Coverage
Mitchell’s Evolve 10th Anniversary Special Results & Report! (7/13/19)
10 Years and Counting!
Evolve comes to the WWE Network!
A major milestone of 10 years is worth celebrating in a big way! And so the WWE brings Evolve’s anniversary special to the Network, and puts together sensational crossovers such as Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa for the NXT Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Josh Briggs VS Anthony Green w/ Brandi Lauren; Briggs wins.
- Four Way Freestyle: Sean Maluta VS Curt Stallion VS Stephen Wolf VS Harlem Bravado; Wolf wins.
- Arturo Ruas VS Anthony Henry; Ruas wins.
- No Disqualifications: Brandi Lauren VS Shotzi Blackheart; Lauren wins.
- Colby Corino w/ Sean Maluta VS Babatunde; Babatunde wins.
- Evolve Tag Team Championships: The Unwanted VS AR Fox & Leon Ruff w/ Ayla Fox; Fox & Ruff win and become the new Evolve Tag Team Champions.
- Matt Riddle VS Drew Gulak; Riddle wins.
- Evolve and WWN Championship Unification: Austin Theory VS JD Drake; wins and is the undisputed Evolve and WWN Champion.
- NXT Championship: Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa; Cole wins and retains the NXT Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Many WWE Superstars owe a lot to Evolve Wrestling.
For 10 years, Evolve has been a place for wrestlers to hone their craft and find themselves. In the days before NXT, Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre and many others came through Evolve. It was named for the need to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of pro-wrestling, and that is what it represents to this day. And so, to give back, WWE brings Evolve LIVE from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia!
Lenny Leonard shows us the future here tonight as many Evolve stars are ready to fight. They’re ready to evolve and achieve dreams! But as the wrestlers slowly exit the ring, there’s a low blow with the ropes! The cheap shot artist, Harlem Bravado, is told to get out while his victim, Stephen Wolf, is checked on. But the last one in the ring is Josh Briggs, the Professional Disliker of People. He takes the mic to say that “Tonight is about opportunity!” Tonight, he takes HIS opportunity! Briggs demands that Anthony Greene get back in the ring to face him now! Greene’s manager says for Greene to go, so he gets in the ring, and tears off the pants! The referee keeps the peace while we get a proper introduction.
Josh Briggs VS Anthony Green w/ Brandi Lauren!
Chances are, Briggs does not like #RetroAG, but maybe he just has a thing against fanny packs. Brandi helps AG with his jacket and pack and we begin this opening match!
Briggs and AG tie up as fans duel. Briggs just tosses AG to a corner! Then he tosses him out of the corner across the way! Briggs runs corner to corner but misses, but he puts AG on the apron. AG swings but Briggs blocks to slingshot AG into a backbreaker! Fans cheer as Briggs sneers at AG. Briggs drags AG to whip and swing but AG ducks to huricanrana! AG clutches his back as he walks into another backbreaker, then sidewalk slam and splash! Cover, TWO! Briggs grins as he waits for AG to stand. AG sees the choke slam hand and bails out! But Briggs chases after, only for AG to slip back in. AG runs into a boot, but Brandi anchors Briggs’ feet! Briggs shakes her off but AG kicks him at the ropes.
AG has a leg and DDT’s it into the mat! Then AG hops to the apron, only to get grabbed around the throat! AG kicks out the bad leg then boots Briggs down! AG builds speed to DIVE, into Briggs’ hands! For an apron choke slam! Philly is fired up for Briggs, who glares at Brandi as she checks on AG. Fans duel as Briggs gets back on the apron. Briggs drags AG up but AG blocks the kick to kick the leg out, then SUPERKICKS Briggs down! Briggs slowly stands up, to get AG’s springboard cutter to the apron! Brandi cheers AG on as AG clubs away on Briggs. AG drags Briggs up for a swift right hand! Briggs staggers around the corner but AG bumps him off the apron. AG puts Briggs in then climbs up top, to springboard twisting crossbody! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Briggs as AG catches his breath.
AG stalks Briggs to a corner to throw big hands and a CHOP! Briggs’ bad shoulder comes into play but he holds onto the ropes. Briggs whips AG but AG elbows back and snapmares Briggs into buckles! AG stomps a mudhole into Briggs’ legs! The ref backs AG off but Brandi gets a cheap shot in! AG comes back and drags Briggs to a cover, TWO! AG smirks as he looms over Briggs. Fans build to a rally and Briggs pushes AG down. Briggs runs but into a jawbreaker and neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Brandi grows frustrated for AG, but fans say “Retro Sucks!” AG ignores them to drag Briggs up. He suplexes but it’s Briggs with the X-Plex! Briggs catches his breath while AG slowly stands.
AG runs in but into an elbow. Briggs dodges AG and sends him out, then is ready when he returns. Briggs breaks through the lariat for a leaping lariat of his own! AG is in a corner and Briggs runs in for a big back elbow. Briggs goes side to side to get a SUPERKICK from AG! Brandi taunts Briggs but Briggs revives to boot wash AG over and over! Briggs brings AG out, whips, backbreaker to butterfly backbreaker! Cover, TWO!! AG survives and Brandi is relieved. Brandi talks smack to Briggs but Briggs just gets angry. Briggs drags AG up and back suplexes, but AG fights out. AG trips Briggs to go for the leg, but Briggs throws him off. AG cartwheels through to forearm Briggs in the corner! Then AG runs, but into a BOOT!
Briggs scoops AG and hits a crucifix Michinoku driver! Cover, TWO!? Briggs is shocked that AG still lives! AG crawls to ropes and Brandi coaches him up but Briggs whips. AG kicks Briggs but it barely does a thing! Briggs blocks another kick but takes the enziguri! He’s still up! Briggs fakes AG out but AG enziguris again! Back suplex and hammerlock to chickenwing DRIVER! Cover, TWO, into a Half Crab! AG has the bad leg but Briggs endures to get the ropebreak! AG lets go reluctantly, but he stomps the bad leg. Brandi talks more smack while AG climbs up top. AG leaps for a 450 but rolls through as Briggs dodges! Briggs puts AG in a corner, blocks a kick but takes another enziguri. School boy into buckles! AG grins as he climbs up again. But Briggs revives to rock him with a right!
Briggs climbs up and brings AG around like a backpack. But Brandi anchors them down! The referee EJECTS Brandi! But in the meantime, AG gets on Briggs’ shoulders for a SUPER VICTORY ROLL! Cover, TWO!? Now AG is shocked, but he SUPERKICKS Briggs, then SUPERKICKS again! Briggs blocks the third into the pump-handle GTS, the Go To HELL! Then the choke grip, but AG slips out! AG fakes Briggs out, grabs a leg, but Briggs fights free. Briggs grabs AG, AG breaks free and throws a big haymaker! But Briggs grabs with the other hand, so AG punches with his other hand! Briggs switches back to the right hand, but so does AG! Briggs still gets AG with the choke slam POWERBOMB! High stack cover, Briggs wins!!
Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall
And the Professional Disliker takes the first win on this anniversary card! Surely he has to like that. Will this lead Briggs towards a title in the near future?
Evolve looks back on The Unwanted’s history.
As of Evolve episode 123, The Unwanted’s Eddie Kingston and Joe Gacy became the NEW Evolve Tag Team Champions after dethroning NXT’s Street Profits. And even after giving up Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, they reloaded with Sean Maluta. However, they know now from Evolve 131, their new contenders are AR Fox and Leon Ruff. In the present, Eddie Kingston warns Fox and Ruff that he, the Unwanted King, and the Unwanted Maniac, Gacy, will take all those years, all those miles, all those hot dogs and handshakes, they’re not going to let anyone beat them! “Understand something: you may not know us, but you can ask those ‘superstars’ about me.” The world will finally see what the Unwanted can do, but will they retain their titles under these brighter lights?
Four Way Freestyle: Sean Maluta VS Curt Stallion VS Stephen Wolf VS Harlem Bravado!
Speaking of the Unwanted, the Samoan Dragon and their newest member is here to grab his own opportunity with his own hands. But so are the Lone Star, the Leader of the Pack, and the Globetrotter! Who makes the biggest impact on this 10th anniversary special?
Wolf wants at Harlem after that cheap shot to start the show, but the ref keeps the peace again. Each man has a corner and the bell rings. Wolf goes right at Harlem and throws hands! Maluta has Stallion to deal with and Stallion throws big rights and CHOPS! Wolf brings Harlem out while Maluta reverses a whip to back kick. Maluta goes to bomb but Stallion back drops. Maluta sunset flips but Stallion rolls through to stomp! Harlem stomps Wolf into barriers while Stallion covers, TWO! Stallion throws more heavy hands on Maluta then whips. Harlem returns just as Maluta reverses. Harlem grabs Stallion and holds him there for Maluta. Maluta runs in but Stallion gets clear, and Maluta’s forearm hits Harlem!
Stallion waistlocks but Maluta switches. Stallion bucks Maluta off but he runs into a kick. Maluta backslides but Stallion rolls through, to get a buzzsaw! And twisting suplex! But Wolf returns to dropkick Maluta! Wolf runs corner to corner but Maluta dodges to whip Wolf away. Maluta misses in the corner now, and Wolf kicks him away. Wolf springboards to crossbody Maluta down! Wolf howls but Harlem clubs him down! Harlem soaks up the heat but gets CHOPS from Stallion! Harlem ducks the third chop to roundhouse Stallion down! Fans boo but Harlem just soaks up the heat. Wolf gets up and baits Harlem in to dump him out. Wolf builds speed to FLY! Direct hit wipes Harlem out and the pack howls with Wolf. But Maluta climbs to LEAP onto him and Harlem! But Stallion builds speed to FLY onto all three!
Fans fire up behind the Lone Star as he gets Maluta back in. Stallion waistlocks, deadlifts and German Suplexes! Bridge cover, TWO! Stallion keeps his cool as he drags Maluta up again. Maluta throat chops Stallion! Maluta CHOPS Stallion back then runs, but Harlem dumps him out! Harlem waves bye before giving Stallion CHOPS of his own. Then he fakes a chop to give a jab. Harlem sees Wolf jump in and gets under to scoop Wolf to a dragon sleeper. Stallion runs in, but gets caught by Harlem, for Harlem to DDT and complete shot them both! Harlem covers Wolf, TWO! Fans say “You Still Suck!” to Harlem, and then Wolf fights back. Harlem still fits Wolf for a big back suplex and cover, TWO!
Harlem keeps on Wolf with a stomp in the corner. He drags Wolf up to CHOP, then whip corner to corner. Wolf reverses and runs in but gets an elbow. Harlem hops up but Maluta forearms him down onto ropes! Stallion returns but gets a SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK for Harlem! Wolf springboards into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up for the Savage as he covers Wolf, TWO! Maluta keeps his cool as he BOOTS Stallion down. Maluta drags Wolf up but gets a jawbreaker! Wolf runs, Maluta dodges, and they both crossbody! Both men are down gasping for air, but Wolf is up first .Fans rally and Maluta follows. Harlem runs in but gets Wolf’s enziguri. Stallion has Maluta for a Snap German! Stallion and Wolf stare down, but BOOT the others!
Wolf and Stallion sweep the legs, and then corner to corner, dropkick and swinging bronco buster! Stallion fires up, but fakes Harlem out to Sole Food! Wolf monkey flips Maluta down and a double cover, TWO!! Now Wolf and Stallion stare down. Philly duels between them, so they start brawling! Wolf kicks but Stallion CHOPS away! Stallion whips but Wolf reverses and rolling elbows! Wolf runs but into Harlem’s BOOT! Stallion HEADBUTTS Harlem, but Maluta enziguris Stallion! Maluta rips off the wrist tape and whips Wolf. Wolf tiger feints to a lariat! All four men are down and the fans are loving it! Wolf is up first as the fans rally. Wolf drags Maluta up but Maluta blocks the suplex. Harlem throws Maluta out and ducks Wolf’s kick to shove and pop-up to a Death Valley Driver!
Harlem is fired up but fans boo as he drags Satallion up. Double underhooks but Stallion breaks out, jackknife to Alabama, Air Raid Crash! But Maluta hits a FLYING code breaker on Stallion! Stallion gets out of the ring so Maluta goes at Wolf. Wolf ducks the kick and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb! Maluta is in the drop zone and Wolf heads up top. Harlem trips Wolf up! Fans boo but Maluta decks Harlem. Maluta climbs up to join Wolf, but Stallion is back! SUPER INVERTED SPANISH FLY! Harlem has Stallion, butterfly driver! Shooting Star from Wolf to Harlem! Wolf wins!!
Winner: Stephen Wolf, by pinfall
The Leader of the Pack gets the better of all three opponents! And now he’s howling all the way to the back! Will the Globetrotter be back for payback?
Evolve hears from Anthony Henry.
A wrestling veteran of over 16 years, the Patron Saint of Wrestling promises to show the world high impact strikes, slick submissions, and a little bit of everything. His MMA and amateur wrestling makes him a violent hybrid, but it will always be a fight.
Arturo Ruas VS Anthony Henry!
The Brazilian Tiger lives by the code of #TechniqueisEverything and believes his own technique is better than everyone’s. However, we just heard from the Patron Saint of Wrestling, and we know now that Ruas is in for a fight! Who fights harder to prove themselves to the world?
The bell rings and the strikes are swinging! Each man gets clear and now they both know they’re serious. Ruas throws hands and then tackles Henry to the mat. Ruas has the armbar but Henry gets the ropebreak. Henry is let go and Ruas eggs him on in Portuguese. Fans rally as Henry fires off on Ruas! Henry tackles Ruas now and throws his own hands! Henry wants the armbar but Ruas rolls out to go for his own! Ruas clubs and hammers but Henry, bloody nose and all, stands up and slips out. Henry gets through the leg guard to rain down hands. Ruas pushes Henry away and gets him down with a body scissor catch! Ruas has the arm but Henry stands again to go for Ruas’ arm! Henry pulls but Ruas has the monkey grip.
