From the WWE to local independent federations, there’s no shortage of pro wrestling news. With our new weekly 3 Count blog, Gazette Sports designer and lifelong pro wrestling fan Derek Kuhn looks at the top three industry stories from the week and gives his take on them. This week’s 3 Count features news on WWE’s TLC pay-per-view becoming better due to a viral outbreak, CSW news and Davey Boy Smith Jr. saving a woman’s life.

1. Viral outbreak makes for better TLC

The WWE currently is experiencing a viral outbreak that has sidelined major WWE Superstars, including Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns and Bo Dallas among others.

The outbreak, which Wrestling Observer Radio reported was the mumps, forced WWE to change its TLC card. This led to A.J. Styles competing against fellow Bullet Club alumnus Finn Balor, who worked as Prince Devitt during his Bullet Club days.

The bout needed no build due to how hot the Bullet Club currently is, and how great Styles and Balor are in the ring. The duo held back just enough to build anticipation for their next meeting. WWE would be wise to keep these two grapplers apart for a few months. If I were booking WWE, I’d have Styles and Balor’s next clash at SummerSlam 2018 with a rubber match following at WrestlMania.

Highlights include Styles’ top-rope hurricanrana to Balor, Balor countering the Phenomenal Forearm with a dropkick and Balor’s eventual Cu De Grace, which he seemed to stick the landing more than he normally does.

The second match to feature a replacement was The Shield’s multi-man tag match against The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Braun Strowman and Kane. With Reigns sidelined, Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle returned to a WWE ring for the first time in 11 years.

The match seemed disjointed, but was fun overall. Kane turning on Strowman was predictable and sets up a possible baby face run for Strowman. Perhaps the funniest moment of the match was when Strowman’s teammates put him in the back of a trash truck and turned on the compactor.

That campy moment was alleviated by the Minneapolis, Minn., crowd chanting “that was murder.”

Rollins and Ambrose had their moments, but it was Angle who shined, suplexing, slamming and powerbombing his way to victory. Angle played his in-ring return safely and I can only hope a match proper will be in his cards. A farewell match against Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins or Styles would be an instant classic, but with WWE booking we’re likely going to get Angle versus Jason Jordan.

2. CSW gears up for ‘Bar Fights’

Colorado Springs Wrestling promoter Christopher Chavez said he’s all about giving the fans what they want. That’s why Chavez is hosting CSW “Bar Fights” on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Playing Field Sports Bar.

The new venue, at 3958 N Academy Blvd., is in a prime location, Chavez said.

“It’s pretty much in the heart of the city. It can hold about 900 people, so it’s a big venue and it has a great speaker system. But the biggest draw for it is — and for the first time in Colorado Springs Wrestling — people will be able to enjoy an adult beverage while watching the show.”

Fans have told me many times they wish they could drink beer at the shows and with the Playing Field Sports Bar, they can, Chavez said.

Although there will be a full bar, Chavez said all ages are welcome at the family-oriented wrestling show.

There won’t be any cussing, nudity or blood – nothing like that – just good wholesome family entertainment, he said.

CSW champion Jimbo Lucas, the Midnight Marvels (think comic book superheroes turned wrestlers), Curtis Cole, Red Viper, Police Brutality Precinct, Gamesmaster and Mop Boy are slated for the card currently.

The show, which starts at 6 p.m., will end at 8:45 p.m., so all children can be out of the bar by 9 p.m. in accordance with Colorado state law, Chavez said. Tickets cost between $10-$20 and can be purchased at www.coloradospringswrestling.com.

3. Davey Boy Smith Jr. credited with saving woman’s life

Canadian news outlet Global News reported Davey Boy Smith Jr. helped save a woman, who was hanging from a bridge on westbound 16th Avenue N.W. on the bridge over Bowness Road N.W. at 6 p.m. Sunday in Calgary, Canada.

Smith Jr., real name Harry Smith, is a professional wrestler currently working with New Japan Pro Wrestling and is the son of deceased wrestling great Davey Boy Smith, also known as the British Bulldog.

In an Oct. 22 Facebook post, Smith Jr. said “when driving up 16th Avenue past Bowness road in Calgary, I saw a girl crying and hanging off the bridge with someone trying to talk to her. I stopped and jumped the barricade and tried talking to the girl. And she was crying and an emotional mess and threatening to jump if I got closer.”

Smith Jr. grabbed the woman, who had started to slide more and more as he tightened his grip, the grappler said.

“When I yanked her off the bridge finally, I established the mount position as you do in grappling and did not let her budge. She also said she had a gun, too,” Smith Jr. said. “She was crying and said she just wanted a hug. But as much as I wanted to hug her, I told her I couldn’t hug her because she said she had a gun. And then she squirmed and demanded I get off her. I told her ‘Miss you’re not going to move unless I want you to, I’m an expert grappler and you’re not going to shoot me.’ … I’m here to help to help you.

“Life is a precious thing folks,” Smith Jr. said. “Never take it for granted. I’m glad I was at service to help somebody today and my years of grappling came into play. I really believe if I wasn’t there and been able to grab her she would have jumped.”

Global News verified Smith Jr.’s Facebook post with the Calgary Police Department.

Davey Boy Smith Jr., the son of the British Bulldog (pictured at right), helped save the life of a woman, who was threatening to jump off a bridge, Sunday in Calgary. (Photos courtesy of Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s Facebook page and WWE)

Davey Boy Smith Jr., the son of the British Bulldog, helped save the life of a woman, who was threatening to jump off a bridge, Sunday in Calgary. (Photos courtesy of Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s Facebook page)

Davey Boy Smith Jr., the son of the British Bulldog, helped save the life of a woman, who was threatening to jump off a bridge, Sunday in Calgary. (Photos courtesy of Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s Facebook page)

Bray Wyatt, pictured here, Bo Dallas and Roman Reigns were pulled from WWE events recently to a viral outbreak. (Photo Courtesy of Bray Wyatt’s Facebook page)

Roman Reigns, pictured here, Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas were pulled from WWE events recently to a viral outbreak. (Photo Courtesy of Roman Reigns’ Facebook page)

Bo Dallas, pictured here, Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns were pulled from WWE events recently to a viral outbreak. (Photo Courtesy of Bo Dallas’ Facebook page)

Colorado Springs Wrestling champion Jimbo Lucas tests his strength against Johnny Crash on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, during a title bout at the Hillside Community Center in Colorado Springs.

Derek Kuhn