An Islamic State suicide bomber killed 57 people including women and children and wounded dozens outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday in the latest attack on election preparations.
The assaults underscore growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll.
"It happened at the entrance gate of the centre. It was a suicide attack," Dawood Amin, Kabul police chief, told AFP.
Both the health and interior ministries confirmed the latest toll for the attack, which was claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) via its propaganda arm Amaq.
After initial reports, the death toll from the blast rose to 57 on Sunday afternoon, with 119 others wounded, a public health officer said.
The centre in a heavily Shia-populated neighbourhood in the west of the city was also being used by people to register for national identification certificates, which they need to sign up to vote.
Sheets of paper and passport-sized photos lay scattered amid shattered glass and pools of blood on the street near badly damaged cars – grim evidence of the force of the blast that drew international condemnation.
"This senseless violence shows the cowardice and inhumanity of the enemies of democracy and peace in Afghanistan," US ambassador John Bass wrote on Twitter.
Nato also condemned the bombing.
The last major attack in Kabul was on March 21 when an Isil suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd celebrating the Persian New Year holiday and killed at least 33 people.
Afghans stand outside a voter registration center after the deadly attack Credit:
AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
Ariana TV showed angry crowds shouting "Death to the government!" and "Death to the Taliban!"
A wounded man in a hospital bed wept as he told the network: "I don’t know where my daughters are. God damn the attackers!"
A witness to the attack named Akbar told Tolo TV: "Now we know the government cannot provide us security: we have to get armed and protect ourselves."
Photos posted on social media purportedly of the scene showed several bodies on the ground and a badly damaged two-storey building.
Elsewhere, a roadside explosion in the northern province of Baghlan on Sunday killed six people, including three women and two children.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned both attacks as "heinous".
Afghanistan began registering voters on April 14 for the long-delayed legislative elections.
Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern because the Taliban and other militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country.
Afghan police officers inspect the scene of the attackCredit:
Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Afghan police and troops have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against insurgents on the battlefield.
Militants on Friday launched rockets at a voter registration centre in the northwestern province of Badghis.
At least one police officer was killed and another person was wounded, officials said, blaming the Taliban.
On Tuesday gunmen attacked a voter registration centre in the central province of Ghor, kidnapping three election workers and two policemen.
An Afghan security forces mamber stands guardCredit:
REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
Over the next two months, authorities hope to register up to 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres for the parliamentary and district council elections.
Officials have been pushing people to register amid fears a low turnout will undermine the credibility of the polls.
Since the Persian New Year attack a tense calm has permeated the Afghan capital as people brace for the Taliban’s launch of its customary spring offensive.
The Taliban are under pressure to take up Mr Ghani’s peace offer made in February but so far the group has given only a muted response.
Some Western and Afghan officials expect 2018 to be a particularly bloody year.
General John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, told Tolo TV last month that he expected the Taliban to carry out more suicide attacks this fighting season.
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in commit to denuclearisation
North’s leader declares ‘a new history begins now’
President Moon praises Kim’s ‘bold and courageous’ move
Moon will travel to Pyongyang for another meeting later this year
Kim vs Moon: An heir to a dynasty and a child of refugees
Could North Korea summit really convince Kim to give up his nuclear weapons?
How Kim Jong-un pulled off a canny PR coup
Hailing a “new era of peace”, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, sealed their talks on Friday with a joint declaration, and a bear hug, reaffirming their commitment to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
The historic summit also agreed to push for three or four-way talks involving the US and China to replace the Korean armistice with a peace treaty.
In his first ever speech to the world, standing outside the Peace House on the demilitarised border zone, Kim Jong-un first thanked Mr Moon and the South Korean people for their warm welcome.
“It took a long time for the two Koreas to come together and to hold hands and we have long waited for this moment to happen, all of us,” he said.
“As I stand here today I can see that South and North Koreans are the same people, they cannot be separated. We are compatriots… We should not be confronting each other, we are the same people and should live in unity. I hope we will be able to live very peacefully in the future, as soon as possible.”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands after delivering a joint statement during the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
He pledged his support for “permanent peace”, adding “we will adopt the Panmunjom declarations while the whole world is watching us. I believe the declaration…will never let us repeat our past mistakes.”
Kim expressed hope that one day South and North Korean citizens would be able to use the same road that he had to reach the summit.
“Panmunjom is a symbol of pain and suffering and division but it will turn into a symbol of peace. Using one language, one culture, one history South and North korea will be reunited as one country, thus enjoying everlasting peace and prosperity," he said.
President Moon praised the “precious agreement and declared a “new era of peace”, pledging “there will be no more war on the Korean peninsula.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in stroll together at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea, FridayCredit:
Korea Summit Press Pool
“Today Chairman Kim and I have decided that complete denuclearisation will be achieved and that is our common goal,” he said.
In the actual declaration the two leaders vow “that they will not use any form of force against each other” and agree to strictly abide by the agreement.
The South and the North have also agreed to “gradually realise arms reduction when their military tension is removed and trust is practically established."
The two sides also agreed to set up a liaison office, continue future talks and reintroduce the long-stalled reunions of families separated by the division of the two Koreas.
After announcing their declaration, Kim and Mr Moon joined their wives, Ri Sol-ju and Kim Jung-sook for a banquet.
“I’m happy to hear from my husband that the summit was a success,” said Ms Ri.
Both Kim and Moon will seek meetings with the United States and possibly China – both of them parties to the ceasefire – "with a view to declaring an end to the War and establishing a permanent and solid peace regime", the statement said.
Kim Jong-un holds historic summit with South Korean president – in pictures
Moon would visit Pyongyang "in the fall", the two leaders said, agreeing also to hold "regular meetings and direct telephone conversations".
There would also be a reunion of families left divided when the Korean War ended, one of the most emotive issues for the people of the two countries.
World leaders reacted positively to the summit, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling it "good news".
Donald Trump also reacted positively to the meeting, saying: "After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell."
Korean detente How did we get here?
In typical fashion, he followed it up with a Tweet that read: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!"
The two men shook hands as they met for the first time at 9.30am local time, and Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross over to the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone since the Korean War ended in 1953.