Henry clubs away on Ruas but Ruas stands up and deadlifts! Ruas slams Henry with a powerbomb! But Ruas rains down hands before the cover, TWO!! Henry just escapes but Ruas is laser focused. Ruas kicks Henry in the back, then taunts him more. Ruas toys with Henry before throwing hands in the corner. The ref backs Ruas off and checks on Henry. Henry refuses to back down so Ruas chinlocks him in the ropes. Henry eggs Ruas on so Ruas knees him back down. Ruas talks trash as Henry flops down. Ruas brings Henry up but Henry fires off palm strikes! Henry kicks but Ruas ducks to waistlock. Henry wheelbarrows through to double stomp Ruas down! Ruas and Henry are both reeling from respective damage, but fans fire up for Henry as he hits a windmill kick!
Henry fires himself up as he gives Ruas muay thai knees. Ruas whips Henry into a corner hard, but Henry boots and climbs at the same time! Missile dropkick! Fans are fired up as Henry kips up! Henry runs corner to corner for a big forearm smash, then whips Ruas into a hammerlock back suplex! Henry Northern Lights and floats over to the armbar! Ruas resists but Henry pries that grip apart!! Ruas slips around to a cover, ONE and Ruas bails out. Henry goes to the apron and leaps with a knee! Ruas gets wrecked into railing and Philly fires up again! Henry gets Ruas in and climbs, double stomps but he has to roll through. Ruas dodges again then blocks to counter punch away. Ruas knees, cartwheels and shotgun dropkicks! Cover, TWO!! Henry survives and Ruas is furious.
Ruas drags Henry up for another rain of rights. Ruas soaks up the heat as he drags Henry back up. Cravat scoop but Henry slips into a sleeper with body scissors! Ruas bumps Henry on buckles but Henry is back on! Ruas tries again, but Henry won’t let him be! Henry has Ruas fading, then sweeps the legs! Ruas ducks the Penalty Kick to give an Eddie Gordo Kick! German Suplex and bridge, TWO!! Henry survives again and Ruas is furious. Fans rally up for Henry as Ruas stalks him to the ropes. Ruas throws hands from all sides. Henry boots back but Ruas smears him into ropes. Ruas kicks the legs out but Henry blocks the knee! Henry kicks that leg out to buzzsaw Ruas down! Ruas is down and Henry fires the fans up again.
Henry climbs but Ruas intercepts with big haymakers. Ruas climbs up to join Henry and clubs away on the back. Henry hits back and hits dumdum stomps! Then a tornado DDT! Henry keeps moving as Ruas is down. Henry’s back up top, BIG double stomps! Cover, TWO!? But Henry is right on the Ankle Lock! Ruas endures as Henry twists and wrenches! Ruas rolls and gets Henry down to go at the leg. Both men have a leg lock, but realize this won’t do it. So they start throwing SLAPPING palm strikes! Ruas backs off and fans rally up again. Ruas and Henry throw hands fast and furious and the fans are loving it! Henry gets the edge, but runs into the capoeria heel kick!! Cover, Ruas wins!!
Winner: Arturo Ruas, by pinfall
The Tiger may have even knocked Henry out with that heel kick. Ruas gets a big win in a truly big fight. Will Ruas find himself fighting for a title in the near future? And is there still plenty of fight left in Henry?
No Disqualifications: Brandi Lauren VS Shotzi Blackheart!
To say there is history between the Retro manager and SHINE Wrestling’s Nova Champion would be an understatement. They tried settling things at Evolve 128, but the Pizza Cat would not let Brandi off so easily, and a brawl broke out afterward. Referees would not #LetThemFight back then, but now they have no choice! Will things finally be settled when the gloves are off and the rules are out of the way?
The bell rings and fans cheer for “Pizza Cat! Pizza Cat!” Shotzi and Brandi approach, but someone attacks Shotzi for Brandi! Natalia Markova is on Brandi’s side!? Brandi says this is a No DQ, after all. So the ruthless Russian does all the dirty work with her roundhouse, boot and running X-Factor! Then a running heel kick in the corner! But Shotzi fights back! Shotzi chops away and boots Natalia, and Brandi bails out! Shotzi springboard enziguris Natalia to the corner! Then hits a corner 619! Fans fire up with Shotzi and climbs up, for a big missile dropkick! Natalia is taken care of, and now Shotzi builds speed to DIVE onto Brandi! Direct hit but not without its consequences as Shotzi now has a bloody nose.
Shotzi drags Brandi up to bump off the apron, then walks around the way to look under the ring. She brings out chairs, but as always, “We Want Tables!” For now, Shotzi sticks to the chairs as she sets them up by the ramp. Brandi grabs one but Shotzi mule kicks her down! Shotzi puts Brandi back in the ring, but Brandi wrecks Shotzi with a dropkick into those chairs she set up! Fans are reminded of “E C DUB! E C DUB!” as Brandi brings Shotzi over to whip right into the apron. Brandi grabs those chairs from earlier and reorganizes them. She drags Shotzi over and suplexes, but Shotzi blocks. Shotzi fights back and punches Brandi, but Brandi whips Shotzi into the post! If that nose wasn’t bleeding before, it is now.
Brandi grabs another chair and brings Shotzi over. “I’m giving you exactly what you wanted.” But Shotzi fires off palm strikes and a SUPERKICK! To then run in for a senton onto the chair!! Both women are down but somehow okay to continue. Shotzi drags Brandi onto the apron, but Brandi shoves her into another post! Then grabs her for an apron powerbomb! Fans are reminded of “Kevin Owens!” now as Brandi covers, TWO! Shotzi survives and Brandi grows frustrated. Brandi drags Shotzi up and to a corner to bump off buckles. Brandi whips Shotzi corner to corner but Shotzi goes up and over to roundhouse Brandi! Shotzi runs and dodges Brandi to mule kick then front kick. Rolling elbow to enziguri! Brandi flops into a corner and fans fire up with Shotzi.
Shotzi runs corner to corner for another senton! Brandi slips out to the apron but Shotzi follows. Shotzi grabs Brandi, but Brandi denies Sliced Bread. Brandi kicks Shotzi into this post, then gets to the floor. Brandi brings Shotzi around back to those chairs, but Shotzi bumps her off the apron. Shotz bounces Brandi off those chairs, and then goes under the ring again. She brings out even more chairs, and starts stacking them on the other chairs! Shotzi brings Brandi around, lifts, and sits Brandi on the very top. Fans ask Shotzi, “Please Don’t Die!” but Shotzi fires herself and howls to the moon. Shotzi builds speed but Anthony Greene returns! Shotzi boots him down, then builds speed again, to DIVE! She only gets chairs!! AG moved Brandi out of the way and Shotzi crashes and burns!
Fans lose their minds over the carnage! AG drags Shotzi from the wreckage and puts her in the ring. Brandi covers, TWO!?! But how?! No one can believe it but the fans are loving it! AG hurries to find anything to give to Brandi while fans rally up for Shotzi. AG finds a kendo stick and hands it to Brandi! But now AG has to fight off Curt Stallion! Brandi SMACKS away on Shotzi while the Lone Star makes sure AG can’t do anything more. Shotzi is down, just taking those kendo stick strikes! Cover, Brandi wins!
Winner: Brandi Lauren, by pinfall
There should be an asterisk here that it was almost a handicap match. Shotzi has the fans on her side, so Brandi’s win rings hollow. Will this settle anything between Brandi and Shotzi?
Colby Corino w/ Sean Maluta VS Babatunde!
The Unwanted Son has the Unwanted Savage by his side as he looks to make his own impact on tonight’s anniversary show. But how well will he do against a truly massive opponent?
The bell rings and Colby talks trash to big bad Baba. Colby chops but they don’t do a thing! Fans know Colby messed up, and Babatunde crushes Colby’s hand. Colby punches with the other hand, but Babatunde just LAUNCHES Colby! Colby bails out and regroups with Maluta, but Babatunde hurries out to fetch Colby. Babatunde tells Maluta to back off, and Colby runs at him! But he’s still not big enough! Babatunde grabs Colby, tosses him up onto the apron, and CHOPS him against the ropes! Colby feels his soul leave his body, then Babatunde tosses Colby into the ring. The ref keeps Maluta back, but Colby gets Babatunde with a shotgun knee! The giant is finally rocked, and then Maluta gets a cheap shot SUPERKICK in!
Babatunde staggers into the ring and Colby fires off forearms. Babatunde pushes Colby away, but Colby quickly goes to the corner. Colby springboards and swantons onto Babatunde’s back! Fans duel as Colby covers, TWO and with force! Colby gets mad now as he climbs back up. Colby leaps but into Babatunde’s hand! Babatunde lifts Colby with both hands, to buckle bomb! Then Babatunde runs in for a big corner splash! Babatunde SWATS Colby with one hand, then runs to drop a HUGE elbow! Colby gasps for air but Babatunde isn’t done, HUGE splash! Cover, Babatunde wins!
Winner: Babatunde, by pinfall
The Unwanted still want to fight the big man, so out comes the King and the Maniac. They check on Colby, but he’s still breathing. Eddie Kingston gives a role call, reminding everyone they are the Evolve Tag Team Champions. Maluta takes Colby to the back while Kingston mocks “Bababooey.” “People like you make us sick.” Babatunde gets handed opportunities just because he played football and is 7-foot-whatever. But the Unwanted traveled the road and did things the “right” way. The Performance Center handed Babatunde everything, but the Unwanted will take the “big goofy bastard” out to take his spot.
But wait, here comes their challengers! AR Fox and Leon Fox, along with Ayla Fox and The Skulk, won’t let The Unwanted do what they want. They DIVE onto the Unwanted, wrecking them to the barriers! Babatunde takes his leave so Fox and Ruff can handle their business right here and now!
Evolve Tag Team Championships: The Unwanted VS AR Fox & Leon Ruff w/ Ayla Fox!
No need for introductions or raising the belts here, the fight continues where it left off! Fox and Ruff build speed again, but The Unwanted get clear. So they just change direction and DOUBLE DIVE anyway! Kingston and Gacy are taken out and Philly fires up with the challengers. Fox and Ruff get back in the ring, but Kingston and Gacy drag them out for big haymakers. The Unwanted regroup, and Gacy DIVES, but misses Fox to only get Kingston! Ruff runs over to climb up and FLY onto The Unwanted! Ruff holds onto the Unwanted, and Fox springboards for an IMPLODING CANNONBALL! It proves a little double-edged as Fox clips the barriers, but he’s up on his feet! Philly is thunderous as Fox and Ruff put Gacy in.
Ruff CHOPS Gacy, then goes acrobatic and even shows off a little for the huricanrana! SUPERKICK and buzzsaw from Fox, then Ruff adds an Eddie Gordo kick before Fox hits a cutter! Ruff German Suplexes and bridges to a cover, with Fox on top! But Kingston breaks it up! Kingston throws hands on Fox and Ruff, but they duck his double clotheslines to double enziguri! Ruff brings Kingston up as Fox goes to a corner. But Kingston shoves Ruff forward to get Fox’s cutter! Gacy handsprings to give Fox a cutter!! Then the Unwanted combine, discus lariat to saido suplex! Ruff is all alone as the Unwanted hit a corner train, and double forearms! Cover, TWO! Ruff lives and Kingston is seething.
Fans rally for Ruff as the Unwanted coordinate again. Scoop slam from Kingston, then from Gacy. Kingston gets up top and Gacy suplexes Ruff up there for him. SUPER POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Fox returns but gets the Russian Leg Sweep STO combo! Kingston has Gacy go at Ruff but Ruff fights back! Ruff throws hands and chops but the Unwanted mug him in the corner, and CHOP away! Kingston even headbutts Ruff before he hoists Ruff up top. Kingston climbs up to join Ruff, and SUPERPLEXES Ruff into Gacy’s powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Ruff shocks the Unwanted with his resilience! Ayla and the rest of the Skulk rally for Ruff, as do the fans. The Unwanted toy with Ruff and then bring him to a corner. Gacy hops up top and Kingston suplexes, but Fox saves Ruff. Kingston turns around into Fox’s SUPERKICK while Ruff enziguris Gacy!
Ruff climbs, but Kingston body checks Fox! Gacy and Ruff brawl, and then Ruff kicks Kingston, for a backflip DDT! Fox hits the springboard Spanish Fly on Gacy! Double covers, TWO!! They were so close but still so far from winning! But Philly still believes in Fox and Ruff as they regroup. Fox drags Kingston and whips, but Kingston blocks. Kingston backhands Fox right down! Gacy runs at Ruff, but Ruff goes to crucifix. Kingston drags Ruff off Gacy and into a half nelson. Discus Half ‘n’ Half combo! Gacy covers Ruff, TWO!! Ruff is proving to be superhuman and it infuriates Gacy. But Gacy and Kingston coordinate. Kingston looms over Ruff as Gacy gets a table! Gacy sets that table up while Kingston keeps Ruff in a corner.
Kingston sits Ruff up top to CHOP, then climbs up to join him. He wants to bomb Ruff! Fox goes Coast 2 Coast on Gacy! Ruff fights back and hits a SUPER CRUCIFIX, the Ruff Ride! Ruff then DIVES onto Gacy, through that table!! Fox gives Kingston the 450 Splash! Cover, Fox & Ruff win!!
Winners: AR Fox & Leon Ruff, Fox pinning; NEW Evolve Tag Team Champions
The Skulk has gold! Philly is ready to celebrate along with them as they dance it out in the ring! But will this be the last The Skulk has seen of The Unwanted?
Evolve looks at the history of Catch Point.
The now WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Drew Gulak, founded a team of “like-minded wrestlers” in Evolve, all the way back in 2015. Catch Point was a philosophy. The style was all about isolating weakness, and taking back what is the heart of pro-wrestling. Gulak wanted his group to be strong, so he recruited Matt Riddle into the fold. Riddle agreed that wrestling is about taking the opponent down by any means necessary. You beat someone down, make them submit, or just knock them out.
And so when NXT returned to Philly recently, Drew Gulak threw out an open challenge! Who answered? Matt Riddle, naturally. Riddle said the 10th Anniversary was the perfect place to do this, bro. Now Catch Point partners face off in a match four years in the making. Who will prove themselves the superior submission specialist?
