Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Report! (5/6/18)
WWE shifts gears after the Superstar Shake-Up with a co-branded Backlash! Will The Big Dog, Roman Reigns, keep Samoa Joe from putting him to sleep? Can Daniel Bryan stand up to the 7 foot tall bully, Big Cass? Will No Disqualifications for the WWE Championship help or hinder AJ Styles against Shinsuke Nakamura?
All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: Bayley VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad; Ruby wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins VS The Miz; Rollins wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax VS Alexa Bliss; Nia wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
- WWE United States Championship: Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Hardy wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Daniel Bryan VS Big Cass; Bryan wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Carmella VS Charlotte Flair; wins and
- WWE Championship No Disqualification Match: AJ Styles VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Double Count Out, Styles retains the WWE Championship.
- Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn; Strowman & Lashley win.
- Roman Reigns VS Samoa Joe; Roman wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Miztourage go through a list of possible new bosses.
Baron Corbin? No, Bo has heard he’s a Lone Wolf. But what abuot Jinder Mahal? He needs two men, right? Just then, The Miz walks in.
“Daddy’s home.” And he is so proud of his “sons”. The mind games they were playing were great. Miz remembers when he knew they were destined to be the Miztourage. That was when they made Marine 5, and Bo & Axel got back at the stage hands for taking the last two seats. The good times these there have shared. Which is why Miz is so happy that they’re all back together to do it again to Seth Rollins! They should get going, their match is first on the main card. But Bo says no? They’re not supporting cast anymore. The duo formerly known as the Miztourage leaves, who will they find to be their new leading man?
The IIconics join the kickoff panel.
Peyton Royce & Billie Kay don’t want anymore chit chat about the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Charlotte Flair is “so 2000-NEVER.” Billie reminds everyone that they beat Asuka in her first SmackDown match. Yes, they beat Asuka on her first SmackDown match. “We’re better than Asuka!” Renee Young asks for any insight on tonight’s match. The IIconics ignore that. Where have they met Peter Rosenberg? Or no, heard him. Peyton imitates Peter, that’s spot on! But Peyton and Billie admit they’re interested in tonight’s match. Carmella is “maj”, but Peter is “repug”. Backlash maybe could, possible become #IIconic. They sing their theme song while prancing their way out.
Bayley and Sasha Banks talk backstage.
The Hugger invited The Boss to discuss The Riott Squad. Bayley doesn’t want to fight with her anymore. Sasha can be in her corner for her match. Oh now Bayley wants Sasha around? What happened when Sasha needed Bayley? Is Bayley afraid things will happen to her? Bayley can’t believe how full Sasha is of herself. Bayley can handle Ruby Riott like she handled Sasha. She was trying to help Sasha, but if Sasha is too stubborn, then that’s her problem. Sasha says Bayley can spin it however she wants, she’s still on her own. Will these two ever be back to being friends?
Both Raw and SmackDown GMs are in the Social Media Lounge.
Kurt Angle and Paige are both here for WWE’s first co-branded event since the Superstar Shake-Up to answer the questions fans submitted under #AskTheGMs. The Gold Medalist and Glampire are excited for this crossover night.
“Angle, who is your dream opponent in today’s generation?” There’s a lot of great choices from both shows, but Angle would love Daniel Bryan in a match. It could still happen. “Two questions: What is the hardest part about being a GM? And what was Paige’s reaction to Absolution coming to SmackDown?” Paige is a new GM, but the hard part is not helping your friends. Absolution has to earn what they get, and will get a title shot when they deserve it. Angle agrees, it’s about equal opportunity within the time they have.
“For both GMs: which match will steal the show?” Paige says Styles VS Nakamura with No Disqualifications, but also the SmackDown Women’s Championship because she adores and respects Charlotte. Angle says the Raw Women’s Championship, as well as the grudge match of Roman Reigns VS Samoa Joe.
Bayley VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad!
The Huggable One couldn’t convince her on-again-off-again friend to be in her corner, but The Squad is always behind their leader. Can Bayley get even all by herself? Or will Ruby #StartaRiott?
The bell rings and Ruby circles with Bayley. They tie up, and Bayley gets the arm wrench. Ruby stomps on Bayley’s foot then reverses the hold, but Bayley reverses it back. Bayley brings Ruby down with a headlock takeover, but Ruby stands up to throw Bayley down by her headband. Ruby puts on a headlock, but Bayley powers out, only for Ruby to run her over. Ruby says Bayley is weak, like Sasha. She then runs, but Bayley evades and O’Conner roll, TWO. Ghost pin, TWO, School Girl, TWO. Bayley whips but Ruby reverses, only to run into Bayley’s elbow. Bayley flies with an arm-drag to cover, TWO. Ruby rocks Bayley with a right! Ruby drags Bayley up and puts her in a corner with a buckle bump. Bayley staggers away, but Ruby brings her back for another.
Ruby stalks Bayley while Sasha watches backstage. Bayley reverses the whip and hits the corner clothesline, to then whip Ruby corner to corner. Bayley runs in but Ruby hangs her up on the top rope. But that doesn’t stop Bayley, she bumps Ruby off buckles. The Squad distracts Bayley, Ruby hits the STO! Bayley rolls out of the ring and the Squad taunt her while we go to break.
WWE Backlash returns with Bayley fighting out of a chinlock. She gives elbows to Ruby, and breaks free, only to run into a Complete Shot! Ruby drags Bayley up for vicious elbows and knees. Now she covers, TWO, and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby grabs Bayley in a new chinlock, and digs her knee into Bayley’s back. Fans rally for Bayley while she endures. Bayley fights her way up again, and throws more elbows. Ruby bumps Bayley off buckles again, the referee reprimands Ruby. Ruby drags Bayley up and bumps her off another buckle, then stalks Bayley along the ropes. She chokes Bayley against the ropes while The Squad taunts her. Ruby lets go, Sarah Logan gets a cheapshot! Cover, TWO, and Sasha is still watching backstage.
Ruby bumps Bayley off more buckles, but then Bayley fights back. Bayley gives Ruby Snake Eyes, then goes up and over, only to get caught in Deadly Nightshade!
The Squad cheers while Ruby covers, TWO. Ruby is furious, but she calms down and works on her next move. She toys with Bayley, but Bayley hits back. Ruby grabs her in a cravat to wrench the neck. Bayley keeps fighting, and arm-drags Ruby off. Ruby runs in but Bayley dodges. Bayley gives a back elbow, then tries boots, but Ruby spins her to the apron. Bayley rocks Ruby with a right, then hops in for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Both women are reeling, but standing. Bayley starts rallying with clotheslines. She saido suplexes Ruby down! Ruby rolls to ropes but Bayley is on her. Ruby holds on to deny the whip, then reverses the whip, but Bayley dodges to dropkick at Sarah. Sarah catches her, but Bayley counters that into a headscissor!
Bayley staggers but Ruby goes after her hair. Bayley hits Ruby with the hotshot! Ruby goes down, Bayley climbs up, for the Macho Elbow! Cover, TWO! Both women are down, but the fans are liking this. Bayley stirs, then crawls to a corner. Ruby stirs while Bayley drags herself up. Bayley checks the pony tail, then waits for Ruby to get up. Liv gest on the apron, Bayley goes to throw Ruby inot her but Ruby throws Bayley into Liv! Ruby then boots Bayley, and hits the Riott Kick!
Cover, Ruby wins!
Winner: Ruby, by pinfall
The Squad helps their leader out again thanks to numbers. The riotous and reckless trio gets away with a win, can anyone beat their number games?
Backlash means many things, but tonight, it means change.
Rivalries renewed with rematches all around. A new take on David and Goliath. Legacies defined by wins and losses. And a vendetta to be settled in a match with no rules. Both Raw and SmackDown bring #TheBestofBothWorlds, but who will feel the backlash?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins VS The Miz!
The Hollywood A-Lister lost his most prized possession in the prestigious IC title when The Architect overcame him and Finn Balor at Wrestlemania. The same happened when The Architect jumped ahead of Finn at The Greatest Royal Rumble. Can Miz use his 1v1 contractual rematch to get back the title and return to making history?
The bell rings and Rollins gets the bigger ovation from the fans. And Rollins rubs it in a bit on Miz. The two circle and tie up, Rollins shifts through holds and settles on the hammerlock. Miz tries but can’t reverse, and Rollins brings him to the mat. Miz rolls but Rollins wrangles him down, so Miz grabs the ropes. Rollins honors the break, then smirks as he and Miz circle again. They approach but Miz kicks low and stomps away on Rollins. Fans boo and jeer while Miz keeps going. Miz backs off at the referee’s count, then comes back to bump Rollins off buckles. Miz pulls on Rollins’ hair then whips Rollins. Rollins reverses and dropkicks Miz down. Rollins chops Miz to a corner, then chops more. He follows Miz then whips him corner to corner.
Fans fire up as Rollins runs in for the forearm smash. Rollins whips Miz again, then runs in but Miz puts him on the apron. Rollins punches Miz away but Miz boots Rollins down! Miz checks his jaw while Rollins crashes and burns. Miz goes out to fetch Rollins, he needs to finish this in the ring. But he bounces Rollins off the announce desk first. Then Miz rams Rollins into the apron edge before putting him in the ring. Miz mocks the “Burn It Down” stomps before hitting a low boot. Cover, TWO, Miz puts on a chinlock. Fans rally while Rollins endures. Rollins fights his way up and fights out of the hold. Rollins chops Miz again, then whips, but Miz reverses to hit Rollins with the kitchen sink knee.
Miz rams knees into Rollins’ back, then throws in an elbow to add onto the chinlock. Fans keep it up for Rollins, and Rollins gets up again. Miz knees low then whips, but Rollins turns the knee into a roll up, TWO. Muel kick deflected, Miz hits the low DDT! COver, TWO! Miz grows frustrated but keeps it together. He stomps Rollins down, but he hears the fans supporting Rollins. Miz puts Rollins on the ropes to choke him, then backs off to hit the running rope attack! Miz embraces the heat and declares he’s the better champ. Rollins fights back with haymakers and chops, then whips, but Miz reverses, only for Rollins to hit a facebuster!
Both men are down but Rollins brings himself to a corner. Fans rally while he aims at Miz. Miz runs in but into the buckle shot. Rollins then stands up again, Miz following. Rollins boots him away, then hops up and over to run and Slingblade! Miz flounders, Rollins runs and clotheslines Miz out! Fans fire up with Rollins, Rollins builds speed, then DIVES!
Down goes Miz! Rollins brings Miz up and into the ring, then takes aim from the apron. Springboard but Miz catches Rollins! Miz wants the Finale but Rollins rolls through to a cover, TWO! Miz runs into another boot, Rollins hops up and hits a blockbuster. Cover, TWO, but Rollins keeps his cool. Fans rally as he stalks Miz. Rollisn grabs Miz but Miz grabs ropes, for a cheap shot elbow. Miz trips up Rollins but Rollins kicks him away. Miz puts Rollins on the apron but Rollins hits back, then hits a springboard flying clothesline! Rollins runs but is put back on the apron, Miz slips under to trip Rollins up! Rollins hits the apron then the floor, but Miz needs to catch his breath.
Miz puts Rollins back in at the count of 3, then decides to climb up top himself. Miz flies in, but is caught, roll through to a swinging side slam! Cover, TWO! But Rollins won’t let that slow him down, he hurries back up to climb to the top rope. Rollins takes aim at Miz from far away, and leaps for a frog splash!
TWO!! And Rollins is too tired to be shocked. The fans declare “This is Awesome!” while Rollins stands up. Rollins stomps, “Burn It Down!” Rollins takes aim, Miz stirs, but then realizes he needs to get away. Miz escapes to the outside, but Rollins pursues. They go back in the ring, Rollins dodges to clothesline Miz back out. Rollins builds speed again, to run into a clobbering left hand! Miz catches his breath while Rollins slumps out of the ring. They both stand up on the apron, Miz’s DDT denied, but he boots Rollins back. Rollins forearms back, then chops, then another forearm. Rollins rocks Miz, then wring him out, but that Revolution Knee goes into a post! Miz goes after the leg with the Figure Four!
Rollins endures, flails, reaches but Miz just elevates himself more. Rollins drags himself around towards ropes, but Miz drags him back the other way. Miz wants Rollins to tap, but Rollins refuses. Rollins glares at Miz and it scares Miz! Rollins rolls it over and reverses the pressure! Now Miz feels the pain, enduring but reaching. Miz wills himself not to give up, and roll it back on Rollins! But now they’re closer to ropes, Rollins gets the ropebreak. Miz lets go reluctantly, but the damage has been done to each man’s legs. Miz slowly stands, then hobbles over to Rollins. He wants it again, but Rollins pushes Miz away.
Rollins chops Miz, so Miz punches back. Rollins punches back, so Miz hits back. They go again and again, Miz kicks out the leg, then full nelson, but Rollins arm-drags him away. Rollins rocks Miz with a roaring elbow, but Miz boots right back. Pele from Rollins! Miz is dizzy, but he still goes for the full nelson. Rollins rolls but Miz wheelbarrow lifts him back up! Skull Crushing Finale!
Cover, TWO!? No one can believe Rollins survived! Rollins manages to get to a corner, but that leg won’t let him stand. Miz runs in, and hits the A-List lariat in the corner. Miz then climbs up, his own legs slowing him down. He takes aim at Rollins, but Rollins springs up to stop him! Rollins climbs up, even with that bad leg. Rollins wants the superplex, but Miz resists. Miz hits back, then kicks out the bad leg. Rollins goes down, Miz stands up but Rollins returns to hit the SUPERPLEX! Rollins rolls it through, but the bad leg! Miz slips out for another Finale!! TWO!?!? How?! Miz is losing his mind from frustration. Both men are down but “This is Awesome!”
Miz sits up while fans rally. Miz drags Rollins up and into a corner, then up onto the top rope. He climbs up now, positioning himself for the full nelson. Rollins elbows and forearms his way out, then leaps for the Curb Stomp! Miz evades, then O’Conner rolls! TWO, to Rollins’, TWO, Miz but the CURB STOMP! Rollins crawls and covers, Rollisn wins!
Winner: Rollins, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Architect retains, and it took another superhuman effort to do it. What will it take to take that title from Mr. #MondayNightRollins?
Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax VS Alexa Bliss!
The Goddess manipulated the Irresistible Force the entire time they were “friends”, but was exposed by a hot mic. At the same time, Nia won’t let Alexa get away with spinning stories to make it seem as if Alexa was the victim all along. Who will win more than just the title in this Wrestlemania Rematch?
The bell rings, and Alexa dropkicks a leg out! She then hops on for a sleeper, but Nia slings her off. Nia swings but Alexa dodges to kick away at the leg. Alexa hops up again then rakes the eyes. Nia grabs Alexa’s hair, and blocks the slap, to make Alexa pay with a torturous wristlock. Nia headbutts Alexa, then flattens her in a corner before tossing her across the way, for another corner splash and toss. Alexa escapes outside of the ring but the champ waits for her. Alexa gets on the apron, but Nia is upon her, only to get her legs kicked out. Nia holds on to Alexa’s hair, so Alexa kicks her in the face. Alexa runs in to rock Nia with a right, then covers, ONE.
Alexa grows frustrated, and she goes after Nia with a choke on the ropes. She backs off at the count of 3, then stomps right on Nia with the skateboard stomps. Alexa taunts Nia while bumping the “bully” off the apron. She slaps Nia, then reenters the ring. Alexa gives knees, then runs, for another slap! “Bullies never win, Nia.” Alexa wants her DDT but Nia powers out! Alexa gets out of the fireman’s carry, then gets run over! Nia runs, but misses the rolling senton. Both women slowly stand, and Alexa goes after the legs before giving another right hand. Alexa bounces Nia’s face off the mat, then throws elbows and knees. She keeps Nia reeling, then runs, but Nia catches her!
Nia carries Alexa in the fireman’s carry and climbs up the corner. This is like Wrestlemania, but Alexa knows htat. Alexa uses the ropes to help her escape, but the referee reprimands her for the hanging sleeper. Alexa lets go, then leaps, but Nia powers her up. Nia gets caught in a guillotine, but then rams Alexa into buckles. Alexa holds on but Nia sits her back up top. Alexa and Nia scrap, then Nia throws Alexa to the mat! Nia stands over Alexa, but ALexa kicks her back. Nia brings Alexa up to clobber her, then powers her into the corner again. She throws ALexa down and around, then flattens her again before another toss. Nia drags Alexa aruond like a rag doll! Nia positions Alexa, then climbs up with fans firing up. She prepares the Vader Bomb, but Alexa dumps her down!
Nia crashes and burns while Alexa catches her breath in the ring. However, Champion’s Advantage means Alexa has to win this in the ring. Nia stirs and Alexa goes out to fetch her. Alexa takes the time to bring Nia to steps, for a DDT! Alexa has to drag Nia into the ring, but she’s nowhere near strong enough for that. She sits Nia up, but Alexa has to refresh the count before she runs out of time. She tries again, and gets Nia up a bit more. Nia crawls into the ring herself, Alexa covers, TWO. Alexa throws a tantrum, but goes after Nia with more forearms. She runs, but into Nia’s arms!
