FARGO, N.D.–Four North Dakota State University wrestlers are ranked nationally including 184-pound Hayden Zillmer, who has cracked the top 10. The Bison (2-3) moved up two spots from 36th to 34th in this week’s WIN Wrestling Magazine’s Tournament Power Index (TPI).
Individually, in the InterMat.com (Dec. 16) individual weight class rankings, 125 sophomore Josh Rodriguez (6-3) is No. 14, 174 senior Kurtis Julson (9-5) is No. 15, 184 junior Hayden Zillmer (18-2) is No. 10, and 285 senior Evan Knutson (11-4) is No. 13.
In the TheOpenMat.com’s (Dec. 16) TOM rankings, 125 Josh Rodriguez is No. 12, 174 Kurtis Julson is No. 12, 184 Hayden Zillmer is No. 6, and 285 Evan Knutson is No. 13.
In the Amateur Wrestling News (Dec. 16) rankings, 125 Josh Rodriguez is No. 12, 174 Kurtis Julson is No. 15, 184 Hayden Zillmer is No. 7, and 285 Evan Knutson is No. 17.
In WIN Wrestling Magazine’s (Dec. 16) rankings, 125 Josh Rodriguez is No. 19, 174 Kurtis Julson is No. 19, 184 Hayden Zillmer is No. 9, and 285 Evan Knutson is No. 17.
In Asics/Flo Rankings (Dec. 16) rankings, 125 Josh Rodriguez is No. 15, 174 Kurtis Julson is No. 13, 184 Hayden Zillmer is No. 10, and 285 Evan Knutson is No. 20.
The North Dakota State wrestlers are off until Dec. 29-30 when the Bison will compete at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill.
The 184-pound wrestler for the North Dakota State University Bison is ranked No. 10 by InterMat.com. He is ranked No. 9 by WIN Wrestling Magazine. Amateur Wrestling has him ranked No. 7. TheOpenMat.com likes him at No. 6 and Asics/Flo Rankings landed him in the No. 10 spot.
“Yeah, there are a lot of rankings,” said Zillmer. “I might look at them a little bit at the end of the year to see where I placed, but right now they aren’t that big of a deal. Personally, I don’t look at them, but when I do look at them and I see guys I’ve wrestled on the top I think I should be up there, too.” Continue reading at www.brainerddispatch.com
Itasca defeated Ridgewater 26-9 on January 7th in Grand Rapids, Minn.
Itasca 26 Ridgewater 9 125: Double Forfeit 133: Double Forfeit 141: Thomas Keskey (RICO) over Edward Watts (ICC) (TF 17-2 0:00) 149: Marcus Riggles (ICC) over William Saydee (RICO) (MD 11-3) 157: Wayne Voss (ICC) over (RICO) (For.) 165: Christopher Schmidt (RICO) over Levi Ballek (ICC) (MD 11-1) 174: Michael Zupan (ICC) over Travis Cripe (RICO) (Dec 6-5) 184: Ryan Valline (ICC) over (RICO) (For.) 197: Wesley Dodd (ICC) over Schoen Kichler (RICO) (MD 10-1) 285: Seamas Hunter (ICC) over John Wittman (RICO) (Dec 10-5)
North Dakota State (2-3, 0-0 WWC) is scheduled to host Northern Colorado (1-2, 0-0 WWC) in the Western Wrestling Conference opener at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse … NDSU is scheduled to entertain Boise State (2-2) in a non-conference dual at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the BBF.
The Series North Dakota State and Northern Colorado will meet for the 39th time … The Bison hold a 32-5-1 advantage in the series … NDSU and UNC have split the last eight meetings with the Bison defeating the Bears 28-11 last season in Greeley … This will be the seventh meeting between NDSU and Boise State … The Bison hold a 4-2 advantage in the series including a 26-15 win on the road in Boise last season.