Matt Riddle VS Drew Gulak!
This #CatchPointReunion doesn’t need to be for titles or anything like that. It is all about both men’s pride and skill as true wrestlers. Will the Original Bro slow the Philly Stretcher down on the way to Extreme Rules? Or will Gulak make Riddle simply tap out?
Catch Point trainees take a jog around the ring, and then stand at attention for the captain! Philly’s own walks in and his trainees give the Catch Point salute before taking their leave. The bell rings and the Catch Point founders stare down. They circle and tie up. Gulak keeps Riddle off him, and they go again. Gulak spins around but Riddle trips Gulak up, but Gulak kicks Riddle away. Fans are loving this as Riddle and Gulak test the waters. Riddle throws hands and gets Gulak down but Gulak is ready with a facelock. Riddle rolls Gulak and gets a rear mount but Gulak slips out the back. Gulak has a leg but Riddle rolls through to escape the ankle lock. Philly sings for their hometown hero as he and Riddle approach again.
Riddle and Gulak tie up and go around, and Riddle pushes Gulak against ropes. Riddle backs off and Gulak circles with him again. Gulak gets caught in a waistlock and Riddle slams him down! Riddle keeps on that rear mount but Gulak endures as Riddle grab the arm. Gulak stands up out of the hammerlock but Riddle holds on. Riddle chinlocks but Gulak pries the hands away. Gulak turns Riddle around and into the GuLock! But Riddle rolls off! Riddle has the arm but Gulak has the ropebreak right away. Fans cheer as Riddle backs off. Gulak and Riddle circle and tie up again. Riddle powers Gulak to a corner but the ref gets them apart, only for Riddle to throw hands. Riddle kicks away on Gulak, but Gulak boots back! Gulak hops up and leaps, into a Bro-Trigger!
Both men are down but Riddle is up first to hit the Bro-Ton! Cover, ONE, but Riddle is on the arm again. Gulak endures but Riddle wants the Bromission! Gulak pops out to a cover, ONE! The two back off and fans cheer this technical exchange. Gulak and Riddle circle again as fans duel. Riddle throws jabs and kicks but Gulak throws haymakers. Gulak gets knees in then snap suplexes Riddle to a cover, ONE! Gulak and Riddle glare as Gulak gets a cravat. Riddle fights back but Gulak snapmares to a cover. ONE, but Gulak CHOPS Riddle on the back. Gulak puts on a headscissor and grabs a leg to deny Riddle’s escape. Riddle moves up and around, pops out, but Gulak ducks the Penalty Kick! Gulak and Riddle circle again and start throwing hands!
Gulak facelocks, then Gotch holds. Riddle fights his way out but Gulak headlocks. Philly decides they love “Both These Guys!” as Gulak drags Riddle down. Riddle endures the chinlock crank and works out the back. Riddle throws big hands but Gulak standing switches and rolls, but into Riddle’s powerbomb! TWO, Bro-Trigger blocked! Into Gulak’s bomb! High stack, TWO, but into a Half Crab! Fans are loving this back and forth as Riddle endures. But Riddle powers up and gets the ropebreak! Gulak falls off the hold, just as tired as Riddle right now. Gulak goes right at Riddle and throws big uppercuts! He drags Riddle up but Riddle throws hands back. Riddle CHOPS away from both sides, then ducks Gulak’s lariat. Ripcord Bro-Trigger! Cover, TWO!!
Gulak survives and goes to the corner, but Riddle drags him out to drop another Bro-Ton! Riddle goes to a corner and climbs up top. But Gulak grabs him for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down but fans still duel and rally. Riddle crawls as a standing count begins. The count reaches 5 before Gulak sits up. Gulak and Riddle head for each other, and Riddle CHOPS Gulak around. Gulak grabs a leg but Riddle sprawls. Riddle clubs and ax kicks away on Gulak’s back! Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO! Gulak grins and Riddle scowls as the two stand up again. Philly says “This is Awesome!” as Gulak and Riddle throw hands again. Gulak headbutts low then does it again. He waistlocks Riddle up to a full nelson. Riddle resists and slips around to the GULOCK!? He’s taking Gulak’s move!!
But Gulak knows how to get out, only for Riddle to get a triangle! Gulak gets the ropebreak and Riddle holds on until 4. Riddle stomps Gulak down then drags him up, but Gulak cradle counters! TWO, and Riddle CHOPS! Fisherman buster and cradle cover, TWO! Philly is on their feet as Catch Point’s battle continues. Gulak rolls to the apron as fans duel harder than ever. Riddle drags Gulak up for a sleeper at the ropes, but Gulak hotshots him away! Gulak gets up as Riddle gasps for air. Gulak grins, but Riddle is right on him for a deadlift SUPER German!! Like a certain Golden Star! Riddle climbs as fans chant “Yowie Wowie!” FLOATING BRO, into the GULOCK!! Gulak has Riddle flailing and reaching, so far from ropes! But Riddle flips over, to gut wrench Gulak, BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
The Catch Point reunion did not disappoint, and Riddle can say he beat the Cruiserweight Champion! But will Gulak have better luck against the Premier Athlete, Tony Nese, at Extreme Rules?
Gulak grabs a mic to speak. “Catch Point was founded on three things: competition, opportunity, and respect.” Fans cheer those pillars. Gulak tells Riddle that as Cruiserweight Champion, in an Evolve ring, “bro, you are a hell of a competitor. I respect you, and it is always an honor.” The two shake hands and even hug it out. They give their Catch Point salute, and Philly joins in. Gulak even tells Curt Stallion something real quick. “I’ve got news for you. Matthew Riddle handpicked you to be his opponent tomorrow,” so hopefully the Lone Star is up to the task. Stallion and Riddle will have their showdown, will it become a #Brodown?
Evolve welcomes Bryan Idol.
Apparently, “Evolve wouldn’t be where it is without Bryan Idol,” but only Idol seems to think that. Fans boo this special guest ring announcer even as he struggles to make the introduction for the next match. Fans even tell Idol to STFU. Idol has a dry throat it seems. He refocuses, but then the lights go out? When they come back up, Idol isn’t in the ring, it’s PAUL HEYMAN!! Philly loves Heyman and “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Heyman bows to his Philly faithful and then sees the mic Idol left behind. Fans tell Heyman “Welcome Back!” and Heyman introduces himself. He is honored and privileged to be back, especially after fans chant, “Thank You, Heyman!” Heyman thanks them in return, because he is honored to be home.
Heyman lets us in on a personal secret that Heyman has always been offered all sorts of guest spots on all sorts of shows, but he doesn’t really do that kind of stuff. To be honest, he wasn’t actually invited here. But don’t boo, it was because Evolve just knew Heyman doesn’t do this. But this time, Heyman asked Evolve if he could be here tonight. Heyman has to tell the “shmuck” in the corner to shut up, because he’s the “extreme due with the microphone.”
But to the reason why Heyman is here, it’s because the Evolve fans and roster are the future! Heyman won’t be one of those old guys watching the glory days. He wants to know more about the future of this industry than when he walked in here. But given that Heyman is fat and sweating his ass off, he wants to hurry up and announce this next match. Because a few years from now, when fans watch this back, they’re gonna be thinking, “That was the moment we all knew this industry is going to evolve.”
Evolve and WWN Championship Unification: Austin Theory VS JD Drake!
The Blue Collar Badass from Shelby, North Carolina is seen as the underdog against the #FutureLegend. At least, the Future Legend thinks so. Theory is ready to prove he is worthy of his title, JD’s title, and of every spotlight and big stage from here to Wrestlemania. JD says he’s the better man, but Theory wants to prove he’s put in just as much work. Both men have fought and sacrificed, from losing loved ones to battling inner demons. JD is the every man, but Theory wants to be the man. Whose journey has made them the stronger man as they battle for both belts?
Heyman marvels at the fact Evolve has pyro. But Heyman does his duties as the ring announcer, framing this as a title for title, winner takes all match. Foreshadowing for Extreme Rules perhaps? He also introduces the “reigning, defending, undisputed Evolve Champion, AUSTIN! THEORY!” and “a man who only needs one damn nickname, the Blue Collar Badass” and “reigning, defending, undisputed WWN Champion, J! D! DRAKE!” Fans chant “Thank You, Paulie!” as Heyman makes his exit. With that, the belts are raised, and the bell rings as history begins!
Drake and Theory stare down as fans duel. The two approach and then Drake shoves Theory. Theory SLAPS Drake, so Drake swings punches. Theory ducks, kicks low and underhooks Drake! He wants his finisher, Ataxia, already, but Drake powers out to underhook Theory! Theory denies Drillbit, then starts counter punching. Theory whips but Drake blocks with power. Drake whips but Theory goes up and over then ducks to dropkick! Drake stays standing but Theory dodges, only to get Drake’s dropkick! Theory bails out and shakes out the cobwebs, but Drake builds speed. Drake runs into Theory’s forearm! Theory drags Drake out to throw hands, but then he misses and forearms the post!
Drake CHOPS Theory back and Theory goes reeling. Drake drags Theory up for another CHOP and Theory flops to the floor. Fans want “One More Time!”, so Drake drags Theory up to shove him against the apron, and CHOP again! Theory falls to the floor and crawls away to the ramp. Drake stalks him and throws more hands. Drake wants to bomb, but Theory back drops Drake onto the ramp! Fans fire up as Theory stomps Drake. Theory mocks Drake’s journey of 15 years compared to his sensational 3. Theory drags Drake in and covers, TWO! “C’mon, that was five!” The ref says it was not, and Drake hits Theory back. Theory clubs Drake to a corner then CHOPS. But it only makes Drake made! Theory wants Drake to take it easy, but chops again! Drake doesn’t flinch as he CHOPS Theory again!
Theory gets up to club Drake down and stomps him to ropes. Theory kicks Drake against the ropes, then snap suplexes him down. Cover, TWO! Theory keeps on Drake with a half straitjacket. Fans rally up as Drake endures. Drake throws hands and gets free, but Theory blocks a kick for a saido suplex! Theory hops over to hit the standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps his cool and catches his breath. He stalks Drake to a corner and throws forearms in. Theory drags Drake into the ropes and mocks him, “Tell them a sad story!” Drake CHOPS Theory back, but Theory runs in for a stiff forearm to the back. Theory throws more big forearms, but Drake just feeds off it.
Fans rally up and Drake stands. Drake dares Theory to really hit him. “You can’t hit me harder than life has!” Theory tries with another chop, but Drake CHOPS Theory off his feet! Theory gets up again and clotheslines, but Drake stays up. He keeps trying but he just gets Drake down to a knee. Drake blocks the next clothesline to give one back! Fans fire up as both men slowly stir. They stand on opposite ends of the ring, and Drake runs in, only to get an elbow. Theory runs in but into a BIG scoop slam! Both men are down again while Drake rolls to the far corner. Fans continue to duel as the standing count begins. Drake heads for Theory as they both stand at 6. Theory drop toeholds Drake into buckles, then slingshot shotgun dropkicks!
Drake is in a corner, Theory runs corner to corner, crossbody splash and then a float to a sweep. Slingshot stomps miss and Drake drags Theory out, to toss him up. Theory bounces off the ropes and Drake ROCKS him with that right! Drake rests against the post to catch his breath. He gets Theory back in but Theory rolls out the other end. So Drake DIVES! Direct hit right to the railing! Drake puts Theory back in and runs at the corner, to CHOP! Then he scoops and slams Theory into a drop zone. Drake hops up, Vader Bomb! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Drake keeps his focus. Drake sees an opening so he climbs up again. But Theory is up and clubs Drake’s back. Theory climbs up behind but Drake elbows him away. Drake turns around, leaping leg lariat!
Theory is down in the corner, but he gets clear of the cannonball! Then Theory somersaults, for the blockbuster! Cover, TWO!! Both Drake and Theory are down but fans know “This is Awesome!” The referee checks on Theory but he’s okay to continue with a bloody nose. Theory storms over to Drake and drags him up. Theory underhooks, but Drake resists to tackle Theory to a corner. Drake stands Theory up to CHOP him again! Drake hoists Theory up top to CHOP yet again! Theory gasps for air, and Drake chops even more. Drake climbs up but Theory fights back. Theory slips down, but Drake holds on to punch Theory down. Theory leaps to club Drake on the back! Then he gets Drake in a torture rack!
With wobbly legs, Theory powers Drake through Three Seconds Around the World! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives Theory’s tower hacker bomb and Theory can’t believe! Fans chant “Mamma Mia!” as Theory talks to himself. Theory shouts at Drake, “Your kids are going to watch me!” He drags Drake back up, underhooks, but Drake back drops out! Drake staggers to a corner, but so does Theory. Drake runs in but into a boot! Theory somersaults, into a STUNNER!! Theory flops around, Drake runs in for the CANNONBALL! Then underhook, lift, DRILLBIT! The butterfly neckbreaker hits! Cover, TWO!!! But Drake doesn’t even question it, he just climbs! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!?! Theory still lives and Drake is just exhausted! Philly still loves this match because “This is Awesome!”
Drake and Theory stir, then sit up. They lean on each other, then Drake CHOPS Theory down. Theory sits back up to forearm Drake back. Drake CHOPS again, but Theory comes back with forearms. They stand and pick up steam, Drake CHOPS again. Theory still keeps throwing forearms, Drake ducks one but gets an elbow, to SUPERKICK! Underhook, inside fisherman, and Theory flips Drake, only for Drake to land on his feet?! Drake LARIATS Theory down! Drake hurries to a corner and climbs up again, MOONSAULT FLOPS! SUPERKICK, and another! And another! ATAXIA!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall; still Evolve and NEW WWN Champion
History has been made, and the unified titles belong to the #REALSuperstar! Is this just the beginning of the legend that is the Future Legend, Austin Theory?