Nia hurries back up a corner, but Alexa slips out. Alexa tries the powerbomb, but Nia holds onto the ropes. Nia punches Alexa away, but Alexa kicks out a leg! Nia falls down, Alexa covers, TWO! Alexa is running out of ideas, but she’s still furious as ever. She runs and dropkicks Nia into buckles face first! Alexa then climbs up top, and jumps for Twisted Bliss, but Nia catches her! And Nia pops Alexa up, Samoan Drop! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia, by pinfall; still Raw Women’s Champion
Alexa was right, bullies don’t win. Nia overcomes Alexa again, and now has an in-ring interview with Renee Young.
Congratulations are in order. What does this mean to her? “It means everything.” Alexa’s Moment of Bliss is over, and Nia dedicates this victory to those who have always felt less than. This is for the victims of bullies! “You’re not alone.” Who wants to be ordinary? Be extraordinary! No one should change for anyone, “this IS me!” Be who you are, Be A Star, and in the end, “a bully always gets their ass kicked.” Fans agree with every word. Now that Nia has gotten past her bully, who will be the next woman to step up to the champion?
Backstage interview with Samoa Joe.
The Destroyer says Roman Reigns is more than “rattled.” Roman is losing his confidence, speed, power, but tonight, he loses to Joe. Joe wants Roman to feel pain. Joe wants Roman to close his eyes and see Joe’s face. Most importantly, Joe vows that tonight, The Big Dog turns into a whimpering puppy!
WWE United States Championship: Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!
The Viper was United States Champion, but won back the right to challenge whoever was champion for the title. Fortunately for him, the Superstar Shake-Up didn’t rob him of that right. Can the Charismatic Enigma hold on to the title he took from Jinder Mahal when faced with a Grand Slam Champion like Orton?
The bell rings and after ten years, these two finally match up again. Fans already rally as they circle and tie up. Hardy gets a headlock but Orton pulls hair to power out. Hardy runs Orton over with a shoulder but Orton springs right back up. They both back to a corner while checking those shoulders. Hardy gets a waistlock but Orton elbows out. Orton puts on a headlock, but Hardy powers out, only for Orton to run him over. Cover, TWO, but Orton grabs Hardy’s hair. They stand up, Hardy jawbreakers back. Hardy runs, and dropkicks Orton out, to then swing for a wrecking ball dropkick. Hardy keeps going, and takes Orton down with a flying clothesline. Fans cheer as Hardy brings Orton up and into the ring. Orton stands up and dropkicks Hardy back! Cover, TWO, and Orton brings Hardy up.
Hardy goes for but Orton denies the Twist with a shove. Hardy elbows Orton away, then climbs, but Orton shoves him onto the post. Orton catches his breath while Hardy is doubled over. Hardy falls backward into a Tree of Woe, and Orton stomps a mudhole into him. Orton grinds a boot into Hardy, then backs off. The referee helps Hardy out of the Tree, but Orton is right back on him with hands. Orton drags Hardy up again, then rocks him with a European Uppercut. Orton gives another and Hardy drops all the way out of the ring. The referee has Orton stay back, but Orton just slithers out the other side. Hardy flies out of nowhere, steel steps help for Poetry in Motion! Orton crashes against the barriers while Hardy crashes on the floor.
Hardy stands up first and gives back stomps and hammering hands. Hardy takes off his shirt, then drags Orton over to bounce him off steel steps. They go back in the ring, but Orton dropkicks Hardy mid-slingshot! Hardy drops down to the ground, then Orton exits the ring to fetch him. Orton bounces Hardy off the steel steps in return, then back suplexes him on the barriers. And then a second time! And a third! Orton is ruthless as he puts Hardy in the ring. Cover, TWO, but Orton keeps his focus. Orton stomps away on Hardy’s joins just as he does. He drags Hardy up, then hangs him up on the top rope. Orton covers again, TWO, but he still keeps his cool. He sits Hardy up for a chinlock, but fans rally for Hardy.
Hardy fights to get up but Orton keeps squeezing tighter. He brings Hardy into a body scissors for even more squeezing. Hardy endures and fans rally again. Hardy fights his way up but Orton keeps him grounded. Orton sits Hardy up for the chinlock, but Hardy gets a second wind with the fans’ chants. Hardy stands and fights, whips, and clobbers Orton with a clothesline. Atomic drop to leg-splitting leg drop! Dropkick added, cover, TWO. Orton and Hardy slowly stand up and get to opposite corners. Hardy runs in but Orton dodges. Hardy climbs up, for Whisper in the Wind!
Orton goes down, Hardy covers, TWO. Hardy isn’t done, he kicks and goes for the Twist, but Orton reverses! No RKO, but Orton hist the powerslam! Cover, TWO! The Viper is calm as he stalks Hardy to the apron. He drags Hardy up, then drags Hardy through the ropes, but Hardy slips out and kicks Orton away. Hardy hobbles over and swings, but misses the Hardiac! Orton tries again as he puts Hardy back on the apron. He drags Hardy back up and in through the ropes, and hits the draping DDT. Fans know where this is headed. Orton hears them and the voices in his head. Orton wants Hardy to stand, but Hardy rolls him up! TWO, Twist of Fate! Hardy hurries up top, SWANTON BOMB!
Hardy wins!
Winner: Hardy, by pinfall; still WWE United States Champion
The Enigma is #ImmunetoFear, and was able to avoid being bitten by the Viper. Now that Hardy has made it through one of the best in SmackDown and all of the WWE, who will he move on to next?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias.”
The Drifter has made it to New Jersey, and New Jersey is happy to see him. As always, he plays his guitar and asks, “Who Wants to Walk with Elias?!” Elias is good friends with Springsteen, they party and talk about music, life. He gives Springsteen advice, making Elias the real Boss. The only regret Bruce has is being from New Jersey. And Elias gets it, “this place is toilet!” Elias texted Springsteen to get him to watch this new song. So please, silence cell phones, hold applause–nope, they give some, so Elias threatens to NOT perform. Fans chant “Yes! Yes!” In that case, he’s going to leave. On second thought… No, he’s leaving. No, he’s staying. Leaving? Staying? “Yay! Boo!” No, Bruce needs to– Awwwwwww Newark~! Feel~ the powah of The New Day!
The New Day bring positivity, instruments, and of course, pancakes! Raw’s Elias is not happy being interrupted by SmackDown’s Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods. The New Day actually like Elias’ work. Elias thanks them, but he knows they’re a bit intimidated. They want autographs or what? No, not that. They want to know if he’d jam with yo boys, NEW~ DAY~. Yes, a one-time-only, co-branded Backlash Concert babyyyy~! They want to play with Elias? No, they want to WALK with Elias! Sorry but Elias is a solo act. That’s fine, they do love solos. They play their drum, trombone and cymbals. Elias has them cut the music. Kofi, stop! He can tell they have something, they might one day open for him. Just not tonight. Play somewhere else, and let’s start this over.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias.”
But wait, is that…?
Yes, it’s MC Artiste, Aiden English! And fans know what that means: “Rusev Day! Rusev Day!” English knows New Day should just stick to flapjacks while Elias’ guitar is great, but do you know what day it is today? Rusev Daaaaaaaay~!
Elias is growing further upset. “What the Hell are you two doing here?” Fans chant “Rusev Day! Rusev Day!” while Rusev and English head down the ramp. They’re doing whatever they want. Because there’s one man who celebrates his own holiday every day. It’s not Bootleg Bob Dylan nor the Booty Boys. Bootleg? Bob Dylan wishes he was a bootleg Elias. This isn’t abuot Rusev Day or New Day, this is about Elias’ night.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias.”
No Way Jose!
And he’s got Titus Worldwide with him! Elias is getting a migraine just looking at the conga line. Wait, the Fashion Police bring up the rear!
That migraine just got worse. Jose leads the line all the way around the ring and towards the announce desks. Elias demands the fiesta stop! Cut the music! No more dancing! Elias doesn’t want a collection of freaks. No more Rusev Day, no more New Day, and no more interruptions!
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias.”
GLORIOUS ROODE! GLORIOUS DDT!!
Bobby Roode drops the party-pooping Elias and everyone celebrates. Because now the party is GLORIOUS! Roode signals to Jose, and the Fighting Fiesta leads the way back out. Elias didn’t have his moment, but Roode does join in on the conga line twerking. Rusev has to keep English serious or else he’d be lost to the infectious fiesta. Did we mention it’s GLORIOUS?
Daniel Bryan VS Big Cass!
Both the Goat and the Human Skyscraper were medically cleared on the same day almost two months ago. However, the 7 Foot Tall powerhouse hated being overshadowed by the much smaller superstar. Can Bryan show Cass it isn’t about size but skill in the ring?
The bell rings and Cass glares at Bryan. Bryan glares back, and the fans are on Bryan’s side. This only upsets Cass more. He lunges at Bryan but Bryan evades and kicks the leg. Bryan evades again and kicks at that leg more. Cass walks it off then corners Bryan, but Bryan slips past and fires off body shots and kicks. Bryan goes after that leg, the leg that Cass injured, but Cass clubs Bryan off of him. Cass rocks Bryan with a right hand, but fans taunt Cass with “We Want Enzo!” Cass keeps on Bryan with body shots, then whips but Bryan dumps Cass out. Bryan runs and blasts Cass with a wrecking ball dropkick. Then from the apron, a flying knee! Cass staggers around from that impact, and Bryan climbs up top, for a missile dropkick. Bryan kips up and fires up, as does New Jersey.
Bryan goes after Cass with the YES Kicks! “YES! YES!” He winds up, but Cass powers up and choke slams Bryan! Fans boo and jeer while Cass embraces the heat. Cass walks around, hand in the air, while Bryan recovers. Cass chops Bryan with an overhand then clubs him on the back. He stands Bryan up again for another, and Bryan doubles over from that massive palm’s impact. Cass drags Bryan up once again, for a third overhand chop. Bryan doesn’t stay down, he hits back with a body shot. Cass clubs him again, then scoops him up for the slam. Cass runs, for a big elbow drop. Cover, TWO. Big Cass keeps his cool while driving in fists to Bryan’s head. He stands up again to pose, then lifts Bryan up for the over-the-shoulder backbreaker rack.
Bryan endures, and pries his way out of the hold. Cass runs in, but a drop toehold sends him face first into buckles. Bryan YES kicks away in the corner, then runs for the dropkick! He keeps going, for a second! But then runs into the flapjack toss! Cass stalks Bryan and clobbers him with a clothesline. Cover, TWO, and now Cass grows frustrated. Cass steps on Bryan, then drags him up. He reels Bryan in for another clothesline, but holds on to the wrist to bring him up again. Fans boo and jeer but Cass embraces it all as he clobbers Bryan again. Cass mocks the fans and their disdain, then clobbers Bryan with yet another clothesline.
Bryan flounders while Cass takes aim from across the way. Cass runs, but Bryan ducks to roundhouse Cass in the head! Bryan brings Cass down by his arm, and traps one arm. He wants the other, but Cass resists, so Bryan gives crossface punch after punch to beat the bigger man down. Then Bryan sinks in the YES Lock!
Cass taps, Bryan wins!
Winner: Bryan, by submission
Size didn’t matter, but skill and grit did. Bryan wins his first PPV 1v1 match since his return, and it’s like he never missed a day. Can Bryan bring the second coming of his #YESMovement? But Cass attacks Bryan while he celebrates!!
Cass is a sore loser as he knocks Bryan down off the top rope. He goes out and throws Bryan across the floor, then back the other way! The referee tries to stop Cass and the fans taunt Cass with “You Tapped Out!” Cass can’t handle the truth, but he does manhandle Bryan back into the ring. He takse aim at Bryan again, for the BIG BOOT!
Cass stands over Bryan, proud of what he’s done. Cass still lost the match, but will Bryan lose much more?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Carmella VS Charlotte Flair!
The FABULOUS Princess was the inaugural Ms. Money in the Bank, and held onto her contract longer than any of the Mr. MITB’s in history. But it was well worth it, as the IIconics would beat up The Queen 2v1, giving Carmella the perfect moment to cash-in. #MellaisMoney but will she stay champion now that Charlotte has her all to herself?
The bell rings and the two circle. Charlotte lets out a “WOO~!”, so Carmella copies and parodies it. Charlotte boots her down! Then shows Carmella how it’s done. Charlotte invites Carmella back into the ring, then backs off. Carmella stands up, and decides to take her title and quit? Champion’s Advantage, but Charlotte isn’t letting Carmella leave so easily. Carmella keeps saying she’s the champ, but now she’s prey! Charlotte runs her down and throws her down by her hair. Then she puts Carmella in the ring, covers, TWO. Carmella tries to escape again but Charlotte kicks her and rolls her with an inside cradle, TWO. Charlotte rolls Carmella up with the special bridge, ONE.
Carmella scrambles, but grabs the apron skirt as Charlotte drags her back in. The referee is busy with the skirt while Charlotte goes for the Figure Four. Carmella shoves her away, then stands up, only to get run over by a clothesline. Carmella rolls out of the ring, but Charlotte heads her way. Charlotte slingshots, but Carmella dodges and hits a FABULOUS Kick! She takes Charlotte down, then acts like that was the plan all along. She puts Charlotte back in the ring, covers, TWO. Carmella hammers away on Charlotte, then covers, TWO. Carmella drives in elbows then puts Charlotte in a chinlock, saying “I’m the champion!” She mocks the WOO then thrashes Charlotte around.
Charlotte endures, even with Carmella shouting in her ear. Carmella is willing to wait as long as it takes for Charlotte to quit. Charlotte reaches while fans build to a rally, and Charlotte gets her second wind. She throws Carmella off but another FABULOUS Kick! Cover, TWO, so it’s back to the chinlock. Carmella says she has all day to do this. Charlotte endures the squeeze again while fans “WOO~” in support. Charlotte powers up again, for a backpack stunner! Then a scoop, but Carmella slips back to bring Charlotte down by her hair. Carmella hammers away, then grinds Charlotte’s face into the mat.
Carmella pulls on Charlotte’s arms while pushing her face into the mat more. She wants Charlotte to give up, but Charlotte refuses. Charlotte sits up, but Carmella keeps pulling on the arms. Charlotte grows angry and she stands up to dropkick Carmella away. Both women slowly stand up, Charlotte hits Carmella with the backbreaker and STO. Charlotte chops and chops away on Carmella, the last chop dropping Carmella. Charlotte styles and profiles to hit a saido suplex! Carmella gets to the apron but Charlotte kips up to rock her with a knee, then a knee drop. Charlotte joins her on the apron, but Carmella deflects the boot to yank Charlotte down by her hair again. Carmella pushes Charlotte back into the ring to then drag her over to a corner. She uses the post to bend Charlotte back Bow ‘n’ Arrow style.
Carmella lets go at the count of 4, then clubs away on Charlotte. She reenters the ring and slaps Charlotte over and over while bringing up that she’s the champ. Carmella stomps Charlotte, then moonwalks back. However, Charlotte stands up and SPEARS Carmella down! Charlotte grins as she grabs the legs. She wants the Figure Four but Carmella shoves her away again. Charlotte holds on, jackknife cover, TWO, into the Code of Silence!
Carmella bends Charlotte back, but fans rally for Charlotte. Charlotte powers her way up and lifts Carmella, into piledriver position, but Carmella rolls through! TWO, boot from Charlotte! Cover, TWO! Charlotte can’t quite believe it, but she goes back for the Figure Four. Carmella shoves her away again, but Charlotte uses that to climb right up to the top. Carmella tries to trip her up, but Charlotte shoves her away now. Charlotte adjusts, MOONSAULT, but Carmella gets out of the way. Charlotte’s leg buckles, Carmella FABULOUS Kicks that leg out! Cover, Carmella wins!?
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall
The Princess of Staten Island wins by the skin of her teeth, but it’s still a win. Now that the Queen has no right to her throne, who will Carmella be challenged by next?
WWE Championship No Disqualification Match: AJ Styles VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Phenomenal One thought the King of Strong Style respected him. Styles thought Nakamura would accept defeat with class. Styles thought he knew Nakamura. But he thought wrong. And now, the Con Artist has become a tormentor for Styles in all of their encounters. With the rules thrown out the window, can Styles make Nakamura respect him again? Or will Nakamura just use this to his advantage and finally take that title for his own?
Things get chippy even before the proper introductions, and that only makes them both more eager to fight. The moment the bell rings, Nakamura slips out of the ring. The Rockstar is playing with Styles, but Styles isn’t going to let him. Styles chases Nakamura back into the ring, where he dares Styles to “C’MON!” Styles does but he fakes Nakamura out to throw him into a barrier. He puts Nakamura into more barriers, then even more barriers. Styles drags Nakamura up and throws him into the German announce desk! Styles doesn’t let up, he bumps Nakamura off the apron before shoving him back in the ring. He puts Nakamura in a corner, then throws more hands and even stomps.
