Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/22/20)
The Queen VS The Role Model!
Tonight, it’s SmackDown Women’s Champion VS NXT Women’s Champion!
The Brand to Brand Invitation brings both AJ Styles and Charlotte Flair back to SmackDown! Will the Phenomenal One and Queen stand tall in the ring?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Shinsuke Nakamura VS AJ Styles; Styles wins and advances to the semifinals.
- Champion VS Champion: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Charlotte Flair; Bayley wins.
- Mixed Tag: Otis Dozovic & Mandy Rose VS Dolph Ziggler & Sonya Deville; Ziggler & Deville win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Jeff Hardy VS Sheamus; Hardy wins and advances to the semifinals.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE celebrates Memorial Day, and remembers those who gave all for our freedoms.
“What does it mean to be selfless?” To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause. In every generation, there are those who do just that. This weekend, we honor them. “The brave men and women who fought for our freedom,” from WWI to Desert Storm. From Normandy to Afghanistan. Remember the moments and the events that defined our history. Remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice. As Ronald Reagan once said, as we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. Show gratitude to those that shaped us, guided us, and ensured our values would live forever. Show reverence and respect, and say, “Thank you” to them.
SmackDown presents The Dirt Sheet!
The Miz and John Morrison are already in the ring to say hi. Morrison’s abs are certified Influencers, and Miz refuses to acknowledge a world where this man is Mr. Money in the Bank! And that man is Otis Dozovic. “More like Mr. Honey Baked Ham.” And what was it Miz called him last week? A disgrace. Nope. An embarrassment? Nope. A clumsy, sweaty, muttering, stuttering, mama’s boy buffoon? That’s it! But Otis can’t help he’s all that and more. It’s the people around him, enabling him. Like Braun Strowman! Oof, going there already? Yes, Miz is! Braun stuck his nose into their business, which is stupid! Bruan is the Universal Champion, Otis is MR. MITB, Otis could’ve cashed in! It makes no sense. Like Becky Lynch wanting to have Seth Rollins’ baby. Morrison, c’mon! He’s just saying.
Braun has been given too much credit. He didn’t deserve to become Universal Champion. What did Braun do to deserve that match against Goldberg at WrestleMania? It could’ve been anyone! Like these two. If anything, it should’ve been one of them. “We are talking about a guy who was replaced in the Wyatt Family by puppets!” Bray Wyatt had a choice: Braun or stuffed animals. And he chose stuffed animals! Smart choice, actually. And now, for a Dirt Sheet Exclusive! They’ve discovered some rejected Firefly Fun House puppets that were still better than Braun. Shiloh the Lonely Laundry Lass. Her quest for vengeance was ignited when her brother was eaten by their natural enemy, the dryer! “Braun Strowman is such a loser~!” That he is.
Then there’s Dookie the Diaper Boy! He may not seem like much on the outside, but on the inside, he has a stench more powerful than Braun’s. Cue the fart noises. By the way, Shiloh and Dookie are big fans of the show. They’re the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century! Stare off into distance. BE JEALOUS. And last but not least, that may look like a mannequin, but that is Mandyquin Rose! Her power is that she whispers plans into Otis’ ears to trick Braun into losing the Universal Championship! “Like, not everything about Braun is a monster.” OOF, low blow. But BRAAAUN appears on stage and heads down the ramp. Oddly enough, he is smirking as he joins Miz and Morrison in the ring. His roar almost scares them off, but he leaves them be. He does throw the chairs out of the ring, though.
“What’s up, boys?” Braun says they’re kinda funny, and this show isn’t half bad. So thanks for having him on tonight. Um, they don’t think he was booked. Well he’s here so ask a question. The Miz and Morrison argue over who should ask him something, but Braun suggests they talk about MITB and his match with Bray. He wants to talk about Bray? Does Braun think Bray is through with him? Braun tricked Bray with the black sheep mask. Miz has had to deal with the darkness that is Bray Wyatt. Bray sent Miz spiraling, but he had Morrison there for him. Braun isn’t so lucky. Because Braun isn’t half the man Miz is. Miz may not be as big or as strong, but Braun isn’t as much of a man as Miz. Braun feels all big and bad after pinning Morrison in their tag match, huh? Well Braun won’t feel so badass after Miz goes after him!
