Can the Bullhead Brawler #WhoopDatTrick?

Yoshiki Inamura won, but he’s giving his friend, Josh Briggs, the shot at Trick Williams’ TNA World Heavyweight Championship! Will Briggs finally reach the mountaintop?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Trick Williams VS Josh Briggs; Trick wins and retains the title.
• High Stakes Showdown: Tavion Heights VS Je’Von Evans; Je’Von wins and Tavion must stay with the No Quarter Catch Crew.
• Ricky Saints VS Ashante THEE Adonis; Saints wins.
• Vacated NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo VS Tony D’Angelo; Stacks wins and is the new NXT Heritage Cup Champion.
• NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Jaida Parker VS Lash Legend VS Izzi Dame VS Jordynne Grace; Grace wins and will challenge for the title at WWE Evolution.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tonight’s contenders speak.

Lash Legend says that the time for her to rise to the top has come. The other three can step aside, because the Bougie Bully is winning tonight and returning to her hometown, the ATL, and walking out of Evolution the NEW NXT Women’s Champion. Izzi Dame says she would sit and hope for opportunities like this to present themselves. But being part of The Culling has made her realize there is no glory waiting in the darkness. So she stepped into the light, and looks to take a step closer to the gold. The Culling always prevails, and that Iz what it Iz.

Jaida Parker says there ain’t no ifs, ands or butts about it. She will do whatever it takes to get hers, and what’s hers is that title match at Evolution! So Jordynne, Izzi, and Lash all better find someone else to play with, Miss Parker’s got this on lock. #ClockIt! Jordynne Grace says she dominated the wrestling world outside of the WWE just to get here, and she did that by building her strength from scratch. There is nothing more motivating than desperation, and Jordynne didn’t come here to not be champion. She will get her hand raised tonight, and at Evolution, she will finally be the NXT Women’s Champion, because she has to.

Who does find the way to win their golden ticket to the Great American Bash? We’ll find out in tonight’s main event!

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Trick Williams VS Josh Briggs w/ Yoshiki Inamura!

#TrickyTwoBrands took the L last week in the massive crossover Six Man Tag, and yet Yoshiki Inamura is gifting this opportunity to his friend! Will the Bullhead Brawler make the most of this golden opportunity? Or will we still be in the Trick’N A Era?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes the bigger impact!

The bell rings and the two feel things out. They circle, Trick gets around, and he shoves Briggs. Briggs and Trick talk trash, the two go again, and Trick slips around. Briggs avoids the heel kick but Trick hits a capoeria pose. Only for Briggs to run him over! Briggs bumps Trick off buckles, brings Trick around, then bumps him off more buckles. The fans are torn, but Briggs CLUBS Trick down! Briggs paces and brings Trick up. Briggs whips, Trick spins through the hip toss, but Briggs blocks the whip! Briggs whips Trick, Trick ducks ‘n’ dodges, but so does Briggs! Briggs LEAPING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Trick survives but Briggs stays focused.

Briggs storms up but Trick takes a swing. Briggs dodges the counter punch but Trick CHOPS! Briggs scowls, but Trick CHOPS again! Briggs puts Trick in the corner and fires fast hands! Briggs ROCKS Trick, talks trash, then backs off as the ref counts. Trick throat chops Briggs! And FLAPJACKS him off buckles! Trick headlocks for the takeover and he grinds Briggs down. Fans chant, “Lock It In~! Lock It In~!” Briggs fights up, powers up, but Trick hits a flying takeover! The fans are torn as Briggs again endures. Trick puts on the pressure but Briggs rolls to a cover! ONE, and Trick holds on. Briggs fights up as the fans rally, and Inamura coaches him.

Briggs powers up to suplex Trick up and over! Briggs brings Trick around, whips him to the corner, but Trick goes up and over. Trick kicks, Briggs blocks, but Trick spins through to LARIAT! Briggs just claps! The fans fire up, Trick runs, and he LARIATS again! Briggs wobbles, Trick runs, but Briggs follows and ELBOWS! Briggs runs but Trick follows to LARIAT! Trick runs, Briggs dodges, and Briggs comes back, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Briggs tumbles out! Inamura coaches Briggs but Trick goes out after him. Inamura and Trick talk some trash, but then Trick goes to slap! Inamura blocks, and Briggs BOOTS Trick down!

Briggs asks Trick what’s up now! The fans are torn, but Briggs is feeling good while NXT goes picture in picture.

Briggs fist-bumps with Inamura, then he looms over Trick. Briggs dusts himself off while Trick stands, and then Briggs RAMS Trick into the apron! Briggs puts Trick in the ring, stalks him to a corner, and CHOPS! Briggs shakes out his hand from that, and he stomps Trick down. Briggs whips corner to corner hard and Trick falls in a heap! Trick writhes while Briggs paces around. Briggs drags Trick up, GROUD BUSTERS, then drops a BIG ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Trick is tougher than that but Briggs stays cool. Briggs puts Trick on the ropes, runs, but into a SPIN KICK! Both men fall over and the fans rally up.

Trick hurries to rain down fists! Trick drags Briggs up, whips him to ropes, and he FLAPJACKS Briggs down! Cover, TWO! Trick is annoyed but he clamps onto Briggs with a facelock. Briggs endures as Trick grinds the hold, but Trick almost has a guillotine on him! NXT returns to single picture and Briggs fights up! Briggs fires body shots, the fans rally, and Briggs is free! Briggs ROCKS Trick, but Trick LEG LARIATS! Briggs huffs ‘n’ puffs as he sits back up and the fans rally. Trick is annoyed but he runs and LEG- NO, Briggs catches Trick for a BIG back suplex! Briggs growls as he rises up, and he CLOBBERS Trick! Then DECKS him!

Briggs whips Trick, then scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH DOWN! Briggs roars, Trick goes to a corner, and Briggs runs in for an ELBOW! Briggs keeps going, he ELBOWS again! Briggs runs corner to corner again, but Trick goes up! FLYING KNEE! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Cover, TWO! Briggs survives and Trick is frustrated. The fans rally up while Trick rains down forearms! “This is Awesome!” as Trick waits on Briggs. Briggs sits up, Trick ROCKS him with a haymaker! Briggs eggs Trick on so Trick fires more shots! Briggs swings back, Trick dodges to body shot and UPPERCUT!

Trick runs, but into a guzel! CHOKE- NO, Trick flips through! But Briggs ducks a kick! Only to run into a kick! Trick reels Briggs in, lifts, but Briggs flips free of the bomb to CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Trick even grabs the ropes for good measure! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Briggs is stunned. Briggs and Trick sit up, and they trade shots! The fans are torn even now, and the two men stand up. Trick UPPERCUTS, then counter punches! Trick runs, but Briggs BOOTS Trick down first! Briggs hobbles, but Trick EDDY GORDO KICKS, then BOOTS! Then he pie faces Briggs, runs, but Briggs reels him in! SHORT ARM LARIAT!!

Briggs goes to a corner?! Briggs climbs up, HOSS SAULT FLOPS as Trick moves! TRICK SHOT!! Cover, Trick wins!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall (still TNA World Heavyweight Champion)

Briggs put up a fight, but one split second difference and Trick comes out on top! Trick grabs a mic and says it is about time y’all put some respect on his name! He went from carrying H1M, to carrying two brands at the same time! That makes him the greatest TNA Champion- WAIT! Joe Hendry is here?! The music plays, but where is the Prestigious One? He sneaks in from the crowd! Trick hears the cheers, turns around, and Hendry LARIATS! And LARIATS again! And then Hendry LARIATS Trick up and out of the ring! TNA Slammiversary is coming, and with it comes a rematch for this title! Will Hendry make us all believers once again?

The No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.

Tavion Heights & Wren Sinclair look at footage of him getting some stitches in over the weekend. Charlie Dempsey wishes Tavion luck, and Tavion says yeah, despite Dempsey’s best efforts. What’s that supposed to mean? Admit it, Charles! You know Tavion’s going to beat Je’Von Evans tonight and be free of NQCC. That’s why you purposefully hurt him during training. Wren says no, that was an accident, Charles cares about them. Sure he does. Wren says yes, that was just Charles’ way of pushing Tavion to be stronger. They’re family! Right, Charles? Dempsey says yes, of course they are. Tavion, that was an accident.

But if he feels he isn’t ready to face Je’Von, Charlie wouldn’t blame Tavion. Tavion says yeah, he’d like that, huh? But the doc got him a special mask. Tavion is cleared as tolerated, and after tonight, he won’t be Charlie’s problem anymore. Charlie says that’s fantastic. Yeah, it is fantastic! Wren agrees, it is fantastic. The sarcasm might have gone over Wren’s head, but will Tavion reach new heights after tonight? Or will the Young OG be too bouncy to lose their bet?

Myles Borne meets with some special guests.

He is so excited that George Gumbs Jr. & Tyreak Sapp of the Florida Gators football team is here. Myles was born in North Carolina, but he’s been a big fan of the Gators ever since the Tim Tebow days. And now, with their improved offense and defense, the Gators are so back! Gumbs & Sapp agree and high-five with Myles. Lexis King walks over and asks Myles if he has a moment to talk. But Lexis says of course Myles has time to talk, he’s a lone wolf now, just like Lexis. And oh, right, he’s deaf. Lexis talks louder, but Myles tells Gumbs & Sapp that he heard Lexis, it’s no big deal. Oh, so he heard Lexis? Since he’s such an active listener, he’s some advice!

Myles cuts Lexis off there and says he doesn’t want his advice. They are not alike. Lexis takes every shortcut possible while Myles works hard to get what he has. Lexis is his father’s son, and that’ll never change. Well, nothing will change for Myles if he’s talking to losers instead of listening to The King! The Gators haven’t done jack in two decades. Gumbs & Sapp warn Lexis, he backs off, and Sapp says that is a gross beard. Will Lexis have to show not tell when it comes to giving out advice?

High Stakes Showdown: Tavion Heights VS Je’Von Evans!

Ready or not, the moment of truth is here. Tavion wants to prove he no longer needs to be under Dempsey’s wing, and definitely doesn’t need to be under his thumb. Can Tavion fly high all on his own? Or will the Young OG have to hold him down so he can get ahead?

