Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (10/29/18)
It’s the Raw After Evolution, and while we should be celebrating, The Lunatic Fringe has torn The Shield apart! Will we get an explanation as to why!?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush; Finn wins, by disqualification.
- 10 Woman Tag Match: Trish Stratus, Lita, Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Riott Squad, Mickie James & Alicia Fox; Trish, Lita, Bayley, Sasha & Natty win.
- Elias VS Jinder Mahal w/ the Singh Brothers; Elias wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: The Ascension VS Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Authors of Pain w/ Drake Maverick; Roode & Gable win.
- Ember Moon VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- Lucha House Party VS The Revival; Lucha House Party wins.
- Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre VS Apollo Crews; Ziggler wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roman Reigns has stepped down.
The Big Dog, or as he’s really known as, Joe Anoa’i, had to relinquish his title and break his promise, because he could no longer be the workhorse he wanted to be. He revealed to the world that his fight with leukemia had returned. The WWE Universal Championship is vacant as he must focus on a much, much more important fight. He was more thankful than he could express that night, but fans let him know they were just as thankful to him. But this wasn’t a retirement speech. He has faith that he’ll whoop leukemia’s ass once again and return home! He wants to show us, his friends and his family that he’ll “swing for the fences every single time!” #ThankYouRoman and get well soon, Believe That.
Acting Raw General Manager, Baron Corbin, is in the ring.
The Constable holds the Universal Championship as he notes on the emotional night last week. But life must go on, and while personally Corbin does wish Roman the best in his battle, professionally he wants Roman to be anywhere but Raw. Because the fans all know the belt looks good on Corbin. Roman made Corbin’s job very difficult. But how about THE BEAST?! Because Brock Lesnar is here!! The Advocate, Paul Heyman, is in tow as Lesnar makes his way down to the ring. Lesnar eyes Corbin, but mostly he looks at the title belt he wants back. We already know Lesnar and Braun Strowman will still battle for that belt 1v1 at Crown Jewel, but perhaps Corbin should be careful with that belt here tonight.
Corbin hypes up Lesnar, “The Beast VS The Monster!” But Heyman stops Corbin. Stick to your shtick while Heyman does his. The Advocate for The Beast, The Conqueror, BROCK, LESNAR, says to the WWE Universe and Corbin that “we live indeed in historic times.” In four days, history will be made once again when Lesnar “takes that championship back home and places it over his massive shoulders.” But to do that, Lesnar must defeat Strowman. As a heads up, Lesnar will beat Strowman. Fans disagree, but Heyman says that’s a spoiler. Heyman couldn’t know it better than if it were predetermined. He’s letting us all know this in advance that history will happen. You know at The Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the Academy Awards.
And so on Friday, an unparalleled career reaches a new level when Lesnar F5’s Strowman to again be the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion! You’re welcome.” Heyman has given us this information, and so we can all watch history unfold before our very eyes. But here comes Strowman! The Monster Among Men heads right to the ring, and keeps his eyes on Lesnar as he picks up a mic. “At Crown Jewel, I am going to become the new Universal Champion, because you’re going to get these hands!” Corbin keeps the peace, but he puts a hand on Strowman. Strowman pushes him aside, but Corbin goes after him! To get a Monster Slam! Lesnar stays back, he enjoys seeing that. But now they’re alone in the ring, and fans chant “Get These Hands!”
Strowman gives Corbin another Monster Slam! And says “That’s your future! Are you ready for it?!” Fans want “One More Time!” so Strowman scoops Corbin again, for a THIRD Monster Slam! Lesnar gets Strowman up, F5!! Fans boo the sneaky Beast while he smirks smugly down over Strowman. Lesnar picks up the belt, as if he’s already won it back. Will he get the title back? Or will the Monster make him regret the attack? Especially since he stands back up and shouts “I’ll see you this Friday, you piece of crap!”
Finn Balor VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush!
The Extraordinary Man has one win over the Rocky Mountain Machine, can he make it another one in this rematch? Or will the Heavyweight That’s Back to Dominate avoid a sweep?
Of course, the Hype Man of the Hour says to Finn Balor, “some people call you an extraordinary man who can do extraordinary things.” But Lio thinks Finn is just “an extra not so ordinary man who got lucky last week.” Finn didn’t deserve to win, it was a fluke and Finn knows it. Nothing bothers Lashley more than a guy who comes out in his jacket and with a false sense of confidence. Lashley will humble Finn, and Finn knows it. The people in this ridiculous city of North Carolina know it, too. So everyone, stand up and cheer for “Lashley! Lashley!”
