Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (5/7/20)
Relive the Rise of Imperium!
Imperium takes over the show!
As the retrospective continues, NXT UK moves into the arrival of the Ring General and his rise to power! Watch the greatest moments in the WWE careers of Walter, Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 1/30/19 – Walter VS Jack Starz; Walter wins.
- 5/22/19 – WWE United Kingdom Championship: Walter VS Pete Dunne; Walter wins and retains the WWE UK Championship.
- 6/12/19 – Six Man Tag: British Strong Style VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
- 1/25/20 – Worlds Collide 8 Man Tag: The Undisputed Era VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Andy Shepherd welcomes us back to NXT UK!
A few weeks ago, we began the retrospective of the biggest and best moments in this brand’s young history. Now, we take a look at the rise of one of the most dominant groups in the WWE today, IMPERIUM! We all know January 12, 2019, TakeOver: Blackpool I, was the day WALTER came to NXT UK. And it only took his stare down with Pete Dunne to start us down the path to his ascension. Walter left his mark on the brand in his very first match.
1/30/19 – Walter VS Jack Starz!
The Ring General finally gets some action in NXT UK, and it would seem Johnny Saint has found a lamb for the slaughter. Will Starz be able to stand after facing the almighty Austrian?
Fans sing along with Walter’s theme, the New World Symphony, and then chant his name at the bell. They also let Starz know, “Walter’s gonna kill~ you~!” Starz hits first and fast, but it does nothing to Walter. Starz chops Walter, but then Walter CHOPS Starz! Fans love that! Walter stalks Starz on the outside to then club him down hard! Walter gives Starz a back suplex on the apron! Starz writhes as fans sing again.
Walter puts Starz back in and dares Starz to put up a fight. Walter toys with Starz, who already has a red chest. Starz flails and staggers, but he does throw hands. His forearm is loud but Watler doesn’t flinch. Walter knees Starz hard, then whips him to ropes. Starz slides but gets caught and put in a corner. Starz elbows and dropkicks Walter, but Walter dropkicks Starz! Walter drags Starz up as fans fire up. Walter Bomb! Cover, Walter wins!
Winner: Walter, by pinfall
The Ring General has his first victory in NXT UK, and he made it look easy. It is on wonder Walter now reigns supreme!
Other NXT UK superstars speak on Walter’s arrival.
“From the moment he arrived in NXT UK, Walter seized the spotlight and took no prisoners.” Nina Samuels knew right then and there, there was a new leading man on the brand. Ashton Smith says Walter DESTROYED Starz! Starz got hit so hard, he could unlock Walter’s phone with the fingerprints left on his body. Jack Starz himself says those marks lasted for WEEKS. And he remembers thinking that night, “If that is what he can do on night one, imagine what he can do in the future.” Ashton knew that if anyone was taking the title from Dunne, it was going to be Walter.
5/22/19 – WWE United Kingdom Championship: Walter VS Pete Dunne!
In a rematch from TakeOver: New York, the Bruiserweight comes back for the title he held for roughly two years! But the first time around was rough as it was. How much rougher is the second? The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin the epic sequel!
Fans duel as Walter and Dunne stare down. Walter makes sure his fingers are okay before tying up with Dunne. They push each other around, and Walter puts Dunne in the corner. Walter backs off and they circle again. Dunne gets the arm and goes after those fingers anyway, then wrenches through. Dunne twists the wrist but Walter reverses and whips. Walter wrings Dunne but Dunne reaches up to headscissor. The two separate and fans applaud. Dunne and Walter go around again and tie up. They both go to the mat and Dunne stands on Walter’s left hand! Dunne goes after the right, then gets the left in a Fujiwara armbar. Dunne hammerlocks the arm, but Walter avoids the stomp! Walter wings but Dunne avoids the infamous chop!
Fans applaud again, both men clearly learned a lot from their first match. They circle again, and Walter eggs Dunne on. Dunne headlocks, but Walter pries free. Dunne kicks at Walter’s leg but Walter still gets through to a headlock and takeover. Fans still duel while Dunne works his way back up. Dunne powers out and things speed up. Dunne hurdles but Walter goes for a sleeper! But Dunne blocks and gives Walter a shoulder breaker. Dunne runs but Walter hurdles! Walter’s boot is caught, and into a dragon screw! Walter bails out and fans fire up. Dunne stalks Walter on the outside, but Walter CHOPS Dunne off his feet!
Walter makes sure his leg is okay before going back to Dunne. He brings Dunne around to CHOP again, but the ring count passes 5. Walter swings but Dunne ducks, the chop goes into a post! Dunne refreshes the count and goes after Walter’s hand! He slams it on the steel steps! Walter falls and Dunne brings him back up to Penalty Kick the arm! Dunne refreshes the count again, only to walk into Walter’s BOOT! Fans cheer again while Walter checks his hand. Walter drags Dunne up and throws big European Uppercuts. Now Walter refreshes the count to then shotgun dropkick Dunne into barriers! Walter drags Dunne back up and back to the steel steps! He sets Dunne on them to stand and bend him back! Fans boo this dirty play but Walter wants Dunne to pay.
Walter leaves Dunne and Dunne drags himself up. Walter BOOTS Dunne again! Dunne holds onto the ropes so Walter toys with him. Dunne drags himself back up and fans rally up. Walter comes over to club, but Dunne grabs the arm! And the fingers! Dunne bends them back, but Walter CHOPS Dunne again! But Dunne manages to get back in the ring instead of falling to the floor. Walter kicks Dunne while he’s down, and then kicks him back down. He dares Dunne to get up and fans rally. Dunne sits up but Walter turns him over to ram knees into the back. Cover, TWO! Walter keeps Dunne down with a half camel clutch. Walter pulls Dunne back while fans duel again. Dunne endures and works his way up. Walter knees low then again.
Walter toys with Dunne and Dunne gets angry. Dunne blasts Walter with a forearm! Glasgow cheers for Peter as he tries to whip. Walter reverses but Dunne goes up and over! Dunne enziguris Walter down! Dunne fires up like a wild man, and hops up for a dropkick to the knees! Walter staggers up, blocks the kick but not the jab! Dunne rolls Walter to a kneebar! Dunne grapevines as fans duel. Walter endures and works his way out to turn and club Dunne! Then he German Supelxes! But Dunne lands on his feet to buzzsaw Walter in the back! Dunne ties Walter up in an Octopus stretch! And he takes off the finger tape! Dunne has the pinkie and pulls! But Walter powers out, only for Dunne to hit a crucifix driver! Cover, TWO!!
Glasgow keeps cheering as both men stand, Dunne stomps the hands! And buzzsaws Walter again! Then pump handles, but Walter pries free to LARIAT! Walter runs, but into another big forearm! Only to come back for an exploder! Cover, TWO!! Walter keeps on Dunne with a Boston Crab! Dunne endures the back pain as fans rally back up. Walter turns Dunne back over but Dunne kicks him. Walter wants a single leg but Dunne kicks him down! Dunne Penalty Kicks and Danielson Stomps Walter out! Then he rolls Water to a hammerlock, and bends the other arm! From finger to elbow, even! Dunne has a unique leg nelson but Walter refuses to quit! Walter uses his long legs for a ropebreak! Dunne lets Walter go and fans duel again. Walter rolls to the apron, but Dunne pursues.
Dunne drags Walter up and brings the hand to a buckle. He tucks it into the buckle pad? And then stands on it! Walter screams but the ref counts, so Dunne lets up at 4. Walter CLUBS Dunne off the top rope, then climbs. Dunne SUPERKICKS the arm! Walter sits down on the top rope and shakes his hands out. Dunne climbs up and CHOPS Walter. Dunne stands up, for a hanging triangle! The ref counts but Walter clubs away! Walter lifts Dunne, but to a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Walter just gets free, and fans are loving this! Dunne and Walter slowly stir and sit up. Fans rally as Dunne stands, and Walter follows. Dunne kicks but Walter CHOPS! Walter shakes his hand and hobbles on one leg as he stalks Dunne. He drags Dunne up to throw forearms but Dunne kicks.
Walter CHOPS again, but Dunne holds ropes to deny the German Suplex. Dunne switches and German Suplexes Walter! But then runs into a big LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives again, and Walter grows frustrated. Walter climbs up as Glasgow says, “This is Awesome!” Walter reaches the top and leaps, into another BIG forearm! Dunne pump handles and lifts, BITTER END! To the triangle hold! Walter resists to a cover, ONE! Dunne has a mounted triangle! And he SNAPS the fingers! But Walter refuses to quit! Wait, is that Fabian Aichner? Aichner is pushing the bottom rope towards Walter’s foot! Walter gets the ropebreak but the ref still sees it was Aichner! Aichner and the ref argue, but that’s so Marcel Barthel can CLOBBER Dunne with the title belt! Walter doesn’t see that, so he doesn’t hesitate hitting the WALTER BOMB! Cover, Walter wins!!
Winner: WALTER, by pinfall; still WWE United Kingdom Champion
This is the very moment Imperium was born! Barthel and Aichner became the Ring General’s soldiers, and the true dominance began!
Barthel and Aichner speak on forming Imperium.
As many may know, Barthel and Walter wrestled together for years, even before the WWE. The difference between Imperium and everyone else is that what Imperium says is real. Accept and respect their rules! Aichner and Barthel had always been in the same circles, wrestling in the same countries, but they never worked together until coming to the WWE. There was something special there, so it was only logical to become a team. Then the stars aligned with Walter signing with WWE and Alexander Wolfe coming to them. It was just a natural fit.
6/12/19 – Six Man Tag: British Strong Style VS Imperium!
The pillars of NXT UK stand firm against the rising forces! Witness the battle that changed the landscape of the brand forever!
The teams sort out fans cheer for British Strong Style as Pete Dunne starts against Fabian Aichner. The bell rings and Dunne goes right at Aichner with forearms! Dunne stomps Aichner in a corner but the ref backs him off. Aichner blasts Dunne with a clothesline! Aichner stomps away then rains down right hands. He lets up at the ref’s reprimand, but then comes back for more haymakers. Dunne gets up and kicks Aichner. Aichner headlocks but Dunne powers out. Things speed up and Dunne hurdles to drop to then clobber Aichner down! Dunne drags Aichner up to wrench, and tags in Bate! Bate and Dunne double wristlock and stomp Aichner’s arms! Bate keeps on Aichner but Aichner knees and clubs back.
Aichner tags Marcel Barthel in before whipping Bate. Bate dodges both of them to dropkick Barthel and Aichner down in turn. Bate kips up and checks his moustache, but Barthel throat chops Bate to a corner! Barthel stomps Bate in the corner but the ref reprimands him. Barthel backs off at 4, but comes back to cravat Bate to a snapmare. He scrapes Bate’s face then grinds his forearm in. The ref counts again but Barthel lets up at 4. Barthel drives elbows into Bate’s head, then drags him up for a whip. Bate reverses and arm-drags Barthel! Bate wrenches then tags in Seven! Seven fireman’s carries Barthel for the Wasteland Slam, then Bate uses Seven for the knee-board senton! Seven covers, TWO! Fans sing for Seven as he facelocks Barthel.
Barthel slips out to kick Seven down! Barthel brings Seven up for European Uppercuts! He has Seven in the corner and tags Walter in. Fans boo as Walter kicks Seven. Seven gets free of the Imperium corner and he circles with Walter. They tie up and Walter powers Seven to a corner. Walter lets go at 4, but Seven dodges the chop. Seven CHOPS Walter, but Walter doesn’t flinch! Walter shoves Seven to a corner, but he misses his chop again. Seven CHOPS away, then CHOPS Barthel away ash e runs over. Seven goes back to CHOP Walter, but sees Aichner coming. Aichner falls for the feint to get the DDT! Fans fire up with Seven, but Walter CHOPS Seven off his feet! Walter cranks Seven’s neck, then kicks him in the back. Seven still fights back but Walter knees Seven down.
