Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/28/20)
The Big Dog is BACK!
SmackDown can’t rest after SummerSlam, Payback is coming!
The NEW WWE Universal Champion, Bray Wyatt, can’t celebrate his achievement because he, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns are going to sign a title match contract! Will this one week be all Bray gets with the title?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge: Jeff Hardy VS ???; Hardy wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Matt Riddle VS Baron Corbin; changed to…
- Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Baron Corbin; Riddle wins.
- Drew Gulak VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins.
- Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kalisto; Cesaro wins.
- Six Man Tag: Big E & Heavy Machinery VS Sheamus, The Miz & John Morrison; Big E & Heavy Machinery win.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the loss of “The Bullet” Bob Armstrong.
Adam Pearce puts security on notice.
“Tonight is a very combustible night.” Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in one ring, then Retribution lurking around and Mr. Vince McMahon is here. If you see something, say something to Pearce and make it fast. The guards head out, Pearce checks in with Mr. McMahon and Vince says he seems nervous. Just a little. Vince says it’s fine, Vince is intimidating. But he has a mission for Pearce, should he decide to accept. It will take him into the presence of Roman, Braun and Bray. All three in that Triple Threat No Holds Barred need to “autograph” this contract. Start with The Fiend. Wait, start with The Fiend? Is he here? He could be on the other side of the door. Or at least talk to Bray on tonight’s Firefly Fun House.
Speaking of Fun, Vince is having some fun, and he gives Pearce a certain garment bag. Seriously? Deadly. And say hi to Huskis for Vince. Vince loves that loud burp of his. It sounds like we’re doing a different kind of contract signing tonight! Can Pearce survive encountering all three of the heaviest hitters on SmackDown today?
Jeff Hardy is here!
The Charismatic Enigma is once again WWE Intercontinental Champion after managing to overcome a blindside attack on his leg by AJ Styles! There is admittedly some controversy since the knee brace Hardy needed is what knocked Styles off balance, but others might just call that karma. Hardy has a mic to say it’s great to be standing in the WWE Thunderdome. And he is tickled pink to be standing at all. But Hardy isn’t complacent in his success, so he is ready to defend- Here comes AJ Styles! Styles glares at Hardy from the stage as he asks, “Is this real? Is it?” Because Hardy sure seems proud of what he did last week! Not about what he accomplished, but about what he did! Hardy is no conquering hero! He’s a liar and a cheater!
Styles joins Hardy in the ring as he tells Hardy can blame him for all sorts of stuff. But Styles has had knee injuries before and never did he whine or cry to get “an illegal object” on his knee. But Hardy did! Hardy had a plan to use that object! Styles clearly had Hardy beat in the Styles Clash but then the leg and its illegal object hit him in the face! Hardy knew what he was doing! And Hardy knows how to play the system! Oh yeah! Because that same doctor Hardy whined to will not medically clear Styles tonight, and it’s Hardy’s fault! Hardy says that does suck, because he was about to give an Open Challenge to anyone backstage tonight except Styles. Styles accuses Hardy of taking advantage of the system!
Styles rants on and on and starts shoving Hardy but the ref tells him to stop. Styles doesn’t, so Hardy DECKS him! Hardy’s challenge is still open, who accepts it when SmackDown returns from break?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge: Jeff Hardy VS ???
SmackDown returns and the challenge is accepted by… Shinsuke Nakamura! A former Intercontinental Champion and a current SmackDown Tag Team Champion, will the King of Strong Style become a double champion?
The bell rings while Style complains on commentary. Hardy and Nakamura tie up, go around, and end up in a corner. Hardy lets off at the ref’s count and gets clear. Nakamura circles with Hardy, ties up, and shoots through to waistlock. Hardy standing switches, Nakamura breaks free to wrench Hardy’s arm to a wristlock. Nakamura shifts to a cording hold, Hardy fights up, Hardy pries free to a wristlock of his own. Hardy clubs the arm, wrenches more, but Nakamura pulls hair! The ref counts, Nakamura ab leans then kicks Hardy low. Nakamura headlocks, grinds Hardy and Styles cheers Nakamura on but Hardy powers out. Nakamura runs Hardy over and things speed up.
