Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/15/22)
Happy Vengeance Day!
Time to break more than just hearts!
NXT brings back Vengeance Day, and puts a lot more than love on the line! Will Bron Breakker still be NXT Champion after facing Santos Escobar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Weaponized Steel Cage: Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo; Dunne wins.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Toxic Attraction VS Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta; Toxic Attraction wins and retains the titles.
- NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Cameron Grimes; Hayes wins and retains the title.
- 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: MSK VS The Creed Brothers; The Creed Brothers win and will challenge Imperium for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma; Breakker wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mandy Rose chills poolside.
“Rise and shine, bitches.” She texts her girls in Toxic Attraction, and they’re ready to stay champions. Indi & Persia don’t stand a chance. But then Tony D’Angelo tries to blow up their phones? He should be more worried about Pete Dunne and the cage match. Gigi doesn’t see the big deal. Maybe Tony will like this: gif of Dunne smacking those fingers! Trick Williams getting in on it, too? Gigi is down to get grimy, though. But what about THE NXT Champion? Let’s see some gold. Happy Vengeance Day!
Weaponized Steel Cage: Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo!
The Bruiserweight is already in the ring, he must’ve decorated the cage himself. But Tony rolls up in style! “Oh~!” Tony pays his driver then goes to the ring. Tony swaggers in, but will he even be walking out?
The bell rings, and Dunne ENZIGURIS Tony! Tony staggers, Dunne RAMS him into the trash can on the wall! And then the other one on the other side! Fans fire up as Dunne takes a chair and SMACKS Tony on the back! And then SMACKS him again! The chair breaks, and Dunne throws it away. Dunne brings down a trash can, but Tony TACKLSE Dunne! Tony sets the can aside, gets Dunne up and suplexes to FALCON ARROW on the can! Tony brings down some chairs, a chain, and a kendo stick! Tony SMACKS Dunne this time! Tony paces, fans want that “One More Time!” Tony opens the toolbox, but Dunne shuts it closed! And then STOMPS the lid!!
Dunne gets the toolbox, and brings out a wrench! Dunne uses the wrench to BEND Tony’s fingers! Hammerlock and STOMP! Tony clutches the arm while Dunne snarls. Fans rally up as Dunne gets his cricket bat! But Tony SPRAYS Dunne with the fire extinguisher! Tony climbs up, rains down fists on Dunne in the corner, then stands Dunne up. But Dunne goes to climb out! Tony stops Dunne at the top, Dunne elbows the hands away. But Tony drags Dunne around, for a SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe and fans lose their minds! Tony crawls to a cover, TWO! Dunne is still in this as fans say “This is Awesome!”
Tony goes back to the toolbox, and he brings out zip ties! Tony must’ve watched Dragunov VS Devlin, as he zip ties Dunne’s hands behind his back! Dunne has no hands, Tony kicks him around. “You thought you could do this to me?” Tony throws down hands, goes back to the toolbox, and has a hammer! Tony puts the hammer’s claw in Dunne’s mouth to mess with the teeth! Fans rally, chanting for the table. Tony gets Dunne up, Dunne HEADBUTTS Tony! Dunne shrugs, knees Tony low, and then jumps, for a NO HANDS TRIANGLE HOLD! Tony endures, stays up, deadlifts Dunne and POWERBOMBS him!
Tony is free, he hauls Dunne up, DDT! Cover, TWO! Dunne survives again, and fans still want tables. Tony drags Dunne up, brings him over to the table and reels him in. Fans fire up, but Dunne turns powerbomb into a GUILLOTINE!! Dunne drags Tony down, but Tony reaches into the toolbox! Dunne has pliers and he snips the zip ties so he can get free! Dunne’s hands are also freed, and as Tony crawls for the toolbox, Dunne grabs Tony’s hand! But Tony RAMS Dunne into the trash can lid! Tony climbs, and he gets himself the crowbar! But Dunne CHOP BLOCKS Tony’s leg! Dunne brings Tony out, POWERBOMB through the table!!!
Fans are losing their minds as Dunne drags Tony out of the wreckage! Cover, TWO!?! Tony survives and shocks Dunne! Fans argue the count, Tony manages to sit up. Dunne gets the cricket bat again, but Tony still has his crowbar. Dunne stands on the crowbar! And STOMPS the hands! Cricket bat SMACK! The bat breaks, Dunne pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!?! How?!? Fans are thunderous, and Dunne gets the crowbar. Dunne is seething, he aims at Tony, but Tony LOW BLOWS!! Then, FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover off the fisherman buster, TWO!?!? Dunne survives and now Tony is shocked!
Both men are down, fans are thunderous again. Dunne and Tony crawl for items. Tony gets his crowbar, but Dunne finds one he tucked away in a corner! Tony runs in, but Dunne CRACKS him low! Then CLOBBERS him from behind!! Pump handle, BITTER END on table wreckage! Cover, Dunne wins!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall
Dunne had an ace in the hole, and got the better of Tony with his own weapon of choice! Is this just the start of a new chapter for the Bruiserweight in NXT?
Raquel Gonzalez is calling.
Cora Jade wakes up and asks what’s going on. Good morning, time to get up. But it’s 5 AM! Cora, only losers are still asleep. Does she wanna win the Dusty Cup or not? Yes, but can’t they do this more at like 10? No, it’s time to train. Raquel is already outside her apartment! Cora needs time to get dressed…
They then go to the Performance Center, and Raquel says it takes three wins to win the tournament. Time to warm up. They pump iron, with Raquel doing much more. They run, they throw the medicine ball, they do chin-ups, and then Cora gets a snack. Raquel slaps that away. That’s not part of the plan. The Dusty Cup is a grueling tournament, no one is gonna just give up. Does Cora have the stamina to last night after night? yeah, yeah, she’s ready. Then finish strong. Let’s go! They jog in the park, do sit-ups, and push-ups. They gotta work as a team, so they’re gonna do partner carries. Raquel piggybacks on Cora, and Cora almost falls.
Okay, they gotta do this all again tomorrow. All of this? Exactly? Yes. But Cora killed it. Raquel’s proud. Cora might be having regrets, but will this all pay off in the end?
The Women’s Dusty Cup starts next Tuesday!
McKenzie stands by the Dusty Cup trophy because tonight, the men finish up! Who has MSK? Who has The Creed Brothers? We now hear from the finalists.
Malcolm Bivens speaks for Diamond Mine. “The Dusty Cup Finals, MSK VS The Creed Brothers, and boy, these two teams couldn’t be any more different.” Brutus Creed agrees. The Creeds are the ones who put in the work. They’re the ones that lift weights and hit bags. Bivens says the only thing MSK hits is still illegal in 13 states. Julius says the only green they chase is money. “But don’t get it twisted, the money doesn’t make us. We make the money.” The only reason MSK won last year is because the Creeds weren’t in it. And tonight, the creeds take what is theirs! They become Dusty Cup Champions! Diamond Mine forever!
But MSK are pumped up for the finals. One year ago, they walked in the new kids on the block, went to Vengeance Day and walked out Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Champions! There was confetti, sparklers, people were screaming, they were crying. Nash Carter denies every crying. It was allergies. Man, it’s all good. Wes Lee teared up, too. But now tables have turned. They’re going in the veterans against a team rising up the ranks faster than Bivens swipes right on Valentine’s. But everyone knows the Creeds, the freaks of natures who show no mercy. But they didn’t have Shaman Bro Riddle help them reach the mountaintop!
And that is what they’re gonna do this year, risking it all to make history! They’ll walk out two-time Dusty Cup winners! That’s MSK, all night and all day. But then, who puts their names on the plaque to then head for the NXT Tag Team Championships?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Toxic Attraction VS Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta!
Mandy Rose is still golden through and through, and now it’s time for Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne to put in the work. Will they stay on top of the NXT Women’s Division? Or will they be uprooted and dethroned by the best friends from down under?
But as soon as the challengers get in, the champions attack! Gigi is after Indi, Jacy is after Persia. Indi & Persia push them back but Gigi & Jacy DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Indi & Persia bail out, Toxic Attraction go to the apron. Jacy CANNONBALLS onto Persia, Gigi CANNONBALLS onto Indi! Mandy loves what she sees as her girls high-five. They get Persia up and in, the ref reprimands and Jacy starts with Persia at the bell. ROLLING ELBOW! Persia stays up, Jacy runs, but Persia catches her crossbody! FALL AWAY SLAM! Persia tags in Indi, Persia whips Jacy, then BACKBREAKERS! Feed to Indi’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Indi drags Jacy up, puts her through ropes and EuroUppers! Indi then BOOTS Jacy down, covers, TWO! Indi drags Jacy up but Jacy powers her to the corner! Jacy puts Indi up top, tag sin Gigi, but Indi fights them both off! Mandy distracts, Jacy GAMANGIRIS and Gigi BOOTS! Indi tumbles down to the floor and Mandy mocks her pain. Persia wants to reinforce Indi but the ref has her stay back. Mandy puts Indi in, but gets caught! The ref EJECTS Mandy! Toxic Attraction is furious but fans taunt Mandy as NXT goes picture in picture.
Gigi sits Indi up for Kowata Kicks! Gigi talks trash, then ROCKS Indi with a forearm! Gigi whips, ROCKS Indi again, then whips her for another big forearm. Gigi keeps going, but Indi gets around to roll Gigi up! TWO, Gigi CLOBBERS Indi! Cover, TWO! Gigi stalks Indi, drags her back by her ponytail, and clamps on a neck wrench. Indi endures, Gigi SLAMS her down, then Gigi just drags her up again. Gigi whips Indi into the Toxic corner, tags Jacy, and they sweep the legs. Jacy fires up, mocks Persia, then CANNONBALLS into Indi! Jacy drags Indi to a cover, TWO! Jacy smirks as she keeps on Indi and whips her to the corner for a SPLASH!
Tag back to Gigi, Gigi snapmares Indi and KICKS her in the back! Gigi tells Persia to kiss this, then she hip drops Indi. Gigi hip drops again, then taunts Persia. Gigi drags Indi up but Indi throws body shots. Gigi CLUBS Indi, drags her up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Jacy, they mug Indi with stomps, then tag again. Gigi stomps Indi more, lets off as the ref reprimands, but she keeps Indi in the corner. Tag to Jacy, Jacy digs her boot into Indi but lets off at 4. Jacy stalks Indi as she crawls then stomps her down. Jacy gets the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Indi endures, Jacy shakes her head and pulls the arms more.
Indi fights up as NXT returns to single picture. Jacy throws Indi down, then slaps her around. Indi throws body shots, Jacy CHOPS! Indi CHOPS, then blocks a kick to JAB! Jacy staggers, runs back in, DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS take both women down! Fans rally up as Indi and Jacy crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Gigi and Persia! Persia rallies on Gigi, runs in at the corner and SPLASHES! Persia scoops Gigi for SNAKE EYES! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Powerhouse Persia fires up, but Jacy jumps on! The ref reprimands, Persia RAMS Jacy into a corner! Persia fireman’s carries Gigi, stacks Jacy on top, and DOUBLE SAMOAN DROPS! Cover on Gigi, TWO!!
Persia drags Gigi up, CLUBS her, fans duel but Persia tags Indi. Feed to Indi’s lift, COMBO SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Jacy breaks it with a senton! A close call, but Persia goes after Jacy! They spill out of the ring as Persia keeps clubbing Jacy. Jacy gets up, Persia runs in, but is sent into steel steps! Indi sees Gigi is down, and she springboards, only for Jacy to trip her up! Gigi QUESTION MARK KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Indi still lives and fans fire up! Tag to Jacy, she and Gigi get Indi up. Gigi ROCKS Indi and Jacy runs, DISCUS HIGH-LOW!! Cover, Toxic Attraction wins!
Winners: Toxic Attraction, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Mandy may have been removed but Jacy & Gigi are still very sneaky. Will Toxic Attraction always been on top of the division? Or will the winners of the Women’s Dusty Cup be able to stop them?
Amari Miller and Wendy Choo hang out backstage.