Styles snapmares then kicks Nakamura again. He watches Nakamura writhe, then drags him back up. Styles snap suplexes Nakamura over, covers, ONE. Styles takes his time bringing Nakamura up to then whip him into a corner. Nakamura boots Styles back, then gives a back elbow. Nakamura runs but into a backbreaker. Styles stalks Nakamura, then brings him up, but Nakamura throat chops him! Nakamura digs fingers into Styles’ face, then gives knee shots before running. Things speed up, but Nakamura fakes out the dropkick, only to run into a different dropkick. Nakamura slips out of the ring again but Styles follows.
Styles puts Nakamura into more barriers, then into the barriers across the away. Styles runs in, for a big splash against those same barriers. Nakamura topples down, but Styles brings him up again. Styles gets plenty of space, but misses the second splash. Nakamura throws forearms on styles, then puts Styles into barriers now. Nakamura drags Styles over and throws him right into steel steps! Styles hits knees first and flips over the steps. Nakamura won’t give him time to recover, he pushes Styles into the ring, to then give him a knee lift against the apron. Nakamura isn’t done, he gets elevation for a knee drop guillotine! He puts Styles in, covers, TWO. Again, TWO. Nakamura keeps his cool, but fans are dueling.
Nakamura toys with Styles while he crawls to a corner. He drags Styles up for body shots, then gives him round houses and straight kicks to every part of Styles’ body. Nakamura puts him in another corner to grind a boot into Styles’ chin. He has no reason to back off, this is No DQs, so he gives Styles some BAD Vibrations. Nakamura snapmares and drops a knee, then covers, TWO. Again, TWO, and Nakamura grows further frustrated. He stalks Styles, but Styles chops back. Nakamura brushes it off, then drives in knees and a kick. Styles drops to the mat, but Nakamura just toys with him again. Styles stands but staggers, so Nakamura clubs and whips him.
Nakamura throws Styles with a back drop, then stands on him for a cover. ONE, but Nakamura keeps on Styles with knees to the ribs, shoulders and head. Nakamura drags Styles up with a facelock, but Styles endures. Fans rally for Styles but they let Styles and Nakamura know “We Want Tables.” Styles back drops Nakamura but Nakamura lands on his feet. Nakamura runs at Styles and hits the dynamic dropkick! Styles is sent out of the ring, and Nakamura goes out to fetch him. Nakamura throws Styles into the barriers, then stomps him more. Nakamura brings Styles up and throws him into the time keeper’s area, but Styles lands on his feet!
Styles rocks Nakamura back, then jumps up, only for Nakamura to sweep the legs! Styles crashes on the barriers, then Nakamura drags him up into the ring. Nakamura keeps going, dragging Styles up for a sleeper hold. Styles endures the squeeze, so Nakamura turns it into a dragon sleeper. Styles endures again and stands up, but Nakamura shifts for the inverted exploder. Nakamura throws Styles, but Styles lands on his feet to rock Nakamura with a right. Nakamura staggers back, Styles runs in but is put on the apron. Styles hits Nakamura away, springboards, but Nakamura catches him to put him on the top rope. Nakamura steps back to run in, for the Top Shelf knee!
Nakamura tosses Styles down, then fires himself up. He climbs up the corner, flying knee! Cover, TWO, but Nakamura isn’t done. He lifts Styles in the fireman’s carry, for Landslide! Cover TWO! Nakamura glares at Styles, he wants this over with. He keeps stomping Styles, even at the ropes and apron. Nakamura stomps and stomps and stomps, then leaves Styles limp on the edge. Nakamura starts looking for something to use, and confiscates a chair. He returns to the ring with it while Styles crawls to a corner.
Nakamura waits for Styles to stand, and takes a swing, but Styles ducks under to get Nakamura in a fireman’s carry! Nakamura slips down, but his strike fest is disrupted by Styles’ Phenomenal Blitz! Styles misses his backhand, Nakamura misses the roundhouse, but Nakamura hits the back heel kick! Styles wobbles, Nakamura brings the chair back, and uses the inverted exploder to throw Styles onto the chair!
Cover, TWO! And Nakamura is furious. He goes to the corner, and prepares his ace move. He runs, but Styles throws the chair at him!! Nakamura clutches his knee after hitting steel. Styles is BLOODY, as the chair ricocheted back onto his face. Styles doesn’t care, though, he goes back to Nakamura. Nakamura enziguris! Then runs, but into a Calf Crusher!
Styles pulls back as hard as he can on Nakamura’s banged up leg. Nakamura endures, Nakamura flails, but Nakamura can’t get near any ropes. Instead, Nakamura rolls it over, TWO, but into a Triangle Hold! Styles deadlifts Nakamura into Clash position but Nakamura scrambles towards ropes. Nakamura holds on, so Styles dumps him over, to then knock him off with a forearm. Styles takes aim, and springboards, but he knew Nakamura would slip back into the ring! He gives Nakamura a forearm to the back of the head! Then, Ushigoroshi!
Cover, TWO! Styles stands up while fans duel again. He drags Nakamura up, but Nakamura revives, only for Styles to evade and hit a PELE! Styles goes for the Clash, but Nakamura slips out and LOW BLOWS!
The move Nakamura has been using the most, and it’s legal. In which case, STYLES uses a Low Blow!
Fans applaud, because Styles is finally even with Nakamura in some respect. But both men are down, so the referee starts a 10 count. Nakamura and Styles slowly stir but the count is at 7. Nakamura grabs Styles but Styles pushes him away. They sluggishly brawl while standing. Styles rocks Nakamura, but Nakamura hits back. Styles hits again, but Nakamura comes back. Another from Styles, another from Nakamura, and they start speeding up. Styles gets the edge, then brings Nakamura up for one more elbow. Nakamura headbutts, then they BOTH low block kick each other! They both fall again, clutching their groins in pain. The 10 count returns and reaches 7. Then it hits 9… Double count out?!
Double Count Out; Styles retains
It’s a draw, which fans boo with good reason. But the result is, that neither Styles nor Nakamura stood up. Therefore, STILL the WWE Champion, AJ Styles!
This isn’t how anyone wanted the match to end, especially the two men in the ring. But since this is how the match ends, will the feud never end between Phenomenal One and King of Strong Style?
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn!
The #YEPMovement burned all the bridges on SmackDown, right to the point where Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan beat them in a Wrestlemania tag team match to fire them! However, Stephanie McMahon let her grudge with Kurt Angle trump her disdain for Kevin & Sami, so now they’re back. Though, they’ve also gotten on the wrong side of Angle, hence why they’re up against a Monster Among Men and Alpha Male. Can Sami & Kevin hope to survive such a dominant duo?
The bell rings and we start with the Underdog Sami and Bobby Lashley, the man who supposedly gave him vertigo. Sami is wary of Lashley, but Lashley powers him to a corner. Sami turns it around, then taunts Lashley as he honors the break. Lashley backs Sami up into another cover, so Sami uses the ropes as a defense. Sami grins as he circles with Lashley. Sami gets the waistlock and the headlock, but Lashley powers out. Lashley runs Sami over with a shoulder, then brings Sami to a facelock. Sami scrambles away, fearing the vertigo suplex. He tags out to Kevin, and now Kevin circles with Lashley. Lashley gets a waistlock slam, then whips Kevin corner to corner. Lashley tackles Kevin, then whips him again, but Kevin boots him. Kevin runs out, but into a neckbreaker.
Lashley brings Kevin up, but Kevin escapes to tag out to Sami. Sami runs in and things speed up, but Lashley lariats Sami down. Lashley whips Sami corner to corner now for a big corner clothesline. Lashley drives elbows into Sami and Sami staggers around. Another whip, but Sami bails out of the ring. Lashley waits for Sami to catch his breath, but then follows him out there. Sami kicks back, then whips, but Lashley reverses to send Sami into barriers. Lashley stalks Sami to the announce desks and bounces him off the lid. Lashley just leaps up and fights off Kevin, but Sami hotshots Lashley down. Sami tags Kevin and Kevin goes right after Lashley with the back senton. Kevin puts Lashley in the ring and stomps away, then tags Sami back in.
Sami rains right hands down on Lashley, taking that headband off. Sami drags Lashley up for more right hands, then wraps Lashley in a chinlock. Kevin coaches his best friend on while Sami taunts Strowman. Lashley endures the squeeze, and fights out with body shots. Sami keeps Lashley from reaching Strowman, but Lashley reels Sami into a complete shot. Both men are down but crawling for their corners. Sami tags in Kevin, and Kevin intercepts Lashley. Kevin drops a senton but onto Lashley’s knees. Strowman and the fans rally, hot tag! Strowman rallies on Kevin with clubbing clotheslines, then the corner crash! Sami thinks about returning, but reconsiders. Strowman doesn’t care, he chases Sami down, running Kevin over in the process!
Sami is still sent into barriers, and now fans fire up. Strowman runs Kevin over again! Strowman puts Kevin in the ring, but Kevins scrambles to a corner. Kevin dodges and Strowman runs into the post! Sami tags in, and aims at Strowman. Sami runs in, but Strowman catches him! Strowman scoops but Sami slips out and runs away again. Sami wants to retreat, but Kevin wants to stand and fight. Kevin convinces Sami to stay, or rather Sami tricks Kevin. Sami puts Kevin in the ring while he retreats, leaving Kevin to suffer the clubbing forearm!
Strowman roars, then brings Kevin up. Kevin bails out, and puts Sami in the ring. Sami drags Kevin up, Kevin shoves Sami so Sami slaps Kevin! Sami apologizes, but Kevin is angry. Kevin backs Sami down, and Sami realizes he’s surrounded. Sami manages to slip away while Kevin still yells at him, but Lashley tags in. Strowman squashes Kevin, then SPINEBUSTER from Lashley. Lashley lifts Kevin back up, for the vertigo suplex! He slam Kevin down, then covers, Lashley & Strowman win!
Winners: Lashley & Strowman, Lashley pinning
The best friends might be back on the rocks, but if Strowman and Lashley stay together, could they completely dominate the Raw Tag Team Division?
However, just because they won, doesn’t mean the domination is over. Sami finds himself running away from Strowman, only to be flanked by Lashley. Strowman brings Kevin back in, for the Monster Slam!
Fans roar with Strowman while Sami protests. But then Sami reconsiders when Strowman looks at him. Strowman still chases Sami down, and puts him in the ring. Sami begs for mercy, but instead, he receives his own Monster Slam!
The domination is over for tonight, but will the rest of Raw soon feel what Sami & Kevin just felt?
Roman Reigns VS Samoa Joe!
This grudge match goes back several months, as The Big Dog has always been a prime target for the Destroyer. Lately, all Joe has seen from Roman is failure, so he wants to put Roman out of his misery. With Roman on Raw and Joe on SmackDown, how will this potentially final showdown go?
From the moment Roman appears, Joe taunts and trash talks him. And the very second Roman gets in, the talk intensifies, until Joe just unleashes jabs and knees on the Big Dog! Joe won’t let up, he throws Roman out of the ring and then stalks him. Roman fires off with right hands, but Joe gets him with body shots. Joe throws Roman into barriers, then stalks him as he staggers over to announce desks. Roman swings on Joe, but Joe counters with a yurinagi into the tables!
The table explodes under the impact! And fans are thunderous for “Joe! Joe!” There’s no rest for Roman, Joe drags him up to throw him across the other announce desk. Then Joe hits the hat trick, throwing Roman over the third table. Joe backs off while the referee checks on Roman. But then seeing Roman getting up, Joe goes after him again. He puts Roman in the ring, but the referee has Joe stay back. Fans sing the familiar “Joe is gonna kill~ you~!” while Roman slowly stands up. Roman wants this match to happen no matter what, so the referee rings the bell. Joe goes at Roman again with jabs, then backs off at the referee’s count. Joe brings Roman up for more jabs, then snapmares him for a chop to the back of the neck and kick to the front. He drops a knee, then covers, TWO.
Joe won’t let up, he puts Roman’s arm in a keylock. Roman endures while fans duel on whether or not “Roman Sucks!” Roman stands up but Joe throws him back down. Joe stands over Roman, then sits him up for a neck wrench. Roman endures the twist, and Joe says, “This is the pain I was talking about.” Joe drives his elbows in then twists even harder. He shifts to a chinbar, but Roman resists. Joe kicks Roman’s arm, then goes back to the neck wrench. Roman endures again, but Joe tells him this will end if Roman just goes away. Roman refuses to quit, he pries Joe’s fingers off. He starts firing off shots, then whips, but Joe reverses to hit the back elbow and Pele! Cover, TWO.
Joe keeps his cool while glaring down at Roman. He lights Roman up with more jabs, then a knee, and back to the neck wrench. Joe traps an arm while pulling back on the chinlock. Roman works on the hold, then fights out with body shots. He rocks Joe to a corner, but Joe puts him on the apron. Joe gives Roman a hotshot, then builds speed to DIVE!
Joe wipes Roman out into the barriers, and the referee checks on Roman after that impact. Roman stirs, but Joe is upon him. They go back into the ring, cover for Joe, TWO. Joe keeps on Roman with elbows to the shoulders and neck, then goes back to the keylock. Joe grins, he can do this all night long. He brings Roman down to the mat, but Roman doesn’t give in. Roman endures a long time, then finally stands back up. Roman punches Joe off, but Joe punches back. They go back and forth with big forearm shots. Roman gets the edge, but Joe shoves him for a forearm on the rebound. Joe runs, Roman boots him down! Joe slumps out of the ring, so Roman decides to follow.
Roman is a bit slow, sore from everything Joe’s down. He comes around the corner, for the Drive-By Dropkick! Joe goes down again, but Roman drags him up and in. Roman rallies with lariats, then has Joe in a corner for the close-range clotheslines. He gives all ten, then runs, but into an atomic drop and boot from Joe. Joe adds the senton, covers, TWO. Now Joe grows a bit annoyed with Roman, and drags him back up. Roman fights off the yurinagi but Joe knees low, only for Roman to elbow him away. Roman runs into Joe’s boot, but gives Joe a spinebuster! TWO, and both men are exhausted.
They slowly stand, clearing out the cobwebs. Roman locks and loads, but Joe dodges! Joe gets the sleeper but Roman hotshots him on the top rope. Roman walks off to catch his breath, and sees Joe in position again. He runs, but the Drive-By is caught! Joe drags Roman into the ring but Roman slips out to roll Joe up, TWO. SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO. Roman and Joe stand up, and Roman lets out the howl. He runs in, to a kick! But he keeps going, SPEAR!
Cover, ROPEBREAK! Joe’s ring awareness saves him! And Roman is at a loss for what to do. Roman sits up, and so does Joe. Roman runs, builds speed, but runs into a boot. Joe wraps him in the sleeper! Roman paws and claws at the hold, Joe pulls him back, but Roman rolls through to a cover! TWO as Joe lets go of the hold. Joe runs in, but misses, then Roman shoves Joe. Roman rolls Joe, TWO, into the Coquina Clutch!
Joe has the body scissors added, and even traps an arm. Roman starts fading, the referee checks on him. Roman sparks to life and gets the ropebreak! Fans aren’t happy, they thought he was out already. Joe himself is angry, but then he gets an idea. He drags Roman up and over to a corner. He puts Roman on the top rope, then prepares the Muscle Buster! Roman fights back and punches him away, to then leap over and SPEAR! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman, by pinfall
Roman wins with resiliency that proved just a little more than Joe could destroy. When will there be another opportunity against The Beast and the Universal Championship?
My Thoughts:
Despite what the music video commercial says, this co-branded Backlash didn’t really have the best of both worlds. There was so much that was really good with this PPV, but then so much that wasn’t. The kickoff match was surprisingly good, Ruby is making a name for herself, even with the Squad helping. The Bayley-Sasha story also grows without even having matches against each other, which will make for a great blow-off at one of the bigger PPVs. Rollins-Miz truly burned it down, and it was just the opener. Nia-Alexa 2 had great story, and it shows Alexa has the great ability to adapt. Nia herself might be going up against The Squad now, as Bayley and Sasha are set aside in their own story.
Even Hardy-Orton was good, given Orton’s slow and cerebral style going against Hardy’s faster pace. I was a bit surprised Hardy retained, but at the same time, it wouldn’t benefit Orton much to get the belt back at this point. That Elias segment that just escalated in interruptions and silliness was actually really fun, in my opinion. It was like the most elaborate smokescreen for Roode to get his revenge on Elias while implying anything can happen with both shows together on one PPV. Bryan-Cass went as expected, Bryan winning but Cass being a bully and beating him down anyway. This is a good way to extend the feud a bit so we don’t get to Bryan-Miz too soon, but I’m not sure what else Bryan can do to Cass. He could win in a more intense match, but that isn’t something they can risk given Bryan’s past injuries.