Hardy hip tosses, ducks Nakamura’s clothesline to atomic drop! Hardy snapmares, neck snaps and drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Hardy whips, Nakamura holds ropes, Hardy kicks low. Hardy whips, Nakamura reverses and dropkicks Hardy’s bad leg out! Styles is glad as Hardy writhes and holds that knee. Nakamura stalks Hardy, and dropkicks the leg out from behind! Nakamura stomps the leg, and gives Hardy a grounded DRAGON SCREW! Nakamura bumps Hardy off buckles, knees low then grabs a leg. A quick snippet from Cesaro says that Nakamura isn’t more ambitious but certainly more impulsive than him. Cesaro wishes his tag partner “good luck” with Hardy.
Nakamura has Hardy’s leg on the rope and kicks it! Then he gives the bad leg some Bad Vibrations! The fans boo Nakamura and rally up for Hardy as Nakamura looms over the champ. Nakamura drags Hardy up, knees low and hard, and Hardy hobbles and falls to another corner. Nakamura drags Hardy up to club him down, then KICKS him in the chest! Hardy sits up but Nakamura KICKS again! And again, but Hardy blocks! Hardy back kicks Nakamura down! Hardy clubs Nakamura, bumps him off buckles, then runs in, only to get a knee! Nakamura puts Hardy on the top rope, but Hardy avoids the Top Shelf Knee!
Hardy clubs Nakamura, and aims for the outside! Nakamura resists the suplexes to suplex Hardy in! Hardy lands on his feet but hobbles from the bad leg. Hardy still clotheslines Nakamura out! Hardy swings and dropkicks Nakamura away, then goes outside, to throw Nakamura onto Styles! Hardy stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Hardy fights against Nakamura’s leg lock. Hardy kicks free with his good leg, gets to a corner, and boots Nakamura away. Hardy throws haymakers, whips, but Nakamura reverses, only for Hardy to forearm him down! Hardy gives Nakamura an atomic drop and the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick! Splash down! Cover, TWO!! Styles wants Nakamura to do better but Hardy stays on Nakamura. Nakamura fires off a strike fest, Hardy ducks one kick but not the next! Hardy is back in a corner, Nakamura brings Hardy up to bump him off buckles. Nakamura puts Hardy up top, clubs Hardy on the back but Hardy elbows him away. Nakamura falls off the ropes, Hardy stands up, WHISPER IN THE WIND!
Hardy clutches his leg and Styles laughs. Hardy still hobbles around, Nakamura runs in at the corner, blocks boots and turns Hardy sideways. Nakamura runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN SUPLEX! Nakamura climbs up and watches Hardy crawl. Hardy stands, Nakamura hits a FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives, Nakamura grows frustrated and Styles tells the ref to count better. Nakamura aims from a corner, Hardy stands up, “YAO~!” But Hardy dodges the Kinshasa to kick. No Twist, Nakamura gets a sleeper. Hardy snapmares free, uses the knee brace knee to hit low, then hits a TWIST OF FATE!! Styles protests, Hardy climbs up top, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy wins!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Styles protests, but Hardy tells him to step up. Styles is “not” medically cleared tonight, but will he be first in line when he is?
Wait a minute, Sami Zayn is back?! And he has a copy of the Intercontinental Championship?! Sami says THIS is the true title, Hardy is a fraud! Both men raise their belt, but they both look at Styles staring at them. And then Sami HELLUVA KICKS Hardy down! Sami shouts “FRAUD! FRAUD!” before leaving. Hardy staggers up to his feet in time to see Styles creep closer. Styles says it doesn’t matter who the real one is, he’s going to be the real champion soon enough. Who will be the one true Intercontinental Champion of WWE?
SmackDown returns to Sami singing.