Fans rally up but Walter drags Seven up. Walter scoops and slams Seven then covers, TWO! Fans sing for Seven more but Walter wrenches him to tag in Aichner. Seven fights but Aichner and Walter mug Seven. Fans jeer Aichner as he stomps away on Seven. The ref backs Aichner off and Seven CHOPS Aichner! Aichner still clubs Seven back then back suplexes Seven high and hard! Cover, TWO! Aichner keeps his cool as he drags Seven over. Walter tags in and he mugs Seven now. Seven kicks Walter in the leg then CHOPS him in the chest! Seven CHOPS more but Walter BOOTS Seven down! Walter hits Bate but Dunne gets clear. Walter goes back to Seven and rams shoulder into shoulder. He wrenches and rams Seven again, then eggs him on.
Seven CHOPS Walter over and over, but Walter grabs him by the throat. Seven breaks free to back hand SLAP Walter! He reels Walter in, but gets Walter’s urenage! Cover, TWO! Seven survives but Walter rams his knees into Seven over and over. Walter kicks Seven while he’s down then tags Barthel. Barthel drops a knee on Seven’s head, then kicks his arm against the ropes! Seven writhes while Barthel taunts him in German. Barthel grinds Seven’s head but backs off at the ref’s count. Seven crawls to a corner but Barthel fires off vicious fists and even headbutts. Barthel drags Seven up and over to tag in Aichner. Imperium mugs Seven more, but Seven fights back with hands and chops! Barthel shoves Seven, Aichner gives Seven a SPINEBUSTER, then Barthel adds a Penalty Kick!
Barthel blasts British Strong Style while Aichner covers, TWO! Seven still survives but Aichner puts him right in a chinlock and body scissors. Fans rally up and Seven endures the holds. Seven pushes back for a cover, ONE, and Aichner has to let Seven go. Seven gives Aichner a jawbreaker! Aichner staggers, but Barthel runs in. Seven throws Barthel out but Aichner has his foot! Seven enziguris Aichner away! Both men crawl, hot tags to Walter and Dunne! Fans are thunderous as the Bruiserweight gets to enziguri the Ring General, stomp his hands, and keep on kicking him! Walter is in a corner, Dunne gives him a running enziguri! Dunne hops up and missile dropkicks the legs out!
Fans fire up with Dunne as he whips, but Walter reverses. Walter gets clear of Dunne to CHOP him in the back! Walter wraps a sleeper hold on! But Dunne grabs the ropes! Barthel slaps the arms away, Walter German Suplexes! But Dunne lands on his feet! Dunne buzzsaws Walter in the head! Dunne waits for Walter to stand, dodges him and German Suplexes him on the rebound. But then he runs into a BOOT! Walter German Suplexes Dunne again and this time Dunne lands on the mat! Both men are down but fans rally up. Dunne and Walter crawl for their corners, hot tags to Bate and Aichner! Bate rallies with hands on Aichner! Aichner kick slow but runs into a huricanrana!
Bate runs corner to corner for a big EuroUpper! Then whips Aichner corner to corner, only for Aichner to reverse. Bate boots and knees Aichner away, then hops up for the flying uppercut! Barthel runs in but gets an exploder onto Aichner! Fans rally behind Bate as he lifts Aichner in the fireman’s carry. Time for the Big Strong Boy airplane spin! Barthel gets hit by Aichner before Bate dumps Aichner out. Then Bate grabs Barthel for the swing! But Walter saves Barthel, only to fall for Bop and BANG! Bate dares to try, but Aichner goes after Bate first. Bate fights all of Imperium off with EuroUppers, but gets a pop up into Barthel’s kick! Aichner hits a brain buster! Barthel covers, but Dunne and Seven break it!
Barthel throws Dunne out while Walter throws Seven. Walter stomps Dunne down while Barthel has Bate. Aichner tags in but Bate fights back. Bate boots but Barthel deflects that to ropes. Aichner gives Bate a draping backstabber! Barthel climbs to add double stomps! Aichner covers, TWO!! Bate survives and Glasgow loves it! Aichner is furious but he keeps focus on Bate. Tag to Barthel and they trash talk Bate in their respective languages. But Bate fires off with fast hands! Aichner kicks low and whips Bate, but Bate rebounds for DOUBLE LARIATS! Bate crawls but Walter intercepts, only to get the rolling kick! Hot tag to Seven!
Dunne tags in off Seven, Seven gives Barthel the Seven Stars Lariat! Seven DIVES onto Aichner while Dunne tags Bate. Dunne pump handles, Bitter End on Barthel! Bate climbs, for the corkscrew senton! Walter returns and barrels through Dunne to BOOT Bate! Dunne dropkicks Walter then slingshots out, only to miss. Walter runs at Dunne but Dunne sends him into steel steps! But then Walter back suplexes Dunne onto barriers! Wait, who is that coming down the ramp? He wears a hood and familiar mask… In the ring, Seven CHOPS Aichner. Aichner shoves Seven into the ref! Seven clotheslines Aichner and himself out of the ring! The mystery man enters the ring and targets Bate! It’s ALEXANDER WOLFE!! The German Ax Man POWERBOMBS Bate! Glasgow boos but Wolfe grins. Walter gets the ref in while Barthel covers, Imperium wins!!
Winners: Imperium, Marcel Barthel pinning
Imperium is victorious, and is now four man strong! Wolfe lost his SAnitY, but has gained absolute power alongside Walter, Barthel and Aichner!
1/25/20 – Worlds Collide 8 Man Tag: The Undisputed Era VS Imperium!
The two biggest factions in the NXT family do battle for ultimate supremacy! Adam Cole and the Yanks fired the first shot in Blackpool, but Houston shall forever be the site of a dominant force standing above all others!
The factions sort out and fans are cheering “U S A!” as we begin with Aichner and Kyle. Kyle and Aichner circle and tie up, and Aichner powers Kyle down. Kyle is back up but into a waistlock and slam! Aichner talks trash as he circles with Kyle again. They break, tie up again, and Kyle gets a takedown! Armbar to kneebar to heel hook! Aichner crawls to a ropebreak and Kyle lets go. Aichner gets a cheap shot in then EuroUppers. Kyle forearms back and also kicks. Aichner knees then CHOPS Kyle in a corner. Kyle turns things around to forearm but Aichner CHOPS again! Kyle fires off a flurry of forearms and fans fire up. Kyle whips, Aichner reverses but Kyle boots back. Kyle runs into a spinning powerslam! Tag to Barthel, and Imperium’s elite tag duo coordinate to flapjack EuroUpper! Cover, ONE but Barthel looms over Kyle.
Barthel talks trash then runs but Kyle ducks the Penalty Kick to throw kicks. Barthel blocks them then ducks to uppercut! Barthel runs but into a knee! Tag to Strong, and he gut busters for Kyle to knee drop on Barthel! Cover, TWO! Strong drags Barthel up but Barthel uppercuts him down! Barthel throat chops Strong into Imperium territory and Wolfe tags in. Wolfe snapmares Strong and Barthel hits a basement EuroUpper! Cover, ONE, but Wolfe clubs Strong down. Wolfe puts Strong in a corner and throws body shots. Wolfe throws EuroUppers of his own, then wrenches Strong. Strong forearms and CHOPS back, and tags in Fish. Fish and Strong double suplex Wolfe for the gourd buster! Then they add a kick CHOP combo! Fish covers Wolfe, TWO but barely! Wolfe might be in bad shape as the ref checks on him. The ref puts up an X and medics come over. Fans are bummed as the match has to pause.
Fish waits in his corner as Wolfe is helped away. This 8 Man now becomes 4v3 as Walter steps in for his fallen comrade. Cole tags in, and now we get NXT Champion going against NXT UK Champion! Walter and Cole tie up, and Walter just TOSSES Cole aside! Cole is shocked, but he comes back for more. Walter hip tosses Cole but Cole SLAPS Walter. “How about that?!” Walter puts Cole in a corner but Cole headlocks before that massive chop can come. Walter powers out but Cole kicks him back, then goes to superkick. Walter blocks that but Cole again avoids the chop. Fish runs in to take a forearm and Cole goes after Walter with clubbing forearms and stomps! Tag to Strong and Strong drags Walter up for clubbing forearms of his own.
Walter shoves, Strong forearms again, then runs. Walter HURDLES Strong to then BOOT him down! Walter glares at Cole before going to Strong. Strong is put in Imperium’s corner and Aichner tags in. Aichner stomps away on Strong and then reels him in for a back suplex! Aichner strike a pose but fans boo as he scuffs Strong. Strong throws a forearm but Aichner knees him down. Tag to Barthel and Imperium mugs Strong. Barthel bumps Strong off buckles and stomps a mudhole in! Barthel shouts “NEIN!” but Strong throws body shots. Barthel shoves Strong, Strong kicks back then throws more forearms. Barthel uppercuts, Strong boots and Cole tags in. Strong hops up but Barthel blocks the headscissor, but Cole kicks the legs out! Strong still gets bombed but Barthel is down for Cole to rain down rights!
Cole hammers away even as he adjusts his mount. Cole drags Barthel over to drop elbows and ax handles. Cole brings Barthel up and grinds him in as Fish tags in. Fish and Cole mug Barthel then Kyle tags in. Kyle throws forearms and shots of his own, and even kicks and knees. Tag to Strong and Strong CHOPS while Kyle kicks! CHOP, kick, repeat! The fans fire up but the ref has to keep Walter back. Strong toys with Barthel and mocks the Imperium pose. Tag to Fish and they both bring Barthel up for more knees. Fish snapmares Barthel, slingshots out and in for the senton! Fans duel as Fish tags Cole in. Cole brings Barthel up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Cole clamps on with a chinlock and Barthel endures being ground down on the mat. Barthel fights his way up as Aichner coaches him from the corner.
Barthel gets up and throws body shots, only to get a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Cole keeps his eyes on Walter and drags Barthel to tag in Kyle. Kyle goes side to side for a sliding knee! Kyle brings Barthel up for a waistlock slam and then rams elbows and knees into the ribs. Kyle is just picking Barthel apart as he runs to ram another knee in. Fans cheer the dominance, but Kyle boots Walter! Walter is just angry but Kyle makes fun of “Walterstein.” But Kyle gets caught with a Russian Leg Sweep by Barthel! Both men are down now and fans rally up. Hot tag to Walter! And now Walter rallies on the Undisputed Era! He throws Fish out, BOOTS Cole, and Strong gets clear to check on Fish. Kyle realizes he messed up, but he still tries to throw hands with the Austrian Anomaly!
Walter blocks a kick to make it an Ankle Lock! And then a trapped-leg GERMAN! Kyle flounders up to clothesline, but then Walter just CLUBS Kyle down! Walter drags Kyle up but Kyle slips into a GUILLOTINE! Kyle can’t bring Walter down to the mat, and Walter powers out with a suplex! Kyle slips out to waistlock, Walter standing switches, but Strong gets in to help keep Kyle grounded! But Walter gives a tug and Strong just ends up part of the GERMAN SUPLEX! Two men for the price of one! Walter tags Aichner in, and Aichner tags Barthel in. Barthel brings Kyle up as Aichner climbs. Wheelbarrow, FLYING DDT! Then the cover, TWO!! Kyle survives that blitzkrieg but Barthel is back on him. Barthel whips and runs Kyle over with an elbow, covers, TWO! Barthel drags Kyle up while talking trash and then tags in Aichner.
Imperium mugs Kyle, underhook and butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO, but Aichner clamps on with a chinlock. Aichner grinds Kyle down but the Undisputed Era coach Kyle from the corner. Fans rally up and Kyle fights his way up. Kyle throws body shots but Aichner shoves to hit Kyle with the kitchen sink knee. Aichner toys with Kyle then tags in Walter. Imperium mugs Kyle more, and then Walter brings Kyle around to scoop and slam. Walter runs to LEAP onto Kyle! The seated senton all but squashed Kyle, and Kyle crawls into the Imperium corner. Walter clubs Kyle in the chest, but Kyle is gritting his teeth. Kyle is hulking up and throwing hands! Kyle slaps Walter, decks Aichner, but Walter CHOPS! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives the Walter Chop, and fans want more. But Aichner tags in to drag Kyle up for a back suplex.
