Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Hell in a Cell Results & Report! (9/16/18)
WWE plunges its best down to the depths of Hell, in a Cell! Will the Big Dog retain his title against The Monster Among Men? Or will he GET THESE HANDS!?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Rusev Day; The New Day wins and retains the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
- Hell in a Cell Match: Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch; Lynch wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler VS Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose; McIntyre & Ziggler win and retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.
- WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Samoa Joe; Styles wins and retains the WWE Championship.
- Mixed Tag Match: Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella VS The Miz & Maryse; Miz & Maryse win.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Natalya VS Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James & Alicia Fox; Rousey wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
- WWE Universal Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Roman Reigns VS Braun Strowman, Mick Foley as special guest referee; Called by Referee’s Decision, Roman Reigns retains the WWE Universal Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s time for the WWE Hell in a Cell Kickoff show!
Jonathan Coachman, Booker T, Peter Rosenburg and SmackDown Glampire in Chief Paige are your panel! Join them in preparing for one of the most sinister nights in the WWE calendar.
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose.
Two thirds of the Shield compete for the Raw Tag Team Championships to settle at least part of the war between them and Braun Strowman’s pack. But as far as the challengers are concerned, nothing changes even if The Shield loses. The Shield could become a completely golden faction, because they are the workhorses of Raw. Tonight, they prove it. Will the Intercontinental Champion and his Lunatic Fringe friend swipe gold away from the Show-Off and the Scottish Psycho?
Paige has breaking news!
The Hell in a Cell PPV’s main show opens WITH Hell in a Cell itself! The Viper and the Charismatic Enigma will start us off with their ultimate grudge match! What will Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy do to each other? Or rather, what won’t they do!?
Alexa Bliss is interviewed via video.
The Goddess has since heard Ronda Rousey’s words that “Even on my worst day, I’m still the best.” Her response is that Ronda has the biggest ego in the world. Ronda probably thinks she’s the best at everything, from eating breakfast to exercising to breathing. But Alexa is not intimidated, she’s taking her title back to be a six-time champion. But does her Summerslam squash change her mind? Well all her “fans” who think their opinions matter feel the same way, but this isn’t Summerslam anymore. Ronda isn’t 100%, but she’ll deny it all she wants.
Paige wonders then, how does Alexa plan on winning? Alexa says that for starters, the SmackDown GM can’t really talk about the Raw Women’s Championship. Then secondly, Ronda is hurt, and that was Alexa’s doing. It’s simple: headlines will read, “In her first title defense, Ronda Rousey fails.” And before David Otunga can say a word, Alexa leaves the interview. Will Alexa’s own ego cost her in her rematch? Or will she pounce on a wounded Ronda to get an incredible upset?
Kickoff Match: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Rusev Day!
Awww~ San Antonio! Don’t you dare be sour, clap for the Five-Time champs, and feel~, the power~! The pancake producing trio of positivity bring the fun, and before the match, they say it’s “that time of year once again.” Kids are in school, the leaves are falling, and Big E loves foliage. But most importantly, it’s pumpkin spice latte season, BABYYY~! Which means ya bois are once again, for the fourth time in a row, defending their W, W, E, world tag team championships~ at Hell in a Cell! Fans like the sound of that. But this time, it’s not against just any old team, oh no~. It’s going to be against… “Who? Who?” Rusev Daaaaaay~! Fans really like the sound of that. In honor of such a holiday, here’s a little diddy.
But wait, here’s MC Artiste himself to sing a proper introduction. Though Big E, Woods and Kofi challenge him to a quick throat clearing contest. “Well let the Shakespeare of Song soothe all your ears, while these fools with their flapjacks bore you to tears~!” He insulted the pancakes!! But the New Day will cry “when the belts go home with the Brute and I”, then the new champs will be– New Day~! NO! Rusev DAAAAAAAY~! Whose day will it be when this match is over?
The belts are raised and the teams sort out. We start with English and Kofi at the bell, and they tie up. English powers Kofi to a corner, then throws body shots while fans chant “Rusev Day!” English whips corner to corner then monkey flips but Kofi lands on his feet! Kofi then leaps at English for double stomps! Cover, ONE, and English gets to his corner. Tag to Rusev and fans fire up again. Rusev and Kofi tie up, but Kofi kicks away. Rusev stops that and powers Kofi to a corner to throw in shoulders. He whips Kofi corner to corner but Kofi goes up and over. Kofi speeds things up to springboard, only to get caught! Rusev has Kofi on the ropes as he knees away at the ribs! Then Rusev throws Kofi with a Fall Away Slam! Cover, ONE!.
We go picture in picture while the Bulgarian Lion stalks and stomps Kofi. Tag to English and he adds stomps. English throws hands in the corner, then tags Rusev back in. Team Rusev Day work together on the corner back elbow and feed to the clothesline. Cover, TWO, but Rusev again keeps between Kofi and Big E. We return to single picture as Rusev barrels Kofi in a facelock. Kofi endures as he tries to find a way out. Fans rally up with “New! Day Rocks!” Kofi fights out but Rusev shoves him away. Rusev throws haymakers, then hoists Kofi up top. Rusev throws more hands, then climbs up. Kofi fights back and sends Rusev down. Kofi jumps for the DDT! Both men are down but on opposite sides of the ring. They both crawl, hot tags to English and Big E!
Big E throws English all around with belly2belly suplexes! He swivels them hips and runs, for the Big Splash! Big E rallies fans up again as he stalks English. English gets to his corner, elbows E and tags Rusev. Rusev rallies with lariats and a roundhouse! Big E gets to a corner, to get a big shoulder, and then the running heel kick! Kofi slips in but is back dropped back out! Big E gets up but gets another roundhouse! Cover, TWO! Rusev Day knows they’re close, and Rusev fires himself back up as the fans join in. Rusev stomps the mat as he stalks Big E. Machka Kick misses, but he gets Big E in a chicken wing! Big E slips out and shoves Rusev. Rusev runs but misses, English tags in. Big E SPEARS Rusev out! But then English FLIES!
English wipes E out, then puts him back in. Artiste’s DDT! Cover, TWO!! That was so close! English hurries back up, then up to the top rope. He aims, leaps, but has to bail out of his senton. He misses in the corner, Kofi tags in, and the New Day combine for a double stomp bomb! Cover, TWO!! The Drama King survives! Kofi gets up and calls for his own finish. English stands, but ducks the Trouble in Paradise to fireman’s carry. Kofi slips out but Rusev tags in, to carry Kofi all the way to ropes. Kofi manages to headscissor Rusev out of the ring, then penalty kick English from the apron. Rusev Day regroups while Kofi and Big E work together, to FLY!! Into a MACHKA KICK! Artiste’s DDT on the apron!!
Rusev drags Kofi up and in, and fans are thunderous! English tags in?! Rusev still goes up top, but misses his headbutt! English leaps but his his frog splash! TWO!! They were so close again, and Lana is about to explode at ringside. English can’t tag out to Rusev, so it’s up to him to do this. English, CRUSH! Artist’s Accolade!! Kofi endures this copied hold, but Big E runs in, to MACHKA KICK!! Kofi pops an arm out, then slings English to ropes. Rusev runs in but is sent back out. English runs into Trouble in Paradise! Big E anchors Rusev, New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall; still SmackDown Tag Team Champions
The Brute and the Artiste were just finger tips away from the best Rusev Day ever. But now, it’s one of the worst, as The New Day win the day. Will Rusev & English ever get it right? Or will New Day continue to win day after day?