“Oh happy day~!” Kayla Braxton wants an answer, he wants to get going, but she asks why did he attack Jeff Hardy. Is there never any good question? What has he always been about? Righting wrongs! What was wrong was Hardy pretending he is Intercontinental Champion, and AJ Styles pretending to be before him. They were frauds! Sami won the title fair and square all by himself, 3/8/2020 (in a handicap match) and then defended the title at WrestleMania! Daniel Bryan couldn’t even beat him! Sami never lost the title!
Then where was he to defend it? Oh there are many, perfectly valid reasons, that Sami does not need to explain to him! He is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a man of the world and a true Intercontinental Champion in every sense of the word. He says good bye in French, but that doesn’t really explain anything. Will we get an explanation
SmackDown presents a brand new Firefly Fun House!
Bray enters and waves hi to the Fireflies. Welcome back to the Firefly Fun House~! Feels great to be home with all his friends. Abby and Mercy and even Ramblin’ Rabbit and Huskis. “Certified squeals, seven different meals, bring a bucket with some slop for this fat arse piggy!” Okay, Huskis, calm down. What’s the matter, bro? No more internet, Huskis. It’s rotting your brain. But anyway, Bray feels like something is missing. What could it be?! Worms? Buzzards? No! The Universal Championship! YOWIE WOWIE, he has it back! And neither monsters with the big teeth can take it away this time.
Now, Roman, it’s been a long time. It was great to see him again. Ding dong, someone is here! Who could it be? It’s… Adam Pearce the Mailman~! Postman Pearce will not be stopped by snow nor rain nor heat nor dystopian hellscape! He was hoping Bray could sign this for Payback. Why Bray? Well, it just seems there’s a connection between you and… him. Well, okay. YAY~! Hopefully Braun and Roman know what they’re getting into. Done and done. And if Bray knows “him” like he thinks he does, he really just signed a couple of death warrants~! YAY~! And remember, Fireflies, #LetMeIn. Bye~! See you Sunday!
Matt Riddle VS Baron Corbin!
The Original Bro and the King of the Ring have had beef but now it’s time to squash it! Riddle gets the mic to say, “Corbin, you said that anyone that can prove I don’t belong on SmackDown is entitled to the King’s Ransom.” But it just seems like Corbin is scared. If Corbin has something to prove, than prove Riddle wrong right now! Will the Wolf King see this through? Or will he avoid the Bro’s challenge to #brodown?
SmackDown returns and Riddle is still waiting. C’mon, Corbin! It might be hard to get that little crown on that big cranium, but this is ridiculous! Get the show on the road, bro! Corbin finally does make his entrance, but still takes his time heading to the ring, because CHAD GABLE attacks Riddle from behind! Corbin says he accepts Riddle’s challenge for a match, on behalf of Shorty G! It seems Gable is again Corbin’s fool as he goes for broke on the King’s Ransom!
Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Baron Corbin!
Riddle fires off forearms on Gable, then kicks. Gable catches a kick for a DRAGON SCREW! Gable climbs on for a rear mount, clubs away with crossface forearms, but Riddle gets to ropes. Gable whips, Riddle reverses to gut wrench suplex! Gable fights off the second, but Riddle brings him up, Gable slips out, chicken wings for the TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Corbin tells Gable to get going, and Gable stalks Riddle. Gable drags Riddle up, pushes him to buckles then rolls back, CHAOS THEORY! But Riddle lands on his feet to FINAL FLASH! And then gut wrench, Gotch hold, BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
Corbin is furious and runs in but Riddle is ready! They brawl, Riddle kicks but Corbin slides out, and stays out! The Bro dares the King to man up, but when and where will Riddle finally prove to Corbin that he belongs?
SmackDown shares a WWE Network Exclusive from Big E.