Miz wants Morrison to back off on the hype game, but Braun asks if this is a challenge. It is. No it- Challenge accepted! Miz is about to #GetTheseHands! Will Miz’s body be able to cash the check Morrison’s mouth just wrote?
The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Braun Strowman!
SmackDown returns with the bell and Miz circles with Strowman. Miz dodge and JABS, but Strowman barely flinches. Strowman runs at Miz, Miz gets around then ducks the counter to throw more hands. Strowman grabs Miz and put him in a corner for big body shots! Then a CLUBBING forearm! Strowman taunts Morrison before bringing Miz up again. He bumps Miz off buckles then whips him corner to corner hard! Miz hits the mat but Morrison coaches him up. Strowman drags Miz up and whips to run Miz over! Morrison is panicking but Strowman drags Miz up. Strowman clubs Miz on the back, then kicks at Morrison to keep him back.
Strowman drags Miz up, whips him again, but Miz holds ropes. Miz baits Strowman in to dump him out! Miz knees Strowman from the apron, and Morrison LEAPS off the barrier to kick Strowman! Strowman stays up but staggers about. Miz hurries but Strowman pushes him away! Strowman runs but only gets POST! He goes back into the ring and Miz pursues. Miz springboards and ax handles! Strowman staggers but Miz springboards again, into Strowman’s hand! Strowman scoops but Miz rakes eyes! Miz boots from the corner, dodges the counter and dropkicks the legs out! Miz gives a BUZZSAW! Strowman stays up so Miz goes to DDT. Strowman blocks with a bearhug and a RAM into the corner! And a TOSS across the ring! Corner splash! Morrison gets up but gets DECKED!
Strowman suplexes and TOSSES Miz again! The Monster Among Men demands Miz get up again. Miz staggers into the scoop, and gets a MONSTER SLAM! Cover, Strowman wins!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall
The WWE Universal Champion bulldozed right through the Hollywood A-Lister, and wasn’t even bothered by the Guru of Greatness’ interference. But wait! Morrison tells Strowman that he may have won a singles match tonight, and a tag match last night. But Morrison knows there’s something he can’t do: beat them both at the same time in a Handicap Match, for the Universal Championship! Braun says if they want him, they’ve got him! Will the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century copy the Artist Collective’s strategy and take the title from Braun together?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Shinsuke Nakamura VS AJ Styles!
The King of Strong Style and the Phenomenal One battle once again! SmackDown and Raw made the trade, and now this is once again the House that AJ Styles Built! Will Styles make his homecoming even sweeter by taking a step closer to the title?
SmackDown returns as Nakamura makes his entrance. The bell rings and they tie up right away! Styles powers Nakamura back but the ref counts. Styles lets up and Nakamura kicks at him. They go again and Styles headlocks. Nakamura powers Styles to ropes now, and doesn’t honor the break in order to get a headlock of his own. Nakamura floats to facelock then waistlock, but Styles pries out to hammerlock. Nakamura elbows back and hammerlocks in return, but Styles slips out to headlock. Styles grinds Nakamura down but Nakamura powers out. Nakamura reels Styles in, but Styles dodges to throat chop! Nakamura stomps Styles’ foot! Nakamura runs, Styles hurdles, and things speed up until Styles dropkicks Nakamura down!
Styles drags Nakamura up to bump off buckles. He CHOPS Nakamura in the corner, then brings him out to whip. Nakamura holds ropes and elbows back! “C’MON!” Styles falls for the trap and gets a knee! Nakamura stalks Styles to a corner but Styles yanks him into buckles! Styles throws hands but Nakamura counter punches! Styles ROCKS Nakamura but Nakamura hits back. We have a brawl, but Styles dodges the strike fest to PELE! Styles suplexes but Nakamura sips out to BOOT! Nakamura runs into the corner and blocks the boots to turn Styles sideways! Roundhouse to DRAPING GERMAN! The Artist admires his work while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Nakamura KICKS Styles in the chest! And again! And again! Nakamura has Styles down at the ropes and starts toying with him. Nakamura paces while Styles gets up. Styles blocks the next kick, elbows away, but Nakamura breaks free. They brawl with forearms back and forth, but Styles goes for the Phenomenal Blitz. Nakamura dodges the back hand, swings but hits the heel kick! But Styles PELES! Both men are down and the ref checks on them. Styles and Nakamura stir, but Styles rises first. Nakamura follows but walks into the LARIAT! Styles rallies and hits the back hand to LARIAT again! Styles drags Nakamura up to fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Styles can’t believe it.
