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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of Episodes 12 and 13 of WWE LFG on A&E!
Episode 12
After a short recap of last week’s episodes, Shawn Michaels gathers everyone up to talk about the LFG Playoffs. The Legends will determine who stays and goes home. Each Future Great will face their own teammate to help determine the outcome. It’ll be the ladies tonight with the men going next time. In a talking head segment, Bubba Ray talks about how it’s clear that everyone now realizes that this is a competition.
The day before the playoffs is shown when everyone gathered up for a group photograph. Multiple Future Greats talk about the weight of the playoffs. The Legends then sit down with their female Future Greats.
The Undertaker talks to Tyra Mae Steele and Bayley Humphrey. He talks about how wrestling is his life’s work and how important it is to him. Humphrey says that she should be picked because she has the ability to change the wrestling world, especially when it comes to females. Steele focuses on her hard work and references her Olympic success. She wants to inspire people to follow their dreams.
Booker T talks to Penina Tuilaepa and Leigh Laurel. Tuilaepa never expected to be at this stage, but enjoys the pressure. Laurel says that LFG has awakened something inside of her.
Mickie James talks to Dani Sekelsky and Sirena Linton. Sekelsky is nervous like she always is, but feels that she’s shown a lot of potential. She had an injury get in the way and feels like she’s been helping others more than herself. Linton feels that she has a lot of momentum going into the playoffs. Linton feels that Sekelsky is a strong wrestler, but thinks that her character is a little weak. Sekelsky feels that Linton’s story is amazing, but also thinks that Linton is too cocky.
Bubba Ray talks to Zena Sterling and Tatyanna Dumas. He makes them stand up so that they aren’t comfortable. Bubba Ray says that the playoffs are their chance to steal the show. Sterling thinks that she should stay because her whole life revolves around wrestling. Dumas gets emotional and thinks that she has so much more to give. She says her tears are from disappointment and passion at the same time. Dumas has fallen in love with wrestling. Bubba Ray is happy with Dumas’ answer.
Team Bubba Ray Match - Tatyanna Dumas vs. Zena Sterling
Tatyanna Dumas attacks Zena Sterling from behind as Sterling is standing on the ropes during her entrance. Dumas stomps down on Sterling in the corner and then has words for the referee. Dumas goes back on the attack and slams Sterling. Dumas hits another slam, this one delayed, for a two count. Dumas stands Sterling up and Zena starts to fight back. Sterling is sent into the corner, though, and eats some shoulder attacks. Dumas throws Sterling down and gets a two count.
Dumas slaps on a chinlock. Sterling fights out of it and takes Dumas over. Sterling avoids a Dumas charge and hits a back elbow. Dumas lifts up Sterling, but Sterling wiggles out and they both knock each other down. Sterling gets up with some fire and hits multiple clotheslines. Sterling hits a running corner attack and an overhead throw for the win!
Winner: Zena Sterling
Booker T thinks that this was Tatyanna Dumas’ best performance so far. The Undertaker likes how Zena Sterling fought from underneath this time around. Bubba Ray says that he’s both happy and disappointed. His decision won’t be easy. In the back, Dumas gives respect to Sterling. Sterling thinks that Bubba Ray is disappointed in her because she didn’t do enough for Dumas.
Penina Tuilaepa and Leigh Laurel are shown getting ready for their match. Laurel hopes that neither of them hold back. Tuilaepa says that it’s her time to go get it.
Team Booker T Match - Penina Tuilaepa vs. Leigh Laurel
They lock up and Penina Tuilaepa drives Leigh Laurel into the ropes. They break and lock up again. Laurel grabs a side headlock and cranks it. Tuilaepa tries to lift Laurel to get out of it, but Laurel holds on. Tuilaepa is able to reverse into a side headlock of her own. Tuilaepa takes Laurel over, but Laurel rolls through and gets a side headlock down on the mat. Tuilaepa stands out of it and hits a belly-to-back suplex. Laurel shakes it off and grabs a side headlock.
Tuilaepa drives Laurel into the corner and works her over. Tuilaepa pushes Laurel around the ring and then clubs her from behind. Tuilaepa locks on a nerve hold and then slams Laurel’s head into the mat. Laurel rolls through a second attempt at the slam, but Tuilaepa cuts her off with some kicks. Tuilaepa then stands on Laurel. Laurel rolls to the apron as the referee checks on her. Tuilaepa drags Laurel back into the ring and then charges at her in the corner. Laurel moves out of the way and hits a pump kick and some chops. Laurel hits two dropkicks and a crossbody for the win!
Winner: Leigh Laurel
Bubba Ray says that the match was a spectacle. Their gear caught his attention. Leigh Laurel says that her gear was inspired by Sailor Moon. Mickie James says to be careful with the cosplay because the gear should be about them and not another character. The Undertaker says that he saw growth from both women. He likes Penina Tuilaepa’s heel instincts. Booker T doesn’t seem thrilled with a match and says that he has a hard decision to make. In the back, Tuilaepa and Laurel hug. Tuilaepa thanks Laurel for letting her kick Laurel.
Bayley Humphrey and Tyra Mae Steele are shown getting ready for their match. Steele says that she’s used to going up against her friends. Humphrey says that this match is do or die.
Team Undertaker Match - Bayley Humphrey vs. Tyra Mae Steele
They shake hands and hug to start and then lock up. Bayley Humphrey throws down Tyra Mae Steele and then roars at her. Steele tries to pick a leg, but Humphrey avoids it. They lock up and Humphrey hits a slam. Humphrey goes for an elbow drop, but Steele moves out of the way and then grabs a waistlock. Humphrey drives Steele into the corner and hits a knee to the gut. Humphrey clubs down on Steele’s back and then cuts off a comeback with a knee. Humphrey hits a clothesline for a two count.