The bell rings and Lashley powers Finn to a corner! Then to another corner! Then Lashley drives in his shoulder, and brings Finn up for a sidewalk slam. Lio returns to chanting, Lashley flexes, but fans boo and jeer instead. Lashley drags Finn up for elbows to the shoulder, then a nerve grip. Lio likes what he sees, but Finn gets up. Lashley clubs Finn down, then scoops him up. Finn slips out and dropkicks Lashley all the way out! Finn builds speed, and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Lashley! The Extraordinary Man has control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Lashley clobbers Finn while Lio continues to chant. Lashley drags Finn up for more elbows, then clamps on another nerve hold. Fans rally for Finn, and Finn again gets up. Lashley gets Finn in a waistlock and throws him down! Lio says Lashley smells like money because he is money. Lashley knocks Finn back down then puts the nerve hold on again. Finn endures the claw in his shoulder as fans rally up. Finn gets up as fans call Lashley “Overrated!” Lashley clubs Finn to a corner, then drives in back elbows. He whips corner to corner, then runs in, but into boots! Finn runs, hits with forearms, but Lashley stays up. Finn dodges and brings Lashley down with another forearm! Fans rally but Lashley counters Finn. Finn fights out, back drops, and hits stomps!
Lio grows worried for Lashley as Finn gives him a running chop in the corner. Finn whips Lashley corner to corner but Lashley reverses. Finn goes up and over, but Lashley catches him! Spinning slam! Cover, TWO! Finn lives but Lio says it’s time to dominate and “stick to the plan.” Lio chants for Lashley and Lashley brings Finn up. Lashley lifts for the Vertigo Suplex, but Finn lands out to Slingblade! Finn waits for Lashley to stand, and hits the shotgun dropkick! Lio gets on the apron but Finn chases him off. Finn then climbs up top and takes aim, but Lio throws him off target! The ref scolds Lio as Finn dodges and kicks Lashley! Finn climbs again, but Lio shoves Finn in clear sight!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
The 23 Year Old Piece of Gold wouldn’t let his man lose the traditional way, and fans tell him “You Suck! You Suck!” Lashley keeps on Finn with a spinebuster against the barrier, then the apron, then the barrier, then back to the apron! Lio shouts “Lashley! Lashley!” as his client puts Finn in a full nelson! Lio says Finn doesn’t look so extraordinary right now. He slaps Finn around as he says he’s messing with Lashley. Finn is out, so Lashley dumps him down. Lashley soaks in the heat as Lio chants his name. Lio tells Lashley to keep on Finn, so Lashley drags Finn up. Lio SLAPS Finn, and Lashley drops Finn again. Someone gives Lio a call, so the hype man and the big man head to the back. Are they being disciplined or rewarded for their actions against their opponent?
Lio Rush shows Lashley his text.
They’re meeting with Baron Corbin. Corbin is being tended to when they meet in the trainer’s room. Corbin personally appreciates what Lashley did to Finn. Finn has been a thorn in Corbin’s side. But let’s not worry about last week’s “fluke”. Finn is good, but he’s not Lashley. Corbin agrees. Lashley can prove he’s Best in the World, at the WWE World Cup. But that was full. Who is he replacing? Someone who didn’t qualify, it’s John Cena. That makes it even better for Lio & Lashley. Can the Rocky Mountain Machine storm through the Raw Bracket and take the cup?
Exclusive Evolution footage.
Ronda Rousey was interrupted by the other Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch. “Sup, Champ?” “Congratulations, Champ.” “Congratulations to you, too, it was a great performance, Champ.” But they’ll be seeing each other soon, at Survivor Series! Raw VS SmackDown, Champion VS Champion, the Baddest Woman VS the Relent-Lass! Who will prove to be THE Women’s Champion at Survivor Series?
10 Woman Tag Match: Trish Stratus, Lita, Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Riott Squad, Mickie James & Alicia Fox!