Kyle slips out and boots back. Kyle sweeps Walter’s leg but Aichner boots Kyle down. Tag to Barthel and Kyle is set upside-down. Imperium meets in the corner, double dropkicks! But there was some mistiming, Barthel hit Aichner more than he did Kyle. Barthel gets Kyle by the foot but Kyle rolls through the Ankle Lock! Barthel hits buckles but Walter tags back in. Walter drags Kyle up but Kyle slips under to tag in Strong! Strong rallies on Imperium, dropkick for Aichner, CHOP for Walter! Dropkick for Barthel and another CHOP for Walter! But Walter CHOPS Strong! Strong stays standing so Walter CHOPS him again! Somehow Strong keeps throwing forearms and CHOPS on Walter! Walter grabs Strong but Strong just keeps throwing CHOPS! Then forearm for forearm for a LARIAT from Walter!
Fans are fired up again as Walter brings Strong up. Strong slips out, STRONG KNEE! Aichner tags in as Strong runs, PSYCHO KICK for Walter! Aichner runs in, Strong sees him coming and spins him around for a butterfly BOMB! Cover, TWO, into STRONG HOLD! Aichner endures as Strong sits deep! Aichner turns it around to kick free. Aichner CHOPS and kicks and EuroUppers Strong to DISCUS! Both men are down but Houston is fired up again. Strong and Aichner go to their corners, tag to Fish and Barthel. Fish rushes Imperium and just throws elbows all over. But Barthel shoves Fish, Aichner SPINE BUSTERS and Barthel PENALTY KICKS! Aichner feeds Fish to Barthel’s AIR RAID! Cover, TWO! Fish survives but Imperium regroups.
Barthel feeds Fish to Aichner, but Fish back drops out of the bomb! Fish BOOTS Barthel and EXPLODERS Aichner onto him! Fish tags in Cole and Houston explodes! Barthel falls for a 52 Fake Out and then Cole heads up top. Cole leaps, but Barthel gets clear of the Sunrise. Cole fireman’s carries but Barthel slips out. Barthel’s boot is caught but Barthel pries free and knees back! Barthel waistlocks but Cole PELES! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, but Walter stomps it apart! Strong, Kyle and Fish return to go after Walter! A 3v1 mugging in the corner! The ref backs them all off but the Undisputed Era drag Walter up to throw him out. They don’t stop there, they decide to clear off the announce desk! Fans fire up because they’re anticipating a table! Walter CHOPS away and throws big forearms!
Walter brings Strong around, but Kyle kicks a leg out! Strong is saved and then reDRagon mug Walter. But Walter just fights out again! CHOPS all around and Fish is put into a post. Walter clears off the other announce desk as fans chant his name. Walter puts Kyle on the desk then climbs up to join him. But Fish kicks Walter’s leg! Ax ‘n’ SMASH! OLYMPIC SLAM ONTO THE OTHER DESK!! Strong and Walter crash down and Houston loses its mind! Fans also chant “MAMMA MIA!” since Mauro Ranallo isn’t here. Back in the ring, Cole has Barthel. Suplex, but Barthel fights out. Barthel dodges and Cole gets buckles. Barthel runs to EuroUpper to butterfly suplex! Barthel is up top, flying EuroUpper! Kyle returns but misses Barthel to get an enziguri! And then Barthel tosses Kyle to Aichner’s BRAIN BUSTER! Strong returns, to get a SAIDO! SUPERKICK for Barthel! Aichner flies in, to a SUPERKICK!
Cole drags Barthel up, suplex, LAST SHOT 1.0! Cover, TWO!! That wasn’t the last one as Barthel survives. Cole tags in Strong and Strong drags Barthel up. Strong fireman’s carries for the gut buster drop, Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO!! Strong drags Barthel up, tags in Fish and Fish tags in Kyle. Strong lets reDRagon handle this but Aichner gets in to save Barthel! It’s a brawl and Aichner gets the pop-up double kicks! Barthel is on the apron and he baits Fish in. Barthel hits Kyle but Kyle dragon screws back! Cole distracts the ref so that Fish can sweep the legs! Kyle climbs up and leaps to drop knees on Barthel’s back! HEEL HOOK! Barthel endures, flails, reaches, but CHOPS Kyle! Kyle just cranks harder! Barthel manages to crawl his way over, to the ROPEBREAK! Aichner triangle MOONSAULTS onto Kyle!
Fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for this incredible international instant classic! Teams regroup on the outside and Aichner helps Barthel in. Fish and Strong go after Aichner and into a corner of the barriers. But Walter rises?! Barthel fights Kyle off with kicks but Cole tags in! Cole drags Barthel away, but Cole ducks the enziguri, and it hits Kyle! Barthel gets away to tag in Walter! Houston erupts as Walter CHOPS Cole! And CHOPS Kyle on the back! Fish runs in but gets a CHOP, too! Cole is back up to SUPERKICK and SUPERKICK! The knee pad comes down, Cole runs, into a CHOP!! Walter decks Kyle and clobbers Strong! Strong gets back up so Walter gives him a WALTER BOMB! Walter heads up top and fans remember seeing this before. WALTER SPLASH!
But Cole is right behind Walter, LAST SHOT 2.0!! Cover, but Barthel breaks it up!! Houston can’t believe what they’re seeing, but they know “This is Awesome!” The factions regroup, 4v3. And it fires off again! Cole spills out but Strong ROCKS Aichner! Barthel gets Kyle out of the way as Walter puts Fish in a sleeper hold! Barthel clobbers Strong and Kyle climbs onto Walter for a sleeper of his own! Fish pries free, TOTAL ANNIHILATION ON WALTER! Who is legal!? Barthel climbs the apron to leap onto Cole! Kyle throws hands on Barthel but is scooped for a slam! Strong lines up his shot to FLY out onto everyone! Fish and Walter are slowly sitting up as Aichner triangle LEAPS onto the rest! Fish goes to the corner to MOONSAULT but FLOPS! Walter SHOTGUN dropkicks, and then brings Fish up, WALTER BOMB!! Cover, IMPERIUM WINS!!
Winners: Imperium, Walter pinning
Even after losing Wolfe, NXT UK’s dominant force overcomes the odds! The mat is sacred, their brand stands tall, and that is undisputed. Is this a sign of how much bigger and stronger the NXT UK brand is becoming? Or is it a sign that the entire NXT franchise is going to take over the world of wrestling entertainment?
Walter speaks.
“I had some time to review the last couple of months. And as a result, I have to say, I’m proud.” Walter is proud of what Imperium as a group has achieved for this sport. And he promises us, this is just the start. Imperium has started regaining the honor of pro-wrestling. Walter is honored to have defended the NXT UK Championship against Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, Joe Coffey, and Dave Mastiff. But what separates Imperium from all others is that they do this for the greater good. “Our drive is our passion. We are proud of this great sport.” Finn Balor is the next to step up to Walter. “Fantastic.”
Balor is one of the very best the sport has to offer today. The Prince dares the Ring General to step up to him, but Walter says Balor is the one on borrowed time. That time will end when they meet in the ring. Balor acts like he is bigger than pro-wrestling itself. But now and forever, the mat is sacred.
My Thoughts:
A really good episode to relive some incredible moments from this brand. The Six Man Tag with Wolfe’s NXT UK debut and the Worlds Collide 8 Man were just instant classics. I’m sure that if the world wasn’t on lockdown, Imperium would have the NXT UK Tag Team Championships by now. For now, Aichner & Barthel are competing for the prime NXT Tag Team Championships, but I can’t be sure they beat Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher next Wednesday. Though if Imperium did to make up for not having the UK titles, I would love to see Riddle join Dunne in the UK for a stretch. And Walter did a great job in his closing promo to plug Finn Balor back in. Balor is biding his time with the “snake” in NXT but I really do hope they keep Walter VS Balor in mind for whatever TakeOver we’re able to get once the world relaxes.
My Score: 8.4/10
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SmackDown is going big in Bakersfield!
John Cena, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and ALL TWELVE Money in the Bank contenders, all here on the same night! Is SmackDown about to blow the roof off this place?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- LA Knight VS Aleister Black; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia; Rhea, Alexa & Vaquer win.
- Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable; Andrade & Penta win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Visionary is just one of the six men in this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder match, and he of course has Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & “Big” Bronson Reed with him. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins revels in it as he stands in the ring in his all indigo suit with gold necklace. The fans also bark for Bron, and others get an “O T C!” chant and a “C M PUNK!” chant going. Rollins is handed the mic by The Wise Man to say, “Bakersfield… I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I am… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” The fans do cheer, and Rollins vows that tomorrow night, HE TAKES EVERYTHING!
Rollins points to the briefcases up above and the fans are torn. Rollins says when he wins the MITB contract, he will have ABSOLUTE POWER, and he will have TOTAL CONTROL over this entire industry! Rollins paces while the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says yeah, no, he can’t hear you. That guy is off on the Island of Irrelevancy where Rollins put him after WrestleMania! But that total control Rollins will have doesn’t just mean Raw. It will include SmackDown, as welL! So they are here to deliver a message! Anyone who stands in their way will suffer the same fate as anyone who has already stood in their way.
“Sami Zayn stood in our way. He’s in the dirt. CM Punk stood in our way. POOF! Gone! Roman Reigns stood in our way, and he is Missing In Action. Roman Reigns is not coming to save you. Roman Reigns doesn’t care about you! Roman Reigns has never cared about you! But y’know who has?! You know who has?! SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The fans are again torn, but Rollins says he will drag all of you, kicking and screaming if he has to, into the future because that is what Rollins does. Not just for himself, not just for his group, but for the entire industry! And there is NOBODY who can stop him!
Wait! Here comes Solo Sikoa and his “family.” The fans actually cheer as Solo, JC Mateo & Jacob Fatu head to the ring. Rollins and his faction stand their ground as Solo grabs a mic and leads the way for his rogues into the ring. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says, “You said that, uh, if anybody gets in your way, that you’re gonna lay ’em out?” Rollins says, “That’s right.” And that there is nobody here to stop him? That’s also right. Well, uh, Solo’s team is standing here right now. Oh, is that so? Solo says by the looks of it, Rollins has his own little “Bloodline” going on. Which one is Bron supposed to be? The Right Hand Man, Jey Uso? “YEET!”
Then does that make Bronson the “Honorary Uce?” After everything they’ve been through… Bronson was on Solo’s side for WarGames! And now, he no calls, then shows up and teams up with this guy? But Rollins even has The Wise Man. Speaking of, long time no see, Heyman. Rollins tells Solo to choose his next words very carefully. Solo laughs that off, and says let’s cut to the chase. All we know is, tomorrow night, Solo climbs the ladder, grabs the contract, and then all that power and control Rollins talked about will all be Solo’s. Rollins laughs that off and says he sees. This is Solo’s turf, he is pushing back.
Is Solo threatened because Bron Breakker is the future of this industry and Solo is not? Is he threatened that Bronson Reed could squash Solo like a bug at the snap of Rollins’ fingers? Well, Solo should be worried. But he should really be worried about the fact that Solo’s own family would rather stab him in the back than have his back. Rollins looks at The Samoan Werewolf, and says, “What’s up, Jacob? You look like you wanna say something. C’mon, take the mic from Solo. You gonna let Solo talk for you?” Solo tells Rollins to shut up. Rollins says Fatu is the werewolf, but there could be a new nickname for him, like “Solo’s B*tch.”
The fans fire up and Rollins says hey, in all seriousness, it took a lot of guts for Solo to come out here and talk to him. Solo is threatened by Rollins, while Rollins is threatened by one Fatu in here, and it ain’t Solo. Rollins smiles, the fans cheer Fatu on, but Solo takes off his jacket. Rollins takes off his jacket, but Bron steps up. So Fatu steps up! The sunglasses come off, but Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins has his faction leave first, but will all these heavy hitters throw down soon enough?
Wait! Jimmy Uso CLOBBERS JC Mateo into Fatu! #BigJim snuck in from the crowd side! Solo bails but JC takes the SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Rollins chuckles. Solo has Fatu calm down, Jimmy is the issue, not JC! Will JC take Jimmy on a Tour of the Islands? Or will that be a #NoYeet?
JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso!
SmackDown returns and this match is underway as JC TOSSES Jimmy to a corner! JC mocks the No Yeet before he runs in, but Jimmy dodges! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Jimmy climbs up, the fans fire up, and Jimmy rains down fists! The fans count along, but JC stops Jimmy at 7! JC DUMPS Jimmy to the apron, but Jimmy RAMS and GAMANGIRIS JC! Jimmy goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that but Jimmy clamps on with a chinlock. JC endures, fights up, and the fans rally. JC slips around, shoves Jimmy, and clinches for an EXPLODER!
The fans rally while both Jimmy and JC catch their breath. JC stands on Jimmy’s hand, then drags him up with a fishhook! JC makes Jimmy look at Solo, Solo says it is not too late. Jimmy can just come back home, unless he wants to get his ass kicked. Jimmy refuses, so JC hits a BIG back suplex! Solo eggs Jimmy on, JC stomps Jimmy, then JC clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally up and Jimmy fights to his feet. Jimmy fires body shots, JC shoves him away, and then JC ELBOWS Jimmy down! JC stalks Jimmy, CHOPS him against the ropes, then CHOPS him again! JC whips, Jimmy grabs ropes, and then Jimmy dodges to TOSS JC!
JC gets up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS him down! The fans fire up, Jimmy builds speed, and Jimmy DIVES! Direct hit into JC and the fans fire up again! Jimmy hurries to get JC up and into the ring. Solo asks Jimmy what’s going on here. They can still be family! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS JC instead! Jimmy goes up but Solo barks at him. The ref reprimands Solo, but JC DROPKICKS Jimmy to the floor! Solo says this is what he’s trying to tell Jimmy, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jimmy sputters, the ring count climbs, but JC rolls out to fetch Jimmy. JC THROWS Jimmy into barriers! Solo talks trash, JC drags Jimmy up and SMACKS him off the apron. JC pushes Jimmy into the ring, stomps him around, then talks trash on the fans cheering Jimmy on. JC puts Jimmy on the ropes to CHOKE him! Fatu frowns, Solo talks trash, and JC stomps Jimmy again. JC HEADBUTTS Jimmy in the corner, then gets space. JC runs and HIP ATTACKS! Jimmy sputters and flops over, Solo tells him that this can stop, but Jimmy refuses to give up. JC clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jimmy down!
Jimmy endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down! JC grinds Jimmy down more, but Jimmy still endures. Jimmy fights up, only for JC to squeeze tighter. Solo talks trash the whole time as Jimmy endures, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally harder and harder as Jimmy stands! Jimmy JAWBREAKERS free! But JC ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Jimmy sputters and scrambles away, but JC smirks as he stalks Jimmy to the ropes. JC CHOKES Jimmy, lets off as the ref counts, and Solo asks again. Jimmy says no, so Solo says Jimmy isn’t done, so JC needs to kick his ass more.
JC puts Jimmy in a corner, UPPERCUTS, and then brings him around to whip corner to corner. Jimmy goes up, over, and then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up as Solo is upset and confused as to how Jimmy has more to give. The fans rally again, and both men stand. Jimmy counter punches! Then HEADBUTTS! Then mule kicks, pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS! Jimmy dodges a lariat, fireman’s carries again, but JC slips free! JC JABS while Jimmy kicks low! Jimmy rebounds, JC blocks the kick and spins him, but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! JC staggers to a corner and Jimmy CHOPS! Jimmy whips corner to corner, JC reverses, but Jimmy ELBOWS JC1
Jimmy goes up, up, and USO IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO!! JC stays in this and Jimmy is stunned! The fans rally more as Jimmy and JC go to corners. Jimmy says, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but JC catches him to a waistlock! Jimmy fires elbows, whips, but JC reverses and reels Jimmy in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Solo says it’s alright. JC whips Jimmy to the corner, runs in, but Jimmy BOOTS JC! And then SUPERKICKS! And then SUPERKICKS again! JC still comes back, but Jimmy dodges to SPEAR! The fans fire up as Jimmy hurries up a corner! Solo distracts from the apron! The fans boo, and now Fatu is up!
Jimmy hops down before Jacob can do anything. They glare at each other, but Jimmy dodges JC! JC CLOBBERS Fatu! Roll-up, JIMMY WINS!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
#BigJim uses the numbers game against Solo’s side, and now he’s got a win over a former Olympian and multi-time champion from NJPW! JC blames Fatu for this, Fatu doesn’t wanna hear it, and Solo does his best to smooth things over. But will Solo’s team lose all control before he ever becomes a champion?
Zelina Vega crosses paths with Giulia.
The Women’s United States Champion tells the Beautiful Madness that she made her intentions very clear last week. Now allow Zelina to make her intentions very clear: Zelina has worked her ass off to have the title. If Giulia wants her shot, then pry it from her lifeless body. Zelina is not giving this up for anything. Giulia says no, she likes Zelina. Zelina has confidence. Yes, well… La Muneca heads out to handle business with the Green Administration. Will Zelina survive now that Chelsea has gotten rid of the rules? Or will Piper Niven help Madam President Green make SmackDown a hot mess again?
Jacob Fatu returns backstage.
He is in no mood, but Damian Priest walks over anyway. The Archer of Infamy says it’s tough working with family. What Fatu is going through, he’s been there, and he doesn’t envy it. But regardless of the situation, man to man, face to face, Priest wants Fatu to know that at some point, Priest is coming for the US Championship. Fatu says Priest can line it up. Because if Priest doesn’t handle business with Fatu, he’s send to the back of the line with it. YADADA mean? Fatu heads out, when and where will these monstrous men battle it out?
Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration!
SmackDown returns as the WWE Women’s US Champion makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Piper SHOVES Zelina down, and then grins as she flexes. Zelina brushes that off, resets with Piper, and they tie up again. Piper SHOVES Zelina away and Zelina goes to the outside. Piper salutes but Zelina brings something out from under the ring! Piper storms her way over, and SMACK! Kendo stick! Zelina uses Chelsea’s tricks against her, SMACK and SMACK for Piper! Piper grabs the stick to HEADBUTT Zelina! Piper snarls and storms up to bring Zelina around. Piper scoops, but Zelina slips free!
Zelina has the stick again! SMACK! Zelina then adds a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Piper is tougher than that but she bails out of the ring. The fans rally for Zelina and call for tables. Chelsea says no they don’t! Zelina WRECKS Piper with a dropkick, then DOUBLE STOMPS her down! Zelina hurries to go up the steps, then she FLYING- NO! Piper stops the rana to swing Zelina up and around. ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM on the apron! Zelina sputters, Piper goes up the ramp, and then Piper runs downhill! SPLASH against the LED! The Green Administration is standing tall while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both women are down. Chelsea shouts for Piper to get up so Piper rises. Piper goes to a corner, and she brings a chain over! The fans rally but Piper uses the chain to CHOKE- NO, Zelina blocks the chain, but Piper makes it a GAG! Piper still chokes Zelina, brings her to a corner, and BOOTS her into the buckles! Zelina is in a daze, and Piper teases fans by taking off her suit jacket. Piper throws the jacket aside, grabs a chair, and she sits it up at center. Piper drags Zelina up and over, coops her, and salutes for the FULL METAL- DDT COUNTER!! Zelina turns things around, hurries to cover, but Piper flops right out of the ring!
Chelsea stresses out but Zelina now goes to the apron. Then she climbs up the corner, and she ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down goes The Green Administration! Zelina hurries back up, but Piper SLAPS her first! Piper has Zelina stuck up top and climbs up to get her. The fans rally, Piper brings Zelina to the top rope, but Zelina fires body shots! Zelina HEADBUTTS again and again, then SMACKS Piper off buckles! Zelina climbs up, and she hops on for the SUPER CODE RED!!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Then Chelsea drags Zelina out! There’s nothing to stop them from mugging Zelina! The fans boo but this is why Chelsea had this match made to start with!
Piper shouts to Alba, “GET THE TABLES!” Alba fetches exactly that and the fans fire up! The table is put in the ring, Piper scoops Zelina, PIPER DRIVER on the floor! Zelina sputters but The Green Administration isn’t done with her! The table is set up near a corner, Piper pushes Zelina in, and Chelsea says the people get what they want! Piper puts Zelina on the table, waves goodbye, then goes up the corner. But wait! GIULIA is here?! She DOUBLE LARIATS Alba & Chelsea! And Zelina gets under Piper! Piper holds on, but Giulia uses a kendo stick to SMACK Piper’s hands! Piper loses her grip, Zelina POWERBOMBS Piper down through the table!! Cover, ZELINA WINS!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Giulia grins as she helps Zelina survive. But was this less about helping Zelina so much as helping herself? YEP! She HEADBUTTS Zelina and reels her in! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Giulia is no fool, it is easier to beat a champion who is all alone than one with minions hanging around. Will Giulia soon take all the gold for herself once she becomes Miss Money in the Bank?
Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes meet backstage.
The American Nightmare asks how Main Event Jey is doing. A bit banged up from Monday but he’ll be fine. How about Cody? He looks good. And then Jimmy joins in. They shake hands and Jimmy asks if Jey is okay. Jey says of course! What does everyone keep asking? Jimmy says he has a match tomorrow and a big title match on Monday! They just want to make sure The YEET Man is ready to YEET. Jey says yeah, that’s what champs do. But the only thing they need to worry about tonight is what John Cena & Logan Paul are gonna say. After that, they handle tomorrow. YEET? YEET! Jey heads out, but will he and Cody handle business? Or will they get handled instead?
Aleister Black speaks.
“No. I can’t let it go. Initially, I had convinced myself that someone of your standing, someone that’s so loved by the WWE Universe, using the Black Mass was almost respectful. And in a weird way I almost respect it, but the longer I think about it, the more I think that you stole something from me. And that does not sit well with me. It’s funny what the human mind can do. But now, I wanna take away all this security that you had in that match. No Shinsuke Nakamura, no relaxed rules. Just you, and me. And all the shadows that are there. And I will drag you into the light, and see what’s left of you.
“But if you beat me, LA Knight, I will look you in the eyes, I will shake your hand, and I will accept defeat.” The Dark Father wants the Mega Star to earn his respect, can he do it?
LA Knight VS Aleister Black!
SmackDown returns as Knight makes his entrance, and he grabs a mic. “LEMME TALK TO YA! It’s that time of the year again. Yeah.” “YEAH!” “It’s MITB season!” “YEAH!” “And I think about it, and you do a little bit o’ math here, yeah.” “YEAH!” “This is my third year in a row being in MITB.” “YEAH!” “What’s that, sir? You said third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” “Whatcha think, third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” Knight ain’t satisfied with that. He looks at five guys running out here, like Penta. We like Penta, right? He’ll do everything under the sun to try and reach up and grab that case. “YEAH!”
There’s Andrade. They like him a bit, right? Another guy who’s gonna do every possible thing he can to get up there. Well, everyone’s gonna do everything they can, but those guys take it to another level. But those guys, we respect them a little bit, but then we get to the “Goons.” Then we get to… El Grande Americano Chad Gable. The fans are torn and Knight asks him which is it? Do we like him or not? The fans are still conflicted, but Knight says dummy number two is Solo Sikoa. Everyone hates him! Knight feels the same! And Solo, they’ve done this a million times, and Knight can drop him on his head one more time to climb up the ladder and take the briefcase.
But then there’s dummy number three. Knight thinks about a men he hasn’t really had interactions with, a man who has gotten crewed up and that is Seth Rollins. The fans are torn again, but Knight says Rollins has been here, done that, had the case and cashed in. He wants to #BurnItDown! But Rollins has to understand that there is nothing hotter than a night in LA with LA Knight, YEAH! And what that means Rollins won’t be burning anything done, ROLLINS gets burned down by this man, YEAH! Before that, we have tonight, Aleister Black. Aleister had a shot, and Knight understands. This is a big deal! MITB is a big deal!