The bell rings, the two approach and Tavion TACKLES Je’Von! Cover, ONE, but Tavion waistlocks and then deadlifts Je’Von for the SLAM! Tavion keeps hold, brings Je’Von back up, and SLAMS him again! Je’Von still fights but Tavion gator rolls him with that waistlock. Tavion floats to turn Je’Von for a cover, TWO! Tavion is a dog with a bone and he has a fisherman cradle! TWO!! Je’Von escapes in time but Tavion holds Je’Von down with a facelock. The fans rally, Je’Von fights, but Tavion rolls it to a cradle, TWO! Tavion keeps Je’Von down, brings him up and whips him to a corner hard! Then fireman’s carry takeover!

Tavion has the wristlock, makes it a cover, TWO! Tavion floats to the top wristlock and he grinds the arm. Je’Von endures, bridges to keep his shoulders up, and the fans rally. Je’Von fights up, rolls, but Tavion keeps that top wristlock! Tavion pushes on the arm but Je’Von endures. Je’Von fights up with another bridge, the fans rally again, and Je’Von runs to slip around and arm-drag! But Tavion’s right back on Je’Von! Tavion lifts, Je’Von sunset flips, TWO! Both men stand, Je’Von dodges Tavion to springboard and CROSSBODY! Je’Von keeps moving, BOUNCY~ RANA! The fans fire up and Tavion bails out!

The fans rally as Je’Von builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Tavion and the fans fire up! Dempsey & Wren are worried, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and the fans are even more fired up as Je’Von and Tavion rise. Tavion storms up but Je’Von blocks a shot to body shot! Then he blocks a shot to CHOP! Tavion ROCKS Je’Von, but Je’Von nods and CHOPS! Je’Von ROCKS and CHOPS Tavion on repeat, then he whips. Tavion grabs ropes to redirect himself, and he LARIATS Je’Von down! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives that curveball and Wren says Tavion is looking good. Tavion fireman’s carries but Je’Von slips free. Je’Von waistlocks, Tavion switches, but Je’Von fights the lift. Je’Von fires an elbow, but Tavion reels Je’Von in for a HEADBUTT! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Je’Von survives but Tavion holds onto the waistlock! Tavion drags Je’Von up, and he lifts Je’Von again, only for Je’Von to victory roll! TWO! Tavion is up, Je’Von dodges and handsprings, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Je’Von goes to a corner. Tavion runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Tavion falls, Je’Von goes right up top, and he SKY TWISTERS!! Cover, Je’Von wins!!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall (Tavion stays with the NQCC)

Tavion may not be free from the NQCC, but he may have just proven himself worthy of big things. Will Tavion still reach those heights he looks for? As for The Young OG, JASPER TROY finds him for a BLACK HOLE SLAM!! The Monstar strikes! The fans boo, but will Troy be the one changing the landscape around here?

BREAKING NEWS!

It was revealed over the weekend that unfortunately, Noam Dar is injured and can no longer defend the Heritage Cup. It will now be vacated, changing the stakes of tonight’s match. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo is still in the match, but who is he facing? Luca Crusifino posted online, “Tony, you looked me in the eyes and you told me to prove my loyalty to you. So I did just that. Ava confirmed this: Tony D’Angelo VS Stacks Lorenzo this Tuesday for the held-up NXT Heritage Cup.” The Don has the chance to not only become a two-time Heritage Cup Champion, he can also settle things with Stacks. This hasn’t completely gotten Tony to trust Luca, but it’s a great start.

Stacks’ response is that this only makes it sweeter for him. He gets to beat Tony down while taking the Cup that once belonged to him. So all Stacks has to say to Luca is… “Thank you, my consigliere!” Is the Underboss continuing to play mind games to tear Tony and Luca apart? Or is Luca playing both sides?

Ricky Saints VS Ashante THEE Adonis!

The Absolute is finally cleared to compete, and while he wants after Ethan Page, NXT’s resident ladies man put his foot in his mouth acting like he was on the team. Will Adonis regret standing up for All Ego? Or will he ruin Ricky’s return to in-ring action?

Adonis THROWS his jacket at Saints but Saints ducks it! The bell rings and the fists fly! The fans fire up, Saints ROCKS Adonis again and again, then has him in a corner for a CHOP! Adonis goes to another corner, Ricky runs up to UPPERCUT again! Adonis fires hands back, Saints knees low and Saints ROCKS Adonis again. Adonis goes to a third corner, Saints CHOPS again, but Adonis headlocks. Saints powers up and out, Adonis hurdles, but then Saints hurdles, ducks, dodges, then KICKS! Saints ROCKS Adonis again, bumps him off buckles, and Adonis goes tumbling away. Adonis gets up, throws hands, but Saints blocks to wrench!

Saints goes up the corner, struts Old School for the AX HANDLE! Saints TOSSES Adonis and the fans fire up! Saints strikes his pose and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Saints fires hands on Adonis! Adonis fires hands in return, Saints fires back, and the fans fire up. Adonis knees low, whips, but Saints reverses, only for Adonis to wrench and DDDT! Then Adonis fireman’s carries for a CASH-OUT! Cover, TWO! Adonis’ take on the Death Valley Driver wasn’t quite enough, but he brings Saints up. Adonis shoves Saints to a corner, whips him corner to corner, and Saints sputters and coughs. Adonis is right on Saints to push him back into the corner, then whips him hard corner to corner! The fans boo but Adonis soaks it all up. Adonis whips again, but Saints reverses! Adonis hits buckles, Saints LARIATS!

Saints rallies, clinches, but Adonis fights the overhead throw! Saints keeps trying, Adonis keeps fighting, so Saints wrenches and reels Adonis in for a BACKDROP! Adonis flounders, the fans fire up, and Saints reels Adonis in! TORNADO DDT! Adonis flounders, Saints covers, TWO! Saints scowls but he stays on Adonis. The fans rally behind “RICKY! RICKY!” and he reels Adonis in. But Adonis wrenches out, whips, only for Saints to duck  ‘n’ dodge and SPEAR! The fans fire up and Saints reels Adonis back in! Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Saints wins!

Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall

It was a gritty return but Saints comes walking in a winner! But wait, Ethan Page is on the tron. “Ricky, we’ve been doing this for a long…” Wait, the video glitched? OH NO, ETHAN ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! All Ego just wanted to distract Saints long enough to set him up! Ethan thinks about Twisted Grin, but then changes his mind. Ethan Canadian Racks, and steals ROSHAMBEAUX!! Ethan tells Ricky that he will not get his smile back, nor will he get this title back! Will All Ego be right on all counts?

Dark State speaks.

Dion Lennox says NXT has forgotten about them. “Just cuz y’all ain’t seen us doesn’t mean we ain’t been making moves.” Osiris Griffin says all the shiny new toys have everyone’s attention, but that’s understandable. That’s only going to help them. Cutler James says that’s right. And Dark State is cooking up something for NXT, just wait. Osiris says they’ll get the attention back. And when they do, Dark State will be front and center. Saquon Shugars asks Cutler if he feels that. Cutler says yes, he does. That’s the heat rising, the pot boiling, ready to spill over and burn this whole place to the ground! When Dark State strikes, #NoOneIsSafe!

Oba Femi is here!

The fans cheer as The Ruler is still NXT Champion as he struts his way to the ring. Oba grabs a mic and says, “Since January 7th, 2025, I have been your NXT Champion. And in that time, I have put down any challenger that stepped forward to oppose me. The best from NXT, TNA, Raw, SmackDown. One by one, they came. And one by one, they fell. And do you know what that makes them? That makes them footnotes to my legacy! Capable contenders, but footnotes! And now, I sit comfortably at the top of the pedestal, but this is where it gets dangerous.

“Because any man in my position would start to rest on his laurels, would start to coast, and bask in the euphoria of his victories. But The Ruler is not just any man, now is he? I get restless when I’m idle. I get restless when there’s no contenders, when there’s no competition. Because I crave the fight, I enjoy the fight, I embrace the fight! And I NEED challengers! So any man who thinks they are worthy to take this title from me, any man who thinks they can stand up to The Ruler himself, THIS is your opportunity! THIS is your moment! The Ruler is ready.” The fans like that, and then here comes Yoshiki Inamura!

The Great Rush heads to the ring, and this falls in line with what he was telling Josh Briggs last week. The fans cheer for “YO-SHI-KI! YO-SHI-KI!” Inamura tells Oba that he came to NXT to chase glory, just like Oba. But when it did not come, Inamura went home to Japan. Inamura realized all the things he missed: his partner and best friend, Briggs, but also… he missed NXT! The fans cheer, and Inamura says it was because he loves NXT! He loves this culture! He loves this passion from the fans! The fans cheer more, and Inamura says he wants to pay them all back by becoming the NXT NXT Champion!

Oba grins and Inamura says he wants to go bigger! And Oba and that title are bigger. Oba tells “Mr. Inamura” that one thing they both have in common is that they both know what it is to be strangers in a different land. But Oba made this place his home a long time ago, and then it became his kingdom. Oba has thrived ever since the beginning. But that is where they are different. Inamura has had his struggles that made him go home. But that is why the fans embraced Inamura: he came back, he turned the tide, and all with a smile on his face.

But Inamura can’t fool Oba. Oba sees beyond the smile, and he knows that inside is a fighting warrior! A man with a warrior spirit who craves the fight, just like Oba. So if Inamura wants to fight for the honor of this title… big mistake! When you face The Ruler, you will fall, just like everybody else! The fans applaud, but Inamura says, “I! AM! READY!” The fans cheer that, too! Can The Great Rush be the one man that dethrones The Ruler? Or- JASPER TROY ATTACKS!! Troy goes through Inamura to tell Oba that they are not finished! Oba holds up the belt, also ready for Troy to try again. But who will battle Oba first? And will there be anything left for who comes second?

Tatum Paxley is backstage.