Backstage interview with Mick Foley!
The hardcore legend is being a guest referee for the Universal Championship’s Hell in a Cell Match. This is an emotional night for him, he got a chill down his spine from seeing the Cell again. Foley has had nightmares thinking back to his infamous Cell match, but that’s the past. Tonight is about Strowman VS Roman tearing each other apart. Baron Corbin comes in and welcomes Foley to the Constable’s first PPV as the boss. Corbin has Stephanie’s blessing to allow Foley to referee tonight’s title match. Foley looks the part, mostly. And he’s early! Great enthusiasm. Yes, and Foley has some pointers as a former GM. Corbin appreciates that but he’s got this. He’ll let tonight speak for itself. If that’s how Corbin wants it… Will Foley do his best as guest ref and be impartial? Will Corbin really impress with his half of tonight’s PPV?
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
“There is something inside us all. Something that scares us. Tortures us. And begs to be free.” Those things? “Our demons.” Greed corrupted a friendship. Envy made rivals into enemies, and a Viper target a hero. Wrath has made a Goddess and a Gladiator go to war. Pride has made a Destroyer willing to destroy a friendship. And above all, a hound of justice and a Monster Among Men want to stand atop the entire kingdom. “There is no turning back.” Surrender to your dark side and let it take over. “Welcome to Hell in a Cell.”
Hell in a Cell Match: Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!
The Legend Killer has transformed himself into the Eraser of Heroes, as he vows to make the WWE Universe forget all about those we’ve cheered more for than him. But the Charismatic Enigma will never let himself be forgotten nor intimidated. Will Hardy prove he’s #Immune2Fear in his most desired match type ever? Or will Orton use the three most dangerous letters in pro-wrestling to make Hardy OBSOLETE?
Both Hardy and Orton are ready to tear into each other even before the bell, as they glare at each other through the blood red chainlink fencing. Hardy takes a moment to admire the sadistic structure, as this is his first ever time in such a match. He wants to enjoy every second of it, even as he faces potential torture at the hands of his opponent. The bell rings, and we begin!
hardy rushes Orton right away and throws hands and shoulders in a corner. Orton hits back and clubs Hardy down. Orton goes to suplex but Hardy slips away, so Orton gives him a European Uppercut. Hardy tumbles to the apron and Orton hotshots him, to then blast him off into the red steel! Orton stalks Hardy and drags him up by his hair, to put him into the steel again. Hardy blocks that but Orton clubs him again. Orton tries again but Hardy still fights him off. Hardy sends Orton into steel then into LED post, then into the apron. Hardy keeps pinballing Orton around the small corridor, then goes searching under the ring. He finds a table! He has to carefully take it out inside that narrow way.
Orton grabs it from the other end and it’s a tug-o-war. They abandon the table and run at each other, but Orton runs Hardy over with a lariat! Orton drags Hardy up and into the ring, and Orton positions the table. But Hardy dropkicks it into Orton! Orton goes down with pain in his ribs, and he crawls away while Hardy recovers. Hardy and Orton go looking for more items, and while Orton finds chairs, Hardy finds a ladder! Hardy brings the ladder around, and rams Orton with it before Orton can use his chair. He keeps on Orton with that ladder, and then adjusts. But Orton SMACKS back with the chair! Orton hobbles over to grab Hardy’s hair and throw him into the steel. Orton EuroUppers Hardy up against the red frame, then goes back for the chair. He sits it up and then brings Hardy over.
Orton wants an RKO on the chair but Hardy denies him. Then Hardy uses the chair for Poetry in Motion! The attack is a bit double edged as both men bounce off steel and floor. Hardy stands and fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” with him as he clubs Orton. Hardy clears out some space and puts Orton back in the ring. Orton staggers and Hardy kicks, but then spin kicks Orton to a corner. The Hardyac Arrest hits! Cover, TWO! Hardy positions Orton with a splash, then heads up to the top rope. Orton stops him with haymakers! Orton climbs up, prepares and hits the SUPERPLEX! But those bad ribs keep him from covering right away, TWO! Hardy narrowly survives but both men are hurting now. Fans rally up for Hardy as he gets to the other corner. Hardy drags himself up but Orton follows.
Orton runs in, but into a back elbow. Hardy goes up, Whisper in the Wind hits! Cover, TWO! The referee clears some room by getting the table out. Fans boo but Hardy goes for another ladder! Hardy props the ladder up upside-down, and brings Orton over. He clubs away on Orton’s back, to then position a suplex. Orton resists, knees low, then gordbusters Hardy into his own trap! The referee checks on Hardy, and somehow Hardy can continue. Orton puts Hardy in, covers, TWO! Orton likes that, because it means he can continue to brutalize him. Which is why he grabs another chair from under the ring. Orton aims and SMACKS Hardy on the back again!
Fans duel as some enjoy this violence. Orton SMACKS Hardy again! Orton tears Hardy’s shirt away, to SMACK bare skin with the steel! He even uses Hardy’s own studded belt to lash Hardy! Cover, TWO! Orton tears away at Hardy’s shirt while scrapping his laces on Hardy’s face. Fans rally for Hardy while Orton brings over the other ladder. Orton opens it up sideways, and puts Hardy between it.Fans anticipate what’s coming, and Orton puts Hardy throw a rung to make the ladder into a vice! Orton stomps Hardy’s limps, then covers. TWO, but that only means Orton gets to hurt Hardy more. Orton puts Hardy in a chinlock while fans rally up again. Hardy feeds off that energy to get back up, run around, and fight out of the hold. Hardy whips but Orton reverses, but Hardy rallies! Atomic drop to leg-splitting leg drop! And dropkick added, cover, TWO!
Hardy is both frustrated and sore, but he won’t stop. He calls to “DELETE! DELETE!” while Orton stands up. Hardy kicks, but Orton denies the Twist to hit the powerslam! Cover, TWO! Orton tries again, TWO! Orton keeps his cool while he goes back out. He pulls out a toolbox?! There are so many options, but he wants the screwdriver. Not since Orton’s mentor Triple H did this to Ric Flair have we seen a screwdriver used this way. But instead of going after the forehead, Orton wants the ear gauge hole!! Orton pulls on the ear lobe, twists the ear lobe 180 degrees, and then a full 360! Hardy screams, fans grow sick, but Orton seems to enjoy it. Hardy gets up, and low blows Orton! It’s all legal in the Cell, and it saves Hardy’s ear lobe.
Hardy goes back to Orton with his belt, and lashes Orton all over! Then he grabs the chair, to SMACK Orton on the back. SMACK, SMACK and SMACK! Orton is bleeding from the back as Hardy keeps attacking the cuts his belt made. Cover, TWO! Hardy has a wild look in his eyes as he climbs up top. But Orton trips him up with a bump of the ropes. Hardy rolls to an apron, but Orton drags him back up. Orton drags Hardy through the ropes, for the draping DDT! It was double edged from the damage Orton has taken to his own back. Orton stands, and he soaks in all the heat and sound from the crowd. The Viper then hears those voices in his head as he stalks Hardy again.