MITB can make or break careers, so Knight gets why Aleister’s feelings got hurt when Knight “stole” the win. But it was a Triple Threat, Knight had to do what he had to do and got the job done. If that hurt Aleister’s feeling, sorry. But now he’s set himself up to get those feelings hurt one more time, YEAH! And you know that coming into California, Bakersfield, Aleister will be home on Saturday watching whose game this is, with everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!! But then Aleister makes his entrance. Will the Mega Star still shine? Or is he about to #FadeToBlack? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. The two circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Knight headlocks, Aleister powers up and out, then Aleister drops down and hurdles over. Knight stops and waistlocks, Aleister switches, and they go to ropes. Knight bucks the O’Conner, but runs up into a victory roll! TWO, the two stand, and Knight avoids a boot to flip and sunset! TWO, and Knight blocks a shot, only for Aleister to stop the BFT! Knight comes back, but narrowly avoids the Black Mass! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. The two circle again, tie up, and they go around. They end up on the ropes, in a corner, then the ropes again.
The fans cheer as they go around and around and make a full lap! And then they keep going! They finally stay in a corner, the ref counts, and Knight slowly lets off. Aleister shoves, Knight shoves, and Aleister hits a headlock takeover. Aleister grinds Knight down but Knight fights up. The fans rally, Knight stands up and fires body shots. Knight powers up and out, then he CLOBBERS Aleister! The fans rally, Knight stomps Aleister, and then stalks him. Knight brings Aleister up, snap suplexes, then covers, ONE!! Aleister is tougher than that but the fans rally. Knight brings Aleister up, bumps him off buckles, and RAMS into Aleister!
The ref counts as Knight RAMS Aleister again and again. Knight whips corner to corner, Aleister KICKS him in return! Aleister waistlocks, Knight elbows free, kicks, but Aleister denies the DDET! Knight UP KICKS, but then Aleister ROUND KICKS! Aleister runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Knight storms up on Aleister, drags him up, but Aleister JAWBREAKERS! Knight scoops, Aleister lands out, they throw hands, and Aleister shoves Knight to a corner. Knight kicks but Aleister blocks to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but he might be seeing stars.
Aleister stalks Knight, brings him around, and KICKS him against ropes! Knight goes to a corner, Aleister BOOTS him, and Aleister fires forearms. Aleister brings Knight in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Aleister stays on him. Knight fires hands, Aleister fires a strike fest! LEG SWEEP! Aleister runs to SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, goes up, but Knight LRAIATS Aleister and himself up and out! The fans fire up while both men are down, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Aleister FLYING SUNSET FLIPS, but Knight rolls through! Aleister avoids the boot, kips up and BOOTS back! Then QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and Aleister is stunned! Aleister waits on Knight while the fans declare, “This is Awesome!” Aleister aims, Knght ducks the Black Mass, but Aleister denies the BFT! Knight dodges Aleister to hit the JUMPING NECKBREAKER! POP-UP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Knight climbs, then spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP, but Knight blocks the boot! Knight rolls Aleister to his feet, spins him around, and tortuer racks!
The fans fire up for Knights’ BURNING- NO, Aleister lands out! Knight narrowly deflects the boot to roll Aleister up! TWO, and both men hurry to their feet! Knight shoves, Aleister fires a haymaker, Knight fires back, and they go back and forth with fists! Aleister BOOTS Knight’s lariat, fires more strikes, but Knight shoves him away again. The BOOT hits on the return, then Aleister goes up again! But Knight turns it into a torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!! But Aleister flops out of the ring! The fans fire up, but wait! SETH ROLLINS CURB STOMPS KNIGHT!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The Visionary must’ve heard Knight mention him, and so “dummy number three” just gave Knight his first interaction! The fans chant for Punk, but Aleister steps in Rollins’ way instead! The fans fire up for that stare down, but then here comes Bron Breakker!! SPEAR on Aleister!! Rollins TOSSES Aleister out, and then a SENTON from Bronson Reed onto Knight! The fans boo but Bron builds up speed to SPEAR Knight!! Rollins tells Knight this is what he was talking about! You stand in Rollins’ way, you don’t stay standing! Will Rollins bring his behemoths with him to absolutely bulldoze the ladder match?
Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce speak.
The SmackDown General Manager says, “In the WWE, things tend to move fast. This week, we’re climbing the ladder at Money in the Bank, and next week, we’re kicking off the King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments.” The Raw General Manager says, “This year, it’s bigger than ever. The tournament begins with four Fatal 4 Way matches in the men’s and women’s divisions, and the winners advance.” Aldis says from there, it is a co-branded single elimination tournament with the semifinals and finals. Those finals take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions. And the stakes could not be higher!
The King and Queen of the Rings get title matches on their respective brands for the biggest show of the summer, SummerSlam! Aldis & Pearce wish everyone luck, and may the best man and woman win. With so many spots open, who gets in, and who makes it to the Night of Champions?
Backstage interview with Jade Cargill.
Byron Saxton is with The Storm, and knows that while she would’ve loved to been in MITB, how good does it feel to know she is in the Queen of Ring? Jade says it feels great. She understands she won’t have the chance to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase, but she’ll keep climbing the ranks. She is The Storm, she is in that tournament, and when the dust settles, she will be Queen of the Ring. Then at SummerSlam, she won’t ask for a belt, she’ll take it. On a different note, we saw Bianca Belair refuse to forgive Naomi, but where do things stand between Biansa and Jade? Well, Charlotte Flair walks in and tells Jade as a reminder: Salt and sugar look the same.
That is to say, choose your friends wisely, or don’t have any at all. And as for QOTR, Jade will need a prayer to win. There is only ONE Queen in the WWE. But then Tiffany Stratton walks by and tells them both good luck with that. The WWE Women’s Champion heads to gorilla, what will she have to say the night before a new Miss MITB is crowned?
Legado Del Fantasma meets.
Santos Escobar is in a good mood, but Berto asks him why he brought them here. Santos says, “Family.” After the meeting they had, they agreed they were going to compete at Worlds Collide. And now, Santos has a plan. It is very simple: Worlds Collide, they will prove once and for all, they will establish, before their people, before their country, and before the world, just who owns lucha libre. Want a scoop? It’s Legado taking on Psycho Clown, Pagano and “the one who will always live in the shadow of his father,” El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr, aka Dr. Wagner the Third. They will remove the heart and soul of AAA!
So pay close attention to Santos, because he knows they have the tools to win. That is how it is. They will establish themselves as the ones who own lucha libre. And it only takes two words: Legado y Familia! But will Santos, Angel y Berto truly make themselves the three kings of lucha libre? Or will they be the ones to fall when Worlds Collide?
Backstage interview with American Made.
Byron is now with the Creed Brothers & Chad Gable, and Byron says it is a big day tomorrow for Chad as he challenges El Hijo Del Vikingo for THE AAA Mega Championship. How confident is he going into that match? Oh, confidence is high. He is a bit disappointed he didn’t qualify for MITB, but the WWE found a “suitable replacement” for him in the greatest luchador of all time, El Grande Americano! As for Gable, he will put himself in the history books when he beats Vikingo and win the most prestigious title in all of lucha libre! But then in walks Andrade. El Idolo says in Espanol that Gable wants to beat Vikingo. Gable says, “Si.”
Andrade points out something about Vikingo and Gable keeps saying, “Si,” but Andrade asks, “Si to what?” But then in steps Penta! Penta and Andrade both talk in Espanol that Gable is crazy. Gable says enough! It’s not funny to use Espanol on him! And it won’t be funny when El Grande Americano puts them both through ladders tomorrow! The Creeds agree, but then Aldis steps in. Aldis has everyone stand down. There’s enough going on tonight, so settle this in the ring, tonight. Andrade y Penta are up for that. Will the luchadores put Julius & Brutus in their place? Or will the SmackDown before MITB be American Made?
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring.
The fans cheer as the WWE Women’s Champion struts out here, then grabs a mic before stepping in the ring. The fans cheer more, Tiff soaks it up, and she says, “Let’s call it for what it is, shall we? Last year, I didn’t just become the youngest Miss MITB. I became the It Girl of WWE, which is why I can see it now. Every single lady in that match is gonna try and pull a Tiffy and pull someone off a ladder, and then reach for the stars. I mean, we can all agree that every single lady in that match is championship material, right?” The fans do cheer that. Tiff says it doesn’t matter, because whoever wins MITB, their world will revolve around Tiff.
“So, ladies, you can win the match, you can trend for one night, but I fear no one can outdo the doer. Because, Bakersfield, what time is it?” “TIFFY TIME!” But then RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here and the fans fire up for Mami! Rhea joins Tiff in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and the fans cheer on “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea smiles and says, “Y’know, Tiffy, I’ve never actually been a part of the MITB ladder match before, because the fact is, I never had to.” The fans cheer that. Rhea says she doesn’t know what it feels like to win the contract like Tiff does, but Rhea knows what it feels like to be a champion. And Rhea misses that feeling.
But wait! Here comes La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer! The fans fire up as another of the Miss MITB contenders makes her entrance, followed by Alexa Bliss! And with that signals tonight’s Six Woman Tag! Will the dark, twisted, brutal trio of Vaquer, Bliss & Ripley stand tall just 24 hours before they make the climb? Or will Naomi, Roxie & Giulia make them #ProceedWithCaution?
Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia!
SmackDown returns and Naomi makes her entrance, followed by Roxie’s entrance, then Giulia’s. The teams sort out and Vaquer starts against Giulia. The fans fire up for this NXT rivalry revisited. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Vaquer stands on Giulia’s hand to then turn her around. Giulia endures the standing motorcycle stretch, then turns it around so she can KNEE Giulia low. Giulia swings, Vaquer ducks and whips, then blows past to slip around and arm-drag! Giulia is up, Vaquer wheelbarrows and sunsets, but Giulia rebounds off ropes to sunset back! ONE, Vaquer has it! ONE and Giulia has it back! They go back and forth, then break!
Vaquer slips around, drags Giulia down, turns her over, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! ONE, and Giulia runs up, but into a SOBAT! Vaquer snapmares Giulia, then smiles. The fans fire up as Vaquer wraps on the headscissors, but Giulia pops out the back! Giulia ties up the legs, pulls on the arms, ANGELITO STOMP! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she SLIDING LARIATS! Naomi says she’s gonna do it now, and she wraps Vaquer up in headscissors! The fans are torn but Vaquer turns it around to push back for a cover, TWO! Vaquer goes up and over, and now she has the headscissors! But then Roxie & Giulia run in!
Alexa & Rhea intercept, STO for Roxie and an atomic FACEBUSTER for Giulia! The fans fire up as Alexa has Roxie at the ropes and Rhea rear mounts Giulia! Vaquer turns Naomi over, and together, “AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH!” Vaquer gives Naomi DEVIL’S KISSES, Alexa’s SKATEBOARD STOMPS Roxie, and Rhea just ground ‘n’ pounds Giulia! The fans cheer as Vaquer, Rhea & Alexa stand tall while the others regroup. Vaquer chases after Naomi, puts her in the ring, but then Naomi YANKS her into ropes! The fans boo but Naomi bumps Vaquer off buckles. Naomi stomps a mudhole in but the ref counts.
Naomi steps off, but this lets Roxie & Giulia CHOKE Vaquer! The fans boo, Naomi storms over and tags in Roxie. They mug Vaquer, then Roxie digs her boots in. The ref counts, Roxie steps off and DOUBLE STOMPS! Roxie shoves Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Roxie whips Vaquer to the corner, UPPERCUTS, then tags Giulia. They mug Vaquer, then Giulia snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Naomi and she keeps Vaquer from her corner. The fans chant, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi CLUBS and KNEES Vaquer down! Naomi swings on Rhea, misses, then goes back to Vaquer. Naomi back suplexes, Vaquer lands out! Hot tag to Alexa!