She is taking apart some of her dollhouse furniture, but then Izzi Dame walks over. Izzi says she has something for Tatum. It’s an Izzi doll? Tatum is so happy, but then Izzi says she also has a question to ask, but she’s a little nervous. How does Tatum feel about being in Izzi’s corner? Izzi wants Tatum in her corner? Tatum is again very happy, but #ZaRuca walk over. They cannot believe this. Sol says Izzi is clearly just using Tatum! Zaria says if Tatum thinks Izzi is being genuine, then let her. Izzi sarcastically says good to see they’re not bitter about last week’s loss. And also, the only title Zaria’s ever getting close to is the one she’s “sharing” with her best friend.

Izzi again offers the invitation to Tatum, then heads out. Tatum follows Izzi and The Culling is there. Shawn Spears asks who Izzi’s new friend is. Izzi introduces Tatum to Spears & Niko. Spears asks Izzi if she’s ready. Of course. Will Tatum join her ringside? Of course. And what about the boys? Niko says they have something in the works. Just like Izzi, they’re also eyeing gold. Izzi walks hand-in-hand with Tatum and they head to gorilla. Tatum may have a new toy, but is she the one being played with?

Trick Williams returns backstage.

He rests in the locker room, but then Wes Lee & High Ryze walk over, wanting to talk. Trick says now’s not the time, Joe Hendry got him messed up, thinking he’s gonna go out like that. After everything that happened last week, that ain’t happening. Wes says there is a lot going on, and Trick says yeah, he had it all taken care of. Until Yoshi hit his splash from the top rope, almost broke Trick’s ribs. Wes says yeah, he missed that. Then looked what happened tonight! Briggs loses but Hendry appears outta nowhere! Wes says yeah, that’s what he wanted to talk about. Next week, we’ll find out how much people believe when Wes whoops Hendry’s ass.

They all look around, Joe doesn’t appear. Trick mutters just to be safe, “You’re gonna whoop Joe’s ass?” Wes nods. Trick says he likes the sound of that. Wes can take care of Joe next week, and better yet, how about all three of them take care of it, then Trick will owe them one. Wes says it ain’t nothing but a thing. They shake hands and the deal is struck. But can the High Ryze bring Joe Hendry down before Slammiversary? Or will Joe make everyone believe in him more when he overcomes the odds?

Vacated NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo VS Tony D’Angelo!

Noam Dar’s misfortune became serendipity for what was The D’Angelo Family. Stacks and Tony will settle their grudge while fighting over quite the prize, but will The Underboss finally bring down The Don? Or will Tony make Stacks pay for everything he’s done?

NXT returns and Stacks makes his entrance, still accompanied by those goons from last time. The introductions are made, the cup is on display and Stacks’ goons do their best to intimidate Tony. Tony is not even reacting, he’s that focused on Stacks. The bell rings, the two tie up, and we have British Rounds back! The clock ticks as Tony throws hands with Stacks! Tony ROCKS Stacks, then whips corner to corner hard! Tony runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up for Tony and he fires more hands! Stacks staggers away, Tony storms up, but Stacks turns things around! Stacks fires hands, reels Tony in, then talks trash.

But Tony wrenches out, wristlocks, and he keeps Stacks from ropes to CLOBBER him! Tony ROCKS Stacks, Stacks goes to the apron but Tony runs up on him. Tony ducks the haymaker and HIP TOSSES Stacks! Tony clinches, Stacks fires elbows, and Stacks ROCKS Tony! Tony powers up and out, Stacks ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Tony BACKDROPS Stacks! Tony stalks Stacks to a corner, but Stacks YANKS him into the buckles! We hit 90 seconds in the first as Stacks stomps away on Tony! The ref counts, Stacks backs off, but then Stacks runs in. Tony clinches and OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Tony brings Stacks up.

Stacks RAMS Tony into a corner, then he fires forearms! The ref counts, Stacks digs his knee in, but the ref counts more. Stacks steps off as we drop under a minute. Stacks runs in but Tony BOOTS him down! The fans fire up while both men flounder. The goons coach Stacks as he and Tony rise. They go forehead to forehead, then they go haymaker for haymaker! We’re under 30 seconds, Tony TACKLES Stacks! Stacks and Tony scrap as time ticks away! Stacks HAMMERS Tony, we hit ten seconds, and Tony fights up! The hands keep going, and time is up on the round! The ref gets in there as the two keep going!

Stacks: 0; Tony: 0

The ref and the goons separate the two, and they refresh in the corners. And now on to round two! Tony TACKLES Stacks, they scrap some more, and Tony gives those hockey scrum punches. Tony runs, CLOBBERS Stacks, but Stacks ELBOWS him away! Stacks goes to the apron, but Tony BLASTS him! Stacks hits the desk! The fans fire up as Tony puts Stacks in and SPEARS!! Cover, Tony scores!

Stacks: 0; Tony: 1

A quick second and Tony SHOVES Stacks to his corner. The refresher period is on, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and all of round three happened off camera, but with no change to the score!

Stacks: 0; Tony: 1

Round four begins, Tony gasping for air, and Stacks is right on him. They both throw hands, and Tony still has the edge. Tony then atomic- NO, the knee gives up, Stacks cradles, STACKS SCORES!

Stacks: 1; Tony: 1

The fans boo but the goons cheer as Stacks has tied things up late in the game! Will he steal this one away? Or- Wait! Luca finally shows up! The Consigliere is here to back up The Don, and the bell rings! Tony and Stacks grapple but Stacks trips Tony! Stacks ties up the legs, INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Tony endures as Stacks puts on the pressure and the fans rally. Tony fires hands, Stacks lets the legs go, but he comes back to throw hands. Tony still has the edge there, then he whips. Tony DECKS Stacks again and again, then clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! And then another whip for a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Tony stalks Stacks again.

Tony tells Stacks this is what he gets, and he HIP TOSSES Stacks out onto the goons! The fans fire up and Tony hurries to fetch Stacks. Tony puts Stacks in, but one goon distracts the ref so the others can attack! Tony DECKS one, Luca grapples with the other! They’re fighting over the spit bucket, but then the goon lets go, and the bucket SMACKS Tony in the back!! Luca panics, but Stacks hits a BIG suplex! And then the BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD!! Cover, Stacks wins!!

Winner: Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall (NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion)

Luca tried to help Tony and it all backfired! But without him, would the goons have made sure Stacks won all the same? Luca goes to help Tony to his feet, but Tony DECKS him!! The fans boo but Tony says he no longer trusts anyone! All according to Stacks’ plan. Will Tony truly be left with nothing now?

Backstage interview with The Fatal Influence.

Sarah Schreiber is with Jazmyn Nyx, Fallon Henley & NXT Women’s Champion, Jacy Jayne. Sarah brings up how last week, The Influence interrupted and ruined Blake Monroe’s NXT contract signing by putting her through a table. Fallon Henley says Blake Monroe really thought she was just going to walk into the deepest women’s division and go straight to the top? Absolutely not. Monroe learned her place in this roster, and that’s at the feet of The Fatal Influence. Jacy adds that that was their fun way of “welcoming” Monroe to their division. Monroe says “Glamour is forever,” but the only thing that IS forever is the Influence’s control over NXT, and the women’s title.

Speaking of the title, how are they feeling about tonight’s Fatal 4 Way match to determine Jacy’s challenger for Evolution? Jacy says Evolution is a historic event, and she remembers watching the original thinking, “If they ever do another one, I’m gonna make damn sure that I’m on it.” And look where we are today! As for tonight, the Influence will be watching to see who the lucky person is to get their hand raised. But one thing is for sure, they won’t be getting their hand raised in Atlanta, that’ll be Jacy. The Influence heads out, but will they be disappointed in seeing who Jacy will have to face at the Great American Bash?

Thea Hail might be crashing out…

The “Grown Ass Woman” is warning the LFG candidates and Evolve stars that “adulting is hard,” just as these young prospects are surely finding out. And everyone else on NXT SUCKS! Last week, she tapped Jaida out, she had the arm, but on the record, no she didn’t. Does it even matter what “right” and “wrong” are anymore!? But then in steps Lainey Reid. And she says for a grown ass woman, Thea sure knows how to get played like a fiddle. Wow~, she already has a mouth? Congrats, Lainey! But you don’t know Thea. Lainey says calm down now. She’s watched Thea, and realized that Thea hasn’t changed a bit.

But Lainey will be sure to learn from those mistakes and blow right past her. Thea says if Lainey wants to try that right now, she’s game! But Lash Legend pulls up and says SKRRRR~! Pump the brakes. If y’all got a problem, save it and solve it later. Because right now, Lash has her match to get to, and ladies… Just watch how the Bougie Bully gets things done. Lash heads for gorilla, but will Thea and Lainey be too busy to take notes?

Ava Raine confronts Ethan Page.

The NXT General Manager asks the NXT North American Champion, “What the hell was that?!” Ethan says, “Well, that was Ricky Saints being Ricky Saints and getting exactly what Ricky Saints deserves. Boss, honestly, I’ve been trying my best to be on my best behavior for you, but this man keeps pushing my buttons every single week.” Ava says wow, that is his best? That’s pathetic! And she’s sick of this! Well, so is Ethan! Ava can help him solve both of their problems. All she has to do is make sure Saints stays very, very, very far away from Ethan, and we’ll never have to deal with this issue ever again.

Oh, he’d love that, wouldn’t he? He would, actually. That’s why he suggested it. Ava warns Ethan not to piss her off. Ethan and Ricky are now required to be in her office for a meeting next week, because they are both the problem here. They are going to settle it. Oh, they can settle it. On Ethan’s terms, though. Ethan has Siri (wait, he still has a Siri?) and he wants her to text Vanity Project. He needs them to show up next week. Ethan heads off, and now something else goes down! Someone just attacked Hank ‘n’ Tank and ran for it! Wait, could it have been Dark State? Are they targeting the tag titles as their first conquests?

Backstage interview with Joe Hendry.

Sarah Schreiber is now with the Prestigious One, and she says it is good to have him back in NXT. Hendry says it is good to be back. Sarah says last time we saw him was Battleground, where he unfortunately lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Trick Williams. Hendry says yes, that is a night he has thought about every single day since. But while he can’t change the past, he can change the future. And the future is TNA Slammiversary, where Hendry gets his chance to regain that title from Trick. Hendry says Trick has made himself very comfortable just showing up to TNA whenever he wants, so Hendry decided to return the favor.