Kim emerged from the Panmungak, the North’s symbolic building 80m north of border, with a large entourage including his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Having embraced his counterpart on the border, which is marked out with slabs, the pair set about solving world peace.
After initial talks Friday morning, they broke for lunch in their respective countries before re-emerging for a ceremonial tree planting ceremony, which was laden with symbolism.
Kim Jong-un's message in the guest book: 'A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace'Credit:
Getty
Kim and Moon planted a pine tree – standing for peace and prosperity – with soil and water from both countries.
The tree is said to have been seeded in 1953 – the year the Korean War ended.
They sat around an oval table, to symbolise there should be no distance between the two countries, and it measured 2,018mm to mark the year.
Other symbolic gestures included custom-made furniture, a walk over a footbridge and the food on the menu at Friday night’s banquet – attended by the leaders’ wives.
Kim left in a limousine, which was the subject of one of the more light-hearted moments of the day.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un departs after the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
Earlier on Friday, a team of bodyguards surrounded the Mercedes and started walking alongside it as it moved away, but as the vehicle picked up pace they jogged in unison to keep up with the car.
As the North Korean leader left to cross the border, he waved out of the window having left the banquet to bring the historic day to an end.
The images, broadcast live around the world, were highly emotional for the divided Korean peninsula, which never formally ended the Korean War of 1950-53.
Korea summit | Read more
In a vast press room a few miles from the location of the talks in Panmunjom, South Korean journalists gasped and applauded.
But on the streets of South Korea, protesters burned North Korean flags, and as the talks prepare to resume, little has been revealed of actual progress towards resolving one of the world’s most pressing security threats.
Trump says 'good things are happening, but only time will tell'
Donald Trump has reacted positively to the meeting of Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in.
On Twitter Friday morning, he said: "After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place.
"Good things are happening, but only time will tell."
In typical fashion, he followed it up with a Tweet that read: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!"
Kim Jong-un's bodyguards jogging alongside their leader's limouside
Here’s a look back at the incredible moment the North Korean leader’s security team ran alongside the Mercedes carrying Kim Jong-un.
The dictator can be seen getting in the car and the team of suited bodyguards start walking alongside the limousine.
But as the car picks up pace, so do the guards, running in unison alongside it.
The symbolic menu for Kim and Moon's banquet
A banquet and farewell ceremony is now underway before Kim returns to the North.
Pyongyang’s delegation will include Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong, one of his closest advisers, who attended the Winter Olympics in the South in February as his envoy.
The North’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, who accompanied Yo Jong to the Games, will also be part of the group, as will its foreign and defence ministers.
Here us a look at what’s on the menu:
What’s on the menu at the Korean summit | Symbolism explained
Japanese Prime Minister welcomes summit and urges Kim to take 'concrete action'
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has welcomed the historic summit, urging Pyongyang to take "concrete action" on the peninsula’s denuclearisation and other issues.
"Today President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un held earnest discussions about North Korea’s denuclearisation. I want to welcome that as a positive move toward comprehensive resolution of various issues concerning North Korea," Abe told reporters in Tokyo.
"We strongly hope that North Korea will take concrete action through this meeting and a summit between the US and North Korea," he added.
The Kremlin praises Korea summit as 'very positive news'
Russia on Friday praised a landmark summit between the leaders of the two Koreas as "very positive news", saying direct dialogue on the divided peninsula was promising.
"This is very positive news," President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Today we see that this direct dialogue has taken place (and) it has certain prospects," he said.
The official talks come to an end as guests begin to arrive for banquet
The wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived Friday for a banquet following a historic summit between North and South Korea, live TV pictures showed.
Ri Sol-ju has recently gained a growing political profile, accompanying Kim to key events at home and abroad.
Kim Jong-un insists he will not repeat the mistakes of the past
Kim Jong-un vowed the Koreas would promote peace and not repeat the mistakes of the past. Kim Jong-un and and Moon Jae-in have sealed their talks with a joint declaration, and a hug, reaffirming their commitment to the realisation of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and pledging to turn their armistice into a peace treaty this year.
The Panmunjom declaration to achieve “peace, prosperity and unification in the Korean Peninsula” also pledges to resume family reunions and “halt all hostile acts”.
Kim Jong-un insists he will not repeat the mistakes of the pastCredit:
KBS via APTN
In an unprecedented speech to the world, Kim Jong-un vowed the Koreas would promote peace and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
President Moon declared a “new era of peace” had opened.
The North Korean leader promised to ensure that the agreement reached with the South would be implemented, unlike previous pledges.
The two Koreas will closely co-ordinate to ensure they did not "repeat the unfortunate history in which past inter-Korea agreements…fizzled out after beginning," Kim said after the summit.
"There may be backlash, hardship and frustration on our way," he added, "but a victory cannot be achieved without pain."
Kim and Moon affirm commitment to denuclearisation of Korean peninsula
After talking privately this afternoon, the leaders of both countries have committed to a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
The pair embraced as it was announced the two Koreas are to seek a peace ‘regime’ to end the Korean War.
Moon also announced that he would visit Pyongyang later this year.
"South and North Korea confirmed the common goal of realising, through complete denuclearisation, a nuclear-free Korean peninsula," they said in a joint statement.
Kim Jong un addresses the world. Not a sight you see often pic.twitter.com/dUsQGrHOfx
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
Kim and Moon begin second round of talks… alone in the woods
The second round of talks are underway in Panmunjom after a morning of handshakes and discussion.
After the leaders planted a symbolic tree on the Military Demarcation Line, the pair retreated into the woods for their private talks.
Early indications suggest South Korea’s Moon is doing much of the talking, with Kim listening on behalf of North Korea.
Looks like Moon is doing most of the talking during this one-on-one meeting in the woods while Kim keeps smiling and nodding in a pretty respectful manner. They've been sitting there & talking for nearly half an hour now. #InterKoreanSummit pic.twitter.com/wuB8rZtWGH
— Hawon Jung (@allyjung) April 27, 2018
Boris Johnson skeptical about North Korea toning down nuclear ambitions
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is welcoming the summit between the two Koreas but says he does not expect any great breakthrough that might curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Mr Johnson told reporters at Nato headquarters: "I am very encouraged by what’s happening."