And it was around here that the status quo looked to be more of a lock than Roman winning. No titles changed hand, not even in the match I was most certain it’d happen. Carmella retaining was a surprise, but not necessarily in the good way. The match didn’t seem much better than anything on the usual SmackDown. Money in the Bank is coming next, so maybe the plan is to have the second ever Ms. MITB to be the one to take it from her. The WWE Championship No DQ should have been full speed from the start. The second half was good, that chair spot was scary, but then to end on a draw wasn’t very fun. Strowman-Lashley VS Kevin-Sami was fun, though. Roman-Joe wasn’t. If Lesnar is boring for being too #SuplexCity, what makes Vince think #RestHoldCity would be any better?
My Score: 8.0/10
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Tonight: Jacy Jayne, Gigi Dolin, and a WEAPONIZED STEEL CAGE!
NXT returns from the Battleground, but another battle is about to begin! The Toxic War between Gigi and Jacy ends, inside a cage, the walls lined with weaponry! Who will be left standing as the Toxic Victor?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Weaponized Steel Cage: Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Gigi wins.
- Wes Lee & Tyler Bate VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine; Wes & Bate win.
- Joe Coffey VS “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo; Joe wins.
- Cora Jade VS Ivy Nile; Cora wins.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Noam Dar w/ Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Weaponized Steel Cage: Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!
What was once one of the most dominant duos in the NXT Women’s Division was torn apart by ambition and pride. Where one thought they were closer than sisters, the other only saw herself as the star and everyone else as a side character. This is going to end one way or another, but will it be the Toxic Avenger or the Toxic Traitor that comes out on top?
But wait! Jacy attacks Gigi during her entrance! And then RAMS her into the steel! And then into steel steps! Fans boo but Jacy takes Gigi’s jacket from her, throws it at her, then throws Gigi into the steel again! Jacy says it’s all about her, and she SMACKS Gigi off more steps, and Gigi’s head also hits the underside of the door! Jacy makes Gigi take a seat, to SLAM the door shut on her! And again! And again! Jacy howls but fans boo, and Jacy drags Gigi into the cage. Jacy then closes the door, the bell rings, and Jacy stalks Gigi. Jacy has a duffel bag, and she brings out a LEATHER STRAP! She LASHES Gigi!
Jacy LASHES Gigi more and more, then howls again. Gigi writhes, Jacy gets a chair, but Gigi gets a trash can lid! Gigi kicks Jacy low, SMACKS her on the back, and now Jacy writhes. Gigi runs, but Jacy drop toeholds her onto the chair! Jacy drags Gigi through the chair, runs, but Gigi avoids the ax kick! Gigi comes back with a ROUNDHOUSE! Jacy takes a seat, Gigi CROSSBODIES her down! Gigi drags Jacy up, RAMS her into the steel, then RAMS her into the other side! Gigi gets that strap for herself now, and she LASHES Jacy! And again! And again! And again! Then she just throws the strap at Jacy before getting a trash can lid.
Gigi brings the can around, puts it on Jacy, and then Kawada Kicks away on it! Jacy falls over, Gigi takes the can off her, and fans fire up. Gigi has Jacy against ropes, digs the can into her, and says this is what Jacy wanted! Gigi SLAPS Jacy, runs, and dropkicks the can into Jacy! Cover, TWO! Jacy is still in this, and Gigi snarls. Gigi looks for something else to use as fans rally behind her. Gigi gets the strap and CHOKES Jacy with it! Gigi says Jacy ruined everything! They were like sisters! Gigi lets Jacy go, gets more trash cans, and she sets one down. Fans chant “We Want Tables!” but Gigi gets the bat! It has a rose on it!
Gigi JAMS Jacy with the baseball bat, then DIGS the thorn covered side into her! Gigi climbs up to CHOKE Jacy with the bat and again shouts that Jacy ruined everything! Gigi then takes aim, waits on Jacy to get up, but Jacy avoids the homer to SPINEBUSTER Gigi on the can! Fans are shocked while NXT goes picture in picture.
Jacy talks trash on Gigi, stalks her, and brings her up. Jacy RAMS Gigi into steel, then RAMS her into more steel! Jacy then grinds Gigi into the chain link like it’s a cheese grater! Jacy lets off to revel in the moment, then she steps back in through the ropes. Jacy talks trash on the fans and on Gigi, and then stalks her to ropes. Jacy KICKS Gigi in the face! Jacy gets a chair, wedges it in a corner, and then goes back for Gigi. Jacy brings Gigi up to whip, but Gigi stops herself! Gigi ELBOWS Jacy, runs and BOOTS her down! Gigi then gets another trash can, and she wedges that in another corner.
Gigi goes to Jacy, kicks her low, and whips, but Jacy reverses! Gigi blocks, Jacy kicks low, then blocks a kick to LARIAT Gigi down! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Gigi is still in this but Jacy rains down fists on her! Jacy eggs Gigi on, taunts fans, then gets a steel chain! Jacy wraps that around her first, gives it a kiss, and FULL METLA BODY SHOTS! And then another! And another! Gigi falls over while Jacy swings the chain. Jacy grinds as she sits Gigi up, and wraps the chain around Gigi’s face! Gigi can only endure as the chain digs into her nose and mouth! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally back up.
Gigi fights, powers up, and swings Jacy into the steel chair! Jacy goes down and fans fire up! Jacy staggers up, Gigi roars, and Gigi ROCKS Jacy, KICKS her and KNEES her! Ripcord and STO! Cover, TWO!! Gigi is frustrated but she pounds the mat. Fans rally up, Gigi gets another chair, and she puts that down at center. She gets that chair from the corner, and another chair, and another chair, and she piles them together. Gigi brings Jacy over, half nelsons, but Jacy fights! Jacy whips, spins Gigi, and then NECKBREAKER on the chair pile!! Both women writhe but Jacy covers, TWO!! Gigi survives and Jacy is beside herself!
Fans rally up, Jacy clears the chairs out of the way and she throws a forearm on Gigi. Gigi comes back with a haymaker! Jacy throws a forearm back! Gigi throws a forearm of her own! Fans rally, Jacy throws another forearm but Gigi fires a flurry! Gigi wrenches, hooks Jacy up, but Jacy dosidos her into the TRASH CAN! And then SUPERKICKS! Just like the night she betrayed Gigi! Jacy runs in, CANNONBALL into the trash can! Cover, TWO!!! Gigi survives again and Jacy is at a loss for words. But then Jacy just grins and rains down fists on Gigi! Fans chant “We Want Tables!” and Jacy drags the table out!
Fans actually chant, “Thank You, Jacy!” and she says shut up, she’s not doing it for them! Jacy sets the table up near a corner, and she goes back to Gigi. Jacy suplexes but Gigi blocks! Gigi throws body shots, turns things around, but Jacy blocks the suplex! Gigi CLUBS Jacy, KNEES her low, and then drags her up to whip. Jacy reverses and sends Gigi into the steel! Jacy then brings Gigi up, bumps her off buckles, and brings her up the corner! Fans fire up as Jacy dribbles Gigi off buckles and the steel! Jacy says this is all about HER, and she reaches the very top rope. But Gigi HEADBUTTS in return!
Jacy wobbles, Gigi SMACKS her off the steel again and again! Jacy stays on the top rope but Gigi clinches, CHOKE SLAM THROUGH THE TABLE!! High stack, Gigi wins!!
Winner: Gigi Dolin, by pinfall
The Toxic Avenger finally ends the Toxic War! Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” What is next for Gigi now that she’s gotten past her past?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and notes we’re just 48 hours removed from his win in a Triple Threat. He is now the longest reigning North American Champion, with TEN successful defenses. Has it sunk in yet? Now that she says it, yes! He is PUMPED! But he’s also sore. Comes with the territory. Back when he won the title at Halloween Havoc, he had no idea how this ride was gonna go. But through the multiple multi-mans, the open challenges and the unforeseen odds- “Sunday’s victory proved nothing!” The Dyad storms in to say Joe Gacy wants to send a reminder.
Wes says okay, he’ll bust them all! But then Tyler Bate steps up to say that if they want to fight Wes, they fight him, too! The Dyad backs off, and Bate tells Wes that as he said on Sunday, that was all business. He still has Wes’s back, if he’ll have him. Wes says he appreciates that. They fist bump, but will Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed still try to send that “message” from The Schism?
Tony D’Angelo gets his mug shot.
He isn’t happy about it, either. But what will happen should The Don have to go to court?
Gallus talks backstage.
They’re of course happy to be NXT Tag Team Champions, but Wolfgang admits, The Creed Brothers are tough. But no one can stop Gallus! They never stop. The Creeds are done, so who steps up to their kingdom next? Well, Tony D and Stacks had next, but uh, Tony can’t do too much with his hands cuffed. “It wasn’t me, officer! I swear! I’m a nice guy!” Fogedaboutit! But Stacks storms in! He knew it was them! They ratted on Tony! Don’t get the wrong idea, Stacks, it wasn’t them. But what is he gonna do without his daddy? Better question: Ever heard that snitches get stitches?
Stacks fires off on Gallus, but he gets mugged 3v1! The refs rush in, but Gallus still throws Stacks into shelfs! The refs tell Gallus they are EJECTED from the building! Gallus is fine with that, they did the damage. But who is going to be next if The Family is busy with their own problems?
Carmelo Hayes is here!
Fans cheer as Trick Melo Gang heads to the ring, because the NXT Champion is still HIM! Trick gets the mic to get to business. They went to Melo’s hometown, Melo went to Battleground, and he left still champion. Fans cheer that, and Melo says he did that. Now listen, Battleground was exactly that: a battle. So he will paint a picture: Melochussetts was going crazy! Bron VS THOUSANDS! Big Spear, Melo still alive. Nothing But Net, #AndStill! And one thing everyone needs to realize, sometimes you gotta take shots to make shots. When it comes to this NXT Championship, Melo don’t ever miss!
Trick says Melo don’t lie, either! Battleground is another brick in the foundation of the HIM Dynasty. But wait, NOAM DAR is here? Dar and his squad walk out, and Dar tells Melo, “Well done! Congratulations! You managed to escape your hometown still champion. And Melo, you weren’t the only one to retain their championship.” Fans boo as Dar says HE defended HIS NXT Heritage Cup, “the most coveted prize in NXT.” But Melo only just managed to beat Bron. Dar beat Dragon Lee not once, but twice. Thank you.
Trick tells “Mr. Supernova” that we don’t have time to talk about how it took four of them to cheat Dragon Lee. Fans cheer that! But there is time to talk about Dar coming out to interrupt Trick Melo Gang. Interrupting Trick Melo Gang is a super no-no. Melo says he saw that match, Dar really is like that. But there’s levels to this. That trophy puts Dar on a high level, but this NXT Championship puts Melo on the HIGHEST level. Dar may’ve “beat” Dragon twice, but Melo bets he couldn’t even beat Melo once. And that’s all it is, and that’s all it- NO NO NO NONONO! SHH! The adults are talking, Trick.
Fans boo as Dar tells Melo that that almost sounded like a challenge. Is Melo challenging Dar, even though that’d be the biggest mistake of his life? If Melo is building a dynasty, then step up! Put the NXT Championship on the line TONIGHT! Trick says whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Dar is trying to take advantage of Melo while he’s tired. DUH! Well done, Captain Obvious. But hey, straight up, what does Melo say? Oh, wait, Lash was right! Melo is just counting the minutes, making it easy, because he doesn’t have what it takes to compete at the highest level night in and night out, like Dar.
But actually, it must be hard to miss when he has… What’s Lash calling it? Low management! No, no, if Dar wants it, then he’s got it! TONIGHT! Fans fire up, but did the Supernova Squad just get the better of HIM?
Cora Jade talks with the other women in the locker room.
They all saw her match with Lyra in the tournament, right? Lyra headbutted her right in the eye! Cora was basically blind half the match! And if she could’ve seen, SHE would have gone to Battleground, and SHE would be NXT Women’s Champion. Literally everyone else goes, “Um…” Cora says fine, but the only one to be celebrated is HER! Her accomplishments, her star power. But nooo~, we all let Cora get screwed over. She deserves to be champion! But in walks Ivy Nile. We’ve all had it with the whining. Injuries are part of the game, so suck it up and get over it. Everyone would’ve loved to have been in that tournament, too.
Cora tells Ivy not to give her attitude just cuz her guys couldn’t get the job done and Ava whipped her ass. Ivy says at least they were all in that fight. Where was Cora on Sunday? Just sitting here bitching about it. Cora says she’s not scared of Ivy, but does anyone believe that?
Axiom watches footage on his phone.
Reggie walks over and says, “What’s up, Ax? Tell me you’re watching Battleground.” Axiom says yes, but then sees who he’s talking to. Axiom stands right up but Reggie tells him to chill, he means you no harm. Then what does he want? See, “Reggie!” Everyone always calls him that, and that is his given name, but growing up, a lot of people called him “Scrypts.” Who? His family? And why “Scrypts?” Definitely not his family. And he won’t get into it right now, that’s a story for another day. Then what does Scrypts want? He appreciates what Axiom did for him. Wait, what? When he took the mask off! It opened Scrypts’ eyes!
It was like Scrypts was living in a cave, watching shadows on the wall. But now, he is living in the sunlight, seeing what is meant to be seen. And Dabba-Kato trying to take Axiom out after their match last week, Scrypts couldn’t stand by. He jumped into action to help Axiom since Axiom helped him. And Scrypts just wants to thank him. Scrypts/Reggie leaves, and Axiom says, “Any time.” Is Scrypts going to go from a would-be archenemy to a new ally?
Wes Lee & Tyler Bate VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine!
The Cardiac Kid & Big Strong Boi are standing together again against Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed. The Schism isn’t done with Wes, but will their tree get chopped down?
NXT returns as Bate makes his entrance, followed by Wes. The teams sort out and Reed starts with Bate. They circle, tie up, and Reed wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Bate rolls, rolls back, then uses a leg to get free and knuckle lock. Bate whips and WRINGS Reed out, then wrenches the arm again. Reed pulls hair to put Bate in the corner and Rip tags in to ROCK Bate! Rip ROCKS Bate again, puts him in a corner, but Bate boots then KNEES back! Bate goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up and Bate wrenches Rip to tag in Wes. Wes slingshots to sunset flip! TWO! Rip gets Wes in the face with that kickout, then he ROCKS Wes!
Rip scoops, Wes slips off but Rip bucks the O’Conner. Things speed up, Wes slides and headscissors! Wes runs in, tilt-o-whirl CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Wes facelocks Rip, tags Bate, and Bate goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Bate wrenches the arm, tags Wes back in, but Rip shoves Bate into Wes! Rip CLUBS Bate, tags Reed, and the Dyad brings Bate up to whip to the corner. Reed runs in but into a BOOT! Bate goes up and over Rip, under Reed, and baits them in for Wes’s FLYING ARM-DRAG HEADSCISSOR COMBO! Fans fire up as Wes & Bate DOUBLE DROPKICK The Dyad out!
Fans fire up as The Dyad get back in and the four stare down. But then Wes & Bate see MUSTAFA ALI in the perch!? The Beacon is here, but why!? Ali heads down to ringside while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Jagger grinds Bate down with a chinlock. Fans rally up, Bate fights up, and we see Ali is on commentary now. Bate powers the hold open but Reed KNEES him in the back and tags Rip. They double suplex and hold Bate up but Bate throws knees! Bate knees and knees and DOUBLE KNEES, to then get free! Bate DOUBLE RANAS The Dyad! Fans fire up, Bate dodges Reed but Rip ROCKS him! The Dyad set Bate up but Bate BOOTS Reed away! He ends up in the corner with Rip, Wes tags in to rally on The Dyad! SUPERKICK for Reed, ELBOW for Rip, BOOT for Reed, and a flurry of fists for Rip!
Wes snapmares and DROPKICKS Rip and fans fire up! Reed storms up but Wes elbows him away. Victory roll and jump, DDT for Rip! Reed runs in but Wes ducks the enziguri to wrench and fire off fast strikes! DOUBLE STOMP on Reed’s back! Rip runs in but is sent into the corner! ENZIGURI, then snapmare! Wes flips but Rip dodges! THROAT CHOP! Fans boo but Ava cheers, and Reed tags in. Reed and Rip aim, but Bate gets up, Rip DECKS Bate, but Wes fires off haymakers and CHOPS on The Dyad. The Dyad kicks back, double whips, but Wes ducks ‘n handsprings to DOUBLE PELE!! Tag to Bate!
Bate and Wes each have a corner, they each aim at a Dyad, for DOUBLE TORNILLO!! Wes then FLIES to take out Rip! Bate gets Reed for the TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, Bate & Wes win!
Winners: Wes Lee & Tyler Bate, by pinfall
That was definitely a big strong victory, and then Ivy gets at Ava!! The Creed Brothers rush out, but The Dyad goes after them! It is a chaotic brawl, more refs rush out to stop this, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” And then Gacy gets in to CLOBBER Wes and Bate! Gacy stomps away on Wes, but Ali jumps in! Ali DECKS Gacy! Fans fire up as Ali DECKS Gacy again! Ali TOSSES Gacy out hard, and he throws off his jacket! The Beacon stands with Bate and Wes, will they join forces to chop down The Schism’s tree?
Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey lead another Chase U class.