Sarah says we will see Hendry VS Wes next week, and Hendry says Wes is a superstar who cut his teeth in TNA, but it seems Wes has forgotten where he came from. Don’t worry, Hendry hasn’t, and he’ll remind Wes. Wes faces 252 pounds of pure motivation, a man on a mission, and the NEXT TNA World Champion! Sarah wishes Hendry luck, but will he not need it when he’s got that fire inside?

Chase U is in session.

Another intense class, and we see Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors struggling to keep up. After the lecture, Mr. Chase says he does want to address last week. He apologizes to Kale. This is new to both of them, but what Chase said was… 100% fact. Chase U does believe that the toughest road creates the greatest champions. Mr. Chase sticks by what he said, they just need to toughen the F up. The rest of the class applauds, but Uriah stands up for Kale. Mr. Chase and this whole school are tripping if they think Chase can just talk to students like that and create a toxic environment in here!

Chase asks who the F Uriah thinks he is! This “attitude” is what built the entire foundation of this school. The same university that these two wanted to be part of. They need to respect Mr. Chase and accept that he knows what he is doing. Kale says that attitude is the very thing that also destroyed this school in the first place. Kale & Uriah storm out, grumbling that they thought Chase U would be different this time. Kale regrets ever calling out to Mr. Chase, wanting him to reopen this place. Mr. Chase hears that and remembers that day, when he was distraught and lost. Is listening to Kale & Uriah now the secret to them all succeeding?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

With Great American Bash closing in, we’re getting a BIG showdown! Yoshiki Inamura and Jasper Troy will have it out in a #1 Contender’s match to the NXT Championship! Who survives this head-on collision to challenge Oba Femi? Plus, after the verbal altercation backstage, Myles Borne is going to make Lexis King put up or shut up! They go 1v1, but will Myles prove he doesn’t need The Drama King’s arrogant advice?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Jaida Parker VS Lash Legend VS Izzi Dame w/ Tatum Paxley VS Jordynne Grace!

After winning their “Evolution Eliminator” matches last week, four of the best in the best women’s division anywhere are going to battle for that number one spot! Who overcomes the odds to have their moment in Atlanta?

NXT returns and Lash makes her entrance to join Jaida and Izzi in the ring. And just as promised, Tatum has accompanied Izzi to the ring. This leaves Jordynne Grace for last, with her song starting with, “It’s not over until I win.” Will that be proven as not just a statement but a fact?

The bell rings, the four watch each other, and then Grace fires fists with Izzi while Lash brawls with Jaida. The fans fire up, Grace whips but Izzi TOSSES her out! Grace drags Izzi out to join her, Lash sends Jaida to a corner, but Jaida dodges Lash’s splash. Jaida runs up to KNEE low! Lash DECKS Jaida in return! The fans rally, and the Fatal Influence watches from the perch, as they promised they would. Grace storms in after Lash, DOUBLE LARIATS, but Lash stays up! Lash scoops and SWINGING BACKBREAKERS! Grace tumbles out, Jaida is back, but Lash wrenches and snap suplexes! Lash kips up, the fans fire up, but Izzi returns.

Izzi and Lash stare down as the tallest women in this match. They circle, Izzi shoves but Lash shoves back! Jaida and Grace return to throw hands on Izzi and Lash! Grace whips, Lash reverses, and Izzi LARIATS Jaida! Grace slumps down, she and Jaida bails out, and then Lash shoves Izzi. Izzi swings, misses, but slips free of the scoop. Izzi scoops, Lash slips free and CHOPS! The fans fire up, but Izzi CHOPS back! Lash rebounds to RAM Izzi, Izzi rebounds, but Lash dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Lash TOSSES Izzi. Grace is back, she goes to throw Lash, but Lash ELBOWS Grace away!

Lash RAMS Grace into the corner again and again, then runs up, only for Grace to go up and over! Lash POSTS herself, Jaida runs in, but Grace dodges to ROCK and CHOP on repeat! Grace whips, Jaida reverses, but Grace reverses back! Kick, DOUBLE CHOP, and then the FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Izzi breaks it! Izzi drags Grace up to RAM her into a corner! The fans boo as Izzi ROCKS and CHOPS! Izzi brings Grace out of the corner for a BACKDROP! Tatum cheers but she’s the only one. Izzi stands Grace up, fireman’s carries, and FLAPJACKS! Cover, Lash breaks it! Lash stmops Grace, Jaida CROSSBODIES from the top!

Jaida runs, dodges Izzi, then CLOBBERS Izzi! Jaida dares someone to get up, and she has Grace for a wrench and suplex! GOURD BUSTER, and then Jaida builds speed. But Lash trips Jaida, drags her out, and SMACKS her off the desk! The fans are torn, but then Grace DIVES! Down goes Lash and the fans fire up! But then Izzi APRON CHOKE SLAMS Grace!! The fans boo, but then Jaida TRUCKS Izzi! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Jaida puts Izzi in the ring. Izzi kicks back, whips, and Tatum trips Jaida! It’s not illegal but it’s not cool, either! Izzi runs up but Jaida dodges to roll her up! TWO, and Izzi ELBOWS Jaida down!

ZaRuca storm out here, and while Sol wants to talk sense into Tatum, Zaria says screw it, and she just picks Tatum up! Tatum is taken away kicking and screaming, and Tatum wants her friend to save her! Izzi obviously chooses this golden opportunity over Tatum, but even Fatal Influence is surprised to see ZaRuca do something about it. The fans love it either way, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Lash DECKS Izzi! Lash then goes after Jaida, brings her around, wrenches and RAMS her down! Then stands her up to RAM her down again! Lash drags Jaida up again but Jaida rolls Lash, TWO! Jaida stands but Lash RUNS her over! Lash shakes out that arm, then she DRIBBLES Jaida off the mat! Lash turns Jaida over runs and ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jaida is tougher than that, but Lash stays on her. Lash drags Jaida up to scoop, and she puts Jaida in the ropes for more dribbling! Lash TOSSES Jaida, the Influence likes it, but here comes Garce! Lash fireman’s carries Grace, but here comes Izzi!

Lash catches Izzi in her arms, and she DRIBBLES them both in the ropes! Lash TOSSES Grace and Izzi aside, then brings Izzi up to bump off buckles. Lash goes back to Jaida to bump her off buckles, but Jaida jumps on to Lash’s back! Jaida is a backpack, Izzi hobbles that way, but then Grace CLOBBERS Izzi! Grace rains down forearms, then she reels Izzi into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Lash drops to her knees, so Jaida copies Grace! CAMEL CLUTCH for Lash! But they’re close enough so that Grace can SLAP Jaida! So Jaida SLAPS back! It is a SLAP fight with dueling submission at the same time! But this lets Lash and Izzi rise up!

Lash and Izzi RAM Jaida and Grace into buckles, Lash bails out, and Izzi runs corner to corner! Jaida dodges and ROCKS Izzi! Jaida puts Izzi in the ropes, talks trash and CHOPS her! NXT returns to single picture as Jaida runs side to side, for the TEARDROP! High step, then she runs up on Grace. Jaida blocks a boot, ROCKS Grace and puts her in the ropes! TEARDROP!! More high stepping, but here comes Lash! Jaida dodges the pump kick, fireman’s carries, and SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up and even Fatal Influence applauds. Grace runs up, Jaida fireman’s carries, but Izzi BOOTS them both down!

Izzi scoops Grace, swings her, SIDE SLAM! Cover, LASH SPLASH! “This is Awesome!” as Lash stands Izzi up. Lash UPPERCUTS Izzi back down, then she brings Jaida up. Lash whips Jaida to ropes for a scoop and gut wrench, then she throws KNEE after KNEE! Lash SMACKS Izzi with Jaida to then TOSS Jaida! Cover on Jaida, TWO!! Jaida survives and Lash is annoyed. Lash goes to Grace but Grace CHOPS! Grace hops up, but Lash ROCKS Grace! Jaida BACKSTABBERS Lash! Jaida climbs up after Grace and throws forearms. The fans rally while Jaida and Grace brawl, and Lash joins in! Lash Electric Chair Lifts, then shifts to a fireman’s carry!

Jaida flails and manages to sunset flip through! Lash stays up, only for Grace to CROSSBODY! This lets Jaida have the cover, but Izzi breaks it! The fans fire up and Jaida CHOPS Izzi! Izzi ROCKS Jaida! Jadia ROCKS Izzi! Izzi ROCKS Jaida! Jaida goes to a corner, Izzi runs up, but Jaida ELBOWS her away! Jaida goes up, Izzi ROCKS her! Izzi climbs, but Lash is back! Lash climbs up to join Izzi on this, only for Grace to climb up over them all! SUPER DUPER DOUBLE SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX INSANITY!! The fans are losing their minds, and even the Fatal Influence can’t believe what they just saw!

Grace crawls and covers Lash, TWO! Grace covers Izzi, TWO! Grace covers Jaida, TWO! Grace is furious, but she scoops Jaida for a POWERSLAM! Grace goes up, up, and VADER FLOPS as Jaida moves! Jaida runs to HIP-NOTIC!! But she sends Grace outta the ring! FLYING CODE BREAKER from Izzi! PUMP KICK from Lash!! Lash TOSSES Izzi, then DECKS her!! Lash hauls Jaida up, hooks her up, and hits the LASH EXTENSION!!! Cover, but Grade slingshots and DOUBLE STOMPS!! The fans fire up and Grace BOOT WASHES Lash outta the ring! Grace torture racks Jaida for a TOWER HACKER BOMB!!! Cover, GRACE WINS!!

Winner: Jordynne Grace, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Champion)

Perhaps “new” isn’t really the right term when Grace has had opportunities in the past. However, could the third time truly be the charm? Or will the Fatal Influence help Jacy Jayne survive The Juggernaut?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here to set the stage for the many events on the horizon. When news broke that Joe Hendry was challenging for the TNA World Championship at Slammiversary, it was clear it would be against Trick Williams, so of course Trick was winning tonight. Good promo from Hendry, and I think his claim of showing up to NXT more often is a subtle way of having him gradually move to NXT and WWE over time. Trick making that deal with Wes & High Ryze fits, too, and we’ll get a great match from Wes VS Hendry. If that acts as the go-home segment, I feel like Hendry would have to lose against Wes, even if he’s cheated, to fit him winning at Slammiversary.