But he added: "I don’t think that anybody looking at the history of North Korea’s plans to develop a nuclear weapon would want to be over-optimistic at this point. But it is clearly good news that the two leaders are meeting. Absolutely."
China hails 'courage' of the Korean summit
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying hailed the “courage” of Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-In, as the two leaders continued talks this afternoon, Jamie Fullerton reports from Beijing.
"We applaud the Korean leaders’ historic step and appreciate their political decisions and courage,” Hua said during a regular press briefing.
China, North Korea’s only political ally, borders the isolated country so is particularly keen for peace on the Korean peninsular. Kim visited Beijing last month for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping: the first time the North Korean leader had met a head of state in person.
Earlier today Chinese state media called for the leaders to keep talks on track, saying: “As a main stakeholder, China has been dedicated to the development of peace on the Korean Peninsula and proposed a ‘dual-track’ approach – advancing denuclearisation and meanwhile establishing a peace regime, to relevant parties.
“It has urged all parties involved to promote smooth talks between the South Korean and DPRK [North Korea] leaders as well as the DPRK and US leaders in order to reach a political settlement on the Peninsula.”
The leaders re-emerge and the symbolic tree planting begins
In a summit already overloaded with symbolism, Kim Jong-un and President Moon Jae-in opted for a time-old favourite ahead of a second round of talks by jointly “planting” a tree, or at least throwing fresh soil at the roots of an existing pine, and freshening it with some water.
Kim kept Mr Moon waiting for a few minutes before dashing to the spot in his black Merc, this time causing his 12-strong security team to speed up from a relaxed jog to a mini-sprint.
Donning white gloves, the two leaders shoveled soil from South Korea’s Mount Halla and the North’s Mount Baekdu onto the base of a beautifully scuplted dome-shaped tree, before using green watering cans to freshen the ground with water from the South’s Han river and the North’s Taedong.
Leaving their aides behind, they strolled alone towards a nearby, 50m blue wooden footbridge, before sitting down to chat on a bench with a woodland backdrop.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attend tree planting ceremony during the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
The ceremonial planting on the Military Demarcation Line laden with symbolism, with the pine tree standing for peace and prosperity in an area synonymous with confrontation and division over the past 65 years.
The pine is a transplanted specimen said to have been seeded in 1953 – the year the Korean War ended.
After the tree planting is concluded, the second round of talks will continue.
Not exactly "planting" a tree but you get the point pic.twitter.com/SXYluJ45gg
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The picture that tells a thousand words
There has been a lot of emphasis on the unscripted moment Kim took Mr Moon’s hand and led him across the border to North Korea. The highly symbolic – and unplanned – moment is likely to have raised the blood pressure of security on both sides. But it made for this memorable picture.
What a photo. This is actually the unscripted moment Kim encouraged Moon to step briefly into the North, the press pool were all on the South side, hence their backs are turned to the cameras. pic.twitter.com/pgOpydLmo4
— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) April 27, 2018
Break in proceedings
The summit will not officially resume until 4.30pm (8.30am GMT), a South Korean presidential spokesman has announced. It will begin with the ceremonial planting of a pine tree using soil and water from both countries, to symbolise "peace and prosperity”, and the two leaders will then walk across a footbridge over the official border line.
The next round of talks will be concluded with the signing of a joint declaration, the content of which is still being thrashed out.
At 6.30pm (10.30am GMT), a lavish banquet attended by Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju and Mr Moon and his wife Kim Jung-sook will be preceded by a musical extravaganza featuring stringed instruments and songs from both North and South.
The songs will include a rendition of From Seoul to Pyongyang, about the reunification of the peninsula.
North and South 'discussed denuclearisation and permanent peace'
After the first round of talks, Mr Moon’s spokesman has revealed that the two leaders have discussed denuclearisation and a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula.
"The two leaders had a sincere and frank dialogue over the denuclearisation and the establishment of permanent peace of the Korean peninsula and development of inter-Korea ties," said Yoon Young-chan.
The leaders are expected to continue negotiations after their break for lunch on their respective sides of the border, before they dine together at a banquet on the southern side later this evening.
Mr Yoon has also confirmed that Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, will come to Panmunjom at 6.15pm for the official banquet.
We have more on the rise Ms Ri, from cheerleader to North Korea’s ‘first lady’ here
Activists burn North Korean flags
South Korean conservative activists have set fire to North Korean flags during a rally against the summit talks between the leaders of the two Koreas, AP reports.
Hundreds of activists gathered near the border village of Panmunjom to protest against the talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
They set on fire two paper North Korean flags with the images of Kim and his late father and grandfather.
They also chanted slogans including "Step down, Moon Jae-in!"
A conservative activist prepares to display partially burnt images of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung (L), Kim Jong Il Credit:
AFP
Honour guard outrage
The decision to greet Kim Jong-un with an honour guard after he stepped across the border into South Korea has been condemned by conservatives, who have described it as a “humiliation” to service personnel who are protecting the nation.
The honour guard was made up of representatives of the three branches of the military, army, navy and air force. Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, is a former member of the special forces and saluted as he inspected the guard. Mr Kim, however, looked straight ahead as he walked along the red carpet.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (L) walks with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in (R) past a guard of honourCredit:
AFP
Conservatives began a petition on the website of the Blue House against the decision even before Mr Kim crossed the border, quickly attracting more than 1,000 signatures.
“The event will not enhance the morale of South Korean soldiers”, one signatory said in a comment, according to The Korea Times.
"The decision is a humiliation to 600,000 South Korean soldiers who serve their military duty to protect the South from possible attack by the regime”.
"It is absurd for the South Korean military to hold an honour guard for a third-generation dictator of the regime at a time when soldiers from the South carry out military operations to fight against North Korea", the poster added.
Kim 'willing to go to the Blue House any time'
Kim Jong-un and President Moon mixed small talk with grand statements about working together to make the world a better place in their introductory remarks, according to Yoon Young-chan, senior secretary of communication in the South’s presidential office.