The Philly Stretcher says, “The name of the game is leverage.” Collar ‘n’ elbow, let’s go. Then you get the headlock. Thea Hail watches closely but Duke Hudson tells her that while he’s all for pushing yourself, but Gulak was the one who made her cry. She doesn’t have to take this class, he can give her a pass. No, she has to do this for herself. She never wants to feel that way again! They think she’s weak, but she’s not! She wants to prove it! She wants to get in there! Let her go! LET HER GO!! Thea, let HIM go! Yeesh. But okay, give ’em hell. Okay okay okay! She jumps in, Gulak tells the one guy, “Submission wrestling is the backbone of success. Good job.”
Dempsey taps Gulak’s shoulder and says, “Speaking of success. Look who decided to join.” Well, so nice of Thea to join in. But no crying this time or running away, okay? Loud and clear, sir. She can do this. Alright. Everyone done. She circles with Dempsey, what will her grade be in this test?
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring.
The Center of the Universe is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion, and given all the pictures of herself in the ring, this “Tiffybration” is only about herself. Tiffany gets the mic to say, “Raise your hands if you’re not surprised that Tiffany Stratton is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion~!” She knows she isn’t. This Sunday, she claimed her rightful spot at the “Tiffy top” of NXT. Fans do cheer, and Tiffany says this title has been held by future hall of famers: Charlotte Flair, Asuka, Bayley, Rhea Ripley, the list goes on and on. And tonight, she shows everyone what it means to be a true champion.
Fans cheer that, and Tiffany says “Honestly, when I think of what a champion is, it is me! Nobody in that locker room can do what I can do. And when I look in the mirror, I think to myself, I am the epitome of what a true WWE Superstar is! So to continue on in my Tiffybration, I would like to invite up the entire NXT Women’s locker room so they can all recognize me as their Women’s Champion. Ladies?” No one comes out. Fine, no one wants to know who her first opponent is gonna be. Do the fans do? “YES!” “Aww, you guys actually think I care what you think.” Tiffany asks the locker room to come out, and finally they all walk out.
Tiffany says she knows they’re all starstruck, and that they all have the same question: “What is next for Tiffany Stratton? Who will I give my first title defense to? And to be honest, as everyone is out here, I can’t help but think to myself that I’m gonna be champion for a long, long time. I mean, I might as well retire as champion. Nobody can sit with me. Not you, not you, and I don’t even know why you’re out here,” Thea. Oh, and it is DEFINITELY not Lyra. Sorry not sorry. This is getting so awkward, she invited them all out here. Hah, JK! Luckily for them, on her way home, she had a Tiffany Epiphany!
She thought to herself, she should give them all an opportunity at the #TiffyTitle! So next week, there will be a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal to determine her challenger. Good for you all. “But TBH, it doesn’t matter who’s gonna win, because I’m gonna beat all of you to it. I am gonna beat all of you to it, because as far as I know, and for as long as I want, it is Tiffy Time.” Tiffany raises the belt, and confetti and balloons fall. But then Thea gets in to SLAP Tiffany! Fans fire up, and then both Roxie and Fallon get in! They pinball Tiffany with forearm shots! And SOBATS! Lyra gets in, too, but Tiffany scurries away!
But Lyra WRECKS her with a dropkick! Tiffany is furious but she’s the one who just turned the entire roster against her. Who will have their moment and get their shot at the Center of the Universe?
Trick Williams is on the phone backstage.
He says it is going down, but Melo will be alright. They’ll pull up afterward. Just keep the bottles on ice and the jacuzzi hot. Lash, Jakara & Oro walk over. Lash says they call him Trick Willy. Well, you heard that right. Then your boy is about to get whooped by Dar. A shame, though, cuz they kinda cute. Kinda? Hey, now! They may disagree on the match, but in the looks department, Trick Melo don’t miss. And y’all can leave, button your lips, move your hips, he’ll holler. Oro wants Trick to understand what the ladies are saying: Melo should’ve taken the night off.
Trick recognizes Oro. He saw that match, Oro was in Dar’s corner, this must’ve all be his plan. Oro’s a real shyster, y’know that? And Miss Jackson the Distraction, and Lash is a distraction herself. Bet they’d like to hit Trick with a bucket. Trick would like that, huh? Trick says he’s watching all y’all! Don’t try him! Will Trick Melo Gang be ready for everything the Supernova Squad is bringing?
Dani Palmer is in the ring.
“I cannot leave, I cannot leave this ring, until I find out who this attacker is! Whoever’s been wreaking havoc in this division said that they’d reveal themselves TONIGHT! You attacked me, and you attacked my best friend, Sol, and now she’s out for a year! I’m done waiting. I’m not going anywhere until you show your face!!” The attacker is on the tron, watching the footage of her handiwork. Nikkita Lyons, Wendy Choo, Sol Ruca, Dani Palmer, Roxanne Perez. Dani gets anxious, but the person is RIGHT BEHIND HER!! She attacks Danni, drags her up, and suplexes for a FALCON ARROW!!
IT’S BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Top Gaijin is back, and she gives Dani a KAMI-GOYE!! Targets of the Heir, beware! Who will be next on the list for Blair?
NXT shares footage from after the show last week.
Eddy Thorpe returned backstage and encountered Malik Blade & Edris Enofe. They congratulated him on the great effort against Tyler Bate. It’s tough, but so are you. And if Bate were to win the title, he could be looking at Eddy as next. Eddy says that’s nice of them to say, but he wishes he had that one back. Nah, they all feel down after a loss. You learn more after a loss than you do a win. But Damon Kemp gives a sarcastic clap. Kemp was watching, and he has to admit, he was impressed. But Eddy can’t win without cheating, huh? Eddy rushes Kemp but Kemp gets away, will the Alpha Wolf get back at the Golden Gopher in their rematch?
Joe Coffey VS “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo!
Gallus was poking fun at The Don, and the Underboss wasn’t going to stand for it! Mark Coffey & Wolfgang were sent home, but will the Iron King still be on top? Or will Stacks make Joe fogedaboutit?
The bell rings and Stacks SHOTGUNS Joe! Stacks stomps Joe in the corner, the ref counts and Stacks lets off. Joe gets up to CLUB Stacks in the back, and throw body shot after body shot! Stacks still tackles Joe and rains down forearms! Stacks headlocks, but Joe fights up, only for Stacks to KNEE Joe again, and again, and again! FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Stacks clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Joe, but Joe fights up. Stacks hits a headlock takeover, Joe keeps his shoulder up but Stacks pushes the arm down, TWO! Stacks throws hands, Joe is down again, TWO! Joe rolls Stacks to a cover, TWO!
Stacks still has the headlock, but Joe fights up. Joe powers out and hip tosses Stacks hard! Stacks staggers up to ropes, but Joe runs in to fire haymakers. Fans rally and Joe whips Stacks corner to corner hard! Stacks bounces off buckles, Joe drops knees on his back! And then an elbow on the ribs! Cover, TWO! Stacks is hanging tough but Joe drags him up. Stacks throws body shots but Joe knees low. Joe ROCKS Stacks, RAMS him, then HIP TOSSES! Stacks flounders to ropes but Joe digs his laces into Stacks’ face. Stacks throws body shots, ROCKS him, and wrenches an arm to HIP DROP it! Cover, TWO!
Stacks keeps cool, he brings Joe up but Joe scoops to SLAM! Stacks writhes, Joe shakes out the arms and checks his ears. Joe runs in but Stacks put shim on the apron! Stacks DROPKICKS Joe off the apron! Fans fire up and Stacks eggs Joe on. Joe tells Stacks that HE’s the rat, but Stacks goes out to ROCK him! Stacks has Joe on the defense as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Joe has Stacks in body scissors. Stacks powers back to a cover, TWO and Joe keeps on the squeeze. Fans rally as Stacks endures, and Stacks pries at the hold. Stacks pushes back again, ONE, and now Stacks is free! Stacks gets the legs but Joe kicks him away! Joe and Stacks stagger up, Stacks rushes in but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Joe drags Stacks up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Joe drags Stacks up but Stacks throws hands! Stacks ROCKS Joe, brings him in, DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Stacks rises, Joe crawls, and Stacks runs in to rally with haymakers!
Fans fire up as Stacks dodges Joe to UPPERCUT him down! Joe staggers around, Stacks runs in at the corner to UPPERCUT again! Joe staggers out of the corner, Stacks gets him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The Iron King is hanging tough but Stacks tells him vaffanapoli! Stacks goes up the corner, but Joe UPPERCUTS him first! Joe climbs up, clinches, SUPER OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Stacks survives and fans fire up! Joe is furious and he drags Stacks up. Joe whips, Stacks reverses, but Joe goes up and around, but into a back drop! Fans fire up, Stacks runs in and clotheslines Joe and himself out of the ring!
Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. A ring count starts, both men stand at 3 of 10. Stacks runs in to UPPERCUT Joe against the apron! We’re at 7, Stacks runs in, but is sent into the steps!! Joe drags Stacks up and in, aims from the corner, GLASGOW SENDOFF!! Joe keeps moving, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Joe wins!
Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall
Stacks fought hard to protect Tony D’s honor, but The Iron King still crushes him. Will NXT still be Gallus’ kingdom?
NXT shares more footage from after last week’s show.
Robert Stone asked Von Wagner, “What the hell was that, man?!” What the hell was what? Luca deserved everything he got out there! That’s not what Stone meant. Von got disqualified! He wants to get suspended? Fined? Have his free agency status revoked? That could happen if you keep acting like this! Von says Luca was running his mouth the last two weeks, on Von and on Stone. Von finally just shut it! Then don’t take what Stone’s about to say the wrong way. But whatever went on in Von’s past, he has anger issues. If Von isn’t gonna listen to Stone, then it is time to talk to a therapist.
A therapist? What the hell is that gonna do? So that they can take Von’s hard earned money? No, look, Stone can pay for it. He’s just asking Von do this for him. Von thinks about it, pats Stone on the shoulder, and says he’ll still think about it. Is Vicious Von going to finally get past his past?
NXT shares footage of Ilja Dragunov.
It was before Battleground on Sunday that he called home and assured his son, Constantine, that he’ll make it home in one piece. He made sure Constantine know he loves him. “Is it the pain that keeps searching for me? Or am I the one who searches for pain? Or maybe, I am the pain. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Because tonight, the world shall know pain.” Dragunov put on his gear, brought back the red contact lenses, and prepared for the war that was ahead of him. Last Man Standing with Dijak was truly the definition of pain. And in the end, Dragunov stood tall. The Czar will return next week, what will he be searching for when he does?
Cora Jade VS Ivy Nile!
Selfish, arrogant, entitled. Sound familiar? The Generation of Jade may have a black eye, but as she sees it, she’s still the most important part of NXT. Will she prove herself right? Or will the Diamond Pitbull make her see she’s just a punk?
NXT returns as Ivy makes her entrance. She already got into a scrap with Ava Raine, maybe that was just a good warmup. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Cora claims Ivy touched her bad eye! But then she ELBOWS Ivy! Cora laughs at Ivy but Ivy grabs that finger! Cora kicks low, headlocks, but Ivy powers out. Things speed up and Ivy goes to hip toss but Cora turns it around. Ivy blocks that to CLOBBER Cora! Ivy grabs an arm, steps through, drags Cora down, cover, ONE! Ivy wrenches Cora to an ELBOW BREAKER, and then she YANKS the arm. And YANKS it again!
Ivy WRINGS Cora out again, then brings her up to a fireman’s carry. Cora fights free with elbows and throws Ivy down by her hair! The ref reprimands, Cora laughs at Ivy, then runs to ELBOW her against ropes! Cover, TWO! Cora kicks Ivy around, taunts her, then throws her down by her hair again. Cora gives more toying kicks, CLUBS Ivy, then brings her around to TOSS her out to the apron. Fans duel as Cora brings Ivy in to CLUB her! Ivy is in the ropes, Cora puts some stank on the CHOP! It gets Ivy in the face!! Cora runs to SHOTGUN Ivy down! Ivy flops down, Cora covers, they’re in the ropes so Cora has to pull Ivy away. Cover again, TWO!
Cora is upset but she throws Ivy down by her hair again. Cora clamps on a chinlock and she squeezes tight. Ivy endures, fans rally up, and Ivy arm-drags free! Cora comes back but into a roll-up, TWO! Cora swings, Ivy blocks to KICK! KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Cora staggers, Ivy whips her to a corner. Ivy runs in around the way, CALF KICK! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Ivy drags Cora back up to fisherman, but Cora cradle counters! TWO!! Ivy escapes but Cora kicks low. Cora wrenches the hair to throw Ivy back down! Fans rally, Cora runs, IMPLODER- NO, Ivy dodges the stomps and Cora jams a knee!
Ivy gut wrench SLAMS Cora! But here comes AVA! Ava grabs Ivy while the ref checks Cora! But Ivy gets the DIAMOND DRAGON on her! But Cora SHINING WIZARDS from behind! Cora gets Ivy up, FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall
Ivy is feeling rather #Jaded after that, but that’s more because Ava came back for more. Will the Generation of Jade look to go after the gold during #TiffyTime?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.
Hank is sorry but how is the shoulder? Better every day. How’s Hank’s wrist? Better every day. But in all seriousness, they crushed it. Tank says Hank deserved that win, though. And at the end of the day, it worked! They’re tighter than ever! There’s this energy going back and forth! That connection! That’s what Hank was gonna say. Whoa, there’s the connection! Okay, let’s test it. First word that comes to mind, no thinking. Favorite food? On three- Wait, wait, “One two, go,” or “one two three, then go?” After three. Okay, okay. Favorite food. One, two, three, CHICKEN PARM! GASP!
Favorite animal? One, two, three, HONEY BADGER! Whoa… Favorite sauce on your wings. One, two, three, BUFFALO!! YES!! Edris & Malik walk over and say if they’re talking sauces, ya boi could eat. Bro, they just did eat! All they’re talking about is, ever since Tank ‘n’ Hank beat the tar outta each other, they’re like this! Fingers crossed. Tight. Oh, okay, after one match. It takes a bit longer than that, y’know that right? Oh, really? Watch this. Best movie of all time. One, two, three, JAWS! Okay, okay, they can do that. Edris & Malik go with “favorite day to work out.” One, two, three, MONURDAY. Monday VS Saturday.
No, try this. Pizza topping. One, two, three, PINEAMI! WHAT? Pepperoni VS Pineapple! Hank ‘n’ Tank let them argue this out, but Edris says they’re not gonna fight. But Malik says that could help them! Will each of these tag teams figure out their synchronicity over the Summer?
Backstage interview with Diamond Mine.
McKenzie finds Ivy & The Creeds, and she says there was just another altercation between Ivy and Ava. Ivy says yeah, and she’s sick of this crap! Ava, if you wanna be part of the game, step up! And for that matter, the Creeds tell The Dyad they can get it, too! Four roots, one stupid tree! But speaking of, Ava & The Dyad storm over! Refs rush in already as everyone is shouting, will the Diamond Mine look to crush The Schism once and for all?
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Noam Dar w/ Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
Two champions triumphant at Battleground now collide to see who is truly at the very top. Will the Melobration continue into the Summer? Or will Supernova 11 have double swagger when he has double the championships?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Dar can beat HIM!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dar wrenches and wristlocks but Melo rolls, wrenches and wrangles Dar down. Fans rally, Dar rolls and stands to clinch and put Melo on the ropes. The ref counts, Dar swings but Melo dodges to CHOP! Melo headlocks, he grinds Dar down, but Dar fights up. Dar brings Melo down to a knee, pops out the back, and he wrenches to a wristlock. Dar shouts he’s the champ, then SLAPS the hand! Melo kips up, wrenches back, and arm-drags to an armlock! Fans chant “LOCK IT IN~!” as Trick makes the motion. Dar powers up and out to headlock, but Melo powers out of that.
The two RAM shoulders, neither falls, so Dar kicks a leg then KICKS Melo down! Dar talks more trash but fans boo. Melo swings, Dar gets around but Melo ELBOWS him away! Melo runs and springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up but Dar bails out to regroup with his group and NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo dares Dar to get back in but Oro, Lash & Jakara all coach Dar. Dar gets up, catches his breath, tells Melo to be patient, and takes his time returning. Dar slithers in, circles with Melo again and they tie up. Melo arm-drags Dar to a corner and then storms up. Melo CHOPS Dar, Dar staggers but Melo bumps him off buckles. Melo follows Dar to another corner, and CHOPS him down! Dar goes to the apron, Melo drags him up and SLINGSHOT SUPLEXES Dar in! Melo does crunches in the ropes while Dar writhes. Melo then goes to Dar to snap suplex low and hard! Cover, TWO! Dar’s team cheers him but Melo drags him up.