Just because Evolution was last night doesn’t mean the fun or the fight is over! Team Bestie, Trish & Lita, have their WWE TV in-ring returns as they join the Queen of Harts, the Huggable One & The Legit Boss in action! Will this all-star team defeat the Mean Girls and bad girls of Raw? Or will Mickie & Foxy help Ruby and friends #StartARiott?
Raw returns as The Goddess leads the way for her friends. They wait for Ruby, Sarah & Liv to back them up and all go together. The teams sort out, and Trish starts against the Kentucky Valkyrie. Natty keeps the fans going for Trish as she circles with Sarah. They tie up and Trish gets around to snapmare Sarah down. Trish runs in for another big snapmare, and Sarah is already frustrated. Sarah stops Trish part way and Ruby comes in, but Trish throws them both out! Trish waits for Sarah to return, but Sarah avoids a Chick Kick. Tag to the Juvenile Delinquent, but Trish is right on her! Trish throws hands and whips Liv to a corner. Tag to Lita, for Poetry in Motion!
Lita keeps on Liv with a whip but Liv reverses. Lita comes back with a haedscissors! Then she kicks, and hits a spike DDT! Lita climbs up but the Squad bail Liv out. Sasha and Bayley double baseball slide them down! Then double jump on Alicia & Mickie! The #LegitHuggable team of former champs are all in control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Bayley has Alicia down. She brings Alicia up in the armlock and wrenches before tagging Sasha. They crisscross and double whip Alicia back, tag to Trish. They double whip now and double elbow. Trish shows off her moves as she and Sasha hit double elbows. Cover, TWO! Trish tags Sasha, Sasha rolls Alicia, TWO! Sasha keeps on Alicia with a snapmare, then runs, but Mickie grabs her leg. She fights Mickie off but Alicia boots Sasha down! Cover, TWO! Alicia drags Sasha over and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Mickie and Mickie snapmares Sasha into a chinlock. Fans rally up for Sasha as she endures the half nelson chinlock. Sasha gets up and reaches for ropes. Sasha stands up and fights out, but Mickie knees low.
Mickie whips Sasha to a corner but Sasha goes up and over. Mickie hits buckles, but she still tackles Sasha down. She stomps her, then bumps her off Sarah’s boot. Tag to Sarah, but fans continue to rally for Sasha. Sarah suplexes but Sasha small cradles! Cover, TWO! Dropkick from Sarah rocks Sasha, cover, TWO! Sarah keeps on Sasha with a cobra clutch. Fans rally as Sasha gets up. Sarah gives her a backbrekaer and a slam, to wrangle her back down. Fans continue to rally and Sasha powers up again. Sasha arm-drags Sarah off, but Sarah picks her up! To drive her into the corner! Tag to Ruby and the Squad Leader stomps in a mduhole. She backs off at 4 but the entire corner mug Sasha!
Ruby keeps on Sasha with a facelock but fans haven’t stopped rallying for Sasha. Sasha powers Ruby back step by step, but Ruby throws her down. Then she kicks Lita down! Ruby mocks Trish, then drags Sasha up agani. She bumps her off buckles, then mocks The Boss. She runs in but misses, and hits her own friends! Alicia tags in to go after Sasha. ROll up, TWO, into Sasha’s corner. Alicia hits Bayley and Trish, but misses Sasha, hot tag to Natty! Natty rallies, atomic sit down and dropkick! Alicia staggers into the discus! Cover, but Sarah breaks it! Trish gets in for a running facebuster! Then she gives Mickie some Stratusphere! Sasha adds Meteora! But Ruby and Liv get them. Bayley and Lita bail their friends out, double Twist of Fate!
Bayley and Lita climb, Macho Elbow on Ruby and Lita-sault on Liv! Alicia gets Lita but Lita hots her up, Natty run sin for the Hart Attack! Cover, TWO!? Into the Sharpshooter!! Alicia taps, Natty’s team wins!
Winners: Trish, Lita, Sasha, Bayley & Natalya, Natalya by submission
The heroes of Raw’s Women’s Division are victorious! This all-star crew celebrates together again, where will this victory lead each of them going forward?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax!
The Irresistible Force won the Evolution Battle Royal and is now poised for a title shot. When and where will she go for Ronda Rousey? Well Survivor Series has Champion VS Champion, so Nia will get Ronda after that. But Nia is joined by the Shenom, Ember Moon. Ember still has chills over making history. The adrenaline was high, and Ember caught lightning in a bottle. Nia is glad to have the final two be them, but Nia won. Nia VS Ronda is the headline, not “Little Miss Lightning in a Bottle.” Ember remembers being Nia’s partner, and is thankful for the guidance. She respects Nia, and hopefully it’s mutual. Or will Nia respect her more after they have a match?