Amari and Wendy realize Amari’s phone case matches Wendy’s thermos cup. They should’ve been a team all along! They both had good Valentine’s Days, but what about the Women’s Dusty Cup? Amari wishes Wendy had asked last week, she already accepted someone else’s offer. Wendy says that’s fine. Amari thanks Wendy for the shopping spree again, and Wendy says it’s good. Good luck out there! But then Wendy gives a thumbs down when Amari leaves. Who will she get for the Dusty Cup? Wait, Dakota Kai!? Wendy walks over and says, “Hey, loser. A spot on my team just opened up for the Dusty Cup. What do you say? Me, you?”
Dakota talks to her invisible friends in disbelief. Wendy wants to team with her? Sure, why not? Dakota again talks to her invisible friends about how weird that’d be, but Wendy interrupts. It can be a lot of fun. Dakota did win last year. But no, that’d be a horrible idea. Well, when Dakota and whoever else is here figure this out, come find Wendy. Dakota says it’ll be fine. But will whoever she’s talking to accept that?
Grayson Waller arrives, with the police!
The 21st Century Success Story tells Sanga to stay here, and when Waller returns with LA Knight in cuffs, they can get it on video, put it in TikTok and go viral! Waller talks to the officers. Knight has been harassing Waller for months, been a real nuisance, so Waller has no other choice. Waller leads the officers in, are we about to see Knight spend the night in jail?
Brooks and Briggs are at the bar.
Well, how did the date go? It went good. Brooks thanks Briggs for taking Kacy to the movies. Briggs says Brooks owes him $50 for the movie tickets, the popcorn, and a lotta beer. Okay, okay. But Brooks appreciates the alone time he had with Kayden. So how’d that go? Well, he picked her up in the pick-up truck, had a dinner, talked about the Dusty Classics, and being the independent woman that she is, she paid for herself, and then he took her back to her place. So was it nice? Yeah. What the hell, Brooks? Well, they hugged, said g’night, and then she said something really sweet. She thinks of him as a little brother.
Oh, brother. Briggs knows Brooks is from ‘Bama but that ain’t a good thing! That means you’re just friends! No way. Look, they’ll ask the bartender. Wait, Fallon? You work here? It’s her family’s place, she helps out from time to time. Well, okay, they can get a woman’s opinion on this. Hypothetically, maybe Brooks went on a date- Listen. Brooks went on a date, the lady paid for herself, she gave him a hug, and said he was like a brother to her. Good or not? In a way it’s good. A friend for life, for sure. Just a friend…? Brooks shouts, “NOOO!” Did Fallon say something wrong? No, it’s just Brooks is in… “The Zone.”
LA Knight goes to the ring!
Knight gets a mic, but Waller appears before Knight can speak! Waller points at Knight and tells the officer that that’s the man who’s been stalking him and attacking him! IT didn’t have to be this way, but Waller has no other choice! Officers, Waller will show you footage as to why this is happening. Last month, Waller fought his heart out against Styles, and then “this maniac viciously attacks” Waller, and has caused him emotional trauma! Waller protected himself with a restraining order, and yet Knight still puts his hands on him! Waller can’t sleep at night! He’s got so much anxiety! It’s not fair!
So the officers have seen the evidence, Knight violated the order, he should be arrested! Knight snatches the order and asks the officers to wait. He won’t stop them from doing their jobs. He knows he has the right to remain silent, but he also knows he has a right to explain his side of things, “So lemme talk to ya!” Knight read the order front to back, and knew that Waller would bring his own video evidence, so here’s some of Knight’s! Waller was the one who attacked Knight two weeks ago! Knight ain’t no legal beagle, but we all know that according to page two of the order, it reads, LA Knight cannot touch Grayson Waller but Grayson Waller can’t touch LA Knight!
So what that means is, this order ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on, ya dumb son of a bitch! No, in Australia, it’s only one way! But we’re in USA, Waller. The police leave, nothing to see here. Waller asks if there’s nothing stopping Knight right now. There isn’t. And Knight CLOBBERS Waller! Knight rains down rights, then stomps away in the corner! Fans chant, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But here comes Sanga! Knight knocks Sanga off the apron, then TOSSES Waller at him! Sanga catches Waller, and Knight says it is open season on Waller! Next week, Knight VS Waller, and Waller gets his ass stomped out by who? L A KNIGHT, YEAH!
Persia & Indi regroup backstage.
They were so close tonight! They worked so hard for those titles. Indi wants to take the blame but Persia says it’s fine. They can win the Women’s Dusty Cups and do it all over again. Dexter Lumis visits and Indi hugs. Indi tells Persia they’ll hang out later. Indi goes off with Dexter, and Duke Hudson walks in. Duke says he knows what’ll cheer Persia up. Seems Persia has a man of her own now. Will both Indi & Persia feel much, much better at the end of tonight?
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“I have spent the last six years of my career, of my life, building a brand, moment after moment, triumph after triumph, setback after setback. Building MY brand, building MY home. And yet still, there are people out there who act as if none of that matters. They act as if I’ve been doing this all in some sort of minor league farm system.” Ciampa sees it in their eyes, in how they look at him, how they talk to him, their body language. Those people think they’re better than Ciampa! Dolph Ziggler thinks he’s better than Tommaso Ciampa! But Ciampa thinks Ziggler has mistaken loyalty for fear.
Ciampa says it isn’t about that tonight. Tonight is Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar for the NXT Championship. The same title Ziggler wants, the same title Ciampa wants. Quite the predicament. Ziggler surely will be watching tonight, knowing that Ciampa will be watching, too. After all, this is Ciampa’s home. The Psycho Killer has sent his message, but will the Show-Off heed the warning?
NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Cameron Grimes!
Melo says himself, “I am NXT’s Breakout Superstar. When I shoot, I don’t miss.” Trick says to talk your talk. This is why Melo IS the Unified North American Champion, THE A Champion! Will Melo be pouring out another one, just like it shows on the shirt? Or will this top star be left in the dust as Cameron Grimes goes #ToTheMoon?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if Melo still stays the A Champion.
Fans chant, “Whoop That Trick!” and Grimes hopes Melo hears all that. Grimes says he’s goin’ TO~ THE~ MOON~, and then points a finger to the sky. Melo aims at the “rocket,” shoots it down, and then stomps on it! Grimes and Melo circle, tie up, and go around. Melo puts Grimes on the ropes, the ref counts, Melo lets off quickly. The two go again, Grimes gets a leg but Melo hops to the ropes. Grimes lets off quickly, and the two reset again. They tie up with knuckle locks, Grimes spins to wrench and wrangle Melo to the mat. Melo kips up and wrenches back. Grimes slips through, fireman’s carries takeover, cover, ONE!
Melo gets away and fans cheer the exchange. The two go again, Grimes shoots in to get a leg then a waistlock. Melo fights up, backs Grimes into a corner, but Grimes avoids the cheap shot to arm-drag and armlock! Grimes grinds the arm, Melo fights up, but Grimes wrenches and WRINGS Melo out. Cover, ONE as Melo goes Matrix, but Grimes clamps onto the arm for another armlock. Melo kips up, arm-drags back and has the armlock back. Fans rally and duel, Grimes works his way up, and Grimes arm-drags Melo down. Melo facelocks, Grimes fights up and wrenches out to a headlock. Melo powers out, Grimes runs him over!
Fans fire up, things speed up, Melo hurdles, Grimes handsprings and says, “Kiss Mah Grits!” Grimes then counter punches Melo, CHOPS him, and Melo is stinging! Grimes KICKS Melo against ropes, then whips him. Melo reverses, bumps shoulders, kicks low, CLUBS Grimes on the back, then whips. Grimes reverses back, and back drops Melo high and hard! Fans fire up, Trick talks trash to distracts Grimes. Melo mule kicks low! Melo drags Grimes up to throw forearms. Melo whips Grimes, Grimes reverses but Melo slips off the back to CLOBBER Grimes! Melo runs in, but Grimes throws him out!
Grimes goes to the apron, but Trick is in the way! Melo blocks the kick to trip Grimes! Melo gets in, runs in, but blocks a boot. Melo avoids the enziguri, puts Grimes in the ropes, ENZIGURI! And then a FADE AWAY! The imploding leg drop takes Grimes down, Melo pats himself on the back as NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo and Trick high-five while Grimes flounders in the corner. Melo stomps a mudhole, lets off as the ref counts, and then he drags Grimes to a cover. TWO, and Melo is annoyed. Melo pushes Grimes around, has him in a corner, and whips him corner to corner hard! Grimes bounces off buckles, Melo covers, TWO! Trick talks trash on Grimes, Melo talks a little trash of his own, and then Melo snapmares Grimes into a chinlock. Grimes endures as Melo grinds him into the mat. Trick says to squeeze, but Grimes fight sup. Grimes throws body shots, gets free, runs, ducks and dodges, CROSSBODY!
Both men are down, Trick is stressing out but fans rally up. Grimes gets up, goes for Melo, but Melo YANKS him into buckles! Melo gets up while the ref reprimands, and Trick gets a cheap shot in! Melo drags Grimes to a cover. TWO, and Melo is annoyed again. Melo stomps Grimes down, drags Grimes up and CHOPS him down, then drags Grimes up again for another CHOP! Grimes falls back down, Melo gets the arm for a top wristlock. Grimes endures the grind as Melo leans on the hold. NXT returns to single picture as fans rally and duel. Grimes sits up but Melo twists the wristlock. Trick says to keep on that, but Grimes fight sup again.
Grimes goes around and around, arm-drags Melo off, and then gets to a corner, Melo runs in, Grimes BOOTS him away this time. Melo comes back, Grimes goes up and over, ducks and dodges, COLLISION COURSE! Both men are down and Trick is freaking out! Fans are fired up as Melo and Grimes stir. Grimes kips up! Grimes fires up and fans cheer as he fires off on Melo. Melo hits back, they go back and forth with forearms! Melo wobbles, winds up, then throat chops! Grimes blocks the kick to RANA Melo! Grimes rallies with running forearms, then runs in at the corner, but Melo BOOTS him!
Melo runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Grimes powers through that to tilt-o-whirl SLAM Melo! Cover, TWO! Trick is relieved but fans argue the count. Grimes wants another cover, Melo shoves him away. “This is Awesome!” as Grimes waistlocks Melo. Melo resists the lift, elbows free, but Grimes SUPER- NO! Melo blocks the punch to CODE BREAKER! Melo runs, springboards, FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Trick can’t believe it! Fans argue the count again but Melo just tries to refocus. Melo snarls, says he IS the A Champion, shoots the three, but Grimes ROCKS him with a back elbow!
Grimes kicks but Melo ducks it to JUMP KICK back! Melo rolls off Grimes’ back, but into Grimes’ SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Grimes can’t believe it! Melo checks his teeth, Grimes snarls and gets up. Melo sits up, Grimes KICKS Melo in the chest, and KICKS him again! Trick distracts Grimes, Grimes dares Trick to try something! Melo runs in, Grimes sidesteps and Melo almost collides with Trick! Grimes jumps up, POISON-RANA on Melo!! Then PENALTY KICK for Trick! Grimes hurries and fans are thunderous! Melo is up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! That’s not enough yet, and Melo even shakes his head!
Fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” and shout along, “TO~ THE~ MOON~!” But Melo bails out to deny the stomps! So Grimes goes to the apron, CAVE-IN on Trick as Melo moves! Melo RAMS Grimes into the barriers! Melo tells the belt he’s never gonna lose it. Melo puts Grimes in, runs to ropes, tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!? But into the CROSSFACE! Melo bends Grimes way back! Grimes endures, fans rally, and Grimes gets his arm free! Grimes crawls, Melo pulls on the bully choke! Trick pulls on the rope! The ref reprimands, Melo kicks off the rope to roll back, but Grimes makes it a cover! TWO!!
Grimes is free, he hurries to the corner, Melo runs in but is put on the apron. Melo YANKS Grimes back by his hair! Grimes staggers, Melo hits the FLYING LEG DROP!! Cover, Melo wins!!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Melo #DroppinDimes and keeping the gold! Trick says that’s the A Champion, all because he played his part in this. Will Melo never miss when he has Trick for the assist?
Kay Lee Ray talks with Io Shirai.
The Scary Queen of Scots smashes class with her bat, and asks the Evil Genius if she wants a turn. Shirai says no thanks. Not her style. Aw, c’mon. Surely Shirai is mad about something. Like how there’s no title around her waist, and how she can’t stand Toxic Attraction. Right now, Toxic Attraction has all the gold, they injured Zoey Stark, and- Okay, okay. Shirai will try. SMASH! Homer after homer! Shirai & KLR are having fun now! Shirai does feel better. Stark asks what the heck is with this mess, and then Shirai takes Starks’ coffee cup and SMASHES it on the ground.
Shirai likes KLR. Well, that’s a better start than with Stark. KLR says they’re gonna have some fun. Will they have fun smashing their way through the Dusty Cup to then smash Toxic Attraction?
2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: MSK VS The Creed Brothers!
Once again, the finals are must-see. Carter & Lee can make history by being back-to-back winners, but Julius & Brutus could prove they’re the future of this division. Will MSK become NXT’s dream team? Or is Diamond Mine about to crush them on the way to the gold?
The teams sort out, Brutus starts with Carter. Brutus shoots in, Carter steps over, they roll, and Brutus still has the leg. Carter gets the ropes, Brutus lets off and CLUBS Carter down to fireman’s carry throw. Tag to Julius, Brutus feeds Carter to Julius’ fireman’s carry takeover, and then Julius feeds Carter back to Brutus’ fireman’s carry takeover. Julius pushes Carter around, waistlocks, but Carter elbows back. Julius still GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Carter lands on his feet! Lee tags in, shoulders into Julius and then slingshots and body blows! Carter KICKS, Lee KICKS, Carter KICKS and Lee ENZIGURIS! Carter DOUBLE STOMPS and fans fire up!
Lee taunts Brutus but Julius bails out. The ref keeps Brutus back, Lee runs and FLIES over the corner to hit Julius! Lee puts Julius in the ring while fans are losing their minds. Lee springboards, handsprings, but Julius SLAMS him down! Julius gut wrenches, rolls with Lee, and then gets him up to throw him into ropes! Julius DECKS Carter, runs and POUNCES Lee to the announce desk! Fans fire up for “CREED! CREED! CREED!” and NXT goes picture in picture.
Julius goes out to fetch Lee into the ring, then goes in to HALF HATCH Lee to the corner! Tag to Brutus, Brutus KNEES Lee in the side, Julius KNEES Lee back, and repeat! Brutus looms over Lee, brings him around, CLUBS him down, then drags him over to tag in Julius. Brutus DECKS Lee, then Julius gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on him! Julius taunts Carter, drags Lee up, and waistlocks for a rear bearhug. Lee endures, throws elbows, but Julius keeps him from Carter,. Lee elbows even harder, but Julius CLOBBERS him! Julius drags Lee away, tags in Brutus, and now Brutus JUDO THROWS Julius onto Lee!
Brutus drops elbows on Lee’s leg, circles him like a shark, then drags Lee back up. Brutus wraps on the bearhug and Lee endures the squeeze. Brutus thrashes Lee around but Lee throws down elbows. But Brutus squeezes tight again! Lee still endures, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally up. Brutus SLAMS Lee down, then rains down clubbing forearms! Lee gets away and Brutus hammers the mat! Brutus snarls as he stalks Lee. Brutus lunges in but Lee dodges and Brutus hits buckles! Lee crawls, Brutus gets the legs, but kicks Brutus away. Hot tags to Julius and Carter! Carter rallies on Julius, CHOPS him, then whips.
Julius reverses, Carter turns hurdle into FLAPJACK, then SNAP GERMANS Julius down! Fans fire up as Carter fires off strikes. Carter sweeps the leg and PENALTY KICKS! SUPERKICK for Brutus! Carter sees Julius go out, and he has Lee coordinate. APRON PUSH-SAULT! Down goes Julius and fans fire up with Carter! Carter drags Julius up and into the ring. Carter goes up, Lee tags in, Carter SWANTON BOMBS! Lee goes up as Carter dropkicks Brutus! Lee MARIPOSA SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Brutus survives the corkscrew, “This is Awesome!” Lee KICKS Julius, tags Carter, and MSK coordinates, RAILGUN DROP-
NO! Julius catches Carter to dump him out! Julius runs at Lee but into a basement dropkick! The legs go out, Lee gets Julius, CATAPULT SUPERKICK! DOUBLE STOMPS!! Carter covers, Brutus barrels through Lee to break it!! Fans are fired up again as all four men are down! Lee BOOTS Brutus, Brutus BOOTS back! Carter KNEES Brutus out of the ring! Julius bails out but Carter builds speed, to DIVE into a SPINEBUSTER!! Julius puts Carter in, fans are losing their minds again, and Julius brings down the straps. SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, CREEDS WIN!!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall (2022 Dusty Rhodes Classic winners)
Bivens is almost tearing up, he’s so proud of his guys! Julius & Brutus raise the cup high as the confetti rains down! But will they be able to end the reign of Imperium?
Nikkita Lyons speaks.
“One night, my dad sat me down to talk to me before one of his gigs.” He told her to stop beating people up and pushing people away. She was here on this planet to bring people together. Her eyes lit up, and the rest is history. Nikki’s feelings of crushing a routine is only compared to a knockout blow on an opponent. Nikki knows she’s a whole lotta woman who’s ready to do a whole lotta whoopin’. She won’t hide it, deny it or apologize for it. Watch out for Lyons’ roar, because she’s coming to NXT next week!
Imperium is in the ring!
The NXT Tag Team Champions and Gunther are here, and Gunther wants the ring announcer to get it right: “It’s GUNTA!” Fans still chant “Walter! Walter!” Aichner says, “Congratulations to the Creed Brothers, Dusty Classic winners. After a grueling tournament, you have now earned the opportunity at our tag team titles. But that’s all it is: an opportunity.” Barthel says that to truly understand what Imperium stands for, “you must be willing to persevere through suffering, anguish, and the misery that you are not prepared to endured just yet.” Gunther says Marcel & Fabian have brought honor to our great sport!
But for himself, it is time he sets his eyes on championship gold in NXT! Tonight, he will be watching Bron VS Escobar with “the highest of interest.” For they are Imperium, and to them, the mat- They’re interrupted by Solo Sikoa! The Street Champion of the Island says, “Yo, we get it. The mat is sacred, right? That’s what you was about to say. I don’t give a damn about that mat. Because on the island, you gotta climb the ladder, find the biggest and the baddest dude, and then we smack the taste outta his mouth!” That’s what he’s about to do to Gunther! Solo doesn’t care how to say his name, he’s gonna wipe the mat with the Ring General, and make him his BITCH.
Walter/Gunther keeps Barthel & Aichner from going after Solo. Will the Ring General make the Street Champion wishes he never got into the family business?
Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.
The Show-Off got hit with a drink in his face by Ciampa last night on Raw. Not the first time someone’s done that to him, and certainly not the last. But it wasn’t just water, either. Ciampa got a nice kick for his troubles, though. But it must be nice being Ciampa. Staying in his lane, soaking up the Florida sun, popping off and being annoying. Sure, Ziggler can handle that. But Ciampa showed up on Raw, flew himself on his own dime, middle seat in the back. He was on commentary, flexing his muscles. Hope Ciampa got a nice big picture of that, he can make it into an 8 x 10 and put his autograph on it to sell for a lot of money, here in Florida.
Ziggler knows Ciampa is the pulse of NXT, but Ziggler stops that pulse next week. This is Ciampa’s home? Well next week, Ziggler kicks down the door, opens up the fridge, drinks milk outta the carton, takes a bathroom break and a little more. Now, the NXT Championship match is next, and you better believe Ziggler will watch it closely.
Melo & Trick regroup backstage.
They’re talking about who will win tonight’s main event. Bron may be good, but what does being good matter to someone who is great? Good point, Melo. But then Pete Dunne walks over. “Congrats, mate. Still North American Champion… for now.” The Bruiserweight coming for The A Champion next, will he be the first to make Melo miss?
NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma!
All eyes are on this main event! Two second generation wrestlers collide for the biggest prize on this brand! And for that reason, this main event is COMMERCIAL FREE!! Will the Big Booty Nephew hold onto the gold to then welcome everyone else to try? Or will The Son of the Phantom solidify his own legacy by reaching the mountaintop?
NXT returns one more time, Bron makes his entrance, using a flare to ignite the old school Vengeance logo. Bron then makes his way out, all fired up. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Bron wins this make-or-break match!
Escobar talks trash on Bron but Bron just smirks. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock! Escobar keeps trying but then Bron pushes him back! They end up in a corner, Bron lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Escobar shoves but Bron doesn’t budge! They tie up again, turn around, Bron shoves Escobar away. Bron flexes, Escobar gets up and the two circle again. They tie up, Escobar waistlocks but Bron headlocks back. Escobar endures the grind, powers up but can’t power out as Bron holds tight. Escobar tries again, he stomps on Bron’s foot and powers out. But Bron runs Escobar over! Fans bark for Bron as he looms over Escobar.
Escobar gets up, Bron headlocks again but Escobar powers out. Things speed up, Escobar dropkicks Bron down! Fans rally but Bron is right back up. Bron says that was pretty good. They tie up, Born headlocks, but Escobar powers out. Bron sees the drop down and gator rolls it to a suplex! Bron holds Escobar up, walks around with him, and then SLAMS him down! Bron kips up! Fans fire up, bark for Bron, but Escobar bails out. Bron pursues, Escobar gets back in, but Born dodges. Things speed up, Escobar hurdles, but Bron ducks and dodges to LARIAT Escobar down! Bron RAMS Escobar in the corner, then RAMS his shoulder in more.
The ref counts, Bron lets off and scoops Escobar to carry him around. Fans duel, Bron hits a BACKBREAKER! Wilde distracts Bron in that bright red suit, then runs off as Bron storms over. Escobar CLOBBERS Bron from behind! Bron goes out, Escobar builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL! Direct hit with that powerful tope and Escobar whips Bron into steel steps! Escobar drags Bron up, puts him in, then pushes him down to a cover. TWO, but Escobar hammers away on Bron’s back. Escobar drags Bron up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Escobar gets annoyed but he keeps on Bron with a chinbar and armlock.
Bron endures, Escobar shifts his grip on the chinbar, then digs a knee into the back. Escobar drags Bron through the ropes, turns him, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Escobar takes time to fix his hair, “Viva Mexico, Vic!” Escobar gets in to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Escobar gets Bron up as fans rally and duel. Escobar puts Bron in a corner but Bron throws body shots! Bron turns thing around and throws more hands! The ref counts, Bron lets off, but then runs back in, into a BOOT! Escobar drags Bron back up, puts him back in the corner with buckle bumps, then clubs his back. Escobar goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES!
Escobar pushes Bron down to cover, TWO! Escobar grows frustrated but he drags Bron to a corner. Escobar brings the legs onto the steel steps, then brings Bron all the way out. BOSTON CRAB against the post! The ref reprimands and counts, Escobar lets go at 4. Escobar puts Bron on the steps and RAMS his head into the post! Escobar puts Bron in the ring, drops an elbow, then drags Bron around for another elbow drop! Escobar is after the neck as he digs a knee in and pulls on the arm. Bron endures, fans rally and bark, but Escobar pulls on the arm more. Escobar sits Bron up for a chinlock against the knee.
Bron still endures, fans rally and duel, and Escobar pulls Bron back more. Bron fights up as fans rally more. Bron throws body shots, Escobar CLUBS him on the neck over and over. Escobar whistles and fans cheer. Escobar drags Bron up, “I told you, Bron! Callete, cabron! I told you, this is MY time, cabron.” Escobar winds up, but Bron blocks the punch! Bron fights up, bends the hand, then ROCKS Escobar! And again! And again! Bron rallies with shoulder tackles, then dodges Escobar to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Bron fires up, fans bark and Bron aims from the corner. But Mendoza distracts now, so Bron DECKS him!
Bron sees Wilde and TOSSES him into the ring! Wilde gets up, Bron clotheslines him out! Elektra distracts now, but here comes ZIGGLER! SUPERKICK!!! Escobar hurries to cover, TWO!! Bron survives the screw job from the Show-Off! Ziggler throws a fit, gets back in, but CIAMPA drags Ziggler out! They brawl again, and Ciampa runs Ziggler off! Escobar goes to a corner, seethes as he aims at Bron, and Bron flounders up. Escobar runs in, TORNADO DDT!! Bron is down, Escobar goes up! He shouts out Eddie Guerrero, but he has to bail out of the frog splash! Escobar fireman’s carries but Bron fights free!
Bron shoves, runs, and SPEARS!! Straps come down, fans are thunderous, and Bron gets Escobar up. Trophy lift, for the BREAKKER SLAM!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
The young champion is still champion, even as Escobar had more than just Legado helping him! Will Bron continue on as the Face of NXT? Who will come for him next?
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode for NXT! The fanservice eye candy opening with Toxic Attraction was very much what Vince has made NXT into, but things got serious right away with the Weaponized Steel Cage Match. It was great stuff, and what a clever spot with Dunne getting the secret crowbar out. Dunne winning was quite the surprise, but then after the awesome North American Championship match of Melo VS Grimes, we see why. Dunne is at least going to put Melo over to build that reign, but I would love if Dunne finally got some crossover in his résumé. Former NXT UK Champion becoming North American Champion, that’d be pretty cool.
The training montage for Raquel and Cora was pretty fun stuff. KLR and Shirai bonding over smashing things was a nice little touch. And then I had a sneaking suspicion that Wendy and Dakota were going to team up for the Women’s Dusty Cup. Amari Miller is either teaming with Tiffany Stratton, or Lash Legend as Amari and Lash worked a few matches on 205 Live together. Or I guess we’ll be calling it NXT: LVL UP now. Not that it’s a level up, it’s still going to be NXT Lite to me. We got a great NXT Women’s Tag title match, but I figured Toxic Attraction would retain. I’m already thinking our semifinalists are going to be Raquel & Cora, Wendy & Dakota, Shirai & KLR and then Indi & Persia. And other than Wendy & Dakota, any of those teams could take the cup.
Duke Hudson made his move, that is planting the seeds of Persia & Indi breaking up, so maybe they aren’t winning the Women’s Dusty Cup, either… Brooks & Briggs have really good comedy chops, they’ve really turned this romcom with KC Squared around. I like that they got Fallon Henley (Tesha Price) in on this one, and I sense more these three becoming a faction over Brooks getting Kayden to see him as a romantic interest. Nikkita Lyons has another good promo, her debut is coming, I actually expect some big things from her. She was already a rather promising talent when she got her start in Women of Wrestling, let’s just hope Vince doesn’t ruin things.
The segment with Waller and Knight was actually a good surprise that Knight turned tables on Waller. Their match is going to be great stuff. Last week, I said that match with the Grizzled Young Veterans was The Creed Brothers’ best match. This week, the match with MSK was The Creed Brothers’ best match. The finish was abrupt but this was a great win for The Creeds, I did not think it was going that way. Imperium had a good promo to frame the win as more the honor of losing to them, but wow I didn’t think someone would step up to Walter/Gunther. Solo Sikoa VS Walter/Gunther is going to be great stuff, but it’ll certainly be a win for Walter/Gunther on his way to the top title.
We got good promos from Ziggler and Ciampa, and we should’ve figured they’d have a part to play in the main event. Their match is going to be great, and I would think Ziggler as Jobber to the Stars puts Ciampa over so even RawDown fans understand Ciampa is great. Bron VS Escobar was also great, and I really liked Escobar’s tights being tribute to Eddie Guerrero and Eddie’s first world title win. But in the end, Bron IS NXT 2.0 personified for Vince, so Bron wins. Bron will take on the winner of Ciampa VS Ziggler, or maybe even both of them regardless. I can’t be sure who takes the title off Bron, it feels like it’s gonna be all year before that happens.
My Score: 9/10
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Four championships on one Friday night!
AEW Rampage hosts FOUR (non AEW) championship matches on one night! Will the champions make it through with their titles?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AAA Mega Championship Triple Threat: El Hijo del Vikingo VS Komander VS Dralistico; Vikingo wins and retains the title.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Action Andretti; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Emi Sakura; Willow wins and retains the title.
- ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata VS Lee Moriarty; Shibata wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
AAA Mega Championship Triple Threat: El Hijo del Vikingo VS Komander VS Dralistico w/ Jose!
Two of these men teamed up just last night on ROH to win a Six Man Tag, but now they are opponents for the top title in AAA Lucha Libre. Meanwhile, La Faccion Ingobernable’s Prince of Silver and Gold is hungry for gold, will he take it away from Vikingo?
The bell rings and the three circle. Fans rally up for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” and “LUCHA LIBRE!” Dralistico swings, Vikingo dodges, but then Komander ducks Vikingo’s kick! Dralistico picks Vikingo up, throws him at Komander, but Komander throws Vikingo back. Vikingo wheelbarrows and arm-drags Dralistico but handsprings through. Vikingo dodges Komander now, shoves him to ropes, but Komander springboards! Vikingo gets under the crossbody, Komander tumbles and rolls but Dralistico jumps over, and then Vikingo jumps over Dralistico. Komander jumps over Vikingo, Dralistico jumps over Komander again, and they cycle continues!
Fans fire up for jump after jump, and then the three stand off. Dralistico raises the LFI fist and the three circle. Dralistico shoves the other two to then DOUBLE SHOTGUN! They bail out, Dralistico runs to FLY! Dralistico wipes both men out and fans fire up! Dralistico RAMS Komander into steel steps, and then he runs and RAMS Vikingo into railing! Fans cheer, Jose pats Dralistico on the shoulder and Dralistico goes back to BOOT Komander down. Dralistico puts Komander in, aims and springboards, to SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Dralistico wants a faster count but the ref says his count was fair.
Dralistico stomps Komander but fans taunt him. Dralistico bails out, tells the fans he’s done with them, but then they boo. Dralistico goes back to the ring, brings Komander up and tells everyone to hush. Dralistico CHOPS and Komander sits right down! Fans cheer as Dralistico says one more time, and he CHOPS, and CHOPS, and whips Komander. Komander reverses, runs in but is put on the apron. Dralistico swings, Komander blocks, and then Komander CHOPS! Komander slingshots up but Dralistico trips him! Dralistico ROCKS Komander, puts him in the ropes, and then goes up the corner.
Fans fire up as Dralistico WOE STOMPS Komander to the apron!! Fans fire up but then Vikingo gets in to go up and up and AIRHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Dralistico and the fans are thunderous! Vikingo gets Dralistico and Komander in the ring, and then runs in at the corner. Dralistico stands up into the GAMANGIRI! Vikingo goes up the corner, to IMPLODER DRAGON RANA!! Fans fire up as Vikingo keeps Dralistico in the ring to then go up the ropes, OUTSIDE-IN PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Komander breaks it! Fans fire up as this continues, they love “LUCHA! LUCHA!”
Vikingo GAMANGIRIS Dralistico, Komander adds a knee, and they double whip corner to corner. Vikingo sends Komander in but Dralistico TOSSES him out! Vikingo and Dralistico step up face to face, and Vikingo CHOPS! Dralistico CHOPS! Vikingo CHOPS again! Dralistico drops to a knee, and fans rally up. Vikingo throws forearms but Dralistico gives them back. Dralistico then SOBATS, KNEES, and runs, but into a SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO! Dralistico survives and Vikingo is a bit surprised. Fans continue to rally as Vikingo sees Komander on the apron. Vikingo storms up to throw forearms on Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Vikingo GAMANGIRIS Komander down to the floor, then he fires forearms on Dralistico. Vikingo gets the fans fired up as he whips corner to corner. Dralistico reverses, runs in, but Vikingo puts him on the apron. Dralistico bumps Viking off buckles, ROUNDHOUSES him, then springboards, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Vikingo is still in this and Jose is upset. Dralistico drags Vikingo up, pushes him to ropes, then goes out to look under the ring. He brings out a TABLE! Jose helps Dralistico set that up at ringside, then Dralistico goes to fetch Vikingo. Komander is there but Dralistico ROCKS him and RAMS him into railing.
Dralistico CHOKES Vikingo against the railing, Rampage returns to single picture, and Dralistico puts Vikingo in the ring. Fans rally up, Dralistico runs to SUPERKICK Komander in the corner! Dralistico tranquilos on the top rope and fans are torn. Dralistico runs side to side again but Komander avoids the boot wash to GAMANGIRI! Komander springboards and double jumps, FLYING RANA!! Not the cleanest but fans fire up. Vikingo returns, Komander goes Matrix to then arm-drag Vikingo around! And dropkick! Fans fire up again as Vikingo brawls with Dralistico on the outside, and Komander climbs the far corner!
Komander tightrope walks to double jump MOONSAULT! “This is Awesome!” as Komander puts Dralistico in the ring. Komander goes up the corner again, tightrope walks again, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, but Vikingo DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS it apart! Fans fire up as Dralistico flops out onto the table. Vikingo whips Komander, Komander reverses, but Vikingo goes up and Komander hits buckles! Vikingo then springboards to FLYING POISON-RANA Komander down!! Vikingo puts Komander out on the table with Dralistico, and then runs the ropes! Fans fire up as Vikingo goes up and 630 SENTONS through the senton!!
“This is Awesome!” but Dralistico avoided disaster! Dralistico puts Vikingo in, slashes his throat, POWER- RANA!! Cover, VIKINGO WINS!!
Winner: El Hijo del Vikingo, by pinfall (still AAA Mega Champion)
Dralistico is furious that victory was snatched away from him in an instant! But this is why you cannot underestimate El Hijo del Vikingo! Will his AAA Mega reign continue through the summer?
Backstage interview with Team Triple J.
Lexi Nair is with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, “and the talk all week has been that you, Sonjay Dutt, and your group will be suspended.” WHAT?! Fined? Suspended? The only ones who should be facing that is AEW itself! They backed Triple J into a corner and they came out swinging like any real fighters would! Lethal feels that there should be consequences for Aubrey Edwards! She’s been against Triple J since the dawn of time! Something needs to be done about her! Jeff adds that there’s been enough talk these past five days. Should the heat go on the promotion? Should the heat go on Briscoe? On Aubrey?
The reality of the fact is, these five people are walking, talking, fire-breathing heat! But wait, here comes Mark Briscoe! He wants everyone to simmer down. There will be no suspensions, he assures us that. Mark talked with Tony Khan, Tony promised them there would be no suspensions. Because if Triple J is suspended, then they can’t be here. Because if they aren’t here, then they can’t get the ass whooping they deserve! Lethal wants Mark to hold on but Mark tells Lethal to shut up! We ain’t talking about Lethal! We’re talking about Jeff and KAREN! What?! “We?” Who is “we?!” AUBREY EDWARDS!!
Triple J cannot believe this. Aubrey wants Karen? Then there’s nothing but air and opportunity between them. So then Aubrey CHOKES Karen!! Karen and Aubrey start scrapping and Triple J, other refs and security rush in to stop this! When and where will Double J & the one true Karen have to face off with the Sussex County Chicken and one pissed off zebra?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Action Andretti!
Speaking of just last night on ROH, the Frontman of TMDK just defended this belt against Rocky Romero to prove a point to “Samoan Joseph” about who is the better, harder working Television Champion. And here he is again as part of this championship edition of Rampage! Will the ZSJ Show continue on into the summer block? Or will NJPW have some #LightsCameraAction?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Action gets his 15 minutes of fame!
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The two circle, fans rally, feel things out, and ZSJ shoots in to waistlock and full nelson. Then he spins Action to a cravat, but Action pries at the hold. ZSJ facelocks now, Action wrenches out of that but ZSJ rolls and slips away. Fans cheer this opening exchange and the two reset. Action shoots in but ZSJ avoids him. They tie up with knuckle locks, ZSJ bridges back and wrenches around to then wrangle Action with a top wristlock. Fans cheer and ZSJ digs a knee into the shoulder. Action rolls, cartwheels, arm-drags, but fans cheer as ZSJ holds onto the wrist!
ZSJ twists the wrist, bends the fingers, drags Action up and wrenches the arm to wrangle him again. Action keeps his shoulders up, fans rally, and Action kips up to wrench and MONKEY FLIP! But ZSJ still holds onto the wrist! Fans rally, ZSJ bends the fingers and he tortures Action’s arm. Action fights up but ZSJ keeps after the fingers. ZSJ flexes but Action stands. Action spins, flips and arm-drags free! Action then CHOPS ZSJ, then knuckle locks to go up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! ZSJ flounders up, Action DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Action runs to IMPLODER TORNILLO! Cover, TWO!
ZSJ is still in this but he goes to a corner. Action runs in, but ZSJ dodges. Action goes up, leaps, and FLYING RANAS! ZSJ bails out, fans fire up and Action builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! Fans are fired up with Action and he brings ZSJ back up. Action puts ZSJ in, slingshots, but ZSJ shoves him! Action lands safe but swings into body scissors, which ZSJ makes into a HANGING TRIANGLE! ZSJ did this to Rocky last night! The ref counts, ZSJ lets go at 4 and he drags Action back in, to WRING the arm out! Fans sing “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~” as he stalks Action. ZSJ sits on the arm, hammerlocks it, and TWISTS!
Action writhes while fans are torn over the savagery. ZSJ gets Action’s leg, steps over to get the arm, and he STOMPS the arm! “OI! TV Tekkers, mates!” ZSJ stalks Action to a corner, brings him up and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! “This is Awesome!” and ZSJ knuckle locks to wrench Action. Action endures as ZSJ twists the wrist more, and then ZSJ KICKS a leg. Action stays up so ZSJ wrenches and twists the wrist. Action throws body shots and CHOPS! ZSJ jumps on to drag Action down to a DISARMER! Action endures, reaches out, and fans rally. Action kicks around, ZSJ pulls on the arm, but Action gets the ROPEBREAK!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but he storms up to drag Action up. ZSJ has a double wristlock but Action endures. Fans rally, ZSJ jumps on to body scissor! Action stays up but ZSJ keeps on that arm. Action throws body shots, then suplexes high and HARD! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Action roars, runs, springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and fans rally up again. Action brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the torture rack to wrench and PELE the arm! And then he drop toeholds Action so he can STOMP the arm again! Fans are torn while Action clutches the bad shoulder.
ZSJ drags Action up, but Action blocks the Pele to ENZIGURI! Action puts ZSJ up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up after him. But ZSJ gets the bad arm to twist it! And YANK it! Action throws body shots, forearms, but ZSJ DECKS Action! ZSJ eggs on the fans, the fans cheer, and Action kips up! PELE!! Action runs corner to corner and jumps up to SUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and Action can’t believe it! Action drags ZSJ up, torture racks, but ZSJ has a SLEEPER! Action sputters, he starts fading! But Action powers up! ZSJ lets go, slips free, but Action drops to victory roll! TWO!!!
ZSJ KICKS Action in the leg! And then KICKS him in the arm! ZSJ is mad now, but he runs into a SUPERKICK! Action goes up, POISON-RANA!! ZSJ flops around, Action runs in again, “This is Awesome!” as Action SHOTGUNS ZSJ down! ZSJ is in the drop zone, Action goes up, SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives again but Action goes right to the apron. Action springboards, but flies into a TAKEDOWN! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!!! Action flails around, but ZSJ gets the other arm! Modified Rings of Saturn, into JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!! Action verbally quits, ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World TV Champion)
Action’s 15 minutes of fame were really just over 10 minutes as The Frontman does it again! But now he moves on to defend this title at NJPW Dominion on Sunday against Jeff Cobb in a highly anticipated rematch. The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will ZSJ get crushed by the Imperial Unit?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Emi Sakura!
The Babe with the Power, too sweet to be sour, is the very-first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion after a powerful run at Resurgence. But will Willow make it through her first defense? Or will the Queen of Joshi take Willow’s throne already?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we witness a historic first defense!
The bell rings and the two RAM each other! Fans rally up as Emi and Willow RAM shoulders again! And again! Emi eggs Willow on so she says okay! Willow runs, RAMS Emi, but Emi roars! Emi runs, Willow follows and runs Emi over! Fans fire up and Willow waves. Willow brings Emi up to snap suplex! Willow runs up to CHOP Emi in the corner, then follows her along the ropes. Willow CHOPS Emi in the other corner and fans rally up. Willow puts Emi in the third corner, CHOPS, CHOPS and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up but Emi avoids the big chop. Emi runs in but Willow goes out to the apron.
Emi stops from hitting buckles, but Willow still counter punches her! Willow then brings Emi up, and fans fire up as they go up the ropes! Emi fights the suplex, tries to suplex Willow, but Willow fights to try again. But Emi rakes the eyes! Emi runs to BODY CHECK Willow off the apron! Emi goes out, signals to media to move, and laughs before she TOSSES Willow at railing! Fans rally as Emi runs in to SPLASH Willow against the railing! The ring count climbs as Emi drags Willow up and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Emi puts Willow in the ring, taunts the fans a bit, soaks up some heat, and then takes her time going up the steel steps. Willow sits up, Emi steps in, but Willow throws body shots! Emi CHOPS Willow, Willow goes to ropes, and Emi CHOPS her again! Willow goes to a corner, Emi soaks up the heat, and she storms up to CHOP again! And again! And again! Emi swaggers around, storms back up, but Willow CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! Willow CHOPS again! Willow falls, Emi hurries to sit her up into a DRAGON SLEEPER! Willow endures, fights around, but Emi cranks the hold!
Fans rally, Willow fights but Emi pushes her to a cover, TWO! Willow is free of the hold, but Emi CHOPS her! And CHOPS her again! Willow eggs Emi on but Emi pokes her in the eye! The ref reprimands but Emi just grins. Emi brings Willow up to HEADBUTT! Willow staggers but she throws body shots. Emi eggs Willow on and SLAPS her! Emi brings Willow around to reel her in and hook the arms. But Willow fights with body shots! Willow fires off but Emi CLUBS her down as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Willow has Emi in a corner. Willow goes corner to corner to back body block! And clothesline! And snapmare to then go up. Emi stands, Willow MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Emi survives, maybe even got Willow’s eyes again, but Willow comes back. Willow fireman’s carries but Emi slips fere to the DRAGON SLEEPER! Emi laughs, to TWISTING DDT! Willow staggers to a corner, Emi grins and runs in, BODY CHECK in the corner! Emi goes up top to TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Emi is frustrated. Emi reels Willow in, hooks the arms, but Willow fights again!
Willow Alabama Lifts but Emi sunset flips! Willow rolls through to BASEMENT CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Emi survives but Willow just runs in, only for Emi to sidestep and roll-up! TWO, but Emi steps over. Willow powers out of La Magistrol, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Willow fires up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Willow fires up again, swings, but Emi gets around to CHOP LARIAT!! Both women are down and the fans fire back up! The ref checks and both women are still in this. Emi drags Willow up, fans rally, but Emi underhooks the arms. BUTTERFLY FACEBUSTER!! Emi fires up, she’s not done here!
Fans are thunderous as Emi waits on Willow to rise. Emi then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! MACHINE GUN CHOPS, but Willow shoves her away. Emi CHOP LARIATS, then whips corner to corner. Willow comes back to POUNCE Emi into the corner! Fans fire up as Willow runs to CANNONBALL! And then she drags Emi out to high stack, TWO!! Emi is still in this and fans fire up! But the straps come down and Willow fires up! Fans fire up with her, she reels Emi in to gut wrench, but Emi fights the lift! Emi slips free to SLAP! SLAP! And SLAP! Emi runs, but Willow CLOBBERS her!
Gut wrench, and BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
Now that’s a first defense for the history books! How much better will Willow make this inaugural reign if this is just the beginning?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
After their encounter with Dralistico and Preston Vance last Wednesday, #JungleHook reunites for a TEXAS TORNADO TAG MATCH! Will Jack Perry & The FTW Champion tear apart La Faccion Ingobernable?
BIG news for ROH!
On Friday, July 21st in Trenton, New Jersey, ROH returns to PPV with Death Before Dishonor! Tickets go on sale next Friday, June 9th!
Mark Henry welcomes us back to Rampage.
“Tonight, two technical masters go face to face when Lee Moriarty takes on Shibata for the ROH Pure Championship.” Nigel McGuiness says a competitor like Shibata can pick you apart, one body part by another. But Tony Schiavone and Taz say not enough is said about just how talented Moriarty is for such a young wrestler. It looks like there’s been enough talk. It’s TIME for the main event!
ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata VS Lee Moriarty!
The Wrestler defended this title just last night on ROH against his student, Alex “The Android” Coughlin. But now he faces #TAIGASTYLE, who has come close to snatching this title for his own not too long ago. Will tonight be Moriarty’s night? Or will Shibata make it through this Pure Wrestling Double Header?
The introductions are made, our judges are BJ Whitmer, Christopher Daniels & Jerry Lynn, and the belt is raised as we see who is truly THE Wrestler!
The bell rings and the clock is ticking on this 60 minute time limit. The two feel things out, Moriarty shoots in but Shibata holds him off with a sprawl. They clinch on the mat, Shibata slips to a waistlock and then a chinlock. Moriarty slips free but Shibata pushes him to a cover, ONE! Shibata wraps Moriarty up with his own arm and then goes for the armbar! Moriarty clasps hands but ends up in a TRIANGLE! Moriarty falls onto the ROPEBREAK, that is his first of three. Shibata even lets Moriarty know it as they reset. They knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder, clinch, and Moriarty tries for a leg.
Shibata powers Moriarty down, gets around to a waistlock, and they stand up. Moriarty pries the hold, fans cheer this technical exchange, but then Moriarty elbows free! Moriarty stomps Shibata into a corner, the ref counts, but Moriarty digs his boot in. Fans boo, but Shibata powers up to back Moriarty down! Shibata throws the foot down but Shibata ROCKS him! Moriarty runs to dropkick the legs out! Fans boo while Moriarty grits his teeth, and then the fans rally up for Shibata as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Moriarty mocks the applause as he stands over Shibata. Moriarty then says they can stop all that, and he grabs a leg to DDT the foot! Moriarty kips up, air guitars, and he ties up Shibata’s legs into a unique crisscross toehold. Then he sits with it for a modified stump puller! Shibata’s shoulders are down, Moriarty is practically stealing Darby Allin’s Last Supper! TWO as Shibata kicks out and Moriarty argues the count. Moriarty drags Shibata around, stomps a leg, then stomps it more and more before another DDT to the foot! Moriarty mocks the clapping from the fans, and then he drags Shibata around for a spinning toehold!
Shibata endures as Moriarty ties up the legs into another cross toehold. Moriarty puts Shibata into an Indian Deathlock, then he knuckle locks Shibata for a cover. TWO as Shibata gets an arm up! Moriarty pushes the arm back down, TWO as Shibata gets the other arm up! Moriarty pushes that arm down, TWO as Shibata gets both arms up! Moriarty CHOPS Shibata, pushes on the legs, then lets Shibata go. Moriarty gets a leg, hooks it, and ties Shibata up in another cross toehold, only for Shibata to trip him! Shibata gets Moriarty’s legs, steps through, but Moriarty fights the figure four! Shibata powers through to sync it in!
Moriarty endures, reaches out, but his shoulders are down. TWO as Moriarty sits up, Shibata keeps on the pressure, and Moriarty falls back onto his shoulders. TWO as he sits up again! Shibata has the extended leg caught in a heel hook behind his back! Moriarty falls back again, shoulders are down, TWO as he sits back up! Moriarty endures, reaches out, claws at the hold, and he pries it open. Shibata works to keep it on tight, Moriarty is down again, TWO! Moriarty sits up, Shibata thrashes around, and Rampage returns to single picture. Fans rally, Moriarty drags Shibata along as he reaches back, but Shibata drags him from the ropes!
Moriarty scrambles and goes to the opposite side, ROPEBREAK! That’s his second, he has one left, and we’ve only just past six minutes! Shibata stomps Moriarty’s bad leg, has him in a corner, and he fires off forearms! The ref counts, Shibata fires again and again, but lets off at 4. Shibata runs corner to corner but Moriarty follows to KNEE him in the corner! And then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO as Shibata fights out of the “pancake.” Moriarty HAMMERS away on the back of Shibata’s head! Fans rally, Moriarty suplexes, but Shibata blocks! Shibata powers out but Moriarty kicks low!
Moriarty runs but into a kitchen sink knee! Fans rally, Shibata stomps his legs into working, and he storms up on Moriarty. Shibata drags Moriarty up to whip him to a corner and BOOT! And he fires off more forearms! The ref counts, Shibata runs corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up for that Shibata signature and he drags Moriarty up. HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Moriarty is still in this but Shibata clamps right on with a chinlock! Moriarty fights to the ROPEBREAK, but that’s his last! Shibata waistlocks. Moriarty switches to roll up, TWO! But Moriarty rolls with to get the BORDER CITY STRETCH!!
Shibata endures, Moriarty pulls him back, but fans rally up. Shibata rolls things to a cover, TWO! Moriarty ROCKS Shibata, winds up, but Shibata ROCKS Moriarty! And then SLEEPER!! Shibata sits Moriarty down, runs, PENALTY KICK!! Cover, Shibata wins!!
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata, by pinfall (still ROH Pure Champion)
Just past nine minutes and Shibata finishes things off, but wait! Daniel Garcia is here! The Dragonslayer is a former ROH Pure Champion, and he’s walking out right to the ring! Garcia steps in, he swaggers up to Shibata, and it is clear this is what’s next for Shibata. Shibata raises the belt to signal his accepting the challenge, will The Wrestler put down this sports… enner-tay-ner?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I’m surprised this wasn’t just a Battle of the Belts special. Excalibur said it himself on commentary in the main event, but it was great to start off with the epitome of lucha libre and finish on Strong Style technical wrestling. The AAA Mega Championship was a great opener, and was definitely another instance where I’m grateful we can pause things because they were going fast and furious. Or maybe at Flash speeds, since that’s a Warner Brothers movie they could plug. But as I figured going into this, all the champions retained, since none of these were AEW titles (directly, since ROH is a subsidiary of AEW now).
The NJPW World Television Championship continues to be a great title to watch because of the 15 minute time limit speeding things up. Likewise, ZSJ is always a great wrestler to watch, but so hard to write for cuz he has the biggest collection of named signature moves/holds of any wrestler I’ve seen. I had to double check what he was using to make Action tap, because I keep thinking things are Clarky Cat when they’re not Clarky Cat. ZSJ is setting a very high bar for this title, maybe he retains against Cobb at Dominion or maybe he loses, but it’s going to be hard for the second-ever NJPW World TV Champion to match what ZSJ has done.
Great first title defense for Willow and this title, she and Emi put on a great match. I wonder when Willow has her first defense on NJPW Strong, and who she’ll be facing. And we got a great Pure Championship match to finish, and I’m surprised it was so quick, even compared to the NJPW World TV Championship match. But great win for Shibata, I like that Garcia is stepping up, and that’s going to be an awesome match. I don’t know if they’re going to wait until Death Before Dishonor in July for that match, but knowing AEW and ROH, they can find a way to stretch things out. Especially with Garcia also busy being part of JAS and doing JAS things.
My Score: 8.7/10
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SmackDown celebrates The Tribal Chief!
Roman Reigns celebrates 1000 DAYS as WWE Universal Champion, but what does it matter after Jimmy Uso betrayed him at Night of Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Brawling Brutes VS Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly; Theory & Pretty Deadly win.
- The Good Brothers w/ The OC VS Hit Row w/ B-Fab; The Good Brothers win.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Zelina Vega VS Lacey Evans; Vega wins and advances to MITB.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: LA Knight VS Montez Ford; Knight wins and advances to MITB.
PLAY BY PLAY
Paul Heyman speaks.
“Roman Reigns, your Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, stands at the apex of sports entertainment. Nearly three years ago, Your Tribal Chief reclaimed his Universal Championship. And as time passed, Roman’s title reign has surpassed legends, icons, hall of famers. On the Grandest Stage of Them All, the Head of the Table smashed and stacked his competition. Then humbled a Hall of Famer, and sent a 16-time world champion into the Ocean of Obscurity. Every contender, unable to withstand Roman’s sheer dominance and forced to…” ACKNOWLEDGE him.
“Challenger after challenger, crumble at his feet. And at his second Showcase of the Immortals as your reigning champion, Roman Reigns conquered The Beast, unifying the WWE and Universal titles on his 581st day as the champion in WWE. His power persisted. His Bloodline strengthened. His legacy flourished. Greatness on a different level. And on his 945th day, the greatest champion of any era made history by retaining his championship for the third straight WrestleMania. And now, it’s time to acknowledge the longest reign in over 35 years, over 1000 days. Roman. Reigns…!”
Austin Theory is in the ring.
The Now may not have reached even half of what Roman has achieved, but he is the United States Champion. He welcomes us to Austin Theory Live but the fans boo. Theory says they don’t need to have an attitude. Tonight is a very special night. “Tonight is the celebration of your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns’ historical title reign. But you know what’s even better than that? If you took Roman’s title reign, and you combined it with the greatest United States Champion of all time… wait for it… Austin Theory’s reign, and you’d have… What is that? A total of 1,209 days! That is impressive. And not only that, it is very inspiring.
“It is almost as inspiring as being the guy who beat John Cena at WrestleMania.” Fans boo but Theory says we should face it. Let’s not be idiots! We all know Theory will have his 1000th day celebration for his title, and a 2000th, and maybe even a 3000th. Probably a 4000th. But if they just keep giving him guys like Sheamus, he’ll be the US Champion forever! “Guys, you really can’t boo me because I’m 25 and I’m the greatest to ever do this. And when you’re this great, everybody wants to gravitate towards you, they wanna be a part of it.” That brings Theory to the guys he wants to bring out.
These two guys did what was right! Theory presents none other than Pretty Deadly! Kit Wilson & Elton Prince make their entrance, and their theme song has a new remix, and they join Theory in the ring. They get mics, and Kit tells Theory, “We came here to tell you, that it was a pleasure destroying those ugly gremlins, the Brawling Brutes.” Elton says that unlike Sheamus, Theory is a champion the people deserve. They wanna show Theory their appreciation for such a good champion, in a way that only they can! “YES BOY~!” And they point to him! Feels good, right? But wait, here come the Brawling Brutes!
Fans fire up as Sheamus leads Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne out to the ring, ready for Fight Night! The ref hurries in to keep the peace, but will Theory & Pretty Deadly be leaving in pieces?
Six Man Tag: The Brawling Brutes VS Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly!
The trios sort out, Ridge starts against Elton. Elton headlocks, Ridge powers out and he CLOBBERS Elton! Fans fire up as Ridge UPPERCUTS Elton, then HEADBUTTS him to a corner. Ridge adds a clothesline, then bumps Elton off the buckle, KICKS him in the back and CLOBBERS him again! Ridge drags Elton up, tags in “Butch,” and they coordinate, suplex dropkick combo! Dunne drags Elton up, wrenches, but Elton throws body shots. Elton RAMS Dunne into the corner, tags in Kit, and Kit runs in to UPPERCUT! Dunne clutches his jaw while fans boo. Kit drops elbows, rains down hands, then covers, TWO!
Kit sits Dunne into a chinlock. Dunne endures, fans rally for Sheamus, and Dunne fights up. Dunne powers out, drops then hurdles to then drop and CLOBBER Kit! Fans fire up, Dunne stands on Kit’s hands, then STOMPS them! Kit ducks the buzzsaw and scrambles away. Tag to Theory, fans boo, and Theory tells Dunne he wants Sheamus! Fans fire up because they want that, too! Dunne tags Sheamus in and the Mohegan Sun Arena are fired up! These two circle, but then Theory bails out, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Elton has Dunne down with a top wristlock. Fans rally, Dunne endures and he fights up to his feet. But Elton throws him down by his hair! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Elton grabs at Dunne. Dunne grabs Elton’s fingers! Dunne bends the fingers, Elton screams, but Elton CLUBS Dunne down! Tag to Theory and he runs to BLAST Ridge! Theory taunts Sheamus, stomps Dunne, then brings Dunne up to CLUB him down. Fans rally for Dunne but Theory flexes on him. Theory drags Dunne over, tags in Kit, but Dunne kicks at Theory. Kit stomps Dunne, stands him up and UPPERCUTS him down!
Tag to Elton and Theory CHOKES Dunne behind the ref’s back! Pretty Deadly stomp while the ref is busy with Sheamus. Elton drags Dunne up but Dunne CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Elton ROCKS Dunne, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Dunne goes up, leaps, FLYING DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Dunne and Elton crawl, hot tags to Theory and Sheamus! The Fella rallies on Theory! And clotheslines in the corner! Whip corner to corner for another clothesline! Scoop and POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Sheamus ROCKS Pretty Deadly and has them both on the ropes!
But Theory rolls Sheamus up! TWO!! Sheamus gets Theory with an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Then an IRISH CURSE for Kit! And then an IRISH CURSE for Elton! Fans fire up and the Brutes return. Everyone fireman’s carries someone, for a TRIPLE WHITE NOISE! Fans are thunderous and Sheamus has Theory all alone! BROGUE!!! Cover, but Pretty Deadly drag Theory out! Sheamus hurries up top!? Ridge BLASTS Pretty Deadly, Sheamus steadies himself, and he FLYING LARIATS Pretty Deadly back down! Dunne goes up, everyone gathers, ASAI MOONSAULT onto Theory & Pretty Deadly!
Fans are thunderous as the Brutes prove they can fly! Sheamus commends Butch for topping things off, and SmackDown goes to break.
Elton stomps Dunne. Elton brings Dunn up but Dunne gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kit runs in but into an ENZIGURI! ENZIGURI for Theory! GAMANGIRI for Kit in a corner! GAMANGIRI for Elton in a corner! Tag to Ridge and SPLASHES Elton! Then Ridge brings Elton up, Dunne joins in, BACK SUPLEX BOMB COMBO! Sheamus tags in and goes up for a KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Elton survives but Sheamus keeps his cool. Sheamus drags Elton up, reels him in, Canadian rack but Elton fights free of the crucifix! Elton BOOTS Sheamus, tags Kit, then gives Kit the boost, CRY MARTINI!
Theory tags in, drags Sheamus up to ROCK him and torture rack him! TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Theory is furious and he rains down fists! Fans boo while Theory seethes and looms over Sheamus. Theory talks trash, brings Sheamus up, but Sheamus blocks a body shot to LARIAT point blank! Elton gets in but Ridge gives him an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Kit DROPKICKS Ridge but Dunne ENZIGURIS Kit! Dunne runs at Theory but Theory shovels him up and out! Theory somersaults, into a KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Sheamus is too tired to be upset. Both men crawl and fans rally up.
Sheamus and Theory reach out, hot tags to Elton and Ridge! Kit tags in, but The Fridge picks Elton up! Kit saves Elton, but then Ridge picks them both up! DOUBLE back drop! Fans fire up as Ridge kicks Kit to the apron. Sheamus has Theory, and Dunne has Elton! Fans fire up for the TRIPLE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN!! The Brutes all go to 10, though Dunne gets a little extra. Ridge then scoops for NORTHERN GRIT! Cover, but Theory breaks it! Dunne swings on Theory but into A-TOWN DOWN! Sheamus clotheslines Theory out! Sheamus pursues Theory, but Theory POSTS Sheamus!
Kit and Elton coordinate, they pull a sneaky move by hiding Elton under the apron skirt. The matching outfits make Ridge think that’s still Kit! Ridge drags Elton in, and surprise! Kit CHOP BLOCKS Ridge! Kit tags Elton, they get Ridge up for SPILT MILK!! And tag to Theory so he can cover, Theory & Pretty Deadly win!
Winners: Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly, by pinfall
The three of them hurry away before Dunne returns, having pulled another fast one. Will Kit & Elton be heading towards the tag titles? Will anyone be able to take the US Championship from Theory?
Paul Heyman is backstage.
The Wise Man is holding onto both the black WWE Championship and blue Universal Championship belts for the Tribal Chief as he walks up to the private suite. Heyman walks inside, is he going to discuss the celebration plans with Roman Reigns during the break?
SmackDown returns, and Heyman’s talking with Solo Sikoa. The magnitude that has never been accomplished before in the WWE. This needs to be special for the Tribal Chief, especially given what happened at Night of Champions. Heyman wants this to be special for Roman Reigns. And he knows Solo feels the same way. Heyman will go talk with Adam Pearce to make sure that Solo’s brothers, The Usos, are nowhere to be found tonight so that this is the night that we acknowledge Roman… Reigns! Heyman smiles and heads out, how does Solo really feel about what Jimmy did to Roman?
The OC talk backstage.
The Good Brothers are worried but Mia Yim says it’s fine, tonight is his birthday. AJ Styles walks in and they say happy birthday! Yes, it IS his birthday! And he apologizes for losing at Night of Champions, he ruined their night. No, no, it is not his fault. But you take the L, keep it moving. The OC has their back. But did anyone else see the “diss” track by Hit Row? Yeah, but Styles would rather see the Good Brothers drop Hit Row. Too Sweet, baby! And that match is happening next! Will Top Dolla & Ashante THEE Adonis think twice before opening their mouths next time?
The Good Brothers w/ The OC VS Hit Row w/ B-Fab!
SmackDown returns as Hit Row makes their entrance. The teams sort out, but Adonis ambushes Karl Anderson! Fans boo and the ref counts while Adonis stomps away, but then he lets off at 4. Adonis whips to CLOBBER Anderson, then he taunts Luke Gallows. Anderson goes to a corner, Adonis drags him out and tags Dolla. Hit Row whip Anderson to a corner, then Dolla whips Adonis in to RAM Anderson! Dolla talks trash on The Machine Gun, then reels him in for an ELBOW! Dolla talks more trash, drags Anderson to the ropes, and he CHOPKES him! The ref counts, Dolla lets off and tags Adonis.
Adonis runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! Adonis sits on Anderson while smoothing his hair, but lets off as the ref counts. The ref argues with Adonis and B-Fab sucker punches Anderson! Michin storms up and B-Fab backs off. Adonis covers, TWO, but he clamps onto a chinlock. The ref has Michin and B-Fab back off, and fans rally as Anderson fights up. Anderson throws body shots but Adonis CLUBS him! Adonis whips, Anderson reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down. Fans rally, Anderson hot tags Gallows! Doc BOOTS Adonis, BOOTS Dolla, then DECKS Adonis!
Gallows ROUNDHOUSES Adonis to a corner, runs in and back elbows! Then he keeps moving, FLYING UPPERCUT on Adonis! Fans fire up as Gallows scoops to AK 47! Tag to Anderson, the Good Brothers get Adonis up, MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, Good Brothers win!
Winners: The Good Brothers, by pinfall
But Dolla BOOTS Anderson! And CLOBBERS Gallows! But Styles springboards in, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Fans fire up as the birthday boy gets him some, and The Hit Row? They don’t want none! Will The OC be too sweet all the way to some gold?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
Yes, he is very excited, this is perhaps one of the biggest nights in SmackDown history. He excuses himself and ends the call as he sees Heyman walking in. Pearce tells Heyman right now that the Usos’ travel was canceled, they were told they weren’t needed tonight. And as requested, should The Usos want to show up, security has been doubled. The Usos are NOT getting inside the building. Heyman smiles and puts a call into Roman Reigns. Will nothing go wrong during the 1000 Day Acknowledgment?
BREAKING NEWS for Raw!
Seth Rollins put out the open challenge for his NEW World Heavyweight Championships on social media and it was quickly accepted by Damian Priest! Will the Judgment Day add more gold when the Punisher brings down The Visionary?
SmackDown presents an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The 21st Century Success Story, “The Dynamite from Down Under, the Moment Maker, the Aussie Icon,” gets the big introduction once again as he’s already in the ring. And he says, “What a week it has been here in the WWE, and we’re gonna keep it rolling with the most honest talk show in WWE history.” Waller brings us the biggest and the best, and he’s done it again tonight. So please welcome the NEW Raw Women’s Champion, ASUKA~! The fans do like that as the Empress of Tomorrow walks out with the belt on her shoulder. She joins Waller in the ring and at the desk as he welcomes her to the show.
Waller says, “Congratulations, what an incredible performance against Bianca at Night of Champions. In fact, let’s see exactly how you got it done.” Waller and Asuka look to the tron as we all see a Progressive Match Flo recap video of that match. Asuka used blue mist fingers to finish Bianca, and Waller says wow. Asuka laughs and smiles, and in Japanese, she says “I told you saw! I’m the Raw Women’s Champion!” Waller says he could not have put it better himself! But he can’t help but notice the briefcases above the ring. There’s no shortage of people who think they’re ready for Asuka. They’re gonna climb the ladder, win the briefcase to be Miss MITB, and maybe cash in on her?
Waller says Asuka’s gotta keep her head on a swivel. Nevermind that Bianca’s gonna come looking for a rematch. Asuka is amused there. She reenacts how she spat mist on her finger, got Bianca in the eyes and made Bianca cry. Waller is amused, too! He says that was so true. And so smart! He can’t imagine the pain and suffering Bianca went through. Asuka’s even drooling some blue mist right now. Waller looks a bit worried, but also maybe excited. But then IYO SKY shows up! She tells Asuka in Japanese that she’s nothing special for what she did. And Iyo won’t even need MITB to take that title from! But she’s still gonna win it, and then Iyo will be the new champion!
Asuka laughs, and tells Iyo she’s a child, the way she’s storming up in here. Iyo tells Asuka to shut up, dammit! Asuka calls Iyo an idiot, Iyo calls Asuka a scumbag, and they go back and forth like that. Waller has them stop, this is HIS show, he did not approve a second guest! But wait, here comes BAYLEY! The Role Model says Iyo said that after both Iyo and Bayley qualify for the MITB, one of them is winning the MITB briefcase. Though it is every woman for themselves, and Bayley’s won it before, so either way, DMG CTRL will win the title- Wait! Here comes Shotzi!
Fans fire up as the Wild Child says, “Awww, Bayley! There is NOTHING that I would love more than to crush your dreams with the help of some cold, hard steel! Because, if there is anyone made for the pure chaos of the Money in the Bank Ladder match, it’s me!” Wait, here comes Lacey Evans! The Model Soldier is embodying Sergeant Slaughter and she tells Shotzi to shut up and salute her! Fans boo but Lacey says none of these nasty things are taking the briefcase anywhere, it’s coming home with her. But first, she’ll take her Cobra Clutch, wrap it around that “shrimp,” Zelina Vega, and-
Wait! Here comes Zelina! Fans fire up as La Muneca says there is only one problem with everyone’s plans. They are all underestimating Zelina. And y’know who else did that? Rhea Ripley at Backlash. Because Zelina was this close to becoming champion! So “Shrimp?” Keep that energy, Lacey. Because to be honest, even if Lacey got her hair done, her nails done and traded in those “piss soaked boots” for red bottoms, you still wouldn’t be half the woman Zelina is. So please, underestimate her. Everyone do that. Because it will be that much sweeter when she wins. Because that is how she is going to become Miss MITB!
Bayley laughs and says they’re all idiots. Waller says this is the best day of his life. Bayley asks him what kind of show he’s running here, and he’s hoping for more ladies to show up. Asuka slips away to say, “Hey hey hey hey! NO ONE is ready for Asuka!!” But then Bianca storms up to ROCK Asuka with a forearm! They brawl on the stage and fans fire up! Referees rush out to stop that scrap, only for Bianca to break lose and hit Asuka again! The refs and even some producers get in to separate them again, but fans wanna “Let Them Fight!” Will the angriEST Bianca be coming after the Empress?
Cameron Grimes talks with Adam Pearce backstage.
They watch a replay of Baron Corbin ruining Carmelo Hayes’ moment just last Tuesday on NXT, and Grimes said that’s exactly what Corbin did to him last week. Is Corbin even here? No, and with his free agency status, the next time we see him will be next Tuesday on NXT. Grimes says Melo will handle that. But the next time Corbin shows his face on SmackDown, Grimes will handle that. Pearce nods, will the Carolina Caveman crush Baron Corbin?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Zelina Vega VS Lacey Evans!
Since everyone was already at ringside, this match is happening now! And Vega is already clutching her jaw, it seems the Model Soldier got a cheap shot in while everyone was watching Asuka and Bianca. Will Vega still be able to humble Lacey for underestimating her? Or will another Woman’s Right simply take Vega out?
The bell rings and Lacey stomps Vega into the corner! The ref counts, fans boo, but Lacey lets off at 4. Lacey stands on Vega’s hair and salutes, then lets off to SWINGING BRONCO BUSTER! Lacey pushes Vega around, covers, TWO! Lacey sits Vega up, and clamps on the COBRA CLUTCH! And she SWINGS Vega around! Fans rally for Vega but Lacey TOSSES her away! Lacey dusts off her hands, runs in, but Vega goes up and over and rolls Lacey, Schoolgirl Kick! Cover, TWO! Vega whips, Lacey reverses but Vega KICKS her! Only for Lacey to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Lacey dribbles Vega off the mat, then smirks as fans boo.
Lacey salutes but fans boo, and Vega hits low. Lacey BOOTS Vega, drags her from ropes and stands on her for a cocky cover. The ref says it’s on the throat! Lacey steps off to argue with him, and then Lacey clamps onto Vega with a chinlock. Fans rally but Lacey throws knees into Vega’s side! Vega still endures, fans rally up, and Vega kicks from below! Lacey drags Vega up but Vega RAMS her into a corner! And again! Vega smacks Lacey off buckles, headlocks and springboards for a headlock takeover! Lacey runs in but into the tilt-o-whirl and CODE RED!! Cover, VEGA WINS!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
What did she just say about underestimating her? Because there’s the proof! Lacey toyed with Zelina but got played, will Zelina soon be La Muneca en el Banco?
The LWO celebrates backstage.
They are so proud of Vega! Latinos around the world are going to gather in celebration! And next week, when Escobar wins his qualifier and win the MITB contract, oh he can see it now. She can see it, too. Rey Mysterio can see it, too! It is only a matter of time before the entire locker room refers to them as Santos y Zelina, Mr. and Mrs. Money in the Bank! Will the LWO soon take over London?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: LA Knight VS Montez Ford!
The Mega Star told the Street Profits that if they want the smoke, he’ll be the one to burn ’em! Is that not an insult but just a fact of life? Or will #KingTez be the one saying “YEAH!” on the way to London?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, the two tie up, and Knight wrenches to a hammerlock, and he slaps Ford around. Fans rally for “L A KNIGHT! L A KNIGHT!” The two circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Knight powers out the back to hammerlock, but Ford switches it onto him. Knight switches back, Ford switches again, Knight switches again. They keep going, Knight gest the ROPEBREAK, but Ford slaps him around now. Fans are a bit torn but Knight gets heated. Knight shoves, Ford shoves, repeat! Fans are on Knight’s side as the two tie up again but Ford headlocks. Knight powers out but Ford runs him over!
Ford actually seems to enjoy upsetting the Knight fans, and things speed up. Knight hurdles, but Ford whips him away to keep things moving. Ford hurdles, Knight hurdles, but Ford DROPKICKS! Fans are salty as Ford clotheslines Knight in the corner. And then in another corner! Ford whips Knight into the corner, runs in but Knight puts Ford on the apron. Ford ROCKS Knight back! But Knight BLASTS Ford! Fans cheer Knight while Ford crawls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men collide! Fans rally up while both men are down, and then Knight stands. Knight throws haymakers but Ford gives them back! They go back and forth, “YEAH!” “BOO!” “YEAH!” “BOO!” “YEAH!” “BOO!” Ford gets the edge, whips, but Knight reverses, only for Ford to LARIAT! Ford rallies on Knight, ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT again! Knight gets up, Ford hits a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up, fans fire up, and Ford flexes to MOONSAULT, but Knight moves! Ford lands on his feet, swings but misses, and Knight torture racks! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up, Knight stalks Ford and fans duel. Knight stands Ford up but Ford elbows him! Ford runs in but into an elbow! Ford falls over, Knight tries a springboard, LIONSAULT FLOPS as Ford moves! Ford ENZIGURIS Knight, then fires up to clinch and ROCK BOTTOM! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and Ford is seething. Fans fire up as Ford drags Knight up. Ford whips, Knight KICKS back! Ford doges the lariat, both men run, DOUBLE LARIATS take them down! Fans fire up again while the ref checks both men. Knight and Ford crawl to each other, and Knight throws a haymaker. Ford gives it back!
Fans rally as the hands go back and forth, “YEAH!” “BOO!” Ford CHOPS, then DECKS Knight! Knight stands at the ropes, Ford runs in but is put back on the apron. Ford GAMANGIRIS Knight then goes up a corner! But Knight ROCKS Ford first! Knight climbs, Ford throws body shots then shoves Knight away. Knight returns and springs right up! But Ford shoves him back down! Fans fire up as Ford comes in, FROM THE- NO, Knight moves! Knight kicks low, BF- NO, Ford O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Knight O’Conner Rolls with ropes!! Knight wins!!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
The Mega Star snatches that one away from Ford, but the fans still love it! Knight then brings a ladder out and sets it up under the briefcases. Knight climbs, says this is what we’ll see, because whose game is it? Will this really be what happens when LA arrives in the UK?
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn speak.
“Sanguis rubeus luna et exponentia exitio.” That phrase repeats as we travel through a snow covered forest. Translation: “The perfect moon will spell your doom.” The Unholy Union is here, what will they do to the landscape of SmackDown?
SmackDown sets the rest of the qualifiers!
For the Men’s MITB, Baron Corbin returns from NXT to take on “Butch” Pete Dunne, and Mustafa Ali returns from NXT to take on Santos Escobar! And then, as announced during the Grayson Waller Effect, DMG CTRL is in the mix as Bayley takes on Mia Yim and Iyo Sky takes on Shotzi! Will DMG CTRL look to take control of that briefcase one way or another?
Triple H is here!
Fans fire up for The Game as he heads to the ring! It seems even he is here to celebrate Roman Reigns’ 1000+ days as Universal Champion! What will HHH have to add to the occasion? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and HHH is in the ring with a pedestal and a familiar looking cloth. HHH has the mic to say, “On rare occasions, an athlete comes along that is so dominant that they change the entire face of their chosen sport. And when it happens, they will be talked about for generations to come. In boxing, it was the Great One, Muhammad Ali. In basketball, Michael Jordan. In the WWE, right now, we have the privilege of witnessing that greatness live. Believe me, you will talk about this for generations, so please help me welcome a man who has passed 1000 days as champion. Please help me welcome a man that you will tell your children and your grandchildren about.
“Please help me welcome the Tribal Chief, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.” The Head of the Table makes his entrance with fans torn between boos and throwing up the ones. Roman has Solo and Heyman with him, the brand new “1000 Days” branded jacket and shirt on as he holds up the belts for the pyro. The Bloodline, if this group even still counts as that, continues on into the ring. Roman then shakes HHH’s hand and Heyman fetches a mic. Heyman also shakes HHH’s hand, and then HHH tells Roman, “On behalf of the WWE, and on behalf of the entire WWE Universe, I would like to congratulate you on surpassing 1000 days as champion.”
That is something that hasn’t been accomplished in the WWE in almost forty years! Truly an epic accomplishment. So to congratulate Roman and celebrate this historic achievement, it is HHH’s honor to present him with a brand new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship belt. HHH takes the cover off to reveal the same home base design, but with a GOLDEN face plate! Heyman removes the belt Roman is wearing on his waist so that he can hold up the new belt, for more pyro! HHH then helps Roman put that belt on, then Heyman hands Roman the mic. Roman smiles while fans are torn between cheers and jeers.
Roman says, “Pennsyl- No, no, no. I mean, c’mon! That’s not good enough anymore. The entire universe…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!!” Wait, the USOS are here?!? How?! Heyman heard from Pearce that this wasn’t supposed to happen! But Jimmy & Jey do walk out and Roman glares at Heyman. Heyman defends he was assured this wouldn’t happen, but it is! And we see what the Usos are going to do, after the break.
SmackDown returns and the Usos are now in the ring with Roman, Solo & Heyman. And Jimmy’s staring Roman down. He even glances at the brand new Universal Championship blet. Jimmy has the mic, but Roman speaks first, telling Jey to kick Jimmy in the face! Fans boo but Roman says it again, kick Jimmy in the face. He didn’t stutter, do it now! That’s what Jimmy did to Roman. Jimmy took Roman’s tag team titles away from him, so Jey has to fix this. Jey has to kick his brother in the face! Fans boo more, and Jey just paces. Roman is not happy about that, and he tells Jey this is the last time: KICK HIM IN THE FACE AND FIX THIS RIGHT NOW!
Jimmy speaks up to that the only one who needs fixing is ROMAN. Fans cheer that! Roman scowls but Jimmy says Jey can’t fix this. Jimmy kicked Roman in the face, “The Kick Heard Worldwide.” And Jimmy did what he did in Saudi not to be the Tribal Chief, not to lead the Bloodline, but because Jimmy was being a brother. Brothers treat each other with love and respect, and as of lately, you ain’t been such a good brother, Roman. What kind of brother manipulates, betrays and hurts his own family? What kind of brother does that, Uce? Roman has gone crazy! CRAZY! This right here is Jimmy’s brother! It is embedded in Jimmy to protect Jey.
In fact, SOLO is Jimmy’s brother! He’ll protect Solo, and he’s gonna tell Solo right now, that after Roman’s done using you, he’s gonna abuse you, betray you, kick you to the side, and put you in the dirt! Jimmy IS Solo’s brother, that’s why he’s saying this. Fans cheer that, too! Roman tries to laugh it off but Jimmy tells Solo to listen to him. Fans rally for the “USOS! USOS!” and Roman says that’s because of ROMAN! Roman is the Tribal Chief! You see him? Tribal Chief. This here is an imposter! Jimmy talking like he’s the leader, like Solo don’t have a voice. Let’s hear it from Solo who Solo is loyal to!
Roman hands the mic to Solo and fans boo. Solo looks at the mic, thinks about it, and fans chant for “SOLO! SOLO!” Solo says, “I acknowledge you, My Tribal Chief.” Fans boo and Roman smiles. But then Solo says, “But these two right here… They’re my brothers.” UH OH~! Roman is shocked and the Usos smile! Solo hands the mic back, to stand with his brothers!! Roman can’t believe what he’s seeing! Jimmy says hey, hey, so what’s it gonna be, Uce? Does Roman wanna run this thing together with respect? Or just end up on the Island of Relevancy all by himself? Roman tells Jimmy to shut up, but Jimmy pie faces him!!
Heyman is shocked and cowering in the corner! Fans fire up as Jey and Solo are both tense. Roman registers what just happened, then gets up in Jimmy’s face. Jey stops them both, and he wants to keep the peace. It’s not going like this. Jey needs them both, they cannot start fighting! They’re better than that, okay? Jey gets Jimmy to understand, and Jimmy cools off. Stronger together, Uce. But see, Jey is Jimmy’s brother, and Solo is Jimmy’s brother. But so is Roman. Roman’s always been family. So be a brother, have respect, and run this place like they’ve been doing! But TOGETHER! Bloodline, right? Family, right? They are still the ones, right?
Roman wipes sweat from his brow and takes a breath. Fans want Roman to accept what the Usos are saying, but he seems unsure what to do. Roman and Jimmy HUG!! Fans cheer, and Jey is relieved. Roman then says, “No.” WHAT?! Heyman is shocked all over again! Roman lets go and Jey is upset again! How could Roman say that?! And then Solo SAMOAN SPIKES JIMMY!?!? Jey is even more devastated!! Roman takes his leave, Heyman and Solo following behind. Is the Tribal Chief’s iron grip that powerful? Heyman then asks Roman, “What about Jey?” Roman says Jey will do what he always does and fall in line. Just give it time.
Fans boo as Roman refuses to share love and respect with his family. What will it take for The Usos to change that?
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode to follow Night of Champions with! Granted, a lot of that comes from the Bloodline story, which once again continues to be the top story. And with this story already having set a high bar, they find a way to raise the bar again. Great video package narrated by Heyman to open the show, good promos backstage to expertly set up what we got in the closing segment. I did appreciate that since they’re not undoing the unification, Roman now just has one actual belt to hold onto and he can just keep the other two at home. Naturally, they just kept the cookie cutter shape they’ve been using, but I like the gold backing on the logo there, it really stands out.
And naturally, the Usos DID show up, and what an amazing emotional rollercoaster there. After all that, we are definitely getting Usos VS Roman & Solo, and that will be the moment of truth where I would think Solo really does side with his brothers. Then it’s on Roman to either “fall in line” and accept his family as family, or he ends up all alone with just Heyman. Either way, this is all great stuff that can carry the story into the Summer, maybe even to SummerSlam. And what would really put a cherry on top: if Roman, no more pawns to get in the way, gets beat by a Mr. MITB cash-in.
Great opening Six Man from Theory & Pretty Deadly VS Brawling Brutes, and I figured the Heels would find a way to win. I would think Pretty Deadly finds a way into the Undisputed Tag Team Championship scene for the summer, as those titles are meant to be on both Raw and SmackDown. And who wouldn’t love seeing a promo between Kevin, Sami and Pretty Deadly? At the same time, The Good Brothers should also get in on some of that, they got a really good win off Hit Row. Happy birthday to AJ Styles, maybe he can find his way to a title match of some kind. Him and Theory wouldn’t be half bad for MITB.
Really good Grayson Waller Effect segment, though not really because of Waller. If this same stuff happened with The Miz and MizTV, it’d amount to about the same great stuff. Asuka and Iyo getting at each other and then arguing in Japanese seems to be their thing, but I would love if we got Iyo to turn Face. Between her and Asuka being longtime rivals, and DMG CTRL about to fall apart at a moment’s notice, Iyo could come out a top Face for the SmackDown Women’s Division. But I also do like that Bianca went after Asuka, that was a logical move. I just wish we got to see the sucker punch from Lacey live and not in a replay.
The MITB qualifiers were both good matches, but Zelina was a very obvious winner given Lacey’s attitude and how Zelina seems to be on a great push. Ford VS Knight was a bit closer, but the fans are just loving Knight, so it makes sense Knight won here. We’re also going to get great stuff out of next week’s matches, and I’m thinking Bayley, Iyo, Escobar and Dunne win. Bayley and Iyo because of the DMG CTRL breakup story they’re giving us, Escobar because the LWO tease they gave us, and Dunne because it won’t be Corbin since he’s got stuff brewing in NXT and Grimes just isn’t gonna let him win.
And what a spooky vignette from Fyre & Dawn. Just as it isn’t clear what they’re planning with having the Smackdown Women’s Championship on Raw and vice-versa, I’m not sure what’s going on with the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships still being up here on main roster. I don’t think they’d unify, nor do I want them to unify, mostly because Fyre & Dawn probably wouldn’t beat Ronda & Shayna. Well, Shayna didn’t do well against spooky given Twisted Alexa during pandemic era, but I still don’t think using supernatural elements would be enough to take out Ronda. Though it would be pretty funny to see.
My Score: 8.8/10
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