Mr Yoon confirmed that Mr Moon’s decision to step north of the border, while holding hands with Kim, had been entirely unplanned, and offered a read-out of their comments to each other, writes Nicola Smith.
“You have come to the South, when I will be able to come to the North?” Mr Moon asked as he first shook hands with Kim across the ten centimetre high concrete block marking the Military Demarcation Line along the border.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suggests Mr Moon crosses into the NorthCredit:
Bloomberg
“Maybe now is the right time for you to enter North Korean territory?” quipped Kim, and Mr Moon stepped across.
As they watched a short performance by a military guard, Kim added that he would like to see the full version, and would be “willing to go to the Blue House any time”, referring to the presidential palace in Seoul.
The two leaders then took part in a spontaneous photo-op with their entire delegations before heading into the Peace House to talk about specially chosen paintings of South and North Korean scenery that depicted communication between both sides.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, shanks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Peace House at the border village of Panmunjom Credit:
AP
Kim thanked Mr Moon for the detailed thought that had been put into greeting him.
The two leaders indulged in small talk about their journeys to the border, and Kim appeared to be relaxed after initially looking nervous as he cross the border on live TV.
He teased Mr Moon about his sleeping habits, saying he had heard that he had a habit of waking up early. “I will make sure that I won’t wake you up early,” he said, in a light-hearted reference to his notoriously early missile tests of the past.
Taking a more serious tone, he commented on the suitability of their meeting place, which had been a “place of conflict”, adding that he hoped they could “heal the pain” of division. Improvements would come “if we hold our hands together and deal with things together,” he told Mr Moon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, second from right, talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-inCredit:
AP
“Let’s meet often and determine ourselves to never go back to the start. Let’s create a better world for everyone,” said Kim. “We come here to put an end to confrontation. We are here together to come up with a good solution.”
The South Korean president expressed his hope that his government could keep up with the pace of diplomacy, and also his wish to see the North’s Mount Paektu some day.
He offered his condolences about the train crash that killed dozens of Chinese tourists earlier this week, and also made Kim’s younger sister blush by telling her she was now a celebrity in the South.
Details emerge of moment Moon crossed into North briefly
Blue House spox on how that unscripted moment happened: Moon said to Kim, "When do I get to visit the North? And KJU said, why don't you just come over to the North side now?" And that's what led to them popping over to the North for a few moments.
— Elise Hu (@elisewho) April 27, 2018
You have to be fit to be one of Kim's bodyguards
Kim's security detail gets a work out as he leaves the Peace House after the first round of talks pic.twitter.com/T3jl5kSA3j
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The Guard Command, the military unit tasked with ensuring the safety of the leadership, is an elite institution close to the centre of North Korean power – it provides the centrepiece display of the annual kimjongilia and kimilsungia flower festivals in Pyongyang to honour Kim’s father and grandfather.
Ri Yong-guk, a defector from the North who served on a security detail for Kim Jong-il, wrote in a 2013 memoir that as many as six different layers of security guards protected the leader on trips to the countryside to inspect military units, plants or farms.
"It is one of the world’s tightest security blankets through which even a single ant would find it hard to go," he wrote.
Lunch break
That’s the morning session of talks over. Kim Jong-un is heading back across the border for lunch before returning for a second round of talks in the afternoon.
First round of inter-Korean talks over. 12 bodyguards run alongside car carrying KIm Jong Un back to NKorea for a break. 2 leaders will meet again in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/oQLyMpMpmQ
— Kim Gamel (@kimgamel) April 27, 2018
Going home?
A North Korean woman who claims to have “mistakenly” defected to South Korea in 2011 says she hopes the summit between the two nations’ leaders may enable her to return to Pyongyang before the end of the year, writes Julian Ryall.
“I was so nervous counting the days to the summit,” Kim Ryon-hui said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “I believe I will be able to go back to Pyongyang within this year, maybe in June.
“Is my anticipation too high?” she asked.
Ms Kim was a dressmaker in North Korea and has claimed that she was talked into travelling to South Korea by a Chinese smuggler who said she would be able to make a large amount of money in a short period of time and then return to the North.
Under South Korean law, however, it is illegal for citizens to travel to the North and Ms Kim’s requests to be repatriated have all been refused.
Kim's sister in the spotlight
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has given his younger sister a place at the negotiating table for the first North-South Korea summit in more than a decade.
Kim Yo-jong has emerged as the most visible member of the regime after her brother – since she became the first member of the ruling North Korean family to travel to the South in early February for the Olympics.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, walks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his sister Kim Yo-jong Credit:
AP
She was in Kim’s delegation as he walked across the line that divides the two Koreas on Friday morning and took a seat beside him as he started his first round of talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
The only other North Korean official present was former intelligence chief Kim Yong-chol, the top official in charge of relations with the South.
Read more about Kim’s sister
North Koreans left in the dark
If you’re wondering whether North Koreans are glued to their screens watching these historic developments unfold … they’re not.
North Korean state TV continuing to broadcast very different footage to the livestream in South Korea pic.twitter.com/isBNOmkaNh
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
'I hope for … bold agreement'
South Korean President Moon Jae-in told Kim Jong-un that he hoped to see a "bold agreement" as they began their summit on Friday.
"I hope we engage in frank talks and reach a bold agreement so that we may give a big gift to the whole Korean people and the people who want peace," Moon said.
'Candid talks for good results'
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in’s opening comments have been broadcast live from the meeting room at the Peace House where they will conduct talks, writes Nicola Smith.
Kim spoke first, on the optimistic note that “this is a starting point for us, I believe we’ll make a new beginning.” He urged “candid talks for good results” that would be “future-orientated”, adding, “I hope we don’t go back to square one.”
He also expressed hope that President Moon would enjoy the cold Pyongyang noodles that would be served at this evening’s banquet.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attend the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
President Moon replied that he felt “really good” about the day ahead but noted that “we have a huge burden on our shoulders” and “huge expectations” ahead.
He praised Kim for his “courageous and bold decision” to come to the talks. “Why don’t we make bold and courageous decisions to amicably talk about peace,” he said.
'Great expectations'
Kim Jong-un has kicked off the talks expressing hope of some agreements.