After the tense verbal confrontation on Talking Smack last week, Big E told us all that he doesn’t really want to be on MizTV tonight, but he will because he is obligated to and doesn’t want to get fined. Miz and John Morrison walk over and ask what Big E is talking about. They heard him! Do something about it! But then Sheamus comes by and now it looks like 3v1. Until Heavy Machinery walks over to back Big E up. Things are tense, and MizTV is cancelled for tonight, because this will be a Six Man Tag! Will Tucker and Otis help Big E bulldoze the Fella and the so-called Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century?
Big E hangs out with Heavy Machinery backstage.
Otis has both the Money in the Bank Briefcase AND an MITB themed lunch pail! Does Otis have something good in there? Lunchables? The bootleg snacks that don’t come out until 2021? Nope, just some hard salami. The Golden Role Models walk over and laugh at the “clowns playing with their meat.” Heyo~! But Big E, don’t worry what Miz said. It’s not that Big E doesn’t have what it takes. It’s just that some people can only handle a tag title! HAH! Um, doesn’t that mean Bayley’s insulting Sasha Banks? Sasha and Bayley still head out together to head to the ring, after the break.
SmackDown returns to Adam Pearce outside Roman Reigns’ room.
Pearce knocks and tells Roman it’s about the contract for Payback. Is he even in there? Pearce walks away, and we catch Corbin walking in. Kayla asks if Corbin is considering Riddle’s challenge, but Corbin says he is not considering anything! Payback will be Corbin rearranging Riddle’s face, and knock Riddle’s teeth down his throat and dents in his forehead, then break every single one of Riddle’s “disgusting little toes.” Corbin vows to send Riddle back to NXT, UFC or anywhere else he wants to go next. Corbin vows to prove Riddle does NOT belong in his “Kingdom” of SmackDown!
The Golden Role Models head to the ring!
Sasha is no longer #TwoBeltzBanks but she still stands with #BayleyDosStraps! Of course, that could change at Payback when they have to defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. The Role Models get mics and Bayley says, “We are in the midst of one of the most difficult weeks of our careers.” They both defended their singles titles at SummerSlam, and must now defend their tag titles against Shayna and Nia. “But lucky for us, we are the greatest tag team champions in the whole world!” They look amazing together! Bayley Dos Straps and Sasha… Oh, sorry, too soon. Sasha is devastated over losing her Raw Women’s Championship. But even when they have the best intentions, things don’t go the way they’re planned.
And Bayley takes the blame for that. Bayley should not have let Sasha challenge Asuka for the title way back when! But the way Sasha looked at #BayleyDosStraps, and how Sasha wanted to match her, Bayley couldn’t help it. But even so, Bayley should’ve remembered Sasha’s horrible track record of never being able to hold onto the Raw Women’s Championship. Wait, no, she didn’t mean it to sound like that! That’s all the past, okay? They will moo-ve forward! Get it? Sasha’s cow print pants. But anyway, they are stronger together! They are in this together! Sasha always says the tag titles represent their friendship! And Sunday, these two cannot lose!
Sasha agrees, they can’t lose. And Bayley is worried because it’s Nia and Shayna, but Sasha doesn’t want her to worry. So long as they have each other’s backs, they can get through anything. Sasha may not have two belts anymore, but she knows who she is and what she stands for. And lucky for Bayley, she’s still Sasha’s best friend. But Nia interrupts via the titantron! “Ladies~!” She and Shayna tell Sasha she’s had a bad week, and it’s going to get worse. Bayley and Sasha have done the impossible. The only two people Nia can’t stand worse than Shayna, is them. Shayna says the same, she despises Nia who sucks, but getting to beat up Sasha and Bayley and get titles, she’d partner with anyone.
What’s the point of interrupting them? Well the best friends are talking about the titles, what they represent, how much they mean to Bayley and Sasha. Everything except for winning. Winning? Sasha doesn’t need to talk about winning because it’s what she and Bayley do. One bad week won’t hold Sasha back! She is THE Sasha, she knows what she wants, when she wants and how she wants it. And she will get her vengeance and walking out with HER tag team title, and there’s nothing Nia and Shayna can do about it. Will this determination help the Boss and Bayley keep their titles?