The fans fire up for Alexa as she rallies on Naomi, BLASTS Giulia & Roxie, then CLOBBERS Naomi! BASEMENT DDT! Alexa drags Naomi up, but Naomi headlocks. Alexa slips out so the corner bulldog just sends Naomi into buckles! Alexa storms up, Naomi ELBOWS her away, tag to Roxie! Alexa DECKS Roxie, SLAMS Naomi, then Alexa runs to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Alexa goes out to the apron, CANNONBALL onto Giulia & Naomi! But Roxie RAMS Alexa into the steel steps! Roxie says that is why SHE is the Prodigy! The fans boo, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Roxie drags Alexa up and into the ring, then storms up on her. Roxie SMACKS Alexa off the mat, then taunts Rhea by holding out Alexa’s hand. Roxie wrenches Alexa to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is annoyed but she keeps Alexa down. Roxie drags Alexa over, tags Giulia, and they mug Alexa with a CHOP! Giulia drags Alexa around, bumps her off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Alexa hobbles, Giulia runs up and SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO! Giulia goes up the corner, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she runs to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Naomi stays on Alexa with a facelock.
Alexa fights back with body shots, but Naomi suplexes. Alexa fights that to a cradle, TWO! Naomi PENALTY KICKS Alexa down! Naomi soaks up the heat, stalks Alexa to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Giulia adds on, but they both stop at 4. Naomi puts Alexa in the corner, fires body shots, then tags Roxie. The mugging continues as they stomp a mudhole into Alexa! The ref reprimands and counts, the stomping stops, and Roxie brings Alexa up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Roxie drags Alexa away from her corner, tags Naomi, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Naomi bumps Alexa off buckles, then stomps and KICKS her!
Naomi digs her boot in, the ref counts, but Naomi steps off at 4. The fans rally, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi runs up. Alexa drop toeholds Naomi into buckles! Alexa crawls, but Naomi hurries to ROUNDHOUSE Vaquer! Naomi picks Alexa up, but Alexa fights and DDTS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Hot tags to Roxie and Rhea! The fans are thunderous as Rhea rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Giulia runs up, Rhea dodges to BOOT! Roxie runs up, but Rhea scoops her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Roxie tumbles away, Rhea DROPKICKS Naomi off the apron for good measure! Rhea then drags Roxie up but Roxie JAWBREAKERS!
Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirls, and RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks that, and grins as she ripcords and HOOK KICKS! Then a gut wrench for the Canadian Rack! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Roxie flounders, Rhea basement DROPKICKS! Cover, Naomi breaks it! Vaquer DROPKICKS Naomi! Giulia KNEES Vaquer! Alexa clinches Giulia, TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! Roxie ENZIGIRIS Alexa! Rhea HEADBUTTS Roxie! Rhea pump handles, RIP- DDT from Roxie!! All six women are down and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Rhea and Roxie stir while their teams regroup. Roxie reaches out to Naomi, but then Naomi leaves her hanging!
The fans boo but Naomi knows MITB is what matters, and that is every woman for herself. Giulia has also disappeared, so Roxie is all alone! Alexa ROCKS Roxie with a right! Vaquer wrenches Roxie for SOLE FOOD! Rhea pump handles for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea’s team wins!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall
The spookier team sticks together, and now they’re all rolling into MITB with momentum! But will it be one of these three that takes the briefcase home? Or did Naomi make the smart play?
Solo talks with JC Mateo backstage.
Solo is confident that he’ll win MITB, so long as he has JC and Fatu. JC asks if Solo really trusts Fatu after tonight. Solo says yeah, it’s okay! So long as Fatu follows Solo’s lead, it will all be okay. But will Fatu really follow Solo? Solo tells JC, “My man, you worry too much.” Solo brought Fatu in, Fatu loves Solo, and the thing about Fatu is… He’s not all that smart, y’know? All that man does is think about himself. He is all gas, no brains. Solo laughs at his own joke, and says they just gotta handle business. They leave, but Fatu was around the corner! The Samoan Werewolf heard all of that. Is Solo the one with no brains? Will he also be the one with no contract?
The Wyatt Sick6 speak.
Bo Dallas’ video interrupts Sign of the Night time so he can say, “Grief is not linear. It is not healed by time. It is a festering wound that is continually being ripped open by an echo of a presence that is no more. You don’t forget. You can only accept that which cannot be changed.” The video fuses images of Bo and Bray, and Bo says that he has watched the SmackDown Tag Division. “The loyalty. The trust. The brotherhood. But is that bond unbreakable? From our loss, we have become a family. A ship unshaken by the storm. And yet again, they wanted to forget about us. Like we were never even here. Ignoring the sacrifices.
“Dying to the flesh to become one, we return. Not for nostalgia. Not for closure. But to rip open the wound of apathy and take what we are owed. Your brotherhood will be tested. The time for repentance has passed. Accept your condemnation. We will not be forgotten.”
The SmackDown Tag Division finishes watching this.
And from DIY to MCMG to Fraxiom to the Street Profits, and even GM Aldis, everyone is worried. Gargano says that’s not good. Ciampa says as “the two guys who built this division,” which makes everyone groan, Ciampa says there is no reason for DIY to take the fall! So come clean! Who provoked the Wyatts? Gargano immediately accuses Angelo Dawkins! Montez Ford says hey, look, they’re obviously all afraid. Fraxiom, you’re not fine! Motor City, bring the guns! And DIY, you can’t do this yourselves! But let’s forget about the tag titles for just one second. They have a bigger problem on their hands and that is Wyatt Sick6.
Dawkins says they didn’t get where they are by being scared. If the Wyatts want the smoke, they can get it. Unless y’all forgot that the Profits are the real Bogeymen around here. Ooga booga! The Profits head out, Frazer says there’s no forgetting about the tag titles. But admittedly, the Wyatts do mean business. But they cost Fraxiom, so if Frazer sees Uncle Howdy…! Axiom has Frazer calm down. But yes, Frazer is right. Fraxiom is undefeated, so they will teach the Wyatts what’s what! DIY loves that idea! Go get ’em! MCMG says of course DIY second someone else handling this. MCMG says DIY will get what’s coming to them.
But for now, MCMG will put that on the backburner to get after the Wyatts. Let’s not forget who the veterans are around here, and that’s MCMG. They set the standard, so they’ll bring the fight to the Wyatts. Gargano says another brilliant idea! DIY says they can do that. Aldis, make it so those three teams fight the Wyatts. Aldis says yes, thank you for the input. DIY heads out, and Aldis certainly has a mess to sort out. Who will survive the Wyatts coming for it all? And will the tag titles go along with that?
Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable!
El Idolo and the Man with No Fear know that whether or not El Grande Americano is really Chad Gable under that mask, Chad Gable definitely doesn’t stand a chance against El Hijo Del Vikingo. But can Andrade y Penta build momentum going into the ladder match together? Or will Julius & Brutus do Chad’s- Er, El Grande’s dirty work for him?
SmackDown returns as Andrade makes his entrance. Then American Made makes their entrance, and the fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Andrade y Penta DOUBLE FLY out onto the Creeds! The fans fire up, Andrade fires off on Brutus with forearms while Penta POSTS Julius! Penta THROWS Julius into barriers, Andrade puts Brutus in the ring, and the fans cheer for “Cero Miedo!” Penta revels in that, and Andrade starts against Brutus. The bell rings, Brutus runs up, and Andrade drop toeholds Brutus into buckles! Juius rushes in but Andrade dodges to CLOBBER him with forearms! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies them with “SI! SI! SI!”
Andrade CHOPS Brutus, then runs at Julius, CIEN KNEES! Then CIEN KNEES for Brutus! The fans join in for a “CERO! MIEDO!” Andrade tags Penta, he runs up to headstand and DROPKICK on Julius! Then a headstand and DROPKICK for Brutus! Penta swaggers, but Julius waistlocks! Penta fires off hands, then a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! Penta CLUBS Julius, Brutus CLUBS Penta! Brutus snarls, ROCKS Penta, then he tags Julius. The Creeds drag Penta up, but Penta CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Penta CHOPS away on Brutus, then has him on the ropes for a CHOP!
The ref reprimands, Penta whips, but Brutus reverses. Penta KICKS Brutus, then he catches Julius as he runs in! Penta waistlocks Julius and tags Andrade, Andrade GAMANGIRIS! Julius falls, Andrade climbs, but Brutus rushes up! Andrade ROCKS Brutus, Brutus drops down, but he’s a step for Julius to FLYING KNEE! Andrade flops on the top rope, and Julius GUT WRENCH PLEXES him away! The straps come down, the fans boo, but Julius clinches for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, tags Brutus, and Brutus STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Gable is still pleased as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Brutus stalks Andrade to the apron, drags him up and bends him against the ropes! The ref counts, Brutus lets go at 4, and Andrade flops over. Brutus stomps Andrade, digs his boot into Andrade’s neck, then steps off at 4. Tag to Julius and he drags Andrade around. The Creeds KNEE Andrade back and forth, then Julius sucker punches Penta! The ref reprimands but Julius goes back to Andrade. Andrade JAWBREAKERS free! Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Julius trips Andrade onto the ropes! Julius CHOKES Andrade, steps off at 4, then paces around. Julius drags Andrade up to RAM him into the corner!
Tag to Brutus and he runs up to BRUTUS BALL in the corner! Snapmare and a tag to Julius for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Julius drags Andrade into a chinlock, tags Brutus, and the Creeds mug Andrade. Brutus drags Andrade up to ROCK him with a forearm! And another! And then Brutus TACKLES Andrade so he can SMASH! Brutus stalks Andrade to a corner, eggs him on, and then drags him away from the corner to HAMMER him down! Brutus soaks up the heat, then eggs Andrade on. Andrade sits up, and Brutus clamps on a chinlock. Brutus grinds Andrade back down, thrashes him around, but Andrade fights up.
Brutus smothers Andrade as SmackDown returns to single picture. Andrade fights up again as the fans rally, but Brutus back suplexes, only for Andrade to CROSSBODY! Both men are down, Julius tags in and jumps on a leg! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tag to Penta! Penta goes up and CROSSBODIES Julius! Penta keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! Julius tumbles around, Penta KICKS him in the leg! Penta whips, Julius reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, Brutus breaks it! Brutus whips, Penta reverses and out goes Brutus! SUPERKICK for Julius! The fans fire up, but Gable drags Julius to safety!
Andrade protests but the ref keeps Andrade back. Penta storms upon Gable, but Gable grabs at the mask! The fans boo, but EL HIJO DE VIKINGO jumps the railing! Vikingo YANKS Gable down and throws hands! The fans fire up, but Gable knees Vikingo low! Gable whips, Vikingo reverses and he TOSSES Gable over barriers! Vikingo pursues, they brawl more, but Julius rolls Penta up! TWO, and Penta SUPERKICKS! Brutus is in, Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS him! Penta goes up, the ref is busy with Brutus, so Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS Julius! Penta adds a FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta y Andrade win!
Winners: Andrade & Penta, by pinfall
El Idolo and Penta celebrate together, but wait! Here comes Seth Rollins! He attacked LA Knight just for being in MITB, now he looks to do the same to these two. Penta & Andrade don’t back down, even as Bron & Bronson flank the ring. The fans boo this 3v2 scenario, but the fight is on! Rollins & Bron mug Andrade while Bronson CLOBBERS Penta! The fans chant for Punk, but Rollins sets Andrade up for Bron’s SPEAR!! Bronson scoops Penta to SLAM him, then SENTON him! CURB STOMP for Andrade!! CURB STOMP for Penta!! The fans boo as Rollins has his behemoths drag Penta to a drop zone!
Rollins TOSSES Andrade, Bronson goes up, TSUNAMI!! The producers and refs can’t get in the ring with Bron barking at them, and whatever fines Rollins faces don’t matter with how close he is to having all the power in WWE! Can no one stop the Visionary from taking over the future of the industry?
SmackDown returns and…
Rollins’ crew is still in the ring. Heyman now has the mic to say, “Yea, though we walk through the sold-out hellhole of Bakers b*tches, we fear not the future! Because ladies and gentlemen, like it or not, we ARE the future!” The fans boo but Heyman says he doesn’t understand why they would! Seth Rollins told you even before WrestleMania what this industry was becoming. He told you all what would happen at Mania, and it happened! Rollins told you all they would get Roman Reigns out of the way, and they did! Rollins told you all they would put CM Punk out of Heyman’s misery, and they did!