Great showing from Briggs in that match, but I think his first singles title is going to be more a midcard title, not any company’s top title. Great promo from Oba Femi and Yoshiki Inamura, but of course Jasper Troy got involved again. Troy’s attack on Je’Von will definitely factor into the #1 contenders match next week, as we’re not going to get Oba VS Troy 2 so soon. And while Oba VS Inamura will be great, I’m pretty sure Oba retains. Je’Von VS Tavion was awesome stuff, especially with how Tavion was showing his great technical skill. But the stakes being Tavion leaving NQCC sure gave away that Je’Von was winning. Je’Von and Troy are going to have a very good match, but I feel like that is a win for Troy.

Good promo from Dark State, but Cutler needs to work on not sounding so stiff. And I would think they’re the ones that attacked Hank ‘n’ Tank, the faction will start with taking the tag titles before going for the others. Speaking of which, great stuff in the D’Angelo Family story with the Heritage Cup being part of it now. I am glad the British Rounds returned, but I’m a little disappointed they just skipped the third using a commercial break for it. And Luca was glancing up at Tony a bit too much before “accidental” bucket strike. That could be shoot, Luca just wanted to make sure the spot would work out, but they could use it for kayfabe. Either way, Stacks is new Cup champion, Tony is growing more paranoid and angry, so it is only a matter of time until Tony melts down.

Very good match from Saints VS Adonis, but naturally Saints win, and naturally Ethan has to ruin it. Good promo from Ethan with Ava, and I like that Ethan is going to call on Vanity Project to be his backup. Obviously Ethan VS Ricky will happen, title on the line, but I would love if they added a “Loser Leaves NXT” stipulation because the story is clearly these two need to be separated. Ethan can lose, given the title to Saints, and then use this “banishment” as his call-up. Good promo from Myles and Lexis to set up their match, and I feel like Lexis will cheat to win. Then his “advice” can be to do anything you have to in order to win.

Good promo from Chase U to finally force Chase to face how things went last time. I appreciate the direction they’re going with this, I’m sure they’ll have a promo next week where Chase properly apologizes. Great opening promo from the four main eventers tonight, and good promo from Thea and Lainey to help lead into the main event. #ZaRuca had a good interaction with Izzi & Tatum, who then have a good interaction with Shawn Spears & Niko Vance. That main event was great, but I had a good feeling Grace would win. The Fatal Influence talked trash on Blake Monroe, I feel like Monroe will get back at Jacy, but I fear that will cost Grace her title match. In that scenario, Grace moves on to main roster and Monroe is the one to dethrone Jacy at the next major show. As I said before, that’s a shame for Grace, but not everyone gets to be a top champion in their NXT run.

My Score: 8.9/10

So close to the crowns, we can almost taste them!

Randy Orton and Asuka are waiting, who will join them in the King & Queen of the Ring finals set for Night of Champions?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman; Bron wins.
• Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez; Jade wins and advances to the finals.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley; Becky wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
• King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso; Cody wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Seth Rollins is here!

Columbus, Ohio is ready to #BurnItDown as they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” The Visionary leads the way for Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, The Wise Man handling the Money in the Bank briefcase. They’re all feeling good after devastating LA Knight to the point of indefinite leave of absence from the bruised ribs caused by multiple Spears and Tsunamis. Rollins revels in the singing in his best Michael Jackson’s Bad ensemble. Heyman hands Rollins the mic, and Rollins says, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins! I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am…” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!”

Rollins takes off the sunglasses while the fans bark for Bron, and Rollins says, “Columbus, you are sending me mixed signals here. So let me ask you a question: All of you, everyone in this building, what do you want?” There is barking but there also seems to be chants for CM Punk. Rollins says exactly! One minute, the fans chant for CM Punk, then the next minute is the OTC, and then they’re barking for “The Dog,” then they’re singing his song! Which they do again.

Rollins says it is painfully obvious that the fans have no damn idea what they want, so Rollins does not care what they want! They don’t know what is good for them, so they need people like Rollins, visionaries like Rollins, to tell them what IS good for them! Rollins wants to try an experiment. Wrap your tiny little brains around this: Even the things that you think you want are because of Rollins. Roman Reigns, the OTC? He exists because of Rollins! CM Punk came back to the WWE because the fans chanted his name? No, CM Punk is back in the WWE because this company wanted to cash in on how much Rollins HATES CM Punk!

Cody Rhodes, The American Nightmare… There is no second coming of Cody unless Rollins is there to put Cody on the map! The World Heavyweight Championship? Rollins was the first! NXT Championship? Rollins was the first! Those things exists as they are because ROLLINS built them in HIS image! Rollins is the creator, the prime mover, the past, present, and FUTURE of this company! Rollins says between him and his “Oracle,” Paul Heyman, they know a thing or two about revolutions. And every revolution faces opposition. Rollins will deal with that opposition diplomatically until that opposition pushes Rollins and forces his hand.

That is exactly what happened to L A Knight, YEAH! Knight stuck his nose in Rollins’ business, and he got Tsunami after Tsunami after Tsunami for it! And… In a few minutes’ time, Rollins’ dog, Bron Breakker, has an opportunity to do the same thing to another person that has been a thorn in Rollins’ side: Penta. The fans cheer but Rollins will spell it out for us. There are a lot of people who think they’ve got what it takes to exist at the very top. Champions like John Cena and Gunther, or even their challengers like CM Punk and Goldberg, or even the King of the Ring entries, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Randy Orton!

But what they all fail to understand is they are all running a race for second place. “This (MITB briefcase) is the finish line. This is the endgame. It has and always will be Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” But wait, here comes Bron’s opponent! Will Penta’s #CeroMiedo be the key to ruining Rollins’ plans? We find out, after the break.

PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman!

Raw returns and the match is already underway as Bron rains down fits in the corner. The ref counts, Bron drags Penta up and whips him to ropes. Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles around! Bron sputters to his feet in a corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up, Penta brings Bron out, but Bron fires body shots. Bron shoves Penta, Penta dodges again to springboard and CROSSBODY! Penta keeps going, GAMANGIRI in the corner again! Then a HEADSTAND DROPKICK! The fans cheer Penta on while Bron bails out. Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” and Columbus joins in.

Penta builds speed, but Bron is back in! BACKDROP! The fans bark while Bron seethes. Bron stomps Penta, digs his forearms into Penta’s face and throat, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Bron reels Penta in, suplexes, and paces. The fans rally as Bron circle Penta. Bron stands Penta up but Penta fires body shots. Penta CHOPS, the fans cheer, but Bron kicks low. Bron whips, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Bron is amused now. Heyman coaches Bron to keep on Penta, and Bron RAMS into Penta again and again. The fans rally for Penta and the ref counts. Bron stops at 4 to bring Penta around.

Bron headlocks, Penta powers up and out, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges now! Bron builds speed and LARIATS! The fans bark and Bron says, “Since his first day here, he’s been trying to keep up with me. You’re never gonna beat me, ever!” Bron stomps Penta at the ropes, the ref counts, but Bron stops at 4. Bron stares down the fans as they either cheer or bark. Bron stands Penta up and scrapes Penta’s face off ropes! Bron hoists Penta up top, climbs up to get him, but Penta fires hands! The fans rally for Penta, Bron staggers back, but then Bron UPPERCUTS! Penta flops to the apron! Bron climbs, he drags Penta up by his mask, but Penta CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Penta runs and jumps to RANA! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles away! Penta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Penta fires up, aims, and SUPERKICKS! But Bron just gets mad! Bron runs up, but Penta DUMPS him out! Penta then PLANCHAS, but Bron catches him to a fireman’s carry! But Penta slips free! Penta POSTS Bron, slides in the ring, and Penta KICKS Bron from the apron, Penta builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Bron at the ramp but Penta is also in bad shape. The ref hurries to check while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and now Bron and Penta are down behind the desk! It was first Bron hitting a GOURD BUSTER on the post, then Bron hitting his signature FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, “This is Awesome!” as Bron and Penta rise. Bron brings Penta around the way to put him back in the ring. Bron stomps Penta, and stomps, and stomps, stomps, stomps! Bron then whips Penta to a corner, but Penta BOOTS back! Penta then ELBOWS Bron, runs up, but Bron grabs him by the neck! Gorilla press for the GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Bron grows frustrated, but Columbus cheers Penta on!

Bron looms over Penta, clamps on a headlock, and he grinds Penta down. Penta endures as Bron claims Penta wants to quit. Heyman says a smart person would quit! The fans rally, Penta fights up, and Penta fires body shots! Penta whips, Bron reverses, but Penta KICKS back! Penta dodges Bron, kicks the legs out, then runs to SLING-DOG! Bron flounders into a corner and the fans fire up with Penta! Penta winds up to CHOP! Penta whips corner to corner, Bron reverses, but Penta goes up and over! Bron holds onto ropes to stop the Backstabber, so Penta O’Conner Rolls, then rolls through, PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Bron escapes but Penta rises up! The fans fire up as Penta calls his shot! Penta runs in, DEST- NO, Bron throws Penta back! Penta SUPERKICKS, goes up, but Bron somersaults?! Bron JUMP KNEES Penta! Bron then runs back up, goes right up, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman grows frustrated, but Bron brings down the straps. Bron builds speed while the fans bark, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta calls his shot, runs up, but Bron grabs Penta again! Another gorilla press, but Penta DDTS out of it! And now, RUNNING DESTROYER!!! Cover, TWO!!

Bron survives and shocks Penta! The fans can’t believe it either, but “This is Awesome!” Penta and Bron rise, and Penta brings Bron in. Penta pump handles but Bron switches! Bron back suplexes, Penta lands out and mule kicks the legs! Penta fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard into the SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Bron ends this one in the blink of an eye with a rather badass counterattack! Rollins returns to ringside to celebrate with Bron, and he tells Penta this is his final warning: Stay out of Rollins’ way! Will Penta listen? Or will Penta stay in the fight against Rollins’ “revolution?”