Dar wrenches to sweep the leg! Melo clutches a knee and Dar rains down fists! Dar grabs the arm to stomp it! Dar taunts Trick, follows Melo to a corner and fires off hands. Dar RAMS into Melo, the ref counts, and Dar wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Dar snapmares Melo, gets the legs and ties them up, but Melo boots him away! Melo arm-drags to another armlock. Melo digs his knee into Dar’s face and Dar endures. NXT returns to single picture as fans chant “LOCK IT IN~!” Dar fights up, tries to arm-drag but Melo smothers it. Dar ROCKS Melo, whips him, but Melo reverses. Melo runs in to ROCK Dar!
Melo whips corner to corner, runs in, blocks boots and puts Dar in the ropes to ENZIGURI! FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this but Melo brings him up. The corner teams argue, Dar elbows Melo! Melo whips, Dar reverses, they dosido and Melo goes out to the apron. Dar swings but Melo blocks. Dar ducks to sweep the legs again! Dar runs to SHOTGUN Melo off the apron! Fans fire up, Dar goes out and taunts Trick while he puts Melo in. Cover, TWO! Dar aims from a corner, Melo sits up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Melo is still in this but Dar’s team coaches him again.
Dar drags Melo up, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Dar grows frustrated but he drags Melo back up. Melo throws body shots, ROCKS him, ROCKS him again, but Dar ducks to step and SUPER FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives but Dar argues with Trick. Dar brings Melo up, throws knees, but Melo rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dar UPPERCUTS! Melo rebounds to tilt-o-whirl, FACEBUSTER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Dar and Melo slowly rise, and Dar swings. Melo counter punches! Dar KICKS a leg, Melo CHOPS! Melo CLOBBERS Dar, and CLOBBERS him again!
Melo spins Dar, KNEE SMASH and a LARIAT! And a SUPERKICK! Dar staggers around, Melo runs to BOOT him down! Melo brings Dar up, whips, but Dar reverses to wrench. Melo ducks the kick, pump handle and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives but Melo fires up. But Lash AND Jakara bark at him in the corner! Trick tells the ladies to stop that, but they get in Trick’s face now. But then Oro runs up, so Trick DECKS him!! Fans fire up but the ref tells Trick he’s EJECTED! Fans boo, he didn’t even start nothing! Trick still accepts the decision, though Team Dar rubs it in his face.
Dar sneaks up but Melo rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dar boot fents to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR!! Melo powers up to stand and he rains down fists! Melo is free, and he grabs the arm! CROSSFACE!! Dar crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Melo lets off fast to drag Dar back. Dar kicks the leg out, then stands. Melo ROCKS Dar, but Dar ROCKS Melo! Melo ROCKS Dar again, Dar ROCKS Melo again! Melo gets the edge but Dar kicks the leg! Melo blocks a kick but Dar ELBOW JABS! Dar spins, Melo ducks the heel kick but the BACKHAND connects!
Dar reels Melo into the facelock, but Melo SUPLEX CUTTERS! Dar flops over, Melo goes to the corner! Fans fire up as Melo climbs, but Lash distracts! Oro trips Melo! Fans boo as Team Dar keeps at it, but here come NATHAN FRAZER & DRAGON LEE! They got screwed by Team Dar so they go after Oro! Fans fire up but Dar tells them to back off! But Melo goes up, SUPER CROSSBODY on Dar and Oro! Fans are thunderous as Melo puts Dar in! Melo goes up, aims, NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
An assist off the bench from Frazer & Dragon, Melo dunks on Dar! Put that on a poster, but who will- WAIT! BARON CORBIN?!? Corbin is back in NXT and he CLOBBERS Melo on the ramp! Corbin puts Melo in the ring, rains down fists, and fans boo as hard as they’ve ever booed before! But Corbin hits Melo with END OF DAYS!! Will the Lone Wolf look to bring an end to the HIM Dynasty?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of NXT, especially for an aftermath episode. They didn’t have quite the “Aftermath Syndrome” Raw was falling into, they were able to take things from Battleground and build upon them, not just recap them. I really liked that Dragunov vignette for the Last Man Standing match, and I look forward to what he’ll have to say next week. And while I was wondering what was next for everyone else, we got that for pretty much all the titles.
Wes Lee & Tyler Bate have a very good match with The Dyad, and of course there’s story overlapping with Schism and Diamond Mine, but I love that Mustafa Ali is part of the next “callback” (a main roster star coming back to NXT for a minute). Wes VS Ali would be amazing, but feels like something they’re gonna put on free TV. And Gacy clearly wants another shot, maybe he and Wes have a 1v1 feud going towards Great American Bash in late July. Wes has hit the record for defenses and apparently days as champion, so maybe he’s soon to drop the title so he can eventually move up. And I would hope we’re getting another Mixed Tag blowoff involving Dyad & Ava, but this time against Diamond Mine.
Also in connection to the Diamond Mine story, Ava attacking Ivy gives Cora a good rebound win after losing in the tournament. Cora is definitely nailing her Heel persona, but she’s gonna have to wait until a Face is champion again. Tiffany’s celebration being ruined was of course going to happen, and the contender battle royal will be really good. But after Gigi won that awesome cage match, I’m thinking she’s a frontrunner for challenging Tiffany. And while Dani Palmer called out the attacker and then got attacked, I feel like it should be Roxanne Perez or maybe a returning Nikkita Lyons should have the real feud with Blair Davenport. Nikkita would count as Blair’s first victim, it’d make make the most sense for her to want revenge.
Good promo from Gallus, Mark Coffey does an excellent Italian American/New Yorker impersonation. Stacks of course points the finger at Gallus, it’s kinda who I thought it was. But that would be too easy, so it’s not them. Stacks VS Joe Coffey was great stuff, Stacks is really coming into his own, but I figured Joe was winning that. Joe Coffey himself should really get in on like the North American Championship story, he hasn’t held anything in his WWE career, so he’s gotta get something. And since he has Gallus, Wes’s loss could be protected cuz Gallus helps Joe cheat and win the belt. Though that feels like how they might play Gacy getting the belt, if he gets the belt.
Good promo from Axiom and Reggie/Scrypts, and obviously last week established Reggie wants to be Axiom’s friend now. Him insisting he’s still Scrypts is an interesting choice, though. Good backstage promos that were “last week.” We’re of course getting Eddy VS Kemp round 2, and I liked Hank ‘n’ Tank having mind sync. Good stuff from Von and Stone, and I do like that Von’s story is starting to turn into a sort of PSA for normalizing therapy and taking care of mental health and emotional stability. But as I see it, either the therapy has no effect and Von stays a rage monster, or therapy makes Von too much of a pacifist and Stone tells him to unleash the righteous fury so he can win against bullies.
Great combining of stories with Dar stepping up to Melo here tonight. Great match, but I figured Melo was going to retain the title. I also figured Dar’s new little group was going to do everything they could to help him, and in turn we would see Dragon and Frazer turn things around on them. I would think Frazer gets next on Dar with Dragon as the cornerman now. And after Ali already made a splash, I did NOT think we were getting a second callback in the form of Corbin. Corbin and Ali do have a thing in common that they never held titles while in NXT, so maybe Corbin thinks he can tear down Melo to finally have the NXT Championship. But it’s not happening, Melo is definitely beating Bum Ass Corbin to make it through to Great American Bash.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Who runs the Women’s Tag Division?
Night of Champions has come and gone, but Monday Night Raw has one more title match! Who will be the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Ricochet VS The Miz; Ricochet wins and advances to MITB.
- Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS Kevin Ventura Cortes; Indus Sher wins.
- Imperium VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri; Imperium wins.
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart VS Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Bayley & Iyo Sky VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler; Ronda & Shayna win and are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Dolph Ziggler VS JD McDonagh; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed; Nakamura wins and advances to MITB.
- Seth Rollins & AJ Styles VS The Judgment Day; Rollins & Styles win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
Fans fire up as Seth Freakin’ Rollins walks down from the top of the stands! They sing his song as he struts with the new World Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist and makes it to ringside. Then Rollins takes a victory lap before getting in the ring, for streamers and pyro! He revels in the moment as fans still sing, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then gets the mic, fans sing some more, and he says, “ALBANY, NEW YORK! Welcome to Monday! Night! ROLLINS! I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary! I am… SETH! FREAKIN! ROLLINS!” Fans chant “You Deserve It!” and Rollins takes a moment to enjoy that.
Rollins says he is the World Heavyweight Champion, and the fans cheer. Rollins says it has been a long, long road to get here. Lots of lows, lots of highs. But standing here tonight, it just feels right, doesn’t it? He doesn’t wanna talk too much about the past, he wants to focus on the future. “Because finally, Monday Night Raw has a champion that wants to be here, a champion that is going to be here, and most importantly, a champion that is ready for a fight!” Fans love the sound of that! They chant “Thank You, Seth!” and sing his song, but Rollins says yeah, he’s ready! He wants to fight! He wants ALL the fights!
Because it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, if you step to Rollins, the result will always be the same: Rollins, every Monday night, standing in this ring with the World Heavyweight title around his waist and the world singing his song! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But wait! AJ Styles is here? The Phenomenal One is a SmackDown superstar, but he’s here on Raw to step into the ring with the man he lost to at Night of Champions. Rollins looks at him over the brim of his sunglasses, but Styles gets a mic. Styles knows he’s supposed to be on SmackDown, but he couldn’t resist coming here to Raw… to say, “Congratulations.”
Fans cheer and Styles tells Rollins he gave it everything he had, left it all in the ring. It was like Rollins knew what he was gonna do before he did it. And the fans, they say Rollins “deserves it.” Styles says he doesn’t think Rollins deserves anything. Fans boo, but Styles says Rollins earned being World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins smiles and fans sing again, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Styles that he’s not too good at these things, but after the beating he gave Styles at NOC, Styles earned this: a handshake. Fans cheer as Styles accepts! There’s respect here, but then the Judgment Day comes out!
Finn Balor pretends to be sick as he has a mic of his own. He asks if this is making the others just as sick. Whatever this is makes Finn wanna PUKE! Damian Priest agrees, he’s queasy. Let’s get to something more positive. What’s that thing Rhea Ripley says? “The Judgment Day, we run Monday Night Raw!” The four get in the ring, and Priest says Rhea’s right. But after watching The Bloodline implode on Saturday, without a shadow of a doubt, the Judgment Day runs the entire WWE! And let’s not forget, Finn & Priest beat the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, something not even Roman Reigns could do!
And to Seth, from the champion to just another champion, Rollins shouldn’t get too comfortable with his new title. Because chances are, someone from Judgment Day will take it from him. Yeah, could be big Damian! Aw, thanks, Finn! He feels the same about you! Aw shucks, thanks, mate. Rhea says it could even be her Dom-Dom. Fans boo that and Rollins looks to Styles. They laugh at that! Dom asks why, what’s so funny? He beat Styles! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” at Dom, but Finn has everyone calm down. Finn says we saw Styles and Rollins beat each other half to death at Night of Champions. And-
Dom cuts in to say that the Judgment Day will finish the job! Fans boo but Styles asks if Rollins heard that. That almost sounds like a challenge. Rhea says it IS a challenge! Then they ACCEPT! Rollins says that’s right! Any two from Judgment Day VS Rollins & Styles in the main event of his show, Monday Night Rollins! Who will step to this phenomenal dream team? And will they only get stomped into the mat?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He discusses with someone. We’re all on the same page, because Rollins, Styles and the Judgment Day want this match. And yes, he understands it flies in the face of the new brand split of Raw and SmackDown, but… Yes, sir. No, Pearce thinks this match is incredible and happens tonight. Oh, hold on, they’re right here. Pearce sees Styles and Rollins talking and steps in. He knows they all want the match, so he’s working on it. Rollins says c’mon, it’s his first night as champion. Don’t embarrass him! Make the match! Styles says Rollins doesn’t speak for him. Oh, is Styles afraid of Dom? Does Rollins really think that? No, but maybe Styles is afraid of Rhea.
Pearce has them calm down and says he’s trying to get this approved. Does everyone have their gear? Styles is a pro, of course he does! Make it official! Then get Rollins to change his pants. Oh, good point. The superstars head out, Pearce is sure you know who heard all that. Then it IS official! The main event is going to be phenomenal, but who will Judgment Day send at Styles and the champ?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Ricochet VS The Miz!
The King of Flight is ready to take his career to new heights, and we all know the Money in the Bank briefcase can do that. Just as The Hollywood A-Lister. Will Miz look to launch into a new sequel from his previous MITB runs? Or will the One and Only be the one going to London?
Raw returns as Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings, Miz rushes in but Ricochet gets around to a headlock. Miz powers out, Ricochet rolls over the drop down and ducks the lariat to handspring, but into a full nelson! Ricochet arm-drags free, things speed up again and a kitchen sink knee hits Ricochet down! Miz then runs, but Ricochet ducks the boot to kip up, spin and PELE! Miz bails out, Ricochet builds speed! Miz moves but Ricochet tumbles up and out to the apron. Ricochet avoids the sweep, PENALTY KICKS Miz, then goes up the corner to MOONSAULT! Fans fire up for the direct hit at ringside!
Ricochet drags Miz up and puts him in the ring. Ricochet goes up the corner, but Miz gets under the leap! Miz runs in to RANA! Miz surprises us with that, and then he BOOTS Ricochet down! Miz talks trash, and he looks up to the briefcase. Fans taunt Miz’s “TINY BALLS!” but he goes out after Ricochet. Miz SMACKS Ricochet off the desk, and again, then pushes him over the desk. Fans boo as Miz shouts, “MASSIVE!” Miz drags Ricochet up, brings him back to ringside and puts him in the ring. Miz then climbs up, leaps and AX HANDLES Ricochet down! Cover, TWO! Miz hurries to clamp onto Ricochet with a chinlock as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Miz is stuck in the ropes! Ricochet ROCKS him, then jumps in, but Miz avoids the stomps! Miz ROCKS Ricochet, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Miz can’t believe it! “I springboarded and everything!” Miz is mad at the fans laughing at him, but Miz KICKS Ricochet in the chest! And again! And again! And again! Miz soaks up the heat, takes aim from a corner, but Ricochet blocks the buzzsaw! Ricochet KICKS and KNEES and runs, to CLOBBER Miz! Fans fire up, Ricochet feels it, and he runs in at the corner to RAM into Miz and go to the apron!
Ricochet bumps Miz off buckles then ROUNDHOUSES him away! Ricochet springboards, but into a full nelson! Ricochet RAMS Miz into a corner, but then Miz RAMS Ricochet into the other corner! Miz runs in, into an elbow! Ricochet goes up, Miz trips him up! DRAPING CODE BREAKER, to a BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Miz is shocked! Miz scowls and looks to the briefcase, but fans rally up for Ricochet. Miz shouts MASSIVE! Full nelson, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, Miz has it, TWO! Ricochet HEEL KICKS! And then cravat, for an ASAI DDT!
Fans fire up again as Ricochet goes to a corner! Ricochet climbs up, aims, and SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
Add it to the highlight reel, Ricochet beats the two-time Mr. MITB to go to London! Will Ricochet win the golden ticket across the pond?
Trish Stratus is here!
Albany is torn seeing the WWE Hall of Famer after she cheated Becky Lynch at Night of Champions! But what does she have to say about that victory? We’ll hear, after the break.
Raw returns and Trish has a mic. She makes sure we all see “Thank You Trish” on her back, and she thanks some fans for saying it. You know what it means to her to hear it? NOTHING! She doesn’t care what the fans say. And she hates to say, “I told you so,” but she TOLD US SO! She said she was gonna go to Night of Champions and beat Becky. And what’d she do? She beat Becky! Just like that. But you shouldn’t be surprised, this is GOAT Things! This is what you do when you’re the greatest of all time! This is what you do when you’re number one! This is what you do when you’re “It.”
And now, Becky can crawl back to that dark hole and go do “stuff.” The stuff that everyone goes through. Well, not everyone. Not when you’re thriving like Trish. But it’ll give a chance for the real superstars to reach the Big Time. Like the one who had Trish’s back. Not that Trish needed the help, but because this superstar wanted to help. “A superstar with more attituded, aggression and ruthlessness than I’ve seen in a long, long time. Someone that reminds me of me. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand on your feet, get your hands ready to applaud, let me introduce you to… Zoey Stark!”
Fans boo instead as The Hunter makes her way out, wearing a “Thank You, Trish” T-shirt. Trish applauds as Zoey joins her in the ring. They hug it out while fans boo more. Zoey gets a mic now and says, “See, I came into this business, to the WWE, to be the best and to make a statement. And who better to learn by than the OG herself? And yeah, look, I could’ve taken the long, hard, difficult road, just like what Becky Lynch did. Or I could be smart! And be led by Trish Stratus! Trish is so giving, so humble, so kind. So now that I have the floor, I would just like to say one thing. Thank you, Trish.”
Fans boo more but Trish smiles. Trish says “You’re welcome.” Oh, what’s that on Trish’s face? Where? Up here? Other side. A little lower. Oh on her chin. That would be something courtesy of Becky Lynch. If Becky ever shows herself again, for messing with this perfect face, guess what Trish will do? Trish will have her new friend Zoey show you what’s up. But then here comes Becky! The Man is still wearing her Kill Bill jumpsuit and she says Zoey is gonna show her what’s up? No, Becky’s gonna ruin Zoey’s life. And Trish, you’re still in your gear, Becky’s still in hers… “Why don’t we restart that match and finish it one on one right here, right now?”