Steele rolls to the floor, but Humphrey reaches over the top rope and pulls Steele up to the apron. Steele is able to tug Humphrey down over the top rope. Steele gets back into the ring and takes out Humphrey’s leg. Steele starts stomping at Humphrey’s leg and twisting it around. Steele slaps on a leg lock, but Humphrey is able to drag herself to the ropes. Steele uses the ropes to jump down on Humphrey’s leg a few times until Humphrey uses her other leg to launch Steele to the floor.
Steele gets back into the ring and eats a clothesline. Humphrey pushes Steele off of her in the corner, but Steele goes back to work on the leg. Steele slams Humphrey’s leg down on the mat a few times and gets a two count. Steele slaps on an ankle lock and cranks it. Humphrey is able to kick Steele off and then looks for a chokeslam. Steele gets out of it, but Humphrey is able to hit a sidewalk slam. Humphrey hits a chokeslam and then goes for her finish, but her knees gives out. Steele slaps on a leg lock and gets the submission victory!
Winner: Tyra Mae Steele
After the match, Tyra Mae Steele offers a handshake, but Bayley Humphrey slaps Steel’s hand away. Humphrey hits her finish - a powerbomb/slam - and exits the ring.
Mickie James says that both women looked great. Booker T agrees. The Undertaker thinks that his team did amazing. They both told a story and showed that they didn’t want to go home. His decision is going to be very difficult. In the back, Tyra Mae Steele and Bayley Humphrey celebrate with their team and talk about how happy they are with the match.
Dani Sekelsky and Sirena Linton are shown getting ready for their match. Sekelsky is nervous.
Team Mickie Match - Dani Sekelsky vs. Sirena Linton
They lock up and Sirena Linton is quick to grab an arm and crank it. Dani Sekelsky rolls and flips out of it. Linton uses some athleticism to get out of the reversal. They do some chain wrestling until Sekelsky grabs an arm bar. Linton uses the ropes to break it up and then grabs a side headlock. Sekelsky reverses and grabs a side headlock of her own. Sekelsky is sent into the ropes and she hits a tackle and then a crossbody for a two count.
Linton is sent into the ropes. Sekelsky ducks down, but Linton grabs her hair and drags Dani down to the mat. Linton works Sekelsky over and then gets a two count. Sekelsky tries a roll up, but Linton kicks out and then sends Dani into the corner. Linton works Sekelsky over in the corner and hits a Bronco Buster for a two count. Linton slaps on an arm and neck stretch. Sekelsky works out of it, but Linton cuts her off with a knee. Sekelsky hits the ropes and is able to drag Linton down. Sekelsky hits some right hands and then a flying forearm for a two count.
Linton misses a charging attack and Sekelsky hits a bulldog for a two count. Sekelsky hits a slam and climbs to the second rope. She misses a splash and Linton rolls her up. The referee doesn’t see Linton use the ropes to help her roll up and she gets the win!
Winner: Sirena Linton
Booker T thinks that both women worked hard. He says that Dani Sekelsky was an early favorite, but the race has tightened up. The Undertaker praises Sirena Linton’s heel work. Bubba Ray had fun watching the match. He has liked Sekelsky since the beginning and Linton has won him over. Mickie James is proud of her team. She’s not looking forward to her decision.
Before the Legends decide who goes home, they must award the point. Bubba Ray says that Team Undertaker had the best match. Mickie James agrees. The Undertaker can’t argue with people picking his team. Booker T picks Team Undertaker, but puts an asterisk on it. He won’t say what the asterisk means. I guess this is his version of Thunderbolts*. Either way, Team Undertaker gets the point!
Standings
Team Undertaker - 8
Team Booker - 6
Team Bubba - 4
Team Mickie - 3
It is time for the Legends to decide who stays and who goes home…
Bubba Ray doesn’t want either team member to take the decision personally. They both succeeded today, but is picking with the business in mind. Bubbay Ray gives Dumas a fist bump, a handshake, and a hug, but she is also going home. Zena Sterling is Bubba Ray’s pick to stay.
Booker T says that it’s a tough choice for him. He’s looking for the best professional wrestler and the person who put that forth today was Penina Tuilaepa. Tuilaepa is Booker T’s pick to stay.
The Undertaker is incredibly proud of his team. He has an Olympic gold medalist and someone who is going to change the face of wrestling. Tyra Mae Steele is The Undertaker’s pick to stay.
Mickie James feels that both of her team members have grown a lot and she loves them. Mickie wants to do the right thing. She thinks Sirena Linton has a ton of potential, but feels that Linton isn’t ready right now. Dani Sekelsky is Mickie’s pick to stay.
In two weeks, the LFG semi-finals begin. Two women will move on to the finals to go for the NXT contract.
In the back, Mickie James and Dani Sekelsky hug. Sekelsky, in a talking head segment, talks about how amazing Sirena Linton is. Linton and James hug in the back and, in a talking head segment, James talks about how Linton still has a bright future.
The Undertaker talks about how everyone is aware of what is at stake now. He is then shown talking to Tatyanna Dumas and letting her know that she’ll be fine. Booker T is shown telling Leigh Laurel that she still has a bright future. Laurel says that she still has the fire to do great things in wrestling.
Each of the four semi-finalists talk about how they have what it takes to win. Bayley Humphrey then talks about how she feels that she has big things in her future, as well, despite being eliminated.
Episode 13 Report on Page 2.
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