Orton wants to end this, and Hardy stands, but Hardy denies the RKO to hit the Twist of Fate! But Hardy won’t finish it here, he wants to use that already beat up chair. Hardy sets it on top of Orton, then climbs up top, for a SWANTON BOMB! The chair in between, cover, TWO!? Orton shocks everyone, especially Hardy, by surviving. But San Antonio knows “This is Awesome!” Hardy hurries to figure something else out while Orton now bleeds from a cut on his thigh. Hardy has a new ladder! It’s the tallest so far, but Hardy isn’t done. Hardy finds a table and brings it in.
Fans fire up as Hardy sets both ladder and table up. Hardy also adds one of the smaller ladders to the equation, so that it is shorter ladder, taller ladder, and table. Orton stands but Hardy is right on him with another Twist of Fate! Hardy puts Orton on the table and keeps him there with right hands. Fans fire up again as Hardy climbs the smaller ladder. Hardy uses that ladder to help leap up to the taller ladder, then he climbs the cell ceiling like monkey bars! He swings, but Orton gets out of the way! Only Hardy crashes through the table!! San Antonio loses their minds while the referee calls for the EMT! But Orton wants to finish this with a pin! The referee is reluctant, but counts. Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
The Cell rises while Orton stands tall, but Hardy needs a stretcher. EMTs arrive and puts Hardy on the back board while everyone just tries to register what happened. The Viper won, but has he also erased the Enigma once and for all?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles!
The Phenomenal WWE Champion needs to stay focused against Samoa Joe, even after everything eh’s said about the Styles Family. Joe wants to talk about Styles’ wife, his daughter, so Styles is laser focused. Styles won’t talk, he’ll fight. He’ll walk in WWE Champion, rip Joe’s heart from his chest, then walk back out WWE Champion. Because this is still the House that AJ Styles Built! Will that be so? Or will Joe introduce Styles to his own personal Hell?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch!
Summerslam saw a Triple Threat for this title pit friend against friend against foe, but it was the Queen who took advantage of the Lass Kicker. While Charlotte was in the right because of the rules, Becky feels she was in the wrong because of what was right. Becky is sick and tired of being in Charlotte’s shadow, but Charlotte says only Becky sees herself that way. Who will prove themselves the most deserving, and more importantly, the BEST woman of the Blue Brand?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and the bell rings. San Antonio are behind Straight Fire Becky Lynch as she circles with Charlotte. They tie up and Becky gets a waistlock. She gets the takedown, then floats to a facelock. She holds on as Charlotte rolls both ways. Charlotte works her way back up and reverses to her own waistlock takedown. Now Charlotte holds on while Becky rolls around. Becky slips out to get the facelock back but Charlote gets a leg takedown. Becky shoves her away and fans enjoy this even exchange. The two frenemies circle, Charlotte gets another takedown, but Becky counters to a hammerlock. Becky shifts to a headlock, but Charlotte powers out. Becky runs Charlotte over, then runs. Things speed up and Charlotte gets Becky in another takedown. Charlotte goes for the Figure Four, but Becky wants to Disarm-her!
They both roll around and Becky gets a keylock. Charlotte pushes but Becky bends her back to a cover. TWO as Charlotte kips up and arm-drags. Charlotte gets the legs to tweak the knee. Charlotte goes after a simple toehold and knee wrench. Becky fights back with a chinlock and they roll again. Fans rally up while Charlotte holds onto the leg. Becky uses her free leg to kick Charlotte away, but Charlotte high stacks. TWO and Becky kicks Charlotte. Becky grabs hair to put Charlotte in a corner. She backs off at 4, but then misses to get shoulders to the stomach. Charlotte backs off but then hits buckles as Becky dodges. Becky jump kicks Charlotte down! Then apron firearms her down more! Fans fire up as Becky puts Charlotte back in. Cover, TWO, but Becky keeps her cool.
Becky wrenches the arm and wrings Charlotte out. She keeps on the arms with a hammerlock on one and a YANK of the other! Cover, TWO! Charlotte gets herself to a corner but Becky is right on her. Becky wraps an arm around a rope but backs off at 4. Becky kicks Charlotte more, then whips corner to corner. Charlotte tumbles to the apron, shoulders back in and slingshots for the high stack. TWO and Becky hits more firearms. Cover, TWO! Becky keeps on Charlotte with another keylock. Fans begin to duel while Charlotte endures. Becky thrashes Charlotte around, then leans on her for a bridging hammerlock! Charlotte endures a new kind of pain, but then Becky shifts back to a normal hammerlock. Fans continue to duel while Charlotte continues to endure.
Charlotte gets up on her feet and fights back. Becky hits back but then Charlotte denies the exploder. Charlotte scoops but Becky slips out, to walk into a Flair Chop. Becky dodges the next one to forearm Charlotte. Cover, TWO! Becky pushes Charlotte back down to then run and leg drop. She drops the elbow, then goes for the second leg, but Charlotte dodges to drop the knee. Charlotte gets to a corner and puts Becky on the apron. Becky hits Charlotte away, then hotshots the arm! But then Charlotte kicks Becky off the apron, and wrecks her with a dropkick. Charlotte fetches Becky on the outside to put her on the apron. They both stand up to start brawling. Becky kicks low then wrings Charlotte’s arm into the apron! Cover, TWO!
Becky is growing frustrated, but she won’t let up. She grabs the bad arm, wants a Disarm-her but Charlotte school girls. TWO, and Becky runs into a back suplex! Both women are down, in pain up and down the body. Fans rally up and they both stand to start brawling! Becky gives EuroUppers, but then Charlotte counters to a backslide. ONE and Charlotte fires off Flair chops! Fans echo “Woo! Woo!” with each one. Becky blocks a whip to back kick and go for the arm. Charlotte throws Becky into buckles, but then misses. Becky’s jump kick is denied this time, and Charlotte boots Becky down! Charlotte grits her teeth while Becky is gasping. Charlotte drags herself up top, moonsault flops!
Becky gets the arm, for an armbar! Charlotte turns it to a cover, but Becky makes it a triangle! Charlotte deadlifts Becky to sit-out bomb! Cover, TWO!! That was so close! Both women are down but fans are still fired up. Charlotte sits up first but Becky follows. They glare at each other and start brawling with big elbows and forearms. They brawl up to their feet, and Becky gets an edge! Becky dragon sleepers and hammerlocks, for an inverted DDT! Cover, TWO!! The Queen is tough but the Lass Kicker is not deterred. Becky flounders to ropes with San Antonio on her side. She climbs up top, but Charlotte stands. Missile dropkick, turned into a Boston Crab!
Becky endures but drags herself over, for the ropebreak! And she sends Charlotte into buckles, too! Becky walks it off, then drags Charlotte into the post. Becky returns to the ring and drags Charlotte up. Charlotte school girls, TWO, DISARM-HER! Becky has Charlotte, but Charlotte has long limbs, for the ropebreak. Becky wants to hold on, but lets go at 4. She shows no mercy as she puts Charlotte back in. Charlotte back elbows Becky, then runs, for a Spear, into a cover!! BECKY WINS!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall; NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion
It has happened!! The Lass Kicker burns a bridge but gains the gold! She gets the better of her former best friend, and Charlotte has lost more than just a title. Or has she? Charlotte offers her former friend a chance to be her friend again, but Becky would rather hold the title than hold Charlotte’s hand. Becky leaves with her real best friend in the women’s title, but how long will she have it this time?
The New Day celebrate backstage!