Kim Jong Un: "It has taken 11 years for this to happen. Walking here I wondered why it has taken so long. There are a lot of expectations, and I hope there can be agreements that fulfill those great expectations" pic.twitter.com/1dKmomJWN7
— Joseph Kim (@josungkim) April 27, 2018
On a lighter note, he also joked about how far the cold noodles have had to come today.
The surprise moment
It almost all went to script – but watch closely. Kim Jong-un invites South Korea's Moon Jae-in onto the North Korean side for a photo. There are gasps and applause. Japanese media say that wasn't part of the plan. #interkoreansummit What other surprises are in store? @abcnews pic.twitter.com/WtYGxckPNy
— Jake Sturmer (@JakeSturmer) April 27, 2018
Talks have begun
As talks get under way, here’s the scene inside the room. Sat to the left of Kim Jong-un is his sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Screen on the press room goes live again as the talks begin in the Peace House pic.twitter.com/LroQUMVURL
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
US hopeful ahead of talks
The United States is hopeful the talks between the two Korean leaders will make progress on achieving peace and prosperity.
In a statement, the White House said it looked forward to continuing discussions with South Korea in preparation for the planned meeting of President Donald Trump and Kim in the coming weeks.
On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well. We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula. The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks.
'A new history begins'
Kim Jong-un has signed the guestbook with a message of peace, saying a "new history begins now ….the age of peace".
"새로운 역사는 이제부터. 평화의 시대, 역사의 출발점에서" ㄷㄷㄷㄷ 핵소름 ㄷㄷㄷ pic.twitter.com/ozGCaz2NaT
— 챠미동 (@5910Duck) April 27, 2018
Where's Kim Yo-jong?
North Korean watchers have been pouring over the images emerging, scrutinising every detail.
Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong stayed away from the spotlight, but stayed in the background.
Kim Yo Jong is just wandering around #interkoreansummit pic.twitter.com/VjfY6OzSRl
— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) April 27, 2018
She also handed the pen to Kim to sign the guestbook.
Kim Jong-un takes a ceremonial pen from his sister, lets out a smoker's cough after a long walk, starts an inscription. pic.twitter.com/l5sYPu7Vuu
— Adam Cathcart (@adamcathcart) April 27, 2018
Some speculated that Kim Jong-un appeared nervous.
Kim Jong Un looks a little nervous in some of these shots, seems to be breathing heavily.
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
The two leaders also posed for photos beside a painting of the Bukhansan mountain in Seoul.
Selfie time, beside a painting of the Bukhansan mountain in Seoul, in the Peace House in Panmunjom pic.twitter.com/tebiJUBacT
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
Hopes high for summit
Abraham M Denmark, director of the Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in DC, says the summit could produce "an ambitious and very positive outcome".
Both Moon & Kim are doing their best to appear friendly and open for this historic meeting. Expect an ambitious and very positive outcome, setting the stage for a critical summit between Kim and President Trump. https://t.co/bnwyjqhB8J
— Abraham M. Denmark (@AbeDenmark) April 27, 2018
After much pomp and fanfare, the two leaders appear to have gone into the room for talks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a welcome ceremony at the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
The two leaders take part in the red carpet ceremony at the DMZCredit:
Reuters
Kim goes off script
There has already one moment that was unplanned. After crossing into the South, Kim Jong-un invited Mr Moon Moon to cross back over the demarcation line to the North side to shake hands again – an unscripted moment in an otherwise highly choreographed display.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in walk across the military demarcation line ahead of the inter-Korean summitCredit:
Reuters
View from the press room
Nicola Smith, the Telegraph’s Asia correspondent, is in the press room for the summit.
History is made in Panmunjom as North and South Korean leaders greet each other for the first time pic.twitter.com/ypsWIFCYD9
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
And they're off, the start of a long day of negotiations on the light topics of denuclearisation and ending the Korean War pic.twitter.com/wtFyPZKayi
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
View from the press room as the Korean leaders inspect a guard of honour pic.twitter.com/FyxD6GiGDW
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The historic handshake
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in have finally met.
The Korean leaders smiled broadly as Kim walked across the border and shook Mr Moon’s hand.
A happy handshake pic.twitter.com/I9yiDLI5Uw
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
Kim Jong-un arrives at border
Kim’s ready! pic.twitter.com/Iwpmh3tki9
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
'Big gamble, huge stakes'
It’s hard to know what to expect from today in the way of results. But there’s a sense among experts that we could see some real progress.
Abraham Denmark, director of the Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in DC, says it’s "pretty exciting".
"Possibility of fundamentally changing East Asia forever. Big gamble, huge stakes, happening right before our eyes."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrives for the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, in this still frame taken from videoCredit:
Reuters
Moon arrives
South Korean television shows that President Moon Jae-in has arrived at Panmunjom.
President Moon Jae In is arriving at Panmunjom for the #InterKoreanSummit#남북정상회담 https://t.co/aVgnH1u0Hj
— JP 🐨 (@agirlinthepark) April 27, 2018
Red carpet awaits the leaders
The scene has been set at the DMZ.
There's the red carpet at Panmunjon, waiting both Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un for the #KoreaSummit pic.twitter.com/geZyAm32ta
— Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) April 26, 2018
And for a more in depth look at the venue, have a read of this.
Inside Panmunjom the DMZ truce village – Korea
Leaders on their way to the border
We’re about half an away from Kim’s arrival at the border.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has left Seoul’s presidential palace for the high-stakes summit.
Mr Moon briefly stepped out of his black limousine and cheerfully shook hands with hundreds of supporters who waved white South Korean flags and raised banners with messages including "Please Achieve Successful Denuclearization."
Hundreds of members of the Korean Veterans Association arrived on buses from different parts of the nation hours earlier to send off Moon’s motorcade.
A convoy transporting South Korean President Moon Jae-in leaves the Presidential Blue House for the inter-Korean summit in SeoulCredit:
Reuters
A controversial "biohacker" who once injected himself with an untested herpes vaccine has been found dead.
Aaron Traywick’s body was discovered in a spa in Washington DC on Sunday, police said.