Pearce asks around for where he can find Roman and/or Braun.
Drew Gulak doesn’t know about Roman, but he owes Braun for last week. Pearce advises Gulak to rethink that, given what tonight is. But Gulak spots Braun, grabs a chair, and SMACKS him on the back! Braun barely flinches, so Gulak tosses the chair to Pearce! Pearce explains, and tells him about the contract. Braun hears that Pearce wants to find Roman, too. Pearce better do it before Braun does. And as for the contract, the only way Braun is signing it is to get “that twerp” Gulak in the ring NOW!! Done. Will Gulak #GetTheseHands while Pearce gets that signature?
SmackDown returns to Cesaro talking with Nakamura.
The Swiss Cyborg tries to get Nakamura to understand, they’re the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, they can’t just do things without each other. Cesaro supported Nakamura tonight but he needs his teammate by his side. But speaking of, Sami returns to reunite with his “Artist Collective!” The band’s back together, boys! Where’s the energy? Well, he was gone for four months without a phone call. Oh, well, okay, yeah he should’ve communicated. Sorry! No, don’t be sorry for vanishing like that. Some things changed for the better! Yes! Sami saw that, it was part of the plan! What? This was to hep Nakamura and Cesaro unite and become champions! Now they’re all champions! And Sami won’t fault Nakamura for challenging Hardy, no one knew Sami was back.
But wow, Champion’s Lounge! Sami is going to get comfortable, set his belt down next to the tag titles. Cesaro is fine with that, but he and Nakamura were having a private tag team conversation. Oh…! Then, should Sami… go? Yep. Please? No, that’s cool. Sami does have to go, actually. Yeah, he has so much to do now that he’s back. You two do your thing. Is Sami still even part of this “collective?” Or will that have to be another special conversation for later?
Drew Gulak VS Braun Strowman!
We just saw the Philly Stretcher pick a fight with the Monster no longer among men, and now he’ll have to face the consequences! Will Gulak be able to make it to his commentary post for 205 Live tonight?
The bell rings and Braun powers Gulak to a corner then TOSSES him across the ring! Braun glares at Gulak as he gets up, then corner splashes him! Then whips him corner to corner and corner clotheslines to Gulak’s back! Braun doesn’t stop, he brings Gulak up to reel him in for a LARIAT! Braun roars before he drops a senton! That’s certainly new from Braun! Braun clubs away on Gulak’s chest then roars again. Fans are torn as Braun drags Gulak up for a DEAD LIFT CHOKE SLAM! But Braun isn’t done with Gulak as he drags Gulak back up by his beard. “You asked for this! Is this what you wanted?!” Scoop and MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall
The Monster mangled Gulak, and as promised, he signs the contract. Two down, one to go, can Pearce track down the Big Dog and complete this trifecta of power and rage?
Lucha House Party talks backstage.
Kalisto tells Lince Dorado that he learned form his mistakes last week against Cesaro. But just do him a favor and stay backstage, and watch how it’s done. Fine, then! Show him how it’s done! But as Kalisto makes his entrance, Lince and Gran Metalik get blindsided by Cesaro and Nakamura! Now Kalisto will be all alone anyway! Will the Lucha Dragon be able to survive the Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style alone?
Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kalisto!
SmackDown returns as Kalisto finishes his entrance, probably unaware of what happened to his amigos. Cesaro makes his entrance now, Nakamura by his side. Will the SmackDown Tag Team Champions shut out all of Lucha House Party from these titles?