Styles drags Nakamura up again, reels him in, but Nakamura powers him to a corner! But Styles counters to get the CALF CRUSHER! Nakamura endures the crank, reaches back and grabs hair, but then reaches out for the ropes. Styles cranks but Nakamura gets the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go at 4, still frustrated. He and Nakamura stand, and he wants the leg again. But Nakamura ENZIGURI! Nakamura wants the sliding knee but misses, Styles hits a sliding forearm! Cover, TWO! Styles drags Nakamura up again, reels him in, but Nakamura fireman’s carries! LANDSLIDE MICHINOKU! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura drags Styles back up, wraps on a sleeper hold, but Styles blocks the scoop! Styles elbows free but walks into a ROUNDHOUSE! Nakamura goes up and leaps, FLYING KNEE! Nakamura aims from the corner, SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!!
Nakamura grows frustrated, but he hasn’t hit that yet. He aims from the corner again, Styles gets up, “YAO~!” Nakamura runs, into a roll up! Cover, TWO, into a TRIANGLE! Nakamura has the triangle hold but Styles stays up. Nakamura pulls Styles in deep and Styles fades. Styles gets a second wind, and dead lifts, INTO THE STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! HOW?! Both men are down but stirring. They head for opposite ends of the ring, and Styles is to his feet first. Nakamura is up, Styles hurries over, but Nakamura put Styles outside. Styles forearms back! Then springboards, into a BOOT! Nakamura runs in, but into an enziguri! Springboard, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The House that AJ Styles Built is still standing! The Phenomenal One moves on to the next round and will face Elias! Will Styles make The Drifter #DriftAway on the road to the gold?
Sasha Banks helps Bayley warm up.
Is the SmackDown Women’s Champion feeling good? Oh yeah! Feeling ready to beat Charlotte? Yes! Then Sasha has the perfect idea. Bayley has her stop there, and says she doesn’t want her in the corner tonight. People think Bayley can’t win without her. Is this because of what Charlotte said? Sasha wasn’t going to listen to her. Bayley knows that, and she wasn’t listening to Charlotte, either. Only dumb sheep listen to Charlotte. But why give them any reason to think Charlotte’s right? Bayley knows Sasha has her back. They’ll talk more after. But is this move actually playing into The Queen’s hands? We’ll know soon enough, because the Champion VS Champion match is next!
Champion VS Champion: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Charlotte Flair!
The “Role Model” dared The Queen to throw down on SmackDown, and clearly the challenge was accepted. But will Charlotte’s challenge to The Boss go unanswered?
The bell rings and Bayley stares down Charlotte from across the ring. The two circle and both smirk as they tie up. They are in a deadlock until Charlotte knees low. Charlotte bumps Bayley off buckles and says Bayley wasn’t ready then, and isn’t ready now. CHOP! Then a buckle bump! Charlotte runs in but Bayley dodges to then throw her down by her hair! Cover, ONE, but the two back off. Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” and strut while Sasha watches from backstage. Charlotte smiles as she and Bayley tie up again. Charlotte waistlocks, Bayley resists and reaches back, but Charlotte squeezes tight. Bayley stomps a foot to get the standing switch but Charlotte elbows free! Charlotte and Bayley both smirk, and Bayley trips her up! Bayley uses the ropes but the ref sees that! Charlotte gets away to a corner, and Bayley says she was “testing” the ref. Bayley goes back after Charlotte, but Charlotte trips her! Charlotte uses the ropes now, TWO!