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions are still ya bois, and “we all know what time it is!” Big E rings the bell, and Bootysworth comes in. The butler of positivity is back, and he presents champagne. The good stuff, too! Where did Kofi go tho? Surprise, it’s Kramer Kingsman to interview the New Days! COngrats on winning, but three questions: What’s next? What’s next? And what’s next? The New Day is going down under– Where? Underwear hahaha! Well, they’re headed to Melbourne to defend their titles against The Bar! But that’s then, this is now. Time to celebrate, with a pancake shower on Bootysworth! It’s raining flapjacks, and next, Super Show Down! Will the hot cake trio be too hot to handle down in Australia? Or will Cesaro & Sheamus end the New Day’s fifth reign in the land down under?
Raw Tag Team Championships: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler VS Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose!
Monday Night Raw has become war all over again as The Shield and “The Pack” have been battling for supremacy. Will Rollins, Ambrose and Roman only add to their collection of titles? Or will there be a power shift beyond their control?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised and we begin with Rollins and Ziggler at the bell. Fans chant “Burn It Down!” for the Intercontinental Champion while he ties up with Ziggler. They trade wristlocks but Rollins gets a hammerlock. Ziggler pulls hair to reverse, but then Rollins gets away before Ziggler can tag McIntyre. Rollins and Ziggler go again, and they trade headlocks. Rollins gets the takedown, and holds off the headscissors. Ziggler gets the headscissors and Rollins pops out, but again Rollins gets away before Ziggler can tag McIntyre. They tie up again and Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler laughs as he scrapes Rollins’ face. Ziggler brings Rollins over but Rollins school boys and powers Ziggler to the Shield corner. Tag to Ambrose, and they work together for a sliding lariat, knee drop and elbow drop. Cover, TWO, but McIntyre is at the ready.
Tag to Rollins, and they double whip Ziggler for double elbows, and split the wishbone! ZIggler writhes while Rollins stalks him. Rollins runs but Ziggler dodges the stomp. McIntyre regroups with Ziggler near the announce desks, then they come back at the ref’s count of 3. Ziggler eggs Rollins on, but tags McIntyre in. McIntyre takes his time but Rollins is right on him. McIntyre shoves then runs Rollins over with a shoulder! Ambrose wants in, fans want him in, and so does McIntyre. Tag and now we get Lunatic against Psycho. McIntyre draws the line in the sand and dares Ambrose to cross it. Ambrose sees the challenge and crosses the line. They grind foreheads, then McIntyre pie faces Ambrose. Ambrose kicks and chops, but McIntyre clubs his back. McIntyre runs but Ambrose dropkicks the knee out. Mahistrol cover, TWO!
Ambrose gives McIntyre crossface forearms. Ziggler hops in but Rollins chases him away. McIntyre clobbers Ambrose in the opening, and then stomps Ambrose at the ropes. McIntyre brings Ambrose over to his corner to chop him, then tags in Ziggler. The champs mug Ambrose in their corner, then Ziggler grinds Ambrose’s face on ropes. Ziggler drives elbows into Ambrose’s shoulder, then wraps on a chinlock. Ambrose endures and stands up while fans rally. Ambrose gets his second wind and fights out with elbows. Ziggler rocks him with a right, but takes time to soak in the heat. Ziggler whips but Ambrose catches him, for a flapjack hotshot! Both men are down but Ambrose crawls for his corner. Ziggler tries to stop him, but he still gets the tag to Rollins!
Rollins rallies with elbows, then whips. Ziggler revesres but gets a slingblade! McIntyre gets hit, too, and Rollins boots Ziggler back. Rollins goes up but jumps over. Ziggler swings, misses, and gets a Pele! Rollins sees Ziggler roll out, then builds speed, but McIntyre trips him up. Ziggler jumps in for the satellite DDT! Cover, TWO! Both men are down but McIntyre is back. Ziggler drags Rollins over and tags McIntyre in so he can stomp Rollins. McIntyre stomps Rollins more, then puts him in a corner for more stomps and even chops. McIntyre taunts Ambrose then tags in Ziggler. Ziggler stomps Rollins now, then he taunts Ambrose. Ziggler chokes Rollins at the ropes, and McIntyre gets a cheap shot. The ref has to keep Ambrose from getting in while Ziggler tags to McIntyre.
McIntyre stomps, then stomps Rollins’ hands. He even bends fingers back to keep Rollins from tagging out. McIntyre says Rollins is “nothing to us!” before kicking him down. He drags Rollins up for a standing armlock. Rollins endures while fans rally up. Rollins gets up and jawbreakers back. But McIntyre chops him down! Tag to Ziggler and they stomp Rollins more. Ziggler drops the elbow, then covers, ONE. Ziggler keeps his confidence while he taunts Ambrose and toys with Rollins. The Show-Off laughs as he pushes Rollins around. He dares Rollins to “Do something!” so Rollins hits him back! Rollins whips, Ziggler reverses and hops on for a sleeper hold! Rollins fades and drops to a knee. Fans rally up and Rollins gets his second wind, to power his way over towards Ambrose.
Ziggler rakes the eyes and nose to deny the tag, but still gets a big back suplex! Both men are down and both partners are chomping at the bit. Fans rally, hot tag to McIntyre, but Rollins dodges him. McIntyre trips Ambrose, but Rollins gives him chops. Rollins runs, but into a back elbow. McIntyre swings Rollins with the inverted Alabama Slam! Cover, but Ambrose breaks it! Ambrose goes back to his corner while McIntyre argues with the referee. McIntyre drags Rollins back up, but Rollins fights back. Rollins backs McIntyre down and slips out of the back suplex to hit both champs. Rollins leaps but McIntyre grabs him. Ziggler distracts, that tag doesn’t count! And Rollins gets mugged behind the ref’s back! McIntyre and Ziggler grin because they got away with it.
Tag to Ziggler, and he puts Rollins in a corner. Ziggler toys with Rollins, then puts him on the top rope. He climbs up to join Rollins, but Rollins holds on to deny the superplex. Rollins pries his way out of the hold to then punch Ziggler down. Ziggler returns but is pushed down this time. Rollins adjusts but ZIggler tags to McIntyre. Rollins still gives McIntyre the blockbuster! He and McIntyre are down, but Rollins heads for Ambrose. McIntyre whips him away but Rollins kicks, ducks and hot tag to Ambrose! The Lunatic rallies on Mcintyre in the corner! He stomps a mudhole into McIntyre then runs Ziggler over. McIntyre kicks and whips Ambrose but Ambrose dodges to then hit a leaping lariat.
Ambrose rallies more, kick to suplex but McIntyre reverses. Ambrose slips out but McIntyre denies Dirty Deeds, so Ambrose jackknife covers! TWO, and McIntyre whips again. Ambrose counters with a cross-arm neckbreaker, covers, TWO! Fans rally behind Ambrose while he gets to the top rope. Ziggler lurks but Ambrose kicks him away. Ambrose wants Dirty Deeds on the apron but McIntyre knocks him down. McIntyre drags Ambrose up, but Ambrose turns things around to send McIntyre into the post and Ziggler into the barriers! Ambrose puts McIntyre in, then climbs up again. He fires himself up, for the leaping elbow, only for McIntyre to make it a belly2belly suplex into buckles! Both men are down but fans rally up. Ambrose stirs while McIntyre crawls. Their partners are both down, but are coming back! Tag to Ziggler, tag to Rollins!