The bell rings and Cesaro ties up with Kalisto. Cesaro scoops and slams hard, then brings him up to bump off buckles. Cesaro whips corner to corner, Kalisto goes up and over then runs, tit-o-whirl and a little more to huricanrana Cesaro out! Kalisto springboards to DRAGON RANA! Cesaro staggers up to his feet but Kalisto keeps after him. Kalisto puts Cesaro in, enziguris him away then springboards again, but Cesaro catches him! Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cesaro covers, ONE! Cesaro keeps on Kalisto with a whip and back drops! Kalisto hits hard, Cesaro covers, but they’re in the ropes! Cesaro drags Kalisto up, whips again, and back drops again but Kalisto sunset flips! Cesaro stays up, brings Kalisto up, Kalisto just sunset flips again! TWO and Cesaro BOOTS Kalisto down! Then drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Nakamura complains about the count but Cesaro keeps close on Kalisto. Cesaro shoves Kalisto to a corner, then throws a big European Uppercut! Cesaro whips Kalisto corner to corner, Kalisto boots back! Kalisto dropkicks the legs out, but Cesaro blocks the kick to flip Kalisto. Kalisto ducks, dodges and rolls, but his huricanrana is blocked! Cesaro pops Kalisto up, Kalisto stands on Cesaro’s shoulders, then hits a BIG DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives that crazy satellite but gets a SPIKE RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kalisto grows frustrated but stays fired up. Kalisto aims from a corner and gets the fans fired up with “Lucha! Lucha!” But Cesaro says no to Salida, only for Kalisto to elbow and huricanrana him into buckles!
Nakamura gets on the apron, Metalik and Dorado rush out to get even, but Cesaro rolls Kalisto up in the distraction! Cesaro wins!!
Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall
LHP meant well but they didn’t think they’d mess Kalisto up! He gets mad at his friends while Nakamura and Cesaro leave with smiles on their faces. Metalik tries to keep the peace again as Kalisto and Dorado argue. Kalisto and Metalik hug it out, but Kalisto is not about to talk to Dorado. Is the party almost over for Lucha House Party?
Someone knocks on Vince McMahon’s door.
Vince says for them to come in, and it’s Pearce. He has two of the contracts, but Roman just doesn’t answer. Vince knows Pearce thinks two out of three ain’t bad, but Vince wants three out of three. Vince advises Pearce to knock the door down. Vince would have men on either side and throw Pearce in there if he could. Pearce heads out to try one last time. Will the Big Dog play ball for No Holds Barred?
Tamina finds Nikki Cross backstage.
What’s she doing all along with a coffee mug? It’s the first present Alexa Bliss ever got her. How is Alexa doing? The others are worried about her. But Alexa come sin and hugs her best friend, and even hugs Tamina. So now that she’s here, Tamina asks Alexa how she is doing. She’s better than ever! That’s great! Alexa is happy to see them. Oh and the mug she got Nikki. A year already, huh? A long time. And, Alexa hasn’t had pigtails in a longer time. It’s cute but… What’s this braid? Alexa thought about doing half ‘n’ half. Nikki isn’t so sure about that. Yeah, Alexa thought doing about the whole thing.
No, that’s fine, it looks great. Nikki’s point is that it reminds her of…Â him. The Fiend. Alexa freezes up for a second, but says that’s silly. She was hoping Nikki would be more supportive as a best friend but maybe now they’re not best friends so Alexa’s going to take BACK her gift and SMASH it!! Alexa storms off, and she leaves both Nikki and Tamina at a loss for words. What IS going on inside Alexa’s head?
The Miz and Morrison talk backstage.
Morrison tells Miz about duct taping a baseball to his foot and kicking through the sensors. His kick was 70 miles per hour! That’s incredible. That is MLB fastball fast. Sheamus comes by and asks about a game plan. DO they have one? Yes. What is it so far? Big E is a powerhouse, they can’t let him in the ring. But Tucker is… Tall. And also strong. As two or three. Keep him out. But then that leaves Otis. Otis is a crazy man, like a wildcard. So he can’t get in. Wait. Then… No one can be in? That’s the same as having no match! Sheamus tells them to follow his lead. Miz and Morrison argue over the plans, or lack there of. Will it go well when all three opponents are worst case scenarios in their minds?
SmackDown returns to Pearce’s last attempt at Roman’s door.
“Roman, it’s Adam Pearce!” When there’s no response, Pearce opens the door. Here goes nothing. He explains about the contract, Roman looks it over, and Pearce is on stand-by. Will the Big Dog sign on the dotted line?