Theory takes a moment to soak in the moment before he gets a mic. “Everyone knows that Evolve Wrestling is where it’s at. And everybody’s gonna try their hardest to get here.” Theory tosses down the WWN belt and steps on it as he continues. “They’ll chase their dreams, and realize that the Evolve Championship symbolizes that your dream must go through me if you want to get to where you want to go!” Because Theory is the measuring stick of Evolve! Theory is the standard of Evolve! Theory is the REAL SUPERSTAR of Evolve!
But wait, the lights go down and… Josh Briggs appears! Theory turns around, into the choke slam! Briggs sees the Evolve title and picks it up. He has staked his claim and has sent his message. When and where will Briggs get his shot at his dream?
Evolve takes a closer look at Josh Briggs.
“I get to show the world why I’m the best in Evolve.” This towering titan got into pro-wrestling because “it’s one of the only legal ways to get into a fight with someone.” The Disliker of People is coming for the title, who here can stop him?
NXT Championship: Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa!
This main event practically epitomizes the potential Evolve brings out of its wrestlers! The Stamina Monster of Dragongate USA and former Cruiserweight Champion returns to an ovation of “AH! AH!” But the Panama City Playboy returns to #ShocktheSystem, BAYBAY! Will Cole’s Championship Celebration Tour stay spotless? Or will Tozawa bring that title with him to 205 Live?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this incredible crossover main event begins!
Cole and Tozawa stare down as fans duel. They circle as the dueling gets louder. Cole and Tozawa tie up and go around the ring. Cole gets Tozawa in a corner, but backs off, “BAYBAY!” Fans cheer as Cole takes a bow. Tozawa just smiles and circles with Cole again. Cole waistlocks but Tozawa counters with a wristlock and shoulder breaker. Cole rolls around to wrench Tozawa back. Tozawa rolls and trips Cole to a headlock. Cole fights against the hold but Tozawa holds on. Fans echo “AH! AH!” for Tozawa as he cranks Cole more. Cole headscissors but Tozawa powers out to the headlock again. Cole works his way out of the headlock to get his own. Tozawa powers out but Cole runs him over. Cole brushes his shoulder off but things speed up.
Tozawa slips out of the back suplex and shoves Cole to dodge and tilt-o-whirl into the Iron Octopus! Cole hurries to the ropes and Tozawa lets him go. Tozawa kicks Cole around the ropes and throws hands. He whips Cole corner to corner but Cole tosses him to the apron. Tozawa kicks Cole away then climbs up top. Cole trips Tozawa and Tozawa hits buckles on the way down! Cole bicycle boots Tozawa down! Fans cheer as Cole drags Tozawa back up, and drops him with a neckbreaker. Cole looms over Tozawa as fans duel again. Cole brings Tozawa up and throws a big forearm. He stomps Tozawa in the corner then drags Tozawa up to wrench and whip hard! Tozawa bounces off buckles while Cole flexes.
Cole drags Tozawa up for a snapmare, then drives his knee in. He slaps Tozawa in the head, then wraps on a chinlock. Tozawa endures and fans rally up. Tozawa works his way around and reaches, but Cole wrangles him from the ropes. Fans rally and duel more as Tozawa flops around. Tozawa gets up and fights free, only to run into Cole’s back elbow. Cole catches his breath and looms over Tozawa. “I’m the man now. You hear me? I’m the man. I’m going to be the NXT Champion forever. And you, Tozawa? You suck!” Tozawa SLAPS Cole! Cole throws a forearm but Tozawa gives it back. They brawl now, and Tozawa gets the edge. Cole knees low then runs, but into Tozawa’s fireman’s carry! Cole fights with elbows, but Tozawa still tosses him!
Tozawa runs to shotgun dropkick Cole out! Then Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit with the Tozawa Torpedo! But he’s not done there, Tozawa goes again. But Cole gets clear, so Tozawa becomes a CANNONBALL! Fans rally with “AH! AH!” as Tozawa has to pull his leg from the railing’s gap. Tozawa is free and puts Cole back in. Tozawa climbs high and hits a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Tozawa keeps his focus as fans “AH! AH!” again. Tozawa drags Cole up into a waistlock. Cole standing switches but so does Tozawa. They go back and forth, Cole breaks free to enziguri! And backstabber! Cover, TWO! Tozawa is tougher than that, and Cole keeps his cool.
Cole drags Tozawa back up, fireman’s carry of his own, but Tozawa fights out. Tozawa runs, but into the BOOT! Fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Cole gets to a corner as fans duel again. Tozawa sits up and Cole throws forearms on him. Tozawa just feeds off them! He gives them back and it’s a brawl as fans still duel. Tozawa gets an edge and he beats Cole down to a knee! HE runs, but into another BOOT! Only to fire up more! Another BOOT, and Cole runs, into Tozawa’s boot! Enziguri, then run, but he falls for the feint! JAB rocks Cole, but he still SUPERKICKS Tozawa! Tozawa’s mouth piece flew out!! Fans chant “Yowie Wowie!” for that exchange.
Tozawa and Cole crawl to the same corner, and Tozawa climbs up top again. Cole stops him with a forearm to climb up and join him. Tozawa resists the superplex, but Cole throws body shots. Tozawa throws his own with every “AH! AH!” Cole resists Tozawa’s counter and throws more forearms. Tozawa knocks Cole down with one! Then leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Last Shot brain buster! Cover, TWO!! Tozawa survives and Cole is in disbelief. Cole rolls out of the ring and wants to quit? He takes the title and brings it into the ring! The referee reprimands Cole, but wait! It’s Johnny Gargano!! Gargano distracts Cole, Tozawa rolls Cole! TWO, Snap German!
Tozawa is all fired up and Gargano is fired up with him. But Cole fights out of the waistlock to run. But Tozawa kicks, swings, slips under, rolling roundhouse! Tozawa puts Cole in a drop zone and climbs up again, for the SUPER SENTON! But Cole gets knees up! Cole hops up, DESTROYER! Knee pad down, Last Shot shining wizard! Cover, Cole wins!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall; still NXT Champion
Cole stays your champion, BAYBAY! But Gargano now enters the ring as fans duel between him and the champ. They stare down, and Gargano dares Cole to put the belt on the line between them. Cole refuses, he does things his way and on his time. But the decision is ultimately up to NXT General Manager, William Regal. Will Regal determine if Johnny Wrestling gets another shot at Adam Cole BAYBAY?
While Cole leaves, Gargano checks on Tozawa. Fans chant for them both and Gargano wants a mic now. Gargano appreciates the chants for him, but he wants them to cheer Tozawa again. Fans do with “AH! AH!” Gargano says, “Every single time I step back in this building, I’m reminded how much I truly love what we do.” Gargano was at Evolve 1 in 2009! And 10 years later, Evolve 131 on the WWE Network tells Gargano two things. One: he’s getting old. Two: pro-wrestling in 2019 is “pretty freakin’ cool!” It’s cool because of the fans, so Gargano gives his thanks.
But thinking back, Evolve would close with a particular question. It’s been awhile since Gargano’s done something like this. But does Tozawa remember the question? Maybe. “Did you enjoy the show?” Philly says “YES! YES! WoooooOOO~!” Well give a round of applause for that guy at the end there. And can he do that again? “WoooooOOO~!” Philly loses their minds for that one. But Gargano wants to be serious. There would be no Akira Tozawa, no offense, or Adam Cole, or Johnny Wrestling, if it wasn’t for the Evolve fans. “We all started here, and you let guys let us live our dreams, and we can’t thank you enough for that.”
But there’s one more thing the fans need to do. Tonight wasn’t about WWE, NXT and the crossover, but about the true Evolve Wrestling roster. They are the future of this industry! JD Drake, Austin Theory, Shotzi Blackheart, and the rest! Support them as much as you supported the previous stars. Gargano thanks them on behalf of everyone else. The fans love him and he loves them! But they’re running out of time so let’s wrap this up. Gargano loves the fans, he loves Evolve, thanks so much! With that, Gargano and Tozawa hug and Gargano lifts Tozawa’s hand. Tozawa bows in thanks to the fans while Gargano gives out high-fives to the fans. Evolve has made it 10 years, here’s to another 10!
My Thoughts:
I’m sure covering this event comes as a surprise. This was my first Evolve event ever, and to be honest, I decided to watch this one because of the crossover with WWE/NXT, and because it was going to be on the Network. But I’m sure like me, many WWE fans heard about this, got curious because of said crossover, and took the time to watch this almost-3-hour event during this already busy wrestling weekend. And if not, they might find time later in the week to do it, when there isn’t something they watch. Whenever someone watches this, I’m confident they will be as blown away as I was by pretty much everything they saw tonight!
Jumping right in without any real knowledge didn’t hurt this event at all, because everyone was on their game, and like all wrestling promotions, it did as much as it could to give context while you’re watching and listening. It was clear from the opening the animosity between Harlem Bravado and Stephen Wolf, and the animosity for everyone from Josh Briggs. It was also great to see a lot of familiar faces like Babatunde, Sean Maluta, Arturo Ruas (Jaoude) and even Colby Corino. Maluta getting to be part of a group like The Unwanted is going to be good for him to really spark something in him, since he’s just been jobber Cruiserweight for 205 Live and NXT. It was also good to see other faces from other non-WWE related things like AR Fox (Dante Fox when he was on Lucha Underground).
Briggs VS Greene was a solid opener with the usual but still well done manager tropes. Briggs wins because obviously we see later, he’s on the rise. That Fatal 4 Way with Wolf, Bravado, Stallion and Maluta was incredible, and it feels pretty big for Wolf to win that. And clearly they’re planning ahead to give Wolf and Bravado a bigger feud. Henry VS Ruas, holy hell, can NXT get these guys going more once we’re past Summerslam? Ruas/Jaoude is clearly better than he’s been on NXT, just because NXT’s been stacked. If Velveteen Dream keeps the North American Championship, give the Brazilian Tiger a chance. Or even if it’s Roderick Strong, let Anthony Henry come up with an NXT name and give him a go. Babatunde has a great story building with The Unwanted, he and Colby made that squash match a lot better than normal.
The Unwanted VS The Skulk (I guess is the team name) was a great tag match. It really fits in an apparently tag heavy weekend when you factor in WWE Extreme Rules and AEW Fight for the Fallen. Perhaps tag team wrestling is finally getting some respect. But it was also a great move for this anniversary special to give us new tag champions, this will be big for Fox and Ruff. And depending on how things go, I wonder if Babatunde works with them against The Unwanted for a match or two. The women’s No DQ match was insane, but totally fitting of this Extreme Rules weekend, too. I didn’t know much about Shotzi before this, but she earned major respect doing that tope suicida into the tower of chairs. And while she loses, it works for both her and Brandi to get the right kinds of heat with the story of the match.
Then the last three matches were all so great, with or without the history. Catch Point Reunion, Gulak VS Riddle, wow! This is why Gulak is Cruiserweight Champion and why Matt Riddle needs to be a champion at or after Toronto. It was great to have Heyman back, he’s amazing, and the title unification match was killer. With Briggs on the rise, it works for the Heel to win so now the Face is in the chase. Then the NXT Championship involving alumni was good stuff, but obviously Cole was going to retain with Tozawa being more involved with 205 Live, and with NXT advertising the defense for Wednesday. Gargano showing up was a nice surprise, even though he wasn’t going to cost Cole. Gargano seems to want another shot, maybe he’s the one on Wednesday? And Gargano’s closing speech was great, that seals the deal on both new and longtime Evolve fans sticking with this promotion.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Will Bryan Keith make Rocky RESPECT Chris Jericho?
Chris Jericho tried to get in Rocky Romero’s head ahead of WrestleDream, but will it work? Or will Azucar be Conglomeration 4 Life?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly VS The Kingdom; Cassidy & Kyle win.
- The Acclaimed VS ???; No Contest.
- Kris Statlander VS Amira; Kris wins.
- The Beast Mortos VS The Butcher; Mortos wins.
- Lance Archer VS Matt Brannigan; Archer wins.
- Rocky Romero VS Bryan Keith; Keith wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly VS The Kingdom!
The Conglomeration continues to battle familiar foes and common enemies, and that’s why they’re facing Mike Bennett & Matt Taven. Will Freshly Squeezed & The Violent Artist keep the hot streak going? Or will Bennett & Taven make sure no one can help Mark Briscoe against Chris Jericho this Saturday at WrestleDream?
The teams sort out, Cassidy and Bennett start, and the fans rally for “Freshly Squeezed! Freshly Squeezed!” Bennett and Cassidy circle, tie up, and go around. Bennett puts Cassidy on ropes, the ref counts, and Bennett lets off cleanly. The fans applaud as Bennett waits on Cassidy. Cassidy fires himself up and resets with Bennett. They tie up, Bennett headlocks but Cassidy powers out. Bennett runs Cassidy over, covers, ONE! Bennett headlocks again but Cassidy rolls him up! ONE, and Cassidy headlocks. Bennett powers up and out, RUNS Cassidy over, but Cassidy up kicks back! Sweep and cover, ONE! Cassidy avoids the sweep, and the fans cheer!
Cassidy “kicks” Bennett again and again, but Bennett gets mad! Bennett swings, Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up as Cassidy stalks Bennett. Cassidy headlocks, Bennett powers out and Taven tags in. Bennett drops, Taven hurdles, but Cassidy gets around Taven. Cassidy BOOTS Bennett, then holds Taven’s hand so that they DOUBLE LARIAT Bennett! The fans fire up as Cassidy then BACKDROPS Taven away! Cassidy flexes, then he tags Kyle. Cassidy whips Taven for Kyle to kitchen sink knee! Cassidy runs to basement DROPKICK, Kyle KNEE DROPS! Cassidy runs, to SHOULDER DROP!
Bennett runs up, Cassidy blocks a kick and Kyle sweeps the leg! Kyle PENALTY KICKS, Cassidy runs to sit Bennett back up, and DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! The Conglomeration do their secret high-five, then Kyle fires knees on Taven. Kyle wrenches, wristlocks, and YANKS the arm. Kyle hammerlocks Taven, BOOTS him to a corner, then forearm SMASHES! Kyle whips corner to corner, Taven goes up and over then slides under. Taven DROPKICKS Kyle down, then soaks up heat. “III’M Matt Taven!” Tag to Bennett, and Bennett puts Kyle in a corner. Bennett CHOPS Kyle, ROCKS Kyle, and repeat!