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

The Raw General Manager is discussing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with the SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, but has to end the call as someone walks in. AJ Styles is here and asks why Pearce wanted to see him. Pearce says that Liv Morgan is out with injury, but apparently Dominik Mysterio is, too. What? What’d Dom do, strain his mustache? Pearce says the paperwork is legitimate so now the match at Night of Champions is off. Styles says this is just Dom ducking him! He’s gonna go make sure Dom’s hurt. Pearce stops Styles there and says to trust him. When Dom is 100%, Styles is first in line to challenge him.

Styles says fine, he will be waiting. Styles exits, but is Dirty Dom just pulling some kind of charade to avoid a phenomenal title defense? That aside, The New Day walks in, along with Grayson Waller. Xavier Woods says go on, Styles, go on. Kofi Kingston says champions are dropping like flies. A shame, really. Woods is happy they have time to talk with Pearce, they have an idea for a photoshoot. New shirts, great abs, it makes sense. Pearce says he actually wants to talk with them about a match. A MATCH!? Yes. For the tag titles. Against Finn Balor & JD McDonagh. WHAT!? But also, guess what else? It. Don’t say it! Is… Don’t…!! Official! NO!!

Pearce thanks them for dropping by, and Kofi says he is so bad! Pearce knows. Waller hangs back and tells Pearce not to treat his new friends, the NEW~ DAY~, like that! Waller leaves, Pearce sighs, but will the Judgment Day have their day against the New Day next Monday Night Raw?

Exclusive interview with Bill Goldberg.

Michael Cole sat down with the living legend to talk about the revenge he wants against Gunther for the comments made last year. That revenge will be Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. What is it about Gunther that put Goldberg in this kind of mood? Goldberg answers with his own question: Did we expect anything less from Goldberg? Was there any way he was going to let those comments slide? Cole knows that’s a no. Goldberg takes his family to a WWE event as a fan. They try to relax and have a good night, no worries about opponents. And he steps into a verbal assault from Gunther.

The lack of respect from Gunther that Goldberg say that night was pretty unbelievable. Astonishing even. Did Gunther embarrass Goldberg in front of his wife? Yes. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his son? Absolutely. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his fans and adopted home of Atlanta? 100%. So there was no way Goldberg was going to let Gunther get away with it. Goldberg didn’t know where and he didn’t know when he would seek revenge, but he was going to introduce Gunther to the true Goldberg. And it didn’t matter if he was 58 or 28, Goldberg could have one foot in the grave, no one is going to talk to him like that.

So yeah, Gunther embarrassed Goldberg in front of his family. So as Goldberg is vying for a retirement match, wondering who his opponent would be, it was rather serendipitous that Gunther has put himself in that spot. This is the logical choice. As long as Goldberg can step foot into the ring, he will make Gunther pay. Goldberg vows to beat to F outta Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Goldberg is fired up for what will be his FINAL match, and it will be for the World Heavyweight Champion! Will Goldberg add one more reign to his legacy? Or will Der Ring General crush the seemingly unbreakable?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

With WWE 2K on autopilot in the background, the supposedly hurt Dominik says he misses Liv already. Raquel does, too, we all do. Even Finn. But they all know Liv, and they all know Liv wouldn’t want them sitting around and sulking. Dom is still Intercontinental Champion, and once he’s cleared to compete, he’ll show Styles exactly why he is “Dirty Dom.” And Roxie, she faces Jade Cargill tonight. When Roxie beats Jade, she’ll go on to become Queen of the Ring! And then he and JD have a tag title match next week, and they will bring those belts home! And Raquel, she IS the Women’s World Tag Team Championship, she’s got this!

Raquel brings up that Aldis and Pearce are working out a decision on these titles. Finn says they’ll cross that bridge when it comes. And well, maybe if Rhea shows up… WHAT WAS THAT?! See? That’s the fire Finn wants from Raquel! That’s the enforcer they know! Raquel can’t just let Rhea walk all over her. She needs to be the enforcer, and the enforcer they know would make Rhea pay. Raquel agrees with that! She’ll go take care of her! Raquel heads out and Dom still misses Liv. Roxie assures him, it’ll all be okay. Dom wishes Roxie luck tonight, and now Roxie heads out. The boys are a bit torn, but will Finn be right about everything?

Lyra Valkyria finds Bayley backstage.

The Morrigan asks if The Role Model has a second to chat. Lyra wishes Bayley luck tonight against Becky Lynch, and apologizes for being a bit salty last week. Nobody knows more than Lyra how much Bayley has earned her match with Becky. Speaking of, Becky was walking this way, but sees these two and turns around. Bayley says wow, she didn’t know she needed Lyra’s approval to get this title match. Lyra says that’s not what she means. Bayley cools off and apologizes. This match has been on her mind all week, but she promises that when she beats Becky, Lyra is first in line. Lyra says okay, so they’re cool? They’re cool.

Lyra wishes Bayley luck and heads out. Bayley finishes preparing, but will she be able to bring down The Man? Or will #FiveStarBecks stay golden?

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez!

The Storm is in Columbus, and she wants to reign as the Queen of the Ring. But The Prodigy has a long list of accomplishments backing her up, will she just add QOTR finalist to it? Or is Jade about to step right over her to go against Asuka?

Raw returns as Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. Jade and Roxie approach, but then Roxie bails out. The fans boo but Roxie says we do this on her time. Jade dares Roxie to bring it, and Roxie takes her time stepping back inside. Roxie and Jade circle, feel things out, but Roxie smirks as she goes to the apron. The fans boo more but Roxie just smiles. Jade scowls but Roxie steps back in. They circle again, but Roxie dodges Jade to SLAP her! Then Roxie runs for it! Jade gives chase, they get back in the ring and Roxie headlocks. Jade blocks the takeover to THROW Roxie to a corner!

Jade runs in, blocks a boot, then ROCKS Roxie. Jade pops Roxie up and holds her up, but Roxie slips through to sunset flip! Jade YANKS Roxie back up, puts her back in the corner, and runs in again. Roxie dodges, then she ROCKS Jade! Roxie takes a bow, but Jade huffs ‘n’ puffs. Roxie gets worried, apologizes and then bails out again. Jade again gives chase, they go back in the ring, and Roxie runs up. Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the FLAPJACK still finds her! Roxie flounders around but Jade eggs her on. Jade stands Roxie up to SLAP her back! Roxie flops out of the ring and Jade goes after her. Roxie HOTSHOTS Jade in the ropes!

Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Jade stops that to hit a BACKBREAKER! Jade storms up on Roxie, TOSSES her across the way, and she fires Columbus up. Jade does push-ups because Roxie isn’t enough of a workout! The fans cheer while Roxie flops out of the ring. Jade storms after Roxie, the cat ‘n’ mouse continues, and Jade avoids hitting steps! Jade ELBOWS Roxie back, then fireman’s carries. Jade carries Roxie around, high-fives some fans, then goes up the steel steps! But Roxie slips free and CHOP BLOCKS! Jade sits down hard on the steps, then Roxie DROPKICKS one of the knees! Jade writhes and Roxie goes back for more!

Roxie stomps away on Jade’s leg while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roxie UPPERCUTS Jade in the corner! Roxie rolls, comes back, and UPPERCUTS again! Roxie rolls again, runs back in again, but Jade catches her! Jade hits a back suplex but Roxie lands out! CHOP BLOCK! Jade is down and Roxie runs, UPPERCUT against the ropes! Jade falls back, Roxie goes up, up, and LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and Roxie shrieks in frustration! Roxie grabs a leg, steps over, and has the standing toehold! The fans rally while Jade endures. Jade keeps her shoulders up as she reaches for Roxie, and the fans rally up again. Jade kicks at Roxie with her free leg, then BOOTS her down!

Roxie flounders to a corner, runs up on Jade, but Jade scoops! Roxie slips around to have a SLEEPER! Roxie is a backpack and she brings Jade down to a knee! But Jade fights up and RAMS Roxie in to a corner! The fans fire up as Jade is free! Roxie goes up a corner while the fans duel, and Roxie CROSSBODIES! But Jade catches her! The fans fire up as Jade then FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jade shakes her bad leg out, kips up, but the bad leg still bothers her. Jade runs, and she rallies on Roxie with ax handles! Then a BOOT! Roxie rebounds into a SPINEBUSTER! Jade fires up, slaps the leg into working, and the fans rally behind her.

Jade waits on Roxie, brings her up with a choke grip, and she gets a taste! CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives the slam dunk and Jade is stunned! Jade hurries to grab at Roxie but Roxie grabs ropes. Jade throws Roxie, then SUPERKICKS! Roxie wobbles, Jade chicken wings, but Roxie victory rolls! And then a step over to an O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Jade kicks, Roxie dodges, and Roxie SUPERKICKS! Roxie shrieks, runs, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MSYTICA! Then the handspring, DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Roxie is furious that Jade survives! Roxie shrieks as she flails and hammers away!

Roxie drags Jade up, tells her she’s messing with the wrong prodigy, but then Jade ROCKS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, then hops on, but Jade slips free! BOOT! A glancing blow, but Jade hurries to get Roxie up! POWERBOMB! High stack, Roxie fights, so Jade spins her and chicken wings! JADED!!! Cover, Jade wins!!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

Roxie may be a prodigy, but Jade is proving to be a force of nature! And wait! Here comes Asuka! The Empress of Tomorrow struts her way out on stage, and she takes off her kabuki mask to look Jade in the eyes. Jade is the storm, but Asuka has the fire, will these two change the entire landscape of the WWE Women’s Division?

Sheamus talks with the Alpha Academy.

The Fella says he told them before, Natalya & Maxxine have a great chance at those Women’s Tag Team Championships. Natty thanks Sheamus, that is appreciated, but Sheamus did a great job in last week’s KOTR Fatal 4 Way. He shouldn’t lose sight of how great he is. Maxxine says sorry it didn’t work out. Sheamus says it’s fine, at least he got to put Rusev in his place. Akira Tozawa says next time… Oh, but here come Rusev. Rusev tells Tozawa to go, and Sheamus has The Alpha Academy move on. Rusev asks if Sheamus is still pretending to be everyone’s friend. This place is full of people like that. They smile to your face, but then stab you in the back.