Bayley protests but the Daughter of the Nature Boy knows how to cheat right. The two circle again, Charlotte kicks low and whips hard. Bayley reverses but Charlotte tumbles out to kick back! Bayley flops out and Charlotte brings her around. Bayley anchors Charlotte’s foot and trips her onto the apron! Charlotte clutches her head while Bayley runs. Charlotte avoids the baseball slide to clothesline Bayley down! Bayley scurries away but Charlotte pursues. Charlotte throws Bayley over the barriers! Charlotte hears the ring count, but wants commentary’s mic. “Sasha! Sasha, come out here so I can kick both you’re asses!” The Queen goes back to the ring while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte thrashes Bayley around in a chinlock. Bayley endures as Charlotte taunts, “Levels, Bayley, levels. I’m teaching you how to be a champion!” The Queen still wants The Boss to show up but Bayley fights her way up. Charlotte throws Bayley down by her hair! Charlotte whips Bayley to a corner then CHOPS her down on the rebound! Charlotte drags Bayley to a corner and goes up the ropes. Bayley springs up to yank Charlotte down! Charlotte hobbles on one leg but Bayley runs in, to get a KNEE! Charlotte walks it off and runs at Bayley, but the boot is sent over the top! Charlotte drags Bayley out but Bayley BOOTS her into the POST! Bayley gets space to come through, daredevil dropkick misses! Charlotte DECKS Bayley with a right! Charlotte scoops but Bayley slips out to RAM Charlotte into barriers! And then into the LED! Bayley gets in and wants the count out but Charlotte is in. Bayley covers, ONE!
Bayley hammers away on Charlotte and has her at the ropes. She drags Charlotte up to coke her! The ref counts but Bayley lets up at 4. Bayley walks into an elbow! Charlotte rolls Bayley up, TWO! Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte back down! Cover, ONE! Bayley says SmackDown is HER show now, and she wraps her in a chinlock. Charlotte endures as Bayley brags, “This is how we do on SmackDown!” Charlotte reaches back to pull hair! Bayley clubs Charlotte and keeps the chinlock. “We follow the rules here.” But Charlotte throws body shots! Bayley knees low and both take a breath. Bayley runs, but into Charlotte’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM! Both women are down but stirring. Charlotte kips up! Bayley can’t believe it, and then she gets ROCKED! And again! Charlotte keeps hitting Bayley with big forearms! But Bayley dodges to RAM into Charlotte over and over!
Bayley rolls back, wacky waving, but into the backbreaker and buckle shot! Charlotte grins as Bayley is down in the drop zone. “That’s how Charlotte Flair does it.” Charlotte goes up again, and MOONSAULTS! But she has to bail out as Bayley moves, and still BOOTS Bayley down! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte grins, perhaps actually enjoying this. Charlotte stomps Bayley’s legs and we all know why. Bayley goes for ropes so Charlotte wraps on on the ropes. Bayley kicks and kicks and kicks at Charlotte but Charlotte stomps her back. Charlotte brings Bayley up, but Bayley HOTSHOTS! Bayley drags Charlotte back in and puts her against buckles. She backs off, to run in with a KNEE! Bayley puts Charlotte in the drop zone now, then Bayley climbs up. Bayley aims, leaps, MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Charlotte gets the legs, turns Bayley and gets the BOSTON CRAB!
Bayley endures, this move is almost a Lion Tamer! Bayley powers out to a cover, TWO! Charlotte runs in but only gets buckles! Bayley slowly crawls over just to put Charlotte in the drop zone again. Bayley goes back up, MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! That’s still not enough! Charlotte laughs and Bayley shouts, “OKAY!” Bayley asks Charlotte if she has to prove herself again. “How many times?” Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, but Charlotte eggs her on! Bayley shouts “You’re sick!” as she CHOPS her again! And again and again and again! Bayley grabs the legs, and goes to steal the Figure Four! But Charlotte DECKS her first! Charlotte CHOPS Bayley, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Charlotte gives them all back with interest! The ref backs Charlotte off, but Bayley BOOTS! Bayley wants the belly2belly but Charlotte reverses to an O’Conner roll! TWO and Bayley gets a roll of her own! Bayley holds the ropes!! BAYLEY WINS!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
The SmackDown Women’s Champion pins the NXT Women’s Champion! Bayley beats Charlotte, and beats her at her own game! And without Sasha’s help! What will this mean as all three brands move forward?
Sasha celebrates with Bayley backstage!
Bayley did it! She beat Charlotte! Why is Sasha so happy? Did she doubt Bayley? Bayley is just kidding, she knew that Sasha knew that she knew. This is THEIR show! This is why they’re the SmackDown role models!
Mixed Tag: Otis Dozovic & Mandy Rose VS Dolph Ziggler & Sonya Deville!
The animosity between The Dozer and the Show-Off actually pales in comparison to the friends once known as Fire & Desire. And now, it has all come to a boiling point that only this match could contain it all! Will Sonya break Mandy for Ziggler to pick up the pieces? Or are Otis and Mandy strong enough together to withstand it all?