The ref counts as Bennett stomps a mudhole, but Bennett stops at 4. The fans boo but Bennett tags Taven. Taven stomps and ROCKS Kyle, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taven stays on Kyle, tags Bennett, and The Kingdom mugs Kyle. They double whip, but Kyle grabs ropes! Kyle BOOTS Bennett, DUMPS Taven, and tags Cassidy! Cassidy bumps Bennett off buckles, runs him side to side, then does the same to Taven! The fans cheer as Cassidy climbs, to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! But The Kingdom catches Cassidy! Kyle steps in, WRINGS Taven’s arm, and then push-starts Cassidy’s DDT!
The fans fire up and Cassidy kips up! Cassidy DIVES onto Taven! Taven hits railing, Kyle CLOBBERS Bennett and rains down palm strikes! Kyle shifts to an ARMBAR! Bennett resists, but Kyle also has a leg! Cassidy “stomps” Bennett so the ARMBAR is in full! Bennett scrambles to a ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, but he KICKS Bennett in a corner as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Kyle drags Bennett up, wrenches the arm, ELBOW BREAKER, and a whip into the corner. Kyle climbs up to rain down fists, and he goes right to TEN! Tag to Cassidy, Cassidy climbs up, and he goes all the way to ONE! Cassidy then snapmares Bennett, covers, TWO! Cassidy brings Bennett up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Kyle. They KICK and “kick” Bennett over and over, then they both KICK, KICK, KICK! Then they DOUBLE BOOT COMBO! Kyle drags Bennett up to wrench, but Bennett fires a forearm! Kyle wrenches again, but Bennett fires another forearm! Kyle SWEEPS the leg, tags Cassidy, and he covers, TWO!
Cassidy drags Bennett up, but Bennett fights the suplex. Bennett tries to suplex but Cassidy fights it. Rampage returns to single picture as the fight for suplex control keeps going. Bennett suplexes, but Cassidy cradle counters! TWO! Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up and the two crawl, hot tags to Taven and Kyle! Kyle swings, Taven dodges, and Taven SPLASHES Cassidy! Taven then BOOTS Kyle, GAMANGIRIS Cassidy, and HEEL KICKS Kyle! Then Taven scoops Cassidy for a BACKBREAKER, and DDT! Taven says taht’s what Cassidy gets! But Kyle knees Taven low!
Kyle whips, Taven catches Kyle, MOONLIGHT DRIVE! The fans are torn, but Taven LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Taven using Jericho’s move doesn’t work out, but he tags Bennett. Bennett DECKS Cassidy, Taven whips Kyle to a corner, Taven sends Bennett in to forearm SMASH! Taven adds a SPLASH, then feeds Kyle to Bennett, only for Kyle to KNEE Bennett first! Taven DECKS Kyle! Cassidy runs in and tilt-o-whirls Taven, but Taven stops the DDT! Taven suplexes, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Kyle adds AX & SMASH! Cassidy coordinates with Kyle, they DOUBLE KICK Taven down!
Bennett rises, dodges the Orange Punch, and he DECKS Kyle! But Cassidy Alabama Lifts! Bennett fights that, to PILEDRIVER! Bennett blocks Kyle’s kick, atomic drop, ROLLING ELBOW! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and the fans fire up! Bennett sits Kyle up, to then CHOP! And CHOP! Bennett whips Kyle but Kyle BOOTS Taven down! Bennett trips Kyle, CATAPULT, but Kyle DECKS Taven! Bennett sunset flips but Kyle rolls through! Kyle CATAPULTS Bennett, into BEACH BREAK! But JUST THE TIP o’ the knee hits Cassidy! Kyle staggers up, Taven ducks the roundhouse, to SUPERKICK!
Taven goes up the ropes, but Kyle trips him up! PENALTY KICK! Bennett returns but Kyle jumps on, GUILLOTINE! ORANGE PUNCH for Taven!! Bennett is also out, Conglomeration wins!
Winners: Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly, by submission
Cassidy & Kyle keep things going, but they offer handshakes. The Kingdom take them to show respect, will these two teams move on from here as friends now? Will Cassidy & Kyle be poised for tag team championship opportunities after WrestleDream?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.
Renee Paquette doesn’t do the CEO introduction she did on Tuesday, but now it’s not good enough for the Two Belt Boss! Mone says she needs something something, more flava. Then joining her now is- Okay, no, Renee is better off just asking the questions. Renee congratulates Mone on her double title defense victory on Title Tuesday, but those chops from Emi Sakura…! It was like one after another! Wasn’t it like 30 or something? Mone & Kamille tell Renee to stop. Mone is still feeling the pain. But she is The CEO, she has no time for this, it is time to handle business. She has to go jump on her private jet, something Renee knows nothing about!
But Kamille is staying here to watch Kris Statlander very closely. And do you know why? Because money changes everything! Bye-bye, Renee. Mone heads out, Brickhouse stays, and Renee sheepishly exits. Will Kamille make sure the #BornAgainKristen doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk?
The Acclaimed VS ???
Speaking of talking and walking, Platinum Max Caster leads the way for Anthony Bowens as they- GET JUMPED BY MXM COLLECTION!? The fans boo as Mansoor & Mason Madden beat down Caster & Bowens! Mason may have been a football player but he dribbles Caster off the ramp while Mansoor stomps away on Bowens! Mason RIPS the customized jacket, to then CHOKE Caster with it! Mansoor runs Bowens right into the side of the tunnel! MXM is getting revenge for their New York fashion show finale being ruined, and they place The Acclaimed side by side on stage.
Mansoor has Caster’s mic to say, “Now you see what happens, huh!? Now you see what happens when Daddy Ass isn’t around to protect you. We drop you on YOUR asses! And I bet you didn’t think we could do it, huh? I bet none of you thought MXM Collection were capable of this!” Bowens tris to sit up but Mansoor stomps him down. Mansoor says MXM didn’t wanna take it this far! They wanted to keep it light. They wanted to keep it fun. But Acclaimed took something special from them! They took MXM’s Grand Slam Collision moment away!
“So now, we are going to take something from you. Tomorrow night, WrestleDream, MXM Collection BEAT The Acclaimed, and WE are going to take YOUR spot!” The fans boo, but Mansoor says when numbers are even, MXM come out on top. Tomorrow night, MXM will have a very special surprise in their corner. It will be a third man, and Acclaimed, Mansoor promises them, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that third man will make sure they KILL scissoring and bury it once and for all! Mansoor then shouts to Mason, “Touch! My! Tip!” They finger boop as the fans boo, but both challenge and promise have been made. Who will be that third man, brother?
Kris Statlander speaks.
“You ever feel like somewhere along the way, you lost who you were? That’s exactly what happened to me. When you make a change, you need to think where you went wrong or how you got there. For me, everything went wrong when Mercedes Mone showed up. My best friend became obsessed with her. I let Stokely get in my ear, and I got led down the wrong path. I didn’t know who I was, but I did what I needed to do. And on the five year anniversary of Dynamite, I was reminded of who I am. I became ‘Born Again Kristen,’ and I am the biggest, baddest, strongest woman in AEW. I’m coming for Mercedes Mone and her TBS title.”
The Galaxy’s Greatest has her head on straight, but will she be able to earn that shot at championship redemption in the background of WrestleDream?
Backstage interview with The Conglomeration.
Renee is with Cassidy, Kyle and Rocky, and she commends Cassidy & Kyle on their win over The Kingdom. And tonight, Rocky is going to step into the ring with “The Bad Apple,” Bryan Keith. How does he feel ahead of his match? Rocky says he’s a little pissed. On Title Tuesday, The Learning Tree said Rocky was just some lackey for The Conglomeration. But Rocky is no man’s lackey! Tonight, he shows the Learning Tree, and most importantly Bryan Keith, that Rocky is his own man. Kyle says that’s right, Rocky. But um, Mark Briscoe isn’t here tonight, so what’s the word of the day? Kyle really needs to know.
Rocky says the word of the day is they stand back here while he handles business. Rocky heads out, will Azucar get himself some sweet victory? Or will The Bad Apple make him taste bitter defeat?
Kris Statlander VS Amira!
With The CEO’s Brickhouse watching backstage, #BornAgainKristen looks to keep her win streak going. Will there be no stopping Kris on her road back to the TBS Championship?
The bell rings, and Kris runs right up to UPPERCUT Amira in a corner! Then she goes side to side to KNEE Amira, and reels her in for a suplex! Kris holds Amira up to show off that strength, and then she SLAMS Amira down! Kris kips up and the fans fire up! Kris storms back up on Amira, but Amira fires forearms! Kris shoves Amira, Amira ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Kris stops the rana! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Another win that wasn’t just strong, but fast! Kamille is only moderately impressed, but will she be feeling different about Kris after they have a head-on Collision?
Backstage interview with Chris Jericho.
Renee is with The Learning Tree and brings up tomorrow night, WrestleDream, and the ROH World Championship match with Mark Briscoe. However, Jericho has quickly made this match personal with Mark, what is going on? Jericho smiles and says, “Hi, guys~! You know what’s personal to me, Renee? It’s the legacy of Chris Jericho. And after 34 years in this business, I can honestly say I’ve done and seen it all. I have headlined the biggest buildings in the world, from the Tokyo Dome to Madison Square Garden, to Rod Laver Arena in Sydney, Australia. Arena Mexico, everything. Nobody has had the impact over generations like Chris Jericho has.
“And now, it’s the dawn of a new Chris Jericho. As you know, I always reinvent myself, evolve. I was The Ocho. But now, it’s time for The Nueve. And Mark Briscoe, you know what the word of the day is? It’s, ‘Humbled.’ And you need to be humbled. Cuz you got a great rep, everyone feels for you. They give you a lot of free rides. You get to cut a lot of corners. The fans feel the same way, I don’t. So at WrestleDream tomorrow, I am going to humble you, Mark Briscoe. And if I made things personal, that’s just too bad. If I’m getting inside your head, that’s just what Chris Jericho does.
“So tomorrow at WrestleDream, I will become the ROH World Champion, for a second time! Just like Jay Briscoe, two-time ROH Champion. And Mark, that’s going to be personal. See you tomorrow. The Nueve’s coming. Thanks, guys~!” Jericho stops smiling, but will he fail to keep that promise against a very angry Sussex County Chicken?
The Beast Mortos VS The Butcher!
Roderick Strong is on commentary to claim Beast Mortos has simply wondered away from The Kingdom, and he just needs to see he cannot trust Jake The Snake Roberts. But will Mortos only focus on destroying his opponent? Or can The Butcher make Mortos in a prime cut of beef?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, then break. The fans rally, the two tie up again, and then the two break again. Butcher and Mortos fire up, tie up again, and push each other back and forth. Butcher puts Mortos in the corner, the fans chant “BEAT THAT MEAT!” but the ref counts. Butcher backs off, he and Mortos reset, and they tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, but now Mortos powers Butcher back. Mortos lets off, but then SMACKS Butcher! The fans fire up as Butcher snarls. Butcher and Mortos tie up, and Butcher wrenches an arm to a wristlock.
Mortos goes up the ropes to flip through! Mortos wrenches, headlocks, but Butcher powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Butcher says Mortos’s got nothing! Mortos runs, he RAMS Butcher again, and Butcher says that’s nothing! Mortos fires up, runs, and RAMS Butcher again! Mortos eggs Butcher on, so Butcher runs, and Mortos drops! Mortos runs up, Butcher dodges but Mortos dodges back! Mortos rolls off Butcher’s back, then SOBATS! Front kick! ELBOW! Snapmare, and NECK TWIST! The fans fire up with Mortos, even Roddy cheers, and Mortos runs up. Butcher BOOTS back!
Butcher fireman’s carries, GUTBUSTER DROP, then LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Mortos survives, but Butcher stands him up to fire forearms. Butcher whips, Mortos reverses, then runs in. Butcher BOOTS Mortos, but Mortos fires up! Mortos runs in, Butcher dodges, and Mortos hits the corner! Mortos tumbles up and out, Butcher pursues, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Butcher CLUBS Mortos, then brings him around to whip into the apron! Butcher LARIATS Mortos down, and he looms over the beast. Butcher drags Mortos up, to then APRON BACK SUPLEX! Mortos staggers then falls over, and Butcher refreshes the ring count. Butcher ROCKS Mortos, CHOPS him, then stalks him around the way. Mortos SMACKS Butcher! Butcher ROCKS Mortos! Butcher SMACKS Mortos off the steel steps, then stalks him around the way. Butcher ROCKS Mortos again, Roddy shouts for Mortos to get going, but Butcher BITES Mortos on the forehead! The ref reprimands but Butcher stalks Mortos.
Butcher BOOTS Mortos, puts him in the ring, then storms over. Butcher drags Mortos into a chinlock and digs fingers into Mortos’ face! Butcher CLUBS Mortos but Mortos fires body shots! Mortos backs Butcher down, fires up, but Butcher CLOBBERS him from behind! Butcher drops a knee on Mortos, Mortos goes to a corner, and Butcher digs his boots in. The ref counts, but Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and now Mortos has Butcher down. The fans fire up and Mortos storms up to LARIAT! But Butcher stays up! Mortos LARIATS again, but Butcher shakes his head. Mortos runs, but Butcher ROCKS him first! Butcher runs, but Mortos follows to SPLASH at the ropes! Mortos runs and baits Butcher in! HEADBUTT! Mortos roars, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both behemoths down! The fans fire up and a standing count starts. Butcher and Mortos slowly rise, and they go to opposite ends. Mortos storms up to fireman’s carry and WASTELAND SLAM! The fans fire up as Mortos climbs!
The fans fire up as Mortos PHOENIX FLOPS as Butcher moves! Butcher runs up, waistlocks, half nelson and BACKBRAEKER! Then a deadlift JACKHAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Mortos survives and Butcher is frustrated. Butcher points to the corner, climbs it, but Mortos CLUBS him! Mortos torture racks Butcher, BACKBREAKER DROP!! Even Roddy is stunned! Mortos hits a FLYING HEADBUTT!! Cover, Mortos wins!
Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall
Roddy says he was Mortos’ good luck charm! Jake the Snake is watching, he likes what he sees from his new client. But will Mortos be able to bring down Hologram in their WrestleDream Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is with the wild Aussie and asks if there’s any update on Saraya, who suffered in that brutal loss on Title Tuesday in that Fatal 4 Way. Harley says yes, Saraya is once again “incapacitated.” Then how is Harley holding up? She’s capacitated. What? Exactly! But do you know whose fault this really is? Does Renee know whom? Who? No, whom. Just say whom. ANNA JAY! What? She wasn’t even in the match! Exactly! It was an Anything Goes, so Anna could’ve been that anything, but she didn’t show up. Harley had to pull wood outta her ass, but where was Anna? Probably home watching her Stardom tapes? Ohh~!
All of a sudden, Anna goes to Japan and now she’s too big for the rest of them? Anna was supposed to be Saraya’s friend, but she wasn’t there, and now Saraya is pissed. And when Saraya is pissed, Harley kicks ass! Renee is confused, Harley says no more questions, and Harley storms off. Will the Star of the Show pay for simply doing nothing?
Lance Archer VS Matt Brannigan!
He may be part of the Don Callis Family now, but he’s still the Murderhawk Monster! He demolished people in the parking lot, he demolished his opponent on ROH last night, will he just keep on demolishing people until he’s become a champion?
The bell rings and Brannigan flexes right up in Archer’s face, but then regrets it. Archer choke grips, but Brannigan slips free! Brannigan dodges in the corner, CHOPS, but again regrets it. He CHOPS again, and again, then tries a choke grip! Archer just pries the hand away to LARIAT Brannigan inside-out! Archer whips Brannigan, BACKDROPS him, and the fans fire up! Brannigan goes to a corner. Archer runs in to ELBOW! Archer keeps going, and he ELBOWS Brannigan again! And then ELBOWS him again! Brannigan falls, the fans fire up, and Archer drags Brannigan to his feet. Double choke grip, for a TOSS overhead!
The fans fire up while Brannigan flounders. Archer reminds us, “EVERYBODY DIES!” Archer stands Brannigan up, tells the ref to back off, and he CHOPS Brannigan down! The fans fire up, Archer puts Brannigan back in the corner, and he fakes the chop. The fans boo but Archer puts Brannigan up top. UPPERCUT, and then crucifix lift! BLACKOUT BOMB! Cover, Archer wins!
Winner: Lance Archer, by pinfall
Callis loves the dominance of his Murderhawk Monster, but will Callis help Archer finally have gold here in AEW?
Jake the Snake speaks.
It was just after Title Tuesday and the world saw La Faccion Ingobernable join this living legend when Jake Roberts said, “Anybody that knows Jake Roberts knows that Jake Roberts has been all over the world, wrestled everyone. From Andre the Giant to Hulk Hogan and back. It did not matter. But they also know that Jake Roberts never cared about rules. Rules are for children. We’re not children. My friend, what we have here, matadors? Maybe. Maybe ninjas, who knows. I will tell you this: They’re hungry. What are we going to do next? That should be the question in your mind. Because when Jake Roberts tells you something, you can take it to heart.
“Rules are meant to be broken, like bones. And my friend, they’ll be glad to do both for you.” Rush tells us all to remember: If you mess with the bull, you get the horns! LFI throw up the fists, who will get those fists in their face in the very near future?
Backstage interview with Anna Jay.
Renee is now with The Star of the Show and brings up the harsh words from Harley. Harley blames Anna for not being a friend? Anna says yes, that’s right, they’re not friends, never were friends. It was a one-time team up, and they took some nice pictures, but Anna’s not running out to the ring to help two women who wouldn’t even spit on her if she was on fire. Anna takes care of herself, and that is fine. She has her own back, and needs both hands. What has she been saying since getting back? #JustTryMe. So what’s so hard about that? Anna is here and ready for anyone.
Harley wants to kick Anna’s ass? This one? Anna shows it to the camera. Just a heads up, this ass can kick back. Harley has been warned, will she reconsider her misplaced aggression?
Rocky Romero VS Bryan Keith!
Azucar may not be on the current Conglomeration merch shirt, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less a part of the team. Will Rocky make sure everyone, especially The Bad Apple, understands that?
But Keith doesn’t wait for the bell, he attacks Rocky at the corner! The bell does ring, Keith fires off forearms, and the ref reprimands. Keith lets off just to dig his boot in, but the ref tells Keith to stop. Keith snatches Rocky’s eyepatch away, then SMACKS him with it! Keith CHOPS Rocky, whips him corner to corner, but Rocky goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Rocky rains down fists, and he fires up! The fans fire up with Rocky but Keith bails out. Rocky finally takes off his jacket, and goes out after Keith. Keith knees low, whips, but Rocky stops from hitting steps! Rocky SMACKS Keith off steps, then uses steps to go up and FLYING RANA!
The fans fire up while Rocky gives some Latino Heat. Rocky puts Keith in, climbs a corner, but Keith bails out. The fans boo, but then Rocky WRECKS Keith with a dropkick! Rocky hurries out after Keith and the fans rally again. Rocky uses steps again, but Keith catches Rocky! EXPLODERÂ to the floor! Rocky writhes and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Keith storms up on Rocky, rains down fists, but stops as the ref reprimands. Keith paces around, drags Rocky up, and CHOPS him! Rocky staggers away, Keith storms up and CHOPS again. Keith whips Rocky hard into railing! Rocky falls in a heap but Keith still seethes. Keith drags Rocky up, puts him in, and then drags Rocky up just to snapmare him back down. Keith drops a knee on Rocky’s face! Cover, TWO! Keith argues the count but Aubrey defends that two is two. Keith storms after Rocky to CHOP him in a corner. Keith stalks Rocky, bumps him off buckles, then puts him against ropes!
Aubrey counts, Keith lets off, and Keith puts Rocky in a corner. Keith whips corner to corner, Rocky reverses, then Rocky runs up to LARIAT! Rocky fires up, runs again, LARIAT! That’s two-ever but Rocky keeps moving, only for Keith to use Aubrey as a shield! Jericho really has taught him well. Rocky helps Aubrey aside, and he fires haymakers on Keith! Rocky ROCKS Keith, then whips corner to corner. Keith reverses, runs up, and he LARIATS Rocky inside-out! Keith then shouts at the camera, probably “RESPECT CHRIS JERICHO!” Keith clamps onto Rocky with a chinlock and grinds him down.
Rocky endures, pries at the hold, and fights up to his feet. Rocky fires body shots, then ROCKS Keith! And ROCKS him again! Keith CHOPS, Rampage returns to single picture, then he runs up. Rocky BOOTS back, but Keith just roars! Rocky BOOTS him again, then CHOPS Keith on the back! Rocky CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Keith in the chest, then puts Keith in a corner. Rocky KICKS and KICKS and KICKS away, then stomps a mudhole! Rocky digs both boots in, but Aubrey counts. Rocky lets off and is all fired up, as is Spokane. Rocky waits on Keith, runs in at him, but Keith dodges! Keith runs in, but into an UPPERCUT!
Rocky goes up and up and FLYING TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives but Rocky stays focused. Rocky drags Keith up, then runs up to SLICED- NO, Keith slips free of the bread. Keith fires elbows, Rocky ducks one, but Keith runs up ropes! Rocky denies Keith his tornado DDT, and then wrenches, only for Keith to ROCK him! Underhooks, TIGERÂ KNEE STRIKE! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives and Keith is stunned! Keith pulls at his hair in frustration but the fans rally up. Keith tells the kids to sit down, and he watches Rocky go to a corner. Keith runs in, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI!
Rocky goes up, leaps, but into another clinch! EXP- SUNSET FLIP! Keith rolls through, blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Rocky runs up, SLICED BREAD!! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives again and the fans fire up! Rocky pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he goes to a corner. Rocky climbs, but Keith hurries after him! Rocky fights the clinch, ROCKS Keith, but Keith RISING HEADBUTTS! Keith roars, fans boo, but Keith climbs up. Keith turns Rocky around, and BITES Rocky’s head! Aubrey reprimands, but Keith brings Rocky up, only for Rocky to fight! Rocky HEADBUTTS, and cravats!
The fans fire up for the SUPER SLICED BREAD!! Rocky clutches a leg, crawls to the cover, but Keith rolls away! Keith saves himself and fans boo as he goes to the floor. Rocky is frustrated, but he just builds speed. Rocky DIVES and down goes Keith! The fans fire up again and Rocky hobbles after Keith. Rocky drags Keith up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. But Keith talks to Aubrey about pain in his neck. BIG BILL APPEARS, and he YANKS Rocky down! Then he BOOTS Rocky down! The fans boo but Bill puts Rocky in, Aubrey completely missing it! Keith runs in to KNEE Rocky at the corner!
Keith goes up and he reels Rocky in! DIAMOND DUST!! Cover, Keith wins!!
Winner: Bryan Keith, by pinfall
Kyle & Cassidy hurry out here but it is too late! The Bad Apple scores his win off Azucar, and he leaves to celebrate with The Redwood. Will there be no stopping The Learning Tree from having gold in his branches? Or can Mark Briscoe #ManUp and prevent The Nueve’s arrival?
My Thoughts:
A very good Rampage, even for a go-home, but clearly it suffered from the same dilemma as Dynamite in that with no Collision to take the pressure off, a lot more promos and story build had to be put here. Good promo from Mone to play off the one from Tuesday, good promo from Statlander to give us some idea as to why she got away from Stokely, and of course Kris squashes her opponent. Kris VS Kamille is going to be great stuff, and I think Kris sets herself up for a match with Mone at Full Gear. Good promo from Harley and Anna to set up their own match, which I would think Anna wins to get going towards her own title shot.
The Acclaimed being scheduled for a match just so MXM can jump them was pretty clever, but do they really need to have their match on WrestleDream? It feels like the only reason it’s a PPV match is because this third man will pull a Hulk Hogan founding NWO type move. It’ll be a Face going Heel and joining up. I don’t think it’ll be Daddy Ass, there has been no hint he wants out of The Acclaimed. It might be Caster because he wants to break away and prove he on his own is “The Best Wrestler Alive.” This blindside attack would then be a way to disguise that, because Caster got beat up as much as Bowens, but I guess we’ll wait and see.
Mortos VS Butcher was great stuff, and I found it kinda funny that Roddy was on commentary trying to still turn Mortos back to his side. Roddy & The Kingdom claiming all this stuff about Mortos has been pretty funny because clearly it’s all their delusion. Mortos is LFI, he and Hologram are going to have an awesome, potentially show stealing match, and then win or lose, Mortos and LFI will beat up The Kingdom. As such, good promo from Jake the Snake, I really hope LFI gets going this time. Meanwhile, Archer of course destroyed Brannigan, and likewise, let’s hope Archer can get a title now that Callis is his guy.
And really good stuff out of The Conglomeration’s story tonight. Very good tag match to open, can’t go wrong with Cassidy & Kyle VS Kingdom. What’s interesting was the respectful handshake after the match, so that further implies The Kingdom is going Face so they can battle LFI. Good promo from Jericho to give some last hype to the ROH World Championship, but I would hope Mark Briscoe wins. Rocky had a very good promo with Conglomeration, and a great match against Bryan Keith. But I just had a feeling Keith would win thanks to Bill, and good detail that Conglomeration didn’t get out there in time. That technically did honor Rocky’s request that they stay back, but Rocky should’ve known better. I would hope Rocky doesn’t cost Mark the title, we cannot go back to “Ring of Jericho”. No Nueve, por favor.
My Score: 8.6/10
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What does the future hold for the blue brand?
While the WWE United States and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships are on the line, Roman Reigns addresses his future here on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Carmelo Hayes; Knight wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Bianca & Jade win and retain the titles.
- Nia Jax w/ Tiffany Stratton VS Naomi; Naomi wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline; Solo wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jimmy Uso is here!
Greenville fires up as the Prodigal Uce makes his return to SmackDown and goes right to the ring. Jimmy is just as fired up, but also has chills as the fans chant “USO! USO!” Jimmy grabs a mic to say, “I missed y’all, too. And for the past six months, I’ve been waiting to say this. Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!” The fans cheer, and Jimmy says sheesh! Six MONTHS, ya boi been on the shelf. Out of action for six months. The fans chant, “Welcome Back!” and Jimmy smiles. And he was put on the shelf by little brother Solo Sikoa. The fans boo Solo, and Jimmy says he was thinking that that fool didn’t even have the balls to do it face to face! Solo did it from behind!
Jimmy says it was Solo’s crew, Solo’s Bloodline, Solo’s “brothers.” So tonight, here in Greenville, South Cacky Lacky, it is about Big Bro VS Lil Bro! And Jimmy plans on doing what he’s been doing his whole life. He is kicking Solo’s ASS! But wait! Here comes OTC! The fans put up the ones as Roman Reigns makes his entrance. The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” as he makes his way to the ring. Roman grabs a mic of his own, and says, “Your OTC usually likes to run it systematically out here, but tonight we’re gonna change things up a little bit. Greenville, South Carolina…! JOIN me, and acknowledge him!” AKA Jimmy Uso.
The fans cheer and Roman says hold on, we don’t do this often so turn it up. Join Roman and ACKNOWLEDGE BIG JIM! The fans really fire up and start up an “USO! USO!” chant. Jimmy holds out a hand, modeled after Roman asking for a mic, and Roman gives him a low-five! Now moving on, Roman gets it. He understands where Jimmy is coming from. He’ll get to that in a minute. But you have to understand, Roman’s not an older brother so he doesn’t understand this revenge. And we have to understand Roman is not a Wise Man. Yet. But he doesn’t come up with the creative plans, no, that’s not him.