Is Rusev trying to rile Sheamus up? Cuz Sheamus is used to beating his own drum. And that drum is ten beats o’ the Bodhrain, and he’d love to do it on Rusev’s chest. Rusev says he does his damage in the ring like a god, while Sheamus does his back here like a snake. Oh, Rusev’s a god now? Some god. Rusev was the most embarrassing and egotistical member in the League of Nations. That’s what Sheamus remembers. And he’s tired of talking. So no more BS. Put up or shut up! Rusev vows to make new memories. Rusev leaves, but when and where will Bulgarian Brute and Celtic Warrior have their grudge match?

GUNTHER is here!

The fans are a bit torn seeing the World Heavyweight Champion make his way to the ring, belt around his waist, and surprisingly no suit jacket. That must ironically mean Gunther is all business as he grabs himself a mic. The fans boo, but Gunther says, “Last week was supposed to be my celebration. Me, celebrating regaining what’s rightfully mine, the World Heavyweight Championship! But instead, none other than Bill Goldberg walked down here, looked me straight in the eye, and told me that I am next. So I did a lot of thinking. I thought a lot about what it means to be ‘next.’

“Usually being next means getting speared outta your boots, Jackhammer, 1-2-3, and waking up, looking at the lights. Bill Goldberg is the most destructive man of his generation. But it is not 1999 anymore! It is 2025, and right now, I’M THE GUY!” The fans are torn on that, surprisingly. Gunther says he is the best wrestler in this company, and the world title around his waist proves it! Gunther says he heard what Goldberg said. Intense as always. But nothing changes Gunther’s perception about him: That is a 58-year-old one trick pony that can’t lace Gunther’s boots! The fans are torn again, but Gunther wants to take this moment to apologize.

Gunther apologizes to Goldberg’s wife and son… for everything he is about to do to the man that used to be Goldberg! Gunther is unlike anyone Goldberg has ever faced! Gunther embarrassed him once, and he will embarrass Goldberg again at Saturday Night’s Main Event! It is Gunther’s personal responsibility to make sure that the myth that is Bill Goldberg DIES! Der Ring General storms back out and the fans are just as fired up! Will this be a human demolition derby in Atlanta?

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

Jackie Redmond is with The Man and apologizes for interrupting as Becky prepares for her match. But Jackie was hoping for her thoughts on- Becky interrupts and says her thoughts are on how she just saw Bayley and Lyra conspiring to work together! That is the only way they can get this title off her! Well, she’s said too much already. Becky hurries off, is paranoia getting to her? Meanwhile, Jackie spots Sami Zayn. Jackie asks Sami if he has a second. He is coming off a loss to Randy Orton, but we all know how much becoming world champion means to him. She has to ask, how is he processing the loss?

Sami starts with, “Um,” but then Karrion Kross joins. Kross mockingly asks what kind of response is, “Um.” But he isn’t trying to upset Sami. Sami must be really, really happy. Kross believed everything Sami said last week. “I’m good enough to become the world champion!” But what happened? What Kross said would happen: Sami wrestled The Viper, and got dropped. Kross wants Sami to get it through his thick skull: the way Sami is now, the way Sami wants to be, that Sami will never be world champion. Sami shakes his head, but then says, “Okay. Okay.” Then Sami DECKS Kross! Sami tells Kross he is done talking! Sami talked to Pearce. Their match is official! Tick-tock.

Sami leaves, Scarlett checks on Kross, but then she says, “Stop it.” They were both playing along and they’ve suckered Sami in! Will Sami’s time fade away as he goes up against Mr. Doomsday?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley!

Well, you can’t spell “megalomaniac” without “MAN,” and that’s what The Man has become. But will all the power and glory Becky has cheated to gain go away? Or will she foil the “conspiracy” between Role Model and Morrigan?

Raw returns as Becky makes her entrance in a very big fur coat. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which horsewoman wears the gold!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Becky and Bayley slowly circle, talk a little trash, and then tie up. They go around collar ‘n’ elbow, and Becky pulls Bayley’s hair! Bayley puts Becky in the corner, grinds forearms in, but then Becky shoves Bayley. Bayley eggs Becky on, so Becky SLAPS Bayley! Bayley fires a flurry of forearms in the corner! The erf counts, Bayley whips Becky corner to corner and fires more forearms! The ref counts again, Bayley climbs up, but Becky slips free! Bayley runs to CLOBBER Becky! Bayley then runs to ELBOW Becky in the back! And then SLIDING- NO, Becky rolls through the lariat to have the arm!

Bayley fights, stands, and steps over, but Becky trips Bayley up! Becky goes for the arm again, they go around and around, and Bayley TOSSES Becky through ropes! Becky shoves Bayley away, then RAMS into her! Becky steps in, but Bayley HOTSHOTS her after all! Becky flops to the floor and the ring count starts. Bayley slides out, runs up the steps, and she FLYING ELBOWS Becky down! The fans fire up and Bayley brings Becky up. Bayley ROCKS Becky, Becky BODY SHOTS, but Bayley SMACKS Becky off barriers! Bayley puts Becky in at 7 of 10, then she goes up the corner. AX HAN- NO, Becky grabs the arm!

Bayley fights the takedown and shoves Becky away. Bayley runs up but Becky puts her on the apron. Bayley ROCKS Becky, climbs up, but Becky goes to the apron. Bayley drags Becky up by her hair, but Becky HOTSHOTS Bayley’s arm! Bayley falls to the floor and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally as Bayley rises back up. Becky flounders to ropes, Bayley runs up and LAIRATS! And LARIATS! And then dodges a haymaker to SAIDO! Becky stands, Bayley runs, and Bayley KNEES Becky down! Bayley then fireman’s carries, swings, and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Becky survives and Bayley grows frustrated. Bayley huffs ‘n’ puffs as she stalks Becky. The fans rally, Bayley clinches, but Becky slips free! Becky dragon sleepers, Bayley snapmares and hooks Becky up! Becky fights to a SAIDO! Becky then clinches, MANHAND- NO, Bayley fights that to BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up while both women are down! Bayley and Becky each stir, then they roll away to opposite corners. Becky drags herself up with the ropes, Bayley runs in, but Becky dodges! JUMP KICK blocked and Bayley THROWS Becky into buckles! Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Bayley drags Becky into a cover, TWO! Becky survives but Bayley brushes that off to go up the corner. The fans rally, but Becky ROCKS Bayley first! Becky climbs up after Bayley, she and Bayley trade shots! Becky CLUBS away on Bayley’s back, the fans rally up, and Becky hits a SUPERPLEX! Then she grabs the arm, ARMBAR!!

The fans fire up, Bayley stacks Becky, TWO! Becky hast he arm again, but Bayley flips Becky over! O’Conner style cover, TWO! Bayley comes back, gets the legs again, but Becky kicks and kicks and kicks! Bayley still turns her for a HALF CRAB! Bayley can only hold onto the one leg with her one arm, and Becky crawls forward! ROPEBREAK! Bayley lets go at 4, then runs back up to ROCK Becky! Bayley runs up again but Becky BOOTS her! Becky runs up but Bayley ROCKS her back! They go forearm for forearm, the fans duel with every shot, but Bayley has the majority. This turns into a scrap and the fans all fire up!

Becky catches Bayley, but Bayley fights free! Bayley now catches Becky to steal the MANHANDLE SLAM!! But Becky flops all the way out of the ring! The fans fire up while Bayley grows frustrated. The ring count starts but Bayley pursues. Becky stands, and she THROWS Becky over the desk! Becky hurries over, and she shoves the chairs onto Bayley! Becky grabs other chairs and adds to the pile! Becky is literally burying Bayley then leaves her behind! The ring count continues, but wait! Lyra is here and she unburies Bayley! Becky runs up on Lyra to DECK her! Lyra is pissed but Becky gets away!

Lyra wants after Becky but she holds back because this would be a disqualification! Bayley pushes Lyra aside, but Becky DECKS her now! Then Becky runs, but Lyra takes the dropkick for Bayley! Bayley SMACKS Becky off the desk, TOSSES her over the desk, then drags her back up! Bayley POSTS Becky, but the ring count climbs as she THROWS Becky into barriers! Bayley puts Becky in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Bayley climbs up! But Lyra attacks Becky!!

Winner: Becky Lynch, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Lyra is pissed but so is Bayley! Lyra still WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! Bayley drags Lyra into the ring and asks what the hell! Bayley had this match won and Lyra had to go and lose her temper! Becky grins as she gets to scurry away with the title. Lyra realizes her mistake a little too late, but was it really a mistake? Or does she just want to be the one that dethrones The Man?

Chad Gable talks with Ivy Nile.

He tells her not to tell The Creed Brothers, but she has always been his favorite. Now, she should’ve won MITB, and she should still be in QOTR, but she has had Stephanie Vaquer in the way. Next time, do what Gable does like he did to Rey Mysterio, to Otis, and others: Wipe ’em out completely, regardless of the cost. Gable spots someone and says they’ll finish this lesson later. Gable walks over to Penta and says far be it for him to laugh at someone else’s misfortune. That is, unless they deserve it. But in this case, Penta, it was Gable’s pleasure watching Bron destroy him earlier. Maybe Gable will finish the job!

Penta tells Gable to shut up but Gable says maybe he’ll rip that mask right off Penta’s head to show his ugly face! Penta shoves Gable, Gable takes a swing, and Penta dodges! Penta SUPERKICKS Gable down! Penta says he warned Gable! SACRIFICE on the arm!! Refs and producers rush in, as do the Creeds, and Penta leaves for Gable to writhe in pain. Will this keep Gable and El Grande Americano out of action for awhile?

Raquel Rodriguez is in the ring.

Ricky Desperado has a mic, and she calls out Rhea! She insults her in Spanish, and then tells Rhea in English that she won’t screw Raquel outta QOTR and get away with it! Raquel tells Rhea that she could drag her out here by her nose ring, or Rhea can make it easy and walk out here to take the beating she deserves! Rhea makes her entrance and the fans fire up! Mami stares Big Mami Cool down the whole way, and then the fight is on! Rhea dodges to fire hands! Raquel shoves Rhea, runs up, but Rhea dodges, only for the AX HANDLES to find her! Rhea comes back to BOOT Raquel! Raquel bails out and Rhea is fired up!