The teams sort out and it’s ladies first. Time to put hair up and square up again as these two circle. But Otis is impatient and wants after Ziggler! The men jump in now and they circle. Ziggler goes for a leg and Otis blocks to throw him off. Ziggler gets up but runs into a scoop, for the spin cycle SLAM! Otis is fired up as he goes corner to corner! BIG splash and Ziggler’s already down! Otis pumps up and Mandy cheers him on, but Ziggler runs away to the ropes. No Caterpillars yet, and Sonya tags in. Now she and Mandy have their chance. They circle, Sonya tackles Mandy to a corner and rams her shoulders in. She backs off to throw hands, and then grinds Mandy into buckles while talking trash. But Mandy comes back with a Thesz Press and fast hands!
Mandy and Sonya scrap on the mat, and Ziggler uses this distraction of sorts to go after Otis! Otis scoops Ziggler first, but Ziggler slips out to shove him into steps! Mandy hurries over to check on Otis but he tells her to worry about the match. Mandy is conflicted as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Sonya has Mandy down with body scissors. Sonya pushes Mandy around and puts on a chinlock. Mandy endures and bridges back to a cover, ONE! Mandy is free but Sonya KICKS her down! Sonya looms over Mandy and stands on her hair! Mandy pushes at Sonya while Sonya mocks her pain. Sonya gives toying kicks and now knees! Sonya puts Mandy in a corner and throws big hands! “C’mon, Mandy!” Sonya taunts Mandy but Mandy throws hands back! And rolls Sonya up! TOW, and Sonya kicks Mandy down! Sonya keeps Mandy away from the corner just as Otis returns. Sonya grinds her forearm into Mandy’s face as Mandy reaches for Otis. Otis coaches Mandy up and rallies for her, and Mandy jawbreakers free! But Sonya BOOTS Mandy back down!
Sonya taunts Mandy again and gives her a stiff kick! Sonya taunts Otis now then KICKS Mandy again! And again! Sonya taunts Otis because she knows he can’t go after her. Sonya runs, into a KNEE FROM A ROSE! Both women are down and Otis fires up! Mandy and Sonya crawl for their corners, but Sonya anchors Mandy down. Sonya has the legs but Mandy pushes her away! Hot tag to Otis! Ziggler gets in but gets run over! And popped up for a FLAPJACK! Otis runs at Ziggler for a corner splash! Otis wants another but Ziggler elbows him away! But Otis powers Ziggler back in! Another corner splash, and Ziggler ends up in the drop zone! Otis pumps up but Sonya tags in! Mandy returns to CLOBBER Sonya! Mandy rallies now and ROCKS her with a right!
Otis CLOBBERS Ziggler outside the ring, and Mandy throws Sonya to a corner. Mandy hits a corner knee, then a sliding knee! Cover, TWO!! Otis and Ziggler fight up the ramp while Mandy brings Sonya up. Mandy underhooks but Sonya slips out to KNEE back! Sonya hits the SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Sonya and Ziggler win!
Winners: Sonya Deville & Dolph Ziggler, by pinfall
Otis can’t believe it! He and Ziggler were so preoccupied, it ended without them! Otis checks on Mandy but Ziggler SUPERKICKS him!! The embarrassment and defeat keeps piling on for Otis and his sweet peach. Will they give in to what Sonya and Dolph are saying?
Jeff Hardy speaks.
“Two weeks ago, I asked the WWE Universe to join me for one more good run. I didn’t know exactly where that journey would lead me, but it’s a mystery no more.” The new path is open, and it is the WWE Intercontinental Championship. This title is near and dear to his heart. Not just because of the legends who wore it before, but because it was Jeff’s first title he won on his own. Things could be coming full circle. What better way to start this journey than defeating the bully, Sheamus? Tonight, Jeff’s path to a blaze of glory runs right through the Celtic Warrior! Will this last good run start here tonight?
WWE mourns the loss of Shad Gaspard.
The Forgotten Sons have another message.
“Just like my brothers that I served with, we’ve all had our tough times adjusting here to life back home.” They’re not afraid to admit that. If that makes you uncomfortable, good. That’s their blood on your hands! So it is only fair that your blood be on their hands. Will Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake and Jaxson Ryker make clear they will no longer be forgotten by anyone?