The Lineups Here are the probable lineups for this weekend: North Dakota State Bison (2-3 Overall, 0-0 WWC) Wt. (Ranking) Name (Overall, Dual Record) 125 Josh Rodriguez (9-5, 4-1) 133 Hunter Weber (9-12, 0-1) 141 Mitch Bengtson (15-8, 3-2) 149 Clay Ream (15-9, 4-1) 157 Steven Keogh (6-12, 0-4) 165 Trevour Chavez (4-7, 0-1) 174 Kurtis Julson (10-7, 2-3) 184 #9 Hayden Zillmer (21-4, 5-0) 197 Tommy Petersen (8-9, 0-2) 285 #14 Evan Knutson (15-7, 3-2)
Northern Colorado Bears (1-2 Overall, 0-0 WWC) Wt. (Ranking) Name (Overall / Dual Record) 125 #12 Trey Andrews (13-6, 2-1) 133 Abe Fox (4-5, 0-1) 141 Ben Polkowske (9-10, 1-2) 149 Nick Adams (11-8, 1-2) 157 Beau Roberts (1-7, 0-3) 165 Mitchell Polkowske (12-3, 3-0) 174 Josh VanTine (6-11, 0-3) 184 Keith Johnson (3-6, 1-2) 197 Trent Noon (12-10, 1-2) 285 Brian Macchione (11-5, 3-0)
Ticket Information Tickets for the NWCA National Duals vs. Minnesota (Feb. 15) and NCAA West Regional (Mar. 7) are $12 for adult general admission and $5 for youth general admission (ages 3-17) … Dual match tickets are $8 for adult general admission and $5 for youth general admission … Season tickets are $50 for adult general admission and $40 for youth general admission … NDSU students receive free admission by presenting your valid NDSU student ID at the door … For more information, call the ticket office at (701) 231-6378 or (888) 231-6378 or email [email protected].
Coverage All home duals will be streamed live online at www.GoBison.com/showcase (pay per view), and live scoring will be provided through TrackWrestling.
Bison in the Rankings
North Dakota State is ranked 36th in WIN Wrestling Magazine’s Tournament Power Index (TPI) … The next TPI will be released Jan. 20 …
Individually, in the InterMat.com (Jan. 13) individual weight class rankings, 184 junior Hayden Zillmer (21-4) is No. 9 and 285 senior Evan Knutson (15-7) is No. 14 …
In The Open Mat.com (Jan. 13) rankings, 184 Zillmer is No. 8, 285 Knutson is No. 16 and 174 senior Kurtis Julson (10-7) is No. 20 …
In the Amateur Wrestling News (Jan. 13) rankings, 184 Zillmer is No. 9, 125 sophomore Josh Rodriguez (9-5) is No. 13 and 285 Knutson is No. 19.
In WIN Wrestling Magazine’s (Jan. 13) rankings, 184 Zillmer is No. 10, and 125 Rodriguez and 285 Knutson are both No. 18 …
In Asics/Flowrestling Rankings (Jan. 13) rankings, Zillmer is No. 7 and Knutson is No. 19.
Zillmer Takes Fourth, Rodriguez Fifth and Knutson Sixth at Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30 North Dakota State University 184-pound Hayden Zillmer placed fourth at the 52nd annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships Dec. 29-30, at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena … NDSU’s 125 Josh Rodriguez placed fifth and 285 Evan Knutson sixth at the two-day event … NDSU with 45.5 points placed ninth in the Midlands team standings. Iowa won with 189 points, while Illinois was second at 130.5 and Northwestern third with 106 points.
Quartet of NDSU Freshmen Take Ridgewater Open Titles A quartet of North Dakota State freshmen — 133 Nick O’Brien, 149 Mark Voss, 165 Charley Popp and 174 Tyler McNutt, wrestling unattached, — took individual titles at the Ridgewater College Open held Jan. 10.
At the recent San Diego Comic Con Event, 16-time WWE Champion John Cena spoke about playing a villain role in movies, but not turning heel in WWE. As Cena explained, portraying the bad guy in movies is a way for his fans to see that side of his persona, without him ever actually turning heel in WWE.
Below is what John Cena said:
“I have had a great career in the WWE and for that entire time I have been the good guy and that kind of went into my films so far, and now it doesn’t seem like my character in the WWE will ever evolve into that bad guy role that perhaps a lot of people have wanted; so this is kind of a way for my fans from that aspect of my career to see that side of me.” “So, don’t expect heel John Cena in the WWE — that’s Inside Baseball talk for some of you — but it means bad guy John Cena isn’t happening there, so this is that chance for me.”
You can check out more highlights from John Cena’s Q&A at the San Diego Comic Con at ComicBook.com.
Alex Shelley is a veteran in the professional wrestling industry who has been competing since 2002. Shelley has entertained fans in promotions such as TNA Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling over the years, but the wrestler recently announced that his wrestling career has come to an end. Shelley is perhaps best known for his time as one-half of the Motor City Machine Guns tag team with Chris Sabin. It had previously been reported that Shelley’s deal with ROH had expired earlier this week, but the former TNA Tag Team Champion has since stated on Twitter that his career in the wrestling business has come to an end. Shelley’s last match saw him team up with Chris Sabin again to face The Young Bucks and Roppongi 3K at ROH/NJPW’s War of the Worlds events earlier this year.
In the end, MCMG’s final match was against @NickJacksonYB, @MattJackson13, @njpwShowT, and @njpwyohei_k. I really don’t think I could’ve asked for a better ending. Four guys I love very much who I hope I helped some over the years. Thank you, gentlemen.