Nia does respect Ember, but she will have a match. But that lightning in a bottle didn’t get it done, and it won’t tonight. Can these two remain friends now that Evolution is over?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in Charlotte, plays his guitar, and tells them that he is the Living Truth. Everything Elias says will get them to the promised land. Everything WWE will be will be hoisted on his shoulders, because WWE stands for “Walk With Elias!” Charlotte, NC agrees. Elias came in early because Ric Flair has been wanting to hang out with him. Ric invites Elias over and says Elias is his favorite. Elias knows, he’s everyone’s favorite, but what’re they up to? Ric says Elias is the man and loves what Elias did to Baron Corbin. Ric wants to relive that, Elias does, too, so the footage rolls.
Corbin told Elias to get off the stage, and Elias did. Only to come back and SMACK Corbin with a guitar! Back to present, fans chant “Yes! Yes!” because they enjoyed seeing that. Elias hates breaking his guitars but that felt good. Elias planned a song for Corbin, but then he saw what Strowman did to him, and Corbin likely can’t make it out here. But the song is too good, Elias is a giver, so Elias is going to give that song to Corbin personally. Elias excuses himself from the ring and heads up the ramp. He says there’s no need to cry, you’ll still get an Elias performance. He heads backstage, but will Corbin enjoy this “personal concert”?
Elias passes by Dana Brooke. She would love a private performance. For her? No thanks. Oh, chocolate cake, send that to the dressing room please. Elias knocks on Corbin’s door but Corbin tells him to go away. Well he’s getting a performance whether he wants it or not. Elias sings, saying Corbin had potential, “he could’ve been the best. But he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a coward above the rest.” Elias put Corbin down in the dirt, “and I showed the world that you’re just a taller, stupider version of Kurt.” Corbin storms out into the hall as Elias keeps singing. Corbin’s career’s in a ditch. The Lone Wolf is now just Stephanie’s little– Corbin slams the door. Aw that’s the best part. But then Jinder Mahal attacks?!
Mahal throws Elias around and into a trunk. Then he kicks Elias in the ribs! The Modern Day Maharaja does Corbin’s dirty work, and Corbin laughs. Elias better get ready for an encore, his match is next.
Elias VS Jinder Mahal w/ the Singh Brothers!
The Drifter’s newest song wasn’t well-received by the Constable, and now has a match with very little time to prepare, or recover from the sneak attack. Can Elias still manage a victory against the Maharaja?
Raw returns with the bell and Elias ties up with Mahal. Mahal powers Elias to a corner, then goes after the ribs. Elias gets away, but they tie up again. Mahal gets the waist but Elias fights him off. Elias whips and runs Mahal over, then puts on a headlock. Mahal powers out with a back suplex! Elias clutches his ribs, Mahal kicks them again! Sunil & Samir Singh trash talk Elias as Mahal stomps a mudhole into him. The referee is distracted by Sunil as Sanir pulls Elias into the post! Mahal stomps away on Elias, focusing on those ribs. Mahal clubs Elias with a crossface, then pulls back with a chinlock clutch. Elias endures as fans rally up. Elias tries to get up but Mahal puts him in a bearhug.
Mahal shifts from bearhug to full nelson, then knees Elias. Mahal puts Elias in a grounded abdominal stretch, but fans rally up again. Elias powers up but gets caught in a standing stretch. He still works against Mahal, so Mahal switches back to a bearhug. Mahal squeezes again, but Elias elbows his way out. Elias throws haymakers but so does Mahal. They brawl, Mahal knees low. Mahal whips Elias, Elias goes up and kicks Mahal back! Elias grits his teeth as he stomps and fires off body shots! He wants to get back for the rib attack, and fans fire up with him. Elias whips Mahal then scoops but Mahal slips out. Mahal fireman’s carry but Elias slips out. Elias dodges Mahal to send him into buckles, Drift Away! Cover, Elias wins!
Winner: Elias, by pinfall
The Drifter pulls out the victory! Mahal walked with Elias but couldn’t keep up. Will Elias continue to stick it to the man? Or will Corbin get back at Elias by any means necessary?