Six Man Tag: Big E & Heavy Machinery VS Sheamus, The Miz & John Morrison!
Awwwww~ THUNDERDOOOME~! Don’t you dare be sour! Clap for literally the biggest main event yet, and FEEL~the POWER~! Will Big E, Otis and Tucky be swivelin’ them hips all night long in celebration after this?
Miz and Morrison make their entrance together, then Sheamus follows. The teams sort out and we start with Otis eating a sausage, and Morrison. They tie up, Morrison waistlocks but Otis backs him down to a corner. Otis hip tosses free but Morrison lands on his feet! Morrison springboards but bounces off Otis! Otis tosses Morrison to a corner, hits a corner splash and Big E tags in! Tag to Tucker, and the three men swivel together. Heavy Machinery double whip Big E in to RAM Morrison! Tucker corner splashes then feeds Morrison to Otis’ shoulder tackle! Cover, but Sheamus breaks it! The ref reprimands, Big E calls Sheamus out and Tucker tells Sheamus to go back to his corner.
Tucker runs at Morrison, Morrison dodges but Tucker goes up and LEAPS! Crossbody, cover, TWO! Tucker runs but Sheamus gets a cheap shot in! Morrison fires off knees on Tucker, tags in Miz, and they double GUT BUSTER! Miz stomps Tucker down, then stomps Tucker more. Miz mocks Big E then goes back to Tucker. Tucker throws body shots, Miz knees low, tag to Morrison. Morrison and Miz mug Tucker, Morrison drags Tucker to a cover, TWO! Morrison wraps Tucker up with a chinlock and drives in elbows. Tucker endures, Morrison moves to a chinlcok and throws big forearms. Tucker fights back and fights out of the enemy corner!
Tucker DECKS Morrison, but Morrison throws body shots and a dropkick! Tucker falls out of the ring in a heap, but he dropkicks Sheamus away first! And then Miz, too! Tucker hurries in, Morrison whips him but Tucker LARIATS back! But who is ringing the bell? Sheamus? He used it to simply throw everyone off, and things sort out as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Morrison and Miz knee and boot Tucker down! Cover, TWO! Morrison stomps Tucker, Sheamus wants in but Morrison tags Miz. They double whip Tucker to a corner, Morrison whips Miz in, A-Lister Lariat! Feed to the SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Miz smirks at Otis but Sheamus wants a tag. Miz keeps on Tucker with the chinlock, digging a knee into Tucker’s back. The fans rally, Tucker fights up and back suplexes Miz down! Both men are down, crawling for their corners. Hot tag to Morrison and he clobbers Tucker! Morrison kicks the leg, drags Tucker around, and then spins around to ground ‘n’ pound!
The ref counts, Morrison lets up and Sheamus wants in. Morrison bends Tucker back with a modified cravat, but Tucker fights up. Miz tags in, he and Morrison mug Tucker. Miz taunts Otis, then it’s the FLYING CHUCK HART ATTACK! Cover, but Big E and Otis both break it! Big E and Otis coach Tucker up, but Sheamus tags in! The ref didn’t see it and says the Fella isn’t legal! Sheamus is furious but Morrison gets back in to drag Tucker back up. But Sheamus is so furious, he doesn’t see Tucker shove Morrison into him! Down goes Sheamus, BIG hip toss for Morrison! Both Tucker and Morrison are down as Sheamus throws a fit, thinking it was some kind of betrayal.
Miz doesn’t understand but Sheamus i going to leave. Miz tries to stop him from leaving but Sheamus scares him off! It’s now a handicap match! Morrison hits Otis down, but Tucker back drops him! Hot tags to Miz and Big E! Big E OVERHEAD suplexes Miz, then does it again! Then the side belly2belly! Big E fires up and swivels them hips! Big E runs and hits the BIG SPLASH! Big E claps and fans clap with him! Miz stands and bails out to the apron! Big E pursues but Miz hotshots him away! Miz slides in, runs corner to corner, into the Urenag-E! Cover, but Morrison springboard double stomps it apart! But Otis scoop slams Morrison down!