Now Rollins rallies with the springboard clothesline, and another clothesline to send Ziggler out. Ziggler & McIntyre regroup, but Rollins DIVES! But is caught. Ambrose DIVES and bowls everyone over! All four men are down on the outside but fans are loving this! A 10 count begins, but the legal men get in at 6 and 9! Ziggler leaps, but Rollins changes the DDT into a Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO!! That was close but not enough. Rollins keeps his cool, then fires up with “Burn It Down!” Rollins aims for the mule kick, but misses his stomp. Ziggler kicks, but Rollins turns the Famouser into a buckle bomb! Cover, but McIntyre breaks it. Ambrose goes after McIntyre, but McIntyre throws him out.
Rollins uses a knee to send McIntyre out, but Ziggler rolls up. TWO, Rollins tries, TWO, ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!? How does Rollins survive?! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” at this rate. Both Rollins and Ziggler stir, and McIntyre returns to his corner. Ziggler tags out and now the two drag Ziggler up. They want but Ambrose denies the combo, SUPERKICK for McIntyre! Cover, TWO, SUPERKICK again! Rollins hurries up top, frog splash to McIntyre’s back! Cover, TWO!! Another close call for the Architect, but now what does he do? Rollins grits his teeth while McIntyre crawls to the Shield corner. Ambrose returns, and tags in. They both hoist McIntyre up and climb. But Ziggler yanks Rollins off, only to get thrown out. Rollins slingshots but misses!
McIntyre sends Ambrose down and hits a leaping lariat! Then he kips up! The Scottish Stud is so athletic, and he tags Ziggler in so they can finish this. McIntyre puts Ambrose up but Ambrose fights Ziggler down. Ambrose fights out of the electric chair, but McIntyre denies dirty deeds. Rollins tags in and Ambrose barrels through McIntyre. Rollins has Ziggler, SUPERPLEX, roll through but McIntyre CLAYMORES!! Cover from Ziggler, the champions retain!
Winners: McIntyre & Ziggler, Ziggler pinning; still Raw Tag Team Champions
An instant tag classic, and in the end, Strowman’s “dogs of war” hold onto the prize! Are there truly new alpha males in the jungle that is Raw? Or will the hounds of justice come back around to try again?
Braun Strowman like what he sees.
The leader of the pack enjoys seeing McIntyre & Ziggler retain their titles. But he doesn’t like being bothered by Mick Foley. Foley needs to talk with Strowman. Strowman may not think the Cell will change him, but it will. Life will change, but no matter how chaotic it gets, Strowman must respect Foley. And all Foley needs to do is count to three and give Strowman that title. If they do their jobs, that’s good, because Foley doesn’t want a monster problem. Foley wishes Strowman good luck. Will Strowman even need it?
WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Samoa Joe!
The Destroyer promises to give everyone a happy ending to the story of “Night Night AJ”. But will the jokes, the threats and the insults only cause the Phenomenal One to bring the entirety of his arsenal out to finally shut Joe down?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Joe taunts Styles with trash talk the entire time. Fans favor Styles as the bell rings, and Styles goes right at Joe! Joe anticipates this as he puts up his guard. They go around the ring as Styles throws hands. Joe catches him and puts him in a corner. Joe dirties the break with close headbutts and then those swift but strong jabs. He has Styles reeling as he kicks him int he chest. Styles hits back with haymakers and chops. Joe chops Styles then runs, but into Styles dropkick! Joe bails out while Styles glares. Styles goes out to pursue Joe and hits an apron knee! Joe is down but Styles still looms over him.
Styles drags Joe up to bounce off the announce desk, then off the apron. He goes back in and waits on Joe, only to run and wreck Joe with a dropkick. Fans fire up with Styles while Joe is down again. Styles drags Joe back up and in, then aims from the apron. He prepares his forearm, springboards, but Joe bails out. Styles wants at Joe but the referee wants to keep this in the ring. Styles doesn’t care, he slingshots, but into a kick from Joe! Joe stalks Styles now to boot Styles down! Then Joe throws Styles legs first into steel steps! Joe drags Styles up, puts him in the ring and covers. ONE, but Joe is not bothered by that. Joe circles Styles and brings him up for more of those jabs, and even a chop. He drags Styles up again but Styles throws hands and kicks.
Styles backs Joe down but then Joe suddenly sweeps the legs! Joe stalks Styles to a corner, and grinds his boot into his face. Joe backs off at 4, but comes back for the boot wash! Styles stirs but Joe is on him again. Joe brings Styles up but Styles still hits back. Styles has Joe in a corner now, and rams his shoulder into Joe. Styles also kicks Joe’s leg, evening things up between them. He throws forearms, then kicks the leg. Styles drags Joe out to whip corner to corner, but Joe reverses. Joe hits the back elbow and the Pele! Styles flounders while Joe keeps his focus. Joe kicks Styles out of the ring quite literally, but he builds speed to DIVE! Styles is knocked into the announce desk and moves it! Joe drags Styles up and in, but fans are still on Styles’ side. Cover, TWO!
Joe keeps his cool as he wrenches Styles’ neck. Fans rally up as Styles endures. Styles works his way up against the hold, and fights out with elbows. Styles throws hands, then runs, but into a BIG back elbow from Joe! Joe covers, TWO! Joe grows frustrated, and he drags Styles back around into a chinlock. He grinds Styles down but fans rally up again. Styles manages a ropebreak with his foot, and Joe lets go at 4. Joe stalks Styles to a corner, and hoists him up top. Joe climbs up to join Styles but Styles fights back. They brawl, but Joe’s headbutts get the edge. Joe has Styles but Styles slips out to trip Joe up! Joe hits buckles on the way down, but both men are on the mat. The referee checks on both men while fans build to a duel. Styles crawls away, but Joe follows.
Joe swings but Styles gives his Phenomenal Blitz! He adds another back hand, then a corner clothesline. Styles snapmares, runs and slides for the forearm! Cover, TWO! Joe and Styles are slowing from exhaustion, but Styles still wants a suplex. Joe powers out but runs into a back elbow. Styles moonsault DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Styles grows frustrated while Joe rolls away. Styles springboards, lionsault meets knees! Joe hits Styles with a powerbomb, and high stack! TWO, into the Boston Crab! Styles won’t tap so Joe makes it an STF! Joe even traps an arm to make it a full crossface, and he pulls back hard on Styles’ spine! Styles drags himself around and reaches for anything. His leg gets a ropebreak! Joe lets go, but he keeps his eyes on Styles. Styles crawls to a corner but Joe is on him.
Joe drags Styles up for headbutts, then a stiff forearm. He whips Styles corner to corner, but then Styles dodges! Joe staggers, and Styles chops him. Styles kicks then manages a torture rack lift! He swings Joe out for a tower hacker bomb! Cover, TWO!! Styles is too tired to express frustration, so he just focuses on his next move. Styles goes to the apron, aims at Joe, and springboards for the 450! It hits! Cover, TWO!! And again, Styles is just too tired to even be angry. Joe crawls while Styles sits up. Styles staggers but stalks Joe. He vows to end this with the Clash, but Joe counters to a catapult! Styles hits buckles, then Joe clobbers him with a clothesline from hell! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down because now even Joe is too tired to be upset.