Raw reveals the full WWE World Cup Brackets!
John Cena is out, Bobby Lashley is in! He faces the Architect, Seth Rollins in the first round! Meanwhile, Kurt Angle faces Dolph Ziggler to close out the Raw Bracket. On SmackDown’s side, it will be Jeff Hardy VS The Miz and Randy Orton VS Rey Mysterio! Who will make it out of the first round of such a star-studded tournament?
Raw takes a look at Kurt Angle’s amazing career.
He was an Olympic Gold Medalist with a broken neck, but he felt he had reached his destiny when he entered the WWE. The Real American Hero used his Intensity, Integrity and Intelligence to become a Grand Slam Champion and is now a WWE Hall of Famer. But Angle isn’t done just yet, because he’ll be back in the WWE World Cup! “Oh it’s true! It’s DAMN true!”
Kurt Angle himself speaks as he trains. He hears the whispers how he must be out of his mind thinking he’ll win the World Cup. But to the doubters, he asks if he was out of his mind when he won King of the Ring? Was he out of his mind when he won the WWE World Championship in his first year? Was he out of his mind when he won the gold medal with that broken neck? Maybe. But winning this World Cup will mean so much more than anything before. To Rollins, Lashley and Ziggler, “you better be ready.” Angle isn’t’ back for one more match, he’s back to be the Best in the World!
Triple Threat Tag: The Ascension VS Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Authors of Pain w/ Drake Maverick!
The Ready, Willing & GLORIOUS duo are becoming fast friends in their teaming together, but can that be enough to avoid the Wasteland and utter destruction? Will Konnor & Viktor use this match to turn it all around? Or will Akam & Rezar simply write another chapter in their Book of Violence?
But the moment the AoP hit the ring, the other four men go after them! The Ascension focus on Akam while ROode & Gable double whip Rezar into steel steps! Konnor & Viktor do the same to Akam, then go after Roode & Gable! The ref does his best to restore order while we go to break.
Raw returns and Gable gives Rezar a jawbreaker. Rezar staggers back and Konnor tags in. Konnor takes Rezar out but misses Gable. Viktor trips up Roode so Gable is stuck. Konnor hits a spinebuster! Cover, but Akam breaks it. Akam and Konnor stare down, Gable dropkicks them into each other! Akam tumbles out, Konnor tags to Viktor. Viktor drags Gable up, back suplex but Gable slips out. Gable powers Viktor forward, Roode tags in. Chaos Theory Neckbreaker! Cover, Roode & Gable win!!
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable, Roode pinning
But then the AoP attack! They wreck Roode & Gable, then throw Konnor into a post! They drag Viktor up for the suplex powerbomb, but aren’t done destroying their enemies. Akam takes Gable, Rezar takes Roode, and they hit Super Collider! Maverick raises the hands of this devastating duo. They may not have won the match, but will they win the war in the Raw Tag Team Division?
The Connor’s Cure Superstars encourage Roman Reigns in his own fight.
#YouGotThisRoman!
The Shield is shattered.
The Big Dog has his fight, but his brothers were to carry on in his stead. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose fought hard against Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler, dedicating the match to Roman. The Architect & The Lunatic would win back the titles, but then Ambrose would shockingly snap! No one could believe it, and it seemed even Ambrose was conflicted. Something Rollins had said since Ambrose’s return set something off in Ambrose’s mind, and he chose that night of all nights to act on his anger. Ambrose would show no mercy, but will he give us an explanation? We find out after the break.
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
No one wants an answer to “Why, Dean, Why?” more than the Kingslayer. Rollins holds it together after this rough week. He feels a lot of things, but he actually feels gratitude. He loves that the fans have sent such support to Roman Reigns, he thanks us on Roman’s behalf. Rollins feels good, but he’s also feeling good about being a three-time Raw Tag Team Champion. But he’s also sad because he should be celebrating with his friend, teammate and brother, Dean Ambrose. Which is no longer possible because Ambrose turned his back on Rollins, The Shield, and the fans.