Roman is the Tribal Chief. The fans cheer that! And that means Roman takes what is his! And for four YEARS now, that has been what they did, they just took what was theirs. Roman wasn’t messing around, he called his shots, and he delivered. They had it all! The money, the power, and the respect! They ran around here, and everyone feared them! They had championships around their waists, and money coming outta the pockets! They talked about buying a new house, Roman told Jimmy he could buy ’em all, it didn’t matter. But Roman doesn’t like where they are right now. He doesn’t like his position, doesn’t like being out of control.
Roman told us he is the Greatest of All Time, and he meant it. The fans cheer that, too. Roman says when they step foot in the arenas, he wants us all to know, THE GOATS are here! When they step in this ring, he wants us to know! When they put the ones up, he wants us to know they ARE The Ones! The fans cheer that, too! Jimmy says, “But we not, though.” The fans chant “Yes You Are!” Jimmy asks how. In this ring, he sees a chief with no tribe. No ula fala around the neck. At Bad Blood, Jimmy came back because Roman needed him. Roman didn’t ask, but he needed help. And Jimmy says they both need help.
Fans chant “YEET! YEET!” and Jimmy says he knows one person that they can get help from. The “YEET!” continues, but Roman says, “No Yeet.” Jimmy wants Roman to listen. Roman will forever be Jimmy’s Tribal Chief, but Jimmy is the only one in the family that still acknowledges him. Jimmy pats Roman on the shoulder and heads out. Will Roman have no choice but to see things Jimmy’s way? Will they need to YEET if they want to beat Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Carmelo Hayes!
The Mega Star told H1M that if he defeated the Phenomenal One, then maybe this match would happen. AJ Styles’ unfortunate injury gave Melo the win and gave him this opportunity, will Melo not miss on this title shot? Or will Knight “hit it ‘n’ quit it” with a B F T?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see LA VS Boston play out!
The bell rings, the fans fire up for LA, and he counter punches Melo again and again! Melo staggers, Knight whips but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll off Knight’s back. Knight still LARIATS Melo! Knight storms up but Melo YANKS him into ropes! Melo runs up now, but Knight dodges to LARIAT Melo up and out! The fans fire up, “YEAH!” and Melo talks trash on the fans. But Knight WRECKS Melo with a dropkick! Wait, Melo was shouting at Andrade! El Idolo is hanging out in the front row, but Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight wants Andrade to watch this, and he CLUBS Melo against apron while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Knight brings Melo around, but Melo stops the bump off the desk! Melo kicks low, tells Andrade to watch this, but Knight still SMACKS him off the desk! And again, and again, and again! Melo falls over, but Knight says one more time! Knight winds up to SMACK Melo right off the desk! Melo goes into the ring, Knight dares Andrade to shake his hand now. Andrade leaves him hanging, and Melo CLOBBERS Knight from behind! Melo mocks the “YEAH!” and RAMS Knight into the apron! Melo then runs up to LARIAT Knight down! Melo soaks up heat, puts Knight in the ring, then storms up for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
Melo keeps cool and stalks Knight to a corner. Melo stomps Knight, even as the ref counts. Melo stops at 4, backs up, and then stomps Knight again. But Knight blocks one! Melo ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo talks more smack on the fans. Melo whips Knight but Knight KICKS him and LARIATS! Knight whips Melo to ropes, Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this but Melo keeps on him. Melo CHOPS Knight off his feet, scuffs him, and mockingly spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT, SUCK IT!” Melo drags Knight up, but Knight fires body shots! Knight backs Melo down with haymakers!
Knight whips, Melo reverses, but knight KNEES Melo first! Knight whips, Melo reverses to kick and CLUB Knight down! Cover, TWO! Melo is annoyed but he clamps on with a chinlock, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally, Knight fights up, and El Idolo watches closely as Knight manages a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Knight goes to ropes, drags himself up, and he storms up to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Melo kicks, Knight blocks and spins Melo. Atomic drop! Then a LARIAT! Melo staggers up, Knight whips him, and scoops, POP-UP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up as Knight runs, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Melo toughs it out but Knight stays cool. Knight storms up in a corner to stomp Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, and he gets space ot run in. Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! The fans are torn as Melo reels Knight in. Melo mocks AJ Styles, and fans boo. Knight backdrops free! Melo sunset flips but Knight sits, TWO! Melo has the flip, TWO! Knight is in a corner, but he dodges Melo to then JUMP NECKBREAKER! Knight hurries up the corner while Melo flounders. Knight smirks and fans fire up for “L! A! KNIGHT!” DOUBLE JUMP MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!
Melo survives and Knight is a little frustrated. Knight stands, paces around, and he waits for Melo to stand. Knight then kicks and cravats, B F- NO! Melo handstands out to SCISSOR KICK! Then the suplex, CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and Melo can’t believe it! The fans rally up and Melo goes to the corner. Melo climbs, Andrade shakes his head, but Knight avoids the three pointer! But Melo stops the BFT! Backslide, TWO! Knight escapes, fights off the suplex, and shoves Melo. Melo rebounds, back suplex, but Melo lands out! INTO A B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Andrade and Melo may be 3-3 with each other, but now they’ve both lost to LA Knight! And Andrade rubs that in Melo’s face! Will El Idolo settle the score with H1M before either can become a champion?
Jimmy Uso encounters Cody Rhodes backstage.
The American Nightmare says hey to “Big Jim,” and Jimmy says hey to “C-Dog. ” Cody says thanks for Saturday. Jimmy says consider that a favor. But don’t expect any more of those. Cody says Jimmy expects to fight Solo Sikoa, but he’s not the same man since Jimmy left. Jimmy says yeah, but it’s family business. Though it looks like Cody can handle business on his own. Respect. Jimmy heads out, will he be ready for the man the Usurper of the Table has become?
Meta Four speaks.
Lash Legend says SKRRRR~! If you didn’t know, she is Lash Legend, The Bougie Bully. And this is Jakara Jackson, aka Miss Jackson. But what you might already know is that they handle their business in NXT. So now they have earned a chance to get gold around their waits. They’re here tonight to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. So if you wanna underestimate them, they’ll show you just what they’re about. So Bianca, Jade, listen close, because you know that they’re about that action. Can the ladies of Meta Four bring down the StrongEST Duo in WWE? Or will they learn they have much to learn before they graduate NXT?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
SmackDown returns as the challengers make their entrance, but then whoa, wait, Kevin Owens hijacks the ring? Kevin has a mic, and he apologizes to everyone. But he was specifically told NOT to come here, and that is crap! He cannot let that happen! Kevin asks why he turned on Cody Rhodes last Saturday, but Kevin says it is CODY RHODES who- Well, someone turned off the mic. Producers hurry out here to tell Kevin to stop, and Michael Cole lets us know Kevin was quietly suspended and fined. But then Kevin takes Corey’s headset! Kevin says Cody turned on Kevin! People think Kevin’s in the wrong for this?
But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up but producers keep Cody from going to the ring. Kevin dares Cody to try, but now security rushes in to stop all of this. Nick Aldis hurries out to talk Cody down, and then Randy Orton hurries out here! Randy reasons with Cody, and then he goes to the ring to do the same for Kevin. Kevin wants to go after Cody but Randy keeps him back! Kevin ELBOWS Randy away! So Randy DECKS Kevin! The Viper is furious, but he keeps himself from doing anything worse. Kevin meanwhile seems stunned that Randy would hit him. Kevin gets out of the ring, and leaves through the crowd. Does KO no longer have a friend on SmackDown?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson! (Take Two)
SmackDown returns and the show is back on track. The fans cheer as Trick Williams is here to watch this match in person, but uh, so are Chelsea Green & Piper Niven. The StrongEST Duo makes their entrance now, and we see in picture in picture that The Hot Mess questioned why they would throw out championship opportunities to everyone else except her and “P.” Jade says it’s simple: Chelsea stinks. Piper says no, Chelsea doesn’t stink. But something does smell fishy, and it’s that Bianca & Jade always duck them. Bianca says girl, uh-uh. They have work to do, so the closest Chelsea & Piper will get to these titles is if they sit out there and watch.
Well clearly that is what Chelsea & Piper chose to do, so here we are. The introductions are made, and the belts are raised, and we see who leaves Greenville with gold!
The teams sort out, but Meta Four just attacks! Jakara DROPKICKS Bianca while Lash CLUBS and POSTS Jade! Jade falls out, Jakara hits a NECKBREAKER DROP on Bianca! Tag to Lash and Chelsea & Piper love it! Lash fireman’s carries to WIDOWMAKER! High stack, TWO! Bianca toughs it out but Lash tags Jakara. Jakara hops up on Lash’s shoulders, to VICTORY ROLL SENTON! Cover, TWO! Bianca is reminding us she’s the toughEST, but Lash tags back in. Lash wheelbarrows Bianca, Jakara runs, WHEELBARROW CUTTER! Cover, Jade breaks it! The fans fire up and Jade glares at Lash.
Lash and Jade stand, and Lash ROCKS Jade! Jade tumbles back out, Lash TOSSES Bianca, then tag to Jakara. Jakara chicken wings Bianca, Lash storms up, but Chelsea is too close for comfort. Lash BOOTS Chelsea over the desk! But then Bianca BOOTS Lash! Bianca ELBOWS Jakara away, slides in, hot tag to Jade! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Jakara! And SUPERKICKS Lash! Bianca brings Jakara up, WHEELBARROW DDT into the STORM PLEX! Cover, StrongEST Duo wins!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Chelsea is furious, but she should’ve known better. In the end, Jade & Bianca hold onto the gold, will they be the ones to clean up the Hot Mess?
Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton are backstage.
The Queen of the Ring is not even looking at Miss Money in the Bank as they head for gorilla, how will she address the maybe cash-in attempt by Tiffany?
Randy Orton and Nick Aldis talk with Cody Rhodes backstage.
Orton tells Cody to calm down, get on his bus and go. Randy can talk with Kevin, he’s been in this position before. Aldis says in three weeks, it is Cody VS Gunther at Crown Jewel. So Aldis needs Cody focused on that so he can win that Crown Jewel Championship. Randy promises, he’ll talk with Kevin, but we all need to cool down. Randy gives Cody his title, has him get on the bus, and promises to fix this. Cody does as said, and Aldi sis impressed. Randy Orton: Voice of Reason. Who’d have thought? Randy himself seems surprised, but can he get Kevin to get over whatever is going on?
Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton go to the ring.
The Irresistible WWE Women’s Champion and Miss MITB make their way out, fans booing as they do. Nia grabs a mic to say, “As your Women’s World Champion, I have a very busy agenda. So let me knock this out one by one. I am here first off, to give credit to Bayley. Bayley, you put up one hell of a fight last week. I even broke a sweat! You’re a very worthy contender. And just like every worthy contender that’s faced me, you ended up on your back, realizing that nobody on this planet can beat me. Not you, not anyone in the locker room, and especially not my counterpart at Raw, Liv Morgan.”
Nia says lil’ Liv wants to face THE Women’s Champion at Crown Jewel. Now here’s what’s gonna happen there: Nia will A-NIA-LATE Liv like she has everyone else. And when she’s done and becomes the first-ever WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, Nia headlocks Tiff to say “It’s TIFFY TIME~!” Tiff is unsure what she means, but then Nia tells Tiff that is the moment she cashes in on Liv Morgan. But wait! Here comes Naomi! The fans fire up for The Glow, and Naomi tells Nia, “You and I both know that the only reason that championship is still sitting on your shoulder is because that little broke down Barbie of yours helped you again.”
The fans are torn but Naomi says Nia cannot win without her sidekick! And as a matter of fact, Tiff’s not even a good one, cuz Naomi pinned Tiff last week, just like Naomi pinned Nia. Or does Nia not remember that? Naomi steps in the ring and Nia says what she does remember about that, is that it didn’t take one of them to pin her, it took two. Now is Naomi challenging her 1v1? Or is she going to get a partner so Nia can take her revenge out on both of them? Naomi will say this to Nia’s face right here: Naomi doesn’t need anyone to beat Nia. Nia says she is sick of Naomi’s face. Naomi says as a matter of fact, she could win right here and now!
The fans fire up, but Nia laughs that off. If Naomi thinks so, then all Nick Aldis needs to do is send a ref out here! Nia wants to A-NIA-LATE Naomi here and now and make it official! Well, here comes a ref! But also, here comes Liv Morgan! Raquel Rodriguez & Dirty Dom are with Raw’s champion, and Liv says, “Aww… I’m actually a little bit upset right now. We came all the way over here just to make an example out of you, Nia. But it actually seems like you have your hands a little bit full right now, so I think what we’re gonna do is, we’re gonna go down ringside, and we’re gonna watch along with everyone else as you lose your match tonight!
“Just like you’re gonna lose to me at Crown Jewel.” Liv laughs, and Nia SHOVES Naomi! Nia is clearly in no mood for any of this, will she leave everyone crushed beneath her feet? Or will Naomi make her #FeelTheGlow?
Nia Jax w/ Tiffany Stratton VS Naomi!
SmackDown returns and the match is under way! Nia fireman’s carries, fans taunt Dom, but Naomi throws elbows. Naomi is free, Nia shoves her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and over! Naomi goes corner to corner, goes up and over Nia, stands on her then jumps away! The fans cheer, Nia runs up, but Naomi ROCKS her! Nia swings, Naomi dodges, then slides under! Naomi mule kicks, gets moving, and she sunset flips! Nia stays up, Naomi avoids a stomp, then KICKS from below! Nia blocks a whip, whips Naomi in stead, and SPLASHES in a corner! Nia whips and CLOBBERS Naomi, then covers, TWO!
Naomi stays in this, Liv isn’t impressed by Nia, but Tiff is worried. Nia has Naomi in a motorcycle stretch but Naomi endures. The fans rally, Naomi fights up, but Nia RAMS her into buckles! Nia POSTS Naomi, then goes to the apron. Nia aims, soaks up some heat, and then runs up, HIP ATTACKÂ against post! Naomi flops back, Nia covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and the fans rally. Nia drags Naomi into a chinlock and squeezes tight! Naomi endures, the fans rally up, and Naomi powers up. Naomi stands, pries at the hold, and fires body shots. Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi, snapmares, bu tNaoim handsprings through! Mule kick!