They both slowly stand and Styles gets to a corner. Styles is bleeding from his mouth and a cut on his side. Joe gets him up for the Muscle Buster! But Styles sunset flips, and wants the Clash! Joe fights out, but then has to resist the Calf Crusher. Styles kicks those legs, grabs hold of one, but gets an enziguri! Joe catches his breath before he covers, TWO! Frustration boils over, and now Joe looks at Styles with wild eyes. Joe readies a final punch, but Styles ducks to PELE! Joe flounders but Styles runs in, only to be put on the apron. Styles knocks Joe away, then springboards, Phenomenal– Coquina Clutch!! Joe has Styles by the neck, and keeps Styles away from ropes. He slips back, but Styles makes it a cover! Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall; still WWE Champion
But Joe thinks HE won! He could’ve sworn Styles either tapped or passed out, but he didn’t realize it was a cover. Joe is furious and scares Corey Graves into agreeing. Joe is denied at the goal line, if you will, and is not happy about it. He goes and grabs the belt, claiming it’s rightfully his. But Styles gives him an enziguri! Styles won as far as the records and referee say, but given alternate angles, it is clear Styles did tap just before Three. Armed with this information, will Joe come back for another try?
Backstage interview with The Miz & Maryse.
The It Couple, in matching white-out gear, they finally step in with the couple they’ve been antagonizing. Antagonizing? No, they made Bryan & Brie relevant again. Those two should thank Miz & Maryse, up until they make this a PR Nightmare. Maryse says Brie is a coward who hits Miz because Miz can’t hit her back. These two are the real hardest hitting couple in WWE, and they plan to prove it by making Brie & Bryan what they really are: “Irrelevant losers!” Will the mouths of Miz & Mrs write checks their bodies can’t cash?
Mixed Tag Match: Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella VS The Miz & Maryse!
SmackDown’s two power couples collide in a match that has been years in the making. The Hollywood A-Lister got help from his leading lady to win at Summerslam, but will the sequel be better than the original? Or will Bryan & Brie say “YES! YES!” to a comeback story happy ending?
The bell rings and the ladies start. Brie and Maryse circle, finally getting to fight, but then Maryse retreats to her corner. She tags out to Miz so Bryan comes in. Miz and Maryse talk strategy for a second, then Miz circles with Bryan. Maryse distracts and Miz boots Bryan! Miz stomps away then throws hands in an open corner. Miz throws his “hardest hitting” left hand, but Bryan isn’t exactly knocked out by it. Brie wants to show Miz her own hardest punch, but Miz whips Bryan corner to corner. Bryan goes up and over and hits a leaping lariat. Miz gets to a corner and Bryan prepares his hand. He starts giving Miz punches in the corner! Fans “YES! YES!” all the way to 10, then Bryan whips Miz. Miz kicks Bryan away, then runs, but into a takedown!
Miz gets away and flounders out of the ring. He narrowly avoids the Yes Lock, and says he’s also the smartest competitor in WWE. Bryan tags out, that’s a flaw in Miz’s plan. But then Miz quickly tags back in, and Maryse taunts with her hair tossing pose. Bryan returns to circle with Miz again, and fans chant “Coward! Coward!” at Miz. Miz kicks but Bryan catches it to dragon screw Miz down. Bryan gives EuroUppers and haymakers, and Miz is reeling. Bryan whips but Miz reverses to hit the kitchen sink knee. Miz then mocks the Yes chant, to hit the corner to corner dropkick. He hits another, then soaks in the heat as he continues to mock the Yes chant. He hits his A-list lariat. Miz slings Bryan out to then climb up top, but Bryan trips him up!
Miz gets caught upside down, but Bryan drags him back up so he can punch him. Bryan climbs up now, and hits the SUPER STEINER! Bryan starts up the real Yes chant and fingers while Miz crawls away. Miz turns around, dodges the knee, then rolls Bryan! TWO, into Yes Lock! Maryse breaks it up, but then Brie chases her down! The ref stops Brie and gets her to her corner. Miz tries to get the Finale but Bryan slips put to kick and uppercut and kick Miz more. Bryan runs corner to corner for the dropkick! He goes again, but Miz dodges! Bryan hits buckles then the mat, and Brie is a bit worried. She rallies the fans but Miz drags Bryan up. Miz snapmares Bryan into a chinlock, and even rakes the eyes.
Fans rally while Bryan endures. Brie is ready for a tag, and Bryan fights out. Bryan swings, but Miz catches him into the A-List combination! Cover, TWO! Miz grins, he’s still confident he has this in the bag. He makes Brie watch as he drags Bryan back into a chinlock. Miz digs his knee into Bryan’s back but Brie is chomping at the bit. Bryan gets up but Miz puts him in a corner for shoulders. Miz gives the “It Kicks” in the corner, but fans say “No! No!” Brie swipes at Miz but Miz taunts her toughness. Miz hoists Bryan up top and climbs up to join him. Miz wants the superplex, but Bryan holds on to resist. Bryan fights back with body shots over and over, then headbutts Miz down. Bryan adjusts as he fires up, for the diving headbutt! But he misses!
Both men are down, and their wives rally for them. Bryan and Miz crawl, but Miz drags Bryan away. Miz tackles and rains down lefts. Miz whips but Bryan holds ropes. Bryan dumps Miz out to the outside! Maryse panics but Brie fires up. Bryan crawls, hot tag to Brie! The women must come in, but Maryse really doesn’t want to. Miz blocks the way, so Brie rocks him with rights of her own! Brie runs, Brie Mode baseball slide on Maryse! Brie bounces Maryse’s face off the announce desk, while Bryan clotheslines Miz out. Bryan gives Miz a flying knee off the apron! Brie and Bryan have the fans chanting “YES! YES!” but Miz whips Bryan into barriers. The women return to the ring, and Brie tackles Maryse! Brie hops up quick, for a missile dropkick! Cover, but Miz drags Brie off it. Bryan comes back to attack Miz!
The Yes Couple have the It Couple in the middle of the ring. And together, it’s His & Hers YES KICKS! Fans are at a fever pitch as the buzzsaws build up, but Miz & Maryse escape. They decide to quit this match and go for a walk. But Brie & Bryan won’t let them! They attack from behind at the ramp, and Brie brings Maryse back. Brie puts Maryse in and Brie Mode hits the knee! Bryan goes after Miz but gets pushed away. Brie pushes Maryse into Miz! Brie rolls Maryse, but Maryse reverses and holds tights! Miz & Maryse win!
Winners: The Miz & Maryse, Maryse pinning
That’s 2-0 for the It Couple against the Yes Couple! Brie & Bryan are beside themselves as they’re cheated again. Is the comeback a total bust for them both? Or is this battle of the WWE Network stars far from over?
Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Natalya VS Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James & Alicia Fox!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet has been seen as nothing more than “an over-hyped rookie” in the eyes of The Goddess. However, Rowdy Ronda has proven to Alexa that in the ring, Alexa is little more than a chew toy to the former UFC Women’s Champion. Since Summerslam, Alexa has schemed to weaken Ronda, but Ronda believes she’s still the best, even when not 100%. Will Ronda prove Alexa she’s not just hype? Or will Alexa take full advantage of her long-game plan?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the bell rings. Ronda is ready and she gets a headlock takedown on Alexa. Alexa makes it a cover but Ronda rolls it back. They both stand and Alexa gets a waistlock. Ronda spins it around to a fireman’s carry and covers, TWO! Ronda keeps on Alexa and gets a bridging clutch cover! TWO, and Alexa is already frustrated with how a battered Ronda is out wrestling her. The two circle again, and they tie up. Ronda puts Alexa on the ropes, but Alexa shoves her back. Ronda rocks Alexa with a right, but then Alexa kicks the ribs. Alexa drags Ronda up and to a corner for a buckle bump. Alexa goes after those ribs, but then Ronda gets around to throw more hands.