Don’t they get that whatever Rollins tells them becomes true? Don’t they understand that Rollins is the vanguard of the future of this industry? That this group is the vanguard of the destiny of the WWE!? The fans still boo, and Heyman says they can sit there and boo all they want. “Tomorrow night, Seth Freakin’ Rollins becomes, once again, Mr. Money in the Bank!” The fans boo even more, but Heyman says then, once Rollins does that, at his leisure, at his discretion, when he damn well feels like it, it will be who, what, where, and when! We all know the why! The why is to solidify the POWER that comes with the title!
“And Seth Freakin’ Rollins will then propel this entire industry into a future that is a vision all of his own!” As for Heyman, the greatest honor of his professional and personal life is when he gets to stand here, in this ring, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDI-” Wait! Cody Rhodes makes his way out here! The fans fire up and sing along with the American Nightmare’s song, and he still gets the “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody high-fives fans as he goes down the ramp and to the ring. Rollins has Bron & Bronson calm down, even as Cody steps inside. Cody looks at the four, then stares Rollins down.
But now we’re joined by Jey Uso! The fans fire up as Jey makes his way out from the concourse and down through the stands! Jey even gets a little girl to join in on the YEET! Rollins has his faction follow him away again, letting Cody and the World Heavyweight Champion have the ring. Cody & Jey will have one last face-to-face with John Cena & Logan Paul, but can they keep it civil? Or will it pop off 24 hours before MITB? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns once more…
Cody & Jey revel in the cheers, and Cody has the mic to say, “So, Bakersfield… Whaddya wanna talk about? Talk about MITB?” “YEET!” “Talk about the Intuit Dome?” “YEET!” “Talk about Main Event Jey Uso!” “YEET!” “Talk about our opponents, John Cena…” The fans boo that name. “And his tag team partner, Logan Paul…!” The fans definitely boo that name. Cody says okay, well, what’d they say last week? Cena was rather aggressive, saying Cody tries too hard. The fans already duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody says Cena called Cody desperate, which was bold coming from Cena. Cena danced his way onto a livestream all, “How do you do, fellow kids?”
We saw Cena kick some man in a nuts, then begging for forgiveness online. Seeing Cena in the ring with Logan in 2025, that was like if Michael PS Hayes was in the ring with the Hardy Boys. Let’s talk about desperate! Desperate is WrestleMania 41, throwing away 20 YEARS of good will so that he could have a record-setting title reign. Tomorrow isn’t about the World Heavyweight Championship, it isn’t about the Undisputed WWE Championship, it is a showdown. What would Jey call that? Jey calls that a YEET DOWN! One time for the one time: Four letters, one word! UH UH, YEET!! But wait! Here comes John Cena!
The fans erupt with “JOHN CENA SUCKS~! JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as Cena makes his entrance in his Lakers inspired merch for Los Angeles. Cena steps into the ring, has them cut his music, and he looks at the crowd as they duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena of course makes the announcer give him the proper introduction: The Greatest of All Time, the Never-Seen Seventeen, gracing Bakersfield with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOOOOOHN~! CENAAA~! And then LOGAN PAUL slides in! ONE LUCKY PUNCH on Jey!! Then he tries it on Cody, but Cody grabs him for a dragon sleeper!
But Cena BELT SHOTS Cody before he can hit Cross Rhodes! The fans boo but Cena drags Jey up for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cena lets Logan get Cody with the PAULVERIZER! Cena then sets Cody up in the drop zone for Logan as he climbs. Logan hits the FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! Cena now sets Jey up and Logan goes back up, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! The fans boo as Cena kicks Cody & Jey out of the ring, and then gets himself a mic. Logan picks up the World Heavyweight Championship while Cena says, “Take a good look. NO ONE is coming to save you. I’ve been telling you this for a half of a year! YOUR DREAM of what the WWE is… will be RUINED!
“THIS is your future! I take this home! He takes that to the top!” They raise their belts up, and Cena says he is the Last Real Champion while Logan is the Moment Maker, the One of One, the Inevitable Future Face of the WWE! “Bakersfield, humble yourselves for the humblest! The future World Heavyweight Champion, Logan Paul!” The fans boo as they both hold up the belts again, then set them down. The fans chant “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Cena and Logan go outside to grab Cody and Jey and put them back in the ring! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT for Cody! Logan lines up a shot, ONE LUCKY PUNCH for Jey!!
The fans boo, chant “We Want Truth!” but Cena says, “You Can’t Handle the Truth!!” Cena says if you want their truth, their truth is right here, staring them in the face! And there is not a damn thing the fans or anyone that fights for the fans can do about it! “You hypocrites chant for Truth. You are all pathetic LIARS!” The fans still chant “We Want Truth!” but Cena says, “This is why you’re losers. Take a good look, because it’s my last time here in Bakersfield. And remember these words: Winners write the history books! Ladies and gentlemen, your future champion, and the Last Real Champion!”
The two raise the belts up again as the fans boo, but is this really going to be the future of the WWE? Or can someone, anyone, stop it all from happening?
My Thoughts:
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Who will stand atop Evolve as THE champion?
Jackson Drake, Keanu Carver, Edris Enofe or Sean Legacy. After tonight, only one will be known as the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright; Jin wins.
- WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake; Drake wins and is the inaugural WWE Evolve Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kali Armstrong is here!
The fans cheer the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Women’s Champion as she goes to the ring, mic in her hand and belt on her shoulder. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Kali says, “Oh yeeeeeah! I told y’all! The first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, Kali Armstrong. Hey, I like the way that sounds. How ’bout y’all? You like the way that sounds?” The fans cheer, and Kali says she did what she said she was gonna do. She has been here for a year and a half, and this is what she’s on. They say it gets harder from here, but that’s fine. She ain’t ducking any of these chicks!
Kali is ready to go at it with each and every one of them, so that when she gets to NXT, they’ll know who the Difference Maker is. She is at the top of the Evolve Women’s Division, so she wants to know: Who is her first challenger? And out walks Zayda Steel. She tells Kali that seriously, she wants to be the first to congratulate the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion! Give it up for Kali, everybody! The fans do cheer, and Zayda says that Fatal 4 Way was a classic. But she realized something: They have a lot in common! They are both history makers! Kali is the first champion, and everyone already knows this, but Zayda is the first WWE ID prospect.
So from one difference maker to another, Zayda just wants to say… Kali is luck. Huh? But wait! Zayda is interrupted by Nikkita Lyons! Lyons tells Kali, “Hey, girl! Congratulations, new champ! I’m Big Kat Kita, but you already knew that. But it’s so good to meet you, for real. Like, I’m really honored to meet you. But I already talked with Stevie Turner, and I told her that once they crown a new champ to call me. So here I am.” Lyons stops Zayda before she says anything to say Zayda is cute, and she does like her. But when it comes to gold, Lyons is not afraid to pounce.
Kali tells them they’re both doing a lot of big talking, but they’re doing nothing to prove they want this title. Lyons says, “Bet.” And then Lyons & Zayda jump Kali! The fans boo as they mug her 2v1! Kali shoves Lyons, kicks Zayda, then fires hands! But Lyons THROAT CHAKRA KICKS Kali down! Zayda rains down fists, but wait! Here comes Natalya! The fans fire up as the Queen of Harts rushes out here! She dodges Lyons, TACKLES Zayda, and she has the legs! Lyons drags Zayda to safety and Natty stares them down. The fans cheer Natty and she makes sure Kali is alright. Kali is a bit salty even here as she snatches the belt back, but will The BOAT help her sink Lyons & Zayda?
Carlee Bright has been attacked!
That makes three women in about as many weeks! And this is right before her match tonight! A ref calls in medical, and all Carlee knows is someone shoved her into the chair rack. Just who is it stalking Evolve stars and taking them out?
Evolve returns and…
Stevie Turner is with Carlee and a WWE medical trainer. Stevie apologizes that this has happened, this shouldn’t be happening here in Evolve. Carlee doesn’t blame Stevie, and insists she can go. Stevie asks who did it but Carlee says they were in a black hoodie, and it was a drive-by attack. The doc says there are no serious injuries, so it is up to Carlee. Carlee says she will compete. Stevie says, “If you’re sure, girl.”
Keanu Carver speaks.
“Tonight means something to me, man. Those other three? They just want the glory, the prestige, the fame. Nah, that ain’t me. For me, that title is my ticket out. And I’ll be damned if I go back to the streets of DC. Y’all don’t get what I had to do to get here. So when I step into that ring with them three, I’ma beat the brakes off them boys! From the streets of DC to the Evolve Championship, I’ma show y’all what I’m about! Then y’all gonna remember the name, Keanu Carver.”
Sean Legacy speaks.
With Timothy Thatcher by his side, Super Sean says, “This is it, this is it. My moment. Eight long years for this. Eight long years.” Sean says Timothy taught him everything. Timothy says Sean is ready. Sean says damn right he’s ready! It’s time for Sean to create his legacy!
Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright!
Another prospect from LFG is ready to Evolve! Will “The Detonator” have an explosive debut? Or will Evolve’s future still be Bright?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, Jin goes for the bad arm but Carlee pushes Jin away. They go again, and Jin goes after the bad arm. Jin double wristlocks, pushes on it, and pushes on it again! Carlee endures, but Jin hits a double wristlock takedown! Cover, ONE, but Jin stays on the arm. Carlee fights up, Jin wrenches, but Carlee slips through to wrench back. Carlee trips Jin, steps over, and LA MAGISTROL! ONE, but Carlee arm-drags! Carlee keeps on Jin’s arm but Jin fights up. The fans rally, Jin moves around, but Carlee wrenches and hammerlocks. Jin reaches back and switches the hammerlock!
Carlee switches, sunset flips, TWO! Carlee DROPKICKS Jin! The fans rally, Carlee whips but Jin blocks! Jin reverses, Carlee goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Carlee hurries to facelock Jin, Jin scoops, but Carlee fights to keep the arm. Jin wrenches and WRINGS Carlee’s arm! Jin KNEES and UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then gives it a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Carlee toughs it out but Jin stays on that arm. The fans rally as Jin traps both arms in a modified butterfly! Carlee endures, fights up, but Jin powers those arms back again! Carlee refuses to give up and she stands again! Jin shifts to a ghost pin, TWO!
Carlee has a leg, Jin kicks her away, and Jin runs up. Carlee dodges, ELBOWS, and then ELBOWS again! The fans rally, Carlee ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Jin dumps her out! Carlee still headlocks for a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Jin stays in this and Carlee shakes out her bad arm. The fans rally as Carlee facelocks, but Jin powers out! Carlee blocks a kick, spins Jin, and CODE BREAKER! Carlee sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT, but Jin dodges! Jin steps over onto the arm for a STANDING ARMBAR!! The “Bakunawa Bind!” Carlee TAPS, Jin wins!
Winner: Jin Tala, by submission
Carlee tried to fight at less than 100% and it cost her! Will Jin Tala’s technical skill be just the thing to make her a star?
Evolve shares footage from last week.
It was after the Women’s Championship Elimination Match that Kylie Rae returned backstage, only to be attacked by Wendy Choo! They brawled and Wendy would get the advantage by throwing Kylie into the garage door, and then throwing a garbage can onto Kylie! Refs broke that up, but will nothing stop wicked Wendy from having her revenge?
Chuey Martinez talks with Kylie Rae.
He says Wendy is still haunting her, and Kylie says ever since coming to Evolve, Wendy keeps sticking her nose in Kylie’s business. Sure, Wendy won those two singles matches, but Kylie eliminating Wendy should’ve ended it. And Kylie hates to admit this, but Wendy is the only person here that makes Kylie not so smiley. And after last week, Kylie is so ready to- Chantel Monroe says Kylie should call it quits. Kylie gets on Chantel’s nerves no matter if she’s smiley or angry. Chantel storms off, but both Masyn Holiday & Layla Diggs say pay that no mind. Chantel’s mirror is the only thing that shows the real her.
The Vanity Project hypes up Jackson Drake.
