shown going over their matches with their Legends and Producers. Bubba Ray doesn’t want Zena Sterling to be happy or ditzy. He wants her to be serious and emotional. Bubba Ray says that everyone thinks this will be a tough challenge for Sterling, but he thinks she’ll do great. Shiloh Hill talks to Gunther about getting knocked out earlier in the season. He wants to continue to redeem himself. Booker T then talks to Leigh Laurel about not always focusing on the plan.

Gunther talks to Tyra Mae Steele and Zena Sterling. He wants Steele to be serious and cut the smiling. Bubba Ray agrees. Gunther then talks to Bayley Humphrey and Leigh Laurel about being mentally tough in the ring. He wants to see grit over beautiful spots. Gunther then talks to Jasper Troy and Cutler James. He focuses on Troy and how he wants to see Troy back up his talk. Gunther walks over to Troy Yearwood, who is reading a book. Gunther wants him to focus on his match and show aggression.

It’s time for the matches! Vic Joseph and Jeremy Borash are on commentary.

Troy Yearwood (Team Mickie) vs. Shiloh Hill (Team Undertaker)
They lock up and Shiloh Hill turns Troy Yearwood around. Hill slaps Yearwood’s back and then grabs a side headlock. Yearwood sends Hill into the ropes but eats a tackle. Yearwood avoids Hill’s running strikes and drops him to the mat. Yearwood slaps Hill’s back and then grabs a side headlock. Yearwood takes Hill over and cranks his neck. Hill fights out of the hold and sends Yearwood into the ropes. Yearwood hits a tackle and a dropkick for a two-count.

Yearwood grabs a side headlock but is lifted up and dropped down by Hill. Hill hits a clothesline heart punch and continues the attack in the corner. Hill hits a running bulldog for a two-count. Hill clubs down on Yearwood, but Yearwood fights back. Hill blocks a back body drop and hits a twisting neckbreaker for a two-count. Hill whips Yearwood into the corner. Yearwood dodges a running attack and hits a couple of running strikes of his own. Yearwood hits a splash in the corner and goes for another one, but Hill moves out of the way. Hill hits a double underhook slam for the win!

Winner: Shiloh Hill

Mickie James says that Troy Yearwood did not give her enough badass. He did well athletically, but he lacked emotion. The Undertaker appreciates the shots that Shiloh Hill took to his back. Booker T is not sold on Troy Yearwood. Bubba Ray didn’t see urgency or passion from either Future Great. Gunther liked the physicality but didn’t feel the urgency he was hoping for.

Zena Sterling (Team Bubba) vs. Tyra Mae Steele (Team Undertaker)
They lock up and Tyra Mae Steele quickly trips up Zena Sterling. They lock up again and Steele clips Sterling’s leg again. They lock up again and Steele pushes Sterling into the ropes. Off of the break, Sterling knocks Steele down and then trips her up. Sterling grabs a side headlock and takes Steele over. Steele stands up in the hold, but Sterling takes her over again. Steele fights out of it and sends Sterling into the ropes. Neither goes down on a tackle. Sterling hits a bodyslam for a two-count.

Steele grabs Sterling and hits a belly-to-back suplex. Steele then grabs a chinlock and digs her knee into Sterling’s back. Steele drives Sterling’s head into the mat. Steele jaws at Sterling and then stomps her in the corner. Steele lifts Sterling and slams her down for a two-count. Steele wraps up Sterling and cranks her neck. Sterling fights out with a jawbreaker. Steele charges in the corner, but Sterling gets an elbow up. Sterling hits three clotheslines and a back elbow. Sterling hits a backbreaker for a two-count. Sterling lifts Steele for a slam, but Steele wiggles out and hits a German Suplex for the win!

Winner: Tyra Mae Steele

Bubba Ray likes the different side that Zena Sterling showed. He saw some of the urgency and passion that the Legends were looking for. Booker T saw more from Sterling today than he saw in the past. Mickie James liked what she saw from Sterling, but didn’t like her gear—she wants Sterling to cover up more. The Undertaker doesn’t think that Tyra Mae Steele answered Gunther’s call for more urgency and passion. He knows that she has an arsenal of moves, but reverts back to the ABCs of professional wrestling. The Undertaker wants her to learn how to set herself apart using what she knows from amateur wrestling. Gunther liked Steele’s attitude before and after the match, but not during. In a talking head moment, Tyra Mae Steele talks about how she tried to take care of Zena Sterling in the match more than focusing on being aggressive. Steele gets emotional in the back after hearing the constructive criticism.

The episode flashes back to Bubba Ray telling Tyra Mae Steele that she smiles too much. In a talking head moment, Steele reflects on the moment. She takes offense to it. Steele won’t apologize for being happy despite having lost so many people in her life. They can’t smile anymore, so she smiles for them. “The biggest smiles have the deepest scars.”

Jasper Troy (Team Booker) vs. Cutler James (Team Bubba)
Before the bell rings, they get in each other’s faces. The bell rings and they lock up. Neither man can gain the advantage, so they break the hold. They lock up and push each other back and forth. Jasper Troy pushes Cutler James off and grabs a side headlock. James tries to push off, but Troy keeps the hold on. James is able to reverse the hold. He gets behind Troy and brings him down to the mat. James clubs at Troy and then hits a side headlock takeover. Troy drives James into the corner, but James throws Troy to the outside.