Ronda monkey flips and mounts, but Mickie and Alicia distract. Alexa gets away but Ronda catches that kick into an overhead toss! Ronda drags Alexa up and asks “Who wants a souvenir tonight?” Mickie and Alicia help Alexa get the ropebreak and the escape. Alexa catches her breath but Ronda pursues! Ronda scares the friends off and then scares the goddess off her feet. Natty laughs as her own friend smacks Alexa around. Ronda puts Alexa in, and wants Alexa to get up. Alexa smiles but Mickie and Alicia swipe. Alexa runs but Ronda side steps to send her out onto Alicia and Mickie! Ronda teases them, “Who needs enemies with friends like that?” She drags Alexa back up and in, but Alexa hotshots by holding the hair! Alexa kicks those bad ribs, then covers, ONE.
Alexa grabs hair again as she grows further frustrated. She bumps Ronda off buckles then rams her shoulders into those ribs. She grinds in as hard as she can, but backs off at 4. Alexa comes back with a stiff kick to the side! Her friends applaud while she snapmares and puts Ronda in a seated abdominal stretch. Ronda endures while Natty and fans rally. Alexa and her sidekicks all shout for Ronda to quit, but San Antonio gives Ronda life. Ronda powers out and scoops Alexa, but those ribs prevent the Rowdy Slam! Alexa slips out and throws Ronda out. She then adds Insult2Injury with those knee drops! Cover, TWO! Alexa puts Ronda in the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch now, bending and stretching Ronda as far as she can. Natty rallies the fans and Ronda powers her way out.
Alexa keeps Ronda grounded, then bumps her off buckles. Alexa stomps another mudhole into those ribs, then drags Ronda up. Ronda fights back while Alexa is up top. Ronda climbs up to join Alexa, but Alexa resists the superplex. Alexa uses those body shots to escape, then tires a bomb. Ronda fights out of that with a punch and a kick, but then Alexa trips her up! She’s in a Tree of Woe, and Alexa dropkicks the ribs! Cover, TWO! Alexa is furious as she puts Ronda in the abdominal stretch again. Natty and the fans keep rallying, and Ronda gets out. Ronda rolls but Alexa dropkicks her down again. Alexa rams Ronda ribs first into buckles! Then Alexa pulls Ronda against the post! She stops at 4, to pull again, and stops at 4. But then Alicia and Mickie get cheap shots in!
Natty snap suplexes Alicia, but Mickie is still in action. Ronda counters and then throws Mickie into a post! Ronda runs, double crossbodies take both Ronda and Alexa out! However, Ronda’s ribs make it all the worse for her. Alexa crawls over, drags Ronda up, but Ronda small packages! TWO, but backslide, TWO! Alexa kicks the ribs yet again! Alexa keeps hitting the ribs, and then laughs at the wounded Ronda. But that pisses Ronda off! Ronda powers up, gut wrench powerbomb!! Ronda can’t cover, her ribs hurt so much. But she powers herself, ready for more. She gives Alexa a taste of her medicine with all those body shots. Then she throws Alexa by an arm-drag, only to run into a mule kick. Ronda backs off from rib pain, but is ready for Alexa! ROWDY SLAM! And then, once again, ARM BAR! Alexa taps, Ronda wins!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission; still Raw Women’s Championship
Just as she said, she’s still the best, even when less than perfect. Her ribs her but Natty is there to help her celebrate. Ronda successfully retains in her first defense, how many more defenses will she have in her first reign?
Samoa Joe protests the decision on his match.
But GM Paige addresses the issue. Joe is clearly upset, but he doesn’t want to listen. She tells him the decision is final, but he will get another chance at Super Show Down. Three weeks away, huh? Not good enough for Joe! Joe should be champion now instead of arguing it out. Joe wants things to change. No Disqualification, no count out, no excuses! Paige agrees with him for once. Joe wants the title, but will he get it?
WWE Universal Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Roman Reigns VS Braun Strowman, Mick Foley as special guest referee!
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the most memorable Hell in a Cell moment, Stephanie McMahon was gracious enough to grant Mrs. Foley’s baby boy this honor of officiating one of the biggest Cell matches yet. Foley won’t let Strowman disrespect him, but Strowman won’t let anyone or anything stand between him, The Big Dog, and total dominance over Raw. Can Roman hope to retain his title inside this sinister steel? Can he hope to survive it?
The introductions are made, and Roman stares Strowman down the entire way. But when Roman raises the belt, Strowman snatches it to say it’s already his. Roman rocks him with an uppercut! Foley calls for the bell and Roman keeps rocking Strowman with rights. Roman gives close range clotheslines but Strowman turns it around. Strowman hits a corner clothesline, then runs, but into a boot! Roman throws more uppercuts, but Strowman knees low. Strowman throws Roman right into a post! Roman tumbles out, but then gets blasted into the steel! Foley checks on Roman but he’s okay to continue. Strowman goes out to fetch Roman, bouncing him off the steel again.
Fans are rabid both ways as Strowman bounces Roman off posts. Strowman throws Roman into steel again, then looms over him. He rubs it in that Roman’s “boys” can’t help him here. Strowman puts Roman back in in the ring but Rmoan throws hands. They don’t seem to bother Strowman, and Strowman throws Roman with one arm. Roman dodges and manages to send Strowman out with a leaping lariat! Strowman catches his breath but Roman comes around, only for Strowman to blast him into the cell wall again! Strowman grinds his boot into Roman’s head, then drags Roman back up. He bounces Roman off the apron, then off steel steps. Strowman bounces Roman off the steps again, and again, then just dumps him down.
Strowman decides to take part of the steps for a weapon, but Roman hits the Drive-By dropkick! And another! Strowman staggers, Roman watches while catching his breath. Roman takes aim again, but is caught, into an apron choke slam! Fans chant “Get These Hands!” while Strowman finds a kendo stick from under the ring. That’s not good enough for him, he grabs a chair. But Roman uses the stick to SMACK away. Strowman breaks the stick! He puts Roman in the ring, but Roman kicks him on the entry. Roman grabs that chair now, and jabs it into Strowman’s ribs and SMACKS it across the back. He SMACKS Strowman more, but then Strowman catches the chair! Strowman runs, but gets post! Roman takes the chair back, and brings Strowman over for a DDT on it! Cover, TWO and with power!
Roman is surprised by Strowman simply shaking the cob webs out of his head. Roman locks and loads, takes aim and… SUPERMAN PUNCH! Strowman stays standing, so Roman reloads for a second SUPERMAN Punch! Still not enough, so Roman tries but is denied a third, for another choke slam! Cover, TWO!? Strowman argues, he saw the hand go down. Foley defends that Roman got up just in time, though barely. Strowman keeps his cool, and decides to go after Roman again. He scoops Roman, but Roman slips out. Roman gets to a corner and boots Strowman away. Roman dodges Strowman, runs, and turns the pop-up into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Now it’s Roman’s turn to be a bit surprised by the count.