— @Lx$ (@fakekinkade) July 23, 2018
Fans who tuned into last night’s episode of Raw saw Sasha Banks and Bayley team up together in another attempt to reconcile their differences. The two of them hugged it out in the ring after winning their tag team match, seemingly indicating that they are now back on the same page. What some fans may not have noticed during last night’s show is that Sasha Banks debuted her new tattoo. Banks’ tattoo has been spotted by several fans who watched yesterday’s Raw show, and it does appear to be a legitimate tattoo that she has put on her left forearm. Banks has not commented on the tattoo as of right now. Feel free to check out some of the images of the former Raw Women’s Champion’s new ink down below:
I’ve only realised Sasha Banks’ Tattoo… I like it… Kinda came out of nowhere though… #WWE pic.twitter.com/KtkUECBHDC
— Chris (@CTwigger96) July 24, 2018
@SashaBanksWWE is that a real tattoo if so it’s freaking amazing and it’s so pretty but can you tell your fans or no what it stands for and why u got it pic.twitter.com/gcv6U1GsgB
— Natalie (Sasha banks is my inspiration) (@Nataliepeters34) July 24, 2018
Carmella has defeated the likes of Charlotte Flair and Asuka to retain her Smackdown Women’s Championship over the past few months, but there does appear to be a new challenger on the horizon. Fan-favorite Becky Lynch has been picking up a great amount of wins on Smackdown recently, and it is now rumored that Lynch may go on to challenge Carmella for her championship soon. Cageside Seats reports that Becky Lynch will likely be earning the title shot at some point very soon and will then go on to face Carmella for the title at SummerSlam next month. Lynch will be facing Carmella in a non-title match on Smackdown tonight, so expect the preparation for the future title match to begin during that bout.
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar returns to RAW tonight, with his SummerSlam title clash with Roman Reigns set in stone. Will these bitter rivals mix it up before The Biggest Event of the Summer? Also on RAW, Ronda Rousey returns from her suspension, Finn Bálor faces Constable Baron Corbin and Seth Rollins takes on Drew McIntyre.
The Conqueror Cometh:
The “uncrowned” Universal Champion is coming for the throne. After being denied Brock Lesnar’s coveted title at WrestleMania and WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns has earned another opportunity to take down The Conqueror, this time at SummerSlam in Brooklyn.
As Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman revealed this past Monday, The Beast Incarnate will bring his title to Cincinnati for RAW tonight, where Reigns will be waiting.
Finn Bálor Sizes Up The Constable:
Constable Baron Corbin seems pretty bitter that Finn Bálor beat him at WWE Extreme Rules, going so far as to relocate the Irishman’s dressing room to a children’s playhouse this past Monday night. Of course, Bálor is a kid at heart, and he took the attempted insult in stride. There will be no smiles, however, when he takes on the Team Red Constable one-on-one tonight.
Will WWE’s first Universal Champion make Corbin regret his repeated insults, or will The Constable abuse his power — and size advantage — in this WWE Extreme Rules rematch?
The Baddest Challenger On The Planet:
Ronda Rousey’s extended suspension is officially over, and her RAW Women’s Championship opportunity against Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam is still a go.
When we last saw Rousey on the red brand two weeks ago, The Baddest Woman on the Planet had violated her RAW ban to attack both The Goddess and her BFF Mickie James. (And, yes, that was genuine fear in Alexa’s eyes when Rousey went on the offensive.)
Little Miss Bliss might need to keep her head on a swivel tonight when RAW gets “Rowdy” once again.
The Architect Looks To Deconstruct Drew McIntyre:
This past Monday night, Seth Rollins & Finn Bálor defeated Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre when The Kingslayer pinned The Showoff, earning himself a rematch for the workhorse title at SummerSlam in the process.
However, before he battles to reclaim the Intercontinental Title, Rollins will take on Ziggler’s imposing associate McIntyre tonight. Can Rollins build his momentum en route to The Biggest Event of the Summer?
Don’t miss any of the action on Monday Night RAW, live tonight!
Source: WWE.com
Tonight’s episode of 205 Live opens up with a video package recapping last week’s #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way Match with a focus on Hideo Itami punishing Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak’s big win to set up his SummerSlam showdown with Cedric Alexander for The WWE Cruiserweight Title.
Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness & Percy Watson welcomes us to tonight’s show and comments on Cedric Alexander defending his WWE Cruiserweight Title against Drew Gulak at SummerSlam. Commentary also informs us that 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick had Gulak and Alexander sign their SummerSlam Contracts earlier today. Things got heated and we will see footage of that later on tonight. Also tonight, Cedric Alexander will take on The Brian Kendrick in a non-title main event matchup. But first, we will begin this week’s episode of 205 Live with Kalisto vs. Tony Nese.