SmackDown makes it official!
The Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century could become the first-ever co-holders of the WWE Universal Championship! Their handicap match challenge has been accepted for Backlash! Will they both hold singles gold together? Or will they just #GetTheseHands?
The Miz argues with Morrison.
How could he do that? What is he thinking? Morrison admits he got carried away. But the bright side is, they have a title match! Renee Young comes by to interview them on this bold move. Especially considering Braun has beaten them both separately. Do they think they can really defeat him together? Yes, and here’s why! Braun’s track record in Handicaps stinks worse than Dookie the Diaper Boy. And they’re a cohesive unit that knows how to win. They will make his life a living hell! Hey hey! Renee reluctantly says, “Ho ho.” Will Miz ‘n’ Morrison be cheering themselves on all the way through Backlash?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Jeff Hardy VS Sheamus!
The Charismatic Enigma knows he has so much left in the tank, but he’ll have to survive the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus asked Hardy before, “How many false comebacks can one man have before he realizes he’s never really coming back?” It’s time we all find out if Jeff Hardy is truly back!
SmackDown returns as Sheamus makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sheamus powers Hardy to a corner but the ref backs him off. Hardy comes out and they go again. Sheamus powers Hardy to another corner then reels him out. Hardy dodges to headlock and hit the takeover. Sheamus tries for a cover but Hardy brings it back. Sheamus digs at Hardy’s nose but Hardy drags Sheamus around. The two struggle for control and Sheamus gets out to a hammerlock. Hardy reverses to another headlock but Sheamus powers out. Hardy holds ropes but Sheamus haymakers and knees Hardy down! Sheamus stomps Hardy at the ropes but lets off at 4. Sheamus drags Hardy up to throw a European Uppercut! Sheamus whips but Hardy kicks back! Hardy runs and forearms Sheamus, but Sheamus doesn’t fall. Hardy runs again but gets run over!
Sheamus checks his chest while stalking Hardy. He drags Hardy up onto the ropes to make him smile for the camera. But Hardy hotshots back! Sheamus runs in but Hardy dumps him out! Then wrecks him with a dropkick! Sheamus hits the announce desk and Hardy aims from the apron. hardy leaps, into Sheamus’ arms! Sheamus RAMS Hardy into the post! And pops him up, to TOSS onto the announce desk!! Sheamus tells Michael Cole to try and put “that lump of crap” over again! “What about me?!” The Fella is still furious despite being in control, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once more, and Sheamus thrashes Hardy around in a headlock. Sheamus says Hardy doesn’t deserve another chance, but Hardy fights his way up. Hardy throws elbows but Sheamus throws him by his hair! Sheamus runs to drop a knee! And then drops another knee, and another knee, and another knee! Sheamus digs that knee in but lets up at 4. Sheamus grins as he looms over Hardy at the ropes. He stalks Hardy to the corner while talking trash. Hardy elbows back and throws haymakers, but Sheamus kicks and KNEES back! Sheamus is calling this a slaughter as he drags Hardy back up. Sheamus clotheslines Hardy back down and stands over him again. He taunts Hardy with how living life with drinking and drugs and having no responsibilities was “so much easier.” Hardy hits back with body shots and haymakers! He backs Sheamus down, but Sheamus blocks the kick! Hardy spins to back kick Sheamus away!
Hardy gets to a corner but Sheamus runs in! Hardy elbows Sheamus away then goes up top to hit WHISPER IN THE WIND! Both men are down but Hardy gets himself to the cover! ONE!! Hardy grows frustrated but he has Sheamus on the defensive. Sheamus rolls away to ropes but Hardy pursues. Hardy drags Sheamus up but Sheamus kicks him away. Sheamus scoops and hits the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! And then ANOTHER! Sheamus gives Hardy a THIRD! Sheamus looms over Hardy once again, and then shakes his head. He drags Hardy up to throw him out, but Hardy stays on the apron. Sheamus drags Hardy up again for Beats of the Bodhrain! He gets all ten beats, and then mockingly wipes the sweat from is brow. Sheamus smiles while Hardy flops to the apron. Sheamus is even showing off that he’s still got so much left.