Fans love the sound of that, but Zoey rushes out! Becky DECKS her! And THROWS her into the barriers! Trish says okay, bring it! Becky gets closer to the ring and fans are fired up. Becky steps up to the apron, steps into the ring, and runs in! Becky dodges Trish, CLOBBERS her, BOOTS Zoey from the apron, then trips Trish to rain down fists! But Zoey attacks Becky from behind! And SLIDING KNEES her down! Fans boo but Zoey throws off the jacket so she and Trish can stomp away on Becky! Trish CHOKES Becky, then lets off so Zoey can bring her up. But Becky hits back! Zoey kicks Becky low, and reels her in for Z360!!
Fans boo as Zoey and Trish aren’t done, they get Becky back up! Trish kisses the ring, to DECK Becky with it!! Fans boo as the Hall of Famer needed her new protégé and a HOF ring to take down The Man! Then they put Becky in a corner and force her to wear a Thank You Trish shirt! Zoey says it looks great on her. Will Becky be able to recover and get some big time revenge?
Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS Javier Bernal & Kevin Ventura Cortes!
Veer & Sanga have already been dominating and demolishing opponents since being drafted to Raw, and they want more. Will their thirst for combat be quenched here tonight?
The teams sort out, and Veer just CLOBBERS Javi and KVC! Sanga then BLASTS KVC off the apron! Veer drags Javi up to RAM him into the corner, and the bell finally rings. Veer runs to SPLASH Javi, and Javi staggers around. Veer shoves Javi down, stalks him, and stomps him down! Javi flounders to the apron, Veer tags Sanga, and Veer drags Javi up onto the ropes for Sanga to BOOT down! Sanga drags Javi up, THROWS him to the corner, and he dares KVC to tag in. KVC does, but then Sanga blocks his haymaker to a FALCON ARROW! Sanga SPLASHES Javi for good measure!
Sanga then choke grips Javi to CHOKE SLAM him onto KVC! Tag back to Veer, and they drag KVC up. SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, Indus Sher wins!
Winners: Indus Sher, by pinfall
Like true tigers, Veer & Sanga tore into their prey and feasted on the meat! Will they soon be tasting a tag title opportunity?
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are backstage.
Speaking of the tag team champions, these two are still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and are in a great mood. They’re headed to gorilla, what will they have to say about finally being done with The Bloodline?
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn head to the ring!
Albany fires up as the Prizefighter & Great Liberator make their way out. Fans sing along with Sami’s song while he and Kevin get mics. Sami is fired up now! Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI! SAMI!” and he says that obviously, he an d Kevin are feeling pretty good tonight. “Because at Night of Champions, we won!” And not just successfully defending the titles, no. Sami means they won! They did exactly what they set out to do, they watched the Bloodline crumble, and it was the worst night of Roman’s life! Roman deserves everything he got!
This is all Sami has to say about Roman: Roman may be the greatest of all time; Roman may hold the title(s) for another 1000 days; Roman may main event another FIVE WrestleManias; Roman could even be put in the Hall of Fame tomorrow! But it doesn’t matter because for the rest of his life, when he looks at Kevin & Sami, he will know in his heart that THEY won! Wait! IMPERIUM is here! Ludwig Kaiser has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen… Impressive victory, impressive victory indeed. But was it the most impressive victory of the night? It most certainly was not more impressive than the man who extended his record-setting Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship reign…!”
Imperium walks to the ring as Ludwig introduces Der Ring General, GUNTHER! Kevin asks why they’re here. Why? Because last week, Kevin & Sami said their name, the group walked out, it made sense. But this isn’t how things work! Do they think this is the Wild West? They can just hit their music and come on out? NO! That does not make sense! You gotta wait to be called out! What the hell is this!? They broke the rules! The unwritten rules! Sami tires to calm Kevin down but he keeps shouting at Imperium. Fans cheer for “K O! K O!” but Sami has him chill. Sami says Kevin is right, though, there is an unwritten rule and they had no business coming out here.
For that matter, Imperium ahs a match with American Alpha Academy or whatever? Imperium shouldn’t want a match with them, because last time, Kevin, Sami & Riddle embarrassed them. Yep! So… Y’know… Ludwig says if they wanna talk about embarrassments, RIDDLE is the embarrassment! Take a look at Kevin & Sami themselves! Them holding those titles is an embarrassment! Fans boo but Ludwig says they are not worthy of standing on this mat, of holding those championships, or of representing Monday Night Raw. Kevin says what he wonders is… We always hear from Slenderman over here.
And sometimes, “the one with the ears” (Gunther) talks. But we never hear from the bald one ! He’s always really quiet. What’s his opinion on all this? Yeah, we never hear from baldie! We should hear from baldie! Fans chant “BALDIE! BALDIE!” and Ludwig says how DARE they besmirch them!! No one disrespects- “SHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!” Fans cheer as Chad Gable perhaps sets a world record with that one. “Shoosh, please!” Gable says it is time Imperium gets taught a free lesson, courtesy of the new and improved Academy! Gable, Otis, and the newest member of the Academy in Maxxine Dupri!
And if it is alright with Kevin & Sami, those lessons are gonna be handed out right now! Yeah, sure, but uh, can you do that thing again? Do the thing! What? What thing? The thing you say that makes Kevin laugh cuz you say it funny! That one! Oh, okay. He’s gonna say it, he’s gonna say it! “A THANK YEW~!” You’re welcome! Will Gable & Otis show Imperium what respect is really all about?
Imperium VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri!
Raw returns and Kevin & Sami join commentary to watch this one. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts with Gable. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Ludwig headlocks, Gable powers out but Ludwig runs him over. Ludwig “kicks rocks’ at Gable, runs, but Gable gest around to waistlock, headlock and takeover. Ludwig headscissors, Gable kips fere, but now Ludwig headlocks for the takeover. Gable headscissors, Ludwig kips free, Gable trips him to a cover. ONE, Ludwig goes for the trip but Gable avoids it to waistlock and gator roll to a cover, TWO! Ludwig gets free but fans applaud the exchange.
Gable and Ludwig go again, Gable wrenches but Ludwig claws Gable’s face! Ludwig lets off in the corner to throw hands. Ludwig then UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, but Gable blocks hip toss to give a hip toss! Giovanni Vinci runs in but Gable goes up to “A THANK YEW~” headscissor! Gable headlocks Ludwig, gets Vinci, too, and DOUBLE THROWS them both! Gable runs in at the corner to MONKEY FLIP Ludwig! “A THANK YEW~!” Kevin says you’re welcome! Maxxine cheers her team, but wait! Sarah Logan has appeared!? Why is she here? Well, it’s probably because The Viking Raiders lost to Alpha Academy…
Logan rushes Maxxine, Maxxine dodges, and then Maxxine KICKS Logan! She can kick?! But wait, Logan didn’t fall over… Logan turns around and glares at Maxxine. Maxxine runs away all the way tot he back! Ludwig CLOBBERS Gable! Ludwig stomps Gable around, drags him up and POSTS him! Tag to Vinci, they put Gable in the ropes, and they meet at the corner, DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Imperium stands tall while fans boo, but Gable crawls. Vinci hurries after him to keep him from Otis. Vinci bumps Gable off buckles but fans chant ‘BALDIE! BALDIE!” Vinci CHOPS Gable and stalks him along ropes.
Vinci scoops and SLAMS Gable into ropes! Tag to Ludwig, Imperium drags him up and Ludwig UPPERCUTS Gable! Then runs in, but into a BOOT! Gable elbows Vinci, but Ludwig keeps him from Otis! Gable reels Ludwig in, SAYANAGI! Gable crawls, Ludwig drags him away, but Gable BOOTS Ludwig out! Vinci gets back in but Gable TOSSES him! Gable crawls again, Sami & Kevin cheer him on, HOT TAG TO OTIS!! The tree trunk rallies on Imperium! Vinci dodges, runs, but into Otis’ arms! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Otis runs in to SPLASH Ludwig at the corner! Ludwig falls, and fans fire up!
Otis sees that, and he tears the shirt off! Otis hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, but Vinci breaks it! Vinci brings Otis up but Otis TOSSES him out! Tag to Gable and the Academy gets Ludwig up. Gable waistlocks, Otis builds speed, but Vinci holds ropes to dump him out! Gable still gets the O’Conner Roll, TWO as Ludwig gets it! TWO, but tag to Vinci! Vinci SPINEBUSTERS Gable! PENALTY KICK from Ludwig! And then they set up quick, IMPERIAAL BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!
Winners: Imperium, by pinfall
Kevin says they’re never gonna hear the end of it. Vinci & Ludwig win out for the glory of Imperium, but will they be in line for a shot at the tag titles?
Backstage interview with Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart.
Cathy Kelley is at gorilla with the newly reunited Ballsy & Badass, and says since this is so recent, do they feel like they have built up the chemistry to get the tag titles in tonight’s Fatal 4? Yes- But then Damage CTRL interrupts. Bayley asks, “Are you kidding me? You guys aren’t even a real team.” No offense to Shotzi, but Raquel would’ve gone with the first person to raise their hand begging to be a partner. They ain’t DMG CTRL. And speaking of, this win is dedicated to Dakota Kai. So just stay out of their way, or they’ll end up like Raquel’s old partner, Liv Morgan. Bayley mocks the shoulder injury and then laughs.
Raquel says that is interesting. Because Shotzi & Raquel were real enough to win on SmackDown last week. And since Bayley first started DMG CTRL, isn’t she the only one who hasn’t held gold? And if she’s wondering why, just look in the mirror. Ballsy & Badass go out to the ring first, but who will return to the back with the titles on their waists?
Candice LeRae speaks.
“You might be thinking, ‘What’s with the fairy wings?’ Well, I believe fairytales are real. And how could I not? I’m living one. So my wings, they represent the magic that this fairytale has brought to my life. Candice LeRae is proof that when you believe, anything is possible.”
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart VS Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Bayley & Iyo Sky VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler!
Raw returns and the Complaint Department make their entrance. Then DMG CTRL make theirs, leaving the Baddest Women on the Planet for last. The introductions are made, the belts are displayed, and we see who isn’t afraid to fight the odds!
The teams sort out, and in this Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are legal at one time. Raquel steps up, and she starts against The Hot Mess. But Chelsea turns around to see it’s Raquel and quickly tags out to Bayley. Bayley says fine, watch how it’s done. Bayley gets run over by Raquel! So she gets up to tag out to Iyo. Then she sucker punches Raquel! Sky runs in, but Raquel blocks the rana! Raquel whips, Sky handsprings through, and then comes back to wheelbarrow, but Raquel throws her up and over! Sky lands on her feet, DROPKICKS Raquel to the DMG CTRL corner, then fires off forearms!
Tag to Bayley, she stomps Raquel, and Sky pulls hair! Bayley says they’re the champs, but Raquel blocks the whip! Raquel sends Bayley into the corner, Bayley goes up but gets caught! Bayley slips off, waistlocks, but Raquel fights to switch and SLAM her! Bayley crawls, Raquel keeps her from the corner, but Bayley elbows free! And she tags out to Chelsea! Chelsea doesn’t want to but she has no choice! Bayley runs at Raquel but into a scoop and SLAM! Raquel then brings Chelsea in with a TOSS! Chelsea runs away but Ronda & Shayna leave her hanging. Raquel then brings Chelsea around to RAM into Shayna!
Fans fire up as Raquel BOOTS Sonya, DECKS Sky, and then tags Shotzi. Fans fire up as Shotzi runs and Raquel holds the ropes open, Shotzi DIVES onto Bayley, Sonya & Chelsea! The Ballsy & Badass are standing tall, and even daring Ronda to try something, while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Shayna is in. She bumps Shotzi off buckles, tags Ronda, and Ronda runs in to KNEE Shotzi! Shayna tags back in, Ronda digs her knees in and then has a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref reprimands but can’t do much else in this Fatal 4 format. Shayna scoops Shotzi to an arm-drag, then she isolates the arm. Shayna lets down her hair to STOMP Shotzi’s arm! Flashback to months ago, and Shayna whips Shotzi in. But Shotzi elbows Ronda! And BOOTS Shayna! Ronda grabs at Shotzi but Shotzi fires hands! Shayna CLUBS Shotzi, reels her in, but Shotzi gets around to NECKBREAKER!
Both Shotzi and Shayna are down and fans rally up. The two crawl, but Sky rushes Raquel! Raquel BOOTS Sky down, Bayley goes after her now but Raquel kicks her away, too! Shotzi hot tags Big Mami Cool! She rallies on everyone! LARIAT for Shayna, but then Shayna ducks one, only for the SOUTHPAW to hit! Raquel scoops Shayna for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel storms up on Shayna, for another FALL AWAY SLAM! Ronda tags in, and fans fire up for this one. Rowdy Ronda and Ricky Desperado stare down, Raquel swings first! Ronda dodges, but then Raquel SWATS her arm away! Ronda kicks low!
Ronda fires off in the corner, Raquel shoves her away. Ronda dodges a lariat, but the SOUTHPAW hits again! Fans fire up with Raquel and she drags Ronda up. TEXANA- NO, Shayna saves Ronda! But Raquel reels Shayna in! TEXANA BOMB!! But then Ronda runs in, goes up, and drags Raquel down to an ARMBAR! Raquel flails, clasps hands, but Ronda keeps after the arm! But Bayley MACHO ELBOWS Ronda!! Bayley bails out, having saved the match. Fans rally up, Chelsea tags in off Ronda! And POSTS her! And then Sonya KNEES Ronda down! Sonya tags in, she and Chelsea coordinate! I AM PRETTIER to the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!!!
Raquel shocks Sonya & Chelsea but Sonya tells Chelsea to get to the corner. They tag, Sonya brings Raquel up as Chelsea climbs, but Sky tags in cuz that’s the DMG CTRL corner! Sky SHOVES Chelsea off, and she collides with Sonya! Sky then springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK them out! Fans fire up but Raquel has Sky! Sky SHOTEIS back! Fans fire up with Sky, she runs in to SHINKANSEN in the corner! Cover, Shotzi breaks it with a SENTON! Bayley gets Shotzi but Shotzi throws her out! Shotzi hurries to build speed and DIVE onto Bayley at the ramp! Then she hurries to her corner!
Shotzi reaches out, Raquel tags her in. Fans fire up as Shotzi dodges sky, shoves her, but Sky goes up and over. Sky comes back, Shotzi goes up and over. Sky runs in again, but Shotzi spins her and fireman’s carries, FACEBUSTER! And then a TIGER PLEX! Sky flounders to ropes, Shotzi runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Sky hurries to a corner, goes up top, but Ronda tags in! Sky fights Ronda, drags her up, and fans fire up as Shotzi joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Shotzi hurries to drag Ronda to a drop zone, and she climbs up. But Shayna goes after Shotzi up top! Shotzi DECKS Shayna, then adjusts. BALL PIT into the ARMBAR!!! Shotzi taps, Ronda & Shayna wins!!
Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, by submission (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
The Baddest Women on the Planet are now the Baddest CHAMPIONS on the Planet! Rowdy Ronda & The Queen of Spades get the gold and the pyro, will their reign be as brutal as they are?
Dolph Ziggler VS JD McDonagh!
The Showoff and the Irish Ace both lost in the Intercontinental Championship Contenders Battle Royal, but only one was a sore enough of a loser to go after the other. Will JD McDonagh show us why you don’t bet against the Ace?
Raw returns as JD makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ziggler rushes in! Ziggler fires off on JD in the corner, the ref backs him off, but then Ziggler SPLASHES JD in the corner! And BITES JD!? That’s normally something JD would do! Ziggler runs back in, JD dodges! Ziggler hits buckles, and then JD rubber bands the ropes at him! JD stalks Ziggler, gets an arm, ripcord to DEVLINSIDE!! But JD then CLUBS Ziggler, drags him up and around and throws him out of the ring! JD goes out after Ziggler, drags him up again, and SMACKS him off the desk! JD pushes Ziggler over the desk, then drags him back up.
Fans rally for Ziggler but JD RAMS him into steel steps! The ring count is 7 of 10 but JD doesn’t even care! JD drags Ziggler up, and back to the steps, they’re both counted out!
Double Count-Out Draw
But JD just SMACKS Ziggler off the steel steps! And then pulls the steps apart, drags Ziggler onto the base, and digs his knee in! Ziggler’s face is ground into the diamond plating, and then JD STOMPS him! “You remember this day! You remember this day!” JD digs his boot in, the ref reprimands and fans boo. JD lets off, dusts his hands, and walks away. The Necessary Evil is here on Raw, what will he do to be the Ace of Monday nights?
WWE joins the National Medal of Honor Museum’s mission.
WWE honors our true American heroes, both those who did and did not make it home, all to protect us.
Cody Rhodes is here!