Rhea steps outside but Raquel RAMS her into the apron! And then THROWS her over the barriers! Rhea lands in the timekeeper’s area, but Raquel says she’s not done! Raquel goes under the ring to bring out a TABLE! The fans fire up for that as Raquel puts the table in the ring. But Rhea stands on the desk! FLYING FOREARM! Down goes Raquel, and then Rhea RAMS her into steel steps! The fans fire up and Rhea grins. Rhea says if Raquel wants tables, then she’ll get tables! Rhea sets that table up in the ring, positions it near a corner, then fetches Raquel. Rhea pump handles Raquel, but here comes Roxie!

Roxie jumps on Rhea as a backpack, but Rhea pops her up onto the Electric Chair! SLAM off the top buckles! But Raquel gets up and under, TEXANA BOMB through the table!! The fans boo but Raquel and Roxie just took down the Eradicator! Will they actually end up amigas because of this?

Raw returns and…

Rhea storms into Pearce’s office! She demands a match with Raquel! Pearce says sure, how about a Street Fight? Even better! Then it’s official! Pearce says he couldn’t have said it better himself. Rhea got up after that table Texana Bomb, but will she make sure Raquel doesn’t get up after their grudge match?

PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week!

It will be a special early edition of Monday Night Raw that starts at 6PM Eastern, 3PM Pacific, live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso!

The American Nightmare and Main Event Jey Uso have a long and storied history, from battling Roman Reigns and The Bloodline together, to holding the tag team championships together, to holding the top championships in the WWE at the same time. But now, only one of them can go for the crown. Will there be adrenaline in the soul? Or will we all YEET on the way to the Night of Champions?

The fans want to YEET “One More Time!” so Jey says why not. The music starts and Columbus gets to YEET again! Then Cody makes his entrance, and the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, the bell rings, and the fans duel between “Cody! Cody Rhodes~!” and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Cody and Jey soak in the moment, nod and shake hands, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. These two circle, feel things out, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, and Cody powers Jey back, only for Jey to headlock. Cody powers up and out but Jey RUNS him over! Cover, ONE! Cody sweeps to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff!

Cody and Jey reset, the fans duel even harder, and the two feel things out. They tie up, Cody wrenches and wristlocks, then cranks on the arm. Cody puts Jey in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey arm-drags Cody, Cody arm-drags Jey, and the fans cheer the new standoff! Jey shakes out his arm and resets with Cody again. They tie up, Cody waistlocks, then headlocks. Jey endures the grind while fans sing for Cody some more. Jey wrenches at the hold, headlocks in return, but Cody powers up and out. Cody stays back of the up ‘n’ over, then dragon sleepers! Jey snapmares free, but Cody narrowly avoids the superkick!

Jey says it was that close, YEET! Cody nods and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Cody has Jey in a FIGURE FOUR! Jey endures, reaches out, and the fans rally! ROPEBREAK! Cody lets go quickly and he brings Jey back around. Cody spins Jey but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Jey then mule kicks, pops, locks ‘n’ UPPERCUTS! But Cody kicks to then RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this but Jey stays focused. Cody crawls away, Jey backs up to the opposite corner, “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cody sputters, Jey goes up the corner, and USO SPLASH onto knees! Cody drags Jey into a KIMURA!! Cody uses what The Beast once used on him!

The fans rally, Jey endures, but Cody cranks on the arm! Jey fights up, whips Cody away, and then Jey has the SLEEPER! Jey uses what he used on Gunther! Cody fights and flails but he’s fading! Cody drops to a knee, and Jey becomes a backpack! Cody gets a second wind, but even that fades! Cody gets a third wind and he hoists Jey up! The fans fire up as Cody then runs and DUMPS Jey up and over the top rope! The fans rally while both men are down! The ref calls to Jey and starts a ring count. Jey stirs at 3 of 10 while Cody huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands back up. Cody builds speed, and Cody DVIES into an UPPERCUT!

The fans fire up and Jey hurries to the corner. Jey climbs, but Cody ROCKS Jey first! Cody climbs up to get Jey, “This is Awesome!” as the two brawl up top! Cody goes to the very top, but Jey HEADBUTTS him down! Jey adjusts, but Cody springs right back up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cody and Jey both writhe, and Cody goes to the apron while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Cody fires hands on Jey! Jey is down on his knees, Cody CLUBS and ROCKS him again! Jey shoves Cody, but Cody fires more shots! Jey counter punches! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Cody JABS! JABS! JABS! Cody flips, flops, and- UPPERCUT from Jey! Jey pops, locks, puts some stank on it, but Cody ROCKS Jey! Jey ROCKS Cody, then runs, btu Cody follows and CLOBBERS Jey! Cody goes to a corner, Jey runs in, but Cody goes up and over! Only for Jey to fake Cody out on the snap powerslam! Cody staggers up, into Jey’s SNAP POWERSLAM! Jey uses a very Cody kind of move, and then he puts on a dragon sleeper!

Cody KNEES Jey away, then runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Cody is a bit surprised. “This is Awesome!” and Cody watches Jey stir. Jey rises, Cody brings him around, springboard and- NO, Jey ducks the Disaster Kick to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives and Jey is the one surprised! The fans rally up as both men go to ropes. Jey aims from a corner, runs in, but into a KICK! Cody goes to the corner, goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and Cody is shocked! But then Cody fires himself back up, the fans rally even harder, and Cody waits on Jey.

Jey rises, Cody dragon sleepers, but Jey spins it around?! CROSS RHODES from Jey!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives his own move and Jey is beside himself! Columbus is thunderous as Jey goes back to a corner. Jey watches Cody rise up now, and he SUPERKICKS Cody back down! Jey dares Cody to get back up, and Cody does rise back up. Jey SUPERKICKS again! Cody falls but Jey drags him around. Jey whips, runs, and SPEARS!! But that isn’t all as Jey puts Cody in a drop zone. Jey climbs up a corner, but Cody is right back up!! Jey and Cody go for a ride in the SUPER DUPER CODY CUTTER!!!

The fans are electric as Cody puts Jey in the dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, CODY WINS!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

These two know each other so well, that’s how they were able to push each other this far! And while he is still Main Event Jey Uso, he loses out to The American Nightmare! Cody shows his friend great respect by kneeling down and looking him in the eye. The fans cheer as the friends stand up together and hug it out. But now this puts Cody on a collision course with his friend and mentor, Randy Orton! Will Cody or Orton be crowned King of the Ring?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw as the go-home to Night of Champions, which is still happening as of this moment. Great opening promo from Rollins to put everything in perspective, while also calling out the fans at the same time. Great segue into Bron VS Penta, and that was a great opening match. Bron winning makes sense, the henchmen need to stay strong if they’re also to be contenders in their own right, whether for tag titles or midcard titles. And great bit with Penta and Gable, this would be a great way to expose El Grande as Gable with the “bad arm.”

Good promo from Sheamus with Alpha Academy and then with Rusev. Sheamus VS Rusev 1v1 is going to be big, but I suddenly want there to be a “Best of” series, so they can go like four, five, six matches, or as Sheamus would put it, banger after banger. Then the winner is more than primed for a title shot, either Intercontinental or World Heavyweight, and they could make a very good case for winning. Speaking of which, not sure how real Dom needing time to heal up is, but Judgment Day said Dom needed it so I guess it isn’t them fooling everyone. Styles VS Dom might be set up for Saturday Night’s Main Event with this delay to help build that show up.

The New Day had a good promo with Adam Pearce, too, with them being so offended at the idea of defending the tag titles, and now Waller trying to be the new third man or something. But hey, I’ve been wanting to see someone somewhere book a Heel VS Heel thing, so here we are, and Waller can make a great counter to like, Dom being the cornerman for Finn & JD. Also, good stuff with Raquel, Rhea and Roxie. Roxie helping Raquel get one over on Rhea is a nice touch, and it probably leads to Roxie & Raquel defending the tag titles together. Whether or not Roxie screws Raquel over is still up in the air with Liv’s shoulder injury so much worse than expected.

Goldberg and Gunther had very good promos to hype their match, and I kinda liked Columbus, OH being on Gunther’s side there. And with it being a combination of retirement match yet also title match, that practically screams, “Rollins is going to cash-in.” Maybe, just maybe, Goldberg wins to have that last title reign and then Rollins cashes in, making it one of the shortest reigns ever. Or to get even more heat from Goldberg’s fans, Rollins cashes in during the match to parallel his Heist of the Century moment.

Good promo for Bayley and Lyra, and very good promo from Becky where she assumes the worst. Becky VS Bayley was great, but they could’ve done a lot better with Lyra messing up the finish for Bayley. Lyra running in there when Bayley was up top felt like Lyra was being far too foolish. Now granted, the other way would’ve been an “accidental” punch on Bayley where Lyra was aiming for Becky, so they were kinda stuck. But obviously, this helps them set up a Triple Threat for the title, and they should put it for Evolution.

Great promo from Sami and Kross, especially with Sami finally hitting Kross. Sami VS Kross being for Night of Champions is great stuff, because Sami finally gets to be part of a big PLE again. And since this is all working to Kross’ plans, maybe this brings Sami closer to turning Heel. Great tournament matches tonight, Jade beating Roxie made sense when Roxie has her Judgment Day story to fall back on, and Asuka VS Jade is certainly a big deal. I feel like either woman could win, but given the stories we’ve got going, I’m leaning towards Jade because of Naomi being Miss MITB, but we definitely need to see Asuka VS Iyo happen for the Women’s World title, too.

Cody VS Jey was awesome, practically a PLE match, but as I figured, we are now getting Cody VS Orton in the finals. That is because Cody will win, then face Cena at SummerSlam, and I would think Cody wins there, too. It makes me also think that we could get a wild double turn. Fans are loving what Cena is doing, he could go back to being Face while we finally get that Homelander Heel Cody fans have been curious about during his time in AEW.

My Score: 8.9/10