Naomi hooks Nia up, SPIKE-RANA! But Nia flounders away to ropes! Naomi goes to the apron, and SPLIT LEG DROPS! The fans fire up but now Nia tumbles to the floor. Naomi stays cool, and she lines up a shot. Naomi runs up to WRECK Nia with a dropkick! Nia staggers around, Naomi goes to the apron again, and runs up to DROPKICK Nia down! The fans fire up, Naomi hurries after Nia, and she headlocks. Nia stops a bulldog by putting Naomi in the timekeeper’s area! But Naomi comes back to ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi goes up onto the barriers, but Nia yanks her into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP to the floor!
The fans boo as Nia taunts Dirty Dom as greasy and nasty, but Liv says you don’t talk about her man like that. Nia goes back for Naomi, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Naomi fires body shots. Nia scoops and SLAMS Naomi, then runs, but Naomi avoids the senton! Nia writhes from the crash landing and Liv loves it! Naomi goes to a corner, drags herself up, but Nia blocks her boot. Naomi rebounds with the ENZIGIRI! Then a wrench and SUPERKICK! Naomi hurries to BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nia staggers, Naomi climbs, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Naomi is growing frustrated but Tiff is relieved. Naomi storms up, but Nia shoves her away. Naomi ducks ‘n’ dodges, and FLYING CHUCKS! Nia flops out of the ring! Naomi hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Nia again!
The fans fire up, Tiff is worried again, but Naomi drags Nia up and into the ring. The ring count is 5 of 10, but Tiff runs up to KICK Naomi! Nia is distracting the ref! Tiff takes aim, but Raquel snatches the briefcase from her! Tiff shouts at Big Mami Cool, but Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Tiff! Naomi hurries back, HOTSHOTS Nia, then climbs a corner! But Nia ROCKS Naomi first! Nia TOSSES Naomi down, then goes up! A-NIA- WAIT! Raquel distracts the ref! Liv SMACKS Nia with the briefcase!! Naomi hits a SUPER POWERBOMB!! High stack, NAOMI WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall
Naomi was right, Nia couldn’t win without Tiffany! And in a twist, Liv and crew made sure things were even! Now Naomi has a big win on the WWE Women’s Champion, will she be cashing in her own golden ticket after Crown Jewel? WAIT! RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! The fans fire up as Mami runs out there and goes right after Raquel! Rhea throws Raquel around and then stands over her! Liv & Dom are afraid, they go running! Only for Liv to run into Nia! Rhea BOOTS Nia!? Because she wants to beat up Liv herself! Dom shouts at Rhea, but Rhea runs him off! Judgment Day regroups and retreats, will Rhea make sure Liv doesn’t make it to Crown Jewel?
Melo has an icepack.
He finds Aldis and says after Melo beat AJ Styles “fair and square,” Andrade can just be out there to screw him up? Make that make sense! Aldis says last time he checked, and if the math is right, which it is, Melo and Andrade are 3-3. So therefore, there’s only one solution: Game 7! And the winner of that may just find themselves another US Championship shot. Oh, and Melo. Don’t miss. Melo storms off, who finally finishes the series? As for Aldis, Legado Del Fantasma walks over. Santos Escobar has to say, he sees a pattern here. Carmelo, Andrade, they seem to have permanent spot in the line-up. Por que, why?
Aldis says speaking of opportunities, Santos had his shot, and came up short. Aldis has just been waiting for Santos to bounce back. Oh, bounce back? “Nicholas, I’m not just talking about me. What about Elektra? What about Los Garza?” Aldis is glad they brought it up. Because next week, Los Garza has a match against a team, a very special team, one that Aldis has hand selected just for them. And take it from him, if Los Garza can get through them, then they are worthy of a shot. See? How hard was that? Aldis won’t regret this. Legado heads out, and Aldis says sure, he won’t regret it. But Santos might.
Just who is Aldis going to put up against Angel & Humberto as an obstacle to gold?
Solo Sikoa speaks.
“My big brother Jimmy is looking for revenge tonight. But he ain’t gonna get it. See, he may be Big Brother, but tonight, I’m the Tribal Chief. And he will acknowledge me.” Solo is prepared, but will he need his Bloodline to back him up on that? Or can he do this solo?
A dynamic duo is about to arrive.
The video of Motor City is hinting at something big. Will SmackDown be ready for what’s coming?
The Street Profits argue with DIY.
Aldis is there and has them all settle down. He says the ladder match was unbelievable, but that was also their shot. The SmackDown Tag Division is growing, there’s a new team coming in next week. The argument starts anew over this, and it clearly sounds like DIY and Profits want to have it out 2v2. Aldis sighs, but he also spots something going on past them. Did something just happen in the parking lot?! KEVIN OWENS IS ATTACKING RANDY!! Aldis tells Kevin to stop but he won’t, so security pulls Kevin away! Kevin gets loose, KICKS Randy in the side, and says Randy chose the wrong side! The security finally gets Kevin out of here, and Randy needs medical attention!
The Prizefighter has absolutely snapped! Will no one be safe with him enraged like this?
Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline!
Big Brother VS Little Brother, The OTC’s side VS The Usurper, but clearly Solo isn’t doing this alone. Will Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa make sure “Big Jim” has no chance of having his revenge?
SmackDown returns and Jimmy makes his entrance. The bell rings and the brothers stare down. The fans rally for “USO! USO!” but Jimmy becomes very aware that he’s surrounded. Solo tells Jimmy to acknowledge him as the TRUE Tribal Chief. Solo raises the finger to the sky but the fans boo. Jimmy looks around at Tama, Loa & Jacob. Jimmy says yeah okay, and he UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jimmy clinches, but Solo puts him in the corner. Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo TOSSES Jimmy to another corner, but runs into a BOOT! Jimmy winds up but Solo ELBOWS first!
Solo seethes, Jacob says, “I LOVE you, Solo!” Jimmy flounders to ropes, Solo whips him across the way, but Jimmy stops himself. Solo runs up but Jimmy DUMPS him out! Jimmy then DIVES, and down goes Solo at the ramp! The fans fire up with Jimmy and he hurries to bring Solo up. Jimmy grins as he puts Solo in, then goes up a corner. Jimmy aims, CROSSBODY, into a HAYMAKER! Solo stands tall while Jimmy sputters. Solo says he’s not little no more! Solo CHOKES Jimmy on ropes, but he lets off as the ref counts 4. The fans rally for Jimmy, but Jacob gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo but Solo soaks up the heat.
Solo watches Jimmy crawl to the apron, and then storms up to HEADBUTT! Jimmy wobbles, Solo taunts him, and then runs him side to side. Jimmy blocks the buckle bump! Jimmy bumps Solo off buckles, and then runs him to the other side for another! Solo staggers, Jimmy storms up, and he tries to suplex! Solo blocks, then he fires body shots. Jimmy sputters, and Solo LARIATS him down! Solo soaks up more heat, Tama mocks Jimmy, but Jimmy rises back up. Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Solo! Then RAMS into him! Jimmy slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls to the floor, Solo soaks up more heat, and Jacob CLOBBERS Jimmy!
The fans boo but The Bloodline continues to use the numbers advantage. Solo stands on a corner, raises his finger up, and soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Solo smirks as he hops down and watches Jimmy. The ring count climbs, Solo soaks up more heat, but Jimmy rises at 5 of 10. Jimmy rolls in but Solo stomps away! The ref counts as Solo digs his knee in, and Solo lets off at 4. Another cheap shot, this time from Loa! The ref wants The Bloodline to back off, and Solo fishhooks Jimmy’s face! Solo makes Jimmy smile, but he stops as the ref reprimands. Another cheap shot as Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy! Solo taunts the fans, then stalks Jimmy back to ropes. Solo taunts Jimmy, stands him up, but Jimmy counter punches! And counter punches again!
Jimmy fires more shots, runs, but into a HEADBUTT from Solo! Cover, TWO! Jimmy toughs it out but Solo stays focused. Solo stalks Jimmy, puts him in a corner, and then mocks the “UCE! OH!” chant. Solo runs corner to corner as SmackDown returns to single picture, HIP ATTACK! Solo mocks the hollering, raises the one, and soaks up more heat. Solo continues to taunt Jimmy, and the fans rally for “USO! USO!” Solo says Jimmy should’ve stayed home. Jimmy SLAPS Solo! The fans fire up but now Solo is mad. Solo swings, but Jimmy fires more counter punches! Solo shoves, Jimmy SMACKS him off the mat!
But Solo’s right back up!? Solo fires up, and he WHEEL KICKS Jimmy down! The fans boo but Solo has a sinister look in his eyes. The fans rally for Jimmy but Solo stalks him to ropes. Solo CHOKES Jimmy again, fishhooks him more, but lets go as the ref counts. Jacob gets one more cheap shot in! The fans boo but Solo says Jimmy should just acknowledge him. Solo HEADBUTTS Jimmy down, then dares him to stand back up. Solo brings Jimmy up by his beard! Solo asks if this is all Jimmy’s got! Solo fireman’s carries, but Jimmy slips free! Kick, and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Jimmy stands, and he again counter punches! And he CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Solo clinches! URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Solo is growing frustrated. Jimmy crawls to a corner while the fans rally up. Solo seethes, stands back up, and lines up a shot. Solo skips the chanting to run corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy sputters in the corner, but Solo soaks up more heat. Solo reloads, grins, and he raises the one to the sky. Solo runs up again, but into a JUMPING SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Solo and Jimmy stir, Solo’s Bloodline upset with Jimmy again.
Jimmy rises, he SUPERKICKS! And UPPERCUTS! And mule kicks! Jimmy fireman’s carries, but Solo slips free! Solo blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Solo goes to a corner and the fans rally up! Jimmy runs in, but Solo puts him on the apron. Jimmy GAMANGIRIS in return! Jimmy climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Solo stays in this but Jimmy stays focused. But Jacob gets on the apron! Jimmy DECKS him, then DECKS Loa! Tama stays back but it’s enough to distract! Solo grabs Jimmy by the neck! SAMOAN- UPPERCUT from Jimmy! And then SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally for Jimmy and he hurries to a corner. Jimmy climbs up, but now Tama distracts the ref! Jacob YANKS Jimmy down! Solo drags Jimmy up for a SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
And as if it wasn’t enough to make this 4v1, Tama & Loa beat Jimmy down! But wait! Here comes Roman! The fans fire up as The OTC storms in, SUPERMAN PUNCH for Jacob! HOTSHOT for Loa! Roman DUMPS Tama out, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES Loa! SUPERMAN PUNCH for Tama! Now Roman has Solo all alone! The fans are all fired up for the OTC, but Solo runs up! The hands start flying, but Jacob joins in! The fans boo but the Samoan Werewolf beats Roman down! HIP ATTACK in the corner! But Jimmy’s back up! Jimmy fires hands, but Jacob SUPERKICKS him down! Then BEST MOONSAULT EVER!
Tama & Loa beat Roman down, stomp him in a corner, then stand him up for Solo! Solo gives Roman a SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo as Solo’s Bloodline stands tall! Jacob brings the ula fala over to Solo, and Tama says they are dominant in this ring! Jimmy regroups with Roman, and he says like it or not, they need help. Will Roman swallow his pride and ask you know who? Will he even want to help the OTC?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here to follow Bad Blood, but I feel like they could’ve done a bit better on parts. Namely, the Women’s Tag Team Championship story. Very good promo from Chelsea & Piper with Bianca & Jade to tease this as the SmackDown title story, but then the match with Lash & Jakara was really short. In its defense, Lash & Jakara got a very good showing for going as quick as they were. Plus, Lash booting Chelsea over the desk was hilarious. But of course Jade & Bianca retained tonight, they have DMG CTRL on Monday. And depending on how that goes, Jade & Bianca probably return with the titles to face Chelsea & Piper. With Crown Jewel and Survivor Series coming up, I kinda hope they arrange a bigger title match so all brands are involved.
Of course, part of the issue was also time constraints. I did like how sudden Kevin showing up was, and everything with Kevin, Randy and Cody is great, but it did quite literally take time away from the women’s tag title match. But Kevin is going full Heel now that he’s turned on Randy, those two are going to have an awesome match, and I’m thinking Kevin wins out to have one more title match with Cody. It might also be something with a wild stipulation akin to Cody VS Styles in their I Quit match. And speaking of Styles, a real shame that his injury angle story turned into a real injury, so now Styles is out of action again.
The US Championship story is also good, though perhaps a bit predictable. Knight of course won against Melo, but Andrade being ringside was a nice touch. We all knew Game 7 was happening, so they used tonight as the set-up for that. Santos & Legado wanting their opportunities was a nice touch, too. And given the timing, Los Garza is being fed to Motor City Machine Guns in their WWE debuts. We did get a logical promo of Profits and DIY arguing, because the MCMG will definitely jump them in the line to the tag titles. MCMG VS Guerrillas of Destiny is going to be great stuff, and I wouldn’t be surprised if MCMG just won the titles first try.
Very good crossover with the women’s champions to help build the Crown Jewel match. Naomi goads Nia into a non-title match, and they bring Liv, Dom & Raquel out to stir things up a bit. Naomi gets a great win, and I wonder if Naomi tries to have her title match before Crown Jewel. Well, that might be a waste if Tiffany is meant to cash in. But Nia telling Tiff to cash in at Crown Jewel after Nia destroys Liv is also a fitting detail. Tiff would have easy pickings, but then that’d send her over to Raw and I don’t think that’s happening. Tiff might try to cash-in during or after Nia VS Naomi. After all, third time’s the charm.
And as usual, Bloodline story bookends the night. Very good opening segment from Jimmy and Roman to show Roman is turning over a new leaf. He isn’t as domineering with Jimmy anymore, he wants to raise Jimmy up. But it was also a good move from Jimmy to say they need reinforcements. Fans automatically went with Jey Uso, and Roman did, too. It does make sense, but clearly with how the rest of the night went, it is about convincing Roman that he should reach out to Jey. The main event match and following brawl established that, too, and you can bet they stretch this out to make it to Survivor Series.
My Score: 8.8/10
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