James follows Troy out and they exchange strikes. James slams Troy’s face into the apron and rolls him back into the ring. Troy rolls back to the outside. James chops at Troy, but Troy shakes it off and drives him into the side of the ring/steel steps. Troy rolls James back into the ring and hits a splash for a two-count. Troy kicks at James and then hits a slam. Troy jumps down in a squat on James’ back and then goes after James’ eyes.

Troy slaps on a chinlock, but James is able to lift him up and slam him down. Troy shakes it off with a big running strike. Troy hits a backbreaker and slaps on a sleeper. James fights out of the hold, but Troy rains down some elbows to the back and neck of James. Troy pushes at James and James fights back. They hit a double clothesline. When they stand, they exchange strikes (with an awkward moment on a punch). James hits a running forearm and a clothesline. James lifts Troy up, but can’t keep him up. James lifts Troy up again and is able to slam him this time for the win!

Winner: Cutler James

Booker T thought both men did a good job and gives the match a B. Mickie James says that it looked like a fight. She suggests to Cutler James that he should have opened Jasper Troy’s shirt to chop him. Gunther thinks Troy should get rid of the shirt completely. He talks about Troy being emotional. Bubba Ray thinks that Cutler James is improving, but isn’t seeing enough badass yet. The Undertaker liked the first half of the match more than the second half but thought they did well overall. In the back, Troy agrees that he’s emotional but knows that he lets it all out in the ring.

Leigh Laurel (Team Booker) vs. Bayley Humphrey (Team Undertaker)
They lock up and Bayley Humphrey quickly throws Leigh Laurel down. Humphrey picks Laurel up and drives her into the corner. Humphrey hits multiple shoulder attacks. Humphrey clubs at Laurel’s back and then slams her. Laurel rolls to the outside and Humphrey follows her out. Humphrey pushes Laurel to the ring post. Humphrey takes a swing, but Laurel ducks and Humphrey slaps the ring post.

Back in the ring, Humphrey regains the advantage quickly. She knocks Laurel to the mat and then stretches her neck and arm. Humphrey slaps on a chinlock. Laurel fights out but is quickly dropped again. Humphrey whips Laurel into the corner and charges. Laurel gets a boot up and hits a back elbow. Laurel kicks Humphrey and hits the ropes. Humphrey hits a hip attack and lifts Laurel up. Laurel wiggles out and hits a dropkick for a two-count.

Laurel rains down punches on Humphrey. Humphrey pushes Laurel off. Laurel rolls to the apron and hits a shoulder attack through the ropes. Laurel kicks Humphrey and climbs to the top rope. She goes for a crossbody, but Humphrey moves out of the way. Humphrey slaps on the cranium crusher for the submission win!

Winner: Bayley Humphrey

The Undertaker is very happy with Bayley Humphrey and asks her about her lip, which is bleeding. Humphrey says, “Just being a badass.” Gunther liked what he saw but wanted to see Leigh Laurel be more aggressive. Bubba Ray wants to see Humphrey have more command of her athletic ability.

It’s time for Gunther to award the points for tonight’s matches!

Gunther likes what he saw from the females and gives Zena Sterling (Team Bubba) the point. This is Bubba Ray’s first point. Gunther says that Jasper Troy did well but doesn’t give him a point. He wants Troy to work on not getting so emotional. Instead, Gunther gives Shiloh Hill (Team Undertaker) the point on the men’s side. Shiloh Hill isn’t sure if he actually earned the point. Booker T isn’t happy with Gunther’s decision. Shawn Michaels says that Gunther has the final say. Booker T makes it clear that Jasper Troy deserved the point… no, EARNED the point.

Standings
Team Undertaker - 5
Team Booker - 4
Team Mickie - 2
Team Bubba - 1

Bubba Ray talks about the standings situation. He cares more about his team improving and getting what they need. Bubba says that he’s not surprised that Zena Sterling earned the team’s first point. He tells Sterling that she earned his handshake, which makes Sterling very happy.

Mickie James talks about how she has to make sure her team is working hard. The Undertaker doesn’t want there to be any doubt with the points his team gets. He wants Shiloh Hill to know that he can be great. The Undertaker talks about how Jasper Troy has to get his emotions in check.

Jasper Troy talks about not caring about the point—he just wants to feel respect. Gunther approaches him and reiterates his point about Troy’s emotions. Gunther then shakes Troy’s hand and wishes him luck.

The next day, Booker T pulls Jasper Troy aside outside of the Performance Center. Booker T talks to him about his emotions. Booker T tells Troy that he has to be willing to step on some toes and keep walking. They walk into the Performance Center as Booker T keeps hyping him up.

Next week – Diamond Dallas Page is the guest, Leigh Laurel struggles with her emotions, and there will be more matches!

What did you think of this week’s LFG episode? How are you enjoying the show? Let me know at matt.tenhoeve@gmail.com and let’s talk about it! See you next time!

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet