Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/23/22)
It’s Lights Out, but for who?
Who will be living a nightmare tonight?
For months now, NXT has seen Tiffany Stratton talk down to Wendy Choo, and Wendy’s not having it! What happens when nothing’s holding them back?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Gallus; Gallus wins by count-out, Briggs & Jensen retain the titles.
- Cameron Grimes VS Javier Bernal; Grimes wins
- Blair Davenport VS Indi Hartwell; Davenport wins.
- Legado del Fantasma w/ Tony D’Angelo VS The Dyad w/ Joe Gacy; The Dyad wins.
- Tyler Bate VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Bate wins.
- Lights Out: Tiffany Stratton VS Wendy Choo; Choo wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bron Breakker is here!
The NXT Championship is still on his shoulder after making it through NXT Heatwave, and through the Irish Ace, JD McDonagh. Bron gets a mic while fans bark, and he says, “Orlando, where my dogs wat?” The fans bark more and Bron says last week, JD and Bron had a banger in the ring. JD proved that when he steps through these ropes, he is one of the very best in the world. After the match, the NXT UK Champion, Tyler Bate, made his presence known. Fans chant for the “Big Strong Boy!” Bron is pretty sure Tyler didn’t fly here for the miles, so he should come out to the ring so they can talk. And so Tyler Bate appears again!
Tyler steps into the ring with a mic to once again be face-to-face with Bron. Tyler says the fans are kind to chant for him. And he thanks Bron for the kind invitation. And congratulations on the win last week against JD. Tyler’s been in the ring with JD, too, so he knows how good JD is, so big respect to Bron. And Bron is correct, Tyler is here for more than the air miles. Now, NXT UK has been host to some of the best this business has to offer. Right here and now, Tyler is the proud flagbearer of NXT UK, as the first and last NXT UK. With NXT Europe around the corner, Tyler can’t think o fa better way to kick things off than by unifying these two titles!
Fans cheer for that and Bron smiles. Bron knows who Tyler is, he was watching from afar. He knows how big of a threat Tyler is to the NXT Championship. And hell, thinking of NXT UK means thinking of Tyler Bate! But this isn’t the UK, this is THE NXT, where the greatest superstars in the world are! Fans cheer and bark, and Bron says he does agree: there should be ONE NXT Champion. “So in two weeks, let’s make history! Worlds Collide, Champion VS Champion, Title for Title!” Fans cheer as Tyler and Bron shake hands, then they both hold up their belts. Who will be THE NXT Champion after this epic NXT UK finale?
Gallus speaks.
Mark Coffey admits, they’re three street hooligans who love a good scrap. But they never start fights they can’t finish. Wolfgang adds that for over three years, they’ve been the most dominant faction in NXT UK. The longest reigning tag team champions in NXT UK history. Joe says now, NXT will learn what they beat into the UK. They attacked Diamond Mine in their NXT 2.0 debut then called out Briggs & Jensen. “This is always and forever, Gallus Boys On Top!” Will they soon make ALL of NXT their kingdom?
NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Gallus!
Well, no sense in waiting! The good ol’ boys are ready to defend their titles against anyone, but will they be ready for the classic combo of Mark Coffey and Wolfgang?
Whoa, on their way out, Briggs & Jensen have to stop Fallon from scrapping with Lash Legend! Will the champions be able to focus on the fight in front of them? We’ll find out, after the break.
NXT returns and the champions make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Gallus Boys will be back on top!
The teams sort out, and Wolfgang attacks Briggs before the bell! Gallus fires off on Briggs with windmilling haymakers, then he puts Briggs in the Gallus corner. Mark tags in, moves Wolfgang aside and fires off knees! Mark ROCKS Briggs, whips him to ropes, but Briggs CLUBS him! Briggs clinches Mark, tags Jensen, and they whip to run Mark over with double shoulders! Briggs talks trash on Wolfgang and Jensen SPLASHES to then BULLDOG Mark! Cover, ONE!! Jensen drags Mark up to whip him to ropes, but Mark KICKS Jensen back! Mark ROCKS Jensen, tags Wolfgang, then they mug Jensen. Cover, ONE!
Wolfgang clamps onto Jensen, drops knees on him, then clamps on a chinlock. Jensen endures and fans rally up. Jensen fights but Wolfgang CLUBS him down! Wolfgang tags Mark, they mug Jensen more, but Jensen throws hands. Mark UPPERCUTS Jensen, tags Wolfgang, and the mugging continues! Wolfgang snapmares, covers, ONE! Wolfgang clamps onto Jensen with a facelock and he tags Mark. Mark throws hands but Jensen throws some back. Mark UPPERCUTS again, tags Wolfgang, but Jensen keep fighting! He gets loose, hot tag to Briggs! The hands start flying, Fallon and Joe are shouting, but Gallus is sent rolling!
Fans fire up with the good ol’ boys while NXT goes picture in picture! Joe calms Mark and Wolfgang down, Briggs dares someone to get back in. Gallus talks strategy, Wolfgang gets back in, but he tags Mark. Mark gets around Briggs to waistlock but Briggs pries free. Briggs wrenches, RAMS shoulders with Mark, then RAMS him again. Mark ROCKS Briggs, Briggs ROCKS Mark then runs him over! Tag to Jensen, and Briggs stands Mark up. Feed to Jensen’s shoulder tackle! Jensen clamps onto an arm, he thrashes Mark around, but Mark fights up. Jensen wrangles Mark down and keeps on the armlock.
Mark endures, fights up, but Jensen wrangles him again! Cover, ONE!! Jensen stays clamped on, he tags Briggs in, and they give some of that mugging back! feed to a BIG elbow from Briggs! Briggs pushes Mark to a cover, TWO! Briggs tries again but Mark resists. Briggs clamps onto the arm and even adds a chinbar. Mark fights up, Jensen tags in, and they double scoop SLAM Mark down! Cover, ONE!! Jensen clamps on with a facelock but then Wolfgang runs in! Jensen lets Mark go to stare Wolfgang down, but Mark CLOBBERS Jensen! Tag to Wolfgang and Mark turns Jensen around into a backslide, for Wolfgang to drop a knee on!
Wolfgang keeps Jensen from Briggs while Jensen clutches his face. The ref checks Jensen and Joe says they just left their mark. Wolfgang digs his fingers into Jensen’s face, then CHOKES him on the ropes! Wolfgang lets off as the ref counts and he argues the count. Wolfgang throws knees into Jensen, then some uppercuts, but Jensen hits back. Wolfgang ROCKS Jensen, facelocks and tags Mark. The mugging continues, and NXT returns to single picture. Mark snapmares, chinlocks and he grinds Jensen down. Fans rally up, Jensen stands up but Mark wrangles him down. Jensen fights up again, throws body shots, but Mark DECKS him!
Mark stomps Jensen, tags Wolfgang, and Gallus CLUBS Jensen. Wolfgang digs his fingers at Jensen’s face then CLUBS him on the forehead! Tag to Mark, then feed to the kitchen sink knee! BASEMENT SENTON from Wolfgang! Mark high stacks Jensen, TWO! Jensen is showing his toughness but Mark facelocks and grinds him down. Jensen fights up, fans rally, and Jensen reaches for Briggs. Mark CLUBS Jensen, swings on Briggs, but Jensen back drops Mark! Fans fire up, hot tags to Wolfgang and Briggs! Briggs throws hands on Gallus! He DECKS Wolfgang, then BOOTS him down! Mark returns but gets a SIDEWALK SLAM and SENTON!
Fans fire up as Joe gets up, and Briggs DECKS him! But then Lash CLOBBERS Fallon! Fallon rushes Lash, they brawl on the ramp, but Briggs breaks it up. But then Pretty Deadly attacks!! It’s a massive scrum on the outside, but the ref is still counting? It’s a COUNT-OUT!! Gallus
Winners: Gallus, by count-out (Briggs & Jensen retain the titles)
But then Damon Kemp rushes in and attacks! As do the Creeds! Diamond Mine is getting revenge! Brutus clotheslines Wolfgang out, Kemp SPEARS Mark and Julius CLOBBERS Joe! Security finally rushes in and breaks this up, but will Gallus go from the UK to the US tag titles?
Grayson Waller talks with a production staffer.
Lights are ready? Yes. Graphics are ready? Yes. Microphone set up? Uh… Seriously? That’s the most important part! Do it now! Hurry! The Grayson Waller Effect talk show debuts after the break!
Andre Chase introduces a new student.
They met this tremendous competitor during their field trip in the UK. Someone who’s lineage is steeped in the British catch-as-catch-can wrestling style. It is Charlie Dempsey! The others applaud his arrival, and Charlie is going to teach our class some moves. The volunteer steps up, gets on his hands and knees, and Dempsey immediately pushes him over, gets the leg and arm for his Blackpool Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Okay, easy, easy! This is just a demonstration! Dempsey lets off and the volunteer crawls away. Okay, Bodhi, let’s give it a go. He’s more advanced. Bodhi offers a handshake but Dempsey uses that to yank Bodhi into a clinch and neck wrench!
The other students are scared of Dempsey as he wraps Bodhi up in a sleeper, and even pinches Bodhi’s nose closed! Bodhi taps and Chase has Dempsey let off again. That’s enough! Bodhi sputters, and then he gets pissed! This is just practice, man! Chase has them stand down. Dempsey clearly misunderstood the purpose of this class. Maybe he wasn’t the right person to ask. Dempsey says this class is too soft! For homework, google “Billy Robinson.” Dempsey storms off, will the Chase U prospects learn to toughen up?
NXT makes it official!
For NXT Worlds Collide, September 4th, it will be a UNIFICATION MATCH! Bron Breakker VS Tyler Bate, Winner Takes All to be the UNDISPUTED NXT Champion! What other matches between both brands will be made these next 11 days?
Grayson Waller is in the ring.
And he snatches Vic Joseph’s mic! Enough screen time for you, Vic! Cameras on Waller for this historic night! Lights! Music! And graphics! Waller smiles as he takes a seat, this is G W E! The Grayson Waller Effect! NXT’s been aching for a show like this, and he will be the buzz of not only NXT but ALL the WWE Universe! Fans chant for “Johnny Wrestling!” but Waller says it doesn’t matter, that guy doesn’t wanna be in the ring with Waller! Every other talk show is about the guests, but make no mistake, this show is about Waller! And since he’s on the cutting edge of content innovation, go to his Instagram right now, submit a question!
Waller says he might even use these questions for his guest tonight. A one-of-a-kind athlete, a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, a former WWE United States Champion, he’s almost done it all. But for some reason, this guy is in NXT to take opportunities away from everyone. It’s APOLLO~… Crews. And as such, Apollo makes his way out. Apollo goes to the ring, gets a mic and looks Waller’s set over. “Wow, wow, wow, look at this! The Grayson Waller Effect really is in full effect. You did it up, man.” He’s got Instagram Live with fan interaction, good job. Apollo takes his seat at the desk but the chair goes down.
Fans chant “Grayson Sucks!” “NO!” but Waller says they’ll skip the niceties. Apollo, “How does it feel to be nothing more than a clout chaser?” Waller gets it, though. Everyone steals from his hype train! AJ Styles tried it. Half these Brits are trying it. And Apollo’s first night back- Whoa, hold on. Waller is asking Apollo why people are trying to steal from Waller. But why is Apollo here? Because Apollo Crews was born in NXT! Fans cheer that while Waller rolls his eyes. Apollo found something missing in himself, and he came back to NXT to find it. He knew some people would love it, like all the fans here. And he knew some would hate it and be jealous, like Waller here.
Waller is jealous? Absolutely! Here’s a question no one else has the balls to ask: Didn’t Apollo use to have an accent? Apollo laughs that off as Waller mocks the “proud Nigerian Warrior.” But now he’s back in NXT, no accent, no native garb, what’s up with that? “Is this the accent that you’re talking about, huh? Is this the one?” Yeah, there it is! Don’t get it twisted, dog. Apollo is still a Nigerian warrior. And Waller’s asking this like he should be ashamed? He’s proud of his heritage. He went to WrestleMania 37 and became Intercontinental Champion. Fans cheer that but Apollo says he got too caught up on the past and forgot about the future. So that brings Apollo to why he’s here again.
Oh, so he’s admitting he’s selfish? Let’s go to Instagram! Here’s one! “What are these visions you have? Can you do it on the show? On the first episode of the Grayson Waller Effect! You have a gift, do it, do it!” Apollo says it doesn’t work that way. He’s a big dreamer, a visual thinker, and we can all speak things into existence. There’s no greater force than knowing yourself. Oh so you’re saying you know what’s gonna happen? Like if someone will be in trouble, he can help them out? What a gift! But uh… Where was he when Gallus attacked Diamond Mine? That’s some scummy stuff! He knew something would happen but did nothing?
Well, first, stop interrupting him. That’s not how it happens. Uh, that’s exactly how it happens! Diamond Mine gets laid out after Apollo tries to tear them down! Apollo gets up but Waller backs off. Where’s Waller going? This was a conversation, mate. If Apollo can’t handle the heat, that’s on him. Oh, here’s a question: Grayson from Australia wants to know how Apollo feels about getting run out of NXT? Ain’t nobody running from Waller. Here’s a better question from Apollo in Orlando! Waller, how doe sit feel to be a low budget version of The Miz? OOOOOH! Wow. Waller doesn’t know if anyone gets it, but that’s a compliment! No, it’s not.
Fans chant “Low Budget Miz! Low Budget Miz!” Waller tells Apollo here’s another one. “How does it feel every single night when you go home to your kids, and you gotta tell ’em Daddy couldn’t cut it on Mondays and Fridays, so now he’s back in NXT?” Apollo tells Waller that he tells his kids, “Dad was a champ on Monday, Dad was a champ on Friday, and Dad’s soon gonna be a champ on Tuesday.” Fans cheer as Apollo DECKS Waller! And that, Waller, is the APOLLO CREWS EFFECT! Will Apollo prove he’s the ACE of NXT? Or will Waller get the last laugh?
Security does its best to guide Gallus out of the building.
But then Gallus spots Pretty Deadly! Kit Wilson smirks while Elton Prince says, “Excuse me, big boys. Being Pretty Deadly copycats doesn’t look good on you.” Kit adds, “Surprise! You’re not as good as us. So no matter how hard you try, you can’t steal our thunder.” Wolfgang says they’re talking a big game in front of security. Mark says they’re not here for Pretty Deadly, they’re here to take THEIR titles home! OH, their titles? Kit, remind Elton who took those titles from Gallus. It was Pretty Deadly, Elly! It was! Joe says that Briggs & Jensen and Diamond Mine aside, Gallus can definitely handle these two!
Security has to stop Gallus from getting at Pretty Deadly, and Pretty Deadly laugh as they leave. Will Gallus settle up with the tag team champions and their bitter rivals all at once?
Tyler Bate speaks.
“Hello, hello. Tyler Bate here, the first-ever, and now current NXT UK Champion. I have been the proud flagbearer of NXT UK since day one. In the six year history of the brand, I’ve grown up from a 19-year-old kid to a 25-year-old man. I’m called the Big Strong Boy for a reason. Ask anyone I’ve been it he ring with. At Worlds Collide, the NXT UK chapter comes to a close the same way it started: with me holding up this title.” But will it be a happy ending for Tyler Bate when he holds up that title and the NXT Championship together?
Backstage interview with Von Wagner & Robert Stone.
Stone interrupts McKenzie to say that Tyler Bate looks to survive, not unify titles. Everyone loves Tyler, but this is a new NXT. You think Von cares that Tyler is a two-time NXT UK Champion? That he’s the #1 attraction in all of Europe? That he’s the franchise? Von says Tyler is an international superstar, the Big Strong Boy. But Von is a big strong man! And we’ll see how strong and tough Tyler really is! And after Von crushes Tyler, he won’t even make it to Worlds Collide!
Cameron Grimes VS Javier Bernal!
Via a WWE Digital Exclusive, we learn that Bernal was talking trash about how he could’ve done some serious damage to the depressed Cameron Grimes. This is “Big Body Javi.” And in this match, Bernal makes his TV debut by knocking off the former North American Champion! But everyone else thinks he’s just a prick. Will Bernal back up his words? Or will Grimes use Bernal to reinvigorate his career and go #ToTheMoon?
But as Grimes makes his entrance, The Schism is watching from the perch! Will they not leave Grimes alone? But Grimes focuses on Bernal as the bell rings, until Gacy speaks. “Cameron, good luck.” Grimes and Bernal tie up, Grimes powers Bernal to a corner and digs his hands in. Bernal freaks out over that, and the ref backs Grimes up. Bernal was just exaggerating so he could CHOP BLOCK Grimes! Bernal BOOTS Grimes, fires off at the ropes, then whips Grimes to ropes. Grimes reverses and KICKS Bernal down! Fans fire up and Grimes snarls. Grimes storms in but Bernal YANKS him into buckles!
Bernal CLUBS Grimes, ROCKS him then kicks him. Bernal whips, Grimes reverses again but Bernal hits a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Bernal glares and stalks Grimes to a corner. Bernal stomps Grimes, digs his boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. Bernal clamps on with a chinlock but Grimes endures. Fans rally, Grimes fights up, and Grimes snapmares free! Bernal tackles Grimes but Grimes kicks him away to then KANGAROO KICK on the rebound! Bernal comes back again but into a back drop! Bernal flounders up, Grimes CLOBBERS him! And again! Grimes whips Bernal to ropes, then kitchen sink KNEES Bernal down! SLIDING KICK!
Fans fire up as Bernal goes to a corner. Bernal avoids the boot but not the SUPERKICK! Grimes aims, fans fire up, “TO! THE! MOON!” CAVE-IN!! Grimes stares Gacy down while he covers, Grimes wins!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
Grimes stares Gacy down even after, making sure Gacy understands he doesn’t need The Schism. But will the Schism disagree and “insist” he join them?
Blair Davenport speaks.
“Who is Blair Davenport, you ask? I’m what you get when you mix gothic charisma with cold-hearted fury.” Born in England, raised in New Zealand, she has a wicked willingness to do whatever she has to in order to win. So a message to the NXT Women’s Division: Enemies of the Heir, Beware Blair Davenport.
Alba Fyre speaks.
“No matter the weather, terrain or situation, those Fire Keepers kept those embers burning. Just like I won’t let anyone extinguish my flame. Lash won’t be the only woman to test me, but soon, all of them will know what she already knows: I am a warrior, and I will do whatever it takes to win. And to honor the women who surrounded that flame. From the Howls and Lochs of Scotland, all the way to NXT, keep your eyes peeled on the horizon. Because where there’s smoke, there’s Fyre!”
Blair Davenport VS Indi Hartwell!
The gothic heiress makes her NXT 2.0 in-ring debut, ready to prove she will dominate the world. But will she look less than #IMPRESSIVE against #IndiWrestling?
NXT returns and Blair makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Indi puts Blair on ropes but lets off. They tie up again, Blair puts Indi in a corner, and she shoves Indi. Indi shoves back, rolls Blair up, ONE! Indi headlocks for a takeover but Blair fights up fast. Blair throws body shots, powers out, but Indi runs her over! Indi drags Blair up to a headlock to then hit another takeover. Blair fights up, fans rally, and Blair pulls hair. Blair then throws body shots, whips Indi, but Indi goes up and out. Indi ROCKS Blair, but Blair SHOTGUNS Indi down! Blair goes out to shove Indi but Indi avoids the post!
Indi elbows Blair, puts her in the ring, but Blair gets her with a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Indi writhes, the ref checks on her, but Blair is chomping at the bit. Blair stomps Indi, the ref backs her off, but Blair gets Indi up to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Indi is toughing it out and fans rally up but Blair clamps onto her. Blair wants the arms but Indi resists. Blair still gets the cobra clutch and she thrashes Indi around! Indi fights up, Blair throws knees, then hops on for a SLEEPER! Indi stays up and BACKPACK SENTONS! Blair lets go and both women crawl while fans rally up.
Blair and Indi head for each other, and Blair clinches. Indi ROCKS Blair! Then counter punches her! Then runs Blair over! Indi LARIATS, then dodges, to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Blair survives but Indi drags her up. Indi puts Blair in the ropes for an UPPERCUT, a BOOT, and then she climbs up as Blair flops over. Blair trips Indi off the top! Cover, TWO! Blair drags Indi up, but Indi gets a cradle! TWO! Blair BUZZSAWS Indi, then hauls her up! FALCON ARROW! Cover, Blair wins!!
Winner: Blair Davenport, by pinfall
It was rough from the start, but that’s how Blair likes it! Will all of NXT have to beware of Blair? But Blair isn’t done with Indi! KAMI-GOYE!! Indi falls out of the ring and Blair gets a mic! “The most menacing mistress of NXT UK has arrived! And I have just WASTED one of the best that this division has to offer. But y’know, I was #1 contender in the UK, so… I guess that the NXT Women’s Championship will do just fine. Because Blair Davenport is the rightful heir to the Women’s Championship!” But here comes the Toxic Goddess herself! Mandy Rose has the mic to tell Blair, “Wow. You’re reputation precedes you, honey.”
They haven’t met yet, so Mandy introduces herself. “And right now, you’re standing in MY ring, you entered into MY world, and in MY world, everyone follows my lead.” Mandy steps into the ring and tells Blair that Mandy is the most dominant women’s champion. And she’ll tell Blair like she’s told everyone else: put some respect on her name! You can’t just come over here and call the shots! Wait! MEIKO SATOMURA is here!! The Final Boss, the NXT UK Women’s Champion, is in the US! Meiko goes to the ring to stand with Blair and Mandy, also getting a mic. “Mandy, you’re wrong. You are not the most dominant Women’s Champion. That would be ME!”
Mandy tells Meiko that she is a legend, she’ll give Meiko that. But Mandy can’t think of a better way to put respect on her name than to beat a legend like Meiko! Well, at Worlds Collide, Mandy Rose VS Meiko Satomura, CHAMPION VS CHAMPION!! Blair says wait, hold on! No, no, no, these two can’t just forget about her! SHE is the #1 CONTENDER!! Fans tell Blair to “Shut The Hell Up!” but Meiko says okay. MAKE IT A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!! The Final Boss dictates the terms, will the Goddess and the Heiress be able to hang with her?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Tiffany doesn’t care about the title scene right now, McKenzie, this is about her. Because she’s gonna beat Wendy Choo tonight, and then whoever walks out THE NXT Women’s Champion will have Tiffany to deal with. That sounds like she’s overlooking Wendy. Tiffany says, “Do I think I’m superior to my opponent? Um, yeah. Is that a crime? Um, no.” After tonight, Wendy won’t be able to show her face around here, which is a win for everyone. And then the Women’s Division and that unified title will be all about Tiffany. Tootles!
Tony D’Angelo meets with Legado Del Fantasma.
Last week, Elektra, Wilde & Cruz tried to get “cute.” They pulled out all the stops in that Street Fight: distractions, interference, brass knuckles. Cruz would’ve probably thrown the kitchen sink at Tony. But how’d that work out? This is why Tony is the Don and Escobar is gone! But Tony’s a forgiving man, so the past is the past. The future starts tonight with a win from Wilde & Cruz! C’mon, let’s go. Will Legado do as they’re told under Tony’s command? Or will the bitter taste in their mouths be too much to stomach?
JD McDonagh speaks.
“At Heatwave, I sacrificed myself. I stood in front of a charging bull, I just had to see what he had to offer. And y’know something? I think I enjoyed it more than you did. You’re never truly challenged if you run away from uncomfortable situations. Bron, my pain tolerance for you is only growing. So good luck at Worlds Collide. I’ll see you on the other side.” JD was hanging upside-down like a bat the whole time?! Will he fight his way back to the title? Or just creep out the competition?
Wes Lee & KC Squared respond to that.
Uh-uh, nope! That just gave Wes the creeps. Kayden asks Katana if she’s hung upside-down before. Yeah, but not like that! Between the ice bath, the acupuncture and then the finger prick with the pen, there is something wrong with JD! But let’s talk about the champs and all the gold that they have! Oh, oh! But take Wes’s advice. When you’re a champ, everyone’s coming for your titles. Keep your heads on a swivel. They have eyes on the back of their heads, and they’re the only true tag team champions in all of the WWE. They don’t need a tournament to prove it. Probably why they weren’t invited. OH!
But just like when Wes was a champ, KC Squared will take on anyone from anywhere. Worlds are colliding, and anyone who wants it can come get it. Wes is loving the vibes, but know someone is bound to pick that gauntlet up. KC Squared is counting on it! Well okay!
Indi Hartwell is still ringside?
She has a mic to say, “So this is what rock bottom feels like, huh? Sucks, doesn’t it? And no disrespect to Blair Davenport, she’s incredible. She’s probably gonna go unify the titles at Worlds Collide and take it back to NXT Europe. But Blair isn’t the problem. It’s me! It’s always been me!” Fans boo in disagreement but four months ago, Indi looked at herself and said she’s done with tears and setbacks. She was gonna stand on her own two feet, reach for the stars, reignite her career, but… Here she sits, in the same position she was after Stand & Deliver! What is she even saying? She’s just saying words!
WAIT! LUMIS IS HERE!! Indi turns around to see him!! They crawl to each other in the ring! Fans are going nuts for #InDex as they hug it out! And kiss! They’re reunited and they take their leave, Lumis carrying Indi away! They make it to the back, and Lumis gives Indi another message. She kisses him, and there are police sirens?! Well, he did kidnap Miz… Lumis is arrested and Indi looks at the letter. Fans are upset, but at least Lumis got to say- Er, write, good-bye.
Backstage interview with Cora Jade.
It was a controversial win, but Cora disagrees. She beat Roxanne Perez in the middle of that ring and no one believes she’s better? Yeah, yeah, everyone loves Roxie, she’s so amazing. But if Roxie’s amazing, then what does that make the woman who beat her? If the roles were reversed and Roxie DDT’d Cora on her kendo stick, everyone would be saying Cora got what she deserved! But because Cora does it, O M G, it’s the worst thing ever! And to all the guys who’ve never even been on a date, tweeting their little fingers away about how that should’ve been a disqualification, she has this to say: Go on a date! And no, inflatable dolls don’t count. Cora is better than Roxie, get over it.
Legado del Fantasma w/ Tony D’Angelo VS The Dyad w/ Joe Gacy!
Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro have no choice but to follow The Don, while “Rip Fowler” and “Jagger Reed” chose to follow Joe Gacy. Whose leadership will lead their duo to a victory?
Returning the favor from earlier, Grimes is watching this match from the perch! Gacy takes notice and smiles, though he’s always smiling one way or another. Meanwhile, Tony snatches away the Legado shirts and throws them to the crowd! The teams sort out, and Cruz starts against Reed. The two circle, fans rally for Legado, and they tie up. Reed wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Cruz rolls and kips up to wrench back. Cruz headlocks, Reed powers out, and thigs speed up. Reed hurdles, Cruz slides, and Reed denies the tilt-o-whirl. Cruz dodges the haymaker, RANAS Reed, and fans fire up! Tony doesn’t like the lucha?
Reed headlocks, Rip tags in, and things speed up again. Cruz dodges the haymaker from Rip to springboard and use Reed as a boost to FLYING ARM-DRAG Rip! Wilde gets in to RANA Reed out, and the Dyad regroups at the ramp. Legado double DIVE and take them out! Tony is upset and tells them no lucha crap! This is wrestling! Cruz puts Rip in and argues with Tony but Tony says he doesn’t care. Cruz shoulders into Rip, springboards and crossbodies, TWO! Fans rally, Cruz wrenches and wristlocks but Rip knees low! Rip sucker punches Wilde, too, but then Cruz JABS and CHOPS! Cruz whips, Rip holds ropes and BOOTS back!
Tag to Reed, Rip clinches and Reed ENZIGURIS! Then MAYHEM IN MOTION, down goes Wilde! Rip DIVES?! He never did that as Gibson, maybe Gacy’s teachings are working. Reed drags Cruz up to ROCK him with a left. Reed then ROCKS Cruz again, and he drags Cruz up for another haymaker! Cruz falls out, Rip tags in and sets him up, PLANCHA BACKBREAKER! That’s still grizzled, but hugging it out is definitely The Schism… The Dyad puts Cruz back in, Rip ROCKS Cruz but Cruz fights back! He BOOTS Rip, ROCKS Reed, but Rip knees low! Rip shoves but Cruz KICKS and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up as both men crawl!
Hot tags to Reed and Wilde! Wilde springboard SENTONS Reed! Wilde fires off haymakers, dodges Reed and wheelbarrows to arm-drag him to a corner! Rip runs in but into a ripcord and CHOP! Wilde goes up, around and FLYING ARM-DRAGS Rip! Then he TILT-O-WHIRL DDTS! The fans are thunderous but Tony is furious! Clothesline and tag, Cruz GAMANGIRIS! Tag back, Legado hit a DOUBLE SUPELX! Cover, Rip breaks it! Cruz whips, Rip reverses and he throws Cruz out! Wilde DECKS Rip but Reed rolls him up! Wilde rolls through to swing around to a ghost pin, TWO!!
Reed runs in but into haymakers! Reed powers Wilde back, tag to Rip, but Wilde wheelbarrows. Reed feeds him to Rip! GRIT YOUR TEETH! And then, TICKET TO HAYHEM!! Cover, The Dyad wins!
Winners: The Dyad, by pinfall
Gacy celebrates with his disciples as they put the last nail in the coffin of Legado. They hug it out, and then they look to Grimes. Will Grimes join The Schism? Will Cruz & Wilde leave Tony?
Javier Bernal walks around backstage.
People tell him he had a good match and will get a win next time, but he shrugs it off. But then a young lady says he “almost” got that win. Almost? Almost might be good enough for someone like her, but for “Big Body Javi,” that doesn’t cut it. Next time she talks to him, show respect. But then Hank the security guard tells Bernal to respect a lady. Oh, whatever, man. He can do what he wants, he’s Big Body Javi! The young lady leaves and Hank tells Bernal he can call himself whatever he wants. But you do NOT talk to a woman like that. Time to hit the showers. Bernal leaves, but will Hank have to put this prick in his place?
Wilde, Cruz & Lopez storm out of the building.
They cannot believe how Tony’s treating them. Worst night ever. But then an SUV pulls up! And Escobar’s in the driver’s seat! “You didn’t think I was gonna leave without you, did you? La familia stays together. So you’re ready to go?” YES! Legado defies Tony D’Angelo and leaves NXT as one! But where will we see them next?
Tyler Bate VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
NXT UK’s first and only Triple Crown Champion is preparing to become the first UNDISPUTED NXT Champion, but that’s at Worlds Collide. Will Tyler survive entering Wagner’s World? Or will Bate prove who is really the big strong man around here?
NXT returns as Von & Stone make their entrance. Bron is watching this backstage as the bell rings, and the two circle. Bate and Von tie up, Bate gets an arm but Von picks him up and throws him away! Fans rally for Bate as Von eggs him on. Bate dodges Von, headlocks, but Von powers up. Bate holds on, Von powers out, and Von runs Bate over! Von YANKS Bate’s arm, RAMS shoulders, then knuckle locks to wrench the wrist. Von straight arm levels Bate up! Bate slips off to ROCK, CHOP and ROCK Von again! Von pushes, Bate dodges and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! And then UPPERCUTS in the corner!
Bate climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count but Von shoves Bate away at 5 and BOOTS Bate down! Fans boo and Bron shakes his head. Von sits Bate up to rain down fists! Von TOSSES Bate into a corner, then runs in to SPLASH! Von brings Bate around, CLUBS him down, and Von talks trash. Von drags Bate up, trophy lifts him, and then DROPS Bate! Bate writhes while Von soaks up the heat. Von clamps onto Bate with a chinlock but fans chant, “You Suck! You Suck!” Bate endures, fights up, and fans rally. Bate throws body shots, then more body shots, then haymakers! Von shoves, but Bate dodges to fire off more hands!
Bate kicks low, reels Von in, but Von fights the underhooks! Von back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Bate leaps but into Von’s arms! BACKBREAKER and a FALL AWAY SLAM! Von looms over Bate but fans boo. Von rains down fists, then CLUBS Bate in the chest. Fans rally up and Von pulls Bate’s hair. The ref reprimands, Von scoops Bate for another trophy lift, but Bate slips off! Bate UPPERCUTS Von, then ENZIGURIS him out of the ring! Fans fire up and Bate builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Von at the ramp! Bate gets up and fans rally behind him, Von shoves Bate, gets in the ring, but Bate pursues!
Bate runs in to UPPERCUT at the corner! And then a clinch, but Von fights off the exploder. Von reels Bate in, gets him up, but Bate fights the bomb! Bate lands on his feet to fire off heavy hands! Von drops to a knee, shoves Bate away but Bate roars! Fans fire up, but Von reels Bate in for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bate survives, showing why he is a champion at all. Von snarls, drops elbows, then rains down more fists! Fans rally up again but Von drags Bate to his feet. Von fireman’s carries but Bate fights free! Bate shoves Von, dodges the boot, and rebounds to LARIAT! Von stays up but Bate just runs again!
Rebound- Choke grip! But Bate slips through the slam! Bop up, BANG hits!! And then BANG hits again!! And then ROLLING KICK! Von flounders around, Bate hits an EXPLODER! And a kip up! Bate goes up top and fans are thunderous, SKY TWISTER! Cover, Bate wins!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall
Wagner’s World just got rocked! Will we see #TylerTwoBelts at Worlds Collide?
The Diamond Mine is feeling good.
Kemp and the Creeds got Gallus tonight, and they’ll get ’em again in next week’s Six Man Tag! Roddy says yeah, they’re gonna destroy Gallus! Uh, no, Roddy, Kemp & The Creeds will destroy Gallus. Julius only rolls with teammates he can trust. He doesn’t trust Roddy? No, he doesn’t. Briggs & Jensen walk in and tell Diamond Mine to calm down. Creeds have Gallus next week, so save a piece for these guys. Strong says absolutely not! Not after what Gallus did to Diamond Mine! Diamond Mine is gonna destroy Gallus! Strong tells Julius to ignore “these dorks,” but Briggs calls Strong out for running his mouth!
Briggs says Strong went on and on about the Creeds being the best team in the WWE. But they’re not even the best team in NXT! Strong says Briggs and Jensen are both dorks! Julius tells Strong that his opinion doesn’t carry as much weight around here as it used to. Julius steps to Briggs & Jensen to say that if they want it, they can get it after Gallus! Both teams are looking forward to it, but will things get complicated in the NXT Tag Division with two brands merging as one?
Lights Out: Tiffany Stratton VS Wendy Choo!
Ever since coming to NXT, “Buff Barbie” has been more like a Mean Girl in spandex. And number one among those she’s picked on is the pajama partying, prank playing fan favorite. There will be no disqualifications, no count-outs, and no holding back! Who wins and who goes night-night when it’s Lights Out?
NXT returns and Wendy makes her entrance. She makes sure to hydrate, then she unzips her Taco Tuesday onesie to show off her chocolate chip romper! The bell rings and the lights go down, and both women start throwing hands! Wendy ROCKS Tiffany but Tiffany CHOPS Wendy! Wendy CHOPS back, then whips Tiffany to ropes. Tiffany reverses, Wendy ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKCISK Tiffany down! Fans fire up and Tiffany bails out. Wendy goes out, runs in, but dodges the tennis racket attack! Wendy kicks low, grabs the racket and JAMS Tiffany with it! Wendy ten grabs a trash can and RAMS Tiffany with it! And then dumps it out on her!
Wendy makes Tiffany wear the can, then she grabs the racket to SMACK the can! And again! Quite the forehand serve she’s got there! And then she SMACKS the top of the can! Tiffany falls over, Wendy takes the can off and puts it in the ring. Wendy puts Tiffany in the ring, whips her to a corner, and then runs in to RAM into her! Wendy digs her shoulder in, RAMS it in again and again, then runs side to side to BOOT Tiffany down! Fans fire up but Tiffany bails out. Tiffany goes looking under the ring, and brings out the toolbox! Wendy storms over, but Tiffany JAMS her with the box! Tiffany dumps the tools out and grabs a spare crossbar!
Tiffany aims, Wendy dodges, and Tiffany SMACKS the post! tiffany’s hand gets hurt from that, and Wendy smacks Tiffany off the apron. Tiffany gets in the ring, fans chant “We Want Tables!” but Wendy gets in the ring to get the trash can. Wendy wedges that into the corner, storms up to Tiffany, and whips her into the corner! Tiffany stops from hitting the can, then she elbows Wendy away. Tiffany whips Wendy , she stops herself and mule kicks Tiffany. Then front kicks! Then CLOBBERS Tiffany! Wendy eggs Tiffany on, whips her to ropes, then hits an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans are fired up as Tiffany is in the corner.
Wendy handsprings in, but Tiffany sends her into the can! And then RAMS her into it! Wendy flops out of the ring, Tiffany taunts her and RAMS her into steel steps! Tiffany says she can do this all day, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tiffany flexes on Wendy, talks more trash, then slaps Wendy around. Tiffany talks trash on the fans, too, then brings Wendy up. Tiffany smacks Wendy off the apron, throws trash at her, then buries her in it. Tiffany paces around while Wendy sit sup. Wendy throws body shots and haymakers, then dodges Tiffany to CLOBBER her with her thermos! Wendy goes back to her bed and starts pushing it down the ramp! She gains speed and RAMS Tiffany with it! The bed stops next to the ring, but Tiffany JAMS Wendy with a chair! Then SMACKS her with it! Tiffany SMACKS Wendy again, then throws the chair down.
Tiffany pushes Wendy around, talks more trash, then dumps the mattress off the bedframe. Tiffany drags Wendy over, stands her up, but Wendy blocks the suplex! And again! Wendy RAMS Tiffany into the apron, puts her in the ring, and brings a chair with her. Tiffany ROCKS Wendy as NXT returns to single picture. And again! But Wendy holds onto ropes! Wendy RAMS into Tiffany, hurries inside, but Tiffany hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Wendy writhes. Tiffany crawls and finds the chair again. Tiffany sets the chair on top of Wendy, goes up the corner, and MOONSAULTS to FLOP!
Wendy writhes, the chair is in the middle of the ring, but Wendy crawls her way around to Tiffany. Wendy brings Tiffany up to suplex her onto the chair! Cover, TWO!! Tiffany is showing her toughness but Wendy goes outside the ring. Wendy grabs that crossbar Tiffany was using, and she puts it across Tiffany’s face! Tiffany endures the Full Metal Camel Clutch! Tiffany reaches out, grabs her purse, and she gets her HAIRSPRAY! She sprays Wendy in the face!! Tiffany gets the can, JAMS Wendy with it, then sets the can down. Tiffany brings Wendy up to POWERBOMB her on the trash can! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are fired up as Wendy survives! Wendy crawls and Tiffany pursues, they’re both going for the corner. “This is Awesome!” as Tiffany goes up the corner, only for Wendy to YANK her down! Wendy goes outside the ring, looks around in the bedding, and she brings her body pillow in! Wendy CLOBBERS Tiffany with it! Because inside that pillow is LEGO BRICKS! Wendy pours them all out on the mat, and there’s a lot of them! Fans are loving this as Wendy brings Tiffany around. Tiffany breaks the full nelson, but Wendy fights the German Suplex! Wendy elbows Tiffany away, but runs into a scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM! Wendy just narrowly misses the pile!