Ricky Smokes says Jackson has nothing to worry about! Who even knows if that was the real Lince Dorado anyway? Who trusts someone that wears a mask? Smokes gives Bryce Donovan a pat on the chest and Bryce smacks him back. Brad Baylor tells Jackson that he is the Wild Card, Heartbreak Drake! Do they all think he’s gonna be the first Evolve Champion? Hundos fo’ sho’, bro! Jackson is the future! Zayda adds that The Vanity Project is the future. Jackson says that’s right, and he’s known that since he was 13 years old when he first stepped into a wrestling ring and never looked back.
Jackson tells they all know he’s the Wild Card and Heartbreak Drake, but after tonight, the world is going to know him as the first-ever WWE Evolve Champion! The Vanity Project is ready, but will the Carolina Reaper take the title home? Or will the odds be against him?
Edris Enofe speaks.
“Man, been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. I came back from a gruesome shoulder injury, and it hurt. It hurt for real. But what hurt me even worse was the fact that I couldn’t compete in front of each and every one of y’all. But now things change. Things will be different now. Because tonight, I change the entire WWE Universe’s mind. Tonight, I go from Edris Enofe the tag team wrestler to Edris Enofe the singles superstar! Tonight, Edris Enofe, the Epitome of Excellence, the EOE becomes the first-ever WWE Men’s Evolve Champion!”
The High Ryze is here!
Wes Lee leads the way for Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe and fans boo. Wes has the mic, and he says, “Now, I can bet that none of y’all expected to see me out here on Evolve. Look, that’s understandable, especially with the boys out here dominating completely on their own the past couple of weeks, I haven’t had any reason to. But see, last week, I wanted to come to Evolve and get a better understanding of what it’s all about. They call this the evolution of professional wrestling or something like that. When I walk around and talk to the kids in the locker room, I can see it. They have big dreams, a lot of potential, and they have a lot of hope that one day they are going to become the next big thing.”
Wes laughs, and then apologizes. It isn’t funny, it’s just cute. It is! It’s okay! But see, he was the same way. Once upon a time, he wanted to come into they business and make it the best that he possibly could. He wanted to change the world, and he did! The fans do cheer that. Wes says when he walks around here, what he really sees is that they’re all naive, maybe even delusional, to think that they’re going to steal Wes’s spot one day! He has busted his ass, broken his back, all for this business, and has barely scratched the surface. Look: a Dusty Cup Winner, two-time NXT Tag Team Champion, and the greatest North American Champion ever, and he’s not even done!
So to everyone in Evolve right now, listen very closely. WES is the gatekeeper now! You wanna make it to NXT? You gotta make it through him! Well, hold on, because here come Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel! The fans cheer for “CAAA-PPUCCINO! CAAA-PPUCCINO!” Jones tells Wes that he sees what Wes is “brewing up.” Tyson & Tyriek are impressive, and Wes’s mentorship is paying off. Wes asks why Jones is out here. Or do the barista and his buddy want a rematch? Wes is sure the boys are fine beating them up one more time. Jones says he and Cartwheel aren’t here for a tag match. Jones wants a match… with Wes!
Wes is calling himself a gatekeeper, and sure, he has been the Human Highlight Reel for years. But whatever Wes has been sipping on is tasting pretty bitter. Bitter!? No! Wes has just been around the block long enough to know better! The fans chant, “Bitter~! Bitter~!” Wes says he isn’t just some happy-to-be-here kid walking around with a cup of coffee. Jones says hate on him all you want. But if you wanna be the measuring stick, Jones wants to see how he measures up. Jones feels he has what it takes, and the best way to back that up is to go 1v1 with one of the staples of NXT! The fans cheer that!
Wes looks Jones up and down, then tells him, “You really should’ve stayed behind that counter, dog. You want the match? Next week, you’ve got it.” Will the Cardiac Kid keep Evolve down? Or will he get the jitters from facing Cappuccino Jones?
Je’Von Evans is backstage!
Evolve Media asks the Young OG why he’s here, and Je’Von says he loves this! He had to come check out Evolve, but he’s here mostly to present the title to the first-ever Evolve Champion. Those boys are locked in! Je’Von notices Jordan Oasis walking by. Je’Von says hey to Oasis and asks why he’s out in the parking lot. Just walking. Je’Von says he is a big fan of Oasis, and keep running, your time is coming. Oasis appreciates that coming from Je’Von. Je’Von says he’s gotta go watch the match, but he’ll see Oasis around. Will this endorsement from NXT’s future help Oasis become Evolve’s future?
Marcus Mathers speaks.
“I’ve been waiting a very long time to introduce myself to the WWE Universe. My name is Marcus Mathers. I’ve been wrestling for about six years now, with way over 650 matches under my belt, proving I’m not just Philly’s Finest, but I’m the finest in WWE ID. And speaking of WWE ID, this was made for men and women to use this to the best of their ability, to the max. And lemme tell you, nobody used WWE ID like I did. And with the support of WWE ID, I’ve been able to travel more, get more matches, and train with the best of the best. And now I bring all that knowledge right here, right now. The WWE ID prepared me for Evolve.” Is Mathers ready to Evolve?
WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake!
While Evolve started fourteen weeks ago, the journey to this moment was very different for each man in this match. But one thing they all share in common is the hard work, grit and determination they put into their careers. Whose journey culminates in a historic achievement that will be remembered forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but only one man survives to put their name on it!
The bell rings and Drake already talks trash on all three opponents. Keanu DECKS him! Drake tumbles out, Keanu eggs the others on, so Legacy & Enofe go after him! But then Keanu shoves them both away! And he DOUBLE LARIATS them! The fans fire up and Keanu ELBOWS Enofe in a corner! Keanu runs corner to corner to ELBOW Legacy! Then he runs back at Enofe, but Enofe dodges and Drake GAMANGIRIS! Enofe runs to SLING-DOG! Drake runs up, Enofe dodges and SLINGBLADES! Legacy back suplexes but Enofe lands out! Enofe kicks low, runs, and jumps onto Legacy to DROPKICK Drake!
Drake tumbles out, Legacy runs in, but Enofe TOSSES him! Enofe KNEES Keanu in the corner for good measure, then he FLIES! Down go Drake and Legacy! The fans fire up and Enofe goes up a corner! Enofe CROSSBODIES Keanu down, covers, TWO!! Keanu survives, Enofe is a bit surprised, and he reels Keanu in. Keanu fights the suplex to suplex, but Enofe knees free! Enofe runs, but into an ELBOW! Keanu scoops Enofe for the CORKSCREW POWERSLAM! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Enofe!! As fast as Enofe was moving, Enofe is out of this match! Legacy and Drake see the intimidating power of Keanu as Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns as Keanu SPLASHES both Legacy & Drake in a corner! Keanu then runs to DOUBLE POUNCE!! The fans fire up with Keanu, and he scoops Legacy to SLAM! Then he scoops Drake to FALL AWAY SLAM! Keanu didn’t even need to fall to throw Drake across the ring! Keanu storms up, puts Drake on the top rope, but Drake BOOTS Keanu away! Legacy MISSILE DROPKICKS Keanu down, and Drake adds a MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Keanu shocks everyone, especially Legacy and Drake. He dares them to keep fighting, because that title’s still gonna be his! Legacy runs up but Keanu DECKS him!
Drake BOOTS Keanu, but Keanu scoops him! Legacy SUPERKICKS Keanu, Drake SUPERKICKS Keanu, and then Legacy GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Drake hits the UNALIVING! Legacy adds the 450 SPLASH!! DOUBLE COVER, they ELIMINATE Keanu!! And then there were two! The fans rally up behind “LEGACY! LEGACY!” as he and Drake stare down. They stand up and step to each other. Drake grins and kicks, but Legacy blocks! Drake avoids Legacy’s superkick, but Legacy avoids Drake’s roundhouse! Drake ducks an enzigiri to deadlift, but Legacy elbows free! Legacy runs but into Drake’s ELBOW! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!
Both men spring up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And then Legacy roars! Drake dodges the lariat but not the SUPERKICK! Legacy storms up but into a SUPER PUNCH! Legacy rebounds to HEADBUTT! Drake ROUNDHOUSES! Legacy ENZIGIRIS! But Drake waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Legacy roars and rises again! SNAP GERMAN! Drake flounders, Legacy runs in, but Drake BOOTS him away. Drake goes up, but Legacy jumps up to get him! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! And speaking of fly, Legacy goes up, out, and springboards for the 450!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Legacy is stunned!
The fans rally up while Drake flounders away. Legacy huffs ‘n’ puffs and waistlocks Drake. Legacy then drags Drake up into a torture rack, but Drake CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo, but then Legacy TOSSES Drake! Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy, then KNEES him into ropes! Drake reels Legacy in for a suplex, and DROPS him on the ropes! Drake hurries up the corner, takes aim, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Legacy survives again but Drake stays on him! Handspring and LETHAL IN-JACKSON!! Cover, TWO!!! Legacy is still in this! But Drake SUPERKICKS him down! Cover, TWO!?! Legacy survives again and Drake is freaking out!
“This is Awesome!” as Legacy stirs. Drake grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he waits on Legacy to get up. Drake runs in, but Legacy turns knee into drop toehold! S T F!!! Drake endures, flails, reaches out, and the fans are freaking out! Drake claws at the mat, crawls forward, but Legacy makes it a STRAITJACKET STF!!! Drake has one arm to reach out with, and he makes the ROPEBREAK!! Legacy lets go in frustration but the fans rally up again. Legacy rises, brings Drake up, but Drake still holds the ropes! The ref counts, Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy! Handsprings and LETHAL- Torture rack! SHAM- NO, Drake lands out to JUMP KNEE!
Drake goes to a corner, runs back in, UNALIVING!!! Cover, DRAKE WINS!!
Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion)
And Vanity Project rushes right out here to celebrate with their bro! It was certainly heartbreak for Enofe, Keanu and Legacy, but will the real tears be from all of us having to listen to Drake brag? Je’Von does present the belt to Drake, and Drake takes it from him, to bring Je’Von in for a hug! Old friends and rivals reunite in this moment, and this makes up for a bit of Drake’s bad attitude. But will this be the beginning of the Vanity Project Era? Or can someone save us from it before it begins?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode, and surprisingly only two matches. That said, less matches helped then maximize the main event, and also some story build. Another woman is attacked and we’re back to that gimmick around the Performance Center, but it can’t be Lyons when she and Zayda were beating up on Kali Armstrong. Wendy Choo is too obsessed with Kylie, so it can’t be her. Could they be quietly building up a female superstar who has been hiding in plain sight? They could do a great “It was me, Stevie! It was me all along!” with this. But that aside, a hurt Carlee makes for a protected loss to new girl, Jin Tala, who has a very creative submission finisher.
Speaking of Wendy and Kylie, good promo from Kylie but Chantel picking on her is a little too much like Jaida Parker having beef with Thea Hail over Thea’s positivity. Kylie VS Wendy should be a No Disqualification rematch so settle things once and for all. And I hope this story of Masyn knowing “the real Chantel” turns into something more. She keeps saying it, but she needs to confront Chantel on it a bit more forcefully. And as for the women’s title, Lyons would be an impressive first defense for Kali that Kali would certainly win. Zayda might be trickier, if only because she’s the bigger Heel and would totally cheat to win.
Very good promo from Wes with Cappuccino Jones, and now they’ll have a singles match, just as I expected from last week. The only odd thing is Wes says he is the gatekeeper now. Does that mean Lexis King just decided to be one and done? Is he going to do bigger things in NXT now? Anyway, good promo from Marcus Mathers, he’s finally getting his debut in Evolve and that will be a lot of fun. It does make me wonder who are the WWE ID Champions right now, and if they’ll ever show up with those belts on Evolve.
And great promos from all the Fatal 4 Way contenders tonight. Jackson Drake makes a lot of sense as the first champion. Enofe only just came back, he needs to build up. Keanu is powerful but then that’d mean two powerhouse champions so that’s redundant. Legacy is great, he can surely come around as a challenger, as Faces benefit from the chase. And with Drake holding up the title for Vanity Project, that will work with Zayda wanting the women’s title, and possibly Swipe Right asking about Evolve Tag Team Championships, really building the whole faction at once.
My Score: 8.7/10
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