Albany cheers the American Nightmare, even though he did not defeat The Beast, Brock Lesnar, at Night of Champions. They also sing his song, “WHOA~ OH!” and Cody gets his pyro. Cody gets the mic and hears the fans chant his name before saying, “So, Albany, New York… Whaddya wanna talk about? I know what’s hanging in the air. At Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, due to referee stoppage, I lost my match to Brock Lesnar. My contemporaries tell me I was foolish to fight Brock Lesnar with one hand. That I was crazy to not tap out. But there’s a reason why I didn’t tap out.
“It’s not because it didn’t hurt. It was excruciating, career-flash-before-your-eyes type pain. But I did not tap out because that’s not the man that I want to be.” Fans cheer, and Cody says that years ago, sure, he would have. He would’ve thought about his career, lived to fight another day. He’s experienced enough highs and lows at this to know that sometimes, second chances just don’t come. “There was a wildly popular WWE superstar who used to stand in this ring, and he said, ‘Never give up.'” Fans cheer and Cody says “never give up” hurts like hell when locked in a Kimura for three-plus minutes.
But nevertheless, Cody has a question for Brock Lesnar. And he has to look into the camera to ask that question, because Lesnar’s not here tonight. Fans boo that, but Cody says he is sure Lesnar is taking his annual vacation. “Brock Lesnar… Are you satisfied with this being done? You have a victory over me, I have a victory over you, the game is 1-1. Are you satisfied? I hope you’re not, because consider this an open challenge to you, Brock Lesnar.” Fans cheer as Cody says hopefully, Lesnar has social media, cable television, a landline or something in Saskatchewan or Yellowstone or wherever the hell it is that he roams.
Cody will post his whole schedule, every detail of it sometime this week, everywhere he’s going this month! Wilkes-Barre, Wichita, Cleveland, Savanna, Newcastle, if Cody is in the ring, he is ready to fight you, Brock Lesnar! Fans cheer that, and Cody says, “Tonight, I also wanna make it the very last time that I rattle off all of Brock Lesnar’s accomplishments. Brock Lesnar is an elite amateur wrestler who won the NCAAs twice. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, likely a hall of famer there in the UFC. He has held the WWE Championship, he’s the man that broke the Undertaker’s streak!
“Brock Lesnar is the Beast! Beast enough to break my arm, but not man enough to make me tap out. And if you don’t accept my challenge, Brock Lesnar, we can go ahead and add one more thing to that list: Brock Lesnar is afraid of what cannot be broken! Brock Lesnar is AFRAID… of Cody Rhodes!” The American Nightmare drops the mic after having thrown down the gauntlet! When and where will Cody VS Lesnar Round 3 be?
Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.
Cathy is with The Bro, and she says in a couple weeks, he has a chance to qualify for the Men’s MITB ladder match. Riddle says it has already been going crazy this “Hot Bro Summer,” and it’s only gonna get crazier. Riddle says with MITB around the corner, imagine him winning that briefcase! He could cash in on Roman Reigns, on Seth Rollins- Oh, wassup, Gunther? Der Ring General steps into view and he says he knows what Riddle is thinking. “Congratulations, and good luck on your upcoming opportunity. I really want you to win the Money in the Bank Ladder match, and cash it in on me.
“Fun, huh? Beating you, humiliating you, that’s fun to me. All the best.” Gunther leaves, will Riddle take him up on that idea?
Backstage interview with Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler.
Cathy tentatively walks up to the new tag team champions and congratulates them on the win. How does it feel to be champions again? Well, for Ronda, it’s her first, but yeah, Shayna has her third reign. But for ten years, they’ve been discounted, told not what the people want, but they don’t cater to the “fickle masses” that mean nothing to them. Loyalty is everything, and limb by limb, they went through everyone. And they can finally say they are the tag team champions. Not because “they” wanted it, but because this is the Baddest Team on the Planet. They’re done being denied, they’re making demands! They DEMAND to be recognized as the best! These belts prove it.
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed!
We saw the King of Flight qualify, now we see if the King of Strong Style can do the same! Will Shinsuke be heading to London? Or will he be crushed by the Colossal Aussie in Albany?
Raw returns and Reed makes his entrance. The bell rings and Reed RAMS Nakamura right into a corner! And then throws him down, HEADBUTTS away, then brings him up. Reed scoops and SLAMS Nakamura, then runs. Nakamura bails out before anything more, but Reed pursues. Nakamura gets back in, and he says, “C’MON~!” Reed runs in, but into a kick! Nakamura fires body shots, but Reed doesn’t budge! Reed eggs him on, Nakamura fires off more shots and runs, but Reed CLOBBERS him! then ELBOW DROPS! Then STEAMROLLS him! Reed grins and he looms over Nakamura.
Reed stands Nakamura up, to HEADBUTT him back down! Reed stands Nakamura up again, to CHOP! And CLUB him on the back! Fans rally for Nakamura but Reed whips him corner to corner hard! Nakamura falls over, but Reed brings him up to whip and fireman’s carry. Nakamura fights free, kicks, but Reed blocks to get a waistlock. Nakamura elbows free to ENZIGURI! Reed goes to a corner, Nakamura runs in, but Nakamura blocks boots! Nakamura puts Reed in the ropes, CLUBS him, then runs and SLIDING GER- NO, Reed holds on! Reed’s strength denies Nakamura and he BOOTS Nakamura!
Reed aims from the apron, but Nakamura sweeps the legs! Reed lands hard on the apron, Nakamura KNEE LIFTS him! Then GUILLOTINE KNEE DROPS him! Reed hits the floor and fans fire up with Nakamura while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Reed trades forearms with Nakamura! Fans rally for Nakamura but boo Reed. Reed throws body shots and a ROLLING ELBOW! Then LARIAT but into a tilt-o-whirl and ARMBAR! Reed powers his way to a high stack, TWO! Nakamura lets go in time, but Reed HEADBUTTS him! Reed runs, to LARIAT Nakamura inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Reed grows frustrated. Reed drags Nakamura up, reels him in, but Nakamura slips out of the bomb! Nakamura kicks then WHEEL KICKS! Reed goes to a corner, Nakamura blocks the boots again, and puts him back in ropes! ENZIGUR to SLIDING GERMAN!
Reed flounders and fans fire up as Nakamura aims! “YAO~!” But Reed scoops to SAMOAN DROP! And SENTON! Fans boo but Reed puts Nakamura in the drop zone. Reed climbs, but Nakamura rises! Nakamura kicks the legs out! And then TOP SHELF KNEE! Reed staggers, Nakamura goes up, FLYING- SUPERKICK! Reed intercepts, ripcords, and POWERSLAMS! Reed drags Nakamura into the drop zone, climbs up the corner, TSU- NO!! Nakamura avoids the natural disaster to KINSHASA!! But he’s too tired to make the cover! Nakamura drags himself to ropes, aims again, KINSHASA!!!
Reed flounders to the apron and flops to the floor! Fans boo and Nakamura is frustrated. The ref starts the ring count but Nakamura goes out the side. Nakamura runs off the steps, FLYING KNEE! Reed falls back over, and Nakamura gets back in the ring. The ring count starts again, Reed stirs at 4 of 10, and sits up at 5. Nakamura waits, Reed staggers around at 8, but Reed slides in at 9! KINSHASA AGAIN!!! Cover, Nakamura wins!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
It took a hattrick of those killer knees, but the mighty Reed did fall! Will Nakamura soon be the King in the Bank?
Backstage interview with The Judgment Day.
Byron Saxton walks over, apologizes about interrupting given the main event tonight, but he wanted to congratulate Rhea on her championship defense over Natalya at Night of Champions. Rhea says, “Victory? That wasn’t just a victory. I absolutely destroyed Natalya. That’s why she’s not here this week. Because she’s at home, fixing herself up.” Dom says maybe next time, Natty will think twice about stepping to Mami. Rhea says Natty should know better, since she’s been in this business a very long time. And to be able to hold gold, you can’t get distracted like she did, so that’s on her. But like Byron said, they’re very busy, so buh-bye.
Byron would like to ask one more question before he goes. Everyone is wondering, which two are facing Rollins & Styles in the main event? Finn says, “Wouldn’t you like to know? But if I told you, I’d have to-” Priest has Finn calm down. Don’t scare the guy. But Byron, they have things to do so go do your job somewhere else. The main event is a mystery, what combination of Prince, Punisher and Prodigal Son will step up to the Phenomenal and the Visionary?
WWE honors the fallen.
They didn’t volunteer to die. They volunteered to defend values which make up what we call civilization. – Ronald Reagan
“What does it mean to be selfless? To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause? In every generation, there are those who put everything before themselves. And on this day, we honor them. The brave men and women who fought for our freedom. From the first World War to Desert Storm. From Normandy to Afghanistan. Today, we look back at the moments, the events, that define our history. The struggles, their battles. And remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. President Ronald Reagan once said…”
“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as along as God gives life to this nation.”
“Today, we show our gratitude. To those who shaped us. Who guided us. Who ensured our values would live forever. Today, we show reverence and respect. Today, we say, ‘Thank you.'”
Seth Rollins & AJ Styles VS The Judgment Day!
The World Heavyweight Champion and the runner-up were perhaps goaded into this match, but that doesn’t mean they’re foolish. They know Finn, Priest, Dom & Rhea are slippery snakes, but will they still be able to #BurnItDown?
Raw returns and the Judgment Day make their entrance. They’re still keeping us guessing, but the moment of truth is here. In the end, it looks to be Priest & Dom in this match. Fans boo Dom because he’s starting against Rollins. But then Finn gets back in to CLOBBER Rollins! It was a fake out! The Prince stomps away on Rollins, then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into the corner! Tag to Priest, Rhea grins that the plan worked out. Priest & Finn double whip, but Rollins ducks the double lariat to slide out and cozy up to Mami! Rhea doesn’t realize it’s Rollins until she looks to her right, and then she freaks out!
Rollins says sorry, then the gets back in. He dodges Priest, eggs him on, and then dodges him again to CHOP! And ROCK! And repeat! Rollins whips, Priest reverses, but runs into a BOOT! Rollins goes up, leaps, but into a HAYMAKER! Priest drags Rollins up and Finn mocks the song, “WEW~ WEW~ WEWWW~!” Priest TOSSES Rollins to the corner, DECKS him, then stomps away! Rhea wants him to go harder for that joke a moment ago. She also tells fans to shut up with the stupid singing. Rollins gets up, he fires back, but Priest knees low! Priest drags Rollins up, whips him to ropes, and BACK ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO!
Priest clamps onto an arm, grinds the shoulder, but Rollins fights up. Rollins reaches out for Styles but Priest CLUBS him down! Priest back suplexes, Rollins lands on his feet and slides under, but Priest grabs his feet! Rollins BOOTS Priest away, hot tags to Finn and Styles! Styles dodges Finn, CLOBBERS Priest, then fires the Phenomenal Blitz off on Finn! SLIDING LARIAT! Styles fires up, fireman’s carries, but Finn slips free. But Finn runs into a BACKBREAKER! Styles reels Finn in, but Priest gets back in! Styles blocks his kick to CLUB the leg, but Finn CHOPS Styles down! Rollins returns, to KNEE Priest!
Finn SLINGBLADES Rollins! Priest tags in, Styles runs in but is put on the apron. Styles ROCKS Finn, but Dom anchors Styles! Styles grabs Dom, but Priest POUNCES Styles over the announce desk! The Judgment Day stands tall and soaks up the heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Styles JAWBREAKERS Priest away! But Priest keeps Styles from Rollins! Styles throws hands, Priest whips him away to the corner. Priest runs in but Styles BOOTS him! Styles ROCKS Finn, BOOTS Priest, then DECKS Finn, but Priest ROCKS Styles! Priest then throws Styles out, distracts the ref, and Rhea drags Styles up! But Rollins gets Dom first! Fans fire up as Rollins tosses Dom in! Rhea gest in Rollins’ face and he dares Mami to do something. But then the ref EJECTS Rhea and Dom!! Fans fire up but Mami is pissed! Rollins taunts Rhea & Dom as they leave, now this is a fair match!
Styles rolls Priest up! TWO!! Priest swings, misses, and Styles PELES! Priest is dazed, Finn calls to him, and fans rally up. Priest and Styles crawl, hot tags to Finn and Rollins! The Visionary rallies on The Prince! SUPERKICK, front kick, ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins DECKS Priest for good measure! Finn runs in, BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins goes out, to FLYING KNEE Priest down! Rollins springboards back in, FLYING KNEE for Finn! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally and sing the song, but Finn wants mercy. Rollins smirks, he wags his finger, and he catches Finn to RAM him into a corner!
Rollins brings Finn out but Finn cradle counters! TWO, Rollins swings, into the FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Finn grows frustrated, but he rolls to tag in Priest. Priest storms up to DECK Styles! Priest then waits on Rollins to rise up, and he choke grips for SOUTH OF- NO, Rollins flips through! Rollins ducks the haymaker to ROLLING ELBOW! Priest comes back, KING KONG LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives but Priest refocuses. Priest goes out and climbs up the corner while fans rally. Rollins springs right up to get Priest! Finn sneaks a tag before the SUPERPLEX! Rollins rolls through, but Priest BROKEN ARROWS!
Finn is up top with Rollins in the drop zone! COUP DE- NO, Rollins moves! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as both men stir. Finn and Rollins crawl, hot tags to Styles and Priest! Style dodges a boot to kick and ENZIGURI! Styles fireman’s carries, to USHIGOROSHI! Priest staggers about, Styles runs in but is put on the apron. Styles ROCKS Priest, then SLIDING KNEES Finn! Rollins DIVES to take Finn out at the desk! Styles springboards, but Priest gets away from the forearm! Priest gets Styles up, Crucifix for RAZOR’S EDGE!! Cover, but Rollins CURB STOMPS Priest!!!
Fans fire up as Rollins goes back to his corner. Styles crawls over, staggers up, hot tag to Rollins! Fans sing as hard as they can and Rollins runs in, “NIGHT NIGHT!” CURB STOMP!!! Cover, Rollins & Styles win!
Winners: Seth Rollins & AJ Styles, by pinfall
Styles and Rollins win a phenomenal victory, and they shake hands to show respect. Will action like this be the norm for Monday Night Rollins?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw to follow up Night of Champions, but it started to fall into a sort of “Aftermath Syndrome.” I mean, this was of course the “aftermath” episode but it felt like there were more recap packages than usual. I guess promos from everyone that referenced Night of Champions wasn’t enough. Cody had a good promo, and of course he’s calling out Lesnar for round three. But as I said for NOC, MITB is just over a month away, I’m not sure Lesnar will want to go for that. Maybe SummerSlam, as that is the big summer PPV. But maybe traveling to London gets Lesnar a bigger paycheck after all.
Great MITB qualifiers tonight, though I knew Miz wasn’t winning. That said, he was busting out stuff that he has basically never done and that was pretty awesome. Nakamura VS Reed was a great showing for Reed even in losing, because it took three Kinshasas to put him down. Granted, I would love to see a Tsunami Splash off the ladder. Maybe there will be some kind of “second chance” match later on. And the women’s MITB qualifiers will be next week, since the majority of the Raw women’s roster was in the Fatal 4 Way. That was a great Fatal 4 Way, and of course Ronda & Shayna win. Ronda still runs through her words too quickly, but it was a good promo afterward.
Really good stuff in the Undisputed WWE Tag Team title story, from Imperium interrupting Kevin & Sami to Kevin’s hilarious reaction to it, to getting The Alpha Academy involved. Great match from Imperium VS Alpha Academy but I should’ve figured Sarah Logan would show up. Imperium wins because one way or another, they feel in line for a tag title shot. Gunther also has a good promo with Matt Riddle, leaving the door open for the MITB briefcase to be used on a midcard title again like Austin Theory did to Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley. I don’t want them to do that, Riddle VS Gunther should be a straight up match, but at least they’re acknowledging it could happen.
Indus Sher crushes jobbers, but at least Big Body Javi is on NXT, and I think Kevin Cortes is on Level Up. I’m more impressed they got a graphic package that fits them, cybernetic was a random and therefore stupid choice. JD VS Ziggler was alright, but I think the fans were booing the double count-out, not JD beating up Ziggler. Great promo segment from Trish, Zoey and Becky that of course turned into a brawl. As I said on Saturday, Becky doesn’t need to be in the MITB ladder match, maybe she and/or Zoey cost each other spots in that match, and that sets up their own match. Still hoping for Lita to get involved with this, too.
And of course, great stuff from Rollins, Styles and Judgment Day. Great opening segment, apparently Rollins’ leather pants were so tight that they ripped, and great promos backstage from everyone. Great tag match, from the Dom-Finn bait ‘n’ switch to Rollins trolling Rhea and getting both her and Dom ejected. Rollins & Styles winning made sense, it’s to keep Rollins’ momentum going as new world champion. At the same time, I still feel like someone from Judgment Day is going to challenge Rollins at MITB. I think it’s gonna be Seth VS Priest, but I would love to see Seth VS Dom. Imagine the chaotic uproar of fans singing “OH~ OH~ OHH~” while also booing Dom to death.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (5/26/23)