Mr Traywick, 28, was thought to have been using a sensory flotation tank at the time.
He was the chief executive of Ascendance Biomedical, a biohacking company whose staff are known for testing experimental therapies on themselves.
The company’s goal is to make “cutting-edge biomedical technologies available for everyone” and claims to have the ability to cure HIV, Aids and Herpes.
However there is no independent proof to back up the claims.
Aaron Traywick had stirred debate within the biohacking community
Mr Traywick had lost touch with his colleagues at the company in recent weeks, amid disagreements over the company’s direction, according to Vice News.
Officials said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Traywick had died in suspicious circumstances.
A police spokeswoman has said no evidence has been found to suggest foul play.
Mr Traywick garnered a name for himself when he publicly injected himself with what he said was a potential herpes treatment.
Biohacking refers to individuals’ efforts to alter their own biology by a variety of means including lifestyle and diet changes as well as unconventional therapies.
“Aaron was a passionate visionary. He seemingly never tired as he brought people together to work on some of the most imposing challenges facing humanity,” his friend colleague Tristan Roberts told Vice News.
“While many in the biohacking scene disagreed with his methods, none of them doubted his intentions. He sought nothing short of a revolution in biomedicine; the democratisation of science and the opening of the flood gates for global healing.”
WrestleMania weekend was one of the biggest, if not the biggest weekend in professional wrestling history as several promotions had multiple events over the course of a few days. WWE had the show of shows WrestleMania, NXT TakeOver, Hall of Fame, WrestleMania Axxess and a few other events during WrestleMania weekend. Aside from WWE’s events, there was also an event called WrestleCon which had several promotions have their own events. There was an Impact Wrestling vs Lucha Underground Event and even promotions such as Evolve, GCW, Shimmer and House of Hardcore had their own events during WrestleCon.
WrestleCon also had appearances, autograph signings and much more. WWE Hall of Famer Sting even met a number of former WCW Stars during WrestleCon and he tweeted this photo of himself with Lex Luger, Mr. Hughes, Mick Foley, and Rick Steiner:
pic.twitter.com/eDfjOmWmfh
— Sting (@Sting) April 14, 2018
Where are they going in 2014-15? Minnesota Recruits 2014-15
Biehn is projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds in college.
The Guillotine Wrestler Files Jordan Biehn, Jackson County Central 2014 MN HS State Tournament 1A 12th 126 5th 46-8 2013 USA Wrestling Nationals FS Junior 132 DNP 2013 MN HS State Tournament 1A 11th 120 4th 33-12 2012 USA Wrestling Nationals FS Cadet 132 DNP 2012 MN/USA Wrestling State Folk Cadet 126 3rd 2011 Rumble on the Red 1A 10th 113 8th
PWG recently held Night Two of their All Star Weekend 14 Event which emanated from Reseda, California. The main event of the show saw Keith Lee defending the PWG Title in a Three Way Match against WALTER and Jonah Rock. In addition to Keith Lee defending the PWG Title against WALTER & Jonah Rock, PWG All-Star Weekend 14 Night 2 will see new champions The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) face Violence Unlimited (Brody King & Tyler Bateman). Below are the results from the show:
– Trevor Lee def. Flash Morgan Webster. Lee won with a suplex variation.
– Joey Janela def. Robbie Eagles. Janela won with a Super Brainbuster from the top rope.
– The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) def. Violence Unlimited (Brody King & Tyler Bateman). Wentz pinned Bateman after hitting the standing moonsault.
– Bandido def. Rey Horus. Bandido won with a moonsault off the top rope while holding Horus in a body slam position.
– Sammy Guevara def. Taiji Ishimori. Guevara won with a shooting star press. After the match, Guevara cuts a promo saying that he won’t compete in PWG any longer if he doesn’t get a title shot.
– Matt Riddle def. Timothy Thatcher. Riddle won with the Bromission.
– WALTER def. Keith Lee and Jonah Rock to win the PWG Title. WALTER pinned Lee after hitting a massive lariat. After the match, Lee cut a promo saying that he didn’t do what former champion Chuck Taylor had asked about being a better champion than he was. Lee also said that he hopes WALTER will now be that champion. Guevara comes back out after Lee was finished and got in WALTER’s face. WALTER responded by landing a massive chop, sending Guevara out of the ring.
BUFFALO, Minn. (KMSP) – A simple softball game turned into a life-and-death situation for a high school wrestling coach who collapsed, but as it happened, police, EMTs and a highly-skilled doctor were right there on the field.
Jason Maurer’s parents are convinced that without the overwhelmingly urgent response, their son would be dead. Fortunately for him and his family, there was an anesthesiologist on the opposing team — and teams of police and emergency responders — playing softball nearby. Continue reading at www.myfoxtwincities.com
The 50-man Royal Rumble match officially marked the largest Royal Rumble match that WWE has ever produced in the history of the company. With the unique setting in Saudi Arabia, and with several spots still open before the match began, it only made sense that WWE would want to surprise the fans by adding a few unexpected entrants into the match. Most of the participants in the Royal Rumble match were taken from the Raw and Smackdown rosters, however, there were also quite a number of returning stars and NXT Superstars who joined the match. Below is a complete list of all of the surprise entrants involved in the 50-man Royal Rumble match (not including the previously announced Rey Mysterio, The Great Khali, Chris Jericho, and Mark Henry entrants).
The Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia saw the following surprise entrants debut in Royal Rumble the match:
– Hiroki Sumi: Sumi is a 400-pound Japanese sumo wrestler who entered the match as a complete surprise. He competed in Japan as Hishofuji before retiring in January 2017. Sumi entered the match at #7 and was eliminated by Mark Henry.
#7?? = The MONSTROUS #HirokiSumi!#WWEGRR pic.twitter.com/Nuv2wobtOt
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
– Hornswoggle: This was Hornswoggle’s first time back in a WWE ring since 2016. Hornswoggle tried his best to win the match, and he did eliminate Dash Wilder, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. After entering the Royal Rumble match as the 12th entrant, he was eventually eliminated by 205 Live star Tony Nese.