Kalisto vs. Tony Nese: Nese is getting most of the offense early on. Kalisto tries to use some speed to get control of the match, but is quickly dropped and sent out of the ring. Buddy Murphy watches on from the back as Nese beats Kalisto up outside the ring. Both in the ring now as Nese launches Kalisto into the corner and does some taunting. Kalisto is sent into the corner again, but catches Nese with a back elbow then a kick. Kalisto tries to fly, but Nese catches him and drops him over his knee. Nese continues to focus on Kalisto’s back. Kalisto looks for a hurricanrana and Nese holds on. Nese plants him into the mat, then goes for the cover, but only gets a two count. Kalisto counters a suplex, then goes for a cover of his own, but only gets a two count. Nese slides and trips Kalisto up. Nese goes for a second rope moonsault, but it seems that he tweaked his knee and Kalisto plants him right on his head with a hurricanrana. Nese fights back, but Kalisto is able to hit a Salida del Sol out of nowhere for the 1-2-3. Winner: Kalisto
After the match, Murphy comes out at ringside and blocks Kalisto from leaving. Kalisto tries to run past him, but Murphy catches him and lifts him high in the air. Lince Dorado makes the save and kicks Murphy’s leg out from under him. The Lucha House Party hits double superkicks on Murphy that drops him. The Lucha House Party celebrates.
We head backstage where we see that 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick is with WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander and Drew Gulak for the contract signing. Gulak goes to sign first, but stops to talk. Alexander stops him, takes the contract, and signs it. Alexander says that there is no need for PowerPoint presentations, just sign it. Gulak continues talking and wonders what Alexander has really done. Gulak then says that whenever the title isn’t on the line, Alexander is just chilling in the back, letting everyone else beat up on each other. Gulak calls himself a workhorse and says that Alexander “will forever be known as the Brock Lesnar of 205 Live.”
Lio Rush heads out to the ring with mic in hand. He says that some people are bothered that he didn’t give Tozawa another rematch, but he’s a hot commodity and everybody wants a piece of him. Rush’s opponent is already in the ring. Rush then says that he bets this guy could put up a better fight than Tozawa.
Lio Rush vs. Ricky Martinez: Rush charges in, misses, gets kicked in the head and lands a punch. Rush with a couple of quick kicks that sends Martinez out to the floor. Rush with a hard suicide dive and sends his opponent back in the ring. Another spinning kick lands. Rush heads up top, hits a split-legged frog splash and gets the win. Winner: Lio Rush
After the match, Tozawa’s music hits and he heads out to the ring. Rush bails out of the ring and jaws at Tozawa and heads towards the back.
We head backstage where we see that Kendrick is getting ready for his match against Alexander. The champ is also shown getting prepared.
Cedric Alexander vs. The Brian Kendrick (Non-Title Match): Some chain wrestling to get us started. A bit of a stalemate as both guys escape each other’s holds. Alexander lands a number of strikes on Kendrick. Alexander gets Kendrick in the corner and hits a few big shops. Alexander takes Kendrick down and lands a dropkick. Drew Gulak heads out to ringside. Alexander is a bit distracted by this move. Kendrick is out on the floor. Alexander slides under the ring. Alexander goes down to get him and gets yanked into the edge of the ring and then sent into the steps. Gulak joins commentary as Kendrick continues to work over Alexander in the ring. Kendrick covers Alexander, but only gets a two count. Gulak talks about what it means to him to work on SummerSlam as it’s something he watched ever since he was a kid. Kendrick ends up out on the floor. Alexander with a big flip over the top rope. Gulak doesn’t approve. Alexander springboards in and lands on his feet. Alexander hits a clothesline to Kendrick, followed by a kick to the back of the head from the apron. Alexander with a springboard clothesline, then goes for a cover, but only gets a two count. Handstand spinning kick by the champ. Kendrick gets to the ropes and is able to dump Alexander out to the floor. Alexander looks for the flatliner, but Kendrick counters it into the captain’s hook. Gulak yells “Tap, you punk!” at Alexander. Alexander finally gets to the bottom rope for the rope break. Alexander is able to fight back. Kendrick tries for the sliced bread #2, but Alexander catches him with the lumbar check and gets the 1-2-3 for the win. Winner: Cedric Alexander
After the match, Alexander stares right at Gulak and laughs. Gulak doesn’t seem phased at all. Gulak steps up to the apron and gets Alexander’s attention. From behind, Jack Gallagher shows up and drops the champion. Gulak takes his jacket off and they look to beat him up some more. Maverick runs down with a bunch of referees and gets them to back up. Maverick tells them he’s out of the match if they touch Alexander and the group backs off. Drew Gulak Smiles as 205 Live goes off the air.