Sheamus drags Hardy up to back suplex, but Hardy lands on his feet! Hardy kicks and punches but Sheamus puts him in a corner. Hardy dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Sheamus staggers back and Hardy CLOBBERS him! Hardy hits the atomic drop to the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick added on! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but Hardy has him in his sights. Kick low but no Twist as Sheamus bails out! Hardy pursues and POSTS Sheamus again! Then Hardy walks the barriers to LEAP for the lariat! The ring count climbs and Hardy hurries to get Sheamus up and in. Hardy goes to the corner and to the top rope! SWANTON BOMB onto knees!! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives and Sheamus is shocked!
Sheamus KNEES Hardy down and covers, TWO! Sheamus clutches his shoulder while gritting his teeth. Hardy slowly rises and Sheamus calls for the end! He runs in but Hardy dodges the Brogue! Sheamus fireman’s carries but Hardy sunset flips! HARDY WINS!!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall
The Enigma survives to render Sheamus OBSOLETE! Sheamus is furious but he still lost to Hardy! Is this Hardy’s chance to return to former glory? Or will Daniel Bryan disagree?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good SmackDown, though it does expose some pacing problems in this gap from MITB to Backlash. Strowman and the Dirt Sheet were all good stuff, but it seems a bit quick to give us a Universal Championship match already. Miz and Morrison are both great wrestlers, having been singles champions before, but it seems a bit odd to make another of these Handicap matches for a singles title. Instead of making Backlash feel like an important PPV, it is suddenly exposing that this is just transitional on the way to Extreme Rules and SummerSlam after it. For that matter, I feel like all this “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” hype for Edge VS Orton is too much, too. While Edge VS Orton will be a great match, calling it the greatest is having the reverse effect on the hype. Backlash has been a PPV getting the short end of the stick the last few years, and I feel like these two matches are just sharpening that stick.
I’m a bit surprised at the order of the WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament matches, but I still really like what’s going on in that tournament. Styles isn’t here because of Brand to Brand but because of a “trade.” This is actually great since it goes with what I was hoping for in his story with Taker. Regardless of what happens with the title, Taker can face Styles and retire being part of the show he was such a big part of for years. Styles advancing over Nakamura made a lot of sense given Styles just moved back, and I’m pretty sure Styles beats Elias to head to the finals. Hardy VS Sheamus was alright but I wouldn’t have made it the main event. The nostalgia is nice and all but let nostalgia open the show and let the actual awesome match close it. Hardy VS Bryan will be good next week, but my money is still on Bryan VS Styles to really show us what the title will be about again.
I really liked how the Mixed Tag went. It was good that we actually saw even a little bit of emotion between Mandy and Otis, where she was worried about him getting hurt. It’s almost too obvious that the storytelling of their romance has been hurt by the pandemic. If things were more open, I’m sure we’d be getting segments of Otis and Mandy out on dates. But that aside, the story in regards to the ring is going well. Sonya and Ziggler win because this is far from over. I don’t think there needs to be a match for Backlash, let Otis think more on if he wants to cash in or not. But as I said previously, Extreme Rules should be where and how Mandy and Sonya settle this. Women’s Extreme Rules to get all the animosity out!
Charlotte VS Bayley was incredible, but that’s to be expected from those two. It was surprising yet also the right move for Bayley to win. There was the little bit of tension between Bayley and Sasha, and Bayley winning over a fellow champion makes me wonder where the title plans are all headed. There was also advertising that Raw would hold a contender’s Triple Threat of Charlotte, Natalya and Nia Jax, and they slipped in via commentary that Charlotte is going to have a Triple Threat title defense at TakeOver against Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai. Natty shouldn’t really be in that Triple Threat after losing to Shayna Baszler twice, but it seems Vince is dead set in NOT pushing Shayna (yet). Given what happened between Nia and Asuka on Raw this week, it’s basically a given that Nia beats Natty to then challenge for the title at Backlash. If Becky were still champion, I could see all four Four Horsewomen eventually fighting for all three titles, but I don’t think any woman should be holding multiple titles now that things have changed. It just wouldn’t be fair to any of them, or to any one show.
My Score: 8.3/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who will grab their golden tickets to Tampa?
While TWENTY-FIVE men fight in a Battle Royal to face Oba Femi, Jordynne Grace and Giulia go 1v1 to face NXT Women’s Champion, Stephanie Vaquer!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: ??? wins and will challenge Oba Femi for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
- Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca; wins.
- Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State; win(s).
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace; wins and will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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