Strowman gets to the apron and out of the ring. Roman thinks on what to do next. Foley goes out, anticipating where this is leading. Strowman stirs while Roman goes out the other end. Roman looks under the ring, and finds a table! Foley likes that, being an ECW man himself. Roman puts the table in the ring but he sees Strowman standing. The Big Dog is baffled by the Monster’s resilience. Strowman lumbers his way around, still groggy. Roman lets out the howl and picks up speed around the corner, but runs into those steel steps! Strowman tosses the steps into the ring, then drags Roman in. Strowman takes the steps again, and rams Roman again! Cover, TWO!!
Strowman is growing further frustrated, and shouts “Why won’t you stay down, you moron!?” He picks up the stairs again, looms over Roman, and brings them down on the ribs! Strowman tosses the steps against the steel walls, then drags Roman up again. Roman is sputtering as Strowman scoops him up. Strowman hits the Monster Slam! Cover, TWO!? Now Strowman is the one shocked and confused. Strowman formulates a new plan, and decides to use the table Roman brought in. Strowman sets it in a corner, then dares Roman to stand up. Roman slowly does, but Strowman scoops him again. Roman slips out and then SUPERMAN PUNCH number 4! And number 5! Then SPEAR, through the table!! Cover, TWO!?! These two men have proven to be superhuman, but this is inhuman.
But wait, here come Ziggler & McIntyre! The Pack is here to help their leader, but then the Shield come out to stop them! They brawl it out and take out McIntyre, then flank Ziggler. Ziggler leads them on a chase but gets caught and thrown into the cell walls! Ambrose & Rollins beat Ziggler down, then clear off the announce desk. But then McIntyre saves Ziggler while throwing Rollins & Ambrose into the red steel. Ziggler & McIntyre clear the other announce desk off, but now it’s another brawl. McIntyre throws Ambrose over the side into the timekeeper, while Ziggler climbs up the wall! Rollins pursues, and they both reach the top! Foley watches them closely as they brawl fast and furious! Rollins gets Ziggler but Ziggler resists. But McIntyre climbs up, too!
Rollins wants something, but McIntyre saves Ziggler! The champs mug Rollins, but here comes Ambrose, armed with a kendo stick! McIntyre & Ziggler drag Rollins up, Rollins fights but gets a SUPERKICK. Ambrose joins them and uses the kendo stick on them both! The Lunatic has San Antonio fired up, but McIntyre brawls with him fast and furious again. Double clotheslines take them both out, and the cell ceiling holds. They all slowly stir, and Ziggler decides to start making his way down. But Rollins heads after him, forcing Ziggler to shimmy towards the corner. Rollins has his hair! Ziggler fights Rollins off and continues descending. Rollins continues to pursue, and now they’re both on the side of the cell. A familiar spot for the Architect back when he and Ambrose were on opposite sides of the fight.
Ziggler headbutts Rollins but Rollins bounces Ziggler’s head off the side. They keep hitting each other off red steel, and Rollins teeters. He recovers, but both men take each other out, and they BOTH fall off and through tables!! Fans lose their minds while spare referees check on the two men who just crash landed. But wait, is that BROCK LESNAR!? What is The Beast doing here?! He wants his rematch, but was denied such by Kurt Angle before Stephanie McMahon replaced him with Corbin. But then Lesnar just says to hell with unlocking the door, he kicks it in!! And fans lose their minds again as he climbs right in the ring.
Lesnar drags that door in with him while Paul Heyman maces Foley!! Lesnar SMACKS Strowman with part of the wrecked table! And then SMACK for Roman with another piece of wrecked table. Then SMACK for Strowman again, and SMACK for Roman. SMACK for Strowman, and Lesnar has his pick of prey. Lesnar drags Strowman up, to F5 him right down! But he’s not done, because he still owes Roman for Summerslam. Lesnar fireman’s carry on Roman, to F5 him on top of Strowman! The Beast roars as the last behemoth standing, but will this path of destruction really earn him his rematch?
Called by Referee’s Decision; Roman Reigns retains the WWE Universal Championship
My Thoughts:
Am I somehow in an alternate universe? This Hell in a Cell PPV, with having the weirdest builds in some time, was actually really good! I’m still disappointed the SmackDown Tag titles were on the Kickoff, but New Day & Rusev Day made it feel like it was already the main show. I figured New Day retains, and chances are they retain through Super Show Down against The Bar to make this 5th reign just as good as their history-setting 4th reign. Opening with the grudge match Cell match was actually a great move because holy hell Orton went above and beyond my expectations for his newest and most horrifying ear gauge spot yet. And it’s pretty clear Hardy getting hurt from his own amazing spot was exaggerated to make Orton look even more merciless.
Charlotte VS Becky was pretty much exactly what it was supposed to be. They were so even, and then it wasn’t even about using a finisher to win, but taking advantage of how well one knew the other. Becky wins, as I hoped she would, and now she can be red hot through whatever challengers she has at Super Show Down and/or WWE Evolution. If anything, Becky is doing so well, she could retain all the way to Royal Rumble, and fans will probably still love her. The Raw Tag Team Championship match was even more insane, and McIntyre-Ziggler win in a way that really did surprise me. But as we saw later, this was just a signal as to neither side getting all the belts.
The first point of contention I have with tonight is the match order here for the last two SmackDown matches. I would’ve put the Mixed Tag Match before the WWE Championship match, because obviously the championship is more important. But order aside, both matches were still really good. Styles VS Joe had a great back and forth, because they also know each other so well from their two decades of friendship. I thought it was rather clever for them to bring controversy into the finish, even though it’s almost too much like NXT’s Kairi Sane VS Shayna Baszler. Joe has issue, Paige gives him his rematch, but him saying he wants there to be “no excuses”, I’m thinking Paige is either making this another Last Man Standing, or an I Quit match.
The Mixed Tag was pretty good, with a standard story for the Heels of being sneaky and what not. I was surprised to see Miz & Maryse win, but chances are that means Super Show Down features Miz VS Bryan rematch where Bryan wins, and WWE Evolution features Brie VS Maryse where Brie wins. That way things are at least settled in singles competition for both sides. Ronda VS Alexa was great, the story element of Ronda’s ribs was well-executed. It shows how well Ronda can sell things, and gives her character points for being tough. Of course Ronda wins, because between Alexa facing Trish Stratus at Evolution and Ronda apparently facing Nikki Bella, these two needed to settle their story quick. Ronda is great, she’s going to have that title to the Rumble like Becky.
Then finally comes the main event Cell match. Again, McIntyre & Ziggler retaining meant Roman was going to retain, and that was made a bit clear by how over the top the two of them were in surviving each other’s moves. This was also the definition of “over booked”, by transforming it into an unofficial Six Man Tag Cell match by sending the four support players out (as I had predicted). I did like their spots, such as the four man brawl on top of the cell, and then Rollins and Ziggler going through announce desks. But then came my second point of contention. Lesnar shows up, which was a great surprise, but I don’t see how his attack causes a “No Contest” variant. Cell matches are No DQ, so at least give things two more minutes so someone tries something.
Though, perhaps the idea was that if Roman can’t win but also can’t lose, everyone gets what they want. Vince keeps Roman strong and fans don’t boo him for going over Strowman in what was considered his MITB Cash-in. But at the same, it only messes Strowman up. His cash-in fails, and unless Corbin says something on social media or on tomorrow night’s Raw, Strowman doesn’t get another try. A triple threat is probably the best option, because Lesnar might just do this again if he isn’t included somewhere in the title match. Granted, I hope he does not win, but at least he’ll have gotten his rematch like he wanted. Anything else and both he and Heyman will have to (kayfabe) complain to Stephanie/Vince.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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