Stop EVERYTHING and watch @WWEHornswoggle shock the @WWEUniverse in Saudi Arabia by entering the Greatest #RoyalRumble Match! #WWEGRR pic.twitter.com/3C5g7UVZVM
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
The following names are the NXT Superstars who were involved in the Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia:
– Tucker Knight: One-half of the Heavy Machinery tag team with Otis Dozovic, Knight entered the match at #24. He eliminated 205 Live’s Drew Gulak before being tossed out of the ring by Big E.
#2??4?? = @WWENXT‘s @TuckerKnightWWE!#WWEGRR #HeavyMachinery #AllNightTuckerKnight pic.twitter.com/hZk7QwdcDZ
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
– Roderick Strong: Currently an NXT Tag Team Champion. Roddy joined the match as entrant #34 but was dumped out by Baron Corbin.
#3??4?? = The #UndisputedERA‘s @roderickstrong!#WWEGRR #ShockTheSystem pic.twitter.com/bYKr9ER5Qh
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
– Babatunde: Polish professional wrestler and former football player currently training at the WWE Performance Center. The nearly 7-foot wrestler entered at #37 and was eliminated by Braun Strowman.
#3??7?? = @Babatundewwe!#WWEGRR pic.twitter.com/kVaoJLZQVu
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
– Dan Matha: Performance Center trainee who has been helping out with WWE’s recent tryouts in Saudi Arabia. He entered at #40 before he was eliminated by the match’s eventual winner, Braun Strowman.
#4??0?? = The powerful @TheDanMatha!#WWEGRR pic.twitter.com/hqfjJdTikw
— WWE (@WWE) April 27, 2018
One of the most unexpected announcements of the year came as early as January when WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that he will be resurrecting the XFL, which had been his defunct football league that previously shut down back in 2001. McMahon confirmed that the league will be coming back under the XFL name, and that it should be fully operational by the year 2020. McMahon announced that the XFL would be coming back through his Alpha Entertainment company, which is an endeavor that the former WWE Champion has stated is completely and entirely separate from WWE. Some news on WWE’s role in building up the XFL’s revival has now just been revealed.
According to a report from PWInsider, WWE is now listed an an minority owner of Alpha Entertainment, LLC. WWE previously had ownership over the XFL name and trademarks, but those rights have been exchanged for minority stakes in the league’s planned 2020 revival. McMahon originally announced that the two companies would be completely separate from each other with very little intermingling taking place between Alpha Entertainment and WWE. Despite his increased involvement in rebuilding the XFL, it has iterated on several different occasions that McMahon will continue to serve as WWE Chairman while running Alpha Entertainment at the same time.
When WWE announced that Lio Rush had signed a deal to join the NXT brand, fans were excited to see what the young superstar would be bringing to the table. Rush has made a few appearances on NXT programming in the past, and he now continues to work on NXT live events. In addition to being a talented wrestler, it looks like Rush is also intending on leaving his mark on the music industry. Rush has revealed that he is collaborating with rapper Troy Andretti for their first single, which is titled “Money Money.” A music video for the song has also been promised. No official confirmation on a date for the song’s release has been given, but Rush’s social media post seem to indicate that it will be out imminently.
#HUGE announcement! @D1DRETT1 pic.twitter.com/uEQmNIi0FO
— Man Of The Hour (@itsLioRush) May 2, 2018
Just got off set with the bro @rushliorush . We just finished shooting my very first music video for our single “Money Money” coming very soon! Very excited to show you guys the masterpiece we created. Stay tuned!!! ????
A post shared by DRETT1 (@d1drett1) on
The Big Takeaway: Another week, another show where John Cena has the best match on the show. This week, he main evented against Cesaro and retained the U.S. Championship in 30:06, most likely longest Raw match since Cena-Shawn Michaels from London in 2007. Brock Lesnar had two segments on the show, where he destroyed J&J Security’s new car they received from Seth Rollins last week.
Show Recap:
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman start the show. Heyman said Lesnar was the God of violent retribution. Heyman brought up Lesnar ending The Undertaker’s streak and got some boos. Then he mentioned Lesnar taking John Cena to Suplex City and got cheered. Unlike Cena, Undertaker and Roman Reigns, Heyman said Lesnar not only doesn’t respect Seth Rollins, he disrespects him. Lesnar wasn’t selling his knee after the attack from two weeks ago.
Heyman said the title match with Rollins and Lesnar will take two weeks in St. Louis, but the beatings and the suplexes will start tonight. He said since Rolliins is going to be in the building tonight, Lesnar wasn’t going anywhere.
Michael Cole announced that Kane is in Hawaii on the vacation that Rollins sent him on last week. They showed various photoshopped pictures of Kane wearing a Hula skirt, drinking Mai Tais and touring volcanos. Also, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble reportedly took their $55,000 Cadallac across the country with highlights of their trip promised later.
Ryback (C) and Big Show went to a no contest in a nontitle match (9:24)
The Miz was at ringside doing running commentary over the PA during the match. Since the Miz, Big Show and Ryback are in a three-way at Battleground, Miz wanted the two to destroy each other so it would be easier for him to win. It sounded like Cole talked over Mix’s best lines. After Big Show hit a elbow drop from the second rope, Miz ran in to attack both men while they were down. It ended with both big men surrounding Miz, with Ryback delivering a Shell Shock and the Big Show giving him a choke slam. Ryback gave Big Show a meat hook clothesline to become the last man standing.
A commercial for the new season of Total Divas featured someone reading the riot act to Paige over an alleged sex tape.
Kane was shown paddleboarding in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Noble and Mercury took their Cadallac to Wrigley Field, calling it a dump.
Brie Bella defeated Paige (3:10)
Brie Bella won with the Brie Buster after Alicia Fox and Nikki Bella jumped up on the apron. The storyline continues that Paige has to fight the Bellas and Fox by herself. Afterwards, Fox gave Paige an Ax Kick and Nikki gave her a Rack Attack. The count for Nikki Bella’s Divas Championship reign is up to 225 days.