That makes Rollins feel guilty, because he wonders if part of it is his fault. His actions years ago may have been left to fester inside Ambrose. Maybe it was the wrong place and the wrong time, but Rollins is frustrated and confused. The only one with the answers is Ambrose. The problem there is that if Ambrose doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be found. Rollins didn’t reach out to Ambrose because he knew the one place Ambrose would be was in the arena. So as a friend and brother, Rollins wants Ambrose to give us the answer. If Ambrose wants the spotlight, he can have it, so long as he comes out. The music hits, but where is the Lunatic? Ambrose doesn’t walk out on the ramp, he doesn’t even attack from behind. Fans boo, they want to see Ambrose.
But then they notice him, up at the top of the stairs! Ambrose paces amid the WWE Universe. He turns against The Shield but then references them? Get in the ring to face Rollins like a man! Ambrose doesn’t move. At least when Rollins stabbed him in the back, Rollins told Ambrose why! Ambrose, get down those stairs and face him! Ambrose presents a mic, but refuses to use it. Rollins waits, fans chant “You Sold Out!” Rollins says Ambrose is a “cold-hearted bastard.” On the most emotional night in their lives, Ambrose spat on The Shield! Somehow, someway, Ambrose made everything about him! Rollins says Ambrose is his singular focus, and will make his life a living hell! Maybe Ambrose IS a Lunatic! If Ambrose won’t go to Rollins, Rollins will go to him and BEAT an answer out of him!
Rollins storms out of the ring but Ambrose walks away. Rollins tries to keep his cool, but it’s proving difficult. When and where will Rollins get his hands on Ambrose? When and where will Ambrose explain himself, if ever?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush.
Big news for Lashley as he replaces John Cena in the World Cup. What would it mean to win and be the Best in the World? Lio speaks for Lashley when he says that being Best in the World means he dominated the field of competition. Lashley has done it all, from MMA Champion to NCAA Champion to WWE World Champion! Does anyone think Rollins stands a chance in the mindset he has right now? The moral of the story is that when you look like money and smell like money, it’s a foregone conclusion that Lashley will be money. The confidence rides high, but will Lashley really go all the way with such a field of eight?
Ember Moon VS Nia Jax!
The Prophecy of Flame and the Irresistible Force have been friendly even as opponents. But Evolution’s #1 Contender Battle Royal may have changed that. With Nia poised for a Raw Women’s Championship match, can she swallow her pride and stay friends with Ember? Or will the Moon simply Eclipse her before she can challenge Ronda Rousey?
Raw returns as Ember makes her entrance. The bell rings and Ember dropkicks Nia already! Nia stays up so Ember throws hands. Ember ducks Nia and kicks away! Nia gets to a corner and Ember hits a back elbow. Ember climbs up quick, but Nia trips her up. Nia drags Ember out but Ember fights off the fireman’s carry. Ember rocks Nia then runs, but Nia runs her over! Nia stands on Ember as a cover, ONE, so Nia stomps her! Nia drags Ember around for a heavy elbow drop, cover, TWO! Ember drags herself up but Nia is on her again. Ember fights back but Nia clobbers her with a clothesline! Nia drags Ember up into a bearhug and squeezes hard as she can.
Fans rally for Ember as she endures. Ember grits her teeth and elbows back. Ember frees herself with the ear clap, but Nia tosses her! Nia watches Ember at the bottom rope, runs in, but hits the post! Nia tumbles out, Ember drags herself up top! Ember aims at Nia, for a SUPER senton! Both women are down and a ring count begins. The count reaches 5 before either woman stands. Nia headbutts Ember at 7 and puts her in at 8. She returns while Ember rolls, but wait, here comes Tamina! The Daughter of Superfly won’t let anyone forget she was one of the final four. Nia knocks Ember down, hits the leg drop, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
Tamina rushes the ring! She stares down with her cousin, but then Tamina smiles and backs off. This family feud is far from over, but who will come out the alpha female?
Lucha House Party VS The Revival!
The Cruiserweight Division returns to Raw as Kalisto, Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik bring the fiesta to the Queen City! However, the #TopGuys won’t let newcomers have it so easy in the tag team division, can Dash & Dawson spoil the fun? Or will the Lucha Dragon & Golden Lynx make a big splash on the Red Brand?