Otis hits a DOUBLE CATERPILLAR! Well, Miz avoids his, at least! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! But Big E is back, he scoops Miz, BIG ENDING! Cover, Big E and Heavy Machinery win!
Winners: Big E & Heavy Machinery, by pinfall
Big E is all fired up! Will he prove to everyone that he can be strong and serious, and therefore a serious threat in the SmackDown locker room?
SmackDown checks in with Roman and Pearce.
Roman says he isn’t signing the contract?! At least, not until some changes are made. But Roman promises to be at Payback one way or another. He will #WreckEveryoneAndLeave, and win back the title he never lost in the first place! “That is not just a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” Because Roman is a PAUL HEYMAN GUY!! The Advocate for the Beast is now the manager of the Big Dog! #BelieveThat! Will Roman become your reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion of the World at Payback?
My Thoughts:
Wow! Raw did a really good job pivoting from aftermath to go-home in this PPV sandwich we’re in, but SmackDown did an incredible job with it! Styles has a good promo claiming conspiracy on Hardy, and thinking about it now, anything even remotely related to conspiracy talk should’ve told us Sami Zayn was coming back. Sami of course puts his spin on how he became champion and why he couldn’t defend it, great character consistency from him. I really liked that there was also concern that Nakamura and Cesaro are not truly united as a team, but also that LHP is going to fall apart. We got a great match out of Cesaro and Kalisto, even with that finish, because it feeds story. I wonder if we’ll get a Six Man of LHP VS “Artist Collective” before one or both trios fall apart.
And as for the Intercontinental Championship issue, just make a Ladder match for a PPV, hearkening back to HBK VS Razor Ramon Scott Hall. One last amazing ladder match for Hardy in his career, since this feels like Hardy’s last run period. If need be, have Styles get involved to make it even more competitive, and to take some of the load off of a returning Sami and an outgoing Hardy. Then that midcard, workhorse title can move on. Riddle and Gable have a fast match, which is a bit of a shame, but Riddle and Corbin will settle things at Payback, it seems. Big E and Sheamus can also get in on the IC title scene, and they have great segments with Miz, Morrison and Heavy Machinery tonight. The main event Six Man was great, and naturally Big E wins to prove Miz and Morrison wrong.
The blending of stories continues to be great, as Bayley and Sasha talked trash on Big E and Heavy Machinery, and it was great for there to be an unintentional insult to Sasha. The same goes for the promos from Bayley and Sasha in the ring, and the “interruption” by Nia and Shayna. It sounds like there will be two dysfunctional duos at Payback, and I feel like this is the moment Bayley and Sasha lose the tag titles and turn on each other. It would definitely add an interesting dimension to the story of Nia and Shayna, and we’d get the long awaited Bayley VS Sasha match. The wait was worth it, this is going to be as explosive as when they were previously enemies and Bayley told Sasha, “You ain’t s*it!” I really hope they keep things going into Hell in a Cell for some real brutality.
Then there’s everything even remotely circling around The Fiend’s story. For one, I thought it was really clever for Alexa to come back, almost reverting back to her very early NXT days of being the happy, glittery Face. But she’s also entering that middle phase where she was WWE Harley Quinn. I totally felt smashing that mug happening, and I’m really curious to see how Tamina is going to factor in now. Pearce having to go to Vince, Bray, Braun and Roman in turn was a great main thread of the show, especially when he had to be a new cast member of Firefly Fun House. Strowman got to decimate Gulak, and it’s a good thing 205 Lives are filmed ahead of time or Gulak might not be part of it. Actually, he might still not be to keep kayfabe. Roman holding out was great, and HOLY CRAP he’s a Heyman Guy now?! That’s probably even wilder than just him going Heel! Payback might actually be worth it now!
My Score: 8.8/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
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