Tiffany drags Wendy up and tries again! Scoop SLAM onto the Legos! Wendy writhes and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Tiffany drags herself up the ropes, runs and DOUBLE STOMPS Wendy onto the Legos! Cover, TWO!!! Tiffany can’t believe it but Wendy is still in this! Fans again declare “This is Awesome!” as Tiffany tries to figure out what to do now. Tiffany gets her purse again, kicks Wendy out of the ring, and Tiffany brings out powder! But Wendy kicks the powder into Tiffany’s face! Full Nelson BODY SLAM through the bedframe!! Fans lose their minds over that one as Wendy puts Tiffany back in the ring!
Wendy goes up the corner, and from the very top, VADER BOMB!! Cover, Wendy wins!
Winner: Wendy Choo, by pinfall
And that’s night-night for Tiff-Tiff! Will Wendy use this momentum to get herself that future title opportunity Tiffany was talking about?
The champions and challengers are backstage for contract signings.
Blair signs her part, then Mandy signs hers. She slides the contract to Meiko, and Meiko signs her part. It is now official! The Triple Threat for the NXT and NXT UK Women’s Championships is official, it will be Winner Takes All! And at the same time, Bate and Bron sign their contract to make their match official! Who will be the UNDISPUTED NXT Champion and UNDISPUTED NXT Women’s Champion after Worlds Collide?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT to set us up for a lot of Worlds Collide action. It seems instead of transitioning the NXT UK titles into NXT Europe titles, they’re unifying NXT UK with their NXT US counterparts. Bron and Tyler had a great promo to set up their unification match, and I feel like that one could go either way. I personally hope Tyler wins, though. As great as Bron is, his push needs to slow down at some point. Tyler would make for a fresh top champion, but given JD’s promo, I have a bad feeling Bron wins. Tyler had a good match with Von, and of course Tyler wins, but this momentum might be to feed the usual booking math.
Speaking of JD, Wes Lee’s reaction to JD’s promo makes me think we get Wes VS JD as a feud before JD gets back to a title. And KC Squared talking smack on all the brands got me wondering if we’ll get crossover between NXT and a team from Raw or SmackDown. Blair VS Indi had a rough match, honestly. That Falcon Arrow did not land quite how it should have, but point was, of course Blair wins. Blair calls out the champs, the champs respond, and that Triple Threat will be great. But of course, this is to protect the champs while at least one of them loses their titles. I feel like the best scenario is Blair pinning Mandy so Meiko isn’t hurt, and then Blair will have to face the pressure of being chased.
I also like that we got quiet contract signings in the “office,” not wordy ones in the ring. We’ve seen plenty of contract signing segments, and will still see them again and again on RawDown, so NXT doesn’t need to waste time with them. But while the top singles titles are being unified, I’m surprised we’re not outright getting that with the tag titles. Honestly, that was the only weird spot of tonight. Lash attacking Fallon is one thing, but how was Pretty Deadly attacking Briggs & Jensen not a disqualification to end the title match? Either way, Gallus wins the match without taking the titles, so what would it matter?
Gallus and Diamond Mine get into it, but then so do Gallus and Pretty Deadly, and Diamond Mine with Briggs & Jensen. I do like that we’re getting these blended stories, but what does this mean for the UK tag titles? Will there be one last UK tag title match and then the titles are retired? Will we get Creeds VS Briggs & Jensen? Or will we get a wild Fatal 4 Way that’s also Winners Take All? Personally, hoping for that third option. It’d work out much like the Women’s Triple Threat, where the champions are protected. One team, or both teams, could lose their belts, and then they chase the new Undisputed NXT Tag Team Champions in the Fall.
Bernal is rising up the ranks since he got to face Grimes tonight, but of course he loses. And “Hank” is totally gonna kick Bernal’s ass at some point, that’ll be great for Hank. The Schism watching Grimes and Grimes watching Schism, Grimes VS Gacy probably won’t be set up for the go-home, but it could help lead the way into what comes after Worlds Collide. Legado VS Dyad was a great tag match, but it makes sense in many ways for Dyad to win. Dyad needs something to get going, and it was a great sendoff for Legado since they’re ALL leaving NXT to probably show up on SmackDown this Friday. Or the Friday after Clash at the Castle so they can hit the ground running.
Great introduction to Charlie Dempsey for the NXT 2.0 fans, and him feuding with Chase U is going to be a lot of fun. Cora has a good promo talking trash on, well, internet fans like even myself. I will neither confirm or deny her assumptions about not having gone on a date or anything else of that kind, but I did question why a kendo stick DDT wasn’t a DQ. But this also means Cora VS Roxie II is on the horizon and that’s going to be awesome. Also good promo from Alba Fyre, reminding everyone that she’s still here and will be coming for the women’s championship in the future, too.
I loved the #InDex reunion, and I even love that it didn’t last because Lumis had to be (kayfabe) arrested. Lumis can get out on bail for kidnapping, Indi can join him on Raw, and we can even get to #InDex VS the It Couple, Miz & Maryse. That match probably won’t happen for Clash at the Castle, that’s too soon. But Extreme Rules is in October, and something about that feels just right for Dexter Lumis’ first major WWE event. And last but not least, we got an awesome match out of Wendy VS Tiffany under “Lights Out,” which is just Isla Dawn’s “World of Darkness.” But either way, great stuff, from the Legos to the bedframe breaking. And I am so glad it’s Wendy who won, she deserved the win in this blow-off, and with a 66% chance of a Heel being Women’s Champion, Wendy is a great Face to go after the title.
My Score: 8.6/10
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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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