Teams sort out and Kalisto starts with Dash Wilder. Dash grabs Kalisto and puts him in a corner. Dash toys with him, but Kalisto chops back! They brawl but Dash gets the edge with clubbing forearms and chops. Dash whips but Kalisto ducks and springboards for a quebrada! Kalisto dropkicks Dash thend ropkciks Dawson. Dorado gets in to DIVE on Dawson! Dorado hurries back and the “Lucha! Lucha!” chants echo out. Kalisto puts Dash in but runs into a hotshot! Dash turns Kalisto around and hits him with a back suplex. Tag to Dawson and Dawson turns Kalisto over for leg drops. Dawson brings Kalisto up for a snap suplex, then an elbow drop. Cover, TWO! Dawson tries again, TWO! Again, TWO!
The fans “Lucha! Lucha!” for Kalisto but Dawson toys with the mask. He drags Kalisto up into a Gory Special! Dash calls it out as Dawsno pulls back on Kalisto’s mask! The matracas make noise as Kalisto endures. Kalisto works to get out, and arm-drags Dawosn down. Dawsoan rocks Kalisto with an uppercut, but Kalisto hits back. Kalisto fights out of the corner, swing kicks Dash then boots Dawson. Dawson hits Dorado just because! He drags Kalisto up, and reels him into a big lariat! Dawson kicks at Metalik even though he’s not even int he match. Salida Del Sol outta nowhere! Dorado crossbodies on Dash, Kalisto covers, Lucha House Party wins!
Winners: Lucha House Party, Kalisto pinning
The fiesta rolls on and now the luchadores can say they’re a great team on two shows! Will they return to give the Revival another shot? Or will the Revival work off some weight and go after LHS on their home turf?
Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre VS Apollo Crews!
The Show-Off, accompanied by his Scottish Terminator, looks to keep himself in fighting shape for the WWE World Cup. He faces Kurt Angle right out the gate, will tonight’s tune-up help him prepare for the Olympic Gold Medalist?
“Well here we are.” This Friday is Crown Jewel and Ziggler has his eyes on the prize. But what is McIntyre looking forward to? Now that they have finally broken The Shield, their full, undivided attention, will be on Brock Lesnar VS Braun Strowman. That makes sense, because that new Universal Champion will have a target on the back and a Claymore to the face. But what doesn’t make sense is Kurt Angle saying he’ll win the World Cup. Ziggler & McIntyre have told nothing but the truth since their return. Ziggler will say the truth now: He has always looked up to Kurt Angle. Angle won with a “broken freakin’ neck.” Without Angle, Ziggler wouldn’t exist in the WWE.
But Ziggler wants Angle to remember something. Ziggler is going to cement his legacy. He broke records in college, he won titles in the WWE, and he’ll win at the World Cup. Ziggler will give Angle a sample of what he’ll get at Crown Jewel. Ziggler is the best thing going, and the best thing that’s ever happened to this business. “IÂ am the Best in the World.” Apollo makes his entrance and we have our match, after the break.
Raw returns and Ziggler has Apollo down in a facelock. Apollo gets up and fights out but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler runs in at the corner but into a back elbow. Apollo enziguris Ziggler down, then catches his breath. Apollo mule kicks Ziggler, then runs to boot him down. He brings Ziggler back up to whip, and hits the leaping lariat. Apollo kips up and fires up, then waits for Ziggler to stand. He enziguris Ziggler again, covers, TWO! Clearly Apollo is more than Ziggler anticipated this close to Crown Jewel. Apollo climbs up top, but Ziggler trips him up. Cover, TWO!
Ziggler grows frustrated but then he toys with Apollo. He dares Apollo to stand, but Apollo blocks the superkick. Ziggler ducks the enziguri but his satellite DDT is denied with a toss! Apollo lifts Ziggler in a trophy lift! And holds him there for a long time. He drops Ziggler, standing moonsault, TWO! Apollo was close but he has more ideas. Apollo climbs up but Ziggler leaps up to join him. ZIggler is pushed away, Apollo adjusts, big frog splash! But he hits knees! SUPERKICK! Cover, Ziggler wins!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by pinfall
The Show-Off won, but it wasn’t so easy. If Ziggler struggled with the rising star, how will he fair against the Hall of Famer?
The Brothers of Destruction are here!