Sheamus defeated Roman Reigns by countout (11:15)
To complete an hour of bad finishes, Reigns hit a Superman punch when Sheamus jumped off the second rope. Reigns went for another Superman punch when Bray Wyatt’s music hit. Someone dressed like Wyatt came out and Reigns tagged him with a Superman’s punch. Then Reigns found that the man he punched was an imposter. Then Wyatt appeared on the TitonTron and told Reigns “Anyone but You.” Reigns disappeared and Sheamus was announced as the winner.
Randy Orton came out to go after Sheamus. Get this. Sheamus threw Orton into the post. Orton barely even sell it and gave Sheamus an RKO. What the hell was that? Mind you, this came after a stiff Sheamus-Reigns match that was pretty good because of its physicality. Then Orton doesn’t even sell a post shot.
HHH was on the phone when Rollins and J&J Security walked in. HHH asked Seth about what he was going to do about Lesnar tonight. HHH said his advice was to do something uncoventional. HHH brought up Heyman’s promo from earlier saying that the 11th Commandment is “Never provoke the beast.” Rollins said the unthinkable would be to call out Lesnar later on tonight.
Rusev and Summer Rae were in the ring for a promo. He referred to Summer Rae as “always submissive.” Rusev said he apologized for wasting a year of his life on Lana. He ran down the fans, America and Dolph Ziggler. Summer tried to get the crowd to stop chanting “USA.” Dolph and Lana came out. Ziggler said the best thing that ever happened to Rusev was Lana. Dolph and Lana starting kissing. Summer scolded Ziggler. Lana and Summer were about to squre off when the two men stepped in. Then Rusev attacked Ziggler with a crutch, then kicked him with the cast on his bad foot. Rusev took off the walking boot and starting walking around. Summer then kicked Lana and threw her out of the ring. Rusev put the fists to Ziggler, who sure looked like an idiot. Ziggler tried to make a comeback, but Rusev jabbed him with the crutch across the throat. Rusev laid in even more crutch shots even after the referees came down and ordered him away. Ziggler did a stretcher job, so who knows if we see him again?
Dean Ambrose defeated Bo Dallas (2:59)
There was the strangest dual chant ever heard to man with most of the fans saying “Let’s Go Ambrose.” And the other half said “We Bolieve.” Dean Ambrose won with Dirty Deeds.
J&J Security was shown driving around Chicago. They were shown getting caught in traffic. And then driving along a vacant street. It was about as humorous as watching someone drive in traffic and then along a vacant street.
King Barrett defeated R-Truth (8:43)
King Barrett won after R-Truth dove off the second rope, only to get caught with the Royal Bullhammer. This got 8:43. Maybe I was a little hard on that J&J Security driving segment. Cole talked like this was the end of R-Truth’s “King What’s Up” gimmick.
Rollins came out while J&J Security drove up in their car. No one was available to give the car Last Rites. They were all carrying axehandles for the anticipated brawl with Lesnar. Rollins did an interview saying he was champion and going to remain that way, then asked if Lesnar was a real man or just Heyman’s bitch.
Lesnar came out, saw three men in the ring with axehandles waiting for him, then backed off. Lesnar then called for Heyman, who carried a trunk containing a fire kit, which included two axes. Instead of getting into the ring, Brock started destroying the car. Cole dropped in a line of how Lesnar was his own Minnesota Recking Crew. Lesnar destroyed one of the axes after he drove it into the driver’s door. Then Lesnar tore the door off the hinges. Mercury and Noble made a rush at Lesnar, but Brock dropped them effortlessly. Lesnar gave Noble a Kimura and Cole screamed how he had broken Noble’s arm. Lesnar gave Mercury two suplexes onto the car, the last of which broke a windshield. Lesnar got in the ring with Rollins, who ran out of the building with Lesnar chasing him. Lesnar got back in the ring and posed with the WWE Heavyweight Championship strap.
The New Day defeated Lucha Dragons (10:16)
The Prime Time Players were at ringside. JBL and Titus O’Neal exchanged barbs at ringside on commentary. Darren Young didn’t say anything, and O’Neal started doing play-by-play after Sin Cara got the hot tag. He was ten times more engaging than Cole. Kalisto and Sin Cara went for stereo topes, but Sin Cara totally missed when Xavier Woods moved Kofi Kingston out of the way. Big E. gave Kalisto a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Big E. pinned Sin Cara after the Midnight Hour.
Steve Austin was revealed as the man on the cover for WWE2K16. Cole made it clear he’s back in the WWE solely as a character for the video game.
As Cena came out, they showed highlights of Finn Balor beating Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship from Saturday’s show in Japan.
Cena called out his challenger, but Owens came out and said every week the worst part of Raw is Cena spewing out the same garbage over and over. Owens got a lot of cheers. He said now that he’s lost the NXT Championship, he’ll face Cena tonight. Cesaro came out and said he wanted to face Cena since Owens cost him the title last week. Cesaro ordered Owens to get out of the ring. Owens left and went down the aisle, looking back like he was picking his spots.
John Cena (C) defeated Cesaro to retain the U.S. Championship (30:01)
A tremendous match, though perhaps ten minutes longer than it should have been. Both men kicked out of each other’s finisher. Cesaro had several attempts at a crossface trying to get a submission, but Cena got to the ropes each time. Finish came when both men were battling on the top rope. Cesaro teased a netualizer off the second rope, but Cena escaped and hit the AA off the second rope for the pin. Cesaro didn’t get a nod from Cena or any type of raise of the arm for his performance. Instead, Owens ran in, took an AA and left. It was like Cesaro was in another great match, but they wanted you to forget it as soon as it was over.
SUMMARY: The main event finish left me torn. Cena deserves a lot of credit for having great matches week after week. But the elephant in the room says it is time for some major changes and to start taking chances on talent. Cesaro is lacking on the mic. But they could have made him a star tonight with a win, then have him face Owens at Battleground. Then the rubber match between Cena and Owens can wait for SummerSlam at the earliest. Instead, it seems Vince McMahon thinks the answer to declining ratings is to have Cena go over, like that’s any different from everything we’ve seen for the past 11 years. The biggest question is where does Cesaro go from here? If it’s the same place as where Ryback, Wyatt, R-Truth and many others have gone after a Cena program, then what does he gain from the past two weeks?