The Big Red Machine leads the way, for The Dead Man! Both Kane and The Undertaker are in Queen City just days before their battle with Triple H and Shawn Michaels. They enter the ring with menacing auras as they take up microphones. Taker speaks first, saying “It’s not easy to heed his call. To say good-bye. To reach the end. But when the Reaper calls, no matter how hard you fight, it’s your time to go.” Kane adds that “In the distance, they could hear their names being whispered. And as time went by, it got louder. The whisper has now become a deafening cry.” Friday at Crown Jewel, the Brothers of Destruction vow to take the beaten, battered souls of DX for the first time and the last time, “to the fiery gates of Hell!”
“It won’t be swift, it will be slow, agonizing pain.” Taker says that it won’t just be the End of an Era this time, it will be the end of their errors. Kane says that is for Friday. Tonight, HHH & HBK, are being called out to this ring so that they can take a part of their souls for all eternity, so that they will NEVER Rest… In… Are you ready!? Degeneration X answers the call! HHH has his glow sticks and water bottle, but where’s HBK? Oh sorry, hold on. HHH gives him his cue, but Kane comes looking. He leaves Taker alone, for a SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! HBK suckered them in, then gets away with a “SUCK IT!” DX high-fives, but Taker sits up! HHH & HBK aren’t laughing now. Will they be laughing at all come Crown Jewel?
My Thoughts:
Well, as go-homes go, this at least pointed us towards Crown Jewel. Obviously with the real life illness Roman Reigns/Joe Anoa’i is dealing with, and how that changed many stories on Raw, it had to be addressed each time, I just feel it danced close to too many times given all the recaps. Corbin did a good job of shifting things with the “the show must go on” mentality, and it was a lot of fun seeing Strowman body slam him three times. Of course Lesnar gets the better of Strowman here, but I hope that means Strowman wins at Crown Jewel. We don’t need another Part-Timer Champion story, give us the Monster Among Champions already!
That 10-woman tag had a sloppy start, but it was surely thrown in on top of everything just to fill the card. The Faces win, and that’s fine, but I’m still very unsure where any of those stories in the Women’s Division goes. There are clearly plenty of other stories, though, such as Nia, Ember and Tamina. I feel like Nia and Ember will ever be outright enemies, but them being chippy is fine. Tamina looks to challenge Nia’s dominance, but a part of me really wants to see them as a team. Nia might even choose family over friends if the three of them keep interacting. And then it’s great to hear Ronda VS Becky happens at Survivor Series as a part of the brand warfare. The promos alone are going to be great, I’m sure of it.
WWE technically did well in kayfabe explaining why Cena won’t be going to Saudi Arabia. Corbin technically has a point that Cena didn’t earn his shot, he was given it. Of course, that’s not much different than what he did for Lashley, but I like that they at least tied it back to the constant Corbin-Balor feud we’ve been getting. Lashley also works as a replacement for Cena because of his body type. The matches he has during the World Cup can still boil down to the same of a big strong guy against someone smaller and more technical. Given Rollins’ story, it’s safe to say Lashley gets through the first round just as Cena would have, and then we’ll likely get Lashley VS Angle as the Raw Bracket finals. Also glad to see I nailed the SmackDown side.
Elias had a pretty great night all in all. He’s turning more Face, and gets a win against Jinder Mahal despite getting beat up before the match. He’ll likely keep building up and eventually get a match with Corbin himself. Hooray for Lucha House Party winning on Raw, but I have a feeling they won’t actually join the Raw Tag Division. The Revival should also consider their option of going to 205 Live as Cruiserweights, I bet they’d get better play there. Plus, one more team really helps push the possibility of a Cruiserweight Tag Division. And if a Six Man match needs to happen, maybe The Revival can work with TJP or Mike Kanellis.
The Authors of Pain had a good night despite losing. The commercial in the middle of that Triple Threat Tag really took away material from the home audience, like myself. Roode & Gable have a good combo with that German Suplex into a neckbreaker, but part of it almost seemed like Roode “improvised” it so that Gable didn’t get the whole thing won by himself. AoP definitely will challenge for the Raw Tag Team Championships, but those titles are in question given Rollins and Ambrose.
And speaking of that, I’m surprised Ambrose went the silent treatment route where he didn’t explain anything. I suppose it’s mostly to stretch this out while “rattling” Rollins this close to the World Cup. And thinking about it, the only time Ambrose could get away with going after Rollins was if Roman was gone. Otherwise he’d have to deal with both of them. So while it isn’t happening the way it should, it’s happening the way it must to work.
My Score: 7.8/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
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